Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-06 Correspondence Office of the  Anne M. Lahey Johnson County Attorney DavidV. Tiffany Linda M. Paulso~ Johnson County Courthouse · 417 South Clinton Street ° P.O, Box 2450 · Iowa City, IA 52244-2450 M. Victoria Dominguez Phone (319) 339-6100 · Fax (319) 339-6149 Lris Frost J, Patriok White County Attorney Civil-Juvenile March 30, 2004 Child Support TO: City of Iowa City City Council; Marian Karr, City Clerk PatriciakWeil RE: Lodog Inc., d/b/a The Airliner Liquor License Renewal Application FROM: Andrew B. Chappell ~ Assistant Johnson County Attorney With this memorandum I explain our office's recommendation that the City Council approve the above liquor license renewal application. AS indicated in the attachments to the Application, this applicant had a civil penalty assessed against it on October 23, 2002, and two similar complaints pending before the Alcoholic Beverages Division at the time the Application was submitted to the City Clerk. The two most recent complaints stemmed from charges of applicant's employees selling alcohol to minors and both were initiated in the spring of 2003. On March 25, 2004, an administrative law judge issued a proposed decision in response to the two pending civil penalties. The judge's proposed decision would assess two separate civil penalties against the applicant, requiring applicant to pay a total of $2000 to the Alcoholic Beverages Division and to serve a total license suspension of 90 days, from June 1, 2004, through August 30, 2004. Our understanding is that this proposed decision would become final if it is not vacated or overturned on appeal. Obviously, the actions leading to these civil penalties are cause for concern and do not reflect positively on the efforts taken by applicant to ensure minors are not served alcohol on the premises. With that said, however, we believe the actions of the Alcoholic Beverages Division are an appropriate response and that the consequences of further violations are already sufficiently severe so that we are comfortable recommending the Application be granted. If you have questions about our decision, please do not hesitate to ,~ cy: Brad Lohaus ~-~('-) ~;:~ 1~ Printed on recycled paper with soy ink ~ Date: March 24, 2004 To: City Clerk From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for April 6, 2004 City Council meeting: Relocation of Iowa City Transit bus stop from the west side of the intersection of ACT Circle/Dodge Street to the west side of the intersection of Scott Boulevard/Dodge Street As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(19), relocation of Iowa City Transit bus stop from the west side of the intersection of ACT Circle/Dodge Street to the west side of the intersection of Scott Boulevard/Dodge Street. Comment: This action is being taken at the request of Iowa City Transit to improve the safety of this bus stop. Mgr/agenda/aw4~6actcomm2.doc Date: March 26, 2004 To: City Clerk ^~1~ From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for April 6, 2004 City Council Meeting: Modify All Commercial Vehicle Loading Zones or Loading Zones in the Central Business District to COMMERCIAL VEHICLE/LOADING ZONE 30 MIN LIMIT 8 AM - 5 PM, NO PARKING 2 AM - 6 AM TOW AWAY ZONE 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(18), commercial vehicle loading zone and loading zone signs in the Central Business District will be modified so that all read as follows: COMMERCIAL VEHICLE LOADING ZONE/LOADING ZONE 30 MIN LIMIT 8 AM - 5 PM, NO PARKING 2 AM - 6 AM TOW AWAY ZONE. This applies to all locations shown on the following page. Comment: This action is being taken at the Parking Division's request to provide uniformity of enforcement of the commercial vehicle loading zones and loading zones in the Central Business District. There is currently variation in the term limits and days and hours of enforcement throughout the Central Business District. The NO PARKING 2 AM - 6 AM TOW AWAY ZONE is an existing provision which will not change and allows City crews to do maintenance between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. jccogt p/mem/jd~actcom m4-6 doc Iowa City Loading Zones Street Block Style Limit Notes Jefferson 10E Commercial 30 min 200E Loading 6am - 1pm Sunday 300E Loading 15 min Clinton 1ON Commercial 30 min 400N Commercial 30 min 10S Loading 15 min Enforced (~am - 5pm, Mon-Sat 100S Loading 15 min Enforced 6am - 5pm, Mon-Sat 100S Commercial 30 min Enforced 6am - 5pm, Mon-Sat 200S Loading 15 min Enforced 6am - 5pm, Mon-Sat Iowa Avenue 100E Commercial 30 Min Enforced 6am - 5pm, Mort-Sat (2 signs) 100E Commercial 30 Min Enforced 6am - 5pm, Mon-Sat (2 signs) 200E Commercial 30 Min Enforced 6am - 5pm, Mon-Sat (2 signs) 500E Loading Both sides of street Bloomington 300E Loading no posting 400E Loading No posting Gilbert 200N Loading 15 min Johnson 300N Loading No posting (Zion Lutheran Church) College 300E Loading 15 min Enforced 6am-6pm, Mon-Sat 700E No parking Sun. 6am-lpm Van Buren 10N Commercial 30 min Prentiss 10W Loading 15 Min 8-5 Mort - Fri Court 200E Loading Capitol 100S Commercial 30 Min Enforced 9am-5pm 100S Loading 15 Min 100S Loading 15 min Enforced 9am-5pm 500S Commercial 30 min (Jail) Washington IOOE Loading 15 min Enforced 6am - 5pm, Mort-Sat (Both sides) 200E Loading 15 min Enforced 9am-9pm © April 1, 2004 Lexington Avenue residents between Park Road and River Street Re: Lexington Avenue traffic calming barricade Dear Residents: In November, City crews removed the Lexington Avenue traffic calming barricade along with the associated warning signage. The barricade has been in existence at your neighborhood's request for two years; the agreement between the neighborhood and the City Council states that the barricade will be in place for three seasons and removed during the winter. We specifically established that the barricade will be removed when the City installs snowplows on City trucks, and reinstalled when the snowplows are taken off. The purpose of this letter is to inform you that City crews will reinstall the barricade and warning signage the week of April 5, unless there is a forecast that includes snow. City crews will remove the barricade again at the end of November. Feel free to contact me at 356-5254 or anissa-williams~,iowa-city.orq if you have any questions. SincereLY, Anissa Williams JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner CC: City Manager Police Department Rick Fosse John Sobaski Bud Stockman Karin Franklin Jeff Davidson Marcia Klingaman jccogt p\ltrs\lexspdng dcc 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 J. D. Power and Associates [ ~r6'1'~ Marian Karr From: Conrad, Charles d [CJConrad@midamerican.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2004 3:42 PM To: co u ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: J. D. Power and Associates Attached please find a news release pertaining to the recently released J. D. Power and Associates results of its 2004 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study. Among large utilities MidAmerican ranked number 1 in the Midwest and tied for number 2 nationally. <<JD Power3-10-04.doc>> *~* eSafe scanned this email for malicious content *** **~ IMPORTANT: Do not open attachments from unrecognized senders 3/25/04 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, contact: Allan Urlis, Director of Media Relations (515) 281-2785 Mark Reinders, Communications Manager (712) 277-7866 J.D. Power and Associates Business Customer Study Results Rank MidAmerican Energy Among Nation's Elite DES MOINES, Iowa - March 10, 2004 - Business customers of MidAmerican Energy rank the company first nationally in power quality and reliability and customer service, according to the 2004 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study released today by J.D. Power and Associates. In overall customer satisfaction, MidAmerican ranks first in the Midwest Region and is tied for second nationally. The J.D. Power and Associates study evaluated the 55 largest electric utilities in the country. Business customers' energy decision-makers were asked questions falling into six performance factors. MidAmerican's overall index score of 110 led the Midwest and on a national basis was second only to Salt River Project of Phoenix, which had an index score of 112. "It is gratifying to see that we are meeting our customers' high expectations for excellent service and a reliable supply of energy," said Todd Raba, senior vice president of delivery services. "These results confirm that our motto, 'Obsessively, relentlessly at your service,' is more than just a slogan - it's the way we do business." MidAmerican recorded strong numbers in each of the performance factors, which were weighted based on their importance to customers. The following are the performance factors and MidAmerican's overall ranking in the Midwest: · Power quality and reliability - first; · Customer service- first; · Company image fourth; · Billing and payment - first; · Price - third; · Communications with customers - first. MidAmerican - JD Power/Page 2 "Those are strong numbers across the board," Raba said. "Our focus on customer service goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to keep electric rates stable through 2010." Raba indicated that the key to customer satisfaction is the good work done by MidAmerican employees. "Ultimately, customers' opinions hinge largely on the quality of their interactions ~vith the company. Whether they deal with customers in the field, on the phone, or if they work behind the scenes, the professional and courteous dealings our employees have with customers go a long way toward shaping the way customers feel about our company." MidAmerican Energy Company, Iowa's largest energy company, provides electric service to 689,000 customers and natural gas service to 669,000 customers in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota. It is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. Information about MidAmerican is available on the Internet at http://www.midamericanenerg¥.com. Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity March 23, 2004 -- To: City Council Members, Iowa City ~ c:~ Re: Funding under the CDBG/HOME Investments Partnerships Program Dear City Council Members: Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity was fortunate to receive a favorable hearing at the recent Housing and Community Development Commission hearing. We have been requested to explain why we seek different financing terms from those set eat in previous City Council policy. Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity operates under the charter of Habitat for Hun~anity International. The charter prohibits affiliates from charging interest to the new homeowners. The families we serve must meet the following criteria to qualify: 1) Live in the area for at least one year. 2) Have gainful employment for at least one year. 3) Earn between 25%-50% of area median income (i.e. $18,000-$36,000 for a fmnily of four). 4) Have satisfactory credit. 5) Be willing to donate 250 hours sweat equity (single person) or 500 hours sweat equity (couple). 6) Live in inadequate, unsafe or overly exFensive housing (more than 35% of disposab'e' ' i~'come)" 7) Be willing to sign a 20 year, no interest first mortgage (averaging $65,000) and a forgivable, 15 year second mortgage (to prevent a quick sale and a windfall profit) Families who are approved help build their own and others' homes. When they finally take possession of their house, they pay full property taxes and gain all the rights and responsibilities of ownership. We are monthly implementing home ownership classes for these new families to train them in skills they may have not had as renters. We have to raise about $60,000 per house from private sources in advance of any construction. Generally churches, service clubs and individuals donate. In order to make and keep the housing affordable (average of $220-275 per month before taxes and insurance) we are not permitted to charge interest by Habitat for Humanity International. It is increasingly difficult to create affordable housing and we simply cannot afford to pay back the grant. However, we have agreed with the Commission recommendation that we keep the portion of all home payments from our Iowa City homes assisted with city funds permanently within Iowa City. I would welcome any questions or comments regarding our program: the only program which gives the working poor a chance at home ownership: a chance to be full members of the conununity. In addition, I want to invite each one of you to join us for the Detwiler Blitz Build on May 2D22. We are encouraging private and public leaders to swing a hammer for four hours to get a feel for what it takes to build a Habitat home. I will provide more details later as well as sign you up for a timeslot. Thank you for your efforts and concerns. Sincerely, f Executive Director Cc: Tracy Hightshoe Marian Karr From: Karin Franklin Sent: Thursday, March 11,2004 9:40 AM To: 'awsmith@hhbmlaw. com' Cc: *City Council; Bob Miklo; Mitch Behr Subject: Corrective resolution Alison: The Planning staff will work with the City Attorney's office to take a corrective resolution through the Council. Bob Miklo or someone from his staff will be contacting you to work through the details. Karin Franklin Director of Planning Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr From: Alison Smith Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2004 9:13 AM To: co u ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Query on corrective resolution Dear Iowa City City Council: Hello. My name is Alison Smith. I am an attorney at the Hayek Law offices here in town. I am writing to inquire as to the proper procedure for obtaining a "corrective resolution" from the council. I represent a client who is selling a piece of property known as the Hearthside Refuge. The city council approved Resolution 03-50, containing a legal description of this property that is an alternate legal description from the one on the final plat. I have been asked by the attorney for the buyers to obtain a corrective resolution placed of record conforming the legal description in the resolution to the one in the plat and other legal papers. How should I proceed in obtaining this correction under your rules of procedure? Thanks for your assistance. My phone number is 337-9606. Regards, Alison Werner Smith Marian Karr From: ABuss2662@aol.com Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 10:44 To: council@iowa-city.org Cc: Terry-Trueblood@iowa-city.org Subject: The Benton Hill Park To: The Members of the Iowa City Council From: Anna Buss Date: March 19, 2004 RE: Benton Hill Park I have a number of concerns about the new park. The placement of the proposed entrance at the corner of a very dangerous intersection (Benton & Miller). I have come before the council over the past years on various safety issues concerning this intersection. Now adding the entrance to a park at the corner, will put people in harms way. In the future when the Harlock/Weeber trails are connected to the Benton Park trails - now add the bike traffic from the people at The Lodge Apartment complex - the topography of the Benton Street hill -- the car traffic -- weather related issues -- there will be accidents. Unfortunately these accidents will now involve the foot and bike traffic. The fence along the Benton Street side of the park will be a deterrent to some people, but kids are kids, they will cross over private property at the West end of the park which will soon create a path to the park area. Remember: Before construction fences were put up north of Highway #1 for The Lodge Apartments there was a very well worn path from the Benton Hill Apartments through the field, down a steep embankment to get to Walmart and Cub Foods. Created by adults wanting to go by the most direct route "across Highway #1 ." The placement of a handicap parking spot on Miller Avenue needs some real thought. Just parking to close to the corner is very dangerous. People come around the corner at break neck speeds. The stop sign and the no parking here to corner sign have been hit a number of times over the years. I have had a number of cars as well as bikers land in my yard on Benton, all accident related. Now adding an invitation for someone to park who may not move at the same break neck speed as a car, I anticipate problems. Please take the time to come over and view this area for yourselves. Take the time to watch what happens at this intersection and on the Benton Street hill area. I see every day the kids Vs the street and the traffic and many times have held my breath at the close calls. A park needs to be a fun and safe place to go and enjoy. I like the idea of a park across the street from my home. I do not however, enjoy the idea of the safety issues or people getting hurt. I thank you for your time. Anna Buss 830 Miller Avenue Iowa City, IA 3/19/04 Marian Karr From: Mary Knudson [mary_knudson@msn.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 11:29 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Cc: Marcia-Kl[ngaman@iowa-city.org Subject: RE: The Benton Hill Park >From: Marcia Klingaman <Marcia-Klingaman@iowa-city.org> >To: 'Mary Knudson' <mary knudson@msn.com> >CC: Terry Trueblood <Ter~y-Trueblood@iowa-city.org> >Subject: RE: FW: The Benton Hill Park >Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 09:13:48 -0600 To: The City Council From: Mary Knudson, property owner and resident of 725 West. Benton St. I am aware of some concerns regarding some elements of the new Benton Hill Park. I have lived next to this land for 4 and half years; we moved here from Purdue at that time. I have a few comments about the park that addresses these concerns. First of all, since I have moved here I have been involved with all of the meetings regarding the park. Just prior to our move here, the city acquired this property for the park. At each meeting regarding the park, the neighborhood's number one concern has been the safety issue of the park. We have spent hours discussing this issue. I think the neighborhood came up with the best solution is putting up a fence and putting the entrance down at Miller. When Nora Steinbreck was principal at Roosevelt she expressed concern about a sidewalk on this side of the street as kids who lived at the bottom of the hill would want to cross the street on the hill to get to the sidewalk. But, when I talked with her, she said as long as there was not a sidewalk on that side of the street, then the invitation for kids to cross the street on the hill is minimized greatly. She was very much against a sidewalk on that side of the street for that reason. (I should add that many parents at Roosevelt School feel the same way for the same reason). A fence would put up even a bigger deterrent. A second point is it would be surprising if kids crossed over our property from the school to get to the park. Our property is the private property that is just west of the park. First of all, the driveway from Roosevelt sits lower down the hill from our property. Kids are going down the hill and aren't looking up the hill for shortcuts. Second, our easement is eitherfull of trees and/or has a big incline, so it is next to impossible to 1 get through. Third, we have a fence across the eastern part of our property, so they can't skip through our driveway to the park (we do have one opening in the fence, but this is in the back of the house). The safety concerns of Benton and Miller are real. My children cross the street en the hill to get to school and we enter it countless times with our car. Speed is a terrible problem. But this is a different issue. The city should address ways to decrease the speed on this street. Three way stops on the bottom of the hill and at Greenwood (two ways here) could be used. I believe there is a three way stop on 12th Ave in Coralville. The travel and topography here is similar to the Benton Hill street traffic. At the place in Ceralville, the traffic up the hill doesn't stop, but everyone else does. Traffic is slewed and emergency vehicles are not hindered. This style of stop could offer a solution on Benton and Hiller. I think the neighborhood addressed the safety concerns of the park well. The park would be a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. Families and individuals need this green space and it would improve the quality of lives immensely. Plus, it would preserve some beautiful land in an area that is quickly being developed. Thank you, Mary Knudsen Ail the action. All the drama. Get NCAA hoops coverage at MSN Sports by ESPN. http://msn.espn.go.com/index.html?partnersite espn "Discover the Benefits CITY ¢)F IOWA CITY 220 SOUTH GILBERT STREET PHONE (319) 3S6-$100 IOWA CITY IOWA 52240-1632 www.icgov.org FAX {319) 356-$487 March 30, 2004 TO: City Council FROM: Terry Trueblood /?~' ~ Director of Parks and Recreation ~,~-~/' RE: Benton Hill Park (( You recently received an cmail from Anna Buss in which she expresses concerns about the development of the new Benton Hill Park. I felt it would be advisable to provide you with other insights and information about this project, particularly with regard to issues conveyed by her. With respect to the "dangerous intersection" to which she refers (Benton & Miller), statistically it ranks 100th on the list of high crash locations in Iowa City, which means it is not our highest priority area for improvement. This refers to reported accidents, so there likely are other incidents that go unreported. She seems to imply that the park entrance should be located somewhere other than Miller Avenue, near Benton Street. The fact of the matter is, we feel this is the only suitable location in order to make it accessible to persons with disabilities, and is the best location without regard to accessibility. It is also important to note that once the Callaway project is completed a traffic study on Miller Avenue will be undertaken. Another area of concern for Ms. Buss would appear to be thc west property line of the park, and her contention that "kids" will cross over private property to enter the park. I would simply point out two factors: 1). A fence will "guard" the north and west property lines; and 2). The adjacent property owner on the west edge of the park does not share her concerns. With regard to the handicapped parking space on Miller Avenue, at this time it is only a notation on the concept plan; there has been no decision reached. As she indicates, further thought is needed. It certainly won't be done without the blessing of the appropriate Planning and Traffic Engineering staff. The planning process for this park included two well-publicized meetings to gain neighborhood input and a survey to gain further input. Ms. Buss did not participate in either of the meetings or the survey. The first we heard about any of her concerns was when she attended the open house on February 10th. Throughout thc planning process, and in the final analysis, other neighborhood residents who attended the meetings and/or responded to the survey apparently do not share her concerns. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. cc: City Manager Parks & Recreation Commission Child Care Resource & Re.fen'al * Child Care Prevlder Education * Toy Library & Resource Canter* Home Ties Child Care Canter Best Beginnings Infant Care Program * Child end Adult Care Food Program * Parent Education * In-Home Child Care Prey/der Mentor Program * Child Advocacy ~o~a~,o.~ Iowa City City Council March 22, 2004 ~ 410 E, Washington Street v,~,.,~ Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear City Council Members, ~,a ~.,,~... 4Cs Community Coordinated Child Care Resource and Referral is a non-profit agency that has ~ ~ been helping families in the Johnson and Washington County areas with their child care needs ~"~' for over thirty years. Our goal is to make sure that every parent can attend work or school and .~. r.~,~ be confident that his or her child is in a safe, nurturing environment. We do this through child ~ a.. care provider mcroitment, training and other support systems designed to increase child care ~,~.o~ opportunities for families. ~ ~a.~ I am wdting to request that any Community Development Block funds awarded to 4Cs Community · ~,..,e~, Coordinated Child Care be in the form of a grant. 4Cs has been a valuable agency in Iowa City for P.,,~,~.&.,~co,,,~=,~ over 30 years. Our building, which serves young families and child care providers in the area, is F~ ~ C~,~ in need of a chair lift to make our services accessible to all. a.,,...,.., Thank you for your consideration in this manner. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate .~..-r.c~.~.~ to call me. ~ ~.~ Sincerely, -. ~// "'"~'~'~ Michelle Hankes ;--~ Executive Director O Administrative Offices Home Ties Child Care Center Toy Ubrary & Resource Center ~=Jtlll~=,d'~ 1500 Syca*nore Street 405 Myrtle Avenue Sycamore Mall Iowa CitT, IA 52240 Iowa City, IA 52246 Iowa City, IA 52240 Of Johnson County Phone: (319) 338-7684 Phone: (319) 341-0050 Phone: (319) 341-0075 Fax: (319) 338-9139 Fax: (319) 338-9139 Fax: (319) 338-9139 [E-mail: michelle~iowa4Cs.com w,#w. iowa4Cs.com Marian Karr ~ From: Dale Helling Sent: Friday, March 26, 2004 12:45 PM To: 'kortny-williamson@uiowa.edu' Cc: *City Council; Kathryn Johansen Subject: RE: Iowa City Businesses Kortny, Thank you for your recent e-mail correspondence to the City Council. Council members do not receive their e-mails direct and your correspondence will be forwarded to them. You may contact them individually with any questions you may have. Their names and telephone numbers are listed on the City of Iowa City website at [www.icgov.org] Click on "members". The City does net regulate businesses er issue business licenses as do some local governments, so there is no City oversight of business openings or closings. Several Council members do have businesses downtown (Connie Champion, Dee Vanderhoef, and Mayor Ernie Lehman). They may be able to help you with their perspectives on how businesses interrelate and affect one another. I suspect the first chain business(s) came long before any of the Council members had businesses downtown. I recall JC Penney's and Younkers having stores downtown in the 1960s. I'm sure they had been there for a considerable time prior to that. You may also wish to contact the Greater Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce. In any event, do feel free to contact Council members individually and good luck with your case study. Dale Helling Assistant City Hanager cc. Kathi Johansen, Administrative Assistant ..... Original Message ..... From: kortny-williamson@uiowa.edu [mailto:kortny-williamson@uiowa.edu] Sent: Friday, March 26, 2004 11:32 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Iowa City Businesses My name is Kortny Williamson and I am a student here at the University of Iowa. I am doing a case study in one of my Communications classes about chain businesses downtown and had a few questions to ask you. 1.) How does a business open downtown? 2.) Are you more linient to opening a smaller business or a chain store? 3.} Do you own any businesses of your own? 4.) What effect do the larger businesses have to the smaller businesses when they come in? 5.) What was the first chain business to come into downtown Iowa City, and what effects did it have, if any? I appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions and hope to hear 1 back soon! Kortny Williamson To: Iowa City, City Council From: Saul Mekies and Carol Spaziani, Co-chairs, Citizens For Public Power Date: March 28, 2004 Re: Vote on Iowa City Light and Power As you are aware our group filed a petition on the subject calling for an election to be held on November, 2005. At the City Council Work Session of March 15, the question was raised by Council member Bob Elliott and Mayor Ernest Lehman as to whether the vote might be scheduled at an earlier time and accommodate certain groups. On behalf of our group we wish to make it clear that we would be opposed to such a move. We concur with City Attorney Dilkes that "There is not that ambiguity about when it [the election] will be held...' and "...you have a citizen petition that was valid, and the way the code reads is, it goes on in November of 2005 (meeting minutes of March 15)." Indeed that was the purpose of our petition. We would be happy to respond to any inquiry on the subject. We can be reached by e-mail at the following addresses: smekies~yahoo.com, and spazianic~msn.com Thanks for your consideration. Cc: Attorney Eleanor Dilkes City Manager Stephen Atkins Attorney James Larew Press-Citizen ~ © ~ Marian Karr From: Dale Helling Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 9:58 AM To: 'Broccard, Pia' Cc: *City Council; Andy Rocca; Kathryn Johansen Subject: RE: Iowa City Fire Dept #2 -Emerald Street Pla Broccard, Thank you for corresponding with the City Council regarding your experience with the Iowa City Fire Department. Your message will be forwarded to all Council members and to the Fire Chief. I am pleased that our Fire Department personnel were able to assist your family in what must have been a very tense and somewhat frightening situation. I appreciate your taking the time to express your gratitude to the Department and to the City Council. Our firefighters do an excellent job, too often without the benefit of hearing someone say "thank you". Dale Helling Assistant City Manager cc. Andy Rocca, Fire Chief Kathi Johansen, Administrative Assistant ..... Original Message ..... From: Broccard, Pla [mailto:PBroccard@chartercom.com] Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 7:23 AM To: 'council@iowa-city.org' Subject: Iowa City Fire Dept %2 - Emerald Street Since I am unable to locate the fire department's email address, please forward this email to the Department's very talented, dedicated, and friendly staff. My family was traveling through Iowa City when my five-year-old son somehow became tangled in the seat belt (actually wrapped around him) while we were stopped getting gasoline. We were not able to untangle him - the belt just kept getting tighter around his stomach. The fire fighters at the %2 station put my son at ease, and quickly freed him (and did not have to cut the seat belt of our rental car - saving us a lot of money!). They also gave him a coloring book/crayons that entertained him on the long drive home. Thanks again to them! Pia Broccard and family - St. Louis, MO Pla Broccard Legal Department Charter Communications 314.543.5842 Phone 314.909.0609 Fax Marian Karr From: Dale Helling Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 2:48 PM To: 'matthew-thatcher@uiowa.ed u' Cc: *City Council; Marian Karr; Kathryn Johansen Subject: RE: Iowa City Alcohol and Bar Committee Mr. Thatcher, Thank you for your recent email to the City Council regarding the Alcohol and Bar Committee. That committee is not a City appointed committee and minutes are not prepared by City staff. Any minutes that have been made available to the City can be obtained from the office of the City Clerk. I would suggest that you also contact the U of I Student Government office for any minutes that the City Clerk may not have. Dale Helling, Assistant City Manager ..... Original Message ..... From: matthew-thatcher@uiowa.edu [mailto:matthew-thatcher@uiowa.edu] Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2004 1:32 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Iowa City Alcohol and Bar Committee Dear Council Members: I am doing some work with Sarah in student health on an upcoming health campaign regarding student drinking. I was looking for the meeting minutes for the Iowa City Alcohol and Bar Committee and I cannot find these on the council webpage. Is this committee still meeting and would it be possible for me to get a copy of the minutes for each meeting of this body? If so, how could I accomplish this? We want to make sure we are coordinating our efforts with those of others in the cor~l~unity. Thank you, Matthew Thatcher Ph.D. Candidate Communication Studies University of Iowa 2411 Tudor Drive Iowa City, Iowa 52245 March 26, 2004 Mr. Tom Brase, Director SEATS 2000 James Street Suite 111 Coralville, Iowa 52241 Dear Mr. Brase: Thank you for the very good service for Sarah Riesz this winter. From our viewpoint, this has been the smoothest year in the last three years in getting Sarah to Target on time on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. With only a few exceptions, her pick- ups at Iowa State Bank and Trust every afternoon have also worked well. When we were in Chicago last weekend, Sarah purchased these Frangos for the schedulers, the drivers and the administrative staff Please let those involved with Sarah's transportation this year know of our appreciation. Sincerely, Betsy Riesz, parent, co-guardian Cc: Ron Logsden ~Emie Lehman, City Council Nicole Sheldon Jeannine Scandridge Ron Schieffer Amy Holcomb Marian Karr From: Dale Helling Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 2:11 PM To: 'Darin Swartzendruber' Cc: *City Council; Kathryn Johansen Subject: RE: I need to know ! Mr. Swartzendruber, Thank you for your email inquiry to the City Council regarding the head of City government. There is not a simple answer to your question but I will attempt to give you some information which I hope will help you resolve the issue for yourself. If you wish to receive a response from individual Council members, you may feel free to contact them personally. Their names and telephone numbers are listed on the City website at www.icgov.org Click on 'Members" under City Council for that information. The City Council is the elected policy making body for the City. The Council appoints the City Manager who's charge it is to direct the operations of the City government consistent with the policies set fodh by Council. As in any representative democracy, the Council is empowered by the citizens of Iowa City to act as their representatives, Thus, the citizens are the ultimate authority for the government, the Council determines the policies under which the City will operate, and the City Manager directs the day-to-day operations of the various City departments. As to who is the head of the City's government, that would depend on the context within which you define "head". As I see it, the answer is a sort of "multiple choice" with no wrong answer! I hope this helps. Dale Helling Assistant City Manager ..... OriginaI Message ..... From: Darin Swartzendruber [mailto:dlswartz2003~yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 1:42 PM To: council~iowa-city.org Cc: dlswartz~blue.weeg.uiowa.edu Subject: 1 need to know ! To whom this concerns, I need to know for a paper I am doing. ' Who is the head of Iowa City's Government ?" Thank You for your HELP Sincerely, Darin Swartzendruber d!swartz~blue.weeg.uiowa.edu Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time. 3/31/04 Inaugural Issue: e-newsletter I ,u~-,u~-u,.4, Marian Karr From: United States Interagency Council on Homelessness [ichnews@setechnology.com] Sent: Wednesday. Mamh 31. 2004 10:39 AM To: co u ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Inaugural Issue: e-newsletter [~ US ICH Seal The United States Intera§enc¥ Council on Homelessness e-newsletter Reporting on Innovative Solutions to End Homalessness 03.31.04 Partners In a Vision In this issue... · I. SAMARITAN Welcome to the first edition of the newsletter of the INITIATIVE (H.R.4057): United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. TARGETING THE END OF This e-newsletter, along with our evolving website, will CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS offer you an opportunity to look inside the national · II. SAMARITAN strategy to reduce and end homelessness. If you have INITIATIVE: INVESTING been following the work of the Council since its NEW FUNDING IN revitalization two years ago this month, you know that INNOVATIVE APPROACHES our intention is to create visible, measurable, and · III. SAMARITAN quantifiable change in our communities, on our INITIATIVE: CREATING streets, and, most especially, in the lives of homeless NEW ACCOUNTABILITY people. · IV. SAMARITAN INITIATIVE: EMPLOYING These pages will focus on the themes of innovative NEW RESEARCH AND NEW initiatives, planful partnerships, and strategic solutions TECHNOLOGIES directed to our mission of abolition. For a continuous · V. SAMARITAN update on the substance of that commitment, we INITIATIVE: IDENTIFYING created an e-newsletter and developed the ICH NEXT STEPS website. We'll visit you weekly through this e- ~· TAKING AIM AT newsletter. Please visit us more often at the website - PREVENTION: NEW www.ich.gov. Together, we have a common vision to RESOURCES TO PREVENT end chronic homelessness and a goal to abolish the HOMELESSNESS national disgrace of homelessness in our country. We · MINNESOTA AND welcome your partnership. CHATTANOOGA MOVE FORWARD TO END I. SAMARITAN INITIATIVE (H.R.4057): CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS TARGETING THE END OF CHRONIC · uP AND OFF THE STREET: COLLABORATIVE HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVE TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS Late yesterday afternoon Arizona Congressman Rick MAKING A DIFFERENCE Renzi, together with a non-partisan group of fellow · COUNCIL CONVENES Representatives, introduced the Samaritan Initiative HISTORIC MEETINGS: Act {H.R.4057). The introduction of this bill is the first H3.INTERNATIONAL step in the legislative process to create the Samaritan COLLO(~UY ON Initiative outlined in the Administration's FY'OS budget. HOMELE$SNESS AND The intent is to provide new federal housing and FOURTH FULL COUNCIL services resources specifically targeted to the goal of MEETING AT WHITE HOUSE ending chronic homelessness in ten years. 3/31/04 Inaugural Issue: e-newsletter Page 2 of 5 H. SAMARITAN INITIATIVE: INVESTING NEW FUNDING IN L [I I INNOVATIVE APPROACHES The Administration's budget proposes $70 million in new funding for the Samaritan Initiative for FY'05 - double the funding invested in last year's Chronic Homelessness Initiative. In continuing an unprecedented funding collaboration involving three federal departments - HUD, HHS, and VA - the Samaritan Initiative includes $50 million in new resources through HUD, $10 million in new resources through HHS SAMHSA), and $10 million in resources through the Department of Veteran Affairs. IIL SAMARITAN INITIATIVE: CREATING NEW II ~ ACCOUNTABILITY 'he Samaritan Initiative requires visible, measurable, and quantifiable performance outcomes in reducing Chronic Homelessness. This results-oriented approach is focused on people moving out of homelessness. Innovative solutions to homelessness replace status quo management and maintenance approaches. The new standard of expectation is to create visible and measurable change in our communities and on our streets. IV. SAMARITAN INITIATIVE: EMPLOYING NEW RESEARCH AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES Research indicates that 10% of the homeless people experiencing Chronic Homelessness account for half of the resources spent in emergency shelter systems and a dis-proportionate amount of resources from mainstream health systems. Research also indicates that supported housing and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Teams are strategies that work to engage and house long term homeless shelter and street people with successful retention rates of over 80%. Models such as the Direct Access to Housing program in San Francisco and Pathways to Housing in New York City have demonstrated success housing homeless people with mental illness and co-occurring disorders. V, SAPIARITAN INITIATIVE: IDENTIFYING NEXT STEPS In a recent report, the House Financial Services Committee stated: "The Committee applauds the Administration's goal of ending chronic homelessness and supports the $50 million in housing assistance for those experiencing chronic or long term homelessness included in the President's 2005 budget. The Committee will hold hearings and consider the Administration's proposal to combine HUD's permanent housing funding with assistance from the Departments of Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs for supportive services such as substance abuse treatment and primary health care." The legislative process has two steps in the House and the Senate. STEP-l: Authorization - The Samaritan Initiative legislation, which would amend the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act to create a new permanent program, will be considered by the appropriate legislative committees. The House Financial Services Committee and The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee have primary jurisdiction over the iVlcKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Committees with jurisdiction over veterans programs and mental health and substance abuse treatment programs may also have to be consulted. They would need to "Authorize" the program. STEP-2; Appropriation - The second step is the actual funding for the program. The Administration's FY'05 budget proposes a $70 million funding level ~ $50 million from HUD, $10 million from HHS, and $10 million from VA. These funding requests will be considered by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on VA/HUD/Independent Agencies and Labor/HHS/Education. They would need to "Appropriate" the funding. 3/31/04 Inaugural Issue: e-newsletter Page 3 of 5 States, units of general local government, public housing agendes, local workforce investment boards, and private non-profit organizations, including faith based and community organizations, would be eligible to apply for competitively awarded Samaritan Initiative grants. Grants would be available to both urban and rural areas. More on Samar!tan In!tiative.,, >> TAKING AIM AT PREVENTION: NEW RESOURCES TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS Four populations - ex-prisoners exiting prisons and jails, substance abusers in need of treatment, young adults aging out of foster care, and at-risk families - are increasing in numbers in homeless programs throughout the country. The Administration's FY'05 budget proposal includes new resources to prevent homelessness in these populations. The Reentry Initiative targeted to those exiting prisons and jails was proposed by the President in his State of the Union speech. The proposal is a 4-year, $300 million initiative among the Departments of Justice, Labor, and Housing and Urban Development to help individuals exiting prison make a successful transition to community life and long-term employment. For those in need of substance abuse treatment, the President seeks an additional $200 million for 100,000 additional substance abuse treament vouchers. That is in addition to the $100 million secured in the FY'04 final budget. For those aging out of foster care the President requested $60 million of transitional assistance to promote better outcomes and to prevent homelessness. Additional resources that can help stabilize the lives of families at risk are also included in the FY'05 budget. Among the proposed increases are an additional $218 million for Community Health Centers to support 332 new and expanded sites. Also proposed is a restoration of LIHEAP funds cut in FY'04, along with a doubling of the emergency contingency fund, for heating and energy assistance distributed to states and localities for Iow income households. MINNESOTA AND CHA-I-I-ANOOGA MOVE FORWARD TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNES$ For the past year the Interagency Council has encouraged states and cities to create jurisdictionally- based plans to end Chronic Homelessness. Ninety seven (97) mayors and county executives and forty six (46) governors have responded. Recently Minnesota and Chattanooga announced the results of their planning processes. MINNESOTA RELEASES STATE BUSINESS PLAN TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS - Governor Tim Pawlenty, in 2003, took the unprecedented step of convening a state- level executive Work Group on ending long-term homelessness in Minnesota. The Work Group included Commissioners of the Departments of Health and Human Services and Corrections, and the State Housing Finance Agency, as well as jurisdictional leaders from key cities and counties, philanthropy, and providers. In March the resulting business plan to reach this goal in Minnesota by 2010 was sent to the Legislature. The new performance based plan, targeting 4,000 new supportive housing placements, has been recently released. CHA]-I'ANOOGA UNVEILS REGIONAL 10-YEAR PLAN TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS - Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a community that committed itself to a 3/31/04 Inaugural Issue: e-newsletter Page 4 of 5 regional planning approach and a short timetable. On September 19, 2003, ICH Executive Director Philip Mangano joined Mayor Bob Corker of Chattanooga to announce Chattanooga's initiative to develop a 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. A Blueprint Steering Committee, comprised of government, business, homeless providers and citizens, was convened in the jurisdictional process and developed guiding principles for their plan. This inclusive planning group identified specific action steps in four priority areas: expanding permanent housing options, increasing access to services and supports, homelessness prevention, and ongoing planning and coordination. Less than six months later, on March 8, 2004, ICH Executive Director Mangano and Mayor Corker, now joined by Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey, convened the Blueprint Steering Committee at City Hall to unveil the Blueprint. UP AND OFF THE STREET: COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE TO ~ END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS MAKING A DIFFERENCE ~HILADELPHIA HOUSES FIRST CLIENT UNDER COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE - The Interagency Council will hear firsthand from the City of Philadelphia about its success in implementing its award under the 2003 Collaborative Initiative to help disabled long term homeless individuals move from the streets and shelters. In October 2003, Philadelphia won a $3.3 million grant through the innovative partnership of four federal agencies coordinated through the US Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH), to provide permanent rental housing along with intensive supportive services for the chronically homeless. Just four months later, the first participant in Philadelphia's "Home First" program signed his lease. Philadelphia's Deputy Managing Director for Special Needs Housing, Robert Hess, will be on hand for the Council's meeting to describe the city's progress and thank the federal partners for their support. "We are grateful to the federal government for this funding opportunity, which allows us to move people off the streets and out of shelters and into permanent housing with appropriate supports," said Rob Hess, Deputy Managing Director for Special Needs Housing. More on Philade!phia!s Collaborative Initiative... >> COUNCIL CONVENES HISTORIC MEETINGS: H3. INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUY ON HOMELESSNESS AND FOURTH FULL COUNCIL MEETING AT WHITE HOUSE q3 TRIPARTITE COLLOQUY ON HOMELESSNESS - Last week at The White House Conference Center, the Council convened an historic international colloquy which for the first time brought together national governments to share ideas, innovations, and challenges. Representatives of The United Kingdom and South Africa joined USICH members for three days of site visits and dialogue." There is no question that we have common concerns," indicated ICH Executive Director Philip IVlangano. "The establishment of the dialogue between the three governments will assist us all in the creation of policy and investment of resources," Future colloquys are planned to ensure that innovative, results-oriented strategies have no borders. FULL COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR WHITE HOUSE - The fourth meeting of the revitalized United States Interagency Council on Homelessness is set for this week. HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson's successful tenure as Chair of the Council will come to an end with the passing of the gavel to VA Secretary Anthony Principi. Secretary Principi will become the first VA Secretary to chair the Council, and Secretary Elaine Chao will become the first Department of Labor Secretary to hold Council office. 3/31/04 Inaugural Issue: e-newsletter Page 5 of 5 The agenda will include several funding announcements, presentations by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker, US Representative Rick Renzi (AZ), and Philadelphia Deputy Managing Director Rob Hess. The Council will also discuss the continuing development of prevention and intervention strategies to reduce and end chronic homelessness. Details of these historic meetings will be available in next week's e-newsletter. Meanwhile, visit the ICH website - http://www.ich.gov for breaking news. Quick Links... · US ICH Mission · US ICH Council Members emaih ch news@setech nology.com United States Interagency Council on Homelessness · 451 7th Street SW · Suite 2200 · Washington · DC · 20410 Send this e-newsletter to a Colleaaue Powered by [~ Constant Contact [~] SafeUnsubscribe(TM) , This email was sent to council@iowa-oity.org, by Strategic Enterprise Technology, Inc.. Update your profile Ilnstant removal with SafeUnsubscribeTM I Privacy Po!k;y. 3/31/04 _ 6a , OF IOWA ORAN Date: March 22, 2004 To: City Council From: Planning and Zoning Commission ~ Don Anciaux, Chairman Re: Petition for Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) by property owners within Iowa City's CB-10 Zone The Planning and Zoning Commission considered the proposed SSMID at its meetings on January 15, 2004, and March 4, 2004. The petition appears to meet the technical criteria for a SSMID, and a SSMID in Iowa City's CB-10 downtown district may be appropriate. Nonetheless, the Commission feels that the SSMID as set forth in the currently filed petition, and as described to the Commission at its meetings, lacks merit and feasibility for the following reasons: 1. Residential apartments which are assessed as commercial property would be subject to SSMID taxation. 2. Specific information regarding the expenditure of funds has not been provided by the petitioners. 3. The petition calls for a 10-year duration with automatic renewal. The Commission feels this duration is too long. 4. Specific information regarding the structure of the organization to operate the SSMID, and the nature of representation among property owners and tenants in that organization, has not been provided by the petitioners. Mitch/b:p&Z/ssmid/p&zssmid doc cc: Steve Atkins Marian Karr Eleanor Dil kes Karin Franklin Steve Nasby TENTATIVE AGREEMENT Police Labor Relations Organization of Iowa City And City of Iowa City The parties agree to the following changes in the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Fiscal Year '05: 1. Amend Article XXVII to provide for a one-year agreement. 2. Amend Article XXVIII, Section 2 to provide for an across-the-board wage increase of two and one- half percent (2.5%) for FY '05. 3. Amend Article XXVIII, Section 3 by adding $125.00 to the 5 year longevity step and by adding $300.00 to each step beyond the 5 year step. All other terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement remain unchanged. Date: ~ _~-~q.#- d'/-4.,,'/' Date: