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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-20 Correspondence~~_~,__-'r„®~z CITY OF IOWA CITY 4 ~ ®~~~ EZA N D U M ~~Ma Date: October 7, 2009 To: City Council From: Kent Ralston, Acting JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~~ Re: Item for October 20, 2009 City Council meeting; Installation of NO PARKING ANY TIME signs on McCollister Boulevard 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 (10), Install NO PARKING ANY TIME signs on McCollister Boulevard between Sand Road and Old Highway 218. Comment: This action is being taken to provide consistency in parking prohibitions on arterial streets. cam.: ~~ ,r-- - rug ~ F :.~ ~~,®~ CITY OF IOWA CIT 4_202y ~~~~~ RA ~ D U ~ ME~C~ Date: October 9, 2009 To: City Clerk and City Council From: Darian Nagle-Gamm, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for October 20th, 2009 City Council meeting; Installation of NO PARKING ANYTIME signs on the west side of Westbury Drive between Middlebury Road and Glastonbury 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 NO PARKING ANYTIME signs on the west side of Westbury Drive between Middlebury Road and Glastonbury Street. Comment: This action is being taken to prohibit parking on the west side of Westbury Drive (Olde Towne Village development) in an effort to ease congestion during the lunch and evening hours. A request was received from the Homeowners Association President, and a parking survey was administered. Survey responses indicate that 75% of affected households (3 out of 4) were in favor of the stated action. The survey response rate was 44%. On-street parking is still available on the east side of the road. jccogtp/mem/westbury-actcomm 10-9-09. doc 1~• ~..{- 4 A ..,., \.. .. ~~, 4 4 3 Sept. 29, 2009 City Council Iowa City, Iowa Dear Members: acuated from our home last June 2008• We es fu ~ ime 1n our 1 ves.l After We were ev condo at 27 Newlyn Circle. It was an emotional an str six months, no flood insurance, and rebuilt expenses of at least $90K, being displaced for revention. we are most concerned about flood p od rotection for several reasons. There are a6s Foster Road. The1Crty had We need flo p e of flood If Taft Speedway was raised, the city would not need to endorsed this area for development so it bo uld be responsible for some yp welcomed so we don't have to worry every prevention. Any type of prevention will lso revention would help raise our home values back to market value. year. A , p Thanking you in advance for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, ~.~ George and Barb Sondag 27 Newlyn Circle Iowa City, Iowa ~,, . .~~ _ ~ .~ -~= ~ :, ~a ~~ .. ..~ 4 4 Marian Karr From: Doug Ongie Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 4:37 PM To: 'moods88@gmail.com' Cc: *City Council; Steve Long; David Purdy Subject: RE: Buyout Questions Attachments: Jobs and CDBG Figure 9_15_09.pdf Mark: The second round of buyout money (also known as the non-FEMA buyout} is being provided by Community Development Block Grant funds for properties that received significant structural damage in the 500-year floodplain. The announcement last week by Governor Culver stated that the funding for the buyout program was approved by HUD, but it still not clear how much buyout funding will be allocated to Iowa City. We should hear back from the State about the award amount for buyouts in the next two weeks. Once the award amount is announced, the City will send out notification to property owners included in the buyout application. Below in blue are the answers to your questions. Please let me know if you have additional questions or concerns. Doug Ongie Community Development Planner City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 319.356.5479 From: Mark Moody [mailto:moods88@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 7:48 AM To: Doug Ongie; Council; Beth Fettweis Subject: Buyout Questions Doug and Iowa City Council, From what I read it appears that the secondary buyout money has been approved and will move forward. If this is in fact the case this will be a VERY difficult decision for our family. We want to make an informed decision and one that is the best long term decision for our situation. Given that here are some questions that we would like addressed to in order to make the best possible decision. 1. What is the process to present our case for getting more than the offered amount for our home? We have not received information about the guidelines, but assume they will want us to follow the same process we are using for the FEMA buyouts. For the FEMA buyouts, an initial offer of 112% of assessed value is made to the homeowner. If the homeowner decides to appeal, they will return the appeal form that comes with the offer. The homeowner will list why they want to appeal, and an appeal hearing will be arranged. The homeowner can bring whatever type of information they believe will support their argument. Many homeowners are having apre-flood appraisal done, but that is not required. The City will also likely have apre-flood appraisal completed. At the appeal hearing, both the homeowner and the City can state what and why they believe the property should be a certain value, followed by questions by the hearing officer. The hearing officer will then have 30 days to issue a judgment. Once that amount has been determined, the City will make another offer based on 10/12/2009 Page 2 of 3 that amount. The homeowners can decide to accept or decline the City's second offer. The process will stop at that time -there are not other levels of appeal. The decision to accept is completely voluntary for the homeowner. 2. How long will this offer be on the table? The initial offer and the second offer are usually on the table for 30 days. The closing date can be arranged for anytime in the future, but will probably have a last date for closing within two years of when Iowa City receives its award. 3. What is the timeline for getting the money into the hands of people that accept the buyout? We have not yet received the contract for the buyouts. We are hoping the state will expedite the process. There are several steps that seem to lengthen the process. The state has to do a review of benefits to determine if any benefits will be deducted from the final offer. This has been taking 4-6 weeks. The first closings could possibly occur in early 2010, and the first round of demolitions could occur in spring 2010. If the homeowner appeals, the process is lengthen by the amount of time of the appeals process. All of these are estimates. Once the process actually begins, we will have a clearer picture of timeframes. 4. Where is FEMA at in regards to redrawing the flood plain which could dramatically impact the cost of flood insurance? It is unclear when the new flood plain boundaries will be completed. After 1993, it took several years to redraw the map, so it will probably not be in the near future. 5. What are future flood mitigation plans for Park View Terrace? At this time, property acquisition is the primary flood mitigation strategy for the Parkview Terrace neighborhood. Buying out residential properties is an effective mitigation strategy because it reduces the risk on the highest flood-prone properties to zero. We have also applied for a grant to elevate the intersection into the neighborhood. 6. What is Coralville's levy plan and are we weighing in on that? Coralville received I-Jobs money for the construction of a levee along the CRANDIC railroad. I have attached a map of their proposed improvements. Iowa City is meeting with officials from Coralville and the University of Iowa on a monthly basis to discuss flood related projects. 7. Who will be responsible for maintaining the created green space that is created and is there any particular plan in mind for this space? Initially, the green space will be maintained as non-park public open space by the City of Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department. The City is still considering short- and long-term options for the area. 8. When does the city/county plan to reassess our home value (if ever). Ours is currently assessed for SIGNIFICANTLY less than the purchase price. Great for taxes not so good if we decide to stay and want to sell 5 years down the road. The City Assessor redoes their assessments every January. The new assessments are then sent to homeowners by April. 9. If we refuse the buyout, will we be eligible for the newly acquired Jumpstart money? Properties that refuse the buyout are eligible for repair assistance through the latest allocation of State Jumpstart funds. Households that are in the buyout are also eligible for Interim Mortgage Assistance with State Jumpstart funds. Thanks for your time and assistance in this matter. Mark Moody 612 Eastmoor Drive 10/ 12/2009 .. ~~ w E CORALVILLE 0 S 500 Feet Haward Ra Green Corr~pany 1 inch = 500 feet 4 5 1033 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 October 1, 2009 Mayor Regenia Bailey 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor Bailey: Taking a look at the enclosed New York Times (9/20) article about the amazing success of Phoenix's light rail system, it's hard not to ask why we couldn't accomplish the same-and even much more-with a light rail between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Think about it. Think about all that lies between downtown Iowa City and Cedar Rapids on the rail line: that's Swisher, North Liberty, Oakdale Reseach Park and Coralville. Now let's think about all the pungent cultural interchange between these poles. That includes, just to start, Hawkeye athletic events, Kernals baseball and Raiders Hockey, CR Symphony and Opera, and a downtown (please!) Hancher. Travel each way; enjoy a meal or drink at a nearby restaurant/pub; all with a low fare or monthly pass. Like Miami's public transit system, we could combine that fare with a bus transfer that takes you anywhere else that you want to go in CR and IC (plus generating more cab companies). All this, and the huge traffic that UIHC staff and patients would naturally generate. And why not ultimately include Waterloo in this "Comdor Comet"? I know that many have been working on this already. So what does it take to make it happen? Stimulus and flood relief money? Leadership? Sincerely, Jim Walters P.S. 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Oa N O O 'd .°i.0 d~~h~ ~ro~ ~. d~ B 5 5 w:`< ~^ ~~ a o a f c~ ~ ab m .ono c~ Q m°c•~~'.m co -° ° c^o w~ ~a5m• ]"c ~ 7 ~ o-°,'~ ~ ~'o,w o ~ °,~'o c5c o~ `° a' ~ p ~ ~ w fD x fD ~ N < N ~a°a o y ~ m o?~~ a ~ ~ ~ O O'O7 ~•„f'~ Cti xO ~.Ta N y'o k o~,,,.~'w 5 ~'^ aR ~ mb ~ y w N C7 O y N N fD C .•; fD ~ io•~ ~ ~~ ~ N(~/~pp m ~'e y ~• fai O P~~,. y '~ b0 cY to p, mac ov a- m w ~ ~ ~ ofl ~ ~ ~^~' C a. y A .- a ~• a Qc7 O W .^Y'O ~' ~. y y R X'C7 "Y .7 A ( i i r.-~',Z I I z rt O~ ` 1 ~'~ Ii G • Q~ ~..~ 4 7 ;~ .v.r ;_ t,~, t 4a~ ~t i a Q. ~~ N C z b :~ m C*1 7J O O 0 ca 4 6 Marian Karr From: Nancy Hitchon [nhitchon@gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2009 11:40 AM To: Council Subject: landfill smell This correspondence will become a public record. I know you are aware and approved correction of the landfill smell post flood waste collection. I understand from Dave Elais the work has been completed but the smell still remains. This last week the smell has been very strong and almost too unpleasant to be outdoors. Last night was especially strong so I again wrote Mr Elais. A formal complaint was filled again 1 month ago with the DNR. No information has been shared with us and I wonder if you are aware of this problem. We have lived with this unpleasant situation for over a year and we are in the city limits. I'm also concerned about new flood waste being added to the landfill from Park Road demolition recently. Thank you, Nancy Hitchon 29 Tucson Place Iowa City 10/5/2009 10-20-09 4 7 Marian Karr From: Ron Knoche Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 1:16 PM To: 'jime@ric-inc.net' Cc: Kathryn Johansen; Council Subject: RE: sidewalk repair Mr. Ebbers: Your email has been forwarded to me for response. As you are aware, your sidewalk was marked for repair through the City's Sidewalk Repair program. This program was established to help maintain a safe, pedestrian friendly community. City Code places the responsibility of the maintenance and repair of the public sidewalk on the adjoining property owner. The sidewalk panel that you refer to met the criteria established by the City Engineer to be removed and replaced. Staff did come to your property to review the concerns you had with the panel of sidewalk. After the site visit, it was still determined the panel needed to be replaced. It is unfortunate that the sidewalk had to be replaced, but the criteria which led to your sidewalk being marked was the same throughout your neighborhood. Once again, I would like to reiterate the purpose of the program is for pedestrian safety. Thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns. Sincerely, Ron Ronald R. Knoche, PE City Engineer City of Iowa City 4~0 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Phone: (319} 356-5138 Fax: (319) 356-5007 Email: ron-knoche@iowa-city.org From: Jim Ebbers [mailto: ] Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 10:06 PM To: Council Subject: sidewalk repair Council Members, In August of 2008 I received a notice that a square of concrete sidewalk needed to be repaired. I measured and checked what the inspector claimed to be the problem. There was nothing I saw what was wrong. I did nothing. 10/12/2009 Page 2 of 2 In May of 2009 I received another letter stating that I had not done those repairs. True. I went out and checked again and I did not see a problem. I called Kimberly Sandburg and received her voice mail. I told her that I did not see where there was a 3/a" lip in that concrete square. I also said there was no reason to tear out that square. I received no response. I called back about a week later and talked to somebody (I didn't catch her name). They said they would have another inspector check it out. I didn't hear anymore so I thought everything was okay. Yesterday (September 17, 2010) I was home sick and I hear a saw going. Igo out tell the man that it doesn't need to be repaired. I told him I was going to call the city. He stopped. I called Kimberly Sandburg after telling her the problem she said she had no record of my calls. She said that she would have someone look at it. I figured that since I was home the inspector would show me what the problem was. I was wrong. Kimberly Sanderson calls me back and says she looked at it herself and there was a 3/a" lip. While on the phone I go out with my tape measure. There is a 3 %" by 1 %" piece of concrete missing. It is more than 3/4" deep. I said I could fill that it in with patch concrete or even dirt and there would be not lip. She said that was not acceptable. I told her I would not pay for replacing the whole slab as it could be repaired. Unfortunately I got mad and she hung. I called her back and tried to explain that there was no reason for replacing the whole square. I explained to her that according to the information I had the sidewalk had to be displaced by more than '/4". This is a piece of concrete missing. The whole square of sidewalk is not displaced (pictures attached). She would not listen and I got mad again and told her I would not pay for something that could be repaired. She hung up. At 7:50 A.M. I am woken up by a backhoe in my drive way and a man is removing the concrete square. I now know why our taxes are so high. Instead of using a simple solution you just revamp the whole thing. Unfortunately I cost us taxpayer more than it should. By the way why do we have people from other towns dictate what we do in Iowa City? She doesn't even live in Iowa City. James F. Ebbers 527 S. First Avenue Iowa City, IA 10/12/2009 ,~,~e ~'~ € I I ~ F~ i I i ~~ ~'i °j~j~F~~C,~l ~ ~ ~'! ~ ly ~ ~ ~ , I ~ ~~ k ~~ is ~' ~` ~ iP<~~~~~ ~- ~ ,~ r .~ iC,,, ~ '^,.,~.~ Vim"' ~ ~'~ I x 1'lff~ ~"~ i 6 _ ~: r'~' `p~ =y ( ~~~~~~1 sib#_ .r ~ ~1. ~~ 1 L ~4 ~ ~ ~~, ~ u ~ ~. ~~. '~~FF""11II 4 ~W w. i1~' 1 p{{~. +~~ ~~ ~ tk, ''~" 3' ' ,~+ ~, Ya /~ ,~ z #m i 1.~+ i Iv ~ a ~ _~. , ~. _ ~ ' ~I i l ~ ' a-~ ~, :F r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~w r= ~ ~i` '~ ~s ~# ~ .. ~ ~t i N a ~ ~ is it ~'~ _ ~ ~ ; ~. X~ . M o ~~ ~: ~ _ ^, ~ r ~ ~~~ - • ~ ~ ~ $~~ - ~ ~ ~ ,, ~, . . ~ ~ ~ d y y , r. `. ~ _ u~ 3~ .~~~iu ~~~~ ~. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~u,, i ^, 4~ I ~~, F, ; P ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ t ~~ , i., ~ y i f `'~ ~ ,~;. 4 t~ ~~ r N y 4 .t'r' R., ~ ' y .~~ " r ~ ~ r i + ~ ~ 1~• M ~ ~~~,~ A , ~i J a ~ ~, ~. ~' V 4 8 Marian Karr From: Joe and Mary Sturm [mtandjoe@q.com] Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 12:15 PM To: Bill Campbell; Council Subject: swat and bomb squad Mr. Campbell: As a resident of Parkview Terrace I was appalled at the lack of consideration for the human beings living in our area. It was bad enough that the activities of the swat team scared a UPS driver enough that he warned a neighbor to"leave your home something terrible is going on" AND then a day or so later while eating dinner a boom breaks the silence of our neighborhood....yes, the bomb squad. We have two people in close proximity (within four houses and one directly across the street from the house at the end of Eastmoor and Normandy) that have very delicate heart conditions that could have been severely impacted by this unexpected boom! We also have a pregnant woman located closer than the heart patients.....wouldnt want to scare her into early labor at this stage. We have people with congestive heart failure and emphysema....that cloud of blue smoke and the smell of gunpowder or whatever it was certainly could not be good for their lungs! Our animals were frightened. While we understand that your teams need practice, first they might need some help with plain old common sense. This is a neighborhood, we LIVE here. If you need practice surely there are plenty of abandoned homes and barns in the country that could be used for this sort of activity and if there are not...then find somewhere else to practice....how about in your neighborhood? We have had a flood, we are recovering emotionally and financially from those related issues and your teams in their infinite wisdom add to our difficulties. To serve and protect.......not to invade and frighten. How disappointing to realize that we are thought so little of. I think an apology to the entire neighborhood is more than mandatory at this time and I think also some assurance that this sort of adolescent behavior doesnt occur again. Taxpayer and resident Mary Sturm 800 Eastmoor Drivr Iowa City 10/5/2009 4 9 Marian Karr From: John Darnauer ~johndarnauer@gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 8:36 PM To: Council Subject: utility franchise tax Dear City Council: I understand you are proposing to enact a 2% utility tax on electric/gas customers in Iowa City. I hope you will think carefully before enacting another tax in these times of financial crisis. It seems unusual that a city would enact two new taxes in the past year, while other cities have instead examined their budgets and made cuts where necessary. I have not heard of any Iowa City budget cuts, just additional new taxes. I have lived in another Iowa city with such a tax, and offer two comments: 1. The figure proposed for "utility management" is calculated at .5% of the total tax. This seems quite high compared to my prior experience in Sioux City. Could more detailed information be provided so residents can see how the .5% was arrived at? It appears to be kind of a "neat" number, especially when you are talking about a large sum of money. It is possible to have a lower fractional percentage of a tax. Please ask for a detailed accounting so, if you do decide to go ahead and place an additional tax on the citizens of Iowa City, that no "fluff' is included as a windfall to another function that is not public safety related. 2. Please also be mindful that a few years ago many people were inflicted with monthly heating bills in the hundreds of dollars. Wild swings in nautral gas prices can occur, and those who struggle to pay those bills will also see more of their dollars go the city during those tough times. It's a permanent tax, so any City Council in office at that time will certainly pay a price in poor public relations, to say the least. It may appear to be an "easy fix" at this time, but along-term view needs to be taken. The residents are not allowed to vote on this tax. There is no sunset clause on this tax. That makes it even more important that you do not enact this without adequate and thorough review. Thank you for your consideration. John Darnauer 10/12/2009 Marian Karr From: Caroline Dieterle [caroline-dieterle@uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 3:06 PM To: Council Subject: "Economic Development" aided by public funds Councilors: If the Council insists on using a franchise fee - an indirect tax on citizens - PLEASE do not use any funds that remain after paying for police and fire upgrades on economic development. Reduce debt - as Connie has suggested - or give it to other public uses such as the Public Library and the Rec Center that provide much appreciated and in-demand services open to all citizens. "Expanding the tax base" - the rallying dry of the Council for the past 40 years at least - NEVER results in lowering property taxes. It only increases the need for City services, and thereby causes property taxes - and perhaps franchise fees, later! - to go UP, not down. "Growth" is not the necessity or the ultimate good; "Sustainability" is. Caroline Dieterle 1 Page 1 of 1 4 ~ ~~~ Marian Karr From: B.P. Waterbury [bf.doppelganger@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 12:21 PM To: Council; Council Subject: Franchise Fee Mayor and City Council, Let's not mince words. The proposed two percent franchise fee is nothing more than a utility tax. And imposing a truly regressive tax in which 25% of said tax is spent on collecting that tax is not only unfair to all citizens of Iowa City, but downright asinine. I've always believed the three priorities of any city government are safe streets, clean streets, and actual streets, that is, if a city's first priorities are not rooted in public safety and basic infrastructure (roads, sanitation, and sewer/water), then our city government is truly failing us. So tell us, why should we pay for your failures in successfully budgeting the City's public safety needs? And which one of you is going to tell citizens on fixed-incomes they must rearrange their budgetary priorities because you cannot successfully prioritize public safety in the City's budget? I suggest the City Council cuts the fatty departments until they're lean, and find a way to fund a new fire station and more police officers by re-opening the budget and re-prioritizing these public safety needs ahead of the amenities which are not the needs of basic infrastructure. Respectfully, B.P. Waterbury 10/16/2009 4 10 Marian Karr From: dansk@mchsi.com Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 1:55 AM To: Council Subject: LETTER TO COUNCIL and HOUSING Attachments: Dear City Council and Dep.doc Dear City Council and Dep.doc ... This correspondence will become a public record. Please accept my correspondence that I have attached. Jerry Hansen 1239 Burns Ave. Iowa City, Iowa 52240 1 10/10/09 Dear City Council and Department of Housing, Since I started the Wetherby Neighborhood Association about 10 years ago the questions I have heard asked the most by residents of the Southeast portion of Iowa City are... HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO POUND ON COUNCIL TO GET THEM TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP US? WHAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN? DOES SOMEBODY HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY ACT? WELL? I think it is about time to admit that we have a problem. A big one! We have a huge problem with low-income housing and the more you allow to come in the bigger the problem will get. The problems with violence, businesses, property values and schools will only get worse. Its time to cap it. I will ask the question one more time... HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO POUND ON YOU? HOW MANY MORE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DIE? I told Council and Housing 10 years ago that this day would come and now its here. This used to be a wonderful part of town. It makes me sad to watch Iowa City go down the drain. Jerry Hansen 1239 Burns Ave. Iowa City, Iowa 52240 319-338-2584 Page 1 of 3 Marian Karr From: B.P. Waterbury [bf.doppelganger@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 2:07 PM To: Council; Council Subject: An Open Response To Mayor Bailey and the City Council "If Mariah can do it, I can do it too," Grantwood neighbor, Ros Hayslett said as she began her remarks to City Council during the October 6 meeting's community comment period. Hayslett began with an apparent self-affirmation, and surely after the response citizen Yale Cohn received, being interrupted five times by Councilor, Amy Correia, at last month's council meeting, Hayslett must have been at least a bit apprehensive, if not outright intimidated by our do-nothing-or- very-little-about-crime City Council which would rather chalk it all up to racist and classist southeast neighbors, instead of admitting it has over a two decade history of enabling the quagmire of saturated poverty in the Lakeside to Broadway district. "I've talked to some of my colleagues where the line should be for [citizens'] comments," Mayor Bailey said on KCJJ during her September 18 interview, only two days after Cohn caused Correia to storm off the dais in tears, and I was waiting for Hayslett to be interrupted soon after she began. Yet it was if Hayslett hadn't seen last month's council meeting -- it almost seemed if Hayslett took to the microphone by planting a Don 't Tread On Me flag atop the podium soon after her self-affirmation -- she then set to her true task, and took the City Council to task with her timeline of their inaction: "After the Mother's Day "football game" or brawl -- you organized a meeting with two members of the council present. You could have reassured the residents of the neighborhood, but you didn't. You chose to silence those who voiced their frustrations and concerns with accusations of racism! -- And you found it worked! "So the violence continued to progress and intensify. We had fights, robberies of pizza delivery drivers and taxi cab drivers, roaming groups of kids causing disturbances -- complaints to the council and the police were on the rise and yet you again chose to do nothing -- still no follow through with the talks of organizing committees to address the issues." And here is what Hayslett didn't have time to say, before Mayor Bailey barked at Hayslett to tell her time was up, but this seems to be the crux of what the Grantwood neighbors are all feeling -- what needs to be said in light of the City Council's inaction and finger pointing: 10/ 12/2009 Page 2 of 3 "There are many people out there, in all walks of life, who think they're more significant than they really are. Plagued with an exaggerated sense of self-importance, they feel entitled to shame us for not accepting the lawlessness and disrespect as an acceptable way of life. "You publicly shake your finger at us; calling us racists...this has created a greater racial divide in our community than any bigot ever could! You say we are intimidated by our neighbors. We are not intimidated! "Have you heard the term Iowa nice? Many of us were raised to be overly nice, not to interrupt, not to be rude, to wait our turn, to be polite, to use our inside voices. Perhaps the man you [Correia] spoke about in the parking lot didn't interrupt the people talking after the movie because he was being respectful, not racist. Have you ever thought of that? "Diversity: the condition of being diverse; the inclusion of diverse people in a group or organization .. . taking into consideration EVERYONE'S differences!" And I keep thinking of how Mayor Bailey might have responded if she could, when she said on KCJJ, not a month earlier: "It's not the community many grew up with, or are familiar with -- it's changing -- the demographics are changing -- and I think that's a great thing." "[And] that's just the way the world is, and that's going to cause a lot of challenges for a lot of people who don't know how to deal with it." "[But] that's where we see the difference in expectations of behavior, and we have to see some agreement on what works in our community." Deal with what, Mayor Bailey? -- Concentrated poverty and an explosion in the crime rate where the City has allowed builders and landlords to saturate poverty? Living in Iowa City my entire life, I too, am disturbed by the changes I see. I'm not comfortable with this demographic of disrespect, criminal activity, and violence I see concentrated on the southeast side. Mayor Bailey, this isn't aclass/race thing, it's aright/wrong thing. Wrong behaviors; wrong plan; wrong response to your own failures when the City chose to saturate poverty in the southeast side; and the wrong attitude towards land developers who seek to profit from the poor by taking advantage of 10/12/2009 Page 3 of 3 government subsidies. You're right, Mayor Bailey, this is not the city I grew up in. This city is slowly turning into the city I chose not to move to long ago, when I contemplated moving to Chicago, or St. Louis, or Phoenix, or Austin . And I do know this: if the City Council continues to choose to do nothing in favor of whitewashing problems with political correctness, we will continue down the same road of coddling crime by enabling poverty on the southeast side, and soon there will be nothing left on the southeast side worth saving. Our applause shall wait unitl you find success. Respectfully, B.P. Waterbury 10/ 12/2009 4 11 Marian Karr From: Villhauer, Patricia J [patricia-villhauer@uiowa.edu] Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 12:30 PM To: Council Subject: Perfect Analogy This correspondence will become a public record. This was from a message board at the IC Press Citizen. I think it is a perfect analogy and I agree with its sentiments 100%. Take Down the Bird Feeder I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. What a beauty of a bird feeder it is, as I filled it Lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food. But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue. Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table ..Everywhere! Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to Peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food. After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio. Soon, the back yard was like it used to be.... Quiet, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal. Now let's see, our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, and free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen. ,lust my opinion, but maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder. Patty Villhauer 10/12/2009 7 u-[u-u9 " 4 12 Marian Karr From: Fred Stern [frederick-stern@uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 8:59 AM To: Doug Hart Cc: Marcia Bollinger; Dale Helling; Council; Samuel-hargadine@iowa-city.org Subject: RE: Disorderly behavior in Brookland Park Neighborhood Attachments: 15 October 2007.pdf; Petition.pdf Dear Lieutenant Hart Thank you for returning my phone call and discussing football Saturday situation in Brookland Park neighborhood, as per my attached 15 October 2007 email to Iowa City Police Chief and City Council with accompanying petition signed by myself and 20 of my neighbors. I'm confident if I go back to my neighbors with new petition, as in 2007, I will have nearly unanimous signatures. As you can see, my neighbors and I do not agree that a proper balance exists between consideration to neighborhood residents and partygoers bully-hooligans and request/insist that Iowa City laws are upheld regarding all issues described in my email and petition. Also, having owned and lived in my home since August 1983 can assure you the situation is at least an order of magnitude worse over last 5 or so years. I've raised 6 children in this home and when my children were young during 1990's they sold caramel apples in front of my home and we all had great fun on football Saturdays. No one would do this with their young children in my neighborhood anymore. I appreciate your responding to my neighbor at 516 Brookland Park Dr particularly obscene behavior simulating anal intercourse on his lawn intentionally so that I would see it by sending Officer Roth to discuss with me and hopefully issue him a ticket. If tickets are not issued such behaviors will continue. I shudder to think if my wife and step-daughter or my neighbor's wives and daughters as young 5 years old would have also been witness. Please help restore our neighborhood to appropriate festivities on football or other occasions. I've been and continue to be season ticket holder and Hawkeye fan. Please do not confuse this with partygoers bully-hooligans that you seem so interested in representing and allowing to take over our neighborhood. Thank you in advance for your careful consideration of our situation (imagine this were your neighborhood) and proper police and city council protection of our rights as law abiding homeowners and tax payers. Sincerely, Frederick Stern 402 Brookland Pl Iowa City, IA 337-4798 or 400-3044 From: Fred Stern [mailto:frederick-stern@uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 9:15 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Cc: bill-Campbell@iowa-city.org; dale-helling@iowa-city.org 10/13/2009 Page 2 of 2 Subject: Disorderly behavior in Brookland Park Neighborhood This correspondence will become a public record. Iowa City Police Chief and City Council I read the attached letter concerning the disorderly behavior in Brookland Park Neighborhood especially on football Saturdays to the City Council at their 16 October 2007 meeting. After the meeting I discussed the problem with Officer Campbell and requested that he visit the worst and most chronic offenders identified in my letter and warn them that this is acceptable behavior that will be ticketed in the future. I also talked by phone with City Manager, Dale Helling, who indicated that the matter will be further discussed by the City Council. Officer Campbell did visit the two houses mentioned and called afterwards; however, my impression from the phone call was not that they agreed to stop their disorderly behavior, but rather complained about my complaining to them when they were having their parties. As per the attached petition, this is not just my complaint but the complaint of the majority of the neighborhood. 21 of 23 houses that I visited signed the petition. The other two were new to the neighborhood and asked for time to think about it. I am confident that I will have a nearly unanimous petition as I continue through the neighborhood. Neighbors living closest to the two houses all agree these are two of the worst and most chronic offenders. I heard many disturbing stories from my neighbors: 508 Melrose Ct. has many pictures of the disorderly behaviors outlined in my letter and neighborhood petition; 409 Melrose Ct. (an elderly lady) was so upset by party at 402 Melrose Ct. one year that she required medical treatment; 506 Brookland Park Dr. has called police many times regarding another offending house behind them on Melrose Ct, but without satisfactory response; 424 Melrose Ct. similarly has called police many times about house close by on Melrose Ct. again without satisfactory response. The Brookland Park Neighbors insist that Iowa City Police and City Council assist us with this problem. I request that Officer Campbell return to the 516 Brookland Park Dr. and 402 Melrose Ct. and show occupants the petition and make clear that the entire neighborhood objects to their disturbances. I hope to hear soon from the Iowa City Police and City Council of the positive action that will be taken. Sincerely, Fred Stern 402 Brookland Pl. Iowa City, IA 337-47098 10/ 13/2009 15 October 2007 Dear Iowa City Police Chief and City Council: I have lived at 402 Brookland Pl, Iowa City as homeowner and Professor at The University of Iowa since August 1983. Over the last 5 years football Saturdays have become intolerable due to the many houses occupied by students/renters having loud uncontrolled parties starting as early as sun rise (in some cases earlier) and lasting until after the game (in some cases into the night). Public nuisances and disturbing the peace include: upwards of 50 persons per party; loud obnoxious behavior; kegs and binge drinking; loud music; partying in the street and blocking traffic; public urination (many times in my own yard); disrespectful and insulting behavior; trespassing and property damage (many times persons crossing my yard and damaging my fence in spite of clearly displayed no trespassing sign on fence); and excessive parking on lawns. I have called police many times and asked for more frequent patrols and enforcement of laws which clearly are not being enforced. Police usually come after fairly long period of time at which time level of nuisance reduced temporarily but returns to extreme as soon as police leave. I have talked with persons living at these houses only to be insulted or argued with. Many of these houses such as 516 Brookland Park Dr. and 402 Melrose Ct. are repeat offenders over many years. I should also mention that since this behavior is tolerated on football Saturdays similar parties albeit usually with fewer persons are not uncommon on weekends. Here again I have called the police with similar results. Many of these houses appear to have many more unrelated persons living together than I understand is legal. Although my home was selected as an historical landmark in part due to the restoration work I have done, I am seriously considering moving, as it seems clear to me that my property value is being reduced considerably compared to my assessed value due to this situation and fact that Iowa City seems not to care. If Iowa City does not soon enforce the laws, codes, and regulations in the Brookland Park Neighborhood, my once safe and peaceful part of Iowa City will quickly disappear and the city will have an even larger problem on its hands. Sincerely, ~~~ ~~.. Frederick Stern 402 Brookland Pl. Iowa City, IA Petition to Iowa City Police Chief and City Council by Brookisnd Park Neighborhood Residents: The Brookland Park Neighborhood Residents hereby petition the Iowa City Police Chief and City Council to enforce existing laws and/or make and enforce new laws to stop the loud and uncontrolled parties starting as early as sun rise (in some cases earlier) and lasting until after the game (in some cases into the night) in our neighborhood especially on football Saturdays but also at other times, which have become a intolerable and frequent occiurence over the last five years. Public nuisances and disturbing the peace include: upwards of 50 persons per party; loud obnoxious behavior, kegs and binge drinking; loud music; partying in the street and blocking traffic; public urination; disrespectful aad insulting behavior; trespassing and property damage; and excessive parking on lawns. ~~..µ --~i~~ Address Owner/Renter Date 402 Brookland Pl. Owner ~o~ ~i;~.P.t.v~ct. ,< G s~ ~~ ebb ~r 18 October 2007 ~~'~-~7 /0/I ~/d~E~ 0 "7 «.~ ~~ /~~ 7 ID l°l J2~'"7 1 la 2 ° °~ .3 zc~ ~~ ~ dose, • G~ ~ ~~ z G~ ~' ~°~ ~~~~ ,b~~~ ~d7 ~~ g~r~(~f~ P( ~~~~,~©~ ~/! z ,~~,~ rl~ l~~ d ~/~+ <~~ ~ ~`Gt.aLt, 1C.~i,~_ y G ~ tT r~ fk /~ ~c.- a w ,k,- l /2 C ~, ~~ 3~~ M~.Qm~C.~ ®~ Ia~r~~o ~ a~~ `fb l Gad e,G~ C~-, -'~G~ Co Z /67 ,~..7 CfgJ~~ (>2~( /''le~.~ C7` ~n.¢~/ /c7 /Zr /Q ~i _ _, _ . r- 14 POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD A Board of the City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 (319)356-5041 October 14, 2009 Mayor Regenia Bailey 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor and Council Members: At the October 13, 2009 meeting, the PCRB voted in open session to request a 60-day extension regarding the reporting deadline for the Public Report according to the City Code for PCRB Complaint #09-03 for the following reasons: • Due to timelines, and scheduling • Public Report presently due October 19, 2009 60-day Extension request -Report would be due on December 18, 2009 The Board appreciates your prompt consideration of this matter. Sincerely, ^j\~ ,(/ K l l~OYLR-LL~ ~ `~~~ Donald King, Chair Police Citizens Review Board cc: City Attorney 15 POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD A Board of the City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 (319)356-5041 October 14, 2009 Mayor Regenia Bailey 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor and Council Members: At the October 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 #09-04 for the following reasons: • Due to timelines, and scheduling • Public Report presently due November 2, 2009 45-day Extension request -Report would be due on December 17, 2009 The Board appreciates your prompt consideration of this matter. Sincerely, ~ Kr Donald King, Chair Police Citizens Review Board cc: City Attorney 16 POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD A Board of the City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 (319)356-5041 October 14, 2009 Mayor Regenia Bailey 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor and Council Members: At the October 13, 2009 meeting, the PCRB voted in open session to request a 60-day extension regarding the reporting deadline for the Public Report according to the City Code for PCRB Complaint #09-05 for the following reasons: • Due to timelines, and scheduling • Public Report presently due November 9, 2009 60-day Extension request -Report would be due on January 8, 2010 The Board appreciates your prompt consideration of this matter. Sincerely, ~' T ~r1 cz L~ ~ ~~i ~'L.c.~ Donald King, Chair Police Citizens Review Board cc: City Attorney