Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-11 Correspondence825 S. 7th Avenue Iowa City,. Ia. 52240 October 20, 1997 Mayor Naomi J. Novick and Council Members Civic Center 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, Ia. 52240 Dear Mayor Novick and Council Members: On October 9th we attended a meeting of the Neighborhood Council in which Don Yucuis, Finance Director, presented the Capitol Improvements Budget. We were pleased to see that the Pine Street Pedestrian Trail is listed in the budget for FY99. We believe that this trail, which will tunnel under the railroad, will encourage persons in the southeast area of town to walk or ride their bicycles. This trail will provide a safer and more direct route joining the neighbors, north and south or the railroad. At the present time in order to cross the railroad, pedestrians must walk to the Summit Street Bridge at the west or 1st Avenue to the east. People do try to cross the railroad in between, but it is often blocked by trains and is muddy and slippery. It is not safe at night. With the construction of a well-defined trail, access will be greatly' enhanced. Walking and bicycling will become a reasonable alternative to driving. Sincerely, Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 07:27:59 -0600 (CST) From: "K. Kubby" <kkubby®blue.weeg.uiowa.edu> To: mariane karr <mkarr@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu> Subject: Council members letter-snow removal (fwd) Please forward this letter to all council members, as requested by Mr. Fisher. Dear Council Members: I am appealing to you to take the necessary actions that result in substantial improvement in the snow removal policy for Iowa City. This is the first time I have felt strongly enough about a policy issue to contact council members. I bring this issue to you because my calls and personal visit to Mr. Bud Stockman concerning the inadequate winter road service here in Iowa City have not produced any results. I have lived in the Midwest my entire life, with brief stints in Texas. I must say, the snow removal in Iowa City is by far the worst I have seen. It is always reactive and delayed and is engaged only after substantial snow falls, and then woefully late. All one has to do is to travel to nearby cities, including Cedar Rapids, in the midst of a snowstorm to see the clear distinction of how other cities handle their snow removal. My brother, who lives in Minneapolis, said it doesn't even appear that the crews clear the roads here and that such service would be entirely unacceptable and not tolerated in the Twin Cities. The policy here is to remove snow only after a certain number of inches of snow has fallen, 4 inches in most places, except for some of the main streets. What I have witnessed is a lack of adherence to this policy, which I think is inadequate in the first place. Moreover, the policy shrinks to applying a salt/sand mixture most of the time without even removing the snow. In fact, on a number of occassions I have seen snowplows with their blades up sanding roads with 3 or more inches of snow-sometimes hard-packed-on them. And of course, in the Spring, there must be considerable'use of monies to perform the annual street-sweeping of all of this sand and salt. The street that I live on (Tucson P1.) also has severe drifting problems, as does Rohret Road, making it impossible to get to or leave from one's home. Last year, 2 cars were abandoned in the middle of this street after getting stuck in these drifts. After repeated calls to Mr. Stockmans office, a plow came out and promptly slammed right into one of the cars parked in the center of the road. I watched this and sat there wondering what kind of training or experience these snowplow operators have. I mention the lack of adequate snow removal on our street as an example that occurs city-wide. The lack of snow removal endangers our lives both directly and indirectly. For example, the former director of the UIHC Emergency room and four other physicians live on our street and their ability to even leave their home is jeopardized by this inadequate service. A recent example of the lack of snow removal in Ia City was our storm two Sundays ago. At days end there was 5-6 in of snow and I did not see a single plow out on the roads. When I called Mr. Stockman the following Monday, he simply said he was in the "leaf collecting mode", that when he came to work on Sun that there was no appreciable snow and that he was getting the trucks prepared (on Monday) to go out. I could accept this excuse due to the early nature of the snow, if it weren't for the fact that it mirrorred many other snowfalls in which Mr. Stockman's department failed to due it's job in the midst of a storm. I guess, he ~assumes that there is no need to drive on the streets until a day or so after the storm has passed. Mr. Stockman told me that he can only do so much for the number of people he has. If, in fact, the lack of adequate snow removal in Ia City is due to the lack of funds or personnel, as Mr. Stockman has implicated, I urge you to increase his budget. However, I suspect that this is not the only reason to account for the poor service here. We need someone who is aggressive and who serves the public interest who holds Mr. Stockman's position. At present, the needs of the community are not being met by his department under his leadership and I believe that a review of the department and Mr. Stockman is desperately needed. Sincerely, Rory A. Fisher Iowa City Council 410 E. Washington St Iowa City, IA 52240 J OV 0 1997 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE 902 N. Dodge St ~A-11 Iowa City, IA 52245 November 2, 1997 Dear Council Members, Thank you for taking the time to address so many aspects of the deer issue and allowing more correspondence. Citizens for Animal Rights and The Environment has taken the position that a lethal method of "controlling" the deer population in Iowa City is not in the best interest of Iowa Citians, City Officials and the deer, of course! Recently, a dead deer was found in a Cedar Rapids back yard. The deer had died a slow painful death from the arrow pierced through his shoulder. (see enclosed article) The outcome of this bowhunt was not only painful for the deer but also for those who found him. C.A.R.E appreciates your vote against bowhunting, as evidence has shown it to be a cruel "sport". Sharpshooting, although considered a faster "kill~ is also deemed cruel as tame deer are lured by food and violently gunned down, creating stress and shock to the surviving deer nearby. Sharpshooting, unlike bowhuntin~ has not been visually documented and warrents a closer look before being termed a "humane" method of killing deer. Trap and kill methods are also deemed cruel and have been visually documented to show animals thrashing about in great distress before being shot to death. This method like sharpshooting, is like a "canned hunk" where animals are trapped in a small area and gunned down. Fire arms and arrows also pose a danger to the public as they can ricochet or hunters can mistake a human for a deer. The psychological consequences of killing animals is also traumatic to many of us with a reverence for the lives of all creatures (human and non-human). Consequently, we at C.A.R.E. urge you to seek a more holistice, compassionate and viable way of dealing with wildlife such as deer in Iowa City. Killing the deer is a short-term, "quick-fix" method of dealing with the deer. We urge you to implement an Educational Program that will help Iowa Citians learn to co-habitate peacefully with wildlife. We also believe that an Impact of Derelopement on Wildlife (p. 2) Report be made yearly as developement destroys wildlife habitat and contributes to the displacement of wildlife populations. The City should also seriously consider Immunocontraception as a viable method of controlling deer and other wildlife populations. Members of the Iowa City Deer Task Force Committe are in contact with Dr. Allen Rutberg, Wildlife Biologist for the Humane Society of the United States, who is working on the Immunocontraception test sites and studies. Other changes in the layout of the city should be made to become more wildlife "friendly" by adding Swareflex Reflectors to the roads, under/overpasses to common deer crossways, deer crossing signs, and by preserving 'wildlife habitat such as Hickery Hill, for example. These are just some of the many ways we can learn to live with the deer without "going for the gun". We urge you to consider these ideas seriously. Thank you for your attention. S i nce~e 1 y, 'ro, son Citizens for AnimaI' Rights and the Environment 319-337-8403 boards it impact a planned solid waste transfer ion will have oil the siting process. Incstem Solid Waste Director Dave tie- said the siting process is still needed rose a landfill offers tim promise of ,lus years of disposal. A transfer station, said, works uuder contracts that ottbr a rantee for just tim next seven years. he siting process crept close to Johnson [nty last spring because one of the farms on a list of 13 possible sites extends to Linn-Johnson County line. That list has :e been discarded. oralville resident Veda tliggins, whose mits live In Linn County near the John- County line, urged I,Inn County su- visors in the Sbueyvllle meeting to con- ~r expanding an existing landfill north of rion. ,ostal said last week, and again Wednos- ', that he didn't support that idea because site Is too close to ttighway 1~ and dd neighbor the Abbe Center for Com- nity tlealth. I think It would be appalling to think t we'd put a landfill right next to that Iding," Dostal said. Gazette photo by Buzz Orr ~a~ment~ In Iowa Clt~ on Wedne~da~ ~ flea on a ~teep > be completed by today ,'t is being given to the city, which is for a road project near tile Elks Goff Glasgow said. )v. 1 deadline was set in a plea agreement the owners -- Bruce Glasgow, Jim and John Cruise -- and Iowa City that h'o,n two environmental Infractions filed !he owners in November. lug to the agreement, the city will drop t(:tious, each of which carries a fine of ~d the owners will develop a plan to stop =ion. The plea agreement stems from s issued last November, when the owners ,t by tile city for grading a natural slope [bau 25 deg,'ees without a permit, aud for ) submit certification that grading work =plated in compliance with a previously I grading plan. lemlllne Is not met, the owners could be ~(ll) per (lay until tile work Is coraldated. Photo by Gabriel Eber, Gazette Intern Marlon police officers John Chipman (left) and Will Dishel etruggle loot night as they lift a dead doe into the trunk of a police cruiser. The deer, which appeared to have died of an arrow wound, was found on the front lawn of a house on Orrlan Drive near Cedar Rapids and Marlon. Arrow-pierced deer found in front yard By Cindy Hadloh Gazette staff writer Andy and Earls Anton aren't ones to complain about deer in their backyard. In fact, that's one of the rea- sons they moved from their home in northeast Cedar Rapids one month ago to a house jnst outside the city. "We moved up here because we thought it would be really neat (to see deer)." Karla said. . But witat the couple saw last night was sim- ply disturbing, they said. A dead doe, neck arched, with an arrow above its left shoulder lay near bushes just yards from their front door. Karla found tile deer when she arrived home just after 5 p.m. The night before, neighbor- hood children had used the con- ple's hill for sledding. Karla said she was thank fill they hadn't seen the carcass. The dee's position made it ap* pear it had been thrashing around in pain before it died, she said. The Antens say they aren'~ anti-hunting. "But I have a problem with a hunter who doesn't track what he shot at," Andy said. DEPARTMENT OF Natural Resources 'conservation officer Aric Sloterdyk said there Is' no way of telling if the deer was the target of a hunter licensed for Cedar Rapids' special bo- whunting season. Marion and Linn County also ~ Q have a problem with a hunter who doesn't track what he shot at, ~ ) Andy Anton, Llnn County resident allow bowhunters. Technically in Linn County, tile couple's home on errIon Drive SE --- a cul-de-sac with a · dozen other homes -- sits just a stoao's throw from both Marion and Cedar Rapids. A privately owned wooded ar- ea sits behind tile conple's half- acre pl0t, but it was unknown wilere the deer bad been shot. Sloterdyk, who had not seen tile deer as of last night, said he did not know bow long tile (lee had been dead. "Sounds to me like it's a legal deer and SOluebody's: still tracking it," be said, adding that it can take bowhunters up to eight' hours to track a (leer. Officer Will Bishel of the Mar- ion Police Departnmnt said it appeared tile deer had been dead at least eight henrs, dne to its stiff carcass. Blshel removed the deer at about 7:80 last night. Tile green-tipped arrow did not penetrate the surface very far and Blshel surmised that the animal probably suffered as it bled to death internally. The carcass was expected to be disposed of after Btshel took it to Marion's City Shop. Cedar Rapids' deer hunt, in- tended to reduce the urban deer population, runs through Jan. 10. Hunters are restricted from being withill 600 feet of a resi- dence and tnust get a landown- efts approval before hunting. In its first 2½ weeks, four deer had been bagged. Danc'e r "vlew: in Friday,sGazette Blending sounds of percue- evening of entertainment last sion lnstru,nents 'toni voit:es :::: ri'ight at Honeher Auditorium' with athletic dance ,nove.":j!~.iowa~Ctty, jFree-lance .writ.. mcnt,/he Sydney Dance Corn-i Brl Heldn Chadima's review "Pony prbvid~'~'l/'~'faseinatifig ' will be in Friday's Gazette. =" City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: October 24, 1997 To: City Clerk From: Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Repeal of Parking Prohibition on East Side of Benton Court As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or shortly after November 12, 1997. Action Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(12) of the City Code, signage will be removed on the east side of Benton Court from Benton Street north to allow on-street parking. Comment This action is being taken at the request of one of the two property owners on this street. The remaining property owner has been contacted and is in agreement with the change. ImVnem\dr10-23.doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: October 22, 1997 City Clerk Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~ Lane designation at Burlington Street and Governor Street intersection As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or shortly after November 11, 1997. Action Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(8) of the City Code, signage and pavement markings will be installed indicating "LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT" for eastbound traffic on Burlington Street at the intersection of Governor Street. Comment This action is being taken as part of the signalization of this intersection to better serve left turning vehicles with a protected left turn arrow. This lane designation will assist the traffic signal in controlling the intersection more efficiently. bc~memos~jdr2-1 .doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: October 22, 1997 City Clerk Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~ 2 Hour Parking on the North Side of the 100 Block of E. Lafayette 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. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or shortly after November 12, 1997. Action Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10) of the City Code, signage will be installed so as to permit 2-hour parking from 8 AM-5 PM on the north side of the 100 block of E. Lafayette St. Comment This action is being taken at the request of the abutting commercial businesses. It is being taken to provide short-term parking for retail customers in the area. indexbc\memos\jd2-2DR.doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: October 22, 1997 City Clerk Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~ Lane Designation Modification at Intersection of Highway 6, Highway 1, and Highway 921 As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or shortly after November 12, 1997 in conjunction with traffic signal timing modifications. Action Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(8) of the City Code, signage and pavement markings will be installed indicating the easterly southbound through lane will become a combination left turn/through lane creating a dual-left turn lane opportunity for southbound traffic turning east. In conjunction with this, the northbound right turn lane will be posted "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED". Comment This action is being taken to increase left turn capacity for southbound traffic. As designed these modifications will provide no disruption of east-west progression while enhancing overall capacity of the intersection. The "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" for northbound right turns will prevent conflicts with the dual left turning traffic. Im\mem\dr9-16-3.doc October 8, 1997 CITY OF I0 WA CITY TO: RE: The Honorable Hayer and the City Council Civil Service Entrance Examination - SCALEHOUSE OPERATOR 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 Scalehouse Operator. Faye Mason IOWA CITY CIVIL COMMISSION ,,"'// ~tlt, ~ michael W. pnnedy, SERVICE Chair ATTEST: City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: October 10, 1997 (for October 16 meeting) To: Planning & Zoning Commission From: Scott Kugler, Associate Planner Re: CZ9746. County Rezoning of 23 Acres Located at the Southwest Corner of Dane Road and Osage Street. Johnson County has received an application from Mark Kennedy to rezone approximately 23 acres located at the southwest corner of Dane Road and Osage Street from A1, Rural, to RS-5, Suburban Residential. This property is located within Fringe Area C, but outside of the City's current growth boundaries. The property currently contains one single-family home and outbuildings. The Fringe Area Agreement states that for land outside Iowa City's growth area, rezonings to RS-5 will be considered if the application to rezone includes a concept plan designating a minimum of 80 percent of the property as an outlot for open space or agriculture. The concept plan that is associated with this application indicates that the property to be rezoned contains 21.8 acres (excluding Dane Road ROW), of which 17.5 acres, or 80.3 percent, is to be included in an outlot, presumably to be retained for open space or agriculture. A total of four building lots are to be created, one of which is to contain an existing residence and outbuildings along Osage Street, and the others are to be new building lots lining Dane Road. The intent of the RS-§ provisions of the Fringe Area Agreement is to encourage clustering of dwellings and retaining large areas of open space or agriculture. While the concept plan does comply with the 80 percent requirement, the stripping of lots along Dane Road does not illustrate a cluster design, and would result in three access points along Dane Road, which is part of the arterial street network illustrated in the JCCOG Arterial Street Plan. If this development pattern were permitted on other parcels along Dane Road, the result would be similar to that which already exists along American Legion Road - a fairly high speed roadway lined with lots and each having individual drive access. The Fringe Area Agreement allows for the consideration of low-density residential development on agricultural properties within Fringe Area C, but does not guarantee that every property will be permitted such development. At a minimum, staff feels that the number of access points along Dane Road be limited to one, and preferably none, with street access instead coming from a shared drive on Osage Street. Reducing the amount of Dane Road frontage consumed by building lots, and opening some of the frontage up to the outlot would also help to make the proposed development appear more like a "cluster" subdivision. Staff feels that unless the concept plan is revised as discussed above, this property should remain A1, Rural. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City forward a letter to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors recommending that CZ9746, a request to rezone 23 acres located at the southwest corner of Dane Road and Osage Street from A1 to RS-5, be denied. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Location Map. 2. Concept Plan. Approved by: Robert Miklo, Senior Planner Department of Planning and Community Development 1 LU Z 0 0 .< 0 0 LLJ 0 N I_d i Li IJ ~o H , I November 6, 1997 CITY OF I0 WA CITY Ms. Sally Stutsman, Chair Johnson County Board of Supervisors 913 S. Dubuque St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Sally and Members of the Board: An application has been submitted to Johnson County by Mark Kennedy to rezone approximately 24.82 acres from A1, Rural, to RS-5, Suburban Residential. The property is located within Fringe Area C, at the southwest corner of Osage Street and Dane Road. At its October 16, 1997 meeting, the Planning & Zoning Commission, by a vote of 6-0, recommended that the City Council forward a comment to the County Board of Supervisors recommending that the request to rezone this property be approved. The Commission feels that the proposed rezoning is in conformance with the Fringe Area Agreement for Area C, provided that a cluster design similar to that shown on the attached concept plan is followed. Council agrees with recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission, and therefore respectively forwards a comment to the Board recommending that the request to rezone approximately 24.82 acres from A1 to RS-5 be approved. Sincerely, Naomi J. Novick Mayor Enclosure Im\ltr\nnl 1-6.doc 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-~000 · FAX (319) 356-5009