HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-29 Correspondencer --
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Date: September 18, 2009
To: City Clerk
From: Darian Nagle-Gamm, ~CCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for September 29th, 2009 City Council meeting; Installation of (2) YIELD signs; (1)
on the northwest corner of the intersection of Dublin Drive and Tipperary Road and, (1)
on the southeast corner of the intersection of Shannon Drive and Tipperary Road.
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 (5); Install (2) YIELD signs; (1) on the northwest corner of the
intersection of Dublin Drive and Tipperary Road and, (1) on the southeast corner of the
intersection of Shannon Drive and Tipperary Road.
Comment:
This action is being taken to assign the right of way on the new Shannon Drive and Tipperary
Road extensions in the Galway Hills subdivision. This action will clarify that southbound
vehicles on Dublin Drive must yield for traffic on Tipperary Road and northbound vehicles on
Shannon Drive must yield for traffic on Tipperary Road. The City Council accepted the new
road as public right of way on September 15th, 2009.
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Date: September 17, 2009
To: City Clerk
From: Darian Nagle-Gamm, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for September 29th, 2009 City Council meeting; Installation of (1) NO PARKING
HERE TO CORNER sign on the southeast corner of the intersection of Middlebury Road
and Westbury Drive.
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 HERE TO CORNER sign on the
southeast corner of the intersection of Middlebury Road and Westbury Drive.
Comment:
This action is being taken to help ensure adequate sight distance at the intersection, especially
during noon and evening hours when on-street parking is in high demand.
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Date: September 21, 2009
To: City Clerk
From: Kristopher Ackerson, Acting Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for September 29th, 2009 City Council meeting: Installation of (1) HANDICAP
PARKING space in front of 620 N. Linn Street.
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 36 of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council
of the following action.
Action:
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(14) of the City Code, a sign indicating HANDICAP PARKING will be
installed in front of 620 N. Linn Street Street.
Comment:
This action is being taken to accommodate a disabled resident at this address.
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09-29-09
3 5
Marian Karr
From: Albert Gibson [albert.gibson@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 6:45 PM
To: Council
Subject: Last night's meeting
Amy Correia, you are an outright embarrassment to this city.
Al Gibson
9/ 17/2009
3 6
Marian Karr
From: Robert McDonald [iciamcdonald@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 6:39 PM
To: Council
Subject: Edited Tape of Council Meeting
I am a recent arrival to Iowa City, and as a retired political science professor I have a lifelong fascination
with local politics. I and my coffee group were discussing last week the current local issues and how
they relate to national discussions of civility and how elected representatives interact with citizens and
vice versa.
I was relating to the group a segment of the most recent City Council meeting involving an interaction
with Councilor Correia and a citizen, which resulted in some degree of tension and awkwardness, but
nothing extremely uncivil. The other members of the discussion group said they would catch the replay
and we could discuss after they had seen it.
I was surprised when I watched the replay of the meeting this weekend and saw that the segment that
culminated in taking a break from the proceedings was partially edited out. Since this was still part of
the meeting and there had been no recess called at that point, I was surprised it had been edited out.
A video may not be a legal document in the strictest sense, but I would assume that unless there was
profanity or violence involved, for example, a video of a City Council meeting would be expected to be
a mirror image reflection of the live meeting. I'm sure breaks or recesses would be edited out for
expediency, but as long as the meeting was in session and not recessed I think all proceedings, including
those that may be a bit embarrassing, should be included and not edited out. I have lived in Boston and
Chicago, and to be honest much of their City Councils' actions would be on the cutting room floor if
similar editing were done there. The meetings here are very genteel and polite compared to other cities!
I was wondering if there is a policy of when videotaped meetings are edited, and who has the authority
to request an edit. In an era in which transparency of government is promoted, this makes me wonder
what else might be edited out of what I view is a historical record of governmental meetings.
Thanks for your public service.
R. McDonald
Iowa City
9/21/2009
FW: email Editing of Iowa City City Council Meetings
Marian Karr
From: Bob Hardy
Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 9:38 AM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: email Editing of Iowa City City Council Meetings
------ Forwarded Message
From: Bob Hardy <Bob-Hardy@iowa-city.org>
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:21:01 -0500
To: <iciamcdonald@gmail.com>
Cc: Dale Helling <Dale-Helling@iowa-city.org>
Conversation: Editing of Iowa City City Council Meetings
Subject: Editing of Iowa City City Council Meetings
September 23, 2009
Dear Mr. McDonald:
Page 1 of 1
Acting City Manager Dale Helling asked that I respond to your email regarding the City's
policy on editing of public meetings and more specifically editing of the current Iowa City
City Council meeting.
It is the City's policy that no public meeting, including city council meetings, will be edited
for content. We do edit out the extraneous space at the beginning and end of the
meeting, sometimes replace bad graphics and, as you speculated in your email, clean
up segments of going to and returning from recesses.
Editing of content might occur if there was a clear legal or public safety issue concerning
a specific video segment. But in that event our guidelines require that any editing of
content be graphically indicated in the video in the space where the segment was
altered. In the almost twenty years I have been responsible for Iowa City City Council
Meetings I have never been asked or required to alter content.
In the matter of the current Iowa City City Council meeting, the specific segments you
refer to as edited were directly related to a recess taken by Council. The Editor selected
to use a brief dissolve between the end of the first segment and the beginning of the
next segment. This is a standard editing device used in news, documentary and other
reality video productions to indicate the brief passage of time. It was done, to use your
description, for "expediency." No significant video or audio related to the verbal
exchange that is found in the original recording was removed or altered. At the same
time, I did find the transition a little too tight. For this reason I required the video of the
Mayor's calls for a recess and return to business to be restored in the program with a
dissolve to and from black in between. In the future, this will be our standard for recess
transitions.
9/24/2009
I would also like to mention that the video you can currently view on our channel or
webpage is the exact same video you would have seen live the night of the meeting. No
video shots were altered or removed. Our coverage strategy is to "follow the action" and
to focus on the person that has the floor. We only change our shot when it is clear the
control of the floor has changed. At the time of the verbal exchange, the camera was on
the person at the podium where it remained. The exchange between the speaker and
the Councilpersons was too brief to dictate a change of camera view by the director.
I hope my comments have answered your questions and relieved your concern that Iowa
City's public meetings are being altered. If you have any additional questions please do
not hesitate to contact me at this email or to call me at 319-356-5047.
Sincerely,
Bob Hardy
Cable Television Administrator
City of Iowa City
cc: Dale Helling
Iowa City City Council
------ End of Forwarded Message
0
ST. LUKE'S
HOSPITAL
IOWA HEALTH stt~t
Working together, Making o difference.
September 14, 2009
Iowa City
City Council
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear City Council Board Members:
3 7
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY SERVICES
1030 Fifth Avenue, S.E.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403
Phone: (319) 363-4429
FAX: (319) 363-8108
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It is with regret and some apprehension that we find it necessary to write this letter. In August of
2005, Johnson County announced their plan to begin funding court-ordered substance abuse
assessments for indigent inmates. It is unfortunate that the St. Luke's Chemical Dependency
Program Manager did not take an interest in the planning process at that time. These jail based
assessments, along with other economic factors, have caused the number of referrals to St.
Luke's Chemical Dependency Services to consistently dwindle.
Since substance abuse treatment is a healthcare issue, I believe that clients should have a
choice. In this regard, perhaps it would be possible to reconsider more than just one program in
the inmate assessment process. St. Luke's Chemical Dependency Services has operated in
the Iowa City community for several years and have felt priviledged to do so. However, without
a commitment from the community, we may be unable to continue substance abuse treatment
in Johnson County.
Please let us know if you have any thoughts you would like to share with us regarding this
situation. Thank you in advance for your attention in this matter.
Sinc ely,
Bernadine Franks, ACA C
Program Manager
This information has been disclosed to you fram records protected by Federal confidentiality rules (42 CFR Part 2) The Federal
rules prohibit you fram making any further disclasure of this infarmation unless further disclosure is expressly permitted by the
written consent of the person to whom it pertains or as otherwise permit#ed by 42 CFR Part 2. A general authorization for the
release of medical or other information is NOT sufficient for this purpase. The Federal rules restrict any use of the in#om~ation to
criminally investigate or prosecute any alcohol or drug abuse patient.
3 8
Marian Karr
From: Chris O'Brien
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 2:40 PM
To: 'Laura Rios; Council; Mark Rummel; hanson.mark@iccsd.k12.ia.us
Cc: Dale Helling
Subject: RE: City Highschoolers on the Iowa City Transit System
Ms. Rios,
We appreciate your feedback and want to make you aware of our efforts to address your concerns. We will be
making efforts to remind the riders of this service of proper behavior on the bus and we hope that this results in a
more enjoyable ride for all of our customers. You may have already noticed our increased supervisor presence
on the 3:45 Court Hill. Thank you again for your feedback and feel free to contact me directly if you have
questions or additional concerns.
Sincerely,
Chris O'Brien
Director of Transportation Services
City of Iowa City
(319)356-5156
Chris-obrien@iowa-city.org
From: Laura Rios [mailto:rioslaura2910@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 7:10 PM
To: Council; Chris O'Brien; Mark Rummel; hanson.mark@iccsd.kl2.ia.us
Subject: City Highschoolers on the Iowa City Transit System
9/15/2009
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Laura Rios [rioslaura2910@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 7:10 PM
To: Council; Chris O'Brien; Mark Rummel; hanson.mark@iccsd.k12.ia.us
Subject: City Highschoolers on the Iowa City Transit System
Attachments: Busing Complaint Letter.doc
9/ 11 /2009
I want to inform you of a recurring problem involving the
Iowa City transit system and City High students.
School started on Thursday, August 20, which is an early
release day. The next day, Friday, school was dismissed at
the usual new time of 3:35. I work at UIHC, get off work at
3:30, get downtown at 3:45, then get on the Court Hill bus
that proceeds east to Court Street. On that first day of usual
dismissal, 28 black students got on the bus going east at the
corner of Morningside Drive and Court. At this point the bus
in packed, with students standing in the isles. At the next
stop, at the corner of 4th and Court, 22 more black students
crammed onto the bus. Myself and the usual riders felt very
uncomfortable. There were just too many kids, loud,
obnoxious, and rude. When it came time for the working
people to get off, it was very difficult, trying to crawl over a
student who sat beside you, and then being in the isle with
no place to go. None of them would move in any way to help
you exit the bus. I rode till my usual stop at the 29 hundred
block of Court. All the students were still one bus. So on the
following Monday, the same occurs. 50 kids get on the bus-
going East. So I thought maybe they all live out my way, just
farther East on Court, so I rode around down Court, to
Friendship, back on Court and past City High. Not a single
student got off on this 20 block ride. All they wanted to do
was go downtown.
Here's the problem.
1. The 20-30 people currently on the bus going home
from work, end up by the windows. Then the bus
becomes so full, that it is all most impossible to exit.
2. If they would have waited 7 more minutes, we would
have been off, and they could get on the bus when it is
virtually empty and they could get on and actually have
a seat once the bus is going west on Court in front of
City High.
3. Since they don't live east of City High, why get on
when the bus is going east?
4. Some of my fellow co-busriders now get off at
Morningside, when the students are all getting on, and
proceed to walk the next 10 to 12 blocks home
because they feel so uncomfortable. I myself feel
uncomfortable but I refuse to get off. I have paid to
ride, and should have the right to get off at my stop.
5. The bus drivers say nothing. Only occasionally to tell
the ones standing to move back, so the ones getting
on can be behind the yellow line.
6. I have seen many students just charge the bus, coming
on 2-3 at the time, while one pays, the other 2 just get
on without paying, and the bus driver says nothing.
7. I have called the transit system to complain in the past
14 years, over similar problems and always get the
same response-we know about the problem, but
every time we(transit supervisors) ride the bus, they
never act up. So on Wednesday, Sept 9, after getting
off the bus, I went to the transit office and spoke with
Barb Morak. She listened to my concerns, and told me
to talk to my bus driver about the behavior of these
students-their bad language and intimatidation, when
they are standing in the isles and "dare" you to move
and walk past them. As far as the four-letter words, she
tells me that under the 1St amendment, they can say
fuck, bitch,. or whatever, that it's a free country. (How
long would I last at a city council meeting using these
same words?) She also said as many can get on as
they want, there's no occupancy limit. They just have
to be behind the yellow line.
8. Why can't these kids ride school buses? I have been in
front of City High, see the buses and they are 3/4 empty.
I don't want to make this a race issues. But I don't
understand.where these kids live.l also know that we do not
have segregated housing in this town. So kids of other
nationalities have to live the in same neighborhoods as
these kids. When I asked Barb from transit why it is only the
black kids getting on the bus, she said that maybe all the
other kids have after school activities. I have a daughter
who just started attending City this year, and she doesn't
have after school activities, and she and her friends walk the
10 blocks home. I also asked Barb why the bus will not pick
the kids up when the bus is going westbound or "inbound".
Apparently all the property owners around City have
complained because of damage to their property to get the
route changed. My husband tells me to stop calling and
complaining, because nothing will be done. He also dosen't
want me to say anything to them for fear of being shot,
stabbed or beaten. I am tired of living in fear The property
owners around City High got something changed, so why
can't I?
So yesterday afternoon at the Morningside stop, 29 black
kids got on. Then at the 4t" street stop, 9 white kids boarded.
I recognized at least one of those white students as a boy
who went to Lemme with my daughter It was the first time
had seen any white kids, except for one day 2 white boys
and 2 hispanic boys got on. When the bus driver was pulling
up to Morningside, 5 or six of the black kids were standing a
few feet out into Court Street. One black girl stood in the
middle of the east bound lane, and put of her hand out to
make the "Stop" motion. The bus driver honked, and did stop
without hitting anyone. So when the bus gets to 4t" ,and the
nine white kids get on, the black kids standing in the front of
the isle refused to move backward, even though none were
standing in the back isle of the bus. It doesn't take a rocket
scientist to figure out, that you need to move back when
more are getting on. It was the same "I dare you"
intimidation. So when the bus driver tells them to move back
and they don't, I stood up and yelled for them to do so. All
that really happened was that they jostled around, not really
going anyway.
I challenge each of you to ride this bus route, and see how it
is, not just my opinion. I will be contacting City High officials
and the School Board to also make them aware of this
problem. If this behavior is not tolerated on a school bus,
why should it be on a public bus?
don't want it to be a race issue, but why is it only the black
kids getting on the bus? No one can give me an answer to
that. As far as the behavior, I would not like it if they were
Hispanic, Asian or green. I have ridden that bus when 60
elementary kids from either Hoover or Lemme get on the bus
when they are in the summer programs, and they are well
behaved. They sit and talk with "inside" voices to their
neighbors. Not screaming to the "ho" or "bitch" at the other
end of the bus. If you don't believe me, watch the videos
from that bus. You should be able to see many working
people get off early, the difficultly of trying to exit at your stop
if you don't get off when they get on, how the back of the bus
will not have anyone standing in the isle, and even the black
girl standing in the middle of Court in front of a moving bus.
Please investigate this issue and come up with some
solutions. As a law abiding, hard working, property tax payer
I'm tired of being told I have to "tolerate" it. I don't, and wont
and neither should anyone else.
The Iowa City transit system is wonderful. The price is good,
it's convenient and gets me to and from work on time. The
bus drivers are pleasant and helpful---but can't or shouldn't
have to be parents or law enforcement to make the bus safe
for everyone.
Would you please respond and let me know of any steps you
are taking to solve this problem.
Sincerely,
Laura Rios
2910 E. Court Street
Iowa City, IA 52245
319-351-2577
3 9
Marian Karr
From: Philip Reisetter [phil.reisetter@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 7:53 PM
To: Council
Subject: tart speedway levy
Ladies and gentlemen:
Please take all necessary steps to install a levy on Taft
speedway and no name road . Please also install check valves in the ponds at Idyllwild.
Phil Reisetter
18 Idyyllwild Ct
Iowa City, IA
9/15/2009
uy-~y-uy
3 10
Marian Karr
From: Pamela Karp [quilt99sew@mchsi.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 7:12 PM
To: Council
Subject: Chickens
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing this in response to the article in the Sept. 15 issue of the Iowa City Press-
Citizen regarding urban chickens.
My husband and I are extremely opposed to the idea Chickens are farm animals. They are
noisy and smelly and do not belong in city limits. If people want organic eggs, they can
be purchased at the grocery store. And for the experience of raising chickens-that is
laughable!! Have you ever been pecked by a chicken while trying to
collect eggs? Have you ever cleaned up after a chicken? What are
you going to do with the chickens in January when it is too cold for any pet to be
outside? So much for that experience!!!
Please use common sense and vote against this idea!!
Phil and Pam Karp
1845 Graslon Drive
Iowa City, IA 52246
1
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Kevin Keyser [kevin.keyser@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 11:31 AM
To: Council
Subject: No Chickens In Iowa City
This correspondence will become a public record.
Dear Councilors,
I am writing to express my disagreement with the idea of allowing chickens within the limits of the city.
I live within the city to avoid just such things. If someone wishes to raise chickens they can move to the
country. We live in Iowa, there is a good deal of land available for raising farm animals. I believe this
will create conflict between your citizens. My own displeasure would be immense if one of my
neighbors started to raise chickens next to my home. Please also consider the inevitable loss of property
value and the considerable trouble some poor homeowner may have selling their home next to house
with a chicken coop.
Vote this measure down.
Sincerely,
Kevin Keyser
23 Hummingbird LN
9/17/2009
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Circe Stumbo [circe@westwinded.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 10:12 PM
To: Council
Subject: Please support backyard chickens
Please support the ordinance change to allow backyard chickens in Iowa City.
For the life of me, I do not know what got my son excited about the idea of having chickens as pets, but from the
time he was in 3rd grade, he has wanted to do so. His interest peaked this spring when he started seriously
researching possibilities. I told him he had to research the city code, speak with each and every neighbor, and
go visit a farmer with chickens. I was sure the latter requirement would show him how mean and nasty chickens
are and he would be deterred.
Instead, he-and, I must admit, I-became even more interested in chickens as pets after seeing how they can
be cared for and how they behave. Jacob is planning responsibly how to raise three chickens and very much wants the
opportunity to do so. He is serious about healthy housing and good care for chickens. He already has lined up friends and
neighbors to care for the chickens when I am traveling for work, knows which breed he wants to raise, and has found a
farm for them to reside on if for any reason he is not able to care for them over the long term.
Please let my son embark on this important opportunity to raise chickens in our city.
We live at 1917 G St. in Iowa City, 52240.
Thank you for considering the change to the city ordinance.
Sincerely,
Circe Stumbo
Circe Stumbo
President
West Wind Education Policy, Inc.
Ph (877) 354-9378 ext. 100
Cell (319) 530-7838
http:/1www,westwnded.com
Join us for the Second Annual Summit for Courageous Conversation, October 10-14, 2009 in Baltimore,
Maryland. Visit www,summitforcourageousconversation.com to learn more.
9/21/2009
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Daniel H. Kim
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Iowa City, IA 52240
City Hall
Attn Mayor Regenia Bailey
410 E Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
September 8, 2009
To Whom It May Concern:
I received a pazking ticket for pazking ticket classified for "street storage" on September
4, 2009 on the 4005 block of Dubuque Street. Accompanying this ticket was a window
sticker threatening the towing and removal of my vehicle if not move within 24 hours. In
a city with extremely limited parking options and with private parking spots being
extremely expensive how is one suppose to survive with a vehicle? I currently am on a
waiting list to receive legal pazking in an Iowa City parking garage with not signs of any
spots opening up soon. There are no signs that specifies that parking longer than 48 hours
is illegal, and it took me some searching to even find the violation on the city's website.
My caz was not the only caz pazked on Dubuque for over 48 hours and I received this
unjust ticket. How can you penalize someone for leaving their car on the street when it
causes no harm to anyone and there are very few affordable places to park? I periodically
checked on the car and made sure there were no problems with the caz or its
surroundings. Yet, this azbitrary law brought about a $15 ticket along with a threat to tow.
This is in no way a complaint about paying $15 dollazs for the ticket but it is about the
basis for which the ticket was written. How do you expect people to keep moving their
cars daily and trivially when there is such limited space to do so? The fact of the matter is
not the $15 but the principle where people should not be penalized for leaving their car
on a street legally where you are allowed to park. On top of this the removal of the tow
sticker was unbearably difficult to remove. The removal of the sticker took over fifteen
minutes and required buying a solvent to take off the adhesive. These acts are
unnecessary and are not just as a resident of this city.
Sincerely,
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