HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-06 Correspondence409 Crestview Ave.
Iowa City, IA 52245
December 16, 2003
Iowa City City Council
C/o Marian Karr, City Clerk
City Hall
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Members of the Council,
The Regional Government Committee of the League of Women Voters of Johnson
County (LWVJC) is requesting 20-30 minutes of time on one of your early, 2004,
informal work session agendas to discuss with you the results and implications of our
two-year study of regional government in Johnson County.
We will also be meeting with the Board of Supervisors and the city councils of
Coralville, North Liberty, and Solon in an effort to stimulate serious community dialogue
on structural solutions to improve intergovernmental cooperation and coordination in
Johnson County.
Our presentation will include a summary of the opinions of some twenty-five community
leaders given in recent interviews on the question of how to improve intergovernmental
cooperation. We will also discuss some specific public services that might be provided
on a county-wide basis. We hope to obtain feedback and ideas from you on this topic.
We will provide some materials in advance for your review.
Thank you for your consideration of our request.
Sincerely,
Carol Spaziani and Pat Cancilla, Co-Chairs, LWVJC Regional Government Committee
(spazianic(~_,msn.com, 338-6140; 2horse~inav.net, 644-2807)
Committee members:
Barbara Beaumont
Ruth Bonfiglio
Helen Burford
Lolly Eggers
Lenore Hale
Pat Jensen
Rebecca Reiter
Page ! of !
Marian Karr
From: John McKinstry [disciple.pastor@xwires.net]
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 9:07 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Shelter House
Dear City Councilors,
I am grateful for your past support for securing a building lot for the Shelter House and urge you all to stay the course. I
do not write as an expert on homelessness nor as a person of spiritual privilege, but as one among many citizen-come-
latelies who has heard the cry of human need above the noise of our culture and finally decided to do something to help
those who have been struggling daily for years to meet the need for emergency shelter in our community. Homelessness
is a complex problem; good and reasonable people may disagree about what the best ways to meet the need are. In this
letter I will address only the idea that in providing shelter we are creating a "homeless magnet" that will bring homeless
persons to our doorsteps and overwhelm whatever resources we are willing to provide.
Every municipality needs to do its share within the larger community, and our only general purpose homeless shelter has
less capacity than 20 years ago when it started (due to fire code restrictions) while our community has gotten larger and
more affluent. Due in part to the V.A. and University Hospitals' admirable care of indigent patients we have a larger
population of homeless persons than our total population alone would indicate. The waiting list for section 8 (federally
subsidized) housing is now 2 years in Iowa City and there are 2000 on the waiting list; twenty years ago when the shelter
had larger capacity the waiting time was often the time it took to process the paperwork (perhaps six weeks). Our own
school system estimates that there are 400 or so homeless children in Iowa City now; 191 homeless children participated
in a gift program through HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program) last weekend, and the Shelter House has
seen a 180% increase in the number of families with children seeking shelter there since 1999. So we are not talking
about only the stereotypical homeless drunk/mentally ill male but also about children, families, single women, and
sober/healthy single men. For those who are addicted, it is an incentive to stay away from drugs/alcohol if there is space
in the shelter. Our Shelter House has a disciplined program; people can't stay there to just use it as a flop house out of
laziness or addiction, but must be working toward independence. People who are not competent to live independently are
another issue from those who are in transition because of acute illness, job loss, marital break-up, etc. Having seen just
last week how crowded the Shelter House feels when filled to its maximum capacity, I can only imagine how desperate a
person might feel to see stayin9 there as an attractive alternative to where that person already is. Much of our
attractiveness as a community has little or nothing to do with services we offer to the indigent and everything to do with
our overall quality of life and economic opportunity.
In summary, I think we as a community need to do much more to provide shelter (including a new site and facility for the
Shelter House) before it becomes even mildly realistic to be concerned about creating a homeless magnet by doing more
than our share in helping homeless persons transition toward independent living.
John McKinstry
308 Ronalds Street
Iowa City
12/17/03
~"~ ,-o~*~' REGION VII
901 NORTH 5TH STREET
KANSAS CIT~, KANSAS 66101
Dear Interested Citizen:
Enclosed is a Fact Sheet for the Iowa City, Iowa Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site in
Iowa City, Iowa. The Fact Sheet explains the next steps at the site, which include a time-critical
removal action that will begin in January 2004, and site characterization activities that will be
occurring in December 2003. If you have questions about the Fact Sheet, the removal, or the
Iowa City, Iowa Fonner Manufactured Gas Plant Site, please contact mc at 1-800-223-0425.
Sincerely,
RebeCca L. Himes
Community Involvement Coordinator
Enclosure
RECYCLE'~
Regi° . o .c '59 Fact Sheet
Missouri IOWA 01~¥,
L ~,RO1~.O Nebraska December 2003
Time-Critical Removal Action To Begin
Iowa City Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site, Iowa City, Iowa
INTRODUCTION action. The work at the site is planned to
begin in early January 2004.
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) continues to oversee field Soil will be excavated to expose the top of
activities at the Iowa City Former the underground tank. Any contents will
Manufactured Gas Plant (FMGP) site, 505 be removed, sampled, analyzed, and
Burlington Street, Iowa City, Iowa. In properly disposed. The empty tank will
October 2003, MidAmerican Energy then be filled with an inert material and
conducted sampling on the northern edge covered with top soil.
of the site between the Iowa-Illinois Manor
apartment building and Burlington Street, Water and heavily contaminated material
to identify the source of light non-aqueous called light non-aqueous phase liquid
phase liquid (LNAPL) contamination (LNAPL) will be pumped from two wells
found in two monitoring wells. During the with a vacuum truck. The material
investigations, it was also determined that removed from the wells will be sampled,
an underground tank is located in the analyzed, and properly disposed. After
northeast corner of the site. The contents approximately two weeks, if more LNAPL
of this tank, if any, are not known, is found to be in the wells, the wells will
be pumped again.
The city of Iowa City plans to replace the
Burlington Street bridge which crosses Any area that is excavated will be
Ralston Creek adjacent to the Site backfilled with clean fill and graded to
beginning in Spring 2004. During this restore the areas to pre-excavation
project, the city will require access to condition and provide for proper drainage.
buried utilities along Burlington Street in Any features such as sidewalks, curbs, or
the northwest area of the site. grass that have to be removed will be
replaced, consistent with the wishes of
NEXT STEPS the property owner.
The EPA determined that a time-critical In addition to the removal action that will
removal action was necessary to remove be taking place on the northern edge of
contamination on the northern portion of the site, additional site characterization
the site associated with the FMGP, to activities will be occurring. These
reduce risks to city and utility workers in activities will include drilling two bedrock
the area during the bridge project. In monitoring wells in the parking lot of the
December 2003, MidAmerican Energy Iowa-Illinois Manor. These wells will be
Company and the Iowa-lllinois Manor located very close to one another, but will
Partnership entered into an agreement be drilled to different depths in an attempt
with EPA, called an Administrative Order to better understand the movement of
on Consent, to perform this removal contamination in ground water at the site.
Ten soil borings will be placed along the agreement, known as an Administrative
banks of Ralston Creek. They will extend Order on Consent or AOC. The AOC
to below the depth of the bed of the creek required MidAmerican Energy to
in an effort to better understand the determine the nature and extent of coal
movement of contamination in the tar contamination at the site, and assess
subsurface and its impact on Ralston the threat to human health and the
Creek. environment.
The additional site characterization work From 1999 through the present,
is scheduled to begin in late December Mid^merican Energy has conducted
2003, and continue into January 2004. investigations to determine the nature and
extent of coal tar contamination at the
An air monitoring, program will be used site. The soil, ground water, air at the
during Site .actiwties. The intent of the airsite, and surface water and sediment in
monitoring ~s for the protection of the Ralston Creek, were sampled. These
workers at the site, and anyone else who investigations have been summarized in
may be in the area. the Site Characterization Report. This
report also'included a baseline risk
SITE BACKGROUND assessment. The baseline risk
assessment evaluated the potential
From 1857 to 1937, gas was human health and ecological risks
manufactured at a plant located on the associated with the contaminants in soil,
southeast comer of Burlington and Van gro. und water, air sediment, and surface
Buren Streets, TH-City Railway and Light water if no action were taken at the site.
Company operated the plant, in the
1940's, TH-City Railway and Light The Site Characterization Report is
Company became the Iowa~lllinoJs Gas.=, included in the Information Repository at
and Ele~d~C0mpar~y (noW:known:as ' - the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn
MidAmericen.El~ergY C0mpa~y),.,which - Street, Iowa City, Iowa.
maintained*service facilities.0n,the ;~
ProPerty u~tii abbbt 1971. In 1983, the ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
I°wa-Illinois Manor apartment complex
was built on the site. If you have questions about this fact
sheet or need additional information on
When the gas was produced, by-products the site, please contact:
such as coal tar were also produced.
Coal tar contaminants, such as Beckie Himes
polynuclear aromatic hydrocarborls Community Involvement Coordinator
(PAHs); volatile. organic compounds Office' of External Programs
(VOCs), including benzene and toluene; U.S. EPA, Region 7
metals, including lead cyanide and 901 N. 5t~ Street
arsen c; have been identified in samples Kansas City, Kansas 66101
taken by EPA, both on and off site. Some (913) 551-7003 or
compounds found in coal tar are Toll-free 1-800-223-0425
hazardous substances that can cause E-mail: himes.beckie~.epa.qov
health and environmental problems if
handled improperly.
In March ..1999,.the'EPA, MidAme?an
Energy'c0n3pany, and the Iowa~ll!lnois ~ ~
Uanoi~iP~tn~r~hip,..thei,~Wner'0f rt~e ... ' . ~
al~rtment buildi'ng at ~he site ~'e~aChed an c')
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: December 17, 2003
To: City Clerk
From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for January 6, 2004 City Council Meeting: Installation of a NO PARKING
CORNER TO HERE sign on the west side of Ferson Avenue
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), a NO PARKING CORNER TO HERE sign will be installed
on the west side of Ferson Avenue at the intersection with Park Road.
Comment:
This action is being taken at the request of Iowa City Transit. Vehicles parking in this
location are causing difficulty for buses turning onto Ferson Avenue.
mgr/agd/ferson.doc
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: December 17, 2003
To: City Clerk
From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for January 6, 2004 City Council meeting: Relocating bus stop signs from
Magowan Ave. to Ferson Ave. at the intersections with McLean St. and River St.
and relocating a bus stop sign from the intersection of Hutchinson Ave./River St. to
Magowan Ave./River St.
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(19), three bus stop signs will be relocated to Ferson Ave. from
Magowan Ave. at the intersections with McLean St. and River St., and from the
intersection of Hutchinson Ave. and River St. to Magowan Ave. and River St.
Comment:
This action is being taken at the request of Iowa City Transit. In October the Manville
Heights bus route was relocated from Ferson Ave. to Magowan Ave. After re-evaluation of
the signs moved from Ferson Ave. to Magowan Ave in October, it has been determined
that Ferson Ave. is the preferred route.
Page 1 of 2
Marian Karr
From: Eleanor M Dilkes
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 8:37 AM
To: 'James Seamans'; Eleanor M. Dilkes
Cc: *City Council
Subject: RE: political signs
rvlr. Seamans,
As I said in my earlier e-mail, the City does not enforce size restrictions for political signs. Any proposed
regulation would have to be analyzed in light of first amendment taw. I woutd engage in such research
only at the direction of the City Council.
Eleanor Dilkes
City Attorney
..... Original Message .....
From: James Seamans [mailto:JWSeamans~msn.com]
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 9:36 PM
To: Eleanor M. Dilkes
Cc: Council~iowa-city.org
Subject: Re: political signs
Thank you for your prompt response. It is clear that our first amendment rights are being
protected by our city council and your excellent legal advice to them. I want to be perfectly clear
about this matter. It is okay to to support (as an example), Howard Dean and put up a 20x40 foot
political sign for him with his name on the sign. Also that there is no size restriction and nothing
makes it a nuisance as long as it is not in the public right of way or vision triangle at an
intersection. In other words our first amendment rights trump everything. I would appreciate
your answer to this inquiry, so that I may begin construction of a political sign for the political
candidate of my choice so that I will be in compliance with all city ordinances. Thank you,
Jim Seamans
..... Original IVlessage .....
From: Eleanor M. Dilkes
To: [JWSeamans@msn,com'
Cc: *City Counci!
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 5:01 PM
Subject: political signs
Dear Mr. Seamens,
Your e-mail to the city council dated December 22, 2003 regarding "large
political signs" has been forwarded to me for response. The City regulates
only the placement of political signs. They cannot be located in the public
right-of-way or the vision triangle at intersections. Because political
signs are political speech and political speech is afforded the highest
level of protection by the First Amendment to the United States
Constitution, further regulation would pose significant problems.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions about this
matter.
Eleanor Dilkes
City Attorney
356-5030
12/23/03
Page I of 1
Marian Karr
From: James Seamans [JWSeamans@msn.com]
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 9:44 AM
To: cou ncil@iowa-city,org
Subject: Large political signs
I found this definition in the city code section and believe that my prior email about large political signs
fits this definition.
6-1-2: PUBL]C NUISANCE DEFINED; PUBLIC NUISANCES ENUMERATED:
Whatever is injurious to the senses or an obstruction to the free use of property so as essentially to
interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by the public or community shall be deemed
a "public nuisance". Thank you for your consideration,
Jim Seamans
3117 E. Court St.
Iowa City, Ia 52245
Home 338-4427
cell 321-3006
12/22/03
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr .~C
From: Dale He,lng
Sent: Monday. December 29. 2003 9:54 AM
To: 'James Seamans'
Cc: *City Council; Marian Kart; Eleanor M. Dilkes
Subject: RE: Political sign size
Mr. Seamans,
Thanks you for your email to the City Council. Your message will be forwarded to Council members and
will be formally accepted as part or their ]anuary 6 meeting agenda.
Dale Hellibg
Assistant City Manager
cc. City Clerk
City Attorney
..... Original Message .....
From: James Seamans [mailto:JWSeamans~msn.com]
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 9:19 AM
To: council~iowa-city.org
Subject: Political sign size
I have noticed that the political signs are getting bigger. There are two signs on East Court street
that are 4x8 feet. ! have no problem with people putting up signs for their political candidate, until
the size of the sign becomes obnoxious. ! don't believe the city has any ordinance against such
signs that are on private property. These signs take away from ~he normal curb appeal of trees,
flowers, bushes, and landscaping. Potentially, these large signs create blind spots and difficulty for
people backing out of their driveways and for drivers who do not see the cars backing out of these
driveways. These signs are not in the right of way between the street and the sidewalk, but still
could pose a problem. The city has other ordinances against situations that cause eyesores in the
community. Such as too many cars on a property, junk la~ying around, and even sign ordinances
for business properties. ! hope these large signs don't escalate into larger and larger signs from
these candidates. [ did call the housing inspection department and apparently there may not be
any ordinance against the number or size of political signs, but maybe it's time to rethink the issue
as we enter into this political season which continues for another 11 months.
Thank you,
Jim Seamans
3117 E. Court St.
Towa City, IA
52245-3901
Home 338-4427
Cell 321-3006
12/29/03
Marian Karr
From: Dale Helling
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 3:27 PM
To: 'Donald Baxter'
Cc: *City Council
Subject: RE: Pedestrian Crossing at Iowa Ave and English Philosophy Building
Mr. Baxter,
Thank you for your correspondence to the City Council. It will be
distributed to Council members with their January 6 meeting agenda and
will be formally accepted at that meeting.
Dale Helling
Assistant City Manager
.... Original Message .....
From: Donald Baxter [mailto:donald.baxter@mchsi.com]
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 11:51 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Cc: jeff-davidson@iowa-city.org; rj-winkelhake@iowa-city.org;
john-yapp@iowa-city.org; david-skorton@uiowa.edu;
fsg-campus-planning@uiowa.edu; charles-green@uiowa.edu
Subject: Pedestrian Crossing at Iowa Ave and English Philosophy Building
To the Iowa City City Council and others:
I have been concerned about the lack of a formal crosswalk in front of
the English Philosophy Building at Iowa Avenue for quite some time. It
seems that if there was ever a need for a mid-block crosswalk in Iowa
City, this would be a prime candidate.
Recently, the sidewalk on either side of Iowa Avenue was made accessible
to persons with disabilities at this informal pedestrian crossing.
However, there have been no pavement markings to show that this is a
legal crosswalk, nor is there signage telling vehicles on Iowa Avenue
that this is a crosswalk. John Yapp, Assistant Transportation Planner,
tells me the following:
"This project was a joint project between the City and the University,
each of which funded half of the approximate $10,000 project to add
ADA-accessible ramps on each side of this crossing - the south side was
the higher-cost side due to the higher curb. The project was not about
'acknowledging' pedestrian traffic in the area - There have been
pedestrians crossing at this location since the University constructed
the EP building. This project is part of the on-going effort to make
pedestrian crossing locations accessible.
"The City did not add a painted crosswalk due to evidence that painted
crosswalks at uncontrolled, multi-lane streets can increase the
collision rate between pedestrians and vehicles due to the false sense
of security of some pedestrians, combined with inconsistent behavior of
drivers in how they react to the painted crosswalk. We wanted to make
this crossing accessible, but since this is an uncontrolled segment of
Iowa Avenue, the City is not painting crosswalk markings at this
location."
Imagine ANY pedestrian in Iowa City and the University of Iowa with a
1
false sense of security!
The problem with this logic is, the first person who gets hit crossing
at this recently made "accessible" area will probably be charged with
jaywalking, while the driver of the offending vehicle will get off
without so much of a slap on the wrist. The Iowa City police should
patrol this street more vigilantly for speeders (most drivers violate
the 25mph speed limit on this stretch of road) and efforts should be
made to calm traffic on this street. This is a street through a college
campus where there are almost always more pedestrians than vehicles!
Also, using this logic, the crosswalks on the one pair streets of
Jefferson and Market at the crest of the hill east of the Iowa Memorial
Union should also be eliminated. Let those who use these crossings
beware!
Signs should also be posted at this crossing reminding drivers that
yielding to pedestrians is a matter of state law and the crossing should
be striped as a crosswalk. This works extremely well at the Newton Road
crossing in front of the new parking structure on the Medical Campus.
City of Iowa City Police also need to be reminded of the statute that
give pedestrians the right of way in crosswalks. Do an informal poll of
Iowa City and University or Iowa public safety personnel and you will
find most of them are not aware as to exactly what the law is. I have
never seen a police vehicle from either the City or the University of
Iowa so much as slow down for pedestrians in an unsignalized crosswalk
in Iowa City despite the fact that it is clearly state law to do so.
It would appear with the pedestrian-hostile attitude of the City of Iowa
City traffic planners and the University of Iowa, that jaywalking is
much safer than legally crossing a street. Is this the logic that is
allowing pedestrian crossings to fade all over town? Clearly
pedestrians are seen here as an obstacle to effective traffic
engineering rather than traffic itself.
Sincerely,
Donald Baxter
Donald A. Baxter
724 Westgate Street,
Iowa City, Iowa 52246
319 337-0494
http://www.mindspring.com/~onanov
donald.baxter@mchsi.com
donald-baxter@uiowa.edu
Marian Karr
From: Dale Helling
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 11:43 AM
To: 'smrebro@mchsi.com'
Cc: *City Council
Subject: RE: Request for Information - Homeless shelter
Stephen,
I believe the property to which the Shelter House administration makes
reference is the City-owned property at 1306 S. Gilbert Court. That
site is currently used by the Water Division as a distribution facility
and was formerly the lC Transit Garage. It will be vacated by the Water
Division in the near future. However, at this point there has merely
been an expression of interest from Shelter House and no decision has
been made as to the use or disposition of that property. The sale of
any City ~roperty must be approved by the City Council. I hope this
sufficiently clarifies the matter for you.
Dale Helling
Assistant City Manager
..... Original Message .....
From: Stephen M. Rebro [mailto:smrebro@mchsi.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2003 2:52 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Request for Information - Homeless shelter
Could you please provide me with the exact location of the land that the
city will give or sell for the new homeless shelter?
Thank you.
Stephen M. Rebro
3051 Wayne Ave. 053.
CIl¥ O[ IOWA CIlY
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826
(319) 356-5000
1319) 356-5009 FAX
www,icgov.org
January 9, 2004
Carol Spaziani
League of Women Voters
409 Crestview Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52245
Dear Carol:
The City Council is in receipt of your recent letter regarding the Council decision to place your
request for presentation on regional government on the joint meeting agenda of January 21.
I personally feel the presentation would be enhanced at the regional meeting. As you know that
meeting includes the City Councils of North Liberty, Coralville, and Iowa City; the Johnson
County Board of Supervisors; and the Iowa City School Board. This meeting presents an
excellent opportunity your group to have all concerned at the table to hear your report as well as
to have initial dialogue.
As stated I feel the presentation at the joint meeting on the 21st would be the best way to
facilitate discussion. I have made arrangements for City staff to place this item on the agenda for
the 21st (Johnson County is hosting). If this is not accepted please let City Clerk Marian Karr
(356-5041) know by January 13 so that the item can be pulled; and contact the City Council after
finalization of the budget (March 15) for your request for meeting time.
Sincerely,
Ernest Lehman
Mayor
Marian Karr
From: Carol Spaziani [spazianic@msn.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 1:54 PM
To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org
Subject: Fw: League of Women Voters Council Presentation
January 6. 2004
Iowa City City Council
City Hall
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Members of the Council,
Thank you for your suggestion that the League of Women Voters make its
presentation on regional government to the Joint Cities meeting on
January
21 rather to you individually as we had requested.
While we would certainly hope that this topic would be brought before an
intergovernmental group at a later time (preferably JCCOG, perhaps by
one of
its members), we would prefer at this introductory stage to meet with
each
jurisdiction separately. Our reasons:
1. Insure that all members of each governmental body hear the material
(it
is not certain that all members of each body will attend each Joint
Cities
Meeting.)
2. Insure that each body have an undivided time to ask questions which
may
be unique to their jurisdictions.
3. Allow a time for individual reactions (if any) to our material
without
the influence of having heard co~uents from other governments.
4. Discussion of a complex topic at an intergovernmental group would be
productive if all the participants come having heard the same
information
and having had time to think about it.
Since we have already comraitted to presentation tiraes with the
Supervisors
(Jan. 15), Coralville (Feb. 10), North Liberty (Jan. 27) and Solon (Feb.
5),
we prefer to honor these commitments.
We would be happy to meet with the Iowa City City Council at any later
time
ef your choosing when you can fit it into your schedule.
Sincerely,
Carol Spaziani, Co-Chair
338 6140
spazianic@msn.com
Pat Cancilla, Co-Chair
644-2807
2herse@inav.net
Regional Government Cen~nittee
League of Women Voters of Johnson County
Cemmittee Members:
Barbara Beaument
Ruth Bonfiglie
Helen Burford
Lolly Eggers
Lenore Hale
Pat Jensen
Rebecca Reiter
January 6, 2004
Members of the Iowa City Council:
My name is Chris Arpey, and I am a resident of Iowa City on its southwest side. I am
asking to speak with you tonight in my role as President of the Iowa Soccer Club. This
nonprofit group has been in existence since 1997 and serves approximately 250 children
from ages 6 to 19, as well as their families, mostly from the Iowa City/Coralville area.
Our children participate in soccer year-round under the direction of a professional
coaching staff, led by Jon Cook, who is also here tonight. We enjoy a collegial
relationship with the recreational Kickers soccer organization, well known in this
community, and the Iowa City Alliance Soccer Club, which also plays soccer year-round
and has professional coaching.
We are here to ask your consideration to grant a temporary variance in zoning for a
vacant warehouse located at 2804 Industrial Park Road in southeast Iowa City for future
use as an indoor soccer practice facility. There are 2 buildings at this former site of RM
Boggs Company, which has recently relocated to North Liberty. The property is now
owned and managed by Dean and Evelyn Oakes and Mid-Iowa Ventures Inc., and that
company's CEO, Clint McChesney, is also here tonight. One of the buildings at that site
is in currently in use as office and storage space, but the other building remains vacant
and the company is interested in making improvements to the building such that it could
be put to use primarily as an indoor soccer practice facility. The Iowa Soccer Club is
very interested in leasing such space and I will now outline why this is so.
There is currently no space in Johnson County available to children that has artificial turf
and is readily available to them for use for soccer, and soccer is arguably the most widely
played sport by children in this city. Our club competes for space to practice, on
hardwood floors, with at least a dozen other deserving groups on a regular basis
throughout the winter season. The Scanlon gym, elementary school gyms, and Cosgrove
Institute located 9 miles west of Iowa City in rural Cosgrove are our current options. The
nearest facility with indoor turf available to children is in Hiawatha. Although most
people consider soccer to be an outdoor sport, the indoor game is becoming increasingly
popular, and is important to skill development in children. Having a variety of
recreational activities for children is desirable, we believe, in any community.
Please allow me now to outline what we would like to specifically ask of you, and our
rationale that our request is not only feasible but also desirable.
We would like to ask that you grant a temporary variance of zoning for the vacant
building on Industrial Park Road from Industrial to a category suitable to allow use for
recreational purposes as we've previously outlined. We are asking for a period of 60-120
months to allow Mid-Iowa Ventures to recoup its investment on the improvements while
allowing the children a place to practice for several seasons. We believe it is important
for Council to know that Mid-Iowa Ventures has already engaged the involvement of
Iowa City Staff, such as the Police Department, Fire Department, and staff members of
Planning and Zoning, in considering use of this building for this purpose.
We believe there are several reasons such a request might be reasonable in your eyes and
those of others in Iowa City: 1). Many families are excited to have access to such space,
with artificial turf, much closer to town, with options for parents closer by, such as
retailers and grocers in the Scott Blvd and First Avenue areas while their kids practice.
2). The city appears to have an interest in further developing its southeast side, and such
activities in a currently vacant building will bring favorable attention to that portion of
the city. 3). Demand for indoor recreational space in cold weather is at a premium in our
community, and the burden on schools and other public spaces will be lessened by having
this facility in place. 4). No public money will be expended on such a project, and yet
the community will have the opportunity to see how much interest there truly is in such a
place on a long-term basis when located elsewhere in the community. 5). Since the
request is for a temporary variance, the long-term success of the industrial park and the
tax base it provides will not be at risk.
Thank you in advance for considering our request. We would be pleased to answer any
questions you may have this evening or at a future time.
Chris Arpey f ' Clint McChesney
President, Iowa Soccer Club, Inc. CEO, Mid-Iowa Ventures, Inc.
220 Lafayette Street 2804 Industrial Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52240 Iowa City, IA 52240
Tentative Agreement
AFSCHE Local 183
and City of [owa City
December 17, 2003
The parties agree to the following changes in the Collective Bargaining
Agreement:
1. Article :[5, Section I - see attached change
2. Article 15, Section 6 - see attached change
3. Conduct open enrollment, same format as used in prior years, with an open
enrollment during June 2004, same number of days as previous (see attached
2001 letter)
4. Article 18~ Section I - add the following to current language "uniform shirts
shall be ANS! approved when obtained, subject to availability from local
(within a 65 mile radius of !owa City) uniform companies at competitive
price."
5. Article 21, Section I - increase wages by 2.65% year 1, 2.75% year 2, 2.85%
year 3 with effective date to be consistent with current contract language.
For new Clerical Assistant - Senior Center position, the position to be handled
in accordance with Appendix D, Section 7. The parties agree that this
classification and future classifications that arise shall have a Step 1-6 pay
plan established for each.
6. Article 24 - adjust duration to reflect 3 year contract
7. Appendices attached to rear of contract ~ update as required, and carry over
into next contract.
'~~'- ~(~/~City Of Iow~ Cil;~ /~'"'([t-~//~ Date'
AFSCI~J Date
ARTICLE 15
Section 1. ~. The City will provide the health insurance policy known as the Blue
Cross/Blue Shield "Iowa 500," Alliance, two-day deductible plan-for employees and eligible dependents.
Employees who elect to obtain family coverage wall pay ~_,~ ~'--- ~"~ ....... -, ............ :..
:--::~..;- forty*dollars ($40.00) per month d._-~-g
~ (prorated for part-time employees) toward the cost of such coverage. A pro ra~a-~hare of the cost
of the premium will be paid for part-time employees.
A description of the provisions of the negotiated "Iowa 500," Alliance, plan are set forth in
Appendix 'B". Benefit coverages are based on usual, customary and reasonable rates. Disputes regarding
specific claims shall be addressed to the insurance company and are not subject to thc grievance procedure
of this agreement.
The parties agree to actively pursue incentives and/or other alternatives to the existing health care
plan and pledge their mutual cooperation to achieve this end. However, no such programs will be
implemented except upon mutual agreement by the City and the Union.
Thc City may meet with representatives of the Union for the purpose of negotiating an alternative to
the "Iowa 500," Alliance. Five Union representatives shall attend such meetings without loss of pay.
Should the parties fail to agree, they will proceed to arbitration pursuant to Article 20. The issue to be
decided by thc arbitrator is the appropriateness of such an altomative, and whether or not it is reasonably
equivalent to the "Iowa 500," Alliance. If the atbimstor dctcasid_~es that the alternative is not appropriate or
reasonably equivalent, the "Iowa $00," Alliance plan shall remain in effect.
Section 6. Long Term Disability lm~mnce. The City will provide long-term disability insurance
for permanent full-time bargaining unit employees and for permanent part-time bargaining unit omployees
who work or are on paid leave time an average of 30 or more hours per week, with sixW percent (60%)
coverage of salary to a maximum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) par month. This benefit, as applied,
shall be subject to other applicable offsets such as worker's compensation, social security, sick leave, etc.
Such disability insurance shall begin paying benefits after ninety (90) working days of continuous covered
total disability. Regardless of other situations which are covered or not covered by the terms of the policy,
long-term disability benefits shall not pay for situations arising from employment by any employer other
~um the City of Iowa City. Disputes regarding specific chims shall be addressed to the insurance company
and are not subject to the grievance procedures of this agreement.
The City will absorb the cost of long-term disability insurance during the term of lifts contract//\~
provided that premiun~ do not increase in an amount IFeater than ten p~'~ot (10%). ff said premiun~ do
mcrea~ by more ~ ten percent (~0%.), the increase s~l be su~j~ to mutu~ .~reement by the ~es.
All other increases in premium costs shall be subject to uormal conlrant negotiations. All increases,shall be
included in computing the 5nancial terms of any negotiated contract se~lemcnt. For
The pames ~gree to men~ and confer regarding any proposed lob ret~mmg for a d~abled
employee, in order to discuss the terms and conditions of such retraining and reassi?ment
Human Relations/Personnel
Internal Memo
Date: May 14, 2001
To: All AFSCME Local 183 Bargaining Unit Employees
From: Sylvia A. Mejia, Personnel Administrato~~
Re: Medical and Dental Insurance Open Enrollment
As agreed upon in the recently completed negotiations, a one-month open enrollment period is
being made available to all AFSCME Local 183 bargaining unit employees for both Wellmark
Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Delta Dental coverage. Please read the following information
carefully as it lists all of the details as well as deadlines critical to the enrollment per/od.
For a one-month period beginning May 21, 2001 and ending at 5:00 p.m. on June 18, 2001, you
will have the opportunity to make changes ordinarily not allowed under our dental policy. You
may also make changes to Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield without an 18-month waiting period
for pre-existing conditions. Changes include joiffmg the Delta Dental insurance plan, changing
either health and/or dental coverage from single to family, or adding non-covered family
members to your family policy. This is a one-time opportunity and you must complete the
necessary paperwork and return it no later than 5:00p. m., June 18, 2001. Any change in
coverage made during this enrollment period will be effective July 1,2001.
To make changes to your current coverage or to begin coverage you must complete a new
application form(s). In addition to an application form, employees who are changing to family
dental coverage or adding members to a current family dental contract must also sign an
agreement to participate in the program for the term of the labor contract, July 1, 2001 through
June 30, 2003. You will be required to maintain family coverage (with the exception of the
occurrence of an event) and payroll deductions will be required for premium payment for family
coverage through June 2003.
In summary:
1. May 21,2001 through June 18, 2001 (5 p.m.) is the open enrollment period for
Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Delta Dental coverage.
2. You must complete a new application if you wish to begin coverage or change from
single to family coverage.
3. If you change to family dental coverage or add members to an existing family plan, you
will be required to maintain family dental coverage for the length of the contract.
4. Coverage changes will be effective July 1, 2001.
Please contact Personnel to obtain an application form and payroll deduction agreement if
you wish to take advantage of the open enrollment. If you have any questions, please contact
Personnel.