HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-10 CorrespondenceJ~~~ED STgp~S
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
Regenia Bailey, Mayor
Iowa City
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
OFFICE OF
CHILDREN'S HEALTH PROTECTION
AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDIICATTION
January 21, 2009
Dear Mayor Bailey:
It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Iowa City for being selected for the 2008
Commitment Award of the Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging program. Iowa
City's commitment to improve active aging through smart growth is demonstrated by: the
adoption of a complete streets ordinance that will create more opportunities for walking and
biking; revisions to the zoning and subdivision codes that will create more mixed-use, walkable
neighborhoods throughout city; and senior center programs like the Trail Blazers that encourage
older adults to take advantage of the city's improved walking and biking infrastructure. Iowa
City's commitment to promote sound planning and active aging programming will increase the
quality of life for older residents and improve the environment.
Enclosed is a copy of the awards booklet that features the Iowa City and the other 2008 award
winners. We look forward to highlighting Iowa City's on-going success with this program in the
`Updates' section of future award booklets. We encourage you to visit the EPA's Aging
Initiative website that will soon post the 2008 winners and the awards booklet at
www.epa. gov/aging•
Congratulations on your achievement to demonstrate excellence in building healthy communities
for active aging.
Sincerely
Ruth McCully
Director
Enclosure:
~~~
Internet Address (URL) ~ http://www.epa.gov
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Iowa City, working with the Johnson County Livable Community for Successful
Aging Policy Board, analyzed the community's needs for active aging and
responded with a variety of policies and programs to encourage physical
activity among older adults. Its research found that walking was the primary
activity for 90 percent of those who regularly exercised. At the same time,
many of Iowa City's older adults do not live within walking distance of stores,
services, and other needs. The automobile-oriented design of shopping areas
outside of downtown do not encourage walking as part of daily activity.
The City has adopted a variety of policies to improve the walking
environment. A revised zoning code encourages commercial zones
throughout the City that combine housing,
shops, parkland, and services to make walking
a viable choice for conducting daily errands. A
new complete streets policy requires all streets
to be designed to accommodate pedestrians and
bicyclists, as well as cars. New subdivision codes
require streets to connect, reducing dead ends and
shortening distances residents need to travel.
The Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center
provides a variety of dance, yoga, tai chi, and
fitness classes to complement seniors' walking
routines. There is also a drill team that marches in
the University of Iowa homecoming parade.
A great place for older adults to live, Iowa City has
laid the groundwork for a more active lifestyle
among its fast growing older adult population.
Improving sidewalk and trail
connectivity encourages
walking groups, such as
the Trailblazers, to exercise
outdoors. Photo courtesy of
Emily Light.
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Wit"
State of the City Address
Good evening. I am honored to be with you for my second State of the City address.
The landscape of our community has changed significantly since my address one year
ago. We have persevered through the flood of 2008, and we are now grappling with the
economic downturn that has affected not only our City, but our entire nation. I spoke to
you last year about the optimism with which the City Council and I were approaching
2008, and I want to emphasize this evening that our optimism continues in spite of the
difficult times. 2009 will be a year that challenges us in ways we have not had to
contemplate for decades. However, it will also present some unique opportunities for
our community.
As I discuss the events of 2008 and outline how we will be moving forward in 2009, it is
appropriate that I recognize my colleagues on the City Council. This is a dedicated and
hardworking group, committed to working with all of you to support our strong and
vibrant community.
• Mayor Pro Tem Mike O'Donnell
• District A City Council Member Ross Wilburn
• District B City Council Member Connie Champion
• At-Large City Council Member Amy Correia
• At-Large City Council Member Matt Hayek
• At-Large City Council Member Mike Wright
Please join me in expressing appreciation for their service. [LEAD APPLAUSE]
The flood of 2008 has challenged our community with a natural disaster that has never
been seen before in the recorded history of Iowa City.
In Iowa City the Iowa River peaked at 9.5 feet above flood stage, and remained above
flood stage for 31 days; there were 1600 acres of property flooded in Iowa City; 1,531
homes evacuated, and 251 homes damaged. In spite of the magnitude of this event, I
could not be more pleased about the response of our community. The flood consumed
all of our energy as we first sought to protect homes, businesses, and University
buildings; and then as we began the arduous task of flood recovery-a task that
continues today.
Our community's response to the flood was my proudest moment as Mayor of Iowa
City. To think that our response to an event of such epic proportion was handled without
any fatalities or serious injuries is miraculous and is a testament to the skill of the men
and women volunteers and emergency responders of this community. I would also like
to commend the staff of the City of Iowa City who worked long, hard hours during the
flood emergency to ensure the safety of our citizens, as well as our flood recovery staff
whose efforts in assisting flood affected residents and business owners will continue
throughout 2009.
The flood recovery focus for us in 2009 will be to implement the FEMA buyout program,
develop strategies to protect our at-risk neighborhoods from future flooding, and attempt
to secure funding for infrastructure projects that will reduce the impacts of future floods
on our community. Unfortunately, we cannot completely eliminate the risk to our
community from future floods, but we are committed to reducing that risk as much as is
possible.
2008 also saw some wonderful accomplishments for our City. In November, Iowa City
joined only two other cities in the world in achieving the UNESCO-the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designation of "City of Literature."
What this means for our community we are just beginning to imagine, and the prospects
are exciting. UNESCO has announced to the world what all of us locally already know:
that Iowa City is a special place that attracts and nurtures literary genius; that we
deserve to be held in the same esteem as places like Melbourne, Australia, and
Edinburgh, Scotland, which similarly support the literary arts and have also received
UNESCO's City of Literature designation.
Page 2 of 7
This very special designation would not have happened without the three-year long
effort of Christopher Merrill, Director of the International Writing Program at The
University of Iowa. His belief in and love for this community of writers that we call home
is evident in every word of the application that he assembled for Iowa City. I'd like to
express our community's appreciation to Chris for his tenacious effort to see the City of
Literature designation occur, and to fostering the City's continued partnership with the
University of Iowa.
Not surprising for a City of Literature, in June 2008 the Iowa City Public Library set a
circulation record of nearly 1.5 million items circulated. Three quarters of our residents
have library cards which speaks volumes about the literacy of our community. We know
that our world-class library will play a central role as we explore the opportunities that
the UNESCO designation presents and we continue to celebrate our community's
connection to literature and the creative spirit.
Time does not permit me to highlight all of the achievements of our outstanding
departments in the City of Iowa City organization, but I would like to highlight a few.
In August 2008, the Iowa City Fire Department received Accredited Agency status. This
status is awarded by the International Commission on Fire Accreditation and we are one
of only 128 fire departments worldwide to achieve this status. The process of fire
department accreditation was begun 11 years ago and involved an exhaustive review of
fire department principles, policies and practices. Congratulations to Chief Rocca and
his staff.
In November, Iowa City's new subdivision code, which was developed by the
Department of Planning & Community Development, was recognized with a leadership
award from 1000 Friends of Iowa, a statewide organization that promotes responsible
land use. We have so many wonderful neighborhoods in Iowa City and with the newly
adopted subdivision code we will ensure that our new neighborhoods are created with
the same quality as our treasured older neighborhoods.
Page 3 of 7
We were also recognized with an award from the Environmental Protection Agency for
Excellence in Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging. We were one of four
communities in the nation so honored. This award recognizes our reputation as a great
place for walkable, livable neighborhoods.
We continue to expand our system of pedestrian bicycle trails incrementally, with the
2008 completion of the Court Hill trail, between Scott Park and Creekside Park in east
Iowa City. The expansion of the trail system over the last ten years in our community
has been exceptional. In 2009, we will continue our efforts to be designated a Bicycle
Friendly Community by the League of American Wheelmen.
The first new roadway crossing of the Iowa River in over 40 years is nearly complete in
spite of the challenge of the flood of 2008. McCollister Boulevard between Riverside
Drive and Gilbert Street will be completed later this year. It is part of an overall arterial
street network improvement plan which will continue in future years and allow for orderly
development of the community in south Iowa City.
As a former Chair of the Johnson County Council of Governments I will continue to
focus on fostering cooperation and coordination with our fellow units of local
government. Regionalism is a concept that will make us a stronger, more efficient
community. In 2009, we will move forward with planning for new elementary schools
with the Iowa City Community School District; we will work with our fellow municipalities
in the Urbanized Area on the Cool Cities Initiative; and we will coordinate with Coralville,
The University of Iowa and Johnson County on flood mitigation strategies which will
protect our community during the next flood event.
I am particularly proud that late in 2009 we will be opening the doors of the first Joint
Emergency Communication Center for Johnson County. This historic event will combine
the existing emergency communication centers operated by the Johnson County
Sheriff's Office and the Iowa City Police Department into a single entity. This will
significantly improve emergency communication services and provide a higher level of
public safety for all, and I emphasize all, residents of Johnson County. This truly
Page 4 of 7
regional initiative would not have been possible without an extraordinary level of
cooperation between the City of Iowa City, the City of Coralville, the City of North
Liberty, and Johnson County, and the exemplary leadership of City staff member, Jeff
Davidson.
2008 was significant in that for the first time in over 20 years, we have a new City
Manager at the City's helm. Last spring, the City Council hired Michael Lombardo to
succeed Steve Atkins. Michael began his tenure after a particularly tough winter where
we received 60 inches of snow, the third highest snowfall on record, including many
snowfalls preceded by freezing rain and ice. This was followed on his third week on the
job by the 2008 flood that held the City in emergency operations status throughout the
summer. Michael is now tasked with development of the upcoming fiscal year budget in
the midst of the nation's ongoing economic downturn. Michael has certainly had his
hands full from day one, and although it's started out a little rough, we wish him a much
calmer 2009.
Certainly the budget for the upcoming fiscal year is our most immediate challenge. As
individual businesses and residents have felt the impact of the economic system
tightening up, so too, the City will feel this impact. We will not be able to sustain our
existing rate of growth in City services. In the upcoming months, we will be discussing
priorities in order to establish a sustainable service plan and budget for the City's future
years.
We have already made $3.5 million in adjustments to the proposed budget for the
upcoming fiscal year which will delay some projects while we achieve better financial
footing. For example, development of the Sand Lake Recreation Area, which will
eventually be a beautiful regional park in south Iowa City, will not proceed as quickly as
we had hoped. However, we will develop a plan for phasing this project so that it
ultimately results in the jewel of a public recreation area that we know it can be. My
fellow City Council members and I are committed to implementing the construction of
Fire Station 4 which is long overdue and this project is included in the proposed budget
for next fiscal year.
Page 5 of 7
Just as we joined together this past summer and continue to work together to address
the challenges of the flood, I call upon you to join together with us-your elected
representatives-and with City staff to work together to address the challenges
presented by the current economic situation. Unlike the flood, it is difficult for us to
predict what direction this challenge will take or how long it may last, but I am convinced
that with careful planning, a commitment to our community, and a spirit of confidence
and hope, that we will come through this difficulty as we came through the flood-with a
stronger sense of who we are as a community and of what we are capable when we
work toward common goals.
We know that within every challenge, there are also opportunities. I want to focus on
these as I conclude. Even in times of fiscal uncertainty, we must make wise decisions
in investing public funding to position ourselves for the economic rebound that will
occur. When that economic rebound occurs, Iowa City will be poised to take advantage
of it. We will position Iowa City so that investors will want to invest in Iowa City. So that
developers will want to develop in Iowa City. So that jobs will be established in Iowa City
and people who will fill those jobs will live in our wonderful neighborhoods and continue
to make this community the creative, progressive place that it is.
The specific initiatives to ensure that we are well-positioned for these opportunities will
include expansion of the City's industrial tax base by the development of a 175 acre
industrial site in east Iowa City. In response to last year's downtown market niche study,
we will establish a downtown small business incubator to nurture creative ideas into
small businesses that employ our residents-particularly our younger residents-and
increase the property tax base. We will continue with neighborhood redevelopment
strategies in the Towncrest area in east Iowa City, the south Gilbert Street commercial
area, and the Near Southside Neighborhood south of Burlington Street. We will continue
to foster the transformation of downtown Iowa City from a retail center to an arts and
entertainment center that accommodates a broad spectrum of our community in a
thriving urban environment.
Page 6 of 7
From dancing in the streets at our downtown summer festivals to watching the full moon
rise over Hickory Hill Park on a snowy January evening, to Saturday mornings strolling
through the Farmers Market, our community is a place of energy, a place of beauty,
and a place of acceptance and possibility. I look forward to working with all of you as
we build upon this energy, this beauty, this acceptance and possibility to meet the
challenges and seize the opportunities that 2009 will bring to this wonderful place we
call home.
Page 7 of 7
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general Fund F~evenue
FY2008
Actual FY2009
Budget FY2010
Projected FY2011
Projected FY2012
Projected
1. Property Taxes 30,107, 850 31, 834, 083 33,160, 803 34, 593, 812 35, 014, 009
2. Other City Taxes 1,160,175 1,202,531 1,205,530 1,226,298 1,247,413
3. Licenses & Permits 1,284,874 1,308,040 1,325,023 1,400,023 1,336,523
4. Use Gf Money & Property 1,717,117 1,218,544 819,755 719,755 619,755
5. Intergovernmental 3,957,610 9,775,331 3,696,660 3,642,244 3,710,024
6. Charges For Services 4,372,269 4,433,802 5,573,939 5,573,939 5,573,939
7. Miscellaneous 1,590,785 1,835,501 1,829,453 1,829,453 1,829,453
8. Other Financing Sources 2,691,775 1,256,689 1,223,856 368,318 330,274
Total Revenue: $46.882,455 $52,86 r ~I X48,835,019 !$49,353.842 $49,661.390
°!° change from prior year 5.4°I° 12.8°/° 1 -7.6°/°*~ 1.1°!° Q.6°~
* The °~o increase from F`(09 -?010 is 3.4% when excluding
state and federal disaster relief funds from FY2009.
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2008 Annual Report
AIRPORT BACKGROUND
The Iowa City Municipal Airport is located approximately 2 miles southwest of
downtown Iowa City. The immediate controlling responsibility for the Iowa City
Municipal Airport is given to the Iowa City Airport Commission. The Airport
Commission consists of five voting members, who are directly responsible for the
planning, operation, and budget of the Iowa City Municipal Airport. The Commission
works collaboratively with Iowa City elected officials and staff to ensure safe, efficient,
and effective use of the airport to support Iowa City and the surrounding area.
The Iowa City Municipal Airport is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the
Iowa with approximately 35,000 flight operations annually. It is currently home to
approximately 84 based aircraft located in 59 T-Hangars, and 6 corporate hangars. These
aircraft are used for charter flights, corporate activity supporting local business, flight
instruction, rental, pleasure, and charity purposes. Additionally, thousands of flights in
and out of the airport support important community activities such as the organ transplant
program and Air Ambulance flights at The University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, as
well as economic development for the area. Local businesses which also utilize the
airport include ITC Midwest, Kum and Go, Family Video, Lear Corporate, among many
others
Existing airport facilities include 2 runways, the terminal building, a maintenance facility,
hangars and aircraft fueling facilities, aircraft parking, tie down apron and vehicle
parking area. Runway 7-25 serves as the primary runway with a length of 5004 feet.
Runway 12-30 serves as a secondary crosswind runway and has a length of 3900 feet.
The airport terminal building, built in 1951, includes a pilot's lounge with wireless
Internet access, a weather briefing room, a lobby, a classroom, vending machines, a
meeting room, and administration facilities for airport management and a fixed based
operator. The airport has a rotating beacon and lighted wind indicator. The airport is
equipped with a remote communications outlet (RCO) and Automated Surface
Observation System (ASOS).
The airport has been an important element in the Iowa City community since 1918 and in
1944 was placed under the control of the Iowa City Airport Commission by public vote.
Since that time the airport has remained under the governance of the Airport Commission
with fiscal support from the City of Iowa City. The airport is included in the National
Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). The NPIAS identifies the Iowa City
Municipal Airport as a general aviation airport. As a designated NPIAS airport, the
federal government currently provides funding annually for eligible capital improvement
projects at the airport. The State Aviation System Plan identifies the Iowa City
Municipal Airport as an Enhanced Service Airport. Enhanced Service airports are
classified as airports which serve nearly all general aviation aircraft and are economic
and transportation centers for the state.
Several businesses and University of Iowa enterprises are stationed at the airport. Jet Air,
Inc. is the fixed base operator with 26 employees, offering charter flights, flight
Iowa City Municipal Airport -Annual Report 2008 Page 2
instruction, aircraft sales, rental, maintenance, fuel, and sale of aviation related
merchandise. Hertz Corporation serves local visitors and the surrounding area with rental
cars available directly at the airport. Numerous faculty at the University of Iowa's
College of Engineering use the airport for federally funded research on aviation
technology and atmospheric weather phenomena. This research is primarily based out of
the Operator Performance Laboratory located in building H.
AIRPORT VISION STATEMENT
"The Iowa City Municipal Airport, through the direction of the Airport Commission, will
provide a safe, cost-effective general aviation airport that creates and enriches economic,
educational, healthcare, cultural, and recreational opportunities for the greater Iowa City
area."
AIRPORT MISSION STATEMENT
"The mission of the Iowa City Municipal Airport is to support the strategic goals of the
City of Iowa City and meet the needs of stakeholders."
AIRPORT AND THE COMMUNITY
In a continuing effort to develop and maintain a relationship with the community,
numerous community events are held at the airport.
Headlining the annual events is the SERTOMA Fly-in pancake breakfast and car show
which was held August 24, 2008. The event attracts large crowds to raise funds by
serving morning breakfasts, this year nearly 2500 breakfasts were served.
The Iowa City Aerohawks held their annual winter radio controlled aircraft swap meet in
January which is one of the largest meets in the Midwest. This event takes place in the
large maintenance hangar.
2008 FLOOD
During June of 2008, the Iowa City Municipal Airport showed how vital a piece of Iowa
City community it truly is. During the floods while, both Interstate 80 to the east and
Interstate 380 to the north were closed, the Iowa City Municipal Airport become the sole
major link between Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and the Quad Cities. Several charter
flights took place between these cities which delivered passengers to commercial flights,
nurses and doctors to area hospitals, and aerial flights by local government officials to
view the flood as it happened, and enable them to maintain the safety of the citizens.
The Iowa City Municipal Airport also was utilized by the President of the United States
during a tour of the flood damaged area. President Bush along with several members of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, along
Iowa City Municipal Airport -Annual Report 2008 Page 3
with Federal, State, and local government officials used the Iowa City Municipal Airport
as an origin point for local travels.
BUDGET
The Airport Commission and staff continue to maintain an efficient operating budget
which provides the necessary services and repairs to support the airport infrastructure.
FY2008 saw an operating expense budget $367,000. This is an increase $12,000 over the
FY 2007 operations as was due primarily to increased personnel costs. Those costs
helped to maintain winter operations through the near record snowfalls experienced in the
winter.
Revenues for the airport were up significantly due to a change in operation to the farm
land rental, and an increase in T-Hangar rents. Actual operations revenues totaled
$402,000 which posted approximately $30,000 above projections. General Levy
contributions toward operations maintained the $112,000 levels seen in recent years.
Grant income remains a critical part of the airport capital improvement program. In
FY2008 the airport received over $1,900,000 in grant money which is being used on
projects at the airport for various improvements. These grants contribute funds to
projects such as the runway extension, as well as the major maintenance and
rehabilitation of airport facilities.
AIRPORT PROJECTS
Major airport projects are funded with partnerships from either the Federal Aviation
Administration or the Iowa Department of Transportation. Federal grants contribute 95%
of the project costs and are typically associated with major pavement rehabilitation and
upgrades. State grants fund 70-85% of project costs, and are typically associated with
minor pavement and facilities repairs and upgrades. On average for every $1 used as a
local match by the airport, the airport is able to generate $20 dollars worth of work.
Iowa City Municipal Airport -Annual Report 2008 Page 4
FY2008 saw the completion of 2 major
runway pavement projects. The
extension of Runway 7-25 construction
began October 10, 2005 with a box
culvert for Willow Creek. The extended
runway was opened October 22, 2008
with a new length of 5004 feet and a
new width of 100 feet.
Phase 1 of the Existing Pavement rehab
is also complete. This 3-phase project
will completely reconstruct the existing
runway pavements which are over 50
years old. Once complete Runway 12-
30 will be redefined as 3900 feet long
and 75 feet wide.
Rehabilitation of existing hangar facilities this year consisted of work completed on the
north taxilanes accessing the north block of T-Hangars. This project replaced asphalt in
the area that had become a concern to aircraft operations. This completes a phased
approach of rehab with the T-hangar pavements.
The Airport Viewing Area continues to be a work in progress. Phase 1 was completed
with the installation of a covered shelter and walk way, as well as the some picnic tables
for users to enjoy time outside, watching the aircraft which utilize the airport. Phase 2
will consist of the installation of a viewing tower to allow users better views of airport
operations.
AVIATION COMMERCE PARK
The Airport, with city staff, continues efforts to develop land available in the North
Airport Commerce Park. Funds received from the sale or lease of this land are to be used
to pay off city incurred debt for airport construction costs, and the costs associated with
improvements of that land.
A major sale of land took place, which saw nearly one-half the area sold. ITC Midwest
purchased lots 2, 3, and 4, as well as adjacent outlots. The sales proceeds of $1.6 million
reduced the infrastructure loan on area improvements as well as returned commercial
land to the taxable land rolls.
FUTURE AIRPORT ACTIVITIES/PROJECTS
The Iowa City Municipal Airport continues to plan for the future. Utilizing state and
federal grants, as well as local improvement money, the Airport continues to refurbish
and replace existing facilities.
Iowa City Municipal Airport -Annual Report 2008 Page 5
Enhanced Global Positioning System (GPS) approaches are scheduled for Iowa City with
the opening of the new runway. These approaches utilize the Wide Area Augmentation
System (WAAS) and will benefit the Iowa City Municipal Airport with more precise
approaches by aircraft. Pilots using this technology will be able to utilize the airport with
lower weather minimums. These schedule publication dates are currently for January
2009.
'~" ~ • ~
FAA Grant Pre-Applications are due annually in December and the airport will continue
on its planned rehabilitation schedule by submitting applications for funds for phase 2 of
the existing runway rehabilitation plans. This would replace the remaining portion of the
Runway 7-25 pavement, and section of Runway 12-30 which is northwest of 7-25. These
pavements are over 50 years old and will be completely reconstructed.
The Iowa City Airport Commission has received several comments from the public
regarding space constraints. The Airport is examining different ways to ease the space
constraints. Shortages are currently being felt in large aircraft storage, equipment
storage, and small to mid-size aircraft storage.
An economic study focusing on the potential development of the south area of the airport
has been presented to various city staff members and final revisions have been submitted
to FAA for concurrence in planning. Final approvals are expected in February 2009.
The Airport Commission will continue to maintain and strengthen its relationship with
City Council, staff, and the surrounding community by keeping a focus on the mutual
goals for the Iowa City Municipal Airport.
Iowa City Municipal Airport -Annual Report 2008 Page 6
Airport Staff
Michael Tharp, C.M., Operations Specialist
Airport Commission
Greg Farris, Chairperson
Janelle Rettig, Secretary
Randall Hartwig
Howard Horan
John Staley
Respectfully Submitted,
Greg Farris, Chairman
Iowa City Municipal Airport -Annual Report 2008 Page 7
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C I T Y O F I O W A C I T Y 6 1
MEMORANDUM
Date: January 22, 2009
To: City Clerk
From: Kristopher Ackerson, Acting Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for February 10, 2009, City Council meeting: Install (1) NO PARKING 8AM-5PM
sign on the north side of the 200-block of East First Street.
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council
of the following action.
Action:
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A (10); Install (1) NO PARKING 8AM-5PM sign on the north side of
the 200-block of East First Street.
Comment:
This action is being taken to maintain a travel lane on this block during business hours and to
make parking consistent with similar 25-foot wide streets.
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Marian Karr
From: Dale Helling
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:16 PM
To: 'Lewis, Benjamin S'
Cc: Council
Subject: RE: Amemdment
Dear Mr. Lewis,
Thank you for your recent email to the City Council regarding the snow emergency ordinance. It has been
forwarded to Council members and will be accepted as official correspondence as part of the consent agenda for
an upcoming Council meeting.
Perhaps I can provide some relevant information. The snow emergency ordinance generally allows for more
thorough removal of snow from the streets. Initially we clear the travelled portion of the streets to allow for safer
traffic movement within the city. For the most part parked cars can hinder, but not prevent, this effort. However,
where there are parked cars, snow can accumulate under and around them and the travelled portion of the street
becomes more constricted. This problem is exacerbated as more snow accumulates where parking is allowed
and it becomes more and more difficult to park close to the curb line. Parked vehicles tend to encroach farther
into the travelled lanes, making it difficult and frequently impossible to move snow removal equipment along a
street. This is what occurred last winter on those streets that became virtually impassable due to snow and ice
accumulation. The snow emergency ordinance provides an opportunity for removing snow from curb to curb, thus
keeping the entire street available for both parking and vehicle movement throughout the winter.
In reading your email, I think you are suggesting that snow plows direct the snow onto the median where these
exist. While some medians can accommodate a certain amount of snow, there are visibility issues to be
considered as well as plantings that may be damaged. Further, snow and ice can continue to accumulate under
and around parked cars and cannot be removed and the travel lanes become more constricted as described
above. The only way to effectively clear streets for traffic and parking is to temporarily prohibit parking so the
snow can be pushed back to the curb.
We continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the new ordinance and I'm sure we will identify problem that we'll
need to address. Overall, it appears the results have been positive thus far. I appreciate your input and I hope you
find this information helpful.
Regards,
Dale Helling
Assistant City Manager
From: Lewis, Benjamin S [mailto:ben-s-lewis@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:56 PM
To: Council
Subject: Amemdment
Dear Council Members,
My name is Ben Lewis and I would like to propose a reasonable amendment to the snow ordinance.
It is my understanding that the purpose of the snow ordinance is to allow snow plows to clear streets that are
crowded with On-Street parking. If this is so, than it does not make sense to enforce the ordinance on streets
that have a median. This includes at least parts of Washington Street and Iowa Avenue.
1 /22/2009
Page 2 of 2
By virtue of the median, putting all the cars on one side of the street versuses the other is obsolete. The snow
plow has to plow both sides because the median seperates them, and if it can plow the side with the cars,
there appears to be no reason to believe it could not plow both sides with cars. If the snow plow is able to plow
both sides with cars, than there is no reason to require cars to park on one side of the road during snow times.
There is still, perhaps, some concern with poorly parked cars blocking the street, but if cars are parked properly,
this shouldn't happen. Of course, a car that is blocking the road ought to be towed. This is true even without
snow.
Perhaps a few city blocks is not enough to amend the ordinance, but these city blocks represent
something important. Students of the University are undoubtedly the ones most adversly affected by this
ordinance, as students are crowded into housing close to the University with very little off street
parking. Many students live on these blocks, and carving out an exception for student heavy streets
when the ordinance has no reasonable application on those blocks anyway, goes a long way in showing
that the city cares about the college students, and not about towing them unnecessarily.
I would appreciate a response and I thank you in advance for spending time thinking about this matter.
Ben Lewis
1/22/2009
u~--i u-uy
6 $
Marian Karr
From: dennis kowalski [mayflyd@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:59 PM
To: Council
Subject: downtown
Dear Council
Having just been downtown, I noticed that House of Aromas is closed, being replaced by a place called Pints,
which I assume will be another bar.
Suggestions were wanted for downtown. Might I suggest for one, a visit to the U of Missouri at Columbia. We
have been there numerous times and my wife is an alumnus. A couple of visits ago, unknowingly, a basketball
game was going on and ended while we were there. The bars were quiet during the game and there were not
herds of aggressive, drunken morons roaming the streets afterward. OK it's only basketball. For one thing the
bars are more spread out and there appears to be fewer of them. Their downtown is a more interesting mix of
shops, restaurants etc. Interestingly, no pedmall. The town has a more studious, student feel, not just that of a
huge bar scene. Comparable to many college towns prior to the neocon revolution and or Reagan.
My theory about IC, especially being from Chicago is that U of Iowa is loaded with spoiled brats from the western
suburbs and naive Iowa kids acting like soldiers in boot camp. This town seems to draw them like a magnet.
Gee! I wonder why? After living here eight years now, the smug, self satisfied attitude, I perceive in IC, appears
only to encourage the party atmosphere by it's populaces divorce from reality, lack of will and perhaps
imagination.
When we moved here we thought we would like to live in the "cool" east side. Thankfully, not much was available.
We wound up more happily on the "uncool" west side. The Med students are much too busy to waste too much of
their time carousing. Also, no bars. Not that I'm in favor of eliminating them.
Thanks,
Dennis Kowalski
1932 Hafor Dr IC 52246
1 /20/2009
ss!
Marian Karr
From: John Yapp
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 11:17 AM
To: 'ba_iowacity@yahoo.com'
Cc: 'City Council; Michael Lombardo; Dale Helling; Rick Fosse; Jeff Davidson; Bud Stockman; Kent
Ralston
Subject: Valley Ave Parking
Hello Mr. Ackerman, I have been asked to summarize the conditions on Valley Ave which we
have corresponded about and copy the City Council for their benefit. Valley Ave is a 25-foot
wide street connecting Newton Road to Highway 6, and parking is permitted on the east
side. There are multi-family structures on Valley Ave, and a demand for on-street parking.
You are correct that during the winter when there has been build-up of snow and ice, parked
vehicles do not park as close to the curb as possible, which effectively narrows the travel lane
and makes it difficult if not impossible (especially for larger vehicles) to pass each other. This
is a give-way situation which is fairly common for residential streets, and it does require
motorists to drive with caution especially during the winter. Most residential streets developed
in the 1920's-1970's are 25 feet wide. We have reviewed the collision history on Valley Ave,
and could find no evidence that on-street parking contributed to any collisions. Parking is
restricted [No Parking Corner to Here] at the public street intersections to accommodate
turning movements.
The new snow emergency ordinance is meant to deal with concerns about on-street parking
during and after snow events by giving the City a tool to encourage vehicle owners to remove
their vehicles when a snow emergency has been declared, and to allow the City to have the
vehicles removed if necessary to allow for snow removal. This ordinance is still new, and to
date a snow emergency has only been declared once. Different City Departments are giving
input on how well the snow ordinance worked or did not work, for improvements in the future - I
have forwarded your previous suggestion that a 'No Parking November -March' designation
be implemented for certain streets. One concern with this approach is that the parking
demand is shifted to other nearby residential streets.
For residential streets like Valley Ave, we typically would survey households on the street to
determine if they desire on-street parking, after receiving a petition or request from a group of
residents, and forward this information to the Council for their decision-making. This is true
whether the households are owner-occupied or rentals. We've not gotten any requests from
residents of Valley Ave, although you live close on Newton Road. Alternatively, a majority of
Council could direct us to remove parking, or to conduct a survey.
Thank you for your input,
John Yapp, Transportation Planner
-----Original Message-----
1 /9/2009
Page 2 of 3
From: Bill Ackerman [mailto:b_a._iowacity@y_a11oo.._com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 1:58 PM
To: Council
Subject: Valley Avenue Parking Concerns
I am writing to you out of concern, and concern that I have had for years, about the removal of parking
on the east side of Valley Avenue. For your information, Valley is a street that connects Newton Road
and Highwa 6 just east of Carver arena.
During the wintertime months (November to April usually), the cars parked on this street create
narrowing of the road and difficulty for the snowplow personnel to clean the street properly. Ridges of
snow parallel the curb toward the middle of the street as snow and ice are left after each plowing. The
street is only two blocks long and as far as I am concerned is principally for street storage of vehicles.
During the times that students are gone and the street is vacated of all cars, it is a nice street to travel and
could be easily maintained by snow removal crews, and street cleaning crews.
Over the years, with the advent of more apartments and vehicles in the neighborhood, as well as athletic
event congestion, it has become more apparent that parking on this street needs to be removed. On
several ocassions I have nearly been in accidents due to vehicles not being able to pull over to the side of
the street completely which except for the parked vehicles normally would allow safe vehicle passage.
The cars that are parked on the street also effectively blcok the vision of people backing out of
driveways and as well as entering onto Valley from the alley that bisects the street.
Yesterday, as I was going north on Valley, and a fairly large vehicle approached from the north, I
literally had to stop in the middle of the street, as the truck going the other way could find its way past
me. This was due exclusively to cars being parked, and snow and ice being toward the middle of the
street, that cannot be removed with vehicles there.
So, in summation, due to crowded driving on Valley, ineffective snow removal, and cars being parked
on the street (most of which I believe are more or less street stored), I believe tha parking should be
removed, and as soon as possible.
I know of two other resident/owners who are also interested in eliminating parking on Valley Avenue,
primarally for the same reasons both of which have neighborhood connections for over 25 years each.
Please discuss this issue among yourselves, visit the area during the day and see for yourself what we
experience with this problem. I realize that only about ten cars park on this street, but it is not the
number of cars but the nature of the street. It has also been stated that if cars were removed that traffic
would travel faster. With the street being only two blocks long, I do not think that this would be a
concern, and would be greatly be outweighed by better visibility and safety.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and feel free to contact me anytime.
Bill Ackerman
814 Newton Road
Iowa City, Iowa
ba iowacity@yahoo.com
319-430-3737 or319-338-8449
1 /9/2009
6 10
Marian Karr
From: Mike Moran
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 3:03 PM
To: 'Imorsino@gmail.com'
Cc: Council; Michael Lombardo; Jeff Sears
Hi Lee,
The ping pong paddles at the recreation center are replaced on a very regular cycle and sustain very heavy usage. We
have been buying paddles that are one piece PVC due to durability. The wooden, more desirable ones break very easily
from heavy wear and are not cost efficient.
I will contact the program supervisor and have him replace any worn paddles. We have numerous paddles available
for your usage. If you do not receive one that you like please ask to see additional ones that may better fit your playability.
If you have paddles that you have previously used that would sustain heary usage from all ages please let us know as well
and we can certainly try those.
If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to contact us. Thanks Lee.
Michael Moran CPRP
Superintendent of Recreation
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department
220 S. Gilbert St.
Iowa City, la 52240
319-356-5100
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Lee Orsino [Imorsino@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 10:38 AM
To: Council
Subject: IC rec center
The ping pong paddles at the rec center are in very poor condition. Please consider replacing these low-
cost items for the benefit of all who play ping pong at the rec center.
Thank you
Lee Orsino
6 11
Marian Karr
From: Regenia Bailey [bailey@avalon.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 9:45 PM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: RENT CONTROL *planting seeds*
From: DeeAnna Blette [mailto:dblette@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 6:36 PM
To: matt-hayek@iowa-city.org; regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; mike-Wright@iowa-city.org; amy-correia@iowa-
city.org; ross-Wilburn@iowa-city.org
Cc: dblette@yahoo.com
Subject: RENT CONTROL *planting seeds*
Hello City Council,
My name is DeeAnna Blette and I will be attempting to implement rent control in Iowa City.
Basically when prices are going to be over $1.70/sq ft, a precedent is set and other renters will follow. This will
make for more poverty and section 8 housing (gov funds), more homeless (than there already is) and bottom line,
will hurt the Iowa City economy and businesses will suffer, people will suffer and Iowa's government funding will
increase for more needy families, in turn more taxes. If prices are too high less people will go to the University as
well as Kirkwood branch. Students in Iowa City make up over %2 the population. My rent is already $605/month,
which is quite a bit considering this is a small town in the Midwest where average household income does not
match rental properties prices, besides the fact that we are in a recession right now.
In my actual proposal/bill I will reference primary sources, should have that to you by this Friday.
When children are children the parent/guardian is a voice for that child. I believe apartment rental companies like
Apartments near campus (APN) and Apartments downtown (ADT) are opportunistic and rapacious of the
teenagers fresh out of the nest. There are investors/realtors like ADT and ANC with no regard to the community,
to the people of the community and these children just leaving the nest are knocked over with these rental prices,
which are getting much worse. Hopefully we want to stop the bubble before it bursts.
To be clear, I^m not attacking or opposed to a person, that invests in a rental property for the sole purpose of
profit, this is the American way and dream. I would like to say I invented the idea, but know that li~m not old
enough. I have a problem when rental companies come in and hoard, make a couple of adjustments and then
increase rent by over 40% because they know the students, the children that have not yet found their voice, will
submit as they donC~t know what else to do, catch-22, if you will. I believe students that come to school here are
absolutely SINGLED out and preyed upon by certain realtors that abuse what power they do have and will in fact
cause a precedent that will lead to further negative economic and disastrous outcomes. APN sets precedent,
then ADT, then 1 or 2 other companies all go with the standard while there a real estate monopoly split amongst 2
or 3 companies. This is what is happening right now.
Outcome: Fewer students will attend the U, which will hurt the economy here. Homeless population, because
there is one, will increase. More funding for section 8 and needy families will increase because no one can afford
their rent. Section 8 and students are limited or confined to rental properties (realistically). The local economy
and community will suffer as more $$ are allocated with over-priced rent, while the small business owner has less
patrons and there's less $$ circulating in the economy. Think of this as a prehistoric butterfly that~ls huge,
because there will be a heck of an effect.
At this time, I would like to thank all of you in advance for taking this issue seriously, while IC~m privileged to be
given the opportunity to be that voice for the children and to stop this opportunistic predatory behavior. BTW,
I^ve also tried to get the University, a lawyer by the name of Dell Richards as well as just talking with people, and
itl Is unfortunate that no one wants to get involved. I^m sure there are different reasons, but am disappointed
and bewildered that II lm the only one (that I know of) that sees this and wants what's best for the community,
1 /7/2009
Page 2 of 2
certainly people complain enough, but no seems to do anything about it.
I will give further evidence warannting my bill even more and will give some suggestions as to statutes imposed,
such as no more than a 10% increase in rent over a 3 year period. Optimistically, we pass the bill, but what about
people who have signed a lease already for July/August of next year, can we grandfather them in under our
statute where we overrule the new 40% increase for an example. I know you've JD on the board who has had
experience with housing stuff and perhaps he would be a valuable resource as to safely and logistically
implement the new statutes as to everyone's benefit, including renters.
Regards,
DeeAnna Blette
1 /7/2009
2
6 (12
Marian Karr
From: Jeff Davidson
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 2:40 PM
To: 'City Council
Cc: *City Manager's Office
Subject: FW: Request to add Rohret Road to 5 year CIP
City Council:
The Rohret Road improvement project referenced below is in the proposed Capital Improvement Program for
FY13. This will allow us to collect developer exactions that will partially fund the project. We have used similar
arrangements for American Legion Road, Sycamore Street, and Lower West Branch Road.
No further action needs to be taken with the proposed CIP. Let me know if there are any questions.
Jeff Davidson, Director
Department of Planning and Community Development
From: speerdevelopment@aol.com [mailto:speerdevelopment@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 10:39 AM
To: Council
Subject: Request to add Rohret Road to 5 year CIP
January 26, 2009
Dear Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers:
My name is Brian Speer and I represent S & J Development and their Country Club development
located on the western boundary of Iowa City. Currently, we have been working with a builder group
who will be in need of replenishing their inventory in the fall of 2009. After the platting process, we
will then have something to sell in the 3rd addition. We are also working with a different builder (with a
different product) to take down lots in our 4th addition. We currently have the project tabled by P&Z
and foresee voting on the February 5th agenda.
We have been working with city staff in zoning and platting the Country Club development. In our
discussions with staff, they have informed us that it is neccessary to see the improvement of Rohret
Road on the city's 5 year Capital Improvement Project list. This request is listed as a condition of their
support, hence we would like to request that the council address this at their next work session. If any of
you have any questions concerning our lot absorption or market, please do not hesitate to call me at 563-
529-4194 or you can email me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Brian Speer, Development Manager
S & J Development
1/28/2009
Page 2 of 2
A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours i_n just 2 easy_steps!
1 /28/2009
Vote on a referendum for a flood disaster-specific 1 cent local option sales tax
Marian Karr
From: Regenia Bailey [bailey@avalon.net]
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 9:28 PM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: Vote on a referendum for a flood disaster-specific 1 cent local option sales tax
From: Holly Berkowitz [mailto:holly-berkowitz@mchsi.com]
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 9:07 PM
To: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org
Subject: Vote on a referendum fora flood disaster-specific 1 cent local option sales tax
February 2, 2008
iii-'i u-3y~ r
6 13
Holly M. Berkowitz
612 Granada Court
Iowa City, Iowa 52246
(319) 330-0914
holly-..berkowitz.@mchsl.co_m <ht_tp_://hol_ly_-_
berkowitz@mchsi_. com> <mailto_: holly-berkowitz@mchsi_._com>
Mayor Bailey and City Council Members of Iowa City, Iowa
Re: Vote on a referendum for a flood disaster-specific 1
cent local option sales tax
Dear Mayor Bailey and Council,
I wish to thank you and the City of Iowa City for your
assistance last summer.
I am asking that you now act speedily to authorize a 1
cent sales tax referendum this week to help with flood
relief, mitigation, restoration.
People in our neighborhood were recently told by city
officials that most mitigation strategies would probably
take about 7 to 9 years, but Hesco barriers (supplemented
with sandbags), pumps, one-way valves to keep our storm
sewers from bringing river water into the streets, and
raising the intersection of Manor and Normandy should be
workable before spring '09 floods and affordable
enough.... .compared to the potential costs of a second
flooding.
2/4/2009
Vote on a referendum for a flood disaster-specific 1 cent local option sales tax Page 2 of 2
These measures would allow you to fulfill your
responsibility to residents of the city to protect their
health, safety and welfare.
Many in our neighborhood fear that with flood season
approaching, little or nothing will be done to mitigate a
possible flood emergency this spring as the Council faces
other general budget issues. But remember that one act of
prevention could be worth much more than a ton of costly
mud.
Thank you for your help.
Holly Berkowitz
2/4/2009
Marian Karr
From: Holly Berkowitz [holly-berkowitz@mchsi.com]
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:23 AM
To: Council
Subject: Please vote this week (deadline) for referendum for 1 cent local option sales tax for flood
mitigation preparation in Park View Terrace (and other flooded areas) before spring flooding
February 2, 2008
Holly M. Berkowitz
612 Granada Court
Iowa City, Iowa 52246
(319) 330-0914
holly-berkowitz@mchsi.com <mailto:holly-berkowitz@mchsi.com>
Mayor Bailey and City Council Members of Iowa City, Iowa
Re: Please vote this week (deadline) for a referendum for a flood disaster-specific 1
cent local option sales tax for flood mitigation and prevention in Park View Terrace
before spring 2009 flooding, important funding approved by State Legislature recently
Dear Mayor Bailey and Council,
we wish to thank you and the City of Iowa City for your heroic assistance last summer.
Urgent: The state legislature recently voted to authorize a 1 cent local option sales tax
in counties ravaged by last summerls flooding, and residents of Parkview Terrace are
requesting that you honor the purpose of that legislation for disaster relief, mitigation
and restoration of flooded neighborhoods ASAP instead of general infrastructures..and
please vote this week to place a referendum for a 1 cent sales tax on the ballot for
disaster relief, mitigation (prevention), restoration for us as soon as possible (this
weeksThe deadline is this week for putting on the ballot).
The city has had the opportunity to use the LOST for general infrastructure but has not
used that lost authority until now. The purpose of this recent state legislation is for
flood recovery and prevention and should be used for that.
That funding should be targeted toward prevention of catastrophic losses in Parkview
Terrace and other flooded areas before flooding this spring, including installation of
more and better pumps, Hesco barriers reinforced with sandbags, raising the intersection
of Normandy and Manor and one-way valves to keep our storm sewers from bringing river
water into the streets.
These measures should be installed before the time of crisis for more cost-efficiency.
Residents of Parkview Terrace ask that you act speedily to authorize that 1 cent sales tax
referendum this week to help with flood relief, mitigation, restoration and intelligent
strategies to hold back the flood water this spring. The ground is saturated.
The City Council will probably be voting for a sales tax referendum this week. That tax
should be used primarily for flood relief, mitigation and restoration of the Parkview
Terrace neighborhood and the other flood damaged areas in the city to insure economic
recovery of our city. But Council members may want to dedicate that money to other
purposes<police, fire hall, other infrastructure.
But Iowa City has long had the power to levy a 1-cent local option sales tax for
infrastructure and has not used this authority. For the city now to use the tax intended
for disaster relief for general infrastructure not only makes no sense, but stands in
sharp contrast to the single-mindedness with which the Coralville city government is
pursuing flood relief with its tax levy. And the legislation for this revenue at the
state level was specifically for the purpose of flood relief, mitigation (i.e. prevention)
and restorations.
1
There are a number of very cost-effective short-term mitigation efforts that could and
should be done by this flood season to protect the PVT
neighborhood:
* raising the intersection of Manor and Normandy as an emergency access to and from the
neighborhood
* installing more and better pumps,
* installing one-way valves to keep our storm sewers from bringing river water into the
streets,
* installing Hesco barriers plus sandbags.
We were told that most mitigation strategies would probably take about 7 to
9 years, but Hesco barriers (supplemented with sandbags), pumps and raising the
intersection of Manor and Normandy should be workable before spring '09 floods and
affordable enoughS..compared to the potential costs of a second flooding.
These are important investments to put our economy back on track.
We were told that any mitigation strategy on its own was less than effective.... but a
combination of two methods, Hesco and sandbags would be much more effective.
These measures would allow you to fulfill your responsibility to residents of the city to
protect their health, safety and welfare.
we are concerned about comments that PVT would be Son their ownz in the event of flooding
of our neighborhood in the spring before arrangements have been made to build more
permanent mitigation.
The state legislature clearly intended this extra money of this 1 cent sales tax option
to go toward counties declared disaster areas by the President
for the purpose of disaster relief. If the city wants to use the other
sales tax option that was authorized years ago, then they could add that sales tax also.
My friends have given me feedback that they would gladly pay a 1 cent sales tax (excluding
food and essentials) to help their neighbors who have suffered a flood last summer and to
prevent damage this spring.
Some complain that the flooded areas should not have been built on a flood plain, but most
cities in the US are built on flood plains. Can we afford to abandon our cities?
Many in our neighborhood fear that with flood season approaching, little or nothing will
be done to mitigate a possible flood emergency this spring as the Council faces other
general budget issues. But remember that on act of prevention could be worth much more
than a ton of costly mud.
Thank you for your help.
The city and county and Corp and state and nation need to address other long-term flood
prevention, disaster, relief and restoration strategies (such as watershed management),
but I have focused only on the short-term immediate concerns for the PVT neighborhood for
this spring, 2009.
Please act speedily on this. Thank you.
Holly Berkowitz
2
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Jones [cecildonkey@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 3:21 PM
To: Council
Subject: Proposed Property Tax Increase
Hello Council Members,
In today's Press Citizen I read about the proposed 4% increase in property taxes. When I saw Regenia
Bailey's quote "that seems to be acceptable to people generally," I wish I knew who those people are.
I work at the University and I don't know anyone who has gotten a 4% raise this year (well, maybe
Kirk!). How are we supposed to keep paying these ridiculously high property taxes?
Also, when you base the increase on a $100,000 house, it is unrealistic. How many $100,000 houses do
you see in Iowa City? Look in the real estate section sometime. When you show what the increase will
be on a $100,000 house, the rate they pay and the rate we pay on a more expensive house is not in linear
correlation. I think you need to expose additional reference numbers when you quote what the increase
will look like (e.g. do a calculation fora $250,000 and $400,000 house). According to my estimate, we
currently pay 17% property tax rate on our house. It's outrageous.
Increasing the Iowa City property tax will make it harder for people to buy houses in Iowa City -they
will start to look at North Liberty and rural areas. We didn't realize what a bargain we had when we
lived in rural IC just 3 years ago.
I just thought you should know one citizen's opinion.
thank you for your time,
Julie Jones
1 /23/2009
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Regenia Bailey [bailey@avalon.net]
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 6:03 PM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW:
From: Kaufman, Justin W [mailto:justin-kaufman@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 2:44 PM
To: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; matt-hayek@iowa-city.org; mike-Wright@iowa-city.org; amy-correia@iowa-
city.org; ross-Wilburn@iowa-city.org; Connie-champion@iowa-city.org; mike-odonnell@iowa-city.org
Subject:
NO NEW TAXES!
If Johnson County families have to cut back, then so does government!
Local government needs to learn how to spend the money it's alrea~ been given -
RI±:SI'OP~SII31..Yr
Vote NO on burdening taxpayers with another tax. Vote NO on putting a new sales tax on the
ballot. Be community leaders, not out-of--touch money grabbing officials in positions of power.
2/3/2009
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Thomas Novak [thomas.a.novak@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 8:55 PM
To: Council
Subject: disaster relief sales tax referendum
This correspondence will become a public record.
Dear Council Members,
Following the 2008 flood many residents and businesses have sustained damages they cannot afford to
repair. The state and federal funding has been rife with strings attached that have severely limited the
access to these funds. The loss of tax revenues to the city is hampering many budget and programming
needs.
I strongly urge you to approve and support a referendum to add the disaster relief sales tax for Johnson
County. It will alleviate many problems and is one of the few avenues we have as a community to
increase revenue resources for those in the most need.
Tom Novak
609 Manor Drive
Iowa City
2/3/2009
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Regenia Bailey [bailey@avalon.net]
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 7:00 PM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: sales tax
From: Peck, Jerry M [mailto:jerry-peck@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 1:23 PM
To: 'regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org'
Subject: sales tax
An "emergency" tax?
I would be willing to vote for such a tax if there were a provision that would end the tax after a specified
period.
Without such a provision I am dead-set against it.
2/5/2009
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Joe and Mary Sturm [mtandjoe@q.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2009 10:12 AM
To: Council
Cc: Roberta Till-Retz; debbie knapp
Subject: tax referendum
Please, the tax referendum that you are discussing is intended to be used for flood recovery...and
not for the new fire station, or to enhance the city's coffers in general. The shortfall of the City
funds should be dealt with in another manner. We need to have some flood mitigation in PVT (as
well as Taft Speedway and Idylwild). It would be a gross disservice to our community if you were
to start planning to spend these funds for other city services...I would ask the city to tighten its
belt the way the citizens have had to tighten theirs....stop the spending. Hold off on non
essential spending, get this flood problem taken care of, get a flood mitigation plan (a REAL one)
moving, get an evacuation plan in progress, IMPLEMENT a flood mitigation plan.
While I realize the flood is not all that you have to deal with, I would admonish you to start
thinking a little quicker. Perhaps the student drinking problem could be put on the back burner
for a little while? (Incidentally issuing another permit for a business with liquior (bring your own
food) doesnt make much sense in light of your huge interest in student drinking problems.
Perhaps not worry about the Englert so much...lets shore up our immediate needs as a city, put
back together neighborhood sand preserve them so that they are viable contributors to our tax
base. Try, TRY, PLEASE to step off the treadmill of bike trails, student drinking, no smoking
ordinances, Englert preservation and get down to the real nuts and bolts of this community.
Thank you
Mary Sturm
800 Eastmoor Drive
Iowa City 52246
319-3385161
2/2/2009
Marian Karr
From: Regenia Bailey [bailey@avalon.net]
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 5:50 PM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: NO NEW TAXES!
From: Mike Thayer [mailto:sickofspin@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:50 AM
To: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; matt-hayek@iowa-city.org; mike-Wright@iowa-city.org; amy-Correia@iowa-
city.org; ross-Wilburn@iowa-city.org; Connie-champion@iowa-city.org; mike-odonnell@iowa-city.org
Cc: jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us; tgill@ci.coralville.ia.us; jlundell@ci.coralville.ia.us; mgross@ci.coralville.ia.us;
jweihe@ci.coralville.ia.us; hherwig@ci.coralville.ia.us
Subject: NO NEW TAXES!
NO NEW TAXES!
If Johnson County families have to cut back, then so does government!
Local government needs to learn how to spend the money it's already been
igven-RESPONSIBLY!
Vote NO on burdening taxpayers with another
tax. Vote NO on putting a new sales tax on the
ballot. Be community leaders, not out-of-touch
money grabbing officials in positions of power.
Mike Thayer
Coralville
2/3/2009
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Regenia Bailey [bailey@avalon.net]
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 5:30 AM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: We do not want a sales tax increase
From: DThornton9@aol.com [mailto:DThornton9@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 10:49 PM
To: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org
Subject: We do not want a sales tax increase
NO NEW TAXES!
If Johnson County families have to cut back, then so does government!
Local government needs to learn how to spend the money it's already been given -RESPONSIBLY!
Cut the extras and spend the money on the important things.
We will campaign aggressively against another tax increase by Iowa City and/or Johnson County!
Who's never won? Biggest_Grammy Award surprises of.all time on AOL Music.
2/3/2009
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: PWerger@aol.com
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 10:08 AM
To: council@iowa; city.org@imo-d20.mx.aol.com
Subject: Fwd: Tax relief for flood victims
From: PWerger
To: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org
CC: matt-hayek@iowa-city.org, mike-Wright@iowa-city.org, amy-Correia@iowa-city.org, ross-
wilburn@iowa-city.org, demspotter@gmail.com
Sent: 2/2/2009 10:03:47 A.M. Central Standard Time
Subj: Tax relief for flood victims
Dear Mayor Bailey and City Council Members,
We have been informed that you are on the verge of voting for a sales tax referendum. This tax should
be used for flood relief,mitigation and restoration of neighborhood and the other flood damaged areas
in the city.
Rumor has it that you may be poised to dedicate that money to other purposes such as police, fire hall
and other infrastructures in Iowa City.
There are several cost-effective and short-term mitigation efforts that could be done by this flood
season that would make our lives more secure in the Park View Terrace area where we live. Items
such as raising the intersection of Manor and Normandy, installing more and better pumps, installing
one-way valves to keep storm waters from bringing river water into the streets, Hesco barriers to
protect our neighborhood, etc.
If you lived in this area as we have for the last 19 years you would appreciate the reason for our very
careful scrutiny of how these funds are to be used We have suffered a lot of loss and for funds to be
diverted from their intended use for other~urposes won'~o unnoticed You have the power to levy a 1-
cent local option sales tax for infrastructure The state legislature clearly intended that this extra money
be used toward counties declared disaster areas by the President for the purpose of flood relief.
Please do the responsible thing and hel~your fellow citizens in their desperate need.
Sincerely,
Paul and Dianne Werger
605 Eastmoor Drive
Iowa City, Iowa 52246
Gr_e_at Deals on Dell _Laptops _Starting_at $499._
Great__Deals_on Dell_Lapto_ps. Starting at_~499,
2/2/2009
Page 1 of 2
Marian Karr
From: Regenia Bailey [bailey@avalon.net]
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 6:58 PM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: Taxes
From: Michelle Westfall [mailto:michelle-westfall@live.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 1:01 PM
To: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; matt-hayek@iowa-city.org; mike-Wright@iowa-city.org; amy-correia@iowa-
city.org; ross-Wilburn@iowa-city.org; Connie-champion@iowa-city.org; mike-odonnell@iowa-city.org
Subject: Taxes
Dear City Council Members:
I am writing today out of concern. I would speak up in person at a meeting, but due to my work
schedule and family responsibilities, I am unable to attend them. I do, however, watch them on
television.
As someone who owns and lives on the Southeast side on Iowa City, I am deeply disturbed by the
steep increase in criminal activity near my home. When I purchased it five years ago, it was a nice
neighborhood that was virtually crime-free. In the past year, my husband's vehicle was broken into
in our driveway and our neighbor's car was stolen from his driveway. Additionally, there are so few
viable restaurants and local businesses on the East side of town. I wouldn't be surprised if the
increased crime rate is a deterrent to those considering opening a business. I know I wouldn't
invest my money on a side of town that is being ignored and neglected by the city government.
There is a real need for a satellite police station on Highway 6 near Broadway or Lakeside. This
would be a good start to a viable, and relevant solution to this problem
Further, I am continuallly dismayed by the number of special projects you choose to fund, and the
amount of money used to fund them. Your primary function as a city government is to provide
critical services: police, fire, water, sewer, trash, and roads. Instead of spending the money
currently available to the Council on these imperative services, you have been irresponsible fiscal
managers of our city resources.
The one expenditure that bothers me the most was the $10,000 you allocated for the purchase of
Wii consoles and games for the library. I have a 9 year old son. He did extra jobs around his
grandma's house and saved his allowance for six months to purchase his half of his Wii console.
(We -his father and I -paid for the other half as a reward for his efforts.) The reason we made
him contribute to the purchase was so he would learn to value of his labor and money and would
have a greater appreciation for the Wii once in hand. The Wii is a luxury. It is in no way a necessity
- not even close. We would never ask him to do extra jobs around the house to earn money for his
food or clothing, as those are things that we, as his parents, are completely responsible for and
willing to provide.
In essence, the Council, as the leaders of the city, is asking the citizens to do extra jobs around the
house (sales tax, income tax, increased property taxes) to pay for the necessities (the new fire
station, flood recovery) because instead of making us work for the Wii's you handed them out.
We are in a recession. Throwing new taxes at the citizens of Iowa City is not going to help. People
are losing their jobs, and you're handing out video games.
2/5/2009
Page 2 of 2
Please learn to prioritize your fiscal management. Critical services come first -luxuries come later,
if and only if there are remaining funds.
I will be voting against any new tax increase that lands on the voter ballot. If it passes, my family
will be moving to another city. A city that has council with sound fiscal management principles. We
love Iowa City. We don't want to move. But the continually increasing burden of rising taxes will
force us out if we want to maintain our lifestyle and continue to pay for half of our children's luxury
purchases.
Thank you for your time,
Michelle Westfall
1426 Esther Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Windows Liver'": Keep your life in sync. See._how__t works..
2/5/2009
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donated to a local charity and the labels will be
accepted as correspondence.
Marian K. Karr
City Clerk
If Johnson County families have to ~~.
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Page 1 of 1
~~~ ~
Marian Karr
From: Regenia Bailey [regenia@baileyforiowacity.com]
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 10:02 AM
To: brian@finfeather.com
Cc: Marian Karr
Subject: re: Local Option Tax
Attachments: Local Option Tax.doc
Brian,
Thank you for your letter. I have included Marian Karr, our City Clerk, in this e-mail to ensure your
correspondence is included in Council materials and is part of public record.
~enia
Regenia D. Bailey
Mayor, City of Iowa City
430 Church Street
Iowa City, IA 52245
319.351.2068 (h)
319.321.1385 (c)
866.802.2854 (f)
www baileyforiowacitv.com
Please note: any e-mails that 1 respond to maybe subject to State open records laws and considered
information available to the public.
From: Brian Mildenstein [mailto:brian@finfeather.com]
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 9:39 AM
To: mike-Wright@iowa-city.org; matt-hayek@iowa-city.org; regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; amy-Correia@iowa-
city.org; ross-Wilburn@iowa-city.org
Cc: joe.bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us; robert.dvorsky@legis.state.ia.us; mary.mascher@legis.state.ia.us;
vicki.lensing@legis.state.ia.us; david.jacoby@legis.state.ia.us; casework@grassley.senate.gov
Subject: Local Option Tax
I have attached a letter outining my position on the proposed tax and possible alternatives. I would appreciate
your attention and consideration.
Thank you,
Brian Mildenstein
Iowa Clty
2/9/2009
My family has owned and operated Fin & Feather, an Iowa City, local sporting goods store, for
the last 41 years. Like many other local stores, we were affected by the flooding of 2008. Fin &
Feather was closed for five days, during which time we moved most of the merchandise from the store
and back again in anticipation of the flood. Although the water came close to us, it did not ever quite
reach our doors. I truly feel fortunate for our situation and sympathize with our business colleagues in
Coralville, Cedar Rapids and parts of Iowa City who were much less fortunate. Although alocal-option
tax seems like a good way to speed recovery, I would urge you to consider the possible unintended
consequences of this tax, as well as possible alternatives to it.
As a local business, we collected nearly $200,000 in sales tax in 2008 for the state of Iowa. I feel
very strongly that not only is it the law, but it is also our civic duty to do so in the most fair and judicious
way. Compare our contribution to the state budget in 2008 compared to that of Cabelas, Neiman
Marcus, Amazon and REI combined, which I have at an unofficial total of $0. I have never previously
opposed alocal-option tax nor have I ever failed to vote for it when it has been on the ballot. I do,
nonetheless, oppose this proposed tax. In these hard economic times, the retail sector has been one of
the most dramatically hit and does not need any new obstacles planted in its way.
As an alternative to the local-option tax, I would suggest taxing the sales of goods sold through
catalogs or via the Internet and shipped to the Iowa. Brick and mortar retail has long been at a
competitive disadvantage, because we are held to a different standard. We collect taxes as we are
bound to do as a business yet, in the increasingly global economy, many of our competitors are free to
do business in the state without collecting taxes, thus affording them a 6% advantage over local
competition. Imagine running on the treadmill at your local gym with the incline set at a 6% higher
grade than the person next to you. You will need to do significantly more work than that person to get
as far, as fast. Imagine running for office with 6% less money than your opponent. You could still win
obviously, but you will have to work much harder and smarter to do so.
Local retailers have a lot at stake in their communities and a significantly greater portion of their
profits remain in the community. Local retailers not only collect sales tax on their goods and services,
but often pay property tax and income tax as well. Local retailers also employ people who pay income
tax and sales tax as they shop in their communities. Local retailers also make a majority of their
donations to local charities and causes. I am not really proposing to tax Internet shoppers at a higher
rate, just at an equal rate. However if it makes sense to have a sales tax disparity, shouldn't it really be
in the other direction?
Another alternative to alocal-option tax, which would be primarily paid by people who have
already been negatively affected by the floods of 2008, would be a special lodging tax. A lodging tax
would at least be paid primarily by people who had not suffered from the floods of last summer.
I thank you for your time and consideration and most of all for your service to our community.
A concerned, local retailer, citizen and avid voter,
Brian Mildenstein
6 14
Marian Karr
From: Tom Slockett [tslocket@co.johnson.ia.usJ
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 5:52 PM
To: Tom Slockett; Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: Regenia Bailey; Casie Kadlec; Chris Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler;
Marian Karr; tjohnson@ci.coralville.ia.us; cityhills@netins.net; mthomae@lonetreeiowa.com;
tmulcahey@ci.north-liberty.ia.us; oxfordcityhall@southslope.net; jdibys0070@aol.com;
susie.siddell@solon-iowa.com; swisher2@netins.net; tiffin@avalon.net; Deb Mansfield;
Wendy Ford; tkaeding@ci.coralville.ia.us; Cassandra.lippincott@solon-iowa.com
Subject: Local Option Sales Tax, Possible May 5, 2009 Election
Attachments: Public Notice_1 st all (3).doc
Attached is the official ballot language, courtesy of Linn County Auditor Joel Miller, for all Linn County cities and
Linn County for the March 3, 2009 Local Option Sales Tax election in Linn County. Iowa City Clerk Marion Karr
has verified that she is preparing for a February 9, 2009 Iowa City Council discussion about the possibility of
calling a May 5, 2009 Local Option Sales Tax election in Johnson County. You may be interested in viewing this
information as you consider ballot language for your city and whether, and what length of time you may wish to
request for a sunset, if any. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors has the final authority to set a sunset for
any Johnson County city and for the unincorporated area of Johnson County. The Board has the authority to set
different sunsets for each city, the same for all, or none. I'm sure supervisors are interested in knowing what
sunset each city would like to have. While not wishing to speak for the Supervisors (they haven't discussed the
matter as a group yet), I would think they would like to reach agreement with the cities for a uniform sunset (or
none) for all, as in Linn County.
Please distribute to mayors, city councilors, and city managers. Thank you.
Best regards,
Tom Slockett
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Street, Suite 101
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: www jcauditor.com
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2/5/2009
Page 1 of 4
Marian Karr
From: Tom Slockett [tslocket@co.johnson.ia.us]
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 5:22 PM
To: Tom Slockett; Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: Regenia Bailey; Casie Kadlec; Chris Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler;
Marian Karr; tjohnson@ci.coralville.ia.us; cityhills@netins.net; mthomae@lonetreeiowa.com;
tmulcahey@ci.north-liberty.ia.us; oxfordcityhall@southslope.net; jdibys0070@aol.com;
susie.siddell@solon-iowa.com; swisher2@netins.net; tiffin@avalon.net; Deb Mansfield;
Wendy Ford; tkaeding@ci.coralville.ia.us; cassandra.lippincott@solon-iowa.com
Subject: RE: Expedited Local Option Sales Tax legislation update
Attachments: Sales Tax Linn 20090130163857162.pdf
Attached is ballot language from five Linn County cities for the March 3, 2009 special election in Linn County. I
hope to receive the Cedar Rapids Ballot Language tonight or tomorrow. I will forward it if and when I receive it.
City contacts please forward to mayors, councilors, and city managers.
Best regards,
Tom Slockett
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Street, Suite 101
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: wwwacauditorc.om
From: Tom Slockett
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 2:24 PM
To: Tom Slockett; Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: 'regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org'; Casie Kadlec; Chris Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler;
'marian-karr@iowa-city.org'; 'tjohnson@ci.coralville.ia.us'; 'cityhills@netins.net'; 'mthomae@lonetreeiowa.com';
'tmulcahey@ci.north-liberty.ia.us'; 'oxfordcityhall@southslope.net'; 'jdibys0070@aol.com'; 'susie.siddell@solon-
iowa.com'; 'swisher2@netins.net'; 'tiffin@avalon.net'; 'Deb-Mansfield@iowa-city.org'; 'Wendy-Ford@iowa-
city.org'; 'tkaeding@ci.coralville.ia.us'; 'cassandra.lippincott@solon-iowa.com'
Subject: RE: Expedited Local Option Sales Tax legislation update
I have confirmed with Linn County that the Cedar Rapids City Council will vote on Tuesday, 9-0 to put the
question on the Linn County ballot. Like the Iowa City Council, council members will be on a Chamber trip to
D.C. However, the Cedar Rapids city councilors feel this measure is important enough to participate in the
meeting electronically. Hopefully, the Iowa City councilors will reconsider the decision to miss the deadline and
delay action until members return from D.C., and follow the leadership to act provided by the Cedar Rapids City
Council, the Iowa House, Senate, and Governor.
I am attempting to obtain the ballot language for the March 3~d election from Linn County and the Cities of Linn
County. If I am successful, I will forward this information to you for possible guidance.
City contacts, please forward this information to city mangers, mayors, and councils. Thank you.
Best regards,
Tona Slockett
2/2/2009
Page 2 of 4
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Street, Suite 101
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: _www.jcaudtor..c..om_
From: Tom Slockett
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 1:25 PM
To: Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: 'regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org'; Casie Kadlec; Chris Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler;
'marian-karr@iowa-city.org'; 'tjohnson@ci.coralville.ia.us'; 'cityhills@netins.net'; 'mthomae@lonetreeiowa.com';
'tmulcahey@ci.north-liberty.ia.us'; 'oxfordcityhall@southslope.net'; 'jdibys0070@aol.com'; 'susie.siddell@solon-
iowa.com'; 'swisher2@netins.net'; 'tiffin@avalon.net'; 'Deb-Mansfield@iowa-city.org'; 'Wendy-Ford@iowa-
city.org'; 'tkaeding@ci.coralville.ia.us'; 'Cassandra.lippincott@solon-iowa.com'
Subject: RE: Expedited Local Option Sales Tax legislation update
Attached are sample ballots from a previous Linn County sales tax election. I am not recommending the
language in the attachments as each city and the county will have to make the decision on what language it
wants. The sample ballots are being forwarded to show what has been done in other municipalities. I will
continue to attempt to find additional resources and forward them when possible.
City contacts, please forward to city managers, mayors and councils. Thank you
Best regards,
Tom Slockett
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Street, Suite 101
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: www jca.uditor.co~n
From: Tom Slockett
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 4:18 PM
To: Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: 'regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org'; 'IC Clerk Marian Karr (marian-karr@iowa-city.org)'; Casie Kadlec; Chris
Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler
Subject: Expedited Local Option Sales Tax legislation update
Board of Supervisors:
Copied below are sections of the Iowa Administrative Code specifying ballot language that would need to be adopted
by the Board if the City of Iowa City places the sales tax question on the ballot. If it does so for a March 3rd election,
the Board will need to adopt language conforming with b. (1-4) below on or before Tuesday, February 3rd. Otherwise
the default language listed in c. (1-2) below is required to be placed on the ballot.
b. The city councils and the supervisors shall provide to the county commissioner the following
information to be included in the notice and on the ballots:
2/2/2009
Page 3 of 4
(1) The rate of the tax.
(2) The date the tax will be imposed (which shall be the next implementation date provided in Iowa
Code section 423B.6 following the date of the election and at least 90 days after the date of the election,
except that an election to impose a local option tax on a date immediately following the scheduled repeal
date of an existing similar tax may be held at any time that otherwise complies with the requirements of
Iowa Code chapter 423B). The imposition date shall be uniform in all areas of the county voting on the
tax at the same election.
(3) The approximate amount of local option tax revenues that will be used for property tax relief
in the jurisdiction.
(4) A statement of the specific purposes other than property tax relief for which revenues will be
expended in the jurisdiction...
c. If a jurisdiction fails to provide the information in 21.4(3) "b "(3) and 21.4(3) "b "(4) above, the following information
shall be substituted in the notice and on the ballot:
(1) Zero percent (0%) for property tax relief.
(2) The specific purpose for which the revenues will otherwise be expended is: Any lawful purpose
of the city (or county).
The legislation allowing the measure to be placed on the ballot March 3rd or May 5th passed the legislature and my
understanding is that the governor plans to sign the legislation this week. It is also my understanding that the City of
Cedar Rapids is going to place the measure on the ballot for a March 3rd election.
If Iowa City follows suit, the County and Johnson County cities will need to act without delay or opt for the ballot
language in c. (1-2) above.
Best regards,
Tom Slockett
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Street, Suite 101
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: www,jcauditor,com
From: Tom Slockett
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 11:44 AM
To: Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; IC Clerk Marian Karr (marian-karr@iowa-city.org); Casie Kadlec; Chris
Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler
Subject: Estimated Revenues from a Local Option Sales Tax bill if passed this year in the legislature and locally
Johnson County Department Heads and Elected Officials:
This is a quick note to provide available information on fast track local option sales tax legislature moving rapidly
through the legislature.
HF95 and SF44 are moving rapidly towards passage of fast tract enactment of Local Option Sales Tax legislation
to help with flood damages and all other costs allowed under Iowa law. The fast track option would be available
to the 87 counties declared disaster areas, including Johnson County. The tax can only be enacted if passed by
a majority of voters in a municipality and if a city or county local option sales tax is not currently in effect for the
jurisdiction. All cities in Johnson County qualify, as well as Johnson County government itself. In Johnson
County, Iowa City must call an election if it is to be held. If called it is a countywide election for all cities and the
2/2/2009
Page 4 of 4
rural areas with all precincts open. The tax would be enacted by each city in which more than 50% passage
occurs and for Johnson County if there were more than 50% passage by the voters residing in unincorporated
areas of the county.
If passed in all jurisdictions in a local election here in March all jurisdictions in Johnson County are estimated to
receive $18.2 million annually and $13.7 million in this calendar year, 2009. If the measure passes in a March
election Johnson County itself would receive $3.4 million during calendar year 2009. If it passes in May the
estimated receipts for all jurisdictions in Johnson County would be $9.1 million during calendar year 2009, and the
receipts for the county only would be $2.3 million in 2009. If passed, Johnson County is estimated to receive $4.6
million annually.
I have attached a table with the estimates for all Johnson County jurisdictions.
Cc: Iowa City Mayor Regenia Bailey
Iowa City Clerk Marian Karr
Deputy Auditors
Best regards,
Tonc Slockett
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Sheet, Suite 101
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: www jcauditor.cq
2/2/2009
Center Point, Iowa
January 28, 2009
The City Council of the City of Center Point, Iowa, met on January 28, 2009, at
7:00 o'clock p.m., at the City Hall, Center Point, Iowa.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor Pro Tem, John Stuelke, and the roll
was called showing the following members of the City Council present and absent:
Present: Barz Callahan Robinson~Schlotfeldt, Stuelke
Absent: Moor Paula Freeman-Brown
After due consideration and discussion, Council Member Barz made the
following motion, which was seconded by Council Member Schlotfeldt: Motion #hat the
City of Center Point direct the County Commissioner of Elections to place a question on
the ballot for March 3, 2009, asking the voters to approve the imposition of a 1 {one) cent
local option sales tax, the proceeds of which are to be used for conununity improvement
projects and essential corporate purposes. The Mayor Pro Tem put the question upon the
motion, and the roll being called, the following Council Members voted:
Ayes: Barz Robinson Schlotfeldt, Stuelke
Nays: Callahan
Whereupon, the Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion passed, as hereinafter set
out.
.. .
At the conclusion of the meeting and upon motion and vote, the City Council
adjourned.
Attest:
U
Chi' ty L. Dy ,City Clerk
STATE OF IOWA
COUNTY OF LIMN SS:
CITY OF CENTER POINT
I, the undersigned, City Clerk of the aforementioned City, do hereby certify that
attached hereto is a true and correct copy of the proceedings of the City Council relating
to the motion by the City Council stating their intention to direct the County
Commissioner of Elections to place a question on the ballot for March 3rd 2009 asking
the voters to approve the imposition of a 1 cent Local Option Sales Tax.•
WITNESS MY HAND and the seal of the City hereto affixed this 29th day of
January, 2009•
Chri L. Dyer, ity Clerk
{Seal)
City of Palo
4533 Shellsburg Rd
Palo, IA 52324
(319) 851-2731 Fax (319) 851-2734
E-mail: clt of alo netins.nat
Web: cityofpalo.com
Palo Ciiy Council Meeting
January ~6tn, 2009
Mofion by Mengler to direct the Linn County Commissioner of Elections
to proceed with placing Local Option Sales Tax on the March 3, 2009
ballot, asking the voters to approve a one Genf local option sales tax, the
proceeds of which are to be used for road improvements, sanitary sewer
improvements, park & recreational expenses, infrastructure
improvements, and other community improvement projects, seconded
by Blumer, alt aye, motion carried.
Respectfully Submit't~e~d~By,
Stec Dix, Cit Clerk .
y Y
RESOLUTION NO. 09-021
City Council
RESOLUTION REQUESTING SUBMISSION OF THE QUESTION OF IMPOSITION OF A LOCAL
OPTION SALES AND SERVICES TAX TO THE REGISTERED VOTERS OF LINK COUNTY
WHEREAS, the Hiawatha City Council has determined the need to request
submission of the question of imposition of a local option sales and service tax to the
registered voters of Linn County, and
WHEREAS, the legislation authorizing imposition of the tax also allows otherjurisdictions
wherein the tax would be imposed to individually designate what percentage or amount of local
sales and services tax revenues each will devote to property tax relief, and what uses it will put
the remainder of said tax revenue to, and
WHEREAS, the City Council has been advised and does believe that it would be in the
best interest of this City to request submission of the question of imposition of a local option sales
and services tax and make a designation as to property tax relief and use of remaining local sales
and services tax revenues.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HIAWATHA, IOWA:
That the City Council of Hiawatha requests submission of the question of imposition of a
local option sales and services tax to the registered voters of Linn County at an election to held
not later then March 3, 2009 and that revenues from a local sales and services tax which may be
imposed in this City on the date as set by legislation, shall be allocated as follows:
1. 0% for property tax relief
2. The speific purposes for which the revenues shall be extended are :street
improvements public safety, park & recreation improvements water & sewer system
improvements
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
That the City Clerk be and is hereby instructed to deliver this Resolution to the Linn County Commissioner
of Elections without delay.
AYES: Nancy Melsa, Dick Olson, Bob Rampulla, Marty Bruns
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Linda Bendixen
PASSED AND APPROVED this 28~' day of January, 2009
~~ ~ - ,
-Thomas A. Theis, Mayor
ATTEST: . ~ ~-~ s ~~ ~,
-,,~ l~ JAN 3 4 2009
Kim Downs, City Cler
i,iNnf ~ry~, C1~ImGTION~
~~Jan 30 2009 7:15PM CITY OF FAIRFAX 319-846-3480 p•1
^~11 -
^
RESOLUTION N0.2009-01-04 '
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A PUBLIC REFERENDUM TO AUTHORIZE THE
IMPOSITION OF A LOCAL SALE5 AND SERVICE TAX IN THE CITY OF FAIRFAX, IOWA,
AT THE RATE OF 1
WHEREAS, Chapter 422B of the Code of Iowa authorizes the Imposition of certain local option
taxes after an election in which the majority of the electors vote in the affirmative; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Fairfax declares its intent to participate in a special
county-wide election for the-purpose of permitting the electorate to pass upon the proposition of imposing
a one percent (1%) sales and service tax for the City of Fairfax according to Chapter 42~B.1,3.b of the
Code of Iowa.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the City Council of the City of Fairfax, Iowa;
SECTION 1. The City Council of Fairfax, Iowa, requests the County Commissioner of Elections
to submit to the voters in Linn County a proposition authorizing imposition of a local sales and service
tax in the City of Fairfax atone percent (1%)
"To authorize the imposition of a local sales and service tax in the City of Fairfax, Linn County,
Iowa, at the rate of one percent (l %) to be effective the earliest calendar quarter."
SECTION 2. The revenues from the Local option sales and service tax are to be allocated in the
City of Fairfax as follows:.
100% of said Local option sales and service tax are to be allocated for any lawful purpose of the City of
Fairfax,
SECTION 3. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to provide a certified copy of
this resolution to the County Commissioner of Elections of Linn County and to the Board of Supervisors
of Linn County.
Passed and approved this 27"' day of January, 2009.
AYES: Beer, Frieden, Magers, Rabe
NAYS:.None
ABSENT: Wainwright
S`,~~.~~
t l Voss, Mayor
AT'TE~T;
Vickie Kind , i Lerk
Council Minutes -January 27, 2009
~r
Published on The City of Marion, Iowa (http://city_ofmarion.or~}
Council Minutes -January 27, 2009
By City Admiiustration
Created Jan 27 2009 - 2:07pm
January 27, 2009
Page 1 of 2
The City Council of the City of Marion, Linn County, Iowa met in special session, Tuesday,
January 27, 2009; at 11:00 a.m. in the council chambers of City Hall with Mayor Rehn presiding
and the following council members present: Sprague, Adamson, Lammers, Spinks, Pazour, and
Glew. Absent: None.
Moved by Lanuners, seconded by Pazour to direct the County Commissioner of Elections to
proceed with placing Local Option Sales Tax on the March 3, 2009 ballot. City Manager Lon
Pluckhahn presented the staff report. Council discussed which projects to fund with the local
option sales tax proceeds if the vote passes. Moved by Sprague, seconded by Glew to amend the
motion to direct the County Commissioner of Elections to proceed with placing Local Option Sales
Tax on the March 3, 2009 ballot, asking the voters to approve a one cent local option sales tax, the
proceeds of which are to be used far road improvements, expenses associated with the expansion of
the trunk sewer, and other community improvement projects. Roll Call on amendment: Yeas:
Sprague, Adamson, Lammers, Rehn, Spinks, Pazour, and Glew. Nays: None. Motion carried. All
in favor of motion as amended, motion carried.
Mayor Rehn adjourned the meeting at 11:17 a.m.
http://cityofinarion.org/node/1055/print 1/30/2009
Council Minutes -January 27, 2009
Paul E. Rehn, Mayor
Attest:
Beth J. Little, Assistant City Clerk
Page 2 of 2
Source URL:
ht~ •//cityofmari on. org/counciUminutes/012709
http://cityofinarion.org/node/1055/print 1/30/2009
Page 1 of 5
Marian Karr
From: Tom Slockett [tslocket@co.johnson.ia.us]
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 2:13 PM
To: Tom Slockett; Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: Regenia Bailey; Casie Kadlec; Chris Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler;
Marian Karr; tjohnson@ci.coralville.ia.us; cityhills@netins.net; mthomae@lonetreeiowa.com;
tmulcahey@ci.north-liberty.ia.us; oxfordcityhall@southslope.net; jdibys0070@aol.com;
susie.siddell@solon-iowa.com; swisher2@netins.net; tiffin@avalon.net; Deb Mansfield;
Wendy Ford; tkaeding@ci.coralville.ia.us; cassandra.lippincott@solon-iowa.com
Subject: RE: Expedited Local Option Sales Tax legislation update
Attachments: Fw: Possible Resoluton Calling for Special Election-local optionsales tax
Attached are emails concerning and a possible resolution containing ballot language for the City of Cedar Rapids
for a March 3, 2009 sales tax election. As noted it is only possible language as Cedar Rapids will not act on it until
noon tomorrow.
The City of Iowa City must notify me before 5 p.m. tomorrow, February 3, 2009 if this election is to be held on
March 3rd. The Board of Supervisors is set to act tomorrow if there is time. If they are unable to meet due to late
action by the City of Iowa City that will not prevent the election from happening if the City of Iowa City provides
notice before 5 p.m.
City contacts please forward to mayors, councilors, and city managers.
Best regards,
Tom Slockett
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Street, Suite I01
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: www.acaudtor,c_o_m
From: Tom Slockett
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 12:07 PM
To: Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: 'regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org'; Casie Kadlec; Chris Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler;
'marian-karr@iowa-city.org'; 'tjohnson@ci.coralville.ia.us'; 'cityhills@netins.net'; 'mthomae@lonetreeiowa.com';
'tmulcahey@ci.north-liberty.ia.us'; 'oxfordcityhall@southslope.net'; 'jdibys0070@aol.com'; 'susie.siddell@solon-
iowa.com'; 'swisher2@netins.net'; 'tiffin@avalon.net'; 'Deb-Mansfield@iowa-city.org'; 'Wendy-Ford@iowa-
city.org'; 'tkaeding@ci.coralville.ia.us'; 'cassandra.lippincott@solon-iowa.com'
Subject: RE: Expedited Local Option Sales Tax legislation update
At the following links is the official ballot language used by all cities and the county in the 1987 and 1999 sales tax
votes:
Ballot language for October 6, 1987:
Iowa City, Coralville, Hills, North Liberty, University Heights: http_//www,iohnson-
county.com/auditor/re_turns/1.987conti.g.jpg
Rural Johnson County, Lone Tree, Solon, Swisher: http://www.johnson-
2/2/2009
Page 2 of 5
county.com/auditor/returns/1987smal~l.lpg
Oxford, Shueyville, Tiffin: http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/returns/1987smalll2.lp4
Ballot language for March 30, 1999, all 12 cities and Johnson County: http//www.johnson_-
county.com/au_ditor/returns/9903res..htm
I have spoken to Iowa City Mayor Pro Tem of Iowa City and council members are still discussing whether to hold
a special meeting tomorrow. To deal with this unusual situation the Board has decided to post an agenda for a
1:00 p.m. meeting tomorrow, February 3, 2009. http://www.iohnson-cou_nty.com/au_dtor/min/090203fm-ag.htm If
Iowa City has a meeting after that time I will act in my capacity of clerk to the Board to recess the meeting until a
later time. This will meet open meeting requirements for holding a special meeting. You may wish to consider
doing the same. If you do not meet the default language will be placed on the ballot. Let me know if you have
any questions.
Thank you for your patience regarding this matter. This is the nature of emergencies and subsequent fast-traced
action by the legislature, the Governor, and local governments. If the City if Iowa city decides to act, it will all
have been worth it. Thanks, again.
City contacts, please distribute to Mayors, city councilors, and city managers.
Best regards,
Tom Slockett
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Street, Suite 101
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: www~c_au:dtorcom.
From: Tom Slockett
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 2:24 PM
To: Tom Slockett; Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: 'regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org'; Casie Kadlec; Chris Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler;
'marian-karr@iowa-city.org'; 'tjohnson@ci.coralville.ia.us'; 'cityhills@netins.net'; 'mthomae@lonetreeiowa.com';
'tmulcahey@ci.north-liberty.ia.us'; 'oxfordcityhall@southslope.net'; 'jdibys0070@aol.com'; 'susie.siddell@solon-
iowa.com'; 'swisher2@netins.net'; 'tiffin@avalon.net'; 'Deb-Mansfield@iowa-city.org'; 'Wendy-Ford@iowa-
city.org'; 'tkaeding@ci.coralville.ia.us'; 'Cassandra.lippincott@solon-iowa com'
Subject: RE: Expedited Local Option Sales Tax legislation update
I have confirmed with Linn County that the Cedar Rapids City Council will vote on Tuesday, 9-0 to put the
question on the Linn County ballot. Like the Iowa City Council, council members will be on a Chamber trip to
D.C. However, the Cedar Rapids city councilors feel this measure is important enough to participate in the
meeting electronically. Hopefully, the Iowa City councilors will reconsider the decision to miss the deadline and
delay action until members return from D.C., and follow the leadership to act provided by the Cedar Rapids City
Council, the Iowa House, Senate, and Governor.
I am attempting to obtain the ballot language for the March 3~d election from Linn County and the Cities of Linn
County. If I am successful, I will forward this information to you for possible guidance.
City contacts, please forward this information to city mangers, mayors, and councils. Thank you.
Best regards,
Tom Slockett
2/2/2009
Page 3 of 5
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Street, Suite 101
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: w_w~~.jc;audtorc_om
From: Tom Slockett
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 1:25 PM
To: Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: 'regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org'; Casie Kadlec; Chris Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler;
'marian-karr@iowa-city.org'; 'tjohnson@ci.coralville.ia.us'; 'cityhills@netins.net'; 'mthomae@lonetreeiowa.com';
'tmulcahey@ci.north-liberty.ia.us'; 'oxfordcityhall@southslope.net'; 'jdibys0070@aol.com'; 'susie.siddell@solon-
iowa.com'; 'swisher2@netins.net'; 'tiffin@avalon.net'; 'Deb-Mansfield@iowa-city.org'; 'Wendy-Ford@iowa-
city.org'; 'tkaeding@ci.coralville.ia.us'; 'Cassandra.lippincott@solon-iowa.com'
Subject: RE: Expedited Local Option Sales Tax legislation update
Attached are sample ballots from a previous Linn County sales tax election. I am not recommending the
language in the attachments as each city and the county will have to make the decision on what language it
wants. The sample ballots are being forwarded to show what has been done in other municipalities. I will
continue to attempt to find additional resources and forward them when possible.
City contacts, please forward to city managers, mayors and councils. Thank you.
Best regards,
Tonc Slockett
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Sheet, Suite 101
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: www,jcauditor coin
From: Tom Slockett
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 4:18 PM
To: Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: 'regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org'; 'IC Clerk Marian Karr (marian-karr@iowa-city.org)'; Casie Kadlec; Chris
Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler
Subject: Expedited Local Option Sales Tax legislation update
Board of Supervisors:
Copied below are sections of the Iowa Administrative Code specifying ballot language that would need to be adopted
by the Board if the City of Iowa City places the sales tax question on the ballot. If it does so for a March 3rd election,
the Board will need to adopt language conforming with b. (1-4) below on or before Tuesday, February 3rd. Otherwise
the default language listed in c. (1-2) below is required to be placed on the ballot.
b. The city councils and the supervisors shall provide to the county commissioner the following
information to be included in the notice and on the ballats:
2/2/2009
Page 4 of 5
(1) The rate of the tax.
(2) The date the tax will be imposed (which shall be the next implementation date provided in Iowa
Code section 423B.6 following the date of the election and at least 90 days after the date of the election,
except that an election to impose a local option tax on a date immediately following the scheduled repeal
date of an existing similar tax maybe held at any time that otherwise complies with the requirements of
Iowa Code chapter 423B). The imposition date shall be uniform in all areas of the county voting on the
tax at the same election.
(3) The approximate amount of local option tax revenues that will be used for property tax relief
in the jurisdiction.
(4) A statement of the specific purposes other than property tax relief for which revenues will be
expended in the jurisdiction...
c. If a jurisdiction fails to provide the information in 21.4(3) "b "(3) and 21.4(3) "b "(4) above, the following information
shall be substituted in the notice and on the ballot:
(1) Zero percent (0%) for property tax relief.
(2) The specific purpose for which the revenues will otherwise be expended is: Any lawful purpose
of the city (or county).
The legislation allowing the measure to be placed on the ballot March 3rd or May 5th passed the legislature and my
understanding is that the governor plans to sign the legislation this week. It is also my understanding that the City of
Cedar Rapids is going to place the measure on the ballot for a March 3rd election.
If Iowa City follows suit, the County and Johnson County cities will need to act without delay or opt for the ballot
language in c. (1-2) above.
Best regards,
Tom Slockett
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Street, Suite l0l
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: www jcaudrtor,cgm
From: Tom Slockett
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 11:44 AM
To: Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; IC Clerk Marian Karr (marian-karr@iowa-city.org); Casie Kadlec; Chris
Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler
Subject: Estimated Revenues from a Local Option Sales Tax bill if passed this year in the legislature and locally
Johnson County Department Heads and Elected Officials:
This is a quick note to provide available information on fast track local option sales tax legislature moving rapidly
through the legislature.
HF95 and SF44 are moving rapidly towards passage of fast tract enactment of Local Option Sales Tax legislation
to help with flood damages and all other costs allowed under Iowa law. The fast track option would be available
to the 87 counties declared disaster areas, including Johnson County. The tax can only be enacted if passed by
a majority of voters in a municipality and if a city or county local option sales tax is not currently in effect for the
jurisdiction. All cities in Johnson County qualify, as well as Johnson County government itself. In Johnson
County, Iowa City must call an election if it is to be held. If called it is a countywide election for all cities and the
2/2/2009
Page 5 of 5
rural areas with all precincts open. The tax would be enacted by each city in which more than 50% passage
occurs and for Johnson County if there were more than 50% passage by the voters residing in unincorporated
areas of the county.
If passed in all jurisdictions in a local election here in March all jurisdictions in Johnson County are estimated to
receive $18.2 million annually and $13.7 million in this calendar year, 2009. If the measure passes in a March
election Johnson County itself would receive $3.4 million during calendar year 2009. If it passes in May the
estimated receipts for all jurisdictions in Johnson County would be $9.1 million during calendar year 2009, and the
receipts for the county only would be $2.3 million in 2009. If passed, Johnson County is estimated to receive $4.6
million annually.
I have attached a table with the estimates for all Johnson County jurisdictions.
Cc: Iowa City Mayor Regenia Bailey
Iowa City Clerk Marian Karr
Deputy Auditors
Best regards,
Tom Slockett
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Street, Suite 101
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: www_jcauditor_.com
2/2/2009
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: joel.miller@linncounty.org
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 1:53 PM
To: Tom Slockett
Subject: Fw: Possible Resoluton Calling for Special Election-local optionsales tax
Attachments: Local Option Tax -Flood Recovery Reso (3).doc
Tom: Here's CR's draft.
Thanks for posting on my blog!
Joel
Sent from my Verizon Wireless B1ackBerry
From: "Flitz, James"
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2009 09:11:31 -0600
To: auditor@linncounty.org<auditor@linncounty.org>
Subject: FW: Possible Resoluton Calling for Special Election-local option sales tax
Joel and Tim:
Here is one proposal regarding Cedar Rapid's local option sales tax. The Council has not taken action
on this, and is not scheduled to do so until noon on Tuesday.
James Flitz
Cedar Rapids City Attorney
(319) 286-5025
j_,flrtz@cedar-rapicis_org
2/2/2009
File
ATT
CNC
County Aud
TRS
AUD
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION REQUESTING A SPECIAL ELECTION BE HELD ON March 3, 2009 ON
THE ADOPTION OF A LOCAL OPTION SALES AND SERVICES TAX TO FUND
FLOOD RECOVERY PROJECTS NECESSITATED BY THE JUNE 2008 FLOODING
DISASTER IN CEDAR RAPIDS.
WHEREAS, the Cedar Rapids City Council believes that the voters of Cedar
Rapids should be asked to vote on whether a 1 cent local option sales and services tax should
be imposed in Cedar Rapids for a period of 5 years to provide for flood relief and recovery, and
WHEREAS, the Linn County Board of Supervisors has the power to direct that such a
ballot question contain a provision for the repeal, without election, of a local sales and services
tax on a specific date, and
WHEREAS, the Cedar Rapids City Council must provide to the County Commissioner of
Elections information to be included in the notice of the ballot proposition and on the ballots
including the rate of tax, the date the tax will be imposed, the approximate amount of local
option tax revenues to be used for property tax relief and a statement of the specific purpose
other than property tax relief for which the revenues will be expended in the City of Cedar
Rapids.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA as follows:
1. The question of the imposition of a local sales and services tax at the rate of 1
percent for a period of five years commencing on April 1, 2009 should be submitted to the
registered voters of the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Linn County, Iowa at a special
election to be held on March 3, 2009 as provided for by law.
2. The Cedar Rapids City Council hereby states that 80% of the revenues
generated by this tax will be used for the purpose of flood protection and the acquisition and
rehabilitation of flood damaged housing caused by the 2008 flood, and 20% of the revenues will
be used for property tax relief.
3. The City Clerk is directed to submit a certified copy of this resolution to the Linn
County Commissioner of Elections, and that this resolution shall constitute a motion requesting
the special election referenced above. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is the Cedar Rapids City
Council's requested ballot proposition language. The City of Cedar Rapids hereby requests that
the Linn County Commissioner of Elections consider this request, and to otherwise consult with
it as necessary.
4. The City Clerk is directed to submit this resolution to the Linn County Board of
Supervisors and that the Board of Supervisors is hereby requested to consider the Cedar
Rapids City Council's request to limit the imposition of a local sales and services tax to five
years and upon such consideration, thereafter direct that the ballot contain a provision for the
repeal, without election, of the local sales and services tax on May 30, 2014.
Passed this day of , 2009.
Exhibit A
(Insert letter to be assigned by the Commissioner of Elections)
SHALL THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC MEASURE BE ADOPTED? YES ^ NO ^
Summary: To authorize imposition of a local sales and services tax in the city of Cedar Rapids
at the rate of one percent (1 %) to be effective from (month and day), 2009, until
(month and day), (year).
A local sales and services tax shall be imposed in the city of Cedar Rapids at the rate of one
percent (1 %) to be effective from
(month and day), (year).
(month and day), 2009, until
Revenues from the sales and services tax shall be allocated as follows:
Twenty percent (20%) for property tax relief; and
Eighty percent (80%) for flood protection and the acquisition and rehabilitation of flood
damaged housing caused by the flooding of 2008.
Page 1 of 1
~~~~~
Marian Karr
From: Tom Slockett [tslocket@co.johnson.ia.us]
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 5:03 PM
To: Elected Officials; Department Heads
Cc: Regenia Bailey; Casie Kadlec; Chris Edwards; Dana Aschenbrenner; Lisa Allen; Mark Kistler;
Marian Karr; tjohnson@ci.coralville.ia.us; cityhills@netins.net; lonetreecity@iowatelecom.net;
tmulcahey@ci.north-liberty.ia.us; oxfordcityhall@southslope.net; jdibys0070@aol.com;
susie.siddell@solon-iowa.com; swisher2@netins.net; tiffin@avalon.net; Deb Mansfield; Wendy
Ford; tkaeding@ci.coralville.ia.us; Cassandra.lippincott@solon-iowa.com; Andy Chappell
Subject: RE: Expedited Local Option Sales Tax legislation update
Below are updated census numbers I received today from the Department of Revenue. These are the
numbers currently set to be used if the sales tax passes in Johnson County. If you have documented
census information updating what is listed below, please let me know. I have also asked for updated
three years of property tax information for the below listed municipalities. I will let you know when I
receive that information, as well. Thanks.
City contacts, please distribute appropriately.
JOHNSON COUNTY Dist % Population
52-01 Iowa City 12.72 62,380
52-02 Coralville .51 17,269
52-03 Lone Tree 54.83 1,151
52-04 Oxford .85 705
52-05 Solon 4.25 1,177
52-06 University Heights .51 987
52-07 Hills .20 679
52-08 North Liberty .93 7,224
52-09 Swisher .60 813
52-10 Tiffin .76 975
52-11 Shueyville .80 250
52-12 West Branch .06 86
52-22 Unincorporated 22.99 20,666
52-24 TOTAL 100.00% 114,362
Best regards,
Tom Slockett
Johnson County Auditor &
Commissioner of Elections
913 S Dubuque Street, Suite 101
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4207
Phone: (319)356-6004
Fax: (319)356-6086
Web: www jcauditor,com
2/9/2009
Page 1 of 1
6 15
Marian Karr
From: RussUPS@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2009 11:54 AM
To: Council
Subject: (no subject)
I would like to say the snow emergency plan is a success. But I think it would be beneficial to everyone
involved that on odd and even days during the time of the emergency, that it shouldn't make any difference if
there is a no parking sign on one side of the road or not. In the downtown area people park cars on both sides
of the street every Sunday for church where it's designated no parking anytime. With the way you have it set up
now, some people don't have the advantage of JUST MOVING there car somewhere else without a no parking
anytime sign being there. For the short time someone may have to park on a no parking side it would speed up
cleaning the downtown area and out lying areas could be serviced more quickly. If there is any confusion on
wether to park on a no parking anytime side, put up signs saying "Parking During Snow Emergencies Only".
I commend the City Council for making the north side fire station a reality. I understand the budget woes that
city is experiencing. The same thing is happening nation wide. Yes, you may end up cutting some services but I
think this is the wrong time for cutting staff. Considering everything that is going on with the economy and the
financial forecast it may be hard for any of these people who loose their jobs to find another. Maybe both city
and county employees, union and non-union would consider a pay cut to help balance the budget and keep
their jobs. Maybe pay for more of their healthcare. These same ideas are being entertained by large
corporations and cities nationwide. Put this idea in front of both union and non-union people including union
representatives. If no solution to this problem can be solved that way then you may have to trim staff.
Russell Haught
351-5315
Great__Deals_on Del_I_Laptops. Starting at_$499.
2/2/2009
Iowa City
23 January 2009
To: City of Iowa City City Council Members,
LTIHC, The Red Cross, The Crisis Center,
Bishop Jeppsen, HACAP, and Salvation Army
From: Steven Anderson
612 S. Van Buren #5
Iowa City, IA 52240-4852
319 338-1589
RE: Possible electrical interruption
and the medical consequences
Dear Community leaders,
6 16
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w _ _ ,,
I've been remiss. Since I am CPAP dependent, I am just planning
ahead for a localized power outage, due to damage to power lines, or a
eneralized breakdown fhe eneratin lan s . The CPAP is a ni ttime
g g gP ~) ~
breathing facilitation device, which is used by many with sleep apnea, a
recognized medical condition.
I do not need luxury accommodations but something with an electrical
outlet and enough room for a mat and pillow. It would not have to be
furnished, but a toilet would be nice.
I would be willing to pay whomever back if needed at the rate of $25-50
per month. Likely, I would only need a room for a week or less, barring a
blackout.
Please also inform me of any accomodations with a generator, in the
event of the latter problem.
In 2005, I suffered from bronchitis and was unable to use my CPAP or
sleep. This set of circumstances resulted in about 5-6 days without sleep
and a hospitalization. Needless to say, this was a traumatic experience,
during which I almost lost my job. This letter is designed to prevent a
similar or worse crisis in my life.
I am both casting a wide net to get as many good possibilites as possible
and trying to anticipate any problems which might occur. My sleep apnea is
exacerbated by another medical condition. Finally, one can only go without
sleep for so long, and doing so for even a few days is extremely painful and
challenging.
Please do not ignore this letter and assume that the other agency(ies) will
take care of it. This could end up being a life or death issue for me, not to
sound dramatic.
Any help/plans in advance concerning accommodation(s) for my illness
and situation would allay my short-term anxieties and possibly avert a crisis
sC~nari~n the longer term.
~~~ ~^:
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R ^'
t'rsir_s
ry'
.y
Your help in this matter is appreciated.
S },,
Y
to n Anderson
Hayes Lorenzen Lawyers
PLC
James P. Hayes
Karen A. Lorenzen*
6 17
February 2, 2009
City Clerk
City of Iowa City _ _ - -
410 E Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Clerk:
I'm enclosing for .filing a letter to the Iowa City Council from the Co>~rt
Street. Neighbors who reside between ,Muscatine-.Street. and-Summit
Street. - _ ;- -
I'm attaching to the letter also. a picture of the brick streets which -
.existed on Court in front of 1118 East Court Street circa 1910-191.
With kindest regards, I am-
Very trulyyours,_
f J es P. Hayes __
JP cag
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Suite 580 ~'"' ~~
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Plaza Centre One -- ~., ~.:
125 S. Dubuque Street Q `~~,, ~ ~~
Iowa City, IA 52240-5678
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Phone: 319 887 3688 - -
Fax: 319 887 3687
jhayes@hlplc.com
klorenzen@hlplc.com
* AICa admitted in Florida
., ,
February 2, 2009 %~;
Council
City of Iowa City ~ !,a =_'
410 E. Washington Street ~ " ~'
~~ _
Iowa City, Iowa 52240 ~~
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Re: Court Street Neighborhood Requests ~` % ~ ~? r~
Reduction of Traffic =~' ---
C~ J
Dear Council:
Beginning in 2005 the residents of Court Street between Muscatine and Summit submitted a
petition requesting review of alternative measures that could be taken to slow the traffic on
Court Street. Since that time, the City has enacted an embargo on large trucks and conducted
periodic traffic enforcement on this portion of the street. Despite these actions, traffic continues
to be a problem on this street.
We would like to address the neighborhood problem again and see if it can resolve the situation
by taking the following steps:
1. Conduct an updated traffic and accident survey. The most recent data is from 2006-
2007. Since that time, the major project on Highway 1 or Dodge Street has been
completed and large trucks should be diverted to Scott Boulevard.
2. Lower the tonnage limit for the street to 5 tons and set up traffic enforcement.
The current 16 ton limit is still an open invitation to large trucks to use the street as a
pass through. Special exceptions can be made for UPS, FED EX and other daily delivery
services as well as moving companies. However, beverage distributors, building
materials/lumber yard trucks, tractor trailers and other delivery trucks should be
notified in writing of the embargo on the street and the consequences of noncompliance.
3. Conduct a study to determine the timeline and costs to reclaim the brick pavers and
reconstruct the street. Reclaiming the brick street is what the neighborhood wants and
falls right into line with the City's historic preservation plan which states, "Re-examine
city policy regarding brick streets to assure protection and funding are in place for
conserving and restoring significant areas both inside and outside of historic and
conservation districts."
We believe the Church Street project demonstrates the benefits of using brick paving for traffic
control. Furthermore, we believe that the Church Street project, Iowa Avenue brick paving
project and all future reclamation projects will demonstrate that brick streets provide along-
lasting and cost-efficient road surface. Brick streets are one way to improve the infrastructure.
Court Street presents the perfect opportunity for the City of Iowa City to study/ demonstrate a
reclamation of a brick street by removing asphalt from one-third to one-half of a block between
Summit and Muscatine Streets. We believe that this project will be embraced by the people of
Iowa City as it reflects the community's concern with Green Awareness and recycling.
We look forward to your response.
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OFFICE PHONE
(319)337-9659
EMAIL CPARSONS@ICIALAW.COM
Dear City Council members,
CYNTHIA E. PARSONS
ATTORNEY AT LAW
SUITE 300, BREWERY SQUARE
123 NORTH LINK STREET
IOWA CITY, IOWA 52245
FAX
(319) 354-0559
6 18
a ~ _~
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Nearly five years ago, in April of 2004, my husband, Gary Klinefelter, and I were sent a
letter from the City Engineering department telling us that we had defective portions of
public sidewalk at our property at 223 and 225 McLean St. We were given a deadline to
effect repairs or the City would contract the work and we would have to pay for it. We
did the repairs ourselves, replacing about nine or ten panels of public sidewalk.
By far the worst hazard at the McLean Street property was (and continues to be) the cross
walk section, which is the City's responsibility to maintain. It is not only broken into
several pieces but there is a significant trip hazard, nearly two inches in height
differential, in relation to adjacent panels. To date, this cross walk section has not been
replaced, even though City Engineering specifically indicated that the City would be
taking care of this problem.
This fall we received another letter from Engineering citing defective public sidewalk
panels at 702 E. Washington St. The letter noted the deficiency as a 1" x 2" piece
missing at the corner of a panel. There are 2,304 square inches in a standard panel of
sidewalk. We are being cited for two square inches or .00086 percent of the sidewalk
panel, as defective! The panel cited is not 1% defective, it is not 1/10% defective, it is
less than 1/100% defective! This seems incredulous. What is more, there are terrific
products on the market now which allow for patching repairs to be made in such areas,
which would last for 10 years or more. However, the current City rules do not allow for
such repairs, and total replacement of the entire panel is required. This imposes
additional unnecessary expenses upon homeowners.
Gary spoke to the original person who sent the letter, and requested a review. After a
month transpired we were sent another letter stating again that the panel was defective.
Gary called to speak with the City Engineer. He was told that the City Engineer would
call back. After three months, Gary finally called Ron Knocke. He asked Ron if he was
on his list of persons to call and he was told "yes". Gary asked him how small a defect
(on a public sidewalk panel) could be cited. He used as an example a 1/a" x '/a" defect and
Ron stated that such a defect (essentially the diameter of a pencil) could be cited. This
standard is beyond our comprehension. It is also unbelievably unreasonable. The City
can demand that a 4' x 4' section of sidewalk be removed and replaced because of a'/4" x
'/a" piece of concrete missing!
Gary also asked Mr. Knocke about the cross walk piece at 223 - 225 McLean St. He
told Gary that the City did not have the funds to replace that section, not even five years
after the fact. Gary expressed frustration to him at this apparent double standard. The
property owner must effect repairs in a timely manner but the City can postpone repairs
which the City is responsible for indefinitely. This is aggravating and unfair.
This is an absurd double standard. The City is able to cite property owners for miniscule
and benign public sidewalk defects and demand timely and costly removal and
replacement (other types of repairs are not permitted). However, the City is able to
effectively ignore its responsibility for repairs by claiming that money is not available.
This paradigm is not only incredibly poor public relations, it is also unethical.
We feel that the Council needs to be aware of these issues, and City Engineering should
be instructed to adopt rules which are fair, equitable, and which would allow property
owners to make cost effective repairs (rather than total replacement) when appropriate.
Sincerely,
Cynthia E. Parsons and Gary A. Klinefelter
,>
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Marian Karr
From: Johnson, Elizabeth A [elizabeth-johnson-2@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 4:09 PM
To: Council
Cc: kruicommunitymixtape@gmail.com
Subject: appearance on KRUI
Hello Iowa City City Council!
My name is Liz Johnson; I am a third-year law student at Iowa Law am the co-host of
Community Mixtape, a new program on the university's campus radio station, KRUI.
Community Mixtape hopes to become THE source for great music and information every Friday
afternoon from 5-6 pm. My co-host, Kate Johnson, and I will be bringing on people from
both the University and Iowa City communities to talk about their work and their favorite
music. Our primary goal is to create one hour of programming each week where both
students and community members turn their dials to KRUI in order to find common ground:
fantastic music.
We would like to invite each member of the City Council to participate in our first
semester of programming! We air the show each Friday from 5-6pm; we would love to have
you come in and join us! We are interested both in your roles as leaders in Iowa City and
in your musical tastes; the setting is informal and relaxed; you will have the opportunity
to browse through our music library or bring in your own jams to spin!
We do hope you will accept this invitation to come down to the IMU and join us some Friday
afternoon. Please email me at elizabeth-johnson-2@uiowa.edu, or
kruicommunitymixtapec~gmail.com, if you are interested in knowing more about this
opportunity or if you would like to book a date to come in and DJ with us! Thanks for
your time, and we do look forward to hearing from you!
Peace,
Liz (and Kate) Johnson
Co-hosts, KRUI Community Mixtape
89.7 KRUI: Your Sound Alternative
Iowa City, IA
1
U2-10-U9
33
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240-1826
(319)356-5041
January 14, 2009
Mayor Regenia Bailey
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
At the January 13, 2009 meeting, the PCRB voted in open session to request a 45-day
extension regarding the reporting deadline for the Public Report according to the City Code for
PCRB Complaint #08-09 for the following reasons:
• Due to timelines, and scheduling
• Public Report presently due February 19, 2009
45-day Extension request -Report would be due on Apri 5, 2009
The Board appreciates your prompt consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
x-r
111iC~Q~ f ~~~
Michael Larson, Chair
Police Citizens Review Board
cc: City Attorney