HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-01 Correspondence4- -
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$20,000 Trees Please! Grant Awarded to the City of Iowa City by
MidAmerican Energy
DES MOINES, Iowa -March 26, 2008 -MidAmerican Energy Company is
providing $272,000 to 99 cities and community organizations throughout its Iowa service
territory in support of its Trees Please! program, including $20,000 to the City of Iowa
City.
Trees Please! funds are distributed to local communities each year in an effort to
promote energy efficiency and environmental beautification through the planting of trees,
and it is just one of MidAmerican Energy's 22 energy efficiency programs offered to
residential and nonresidential customers.
Since 1992, MidAmerican Energy's tree-planting grants have helped communities
across the state plant more than 65,000 trees.
"MidAmerican is pleased to offer the Trees Please! program to encourage
community beautification, help the environment and promote energy conservation," said
Rick Leuthauser, MidAmerican Energy's manager of energy efficiency programs.
Trees improve energy efficiency by serving as natural windbreaks and providing
shade to homes and businesses while beautifying parks, roadways and other common
areas within a community. At the same time, planting trees improves air quality and helps
protect and nourish the soil.
Each community has been awarded at least $1,000, with larger communities
receiving larger amounts. The grants are based entirely on the individual merits of the
project, the benefit to the community and the ability to obtain matching funds.
Communities were notified in December they would receive a grant, and checks
are being delivered to winning communities. For more information about Trees Please!,
call 800-434-4017.
-more-
MidAmerican/Page 2
Since the inception of the company's energy efficiency programs in the early
1990s, more than $400 million has been invested in helping our customers reduce their
energy use. As a result of customers' participation in the company's energy efficiency
programs, enough energy has been saved to provide electricity to power more than
500,000 homes for one year, which means that the emissions that would have been
produced from generating that electricity have not been placed into the air.
MidAmerican Energy Company, Iowa's largest energy company, provides
electric service to 720,000 customers and natural gas service to 702,000 customers in
Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota. It is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa.
Information about MidAmerican is available on the Internet at
www. midamericanenergy. com.
# # #
MidAmerican Trees Please! Grants for 2008
Community/Organization County Grant Awarded
Bedford Trees Forever Taylor $1,000
Big Creek Recreation Association Polk $1,000
Calhoun County Conservation Calhoun $1,000
Cedar Rapids City Forestry Division Linn $20,000
City of Ackley Hardin $3,000
City of Akron Plymouth $1,000
City of Algona Kossuth $1,000
City of Allison Butler $1,000
City of Altoona Parks & Recreation Polk $1,000
City of Aplington Butler $1,000
City of Arthur Ida $1,000
City of Avoca Pottawattamie $5,000
City of Badger Webster $1,000
City of Battle Creek Ida $1,000
City of Blue Grass Scott $1,000
City of Bradgate Humboldt $1,000
City of Bronson Woodbury $1,000
City of Brunsville Plymouth $1,000
City of Carson Pottawattamie $1,000
City of Charter Oak Crawford $1,000
City of Clarinda Page $1,000
City of Clarksville Butler $1,000
City of Clive Polk $1,000
City of Coralville Parks Johnson $1,000
City of Correctionville Woodbury $1,000
City of Council Bluffs Pottawattamie $20,000
City of Cushing Woodbury $1,000
City of Defiance Shelby $1,000
City of Denver Bremer $2,000
City of Des Moines Polk $20,000
City of Dexter Dallas $1,000
City of Dumont Butler. $1,000
City of Durant Cedar $1,000
City of Eagle Grove Wright $1,000
Community/Organization County Grant Awarded
City of Earlham Madison $1,000
City of Elk Horn Shelby $1,000
City of Emmetsburg Palo Alto $3,000
City of Fairfax Linn $1,000
City of Fort Dodge .Webster $2,000
City of Fort Madison Lee $1,000
City of Hampton Franklin $1,000
City of Henderson Mills $1,000
City of Hiawatha Linn $2,000
City of Hudson Black Hawk $1,000
City of Humboldt Humboldt $1,000
City of Independence Buchanan $1,000
City of Iowa City Johnson $20,000
City of Johnston Polk $1,000
City of Kimballton Audubon $1,000
City of Kingsley Plymouth $1,000
City of Lake City Calhoun $1,000
City of Lawton Woodbury $1,000
City of Le Mars Betterment Plymouth $1,000
City of LeClaire Scott $1,000
City of Manson Calhoun $1,000
City of Marion Linn ~ $1,000
City of Moorhead Monona $1,000
City of North Liberty Johnson $2,000
City of Norwalk Warren $1,000
City of Park View Scott $1,000
City of Parkersburg Butler $1,000
City of Polk City Polk $1,000
City of Prairie City Jasper $1,000
City of Prairie City Park Board Jasper $1,000
City of Princeton Scott $1,000
City of Randolph Fremont $1,000
City of Rock Valley Sioux $2,000
City of Rockwell Cerro Gordo $1,000
City of Rockwell City Calhoun $1,000
City of Ruthven Palo Alto $1,000
City of Shelby Pottawattamie $1,000
Community/Organization County Grant Awarded
City of Sheldon O'Brien $2,000
City of Sioux City Parks Woodbury $20,000
City of St. Charles Madison $1,000
City of Storm Lake Buena Vista $2,000
City of Urbandale Polk $5,000
City of Waterloo Black Hawk $20,000
City of Waukee Parks Dallas $2,000
City of West Des Moines Polk $20,000
City of West Point Lee $1,000
City of Whiting Monoria $1,000
City of Wilton Park Board Muscatine $1,000
City of Yetter Calhoun $1,000
Cylinder Trees Palo Alto $1,000
Glenwood Tree Board Mills $1,000
Greenway Habitat Scott $20,000
Humboldt County Conservation Board Humboldt $1,000
Indianola Tree Committee Warren $1,000
Lake Cornelia Improvement Association Wright $1,000
LeMars Trees Forever Plymouth $2,000
Manson Economic Development Calhoun $1,000
Oskaloosa Trees Forever Mahaska $1,000
Sergeant B1uffParks & Recreation Woodbury $1,000
Sheldon Visioning Committee O'Brien $1,000
Shenandoah Parks & Recreation Page $1,000
Siouxland Historical Railroad Association Woodbury $1,000
Van Meter Trees Forever Dallas $1,000
Waukee Public Library Dallas $1,000
Woodbury County Fair Board Woodbury $1,000
Total Grants 99 $272,000
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^`~®~~ CITY OF IOWA CITY 5 1
.~®..~ AND ~
MAR
ME
Date: March 17, 2008
To: City Clerk
From: Kent Ralston, Acting Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for April 1, 2008 City Council meeting; Installation of (2) HANDICAP
RESERVED PARKING signs near 1424 Broadway Street.
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 36 of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council
of the following action.
Action:
Pursuant to Section 9-1-36 (14); Install (2) HANDICAP RESERVED PARKING signs (with
arrows) in front 1424 Broadway Street.
Comment:
This action is being taken to accommodate a resident at 1424 Broadway Street. This action will
be rescinded when the individual no longer resides at this address.
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5 2
Marian Karr
From: Dale Helling
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 4:33 PM
To: 'Nang, Seashia'; Council
Subject: RE: Susan Stanton
Seashia,
According to our information on file, Ms. Stanton can be reached at: 1928 7th Street,
Sarasota, FL 34236-4225. (727) 710-1333.
Yours truly,
Dale Helling
Interim City Manager
-----Original Message-----
From: Nang, Seashia [mailto:seashia-vangc~uiowa.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:10 PM
To: Council
Subject: Susan Stanton
Hello-
My name is Seashia Vang and I am a journalism student at the University of Iowa. I am ,
doing a follow up story of Susan Stanton. She was one of the candidates running for city
manager and I was wondering if you knew were I could reach her. Perhaps an E-mail address
or business number?
Thank you for your time,
Seashia Vang
1
5 3
Marian Karr
From: Dale Helling
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2008 8:36 PM
To: 'Cliff Pirnat'
Cc: Council; Rick Fosse
Subject: RE: winter
Dear Mr. Pirnat,
Thank you for your email to the City Council regarding "winter". Your message was received
by Council as official correspondence as a part of the consent agenda for the regular
Council meeting of March 4, 2008.
Perhaps I can provide some helpful information in response. I certainly understand why you
might question why trails were being cleared while many streets remained iced over. During
the time you referred to, the ice in the streets was the result of freezing rain and ice,
followed by a heavy wet snow, and then a rapid (less that 24 hours) drop to sub-zero air
temperature. Because we do not have the staff and equipment to clear all city streets in
such a short time, many residential streets were left with a thick layer of ice and packed
snow rutted by vehicles that traveled on them before the temperatures reached their
coldest point. That ice became tightly bonded to the road surface and even our heaviest
equipment was not effective in removing it until warmer whether came. The fact that we
were unable to keep a sufficient supply of road salt simply made the situation worse.
Despite the above, our Parks crews were able to at least partially clear trails and some
other walkways for which they are responsible. Their lighter duty equipment would not have
been effective in the streets. Thus you saw trail clearing occurring even though we were
able to make little or no progress with the streets.
Occasionally, depending on the length and severity of a snowfall, you will see some trails
being cleared by Parks crews even before our Streets division crews complete snow removal
from the streets. These two divisions have different snow removal tasks and use
significantly different equipment. Further, even in the winter time, many people wish to
utilize the trail system for commuting as well as for recreational purposes. Thus there is
a demand for keeping trails cleared as well.
This winter has been exceptional and a real challenge for all city workers assigned to
snow removal efforts. We will be looking toward how we might improve in the future,
regarding both the allocation of resources and the determination of priorities for snow
and ice removal. All that notwithstanding, I think our streets crews hung in there and did
a commendable job, given the challenges they have faced this winter. I hope you and other
concerned citizens will agree.
Best regards,
Dale Helling
Interim City Manager
cc. Rick Fosse, Director of Public Works
-----Original Message-----
From: Cliff Pirnat [mailto:cpirnatc~mchsi.com)
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:26 AM
To: Council
Subject: winter
This winter has been rough on a lot of citizens and the city has tried to keep things
going.
I use Lower City Park practically daily, and am glad the city clears the snow and ice.
1
But like today, there is at least 3 vehicles clears snow from the path ways and roads.
This is an everyday occurance, and today they are widening the road ways an extra 3 feet
past the curb.
Fine and dandy but our street and many in town have 6-8 inches of very
hard ice on them, plus the streets are narrow.
The city vehicles pass on our streets but never make attempt to clear
them.. Even i and some neighbors clean others driveways and sidewalks.
Can only guess its to help local business that sell tires, align front
ends and change mufflers which again helps the city.
The money overspent at the recreation spots during a winter like this
could be better alocated.
cliff pirnat
705 manor dr
iowa city,ia 52246
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5 4
Marian Karr
From: J & L TUTTLE [oceanfamily@msn.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 6:29 PM
To: Bud Stockman; John Sobaski; Council; helling@iowa-city.org
Subject: POT HOLES
Laura Tuttle
2247 Balsam Court
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-331-9849
3/ 11/08
To Whom it May Concern:
Today was a sad day for me, I had to take my car to get checked out because the tire was bulging out at the
side. Not only did I have to pay for a NEW TIRE due to hitting pot holes in Iowa City in the amount of $209.91 at
Linder Tire's in Iowa City. I also have to order a new rim that will cost between $300 & $400 hundred dollars.
Since they don't carry AUDI rims it has to be ordered so for now they are using my spare tire's rim, and I have no
spare tire. I ask that you reimburse me for my Tire in the amount of $209.91 and for the cost of the rim that I
have to order. I just bought my Audi in November 2007 and it had brand new tires on it. I have hit several pot
holes in Iowa City not on purpose, I have tried to be very careful. But the City of Iowa City has an obligation to
us the residents who pay our thousands of dollars every year in property taxes to keep the roads and streets in
good working order, in that you have failed me and other residents of IOWA CITY and I would like to be
reimbursed. The pot hole that I hit was on S Dubuque St, and then I hit one on Riverside Drive going towards
Coralville. I have hit many but those are the 2 most memorable and you could not see them as they were
camouflaged with ice and snow or some fake asphalt. I ask that you reimburse me ASAP. A copy of my receipt is
enclosed with this letter. If you have any questions my contact information is above.
Thank you for your consideration. Do right by the residents of Iowa City, so we don't have to take other actions.
Thank You
Laura Tuttle
John and Laurn Tuttle
.._
Need to know the score, the latest news, or you need your Hotmail®-get your "fix". Check it out.
3/11/2008
u4-u.i -ua
5 5
Marian Karr
From: Doug Alberhasky [doug@johnsgrocery.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2008 3:10 PM
To: Council
Subject: alleys
Is it spring yet?
I know that this winter has been the worst that we've seen in years, and that you've been swamped with all sorts
of nasty comments on the job that the road crews have done (or not done) in these very trying times, and I'm not
going to do that. As well as the manager of John's Grocery, I also manage our rentals and do snow removal on
the side, so I've got a perspective that not many residents in our city have. In talking to many people on the north
side (customers and parents of Mann Elementary-I'm also the PTO Co-President) I've heard a lot of comments on
the state of our alleys. Everyone that I've talked to agrees that it is ridiculous how the city fines people for not
removing snow and ice from their sidewalks, but won't do anything about the alleys when they are impassible.
According to city staff that I have talked to, the alleys in Iowa City are considered no man's land. Not maintained
by the city, not maintained by the property owners-no one.
Most of you are familiar with the "Alley of Death" to the east of our store. We, John's Grocery, paid to have our
section re-done a number of years ago. Last year with the help of Jim Thiboudeau, we tried to get the other
property owners to go in on reconstructing the rest of the alley. It of course did not happen, and I shudder to think
about how many people got stuck in the alley and how many thousands of dollars in auto repairs are going to be
needed because of the state of this alley. The reason it did not happen was simple: too many people balked at the
price, even with the city pitching in a portion. If all of the property owners were living and driving on the alley every
day, it would have been done. But with so many rental properties on the north side, these non-owner occupied
landowners simply don't care if their tenants have a problem driving down the alley. It does not affect them.
In viewing council actions over the past couple years, I see the pattern that if most council members had their
way, the number of rentals on the north side would continue to diminish, and in their place we would have more
families repopulating our neighborhoods. In my humble opinion, the outrageous state of our alleys is going to
prohibit this from happening. Getting to your garage out back of your house should not be the life and death
struggle that it is. The quality of life in the north side of Iowa City is great, but when coupled with very high
property prices and high property taxes, the simple fact of having to drive through a gravel pot-hole-dotted
causeway, last updated two centuries ago, would really make many young couples think twice about moving into
our neighborhoods. As a case in point, my 21-year old assistant recently informed me that upon marrying his
fiancee, he does not intend to invest in the high-priced homes of northern Iowa City because of the poor condition
of the streets and alleys, and instead will be moving to Des Moines.
What can be done? Simple: make the property owners pay for their alleys. Fix them right (not just dump more
gravel that will wash out a week after it's done), figure out what to do with the run-off, treat them like sidewalks,
but we've got to do something, anything, please...
Thank you for your consideration.
Doug Alberhasky
Store Manager
John's Grocery, Inc.
401 E. Market St.
Iowa City, IA 52245
319.337.2183 (tel)
319.339.4904 (fax)
319.331.8764 (moblie)
www johnsgrocery.com
An Iowa City Tradition Since 1948
3/17/2008
5 6
Marian Karr
From: Kathryn Johansen
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 2:25 PM
To: 'John Whitaker'
Cc: "City Council
Subject: RE: Leafblowers
Dear John,
Thank you for your email to the City Council regarding leaf blowers. Your message will be received by Council as
official correspondence on the consent agenda for the regular Council meeting of April 1, 2008.
Should Council express interest in looking further into your request, it will be scheduled for discussion at a future
work session.
Thanks for writing, John.
Sincerely,
Kathi Johansen
Administrative Assistant
to the City Manager
319 356-5010
From: John Whitaker [mailto:whatever52240@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008 3:32 PM
To: Council
Subject: Leafblowers
Dear City Council,
Is there any way that Iowa City could discourage the purchase and usage of leafblowers?
Most of them are cheap devices that pollute the air with two-stroke engines and pollute the sound of
nature with their shrill, high-pitched whine.
I have neighbors who have these devices. They will stand out in their yard for an hour trying to blow a
handful of wet leaves down a hill. It is funny to watch. Have they ever heard of a rake? A broom?
Most of these leafblowers emit at least 75db at 50 feet and over 100db at the operator's ear. That's the
equivalent of operating a chain saw or a jackhammer. Who operates a chain saw or a jackhammer for up
to an hour? Most people operating leaf blowers do not use hearing protection.
Sure, you can legislate these things via a noise ordinance. Many towns in California have outright
banned them.
Is there any interest amongst City Council members with at least discouraging the use of these devices
in residential areas?
3/25/2008
Page 2 of 2
A ban would be nice, but the cops surely have better things to do than write citations on suburban men
with their dumb garage gadgets built in China.
John Whitaker, Iowa City
3/25/2008
5 7
March 24, 2008
The Wetherby Splash Pad which is a joint project of the Wetherby and Grant Wood Neighborhood
Associations is ahead of schedule and we want to thank the Iowa City City Council and the Park and
Recreation Department for all the support you have given us. The splash pad will be a great addition to the
South East side of Iowa City and the families are anxiously awaiting its arrival!.
The neighborhoods have been working hard to make this project a reality. Last summer, a car wash was held
with the proceeds benefiting the splash pad. Another car wash is to be held this summer, tentatively scheduled
for June 7tth. The neighborhoods are also holding a garage sale on April 5~~' at the Grant Wood Gymnasium.
Local businesses have been asked to contribute to this project and we are happy to say over $3200 in
contributions and commitments have been made to the project..
Without your support, we would not have been able to even consider such a large project. We'll let you know
when the grand opening occurs! Thanks so much again.
Sincerely,
C ~
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Chris Harms
President, Grant Wood Neighborhood Association
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Sincerely,
Eliza eth Koppes
President, Wetherby Neighborhood Association
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5 8
Marian Karr
From: Anne Wallace [schnauzersrule@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 9:13 AM
To: Council
Subject: City High Champions
I notice other towns in Iowa, when their teams win State Championships, put small signs on their
entrances to town signifying the home of a state championship team(s). Considering the remarkable
year City High had this year, plus other championships Iowa City high schools have won in the past and
certainly in the future, I think it would be a nice tradition to do what other towns do, and mark this
achievement in a similar way. I know Iowa City thinks itself as a cosmopolitan town, but I think this
part of small town Iowa, and its pride in its school teams in all endeavors, both sports and academic,
would be welcome in Iowa City.
I am assuming this would be in addition to the naming of a day in honor of the school teams, with some
kind of certificate or proclamation to mark the occasion.
Thanks for your consideration.
Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your honiepage.
3/24/2008
5 9
Marian Karr
From: Marcia Jenn [mmjenn@q.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:02 PM
To: Council
Subject: Multiple items
This correspondence will become a public record.
I would like to know the following:
l . Why is the Iowa City Council so weak in deciding to clean up the Rif' Raf that stand and
MOOCFI on our street corners?'???
I do not believe they are all veterans as some of them claim and if they are so destitute why do they
have cell phones, dogs, cigarettes, bicycles cars parked in close by lots and better heavy coats or
clothing than I own myself. They stand right in front of a business which is hiring but won't go in and
apply.
Previous news paper articles through interviews with the beggars have yielded that they make
sometimes 100.00 dollars aday- with no responsibility to pay taxes. I have to work 9 hours a day at my
job to reap part of the same reward because I have taxes taken from my check. Make Iowa City safe and
BAN ALL BEGGING Not just in downtown Iowa City. Coralville had the guts why can't you
people?
2. After reading the Landlord Rent expenditures printed in last weeks Press Citizen and after
follo~r~ing the same items in previous months, my husband and I have decided that IF Iowa City
didn't spend so much of the local taxpayers monetary input ou FRI±:E RENT for people rve could
have built one very nice fire station a long time ago and adequately staffed it as well as increased
the police force.
In 46 years, my husband and I have always worked for a living, paid our own rent and house payment.
We bought our own clothes, food, paid for our kids and my college and NEVER have we nor would we
have mooched off of our fellow neighbors or taxpayers or expected them to pay our way for us. There is
a difference between a Helping Hand and plain old Hand Out. Iowa City & Cedar Rapids are getting a
nationwide rep as a towns to come to for FREEBIES. Maybe that explains the CR Gazette article as
Linn & Johnson being the only counties in the State to have a rise in their population. Check the crime
rates too. You'll see they have risen just as our school's reputations for a Good education has gone down
hill.
3. Cau someone explain to me ~`'HY Syd Jackson, a I31ack Police Officer making; $84,000 a year is
living in Section 8 housing in Iowa City and does not meet the criteria or City policy for an officer
to be living in Section 8 housing`.' lloesn't wear a uniform, doesn't drive a squad car home to
establish that Police presence expected in a Section 8 honsiug area?
I have spoken with some Iowa City officers who say he shouldn't be living in Section 8 housing given
the City's own rules for same housing and the only reason he is there is because he is black and NO
ONE wants to stand up and deny the living arrangement.
3/25/2008
Page 2 of 2
4. Could you please have a little compassion for the working people over here on the South East
side of town? VVe have lived, worked and paid taxes in this area for 43 years as have many of the
neighbors and through the decisions made by this Council. and past councils to get their hands on
Federal Money (Thank vote Karen Kubby) you have created a C1-1ETT0 atmosphere in this area
and it is starting to be all around Iowa City, North Liberty and Coralville.
On Monday the 17th during the night, our home was spray painted with bright Royal blue paint
as was our neighbor to the east and the neighbor to our south. Many times have homeowners
(TAXPAYERS) tried to drive down our streets only to have one or more black kids or adults
walking down the center of the street just daring the driver to hit them or giving them ugly stares
and comments before they move to the side and let us pass. We have had garbage thrown in our
yards and we have seen yards with grocery carts stolen from business' and left rather than
returning them to the store.
When in God's name will the Freebies stop and this Country, State and City start making people
accountable for their own decisions. Il'you want to have a lot of kids and can't provide for them,
why should. the rest of us 'Taxpayers be responsible for your poor decision. making? If you are too
lazy to work, why should the taxpayer pay your rent or buy your food??'?
As Dr. Phil says, "When you choose the behavior, you choose the consequences."
Why can't all people (including the City Council) grasp the concept that FEDERAL, STATE,
COUNTY and CITY monies all come out of the SAME pockets. YOURS and OURS!!!!
I would appreciate some feedback or answers from you as a group or individually on the above
issues.
Marcia Jean
1505 Hollywood Blvd
mmienn~q.com
337-3945
3/25/2008