Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-04-12 Correspondencell\ I r IOWA -ILLINOIS GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 T. T. MOOOENWENF DISTRICT MANAGER April 5, 1983 The Honorable Mary C. Neuhauser Mayor of the City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Re: Proposed Transmission Line Along Railroad Right-of- way - east Iowa City Dear Mayor Neuhauser: We are happy to cooperate with the City and have no plans to start construction on this line until legal action is completed. Sincerely, TTH:F RECEIVE 1983 QuikTrip April 5, 1983 City Council City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Members of the Council: I am writing on behalf of QuikTrip Corporation which operates 260 stores in four states, five stores of which are located in the Iowa City area. Approximately one year ago, we were cited by the Building Inspection Department for some signs which were out of compliance with the zoning ordinance. We went to the Board of Variance and were granted an extension for removal of signs until the Board could get a recommendation to the City Council proposing a revision of the sign ordinance. We were informed last Fall that the ordinance would not be revised and to remove our signs, which we have done. It is my understanding that the current ordinance was revised in 1973 and instituted some very strict requirements regarding allowed signs. Apparently the enforcement was lax, as we were not aware of some of these restrictions until the citations were received. Many Iowa City businesses still have non -conforming signs up. QuikTrip Corporation has its own in-house marketing department and all of our signs are professionally designed and manufactured. We have no desire to stick signs all over our buildings and property, but a certain amount of signs are essential to our business. Since the problems have arisen, I have talked with Glen Siders of the Building Department, and to Don Schmelser of Planning and Program Development. I also talked with City Manager Neil Berlin, who advised that I write this letter. Don Schmeiser informed me that recommendations are being made for changes in the zoning ordinances, but that approval would not be until August. If recommendations are In the process which allow some of these needed signs, I ask that consideration be given to leaving the signs up until the revisions have been either approved or rejected. This would save considerable expenses for local businesses forced to remove signs which may be permitted in the very near future. QuikTrip Corporation / 3030 Merle Hay Road / P.O. Box 857 / Des Moines, Iowa 50304 / (515) 276.5010 S179 i MICROFILMED 01' ; 1' JORM MIC ROL AB CEDAR RAPIDS •DCS '40I7JCS i City Council of �' a City April 5, 1983 -2- I would be happy to meet with you if further explanation is necessary. Both Glen Siders and Don Schmeiser are well aware of the problems and I believe can answer any questions you may have. Your consideration will be greatly appreciated. Very truly yours, E. Michael Stanford Division Manager QL4KTRIP CORPORATION IOWA DIVISION MS/ka II �_--I4ICROFILI4ED BY f (� JOIM M" -MI C RfL,4 (3 - CEDAR RAVIDS •DES 1401 YES 599 ' 1 rE'V:D it 2 9 1083 William J. Feldmann 312 N. Cedar St. Monticello, Ia. 52310 26 March 1983 Office of the Mayor Iowa City, Ia. 52240 Dear Mayor Neuhauser: This letter is in response to an article in the March 26 edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette concerning the Elm Grove Park and the Iowa Army National Guard. I would like to discuss with you a misconception you have about the Iowa Army National Guard. Let me assure you that you are not alone in your misconception or in your apparent lack of support for the National Guard unit stationed in Iowa City, or for that matter, any Guard or Reserve unit anywhere in the state. First and foremost, the Iowa Army National Guard is just that. We are a part of the state government and we work at the pleasure of the governor. We do have ties to the pentagon and we are a part of the ready reserve force, but, we are Iowans, working in Iowa, for Iowa, and with other Iowans trying to insure the safety and welfare of Iowans first, and; the nation second. Wouldn't it have been just as easy to discuss Col. Sentman's proposal as it was to say "No" ? Your apparent lack of support for the National Guard is reflected in your statements in the article and yottr'position in the city government lends a certain amount of weight to these negative,attitudes,that don't really need any more support. I am a member of the 234th Signal Battalion stationed in Cedar Rapids and I can tell you what lack of support for the Guard can do to your unit. We need additional parking space and it looks like we will have to walk a quarter of a mile each way to get to the armory, if, we can obtain that tract of land. This leads to lowered morale which leads to lower'numbers of people joining and staying in and in turn leads to a lower level bf support capability. I would propose that you change the attitude in Iowa City by invit- ing Col. Sentman to explore, with you, the possibilities that exist for comprimise. If'you don't want the park and can't sell it why not use it for something that in the long run will benefit the city with more money. If the guard unit has adequate room to expand you may be able to foresee a new unit there, hence, more people employed and more wages, etc., to be spent in Iowa City. Most all guardsmen and women work part time in the Guard and are doing their part to improve the quality of life in their city, state, country, and the world in general. A little long range planning between cities that have National Guard and Reserve Armories and the Iowa Army National Guard could benefit the cities involved and the Guard and Reserve in Iowa. Thank you for your time and may this letter be not in vain. Al Willie J. Feldmann SFC IARNG Co. C, 234th Sig. Bn. Cedar Rapids, Ia. j I i 141CROFILMED 01 -� �- JORM "MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOVIES I 400 J March 31, 1983 Sgt. William J. Feldmann 312 N. Cedar Street Monticello, Iowa 52310 Dear Sgt. Feldmann: Thank you for your letter of March 26. I believe I owe you an explanation for my rather brusque response to the request for the donation of Elm Grove Park to the National Guard. First, I am not in any way negative to the National Guard in Iowa City or in any other part of the state. However, I am opposed to donating land to an organization which ought to have the means of paying for it. Cities have borne the brunt of federal budget cuts, while the military has benefitted tremendously. It would be appropriate to seek funds from the federal government rather than asking a city for the land. Second, the purpose of marketing the land was two -fold. The City Council has been trying to find money to purchase parkland. With our limited resources we decided to sell a park that is no longer heavily used to fund parks in more populated areas of town. In exchange for losing Elm Grove Park, the City would develop the land commercially, thus putting it on the tax rolls. If the Council donated the land to the National Guard, we would not receive payment to purchase parkland and the land would continue to remain off the tax rolls. These were the primary reasons that the City Council would not consider a donation to the National Guard. We believe that eventually the land will be purchased for commercial use. Until then, we will continue to use it as a park. Sincerely, Mary C. Neuhauser Mayor tp4/3 cc: City Clerk i MICROFILMED BY _ I 1" JORIVI-MICRClCB'.. CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOIMES I J� JSY) 30, March, 1983 To: The Iowa City City Council Neal Berlin, City Manager Last October, a woman ,got off an Iowa City bus at the bus interchange downtown. As she was walking across the street, in the crosswalk, she was struck by a bicycle. Both bicyclist and pedestrian were in the right, no tickets were issued; still, this women spent a week in the hospital because of this accident. This illustrates only one type of hazard present at the downtown transit interchange. Others include: lack of sidewalk space, and blind spots for motorists and pedestrians. We, the drivers of Iowa City buses, are concerned that someone will become even more seriously injured. Every quarter-hour as many as nine Iowa City buses are in the process of arriving, boarding and deboarding passengers, and leaving the interchange. Add to the Iowa City bus traffic,students coming and going to class, shoppers using the north entrance of the Old Capitol Center, bicycles, Cambus and Coralville buses, and motorists, and we have all the ingredients needed for a tragic accident. We work in this area every day and we're afraid. Afraid that with such congestion one of us, a motorist, a bicyclist, or a pedestrian may trigger a serious accident. The big question is, "What can be done?" I We all need to become more responsible pedestrians and motorists. j But this is not enough; accidents have happened and will happen again unless we take precautions to guard against them. We need to limit the access to Wahin ton Street between Clinton Street and Capito Street to tet rEe transit systems ana pedestrians. Does it take an excited child rushing across the interchange and being struck by an oncoming motorist, or another grandmother being struck by a negligent bicyclist to change the existing hazard? We hone not. Help us! Respectfully submitted, �� PhU1Nvc;5,yy,-H:n!ca7'183, President Arlo Fry, Senior D i er, Iowa City Transit and 33 Iowa City Transit Operators J MICROFILMED BY "JORM-'MICRdICAO-" I CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES �00/ 0 J L _! Jy(51 L nms SHULMAN j..O ..9W) WILLIAM V. PMELAN WILLIAM M.TNCNCR DANIEL W. BOYLE CHARLES A.MULLIN STEEHCN F. BRIGHT BRUCE L. WALr.ER RICHARD M.TuCMLR THOMAS H.BCLMAN RECEIVED APR 41983 PHELAN, TUCKER, BOYLE & MULLEN ATTORNEYS AT LAW BRCMfR BUILDING TCLLPNONC P. 0. Boz 2150 (aie) asa-N oa IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244 Mary Neuhauser Mayor Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa 52240 April 1, 1983 Re: Parking Ramp Privileges Dear Mary: When three-month parking passes were first available in the parking ramps I believe I was the third person who obtained a pass for the ramp located on Clinton Street and I have had a three-month pass ever since such period of time. Today I find that I am relegated to the top two floors, and this deeply distresses me. I normally get into the ramp between 6:30 and 7:30 in the morning, and on three or four days out of a week I am in and out of the ramp probably twice to three times a day. Over the past two years I have been distressed on several occasions when I have driven.to the top floor in order to find a parking space when I return some times at 11:00 in the morning or 2:00 in the afternoon; but I am more distressed when I attempt to leave the parking ramp between 4:30 and 5:30 in the afternoon when some times when I have been forced to park on a top level I find that it takes me twenty minutes or in excess to get out of the ramp by reason of the large number of cars. I can only assume that the Chamber of Commerce felt that the lower floors of the parking ramp should be used for the people who use the downtown businesses; but I am a tax- payer, I do use the ramp (I use the ramp probably more frequently than people who shop in downtown Iowa City), and I take great offense about the fact that we are required to move to these floors. I also pick up the mail each morning at the Iowa City Post Office and carry it from the ramp to the office. I know this means I am only required to take a few additional steps to use the elevator. If you could assure 141CROF1 LtdED BY JOR M--MICRf�LAB - CEDAR RAPIDS DES 1401NES Goz- T r' r Mary Neuhauser April 1, 1982 Page 2 me that I would get out of the ramp on a reasonable time basis, I would not feel this way. However, this is a problem and I request that the Council give reconsideration to this policy. I do feel the.policy discriminates between.those of us who have offices and work in the downtown area,and particularly those of us who use our cars on numerous occasions. ,This would also include particularly people in the real estate business, insurance business, and similar professions. Perhaps this matter was on an agenda before the City Council, but I do not recall seeing any notices of public hearing in reference to this policy and I would appreciate its review. Please note that I am sending a copy of this to Neal Berlin and also to Keith Kafer at the Chamber of Commerce. WMT/sb cc: Neal Berlin Keith Kafer Very truly yours, William M. Tucker MICROFILMED BY CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES -f� r - i �' II June 7, 1983 L-. Mr. William M. Tucker Phelan, Tucker, Boyle & Mullen P.O. Box 2150 i Iowa City, Iowa 52244 Dear Mr. Tucker: iSeveral weeks ago you wrote Mayor Neuhauser concerning the decision to move the permit parkers to the upper levels of the ramps. This change was made for two reasons. First, the downtown merchants have requested, for some time, that permit packers not be allowed to park in the choice parking spaces on the lower levels of the ramps so that those spaces will be available for the shoppers or short-term visitors to the downtown. Since the ramps were originally built to provide for the short term parkers only, the merchants' request seems justified. Secondly, the Council agreed in March 1983, to increase the number of monthly permits sold in each ramp by about 70% (from 75 to 125 in each ramp). If many of the choice parking spaces were already being filled by the permit parkers, the increase in monthly permits would only make that problem worse. We appreciate your patronage of the ramps since its opening. Permit parking continues to be provided at reduced rates. Based upon eight hours per day for 21 days per month, the hourly cost for a permit parker is 154. That is far less than street meter parking (204 per hour) or hourly parking in the ramp (251 per hour). I The traffic flow is a continuing problem in the ramps when many cars are leaving and/or entering at the same time. We are examining other traffic flow patterns and exiting schematics for a possible solution. I cannot guarantee that such a solution will be found due to the fact that the logistics of moving many vehicles quickly through the ramp is difficult with any traffic pattern. We recognize that parking limitations exist in the Central Business District but find it difficult to suggest any absolute resolutions to the problems short of leveling move buildings to provide for additional surface parking. Sincerely yours, Neal G. Berlin City Manager cc:/Rosemary Vitosh City Clerk < 9,2, i MICROFILMED BY _ 1 _J0RM--MICR4LA0'-- L % CEDAR RAPIDS • DES M014ES ( r j REM . ,_.D , 1983 Iowa Department of Transportation 430 16th Avenue S.W., Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (319)364-0235 April 4, 1983 The Honorable Mary C. Neuhauser Mayor City Hall Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor Neuhauser: REF: Johnson County IR -80-6(96)205--12-48 Agreement No. 83-M-134 RE: P.C.C. Patching This is official notification to your City Council that the Iowa Department of Transportation proposes to let a P.C.C. patching pro- ject on Primary Road No. I-80 from the Victor (V-38) interchange easterly to the Stockton (Y-30) interchange on May 10,1983. A part of said project lies within the City of Iowa City and extends from the City's west corporation line easterly to the east corpora- tion line. The work will be done in accord with the current Form 810034, "Agree- ment for Primary Road Extension Maintenance and Operation Project costs will be paid from the Primary Road Fund and no charges will be made against the City. THe project is proposed for construction during 1983. Resident Engineer Richard Kautz of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, telephone number, (319) 366-6818, will advise you of the contractor's proposed schedule when the information is available. We would appreciate this project notification being included on your next City Council meeting agenda as a matter of information for the Council members. If you have anygquestions concerning the work involved, please contact this office as soon as possible in order to expedite any possible changes. Very tr y you s, Robert C. Henely District Engineer RCH:mf cc: Ed Fawkes, R.O.W. Richard Kautz, RCE - Iowa City Will Zitterich - RME - Iowa City MICROFILMED BY 1 -JOR M --MIC R#L AB'" CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOIYES 603 1017 Diana Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 March 31, 1983 Mayor Mary Neuhauser Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mayor Neuhauser, I am writing in regards to the application to rezone certain property at 521 South Kirkwood Avenue. I attended the City Council's public hearing on this issue on March 29, and I would like to address first the statement made by Bruce Knight of the City Planning staff. Mr. Knight stated that one of the most significant factors in the planners' recommendations to rezone the property in question is the fact that the western boundary of the property faces light industry; therefore, the planners feel that high density multiple dwelling units are the appro- priate "buffer" for the area. My question is why is it that the northern and eastern boundaries of the property have not been taken into account in this decision? Those boundaries face single family dwellings, and it is my feeling that the RNC -20 zoning would destroy the integrity of such a neighborhood. Those single family dwellings deserve to exert the same influence on the planners that the light industrial area to the west apparently has. I find the concept of a "buffer" interesting here. Doth Mr. Knight and Mr. Leff have used this word in regards to whatever structure is built when 521 South Kirkwood is developed. I see the hill that ascends from the railroad tracks at Gilbert Court to 521 South I:irinaood as the actual and natural buffer between the light industrial area at the bottom of the hill and the single family dwellings at the top. The M-1 and the RNC -20 zonings would provide an intrusion into the neighborhood, not a buffer. I am concerned also about the alley to the north of 1016 Diana Street as a possible secondary access to 521 South Kirkwood. There is an alley to the north of my home which, in the last year, has been used as a secondary access to property to the north of Diana Street or Kirkwood Avenue. When one of the drivers speeding through this alley reached a speed of 40 mph (my estimate), I attempted to talk with him about this matter. When he refused, I contacted the police who told me there was nothing that could be done unless the police caught the driver; they assured me that it would be impossible to station a patrol car at this location. Then I called the City Attorney's Office where I was told, after two days of conversations, that there simply was nothing to be done about the speeding until someone was hurt I am not willing to risk this danger if the alley to the north of 1016 Diana is developed for secondary access to 521 South Kirkwood. The traffic on Kirkwood is heavy now; a resident at the property in question stated at the March 29 meeting that at 5:00P.M., she waited thirteen minutes before she could enter Kirkwood from her driveway. It is obvious that any multiple dwelling units would compound this problem. A walk south on /0001/ 'T. i p 141CROFILMED BY r �. JORM'-MICR(6LA9' CEDAR RAPIDS • DES 1401RES / l 2 Diana Street from Kirkwood demonstrates that that street cannot handle whatever traffic and parking problems that opening the alley north of 1016 Diana as secondary access for multiple dwellings will create. Also, I want to address the issue of protecting the developer's financial interest in his property. I respect and understand the developer's desire to realize a reasonable return on his investment and I know that the Council and the Planning Commission are concerned about this. All that I would ask is that the Council and the Planners give equal consideration to the investment in time, money, and emotional commitment that the residents of this neighbor— hood have made. I like living at 1017 Diana Street, and I feel that it is very positive to see my neighbors rallying to preserve the integrity of our neighborhood. We would like to make a recommendation regarding the rezoning of 521 South Kirkwood. At this time, I do not know what that recommendation might be. M-1 and RHC -20 are inappropriate and unacceptable, but we were told at the Zoning and Planning meeting that those were our only two choices. I hope that we are able to discover an alternative. Thank you for your time. cc: John Balmer Kate Dickson Clemens Brdahl Larry Lynch John McDonald David Perret Yours truly, Susan Seyfarth JJ 1 14IGRDFI.M" " —J 14 /]0—CEDAR RAPIDS • DES tdol1 �/ J ' a �PIN AM' 330 East Mwkw S,,..l Ph-"* 338.7573 � Iowa Cily, Iowa S2440 710 Diana Court Iowa City, Iowa 52240 April 4, 1983 Mayor Mary Neuhauser Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa 52240 1 Dear Mayor Neuhauser, My wife and I purchased our home at 710 Diana Court in August Of 1980. We were attracted to the neighborhood by the type of homes ' here and the proposed _r quiet surroundings. I am concerned that the ro osed rezoning of the property at 521 S• Kirkwood from M-1 to RNC -20, and ;. the subsequent development of hi gh itrental units permanently alter the desireabilydofsour neighborhood could 1' The area surrounding 521 S. Kirkwood is a residential area by r� natue. It consists of single-family, owner occupied households repreareasentiing notraarentalsareaohebetof tioTo cstnm, ages, and incomes. F is presently no multiple family or apartment units inothedgmmediate vicinity of 521 S. Kirkwood. Rezoning this property to RNC -20 could allow up to 60 rental units in an area that presently has one. That.: drastic a change in density would create and compound problems already existing in the neighborhood. The most serious problem be the amount of traffic generated by the increase of density. would Traffic on Kirkwood street is already bad enough. Adding the traffic from a 60 unit apartment complex would make it impossible. Diana i' street is a narrow residential street. When cars are parked along the curb presently, it is difficult at times to pass an oncomi car. Also, traffic signals at the intersection of Dodge, Kirkwnogod, and Diana Streets would almost be a necessity. Another casualty of this rezoning request and subsequent develop- ment would be the large trees existing there now. There are several large Oak and Walnut trees on the property that could not be replaced overnight. They provide valuable wild life habitat and also cut down on noise polution from the area immediately to the west, The reasoning behind the RNC -20 zoning as it has been explained to me is to provide a transition zone between the residential area to the east of 521 S. Kirkwood and the commercial properties to the west. I question why is it better to have this transition zone more compatible with the light commercial area to the west than the large residential area that presently surrounds it. no ainst I some serioustreservationseaboutgallowingthis ehighrdense sityapartments but would ha e j to be built in an area where they presently do not exist. I realize (I that the developer has a right to realize a fair profit on his I I_ i IIICROFIL14ED BY ; �'• �'"-JORM--MICRdLAB_ ..� L% CEDAR RAPIDS • DES M014ES r i i �r investment in this property, but not at the expense of the exiating property owners. For these reasons, I would ask the council to seriously consider rejecting the proposed rezoning of the property at 521 S. Kirkwood from M-1 to RNC -20. I feel it would be inaPP P' ro iate to allow a large scale apartment development to be built in this area. There is widespread concern in our neighborhood about the ramifications of allowing this to happen. We would like to preserve our neighborhood. As a lifetime resident of Iowa City, I feel I have an obligation to express my concerns on these matters and oppose this proposed \ rezoning. Iowa City is a very special and unique place in which to live. I hope we can preserve those special qualities that others might enjoy them in the future also. Thank -you for your time and consideration in these matters. Sincerely, 1 j j Patrick D. Gilpin Jjj I f I , i i 40S � n. JI i MICROFILE _I �.�... ... 111 ` DORMPIDS' CEDAR RAPIDS � / i TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Iowa City, Iowa We, the undersigned, being the owners of twenty percent or more either of the area of the lots included in suctf a proposed change, or of those immediately adjacent to the rear thereof extending the depth of one .lot or not to exceed two hundred feet therefrom, or of those directly opposite thereto, extending the depth of"one lot or not to exceed two hundred from the street frontage of such opposite .lots do hereby protest the rezoning of the following property: 521 Kirkwood Avenue This petition is signed and acknowledged by each of us with the intention that such rezoning shall not become effective except by a favorable vote of at least three-forths of all the members of the council. By: Property Address Phone 1014 �e/J q Al"rkukod Hue- �5 -lave' 1 , I, 7 I4ICROFILMED BY 1 DORM "MICROI:]CEDAR ' fl I RAPIDS •DES 1401 i / 0 d L E O APR 7 1983 i i CITY CLERK m 1016 Diana Street Iowa City, IA 52240 April 4, 1983 To the Mayor and City Council Iowa City, Iowa 52240 This letter concerns the rezoning of property at 521 Kirkwood Ave. from M-1 to the proposed RNC -20. Having attended the public hearing on this matter March.29th, it seems evident from statements made by Mr. Leff, representing the owner -developer that they would hope to realize optimum return on their investment in said property. His statements, however, neglect to acknowledge that the neighbor- hood property owners may have similar interests concerning their own property and indeed interest of even higher value than monetary or economic. After all this is our home, our neighborhood. 11e don't just own property. We live here. Why should we suffer personal loss of quality due to their monetary gains? And though no one has addressed this simple fact, I believe that people speculating in the real estate market make unfair value judgments about neighborhoods often based solely on appearance of property values. As if "old" or "small" is equated with "not good" or "no longer useful" and hence desirable for new and more speculative interests. I know things don't exist forever, but this kind of speculation applied to our neighborhood shows disregard for the people herein. lie may not be economically blessed but we do work and pay taxes and try our best to live within our means. Even more importantly, to live a life of harmony and dignity. If the neighborhood were to change drastically in character, due to such speculation, some of the younger residents might choose to move. Bear in mind, however, for our elderly residents that choice may not be viable. That anyone would be driven from their neighborhood due to such changes would indeed be sad. Upon moving to this neighborhood 3'i years ago my husband and I were surprised to learn of the M-1 zoning on the 521 Kirkwood property. We took interest in this matter as our property adjoins 521 on the east side. I feel a type of residential zoning would have been more appropriate as the 521 property has a residence on it and existed in a residential area long before the commercial zone, to the west on Kirkwood, was developed. As it is now, 521 serves as a natural barrier from the commercial zone. And as others have pointed out, neither M-1 nor RNC -20 seem appropriate. Both would serve as additional zones to be buffered against. My personal feeling is that this land should be used as a park or be allowed to return to a residential status. I especially see preservation iMICROFILMED BY 1 JORM--MICRi6LAB'_ CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES I� Page 2 Mayor and City Council April 4, 1983 of the trees as being very worthwhile. A recent NOVA program on IPBN (Iowa Public Broadcasting Network) indicated that large cities all across the country were trying to recoup some of their lost green areas --due to lack of planning and forethought in the past. What would it cost to develop a park of comparable size and quality of the 521 property, with 2.4 acres of land, and approximately 250 trees of great variety and size? I suggest we save ourselves some time and money and recognize what we have, when we have it by preserving it now. Who can replace 70 -100 -year-old walnut trees? Though some might ask what is their value (in monetary terms) I say their value transcends... the mere practical consideration. Another of the concerns I have with the proposed RNC -20 zoning is the noise that would be generated by people and cars from 58 (more if sub -divided) units. As I understand it, the city noise ordinance is not yet permanent. In the past I've realized through personal experience the necessity of having the police intervene in problems of this nature. Unless we have the noise ordinance to rely upon, I see our neighborhood as having to endure sleepless nights, loss of the use of our backyards, and loss of privacy when others, whom we don't know, get "out of hand." There is a great deal of variety in our neighborhood; in the people, their work and lifestyles, their families, homes, trees and houses. All these factors contribute to its being one of the nicest neighborhoods in the city. And first and foremost, as a mother of two young children, I value these ingredients as being of utmost importance. One final point --absentee ownership is not the general quality and character of the neighborhood. I would hope that the owner -developer would plan for the 521 property as if he himself were going to live next to it. Why? Because the people of our neighborhood will be doing just that, on a daily basis now and (for many of us) the years to come. Please help us preserve the integrity and quality of our neighborhood by supporting us in our efforts to preserve 521 as it is now, a place of great natural beauty. mn Sincerely, �{ Eileen M. Doerring - ., 141CROFIL14ED BY r CEDAR RA1110S • DES WINES I ! f. i \1 City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM DATE: April 4, 1983 ^ FrFROM: Mayor and City Council Robert W. Jansen, City Attorney A\ Q O Iowa City Rate Payers Association, Fisher and Sheehan v. Iowa City Board of Adjustment and Iowa-Illinois Cas $ Electric Company i Mr. Balmer has requested an opinion concerning whether or not a con- flict of interest exists with regard to the pending litigation in which the Board of Adjustment decision granting a special exception permit to Iowa-Illinois has been appealed to the District Court. The plaintiffs prosecuting the appeal are, in addition to the Iowa City Rate Payers Association, Mrs. Nancy Sheehan and Mrs. Eileen Fisher. According to the petition filed, Mrs. Fisher is also a member of the Association, The Iowa City Board of Adjustment is the defendant and iIowa-Illinois has intervened and is also now a party to the litigation. Mrs. Sheehan is a member of the Iowa City Resource Conservation Com- mission. Under the enabling ordinance, the members of the commission ' are charged with the development of short and long-range measures and Policies regarding the conservation of resources and the wise use of available forms of energy. City Code Sec, 27-72. The commission i.s all and servevinory body to an advisorytcapacity1reIativeytoacontleactualst of the arrangementsnbe- tween the City and energy utilities. Sec. 27-77(c). Mrs. Fisher is the wife of Peter Fisher, a recent appointee to the Board of Adjustment. Mr, Fisher was not serving on the Board at the time of the Iowa-Illinois decision. Public policy requires that local government officials and members i of local boards and commissions cannot be permitted to place tile msel interest maves in a position in which personal y conflict with public duty. Tho evil against which the policy is directed lies not only in influence improperly exercised, but also in creating a situation tending to weaken public confidence in the integrity of the public service, Anticu, Muni- ; mal Corporation Law, Sec. 22.60, The personal interest need not be monetary, With the foregoing principles in mind, I have examined the situations of Mr. Fisher and Mrs, Sheehan. In the case of Mr, Fisher, I find no conflict of interest, as that term is presently defined in the law, because of'the fact that Mrs. Fisher fI I IO O, MICROFILMED BY 1 �. JORM- -MIC REIL 2I B` LCEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOIRES j Mayor and City Council April 4, 1983 Page 2 is a plaintiff in a case filed against the Board of Adjustment. As stated, Mr. Fisher was not a member at the time the Board decision was reached. It is, however, possible that the District Court could remand the case back to the Board for further proceedings as part of the Court's decision. In that event, Mr. Fisher is not to participate in any manner in the proceedings due to the spousal interest in the case. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the interest of one spouse does not become the interest of the other, therefore Mr. Fisher should also disqualify himself in any other matters involving Iowa -Illinois or the Iowa City Rate Payers Association that may come before the Board while the present litigation is pending. Mrs. Sheehan stands in a position of serving as a member of one City commission and at the same time, as a private citizen, is bringing suit against another City body, the Board of Adjustment. It may be argued that this is no different from a property owner or developer serving on one of the City advisory commissions and appealing an un- favorable Board of Adjustment decision affecting his or her property to the District Court. However, this distinction does not necessarily apply in this case. Here, Iowa -Illinois is the real party in interest since the special exception permit is granted to it for the purpose of constructing the transmission line which is the heart of the dispute. As one of the plaintiffs, Mrs. Sheehan has a personal interest in the outcome of the litigation against the City's Board of Adjustment and Iowa -Illinois. Although the Resource Conservation Commision is advisory only, I understand that it is in the process of putting together re- commendations for subjects that the commission would like to see con- sidered as part of the upcoming City- Iowa -Illinois franchise negotiations. It is possible that some of the issues generated by the Rate Payers Association in the lawsuit may become part of the recommendations to the Council's franchise committee. In that case, Mrs. Sheehan's role as a commission member and as a plaintiff in the lawsuit create at least the appearance of a conflict. Although Resource Conservation Commission. recommendations to the Council franchise committee are in no sense binding, in order to avoid the ap- pearance of any conflict, it is my opinion that Mrs. Sheehan should not participate as a commission member in either the discussions or drafting of any of these subjects and the minutes should so reflect. if she does not wish to relinquish her role in this matters, then she should immediately withdraw as one of the parties in the pending lawsuit. Go7 j MICROFILMED BY -JONM""O MICRLAB- CEDAR RAPIDS • DES '40I4E5 I i ' .i i Mayor and City Council April 4, 1983 Page 3 i An additional concern has been brought to my attention and that is the fact that one of the members of the Resource Conservation Commission is an employee of Iowa -Illinois. This is certainly appropriate and undoubtedly the work of the commission is facilitated by having a re- presentative of the utility serve on the commission. However, I should icaution that the member should probably refrain from participation in the recommendations to the franchise committee, although it would be appropriate for the member to furnish factual information to the committee if requested concerning Iowa -Illinois operations within the City. 7be City has notI established commissionr mmission membersandperhaps ifsuch cadcode was e of lin existence,and type of situation presented in this and other cases could be more easily resolved. cc: City Manager Mr. Peter Fisher Mrs. Nancy Sheehan Chairman, Resource Conservation Commission iMICROFILMED BY L�--JORM--MICR#LAB- 1 CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOINES f 607 0 CITY OF IOWA CITY CIVIC CENTER 410 E. WASHNGTON ST. IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 (319) 356-5CC0 Date February 28, 1983 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination - Maintenance Worker II I We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby ydcertify the following named persons in th(ia°ntenanoce 4horker II/Par i.as Systemse for the position of Tyrone Dye - Hired 2/28/83 IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION TF-letta L. urelup Bruce L. Walker John Maxwell ATTEST: ///n4.& ed Aj 41'.� City Clerk —� MICROFILMED BY _JORM_.-MICR#L AEI - CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES I ..J CITY, OF IOWA CITY CHIC CEN(ER 410 E. WASHINGTON Si. IOWA UY, IOWA 52240 (319) 356-5000 Date March 2, 1983 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination - PPT Parking Cashier r We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named persons in the order of their standing as eligible for the position of Parking Cashier/Parkins Svstpms_ Barbara Wells - Hired 3/2/83 IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION ! 14zo!�Lxxxz :1 r etta L. ure1up Bruce L. Walker John A. Maxwell ATTEST: J 4". �..4 &&ij; City Clerk i MICROFILMED BY 7 - I _1— "J 111 ORM--MICR6 Ae1�— CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOINES I G0 1 I 1 4 I 1 CITY OF IOWA CITY CIVIC CENTER 410 E. WASHNGTON ST. IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 (319) 356-5COD Date March 7. 1983 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination - PPT Mass Transit Operator r We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named persons in the order of their standing as eligible for the position Of Mass Transit Operator/Transit nivicinn Steven Bachelder - Hired 3/7/83 Charles Tosh - Hired 3/14/83 IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION a&4eza1 a� etta re up `V— Bruce L. Walker John A. Maxwell ATTEST:,,; City Clerk —� I 141CROFIL14ED BY JI I DORM"' -MIC R#L-A"B'- CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOINES W /d CIT Y OF IOWA CITY CIVIC CENTER 410 E. WASHNGTON ST. IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 (319) 356 5N0 Date March 10, 1983 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination - Maintenance Worker I We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named persons in the order of their s ' tanding as eligible for the position of Maintenance Worker I/Parking Systpmq Carol Larson Hired 3/10/83 IOWA ITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Arletta L. re up V Bruce L. Walker John A. Maxwell ATTEST: Zr, -I City Clerk 141CROFILIIED BY -J0RM--MICR46CAI3'- CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES CITY OF IOWA CITY CHIC CENO 410 E. WASHNGTON ST. IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 (319) 356 50.0 Date March 16, 1983 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination - PPT Parking Cashier We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named persons in th r er of Maes standing as eligible for the oosition of � �arking ashier/Parking Systems Mervin Nissley - Hired 3/16/83 ATTEST: IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION r etta L. Orelup Bruce L. Walker John Maxwell -JORM--MICR#L_AB__ 1+ CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES I CITY OF IOWA CITY CIVIC CENTER 410 E. WASHINGTON ST. IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 (319) 356-5000 Date March 26, 1983 T0: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination - Two, We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named persons in the order of their standing as eligible for the position of Mechanic I/Equipment Division I , Tom Green - Hired 3/26/83 I IOWA CITY CIVIL SER�CE COMMISSION Arletta L. Orelup - —�— Bruce L. Walker onn A. maxwe ATTEST: d -s�' k(, Q.T City Clerk MICROFILMED BY _J r 1` JORM--MICR#LA13- 11 CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES 1/3 r CITY OF IO CHIC CENTER 410 WA E. WASHINGTON ST. IOWA C[ly IOWA 52240 Date March 28, 1983 CITY (319) 356 5CM TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination -Police Captain We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do here in � by certify the following named persons Cantaof their ; ___ stand of Voloing as eligible for thn cerder ;�ia , James Hazlett Ronald Fort Patrick Harney William Cook Craig Lihs Dave Harris IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION r etta L. reup Bruce L. al er o n axwe ATTEST:�I City clerk �'" '-�. 411 4 i 141CROFILMED BY �,•,•„• � JORM"MICRf�L,A B- ' /Ij I CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES f / CITY OF IOWA CITYCIVICCENTER 410 E. WASHNGTONST.I OWA Cfry, IOWA 52240 (319) 356 50M Date March 23, 1983 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council j RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination - Fire Lieutenant Y We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named persons in the order of their standing as eligible for the position Of Fire Iieutonant/Fire npn^rtmont j Steve Dolan Randy Allen Les Schaapveld Dale Miller j 1 IOWA ITY CIVIL'SERVICE COMMISSION I r et 'AI re up i Bruce L. a er i o n axwe ATTEST:n," �v) y t� st r•' , CRty Clerk 11 i MICROFILMED BYjI . _ ...._1... _ JORM�--MICR�LAB-� r CEDAR RAPIDS • DES M014E5 61S II April 5, 1983 i SELZER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY 1211 owe City, Iowa 52240 1APhone RAMOMO03MOM 338--3666 +cr.B City Council of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 . Attention: Karin Franklin, Planner Re: Rezoning Request 7x8307 In order to allow construction work this season, I request that the City Council, at their April 12th meeting, set a Public Hearing for their May 10th meeting on my request to rezone the property at 624. South Gilbert Street from CZ to R3A. Your assistance will be appreciated. Sincerely, Max D. Stlzer, esident 1 MICROFILMED BY JORM-MICR46LAB- CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOINES J� 1 RECL VEJD 1:'09 j I 1 I 4 j � I i t April 11, 1983 i i Dear mayor Neuhauser, I I -, In regard- to our phone conversation, we would like a delay of the ` reading of the property at 521 Kirkwood Avenue until April 26, 1983, 11 Since�el\l I1 IC V J ��a La ry and �uft Rtpler t I P.S. We hope to meet with the council at the informal session April 18th. 4 j 4 �k k 6-2-1 i MICROFILMED BY r --" JORIVI""MICR#LCi O-- / CEDAR RAPIDS • DES MOINES L" 1 ,! The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 52242 Department of Zoology Program in Evolutionary Ecology and Behavior (919) 957.6751 Mr. Robert Singerman' Civic Center City of Iowa City Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Bob: 28 March 1983 I fear that I must resign from the Resource Conservation Commission. As much as I feel that the Commission has a critical function in the community and that I can, in theory, add insight to its deliberations, I cannot 1n good conscience retain the poet. The key reasons are: 1. I am completely overextended with university work. I do not have evenings free, much less time to read and think about key issues in front of the commission. 2. My research schedule is developing for this and next year. I will be out of the country for over five months this year, and more than eight months next year. I simply cannot Justify either keeping the title or the time that conscientious service on the commission would take from the limited time left for my teaching, data analysis, writing, and department responsabilities. This is the sort of community service that I hope I can take on at a different point in my career; it is not feasible now. a Sincerely, Henry F. Howe Associate Professor cc: R. Webb l v MICROFILMED BY —JORM "MIC RbLA B" � CEDAR RAPIDS •DES IdO L'iES & 3/ J� TRINITY CHRISTI" REFORMED CHURCH 51A11.1110 ADDRESS, 2908 RAVEN STREET E. COURT AND KENWOOD DRIVE IOWA CITY. IOWA 52240 PASTOR IMMARD 1. VANORR ZEE Omcz: (319) 338-9635 Holm: (319) 339-1539 April 4, 1983 The Mayor and City Council City of Iowa City Iowa City, Iowa Dear Mayor and Council Members, :L I am submitting to ywj my resignation as a member of the Housing Commission of Iowa City. The resignation is effective May 159 1983. The reason for my resignation is tiat I have taken a position in another community and will be miring. I thank you for appointing me to this position for to last four years and for the trust you placed in me* In serving on the Commission and also being delegated to serve on the CON I have learned a great deal about the problems ofloint City and I have been impressed with the Council's desire to solve them. sincerely Yours, Leonard."Vander lee J, 4.3.2 - MICROFILMED BY —JORM --M R L-A CEDAR RAPIDS 01. - MICROFILMED City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM = DATE: April 7, 1983 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Robert I4. Jansen, City Attorney tiq kv� I U RE: Central Jr. High School Site i i I As you know, during the meeting between the Mayor and the Executive Committee of the Iowa City Community School Board of Directors on March 1st there was a request from the School District that the School District intended to vacate the Central Jr. High buildings during the current year. The School Board was anxious that should such a vacation of the premises occur this not be construed or deemed to be an abandonment of the site for school purposes in the event of eventual litigation. As you know, the crux of the dispute between the City and the School District revolves around the ordinances granting use of the site to the School District for as long as the property is used for school purposes. Should the use of the buildings be discontinued, this could i' be interpreted as an abandonment or relinquishment of the use that was granted by the City in the original ordinances. In the spirit of good faith negotiations concerning the entire matter, the City i has been requested not to contend, should the matter have to go to court, that there has been an abandoment of the property. Accordingly, the Mayor agreed, subject to Council's approval, to furnish the necessary assurance to the School District. Rather than put this matter into a formal agreement, the School Dis- trict Attorney and I thought that the simplest way to handle this would be to do it in the form of a letter to the School Board President. k When I first drafted the letter and presented to the.School Board Attorney for review it had been limited to August 31st, but the School District wants to have the period extended to the end of the year in i order to give them adequate time to vacate the buildings. You will also note that should the School District Wsh to extend the time this would be subject to review and approval of the Council. I i i 141CROFILMED BY I 'DORM MICRILAB-- 111 _I % CEDAR RAPIDS DES HONES 1 J CITY OF CHIC CENTER 410 E. WASHNGTON ST. IOWA IOWA CW. IOWA 52240 Mrs, Lynne Cannon President Board of Directors Iowa City Community School District 509 South Dubuque Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Lynne: CITY (319) 356-5CCC) During our meeting with the Executive Committee of the Board on March 1, 1983, you informed us that the School District may teed to vacate the school buildings located on the Central Jr. High tract sometime Burin Y pro - cern that in the eventtthe brespective ance of tclaimshis aof ther. uCittyandet con - School District are not resolved by that time, the City will not con- strue the buildingY and the pro- perty for school Purposeson as an abandonment of the use of the pro_ p Purposes. I have discussed this with the Council and the Council has directed me to furnish you with the requested assurances. Accordingly, this letter is intended to inform the Board of Directors that the City will not seek to construe any vacation of the premisrty for es from now until December 31, 1983, as an abandonment of the s checlaim shouldothe matter eventually oses nor will the City advance or put forth any y r result in litigation. It should be further understood that the Council reserves the right to review and approve any extensions should the Board request that the time period be extended beyond December 31, 1983. Sincerely yours, _C. 4)'e� Mary C. euhauser Mayor i MICROFILMED BY JORM--MICR4�CA9` CEDAR RAPIDS DES 140E1NES I ,I' J1