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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-22 CorrespondenceIowa Valley Habitat for .Humanity P.O. Box 1241 · Iowa City, Iowa 52244 319-337-8949 April 9, 1997 Mayor Novick & the City Council Members City of Iowa City 41Q E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 J~APR 1 0 1997 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE Dear Mayor and City Council Members: On behalf of the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity (IVHFH), I would like to thank you for your time last night. We received the information that we presented at the Public Hearing so late in the day that we were unable to present it in any manner other than publicly. We felt you needed to have this information immediately because we misunderstood and thought that you would be voting last night. Obviously, your question about the church/state issue is a question that has ~lso been asked in other communities, otherwise it would not have been addressed by HUD's General Counsel in 1993. After Monday's meeting, i had hoped that iowa City would feel comfortable allocating these funds to IVHFH, but did not realize that there was this legal opinion to guide your decision. If you have any further questions about our organization, please feel free to contact us. Sincerely, Nancy Stengvaag ~dt ~ ? Executive Director (Volunteer) Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity cc: Carol Dollman, IVHFH Board Pres. houses, B~il~(ing lives City Council Members: The Downtown Association would like to have the city make an improvement to the pedestrian mall downtoyon. We ask that the city improve the electricity to the pedestrian mall and put a 4 inch high deck on top of the existing planter to the North of the Holiday Inn. The co~t for these improvements would be under $5:~00©.00. Electricity improvement of a 60 amp panel with GFI outlets would not exceed $2,135~00 as installed by Shay Electric Service. The deck would be constructed of 4x4 and 4x6 treated lumber and bolts to the exi'.-.~ting planter. It would be constructed around the trees and lights on the planter. Cost for the deck would be under 2~500.0© for the materials-labor will be denated~ Making these improvements will provide the city with a presentation area downtown at low cost with reusable materials when the planned remodeling of the mall happens in a few years. It will al':~o improve the satiety level by eliminate:ting extension cords across the mall when there are even ts. I have been ~^~orking events on the pedestrian mall since 19I.~6, During these years I have tried to find the be~.~t way of doing events and this layout works the best. The downtown Asseci~ation would appreciate your support and funding for this project. Thank you for your time reading this, Please call me with any Questions at any time of the day or night at 351-3719 Thank You 2050 N. Dubuque St. · Iowa City, Iowa52245 · 319-351-3719 FROM : BARNES MANAGEMENT PHONE NO. : 3193378836 Apr. 10 1997 03:24PM P1 'i.O W'A~ C I T y ': . P.'O.'BOX 64 '" ".IOWA' .CITY, 'IOWA '. ' ' ' ,'5.2.244.0064 .' ,..:(319)354=0863 "...~i0'.B:Washingtsn ,qtre~t '.... ". Iowa Cit~, IA 52240 .," .. D :e~...CO/m¢il'Momb~rs:. Post-R' Fox Note 7671 Co./Dept. ::..:.., ,,.,... ,...lye.M.U?hy s proposal to matall a pmnanont stage.on.,C1 .ty Plaza North of Hohday Inn. The DowntoWn' ::,;.':,,:,' i'"' :' Assodahon' supports theso plans. and f0els that this will greatly enhance the ability to provide. ' ' """. :". ..':. :'.?. i'. ':/'P:~..'Orm'~me~.s downtom for the Friday Ni 'ght Concert S~ies, .iowa Arta Festival .and other do. 'wnt6wn' '-': .' ." '" ""e,~ts. ' '' ' ' " ..' .' '::' "',' .'. .. "*' In additionto installation of a '.pOzrmnent .stage, .the addition 0froOre adequate electricity i's vital t0. sa{...¢': :' '... ' ' *' .. and.proper use of the stage. The addition of a stage with allequate dcctfioity will eliminate the: ':lecd, io' ...", :. "' ".rUn.,. dPP cords in an area where there'are a'number of people, in61uding childrvn, and ot~en wate?. ": ,. .ox;¢fflow from the fountain. . . .... '.If.i~o :~.ble,..it'woula b~ ideal tO have this proj¢~ ¢ompleteclby May 2na,'in tim, for tl/e.~st.i~dd/y'.Ni~t' .."i' :. · ' 'c0n¢..~,; .s~.. '.~s Pi?t'..o, rmanco. We appreciate the City's support of downtown and the'Downi'owh'.'::':: ,:.,: ::::' ,""' ' . ...~.AS~i.atmn', s .a.ettwties. Thcs~ minor impr0vexncnts would .greatly Chime.the p~leatrian,:p~m.:~nd the,:' .'.." .. abilit~ t..o provide eotertainmmt on the pla-~; .. "" "":' ' ' "Thank..' you for, your considcmio~k · ~ 7." SUz~mn.e.'G~n.. eft' Streitz,'President " ':"...i: O'o ')wntolwn.Association Of Iowa City ', ',' i' iC'O:': ':, '.Steve Adkim :... Brad Kraut, Holiday Inn AP~.--16--97 W_ED. 1..~:~ SOAP OPERA 319 ~54 156~ P.01 April 16, 1997 Dear City Council: We strongly support the proposal by Mr. Joe Murphy on behalf of The Downtown Association to construct a temporary performance platform over the flower bed in front of the Holiday Inn. The platform will enable the Friday Night Concerts to be presented in a more professional manner. The platform and the included wiring will ~liminate the "snakes" of electrical cables running near the fountain area which have been of concern owing to the number of barefoot childen who enjoy playing in the fountain and running about the area. Mr. Murphy has arranged for construction labor to be donated. We understand he has asked the City for appoximately $2500.00 for the materials to build and wire the platform. This temporary platform would seem to help meet the goal that the Council has stated for the downtown to be the cultural and community center of Iowa City. We hope you will provide the necessary direction to the staff so this construction can get underway as soon as possible. Sincerely, The Monday Forum Nancy Burhans, Gringo's, DTA, CofC ~. Val Chittick, Domby ""~'~ Tara Cronbaugh, Java House Jim Clayton, Soap Opera, DTA ~:~':~ Victoria Gilpin, Preferred Stock, IYrA, Mark Ginsberg, M. C. Ginsberg Jewelers, D~A John Murphy, Bremer's, DTA, CofC Phil Shire, Sweet & Treats, DTA, CofC Mark Weaver, Active Endeavors, DTA, Co~. Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 14:06:09 -0400 (EDT) From: LongJohnIA@aol.com To: council@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu Subject: Helping the Poor Dear Council, According to press releases, you seem to be having'a problem adopting different approach to help people. You can do as it has always been done, A. let government do everything, or B. use government and other funds to work with volunteers and do some good. With a little management, the positive delivered services can be increased 2-5 fold by the B. approach. People do not volunteer to help government. The B. approach was covered in a Presidential Commission report (so called Romney Report) about welfare reform in 1974 or '75. I hope you read it. Didn't an Iowa city church give $7,000 to get the senior housing project started which was built with HUD money? Was this an evil act? I don't know anything about Habitat for Humanity, but I do know they hav been helping people and doing it with a minimal amount of money. I would think you'd be happy with someone trying to do some good. Incidently, the reason for separation of church and state in America is because government would ruin religion. This does not mean that joint projects should not be launched to help fellow people. J.P. Long 1817 Kathlin Dr. Iowa city, IA 52246. April 11, 1997 City Council Members City of Iowa City Civic Center 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 CITY MANAGER'S OFFlI E Dear Council Members: I am writing to make you aware of a safety concern that affects my family and fellow neighbors in the Grant Wood area. The concern is the lack of sidewalks along Sycamore Street from Bums Avenue to the Southern Iowa City limit. When the Mount Prospect addition built by Frantz Construction was completed, the lack of a sidewalk was an inconvenience, but now with the increased weekend traffic to the Iowa City Kickers' Soccer Complex it has become a safety concern. I know that the street improvements for Sycamore Street from Burns Avenue to the city limits has been delayed, but I would like to know what type of temporary solution could be utilized until that project is completed. Is it feasible to place a temporary sidewalk in that area for the years prior to the completion of this improvement project? I would appreciate a written response to my concerns, and any information you might have regarding this situation. In your response would you please address the responsibility of property owners adjacent to Sycamore Street to provide sidewalks along the length of their property. I know that it was our financial responsibility to provide and maintain sidewalks on property edges that run along city streets. If you have any questions, I can be reached at (319) 351-5700 during the business day, or at (319) 351-1751 in the evening. Thank you for your time and your consideration of this matter. Respectfully, Mark Edwards 1754 Lakeside Drive Iowa City, IA 52240 April 11, 1997 The Honorable Naomi Novick and City Council Members Civic Center 410 E. Washington St Iowa City IA 52240 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE Dear Mayor Novick and Members of the City Council: We are writing in regards to the work session of the City Council on 4/7/97, and the suggestion for realignment of Old Dubuque Road with Highway 1 (North Dodge), which was discussed by representatives of the Press Citizen at this meeting. My wife and I have lived on Highway 1 within half a block of this intersection for over 30 years. We have previously written to the City Council on 5/12/92, 9/1/94, 9/3/94, 4/8/906 and 10/15/96, expressing concerns for our safety when entering and exiting our property. Trofiqc on Highway i is always fast and at times heavy. We have been rear-ended on more than one occasion, as have most of those that live on this section of the road. In our letter of April 8, 1996, we were of the opinion that placing a tro_ffic signal at the intersection would cause tra_t~c proceeding into Iowa City to '%ack up", and make it almost impossible for us to make a left turn to Iowa City. The planned addition of turning lanes will make it even more hazardous for us than it already is. The new suggestion to shift the road toward our property will bring the intersection approximately 100 ft closer to our property entrance, thereby magnifying our problem even further. We urge you, in the interests of our safety to leave the alignment where it is today. We do not have an alternate entrance available to US. The proposed realignment would also traverse a heavily wooded area adjacent to our property. It contains a fine stand of black locust, oak, ash, hickory and a few walnut trees. The land is unstable - or fragile - since the flood of 1993, and many trees are on the s]ope of the ravine. To change the alignxnent of the road would require a huge amount of ~1] - which will, of course, spill over into the whole area. I predict that this ax'ea will continue to erode and require constant maintenance. When I look at the destruction and loss The Honorable Naomi Novick and City Council Members April 11, 1997 page 2 of woodlands, which will happen, I have to wonder what has happened to our Sensitive Areas Ordinance Program: Was it not designed to protect mature trees, slopes, and wildlife habitat, buffer noise levels and sustain natural beauty and property values? In addition, the proposed realignment would not line up with the continuation of Old North Dubuque road on the opposite side of Highway 1. This would surely entail more unnecessary expenditure. Finally, as property owners, we believe that destruction of trees and modification of the terrain will detract from the beauty of the landscape, noise pollution, and reduce privacy. This would have an adverse effect on our whole ravine. I see no way that the amount of fill and clearance will not interfere with the ecology of the whole area. I would be pleased to show you this property at your convenience, so that you can see for yourself the amount of damage that could be done with the changes proposed. Sincerely, Dr. John and Mrs. Margaret Clancy April 13, 1997 The Honorable Naomi Novick and City Council Members Civic Center 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 APR 1 5 1997 CiTY MANAGER'S OFFICE Dear Mayor Novick and Members of the City Council: This letter is in support of my mother and father, Dr. John and Marge Clancy of 2001 North Dodge Street, Iowa City. Recently, the Iowa City Press Citizen requested reconsideration of the proposed northern exit of the planned First Avenue extension. From the article in their paper, it appeared that their greatest concern was a decline in their property value if the exit remained as planned. Unfortunately, their alternate exit suggestion affects more than other's property values. The Press Citizen's suggested route would move the exit quite close to my parent's property. My parents have lived at this site for more than 30 years. They are now retired and truly enjoy their home and surrounding wooded land. Obviously, the wildlife in these woodlands would be disrupted by the Press Citizen's suggestion. A less obvious concern is the effect this suggested route would have on my parents. My parents are reserved and humble people. If you were aware of all that they have endured and accomplished over their lives, you would certainly agree that they are deserving of a peaceful retirement. My parents have raised six children, all of whom now contribute quite positively to our community and society. My father was a staff psychiatrist at The University of Iowa for thirty years. He quietly and selflessly cared for thousands of Iowans over these thirty years. My father also taught thousands of medical students and resident physicians how to treat persons with serious mental illnesses with dignity, respect and compassion. My father inspired me to follow in his foot steps in caring for the mentally ill. I can only hope to contribute as he has throughout our community and state. Effective leaders are those that can weigh the needs of many and then act in a fair and just manner. In this instance, the Press Citizen's desire to maintain property value is balanced against the needs of the nearby woodlands, wildlife and my parents. I encourage you to leave the alignment where it is today. ictfully Yours~::~ Miller Bros. Monuments, Inc. Since 1876 4/11/97 lows City Civic Crater 410 R. W~h~ ~ [owe City, ~, 52240 APR 1'4 1997 lVliller Bros. Mom~ Inc. N~m~ D~N~ D~V~ 4161 Naples Ave, S.W. Iowa City, Iowa 52246 (319) 337-2792 Fax: 319-337-5168 203 14th Ave. S.E. Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401 (319) 364-4439 528 E. 38th St, Davenport, Iowa 52807 (319) 391-8733 123N. Court Fairfield, iowa 52556 (515) 472-3731 /~ q~ i~ onsL mer-Fr'end Cemeter'es · ' Y(i. II." c':',~',',:.!~:; .;'?,.,',,'/~,' l~,~,' ari.."'.'!;, were l;,'.~,Oi :;! 1 ;ru'wl ,::':."~'~ (;:,#wler...' ,: In an old section of the cemetery, monuments of varying shapes and sizes stand in harmony with nature. The first burial in the upright section at Tri-Cities Memorial Gar dens in Florence, Ala., was held before the layout was even officially completed. It was for a man who had owned a lot in the flat-marker area. Two months later, the man's father was disinterred from the fiat section and re-buried next to his son. If owner Mark Spry had any doubts--which he didn't--about open- ing an upright section in his previously all-fiat memorial park, those burials reinforced his decision. They underscore cemetery planner Don Ward's conviction that the vast majority of the public prefers upright monuments, Toss in rising cremation rates and increased competition within the industry, and it's no surprise that cemeteries are rethinking long-held practices regarding disposition, burial and memorialization. As a result, Cemeteries that offer options also attract customera. by Jacqueline Kimball tiler're I)uginning Io offer opti~)ns. a win- k'.s alike. 'l'o leal'~ more. ,~lf., i71 ,.Imer/c(I talked wilh Ward. Spry and presidere' ~,1' 149-year- old I:~rest I Illin (';cmute~%' in Boslon. lit'ling A. "Btld" I hudson Jr. TILe presidcm ~q' (;fever & Ward. in Bufl)tl~}. N.Y.. I')on ~'ard Itas been de- signing for illore than 'lO x'cars. prol)al~ly gctlil'lg i'l'}Ol'C requests today I~lOTIUIIl(Hllcd lavoLits I]l;lil wC'v(f (fx'Cl' bad Ix:R>,'c," hu says. pc()plc are more c()nsci()us nlcnlorializati()n than thev'x'e c'.vur I)een rl~ing t() (.l() with it. I ;tls() drink we're egotistical enough to want somebody fol- lowing us to know that we have been here." At least, he says, that's the expla- nation he got f~om a smiling, elderly woman who'd just finished purchasing a burial lot with monument privileges when he encountered her in a cemetew office. Whenever Ward designs a new section, he asks how many lots could be sold if they included monument privileges. The answer, from fiat-marker cemeteries, invariably 80-90 percent. Ward believes that, in many cases, ego- tism drives consumers toward upright memoriatization and money drives the cemeteries. "There's something that's al- ways impressed me," he says. "A cem- etew is the only instiNttion I know of that can sell you something one time and take SIA · MARCH 1997 15 Don Ward care of it forever at no additional cost. In no other place in our social system does that sort of thing exist. That's how differ- ent a cemetery is." Yet these providers of perpetual care face the same problems as other indus- tries, Ward continues, "... maintaining a certain level of income and increasing it if possible with a line of products and services they can charge for. At the same time, the people they employ are earn- ing more and more, and the products they need keep increasing. It's a never-ending search for more capital." Mark Spry decided in 1994 to create an upright section in the 25-acre memo- rial park he'd purchased three years ear- lier. The Elberton Granite Association connected him with Ward's company, which designed the first acre of a pro- posed 21/2 -31/= acre section. The peaceful ambience of Lake Hibiscus is one of the Jbatures that draws people to Forest Hills Cemetery. 16 sIa · MARCH 1997 It opened in late 1995 and had a dozen burials the first year. It not only offers families a choice, but has reduced Spry's maintenance headaches. "The tombstone section is designed head-to-head with about 30 inches between each tombstone where we can plant flowers or little trees," he says. "It's maintenance-free. The in- tent of the bronze marker was easy main- tenance, but we have more trouble mow- ing around the markers than the tomb- stones." Spry also is expanding his mausoleum program. He currently has three build- ings, with nearly 400 crypts in each. Be- cause of the lower cost to the consumer, Spry says mausoleums are the future. But, he notes, based on 25 plus years in the funeral industry, "Everything changes ev- ery 30-35 years. Now the trend is going back to tombstones." He also thinks that baby boomers, of which he's one, prefer monuments. The two options are adja- cent to one another in his memorial park; their popularity will determine how the land is ultimately used. Forest Hills allows etchings, but not porcelain portraits or lithichrome. At Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston, the new section under discussion is a 22 plus acre site. The issue, and not a new one, is density. Section I of the cemetery is crowded with single graves of unmarried people, each marked by its own individual tablet. In the 1920s, the cemetery began to reflect a straight-line pattern of back- to-back monuments and rectangular sec- tions. Then after World War II came the proliferation of what Hanson calls "Army barracks monumentation," straight rows very similar in design, height and width. His board is struggling with how to offer consumers what they want and still preserve the characteristics that attract folks to Forest Nilis in the first place, namely the 'beautiful landscaping and the collection of grand and artful monuments. "It's easy and perhaps lazy to sit back and assume what the public wants based on what they're purchasing because they're purchasing what you have avail- A Gate of Heaven marks the entrance to the Chinese section, established years ago in Forest Hills. able," says Hanson. "The dilemma is, do you continue to provide that which you assume is what they want? Or do you become part of an educational process that would cause them to reevaluate what they've been buying and be desirous of entering a new protocol so that the land- scape will be improved and maintained and brought more to the old heritage, the old less-dense look? The majority of our board is desirous of lowering the density of monumentation." One possibility is a return to the cemetery's Victorian roots: the concept of a central monument with smaller stones to mark individual graves. The cemetery would commission major works of art in a variety. of media, thus creating sculp- ture gardens. "I don't think it will be en- tirely innovative for us to be engaged in this direction," says Hanson, "since other cemeteries, in a limited way, have started it and have been meeting with success. I think it's safe to say there will always be a percentage of people who would re- spond to the aesthetics of your landscape even at the sacrifice of their own piece of granite or marble." Forest Hills must think ahead to the time when all its burial space is filled, he says. "Hopefully you will have an abso- lutely gorgeous landscaped green space the public will continue to visit and en- joy." That's part of the reason behind the cemetery's Adopt-a-Monument program, which aims' to preserve significant but deteriorating monuments for which no perpetual care fund had been established. The cemetery invites the public in to tour and learn about its "endangered species list" of monuments, in hopes they'll help restore them. Every monument in the Islamic section is madej9om red granite. Because it serves a community rich in ethnic and cultural diversity, Forest Hills has long offered options. The cemetery, which has the oldest cremation facility in New England, has provided in-ground um burials for years. And in deference to the rustic setting, it mounts the cremation memorialization plaques on the native pudding stone that forms the cemetery's bedrock. It also has areas for scattering SIA · MARCH 1997 17 A tranquil naturalsetting creates a contemplative mood in the Fern Hill cremation section. and offers indoor and outdoor columbaria. The most recent cremation area is Fern Hill, a tranquil forest glade that will open later this year. It provides inurnment in a purposely low, two-niche-high red gran- ite wall that allows the landscape to pre- dominate. Poured concrete columns, ris- ing 6 to 8 feet high and simulating the natural outcrop of pudding stone, hold mounted plaques of persons who choose to be scattered. Other columns, of vari- ous heights and diameters, serve as seat- Taller than its neighbors, the memorial to a Russian Orthodox priest was permitted because it adds interest to the section and makes a statement about multiculturalism. ing or as platforms for memorial services. At one time the Chinese community requested that a section, now nearly filled, be set aside for its exclusive use. Sepa- rate sections are rarely established at For- est Hills today, but certain cultures still tend to be buried together because they purchase lots in areas that conform to their traditions. For example, Buddhists prefer areas that are sloping, that face the rising sun, and that provide for side-by-side burial. Followers of Islam want to face Mecca. "But Mecca isn't due east," Hanson explains, "so the slanting of the grave to face Mecca means you may want to lay out an area specifically for your Islamic community, which we have done." All the memorials in this section are red granite, either upright or flush, as pros. cribed by the Islamic association. The Boston area is also home to fol- lowers of Eastern Rite religions. In the newest section of the cemetery stands a rule-breaker mom~ment that expresses the heritage of the Russian Orthodox priest it commemorates. "I just loved it," says Hanson. "It was more fun to be able to say yes to that monument, which was much higher than the others around. The staff shuddered and said that doesn't con- form, but I said, 'Ah, doesn't it make such a wonderful statement to all visitors that we're so multi-cultural?' I refused to let them set a height limitation in that sec- tion."~> · LandscapingMakes'..the 'Monument. When he designs a. cemeter3,, Don Ward.recommends this recipe:. 5 to' 10. percent" single graves; .80~85 percent two:grave lots; 5 percent'threes; .5' per-. 'cent fours'; and an occasional.estate lot.' .. Ward also recommends Uprights, di~" cemeteries· restrict against 'it. Two-grave monumented 10ts aren't a problem-- given the right landscaping.. "We can reduce 50 percent of fl~e density by the p}antings," says Ward, "[because]'you · see. only th"~'"m0numents '0tl'0ne. side minutive of c~oui:se;. for .about 40 per- ' of the plantings .at a time." ' cent of the plots in cremation gardenS.' ."' 7'. La'?idscaplng will.. also. enliven 'sec-' "There's.. a need' to have a focus' in a ' tions of boring, same-size monuments. · cremation garden,"' lle says. 'istrSn'"gtt{ .....~"if.you h/i~-e 'a"~ height restriction, say 'comes from.visibilit.y.' as fi;t'r' as '"it's"3 .feet," says. Ward, "everybody.'s · .'mem0riali3.ation is concerned." '' "':'going t~0 have'a'.3-foot monument. · · But plunk upright monument'~ d'6'wn .""" Whai:s" lili"e'"'"'e'i;-ei-yone driving a' Ford · throughout a section of. single graves · Contour arid having no other car .on and you .plant a gt6ne Orchard. !t~s.t0© 'the road: Think peop!ewould go for dense', says Ward. That's why'most it?". ..... . . " 18 SIA · MARCH 1997 FRIENDS IOWA RIVER SCENIC TRAIL APR 1 7 1997 CITY MJ NAGER'$ OffiCE April 1'5, 1997 Iowa City Council 410 E. Washington Iowa city, Iowa 52240 Dear Councilors: RE: Iowa River Corridor Trail-Burlington St. to Napoleon Park It should come as no surprise that F.I.R.S.T. encourages the completion of the largest segment possible of the Iowa River Corridor Trail. This desire to see the trail constructed is completely consistent with our mission statement which we wrote when F.I.R.S.T. was founded in 1990. It reads in part ...to foster the development of a continuous, multi-purpose trail about 12 miles in length between Napoleon Park to the south and the Coralville Reservoir to the north... I understand that the segment between Burlington St, and Napoleon Park is being reviewed for funding. Considering the completion of such a long segment is very exciting to F.I.R.S.T. and would bring the southern most terminus tantalizingly close to the new soccer complex, which will be a frequent destination we would assume. F.I.R.S.T. has reviewed tentative concept plans for this segment and understands there are some complicated issues and concerns for the alignment of the segment that is roughly between Benton St. and Highway 6. With this in mind, FIRST would advocate splitting the construction of the complete segment into the Burlington St. to Ned Ashton Gateway (on Benton St.) segment and the Highway 6 to Napoleon Park segment, We would like to see these two shorter segments completed soon. The Ned Ashton Gateway segment, beginning at Burlington St., is the primary priority of F.I.R.S.T. because it is an extension of the existing trail and because the first part of this segment builds on the cooperative relationship between the City and the University that resulted in the tunnel under the CRADIC tracks across from the Union. The second priority of F.I.R.S.T. is the Napoleon Park segment because of the concentration of recreational facilities in that area, especially the new soccer fields. I hope the Council supports the Ned Ashton segment and Napoleon Park segment with funding. Both of these segments have been under review for a long time. Sincerely, Casey C516k, President Frien~f the Iowa River Scenic Trail (F.I.R.S.T.) cc: Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission, John Yapp iSOYJ~ P.O. BOX 3433, IOWA CITY, IOWA 52244 Printedonrecycledp731~? April 17, 1997 CITY OF I0 WA CITY Iowa City City Council 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Councilors: The Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission (RNAC) has reviewed the options for the portion of the Iowa River Trail south of Burlington Street. The commission felt that all of the options would be acceptable but would like to encourage the City to build as much trail as it can as quickly as possible with the available funds. This includes considering some detours from the river in order to accomplish this, with a preference to going all the way to Napoleon Park. The commission understands the funding situation you face and understands that there are some complications with acquiring certain properties for the trail that would allow the City to complete the largest portion of trail possible. The Commission would like to offer its services in negotiating the acquisition of property so that more trail is completed sooner than later, as necessary. However, if the federal funds must be spent in two years, the commission agrees that construction of the trail in phases would achieve results more quickly than waiting while property negotiations are underway. In this respect, we suggest the phasing priorities be: 1) Burlington Street to Benton; 2) Highway 6 to Napoleon Park; 3) Benton Street to Highway 6. Again, the Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission would encourage you to complete the largest trail segment as quickly as possible. The extension of the trail from Burlington Street to Napoleon Park would be a great/~t~to the community and surrounding area. Sincerely, ~ Cortney Danie~ Chair, Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission jccogsw/irctrail.ltr 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-$000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS CORALVILLE LAKE PROJECT 2850 PRAIRIE DU CHIEN ROAD NE IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-7820 April 14, 1997 Mayor Naomi Novick and City Council Members Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mayor Naomi Novick and City Council Members, APR 1 6 1997 lilly MANAGER'S OFFICE The Corps of Engineers at Coralville Lake will be honoring eight local veterans during the Veteran's Trail dedication ceremony on May 26, 1997 at 1:30 PM. Our selections for this year's honor are as follows: William Hutcheson, Army; Dale Hostetler, Army; Donald Brannaman, Navy; Thomas Fountain, Army; Robert Burns, Army; Albert Hieronymus, Army', Lauren Tonne, Air Force; and Donald Farnsworth, Army. Governor Terry E. Branstad will be the guest speaker at the dedication ceremony. The Corps of Engineers would be honored by your attendance at the dedication ceremony. The ceremony will be conducted at the East Overlook Picnic Area located on the east side of the dam. In the event of rain the ceremony will be conducted in the ranger storage area adjacent to the visitor center. Should you have any questions please contact Park Ranger Kate Soska at 319- 338-3543. Sincerely, ~hn C.~C'astle(~ Project Manager March 31, 1997 CITY OF I0 WA CITY TO: RE: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council Civil Service Entrance Examination - MAINTENANCE WORKER - LANDFILL We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of MWII - Landfill. Chris Gilstrap Hired: 4/1/97 IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMM~/ION ~ Michael~~edy, Chair ATTEST: Jan Karr, City Clerk 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 TO: City Council Of Iowa City FROM: DATE: IN RE: Jim Houghton 3370 Kenruth Circle NE. Iowa City, IA. 52240 4/21/97 Iowa City Building Issues I was born and raised in Iowa City. I have been a lawyer in Iowa City for the'last years. I always thought Iowa City was the best possible place to live. I constantly defended and promoted the town I loved. However, my views have changed significantly over the last ten years. Since the topic is the building department I will try to keep my comments or questions focused on it but there is overlap: 1. Why do many of my clients now want to buy homes outside of Iowa City? 2. Why do many of my clients now want to buy businesses or locate their business outside of Iowa City? 3. Why do many of my clients perceive the Iowa City Building Department as so difficult to work with? 4. If there is a 100 unit condominium project with one rental unit and the rest owner occupied, why should all 100 units have to be inspected? 5. Why has the building department now found deficiencies in buildings constructed years ago that received certificates of structural compliance and have received rental permits every inspection period since then? 6. Does it matter who one's partner is on a building project as to how it is scrutinized? 7. Does it matter who one's partner is as to who gets assigned to inspect a building or all units managed by a certain management company? 8. Are these changes coincidental or deliberate retaliation? 9. Is it right for a building inspector to be a significant Iowa City landlord? 10. If a building inspector is a significant Iowa City landlord, should the inspector be allowed to inspect the buildings of the competitors? 11. If a building inspector is a significant Iowa City landlord, should the inspection of the inspectors' buildings be done by someone outside the department or city? 12. If one landlord calls or writes the building department about trash overflowing from a neighboring dumpster, is it reasonable to cite the landlord that complained with no further explanation? 13. Why should a mangeclowner of a major real estate company be given a matter of hours to have trash removed from a managed property but the manager's calls about trash and junk across the street from the manager's home seem to be ignored and very little action is ever taken? 14. What is one of the main reasons that long time Iowa Citians are selling off Iowa City real estate and continue to do so? 15. What is one of the main reasons developers and landlords are going to Coralville? 16. What is one of the main reasons developers and landlords are going to West Branch? 17. What is one of the main reasons developers and landlords are going to Tiffin? 18. What is one of the main reasons developers and landlords are going to North Liberty? 19. What is one of the main reasons developers and landlords are going to Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities? 20. Do these towns not enforce the building codes? 21. Or do these towns work toward cooperation while enforcing the codes? 22. Would our 3 year old home pass an Iowa City building inspection? 23. Are developers and landlords afraid of retaliation if they speak up or challenge actions they believe are unjust? I could go on and on and on. CC: Steve Atkins CC: Doug Boothroy APPLICATION TO BURN DEAD WOOD TO: April 18, 1997 City Council City of Iowa City, Iowa Civic Center 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 FROM: William C. Arn and Geraldine M. Arn 620 Foster Road Iowa City, Iowa 52245 Permission is hereby requested by William C. Arn and Geraldine M. Arn, the property owners, to burn dead brush and trees located on their property south of Interstate 80, east of Dubuque Street and north of Foster Road for the following reasons: 1. The dead trees and brush constitute a danger to the property owner's buildings. 2. The situation has the possibility of spreading disease to healthy trees in the area. Because of the situation the property owners request the right to pile and dispose of dead trees and debris by burning after obtaining permission from the Iowa City Fire Department. 2 Dated this 18th day of April, 1997. WILLIAM C. ARN AND GERALDINE M. ARN By: MEARDON, SUEPPEL, DOWNER & HAYES P.L.C. By ia Telephone: 319/338- 9~2 ATTORNEYS FOR WILLIAM C. ARN AND GERALDINE M. ARN