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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-05-04 CorrespondenceDate: April 23, 2004 To: City Clerk From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~ Re: Item for May 4, 2004 City Council meeting: On the west side of the 100 block of S. Linn Street: Installation of 5 on-street parking spaces signed NO PARKING 2 AM TO 6 AM/TOW AWAY ZONE/LIBRARY PATRON LOADING ZONE/20 MINUTE LIMIT DURING LIBRARY HOURS; one on-street metered parking space designated HANDICAP parking with 5-hour time limit, and one on-street parking space signed NO PARKING 2 AM TO 6 AM/TOW AWAY ZONE/BOOK DROP PARKING ONLY/5- MINUTE LIMIT/ENFORCED 24 HOURS. 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(17,15), On the west side of the 100 block of S. Linn Street: Installation of 5 on-street parking spaces signed NO PARKING 2 AM TO 6 AM/TOW AWAY ZONE/LIBRARY PATRON LOADING ZONE/20 MINUTE LIMIT DURING LIBRARY HOURS one on-street metered parking space designated HANDICAP parking with 5-hour time limit; and one on-street parking space signed NO PARKING 2 AM TO 6 AM/TOW AWAY ZONE/BOOK DROP PARKING ONLY/5-MINUTE LIMIT/ENFORCED 24 HOURS. Comment: This action to designate the seven on-street parking spaces in front of the Library is being taken due to the re-opening of the Iowa City Public Library after construction. The Library Director has approved these designations. Marian Karr 3~~f2 From: debra seeley [dleaseeley@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 21,2004 6:30 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Fwd: Peace Resolution - Congratulations April 21, 2004 Dear City Council - This letter was sent initially about a year ago, and I believe it is perhaps more relevant now. For those who did not believe the Peace resolution was in our 'jurisdiction': War is always in everyone's 'jurisdiction'. Believe it or not, war costs money - imagine that. Where do you believe that money comes from ? Think for a minute, maybe it will come to you. What about the human cost - I guess that's not in our '' ' jurisdiction'' As always, the peace activists were the ones with the active brain cells. Please reread the 2cd to last paragraph, in the original letter, as it is particularly relevant to you. In a democracy, it is every citizen's duty to hold their leaders accountable; and when they are wrong, the 'patriotic' thing to do is to speak out. How utterly cowardly you were. May this always rest on your conscience. Sincerely Debra Seeley Note: forwarded message attached. Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos: High-quality 4x6 digital prints for 25¢ http://photos.yahoo.com/ph/print_splash Marian Karr From: Caroline Dieterle [caroline-dieterle@uiowa.edu] Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2004 3:38 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Lawn pesticides Council members - It's time once again to consider whether we can improve water and air quality in our area by discouraging/banning the use of chemical pesticides on lawns. Cities in Canada are deing it. See the link below. - Caroline Dieterle http://www.davidsuzuki.org/WOL/Challenge/Newsletter/april2OO4_pesticides /three.asp Marian Karr ~ From: AaronBurnett@netscape.net Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 11:24 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: wind energy Dear City Council Member(s), Please receive this letter as a voice of support towards your inquires into the future of a municipal power company in Iowa City. I challenge you to go a step further and produce clean energy through the tapping of Iowa's boundless supply of Wind Energy. The City of Iowa City needs to be a cradle of innovation for the state and challenge the status quo. There are many incentives to help with this project from the ~Iowa Building Energy Management Program" to the federal "Renewable Energy Production Incentive"(REPI), The people of Iowa City are willing to pay the extra cent or two and realize that they are truly making a difference, Please consider putting the issue to a referendum because your constituents care about this issue. Sincerely, Aaron Burnett Member of Wind Energy for Iowa City Introducing the New Netscape Internet Service. Only $9.95 a month -- Sign up today at http://isp.netscape.com/register Netscape. Just the Net You Need. New! Netscape Toolbar for Internet Explorer Search from anywhere on the Web and block those annoying pop-ups. Download now at http://channels.netscape.com/ns/search/install.jsp Marian Karr From: Milken Institute [milkeninstitute@lists.milkeninstitute.org] Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 11:09 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Have you seen who's coming? Global Conference starts April 26 The ?th annual Hilken Institute Global Conference begins on April 26 and I'd like to give you one last opportunity to join us before the deadline for registering on Wednesday, April 21. Where else can you hear former presidential candidates, CEOs from some of the world's largest corporations, cabinet ministers from countries as diverse as Korea and France, winners of the Nobel Prize in economics, medicine and science, leaders from both the Clinton and Bush administrations, and world-renowned experts in health care, medical research and education? Imagine yourself listening to some of these conversations: -- On Henday, Paul Gigot, Editor of The Wall Street Journal's editorial pages, will lead a discussion on the global economy - from the current debate en jobs and outsourcing to China's growing economy and influence - with Rupert Murdoch of News Corporation, one the world's largest media companies; Gary Becket, winner of the Nobel Prize in economics; Jami Miscik, the CIA's Deputy Director for Intelligence; Sharon Allen, head of Deloitte's U.S. Board of Directors; and Thomas Hughes, Global Head of Deutsche Asset Management. -- On Tuesday, these leading figures will talk about the influence of culture - from TV to travel: Leslie Moonves, head of CBS; Chase Carey, CEO of DIRECTV; David Neeleman, founder and CEO of JetBlue Airways; Orin Smith, CEO of Starbucks; and Thomas Kalinske, CEO of LeapFrog, maker of the popular educational toys. -- Tuesday night, representatives of the right and left will debate "America's Future." Talk-show host Larry King will moderate, and former presidential candidate and Vermont Gov. Howard Dean will join the debate from the left. Other names will be announced soon. -- On Wednesday, Steve Forbes will moderate a discussion on the U.S. economy with Gregory Mankiw, Chairman of President Bush's Council of Economic Advisers; Douglas Holtz-Eakin, head of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office; Suzanne Nora Johnson, head of research for Goldman Sachs; and Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the world's largest hotel companies. -- Also on Wednesday, some of the biggest names in the media entertainment business square off to discuss intellectual property, convergence and other current issues vital to that industry: Sumner Redstone, Chairman and CEO of Viacom, owner of CBS and one of the world's biggest media companies; Peter Chernin, head of News Corporation's Fox Group; Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment; and Bobby Kotick, Chairman and CEO of Activision, Inc., one of the world's leading makers of electronic games. I'm very proud of this year's event and hope that you can join us for what will undoubtedly be a stimulating three days. There truly is nothing else like it in the U.S. A complete list of confirmed speakers and sessions, as well as registration information, is at http://www.milkeninstitute.org. Or call our conference line at 310-570-4605. I hope you will join us. Sincerely, Michael L. Klowden President and CEO Milken Institute If you do not wish to receive further updates on research and news from the Milken Institute, please e-mail us at info@milkeninstitute.org and indicate which address or addresses you want to be deleted from our list. Milken Institute, 1250 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (This communication may be considered an advertisement for certain purposes.) Marian Karr From: Amy Knight [amy@chemstudent.com] Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 1:58 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Parent/baby playtime at the Rec Center Dear Councillors, My name is Amy Knight, and I run a parents' group at the Women's Resource & Action Center. A comment that came up frequently in our group this winter was that those of us with babies and young toddlers at home don't have many activity places available once cold weather sets in, and we've felt isolated and stuck at home. Most of us ended up at the Coral Ridge Mall several times weekly, just to get out and see other parents and kids. That meant we did most of our shopping out there as well, even when we preferred shopping in Iowa City. Some parents also remarked that the John Deere playground, which is crowded with older kids working off steam, is not the best place for little ones just beginning to crawl or walk. We wonder if it would be possible to have regular, free or low-charge parent-tot playtimes at the Rec Center on Gilbert Street for parents with children 0-3, similar to the morning program at Mercer. Ideally, we'd be looking for something that would run at least three days a week, preferably during the afternoon. It'd help parents who miss the Mercer playtime because their children are morning nappers or in AM daycare, and the Rec Center location would be convenient for UI families and downtown shopping. Thank you very much for your consideration. Sincerely, Azny Knight 1346 Shannon Dr Iowa City Marian Karr From: Shawn Keeley [keeley@performanceweb,org] Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 9:44 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Homeland Security Summit 2004 Good morning. I just received the agenda for the 2004 Homeland Security Summit which is being held at the Wyndham City Center in Washington, D.C. on June 28 - 30, 2004. On March 1, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security unveiled the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) . A direct result of Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, NIMS was designed to provide a consistent, nationwide domestic preparedness plan for federal, state, local, and tribal governments. A major focus of this year's summit will be to help your jurisdiction obtain the tools to implement NIMS to enhance your domestic preparedness capabilities and ensure the continuation of federal funding. May I e-mail you the full agenda? Shawn Shawn Keeley Associate Director of the LEDC The Performance Institute 1515 N. Courthouse Rd. Arlington, VA 22201 P: /703) 894-0481 x.206 F: {703) 894-0482 Marian Karr 3~~f8) From: Jean Walker [walkersic@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 9:53 AM To: City Council; Marcia Klingaman; Karin Franklin; Steve Atkins Subject: Email to Regents re: Melrose Neighborhood Steve, Karin, Marcia, and Members of the City Council, The attached file contains the copy of an email that I have just sent to the Regents concerning land use by the UI as it affects the Melrose Neighborhood. In it, I repeat the request I made to the City (and to which I did not receive a reply) that the UI, the City of Iowa City, and the Neighborhood meet to discuss and resolve this issue. I hope that this meeting can now take place. Thank you, Jean Walker Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos: High-quality 4x6 digital prints for 25¢ http://photos.yahoo.com/ph/print_splash *** eSafe scanned this email for malicious content *** *** IMPORTANT: Do not open attachments from unrecognized senders *** Melrose Neighborhood Association 335 Lucon Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246 319/337-5201 To: Members of the Iowa State Board of Regents From: Jean M. Walker, Representative, Melrose Neighborhood Association Date: April 19, 2004 Re: The University of Iowa's tennis and recreation facility plan Officials of the University of Iowa plan to present to you a proposed $12 million tennis and recreational facility to be built on the University's west campus. Thus far, this area is devoid of buildings except for the Athletic Hall of Fame (and the Hawkeye Storage building, which will be demolished). BEFORE YOU APPROVE THIS PLAN, WE IN THE MELROSE NEIGHBORHOOD URGE YOU IN THE STRONGEST TERMS TO FIRST CONSIDER THE OVERALL LONG-TERM PLANS FOR PHYSICAL EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSITY AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE INTERESTS OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND ITS CITIZENS. Our concern is that the University, in its continuous need for expansion, will want to take over and demolish our Neighborhood (which consists of the area south of Melrose Avenue and west from Riverside Drive to the Interstate Railroad). Over the years, the University has done exactly that to other areas adjacent to our Neighborhood, by first buying up homes to use for "temporary faculty housing". These houses are then used for an institutional function such as a daycare, and then, when enough contiguous houses are owned, they are razed to make way for a new institutional building or parking area, thus destroying irreplaceable historic buildings and creating non-residential "dead" zones. This has happened numerous times in the area just west of the Iowa River, so that now our Neighborhood is the last intact vestige of historic cottages and bungalows on the west side of the river that developed soon after the University hospital was relocated there in the 1920s. Prior to the 1920s, a number of country estate homes were constructed in this vicinity, three of which date individually from 1870, 1884, and 1885 and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Others dating from 1875 and the early 1900s are not listed on the Register. In addition, in recent years two houses in the Neighborhood have received Historic Preservation awards for their owners' restoration efforts. Sentiments describing the historic nature of the Neighborhood's buildings and encouraging preservation of this Neighborhood are reflected in the 1992 Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan, the 1996 Melrose Avenue Environmental Assessment, the City's 1997 Comprehensive Plan, and the City's 2002 Southwest District Plan. There are approximately 150 buildings in the Neighborhood and both the City's Historic Preservation Planner and a Historic Preservation Consultant hired by the Neighborhood Association have identified approximately 90 of these (which are contiguous) to constitute an historic district (see her opinion below). The Neighborhood has hired that Consultant (Marlys Svendsen of Svendsen Tyler Inc., who has consulted for various other historic areas in Iowa City) to survey and research our Neighborhood and nominate the eligible part to the National Register of Historic Places. We anticipate that this nomination will be complete by October 2004. Establishing an NRHP historic district will verify the significance of the neighborhood and contribute towards the implementation of the City's 2002 Southwest District Plan. In various of the documents mentioned above, it is suggested that the City and the University need to communicate concerning plans for this neighborhood. For example, the Southwest District Plan states "...it is an important goal of the City to preserve and stabilize existing residential neighborhoods close to the University and Downtown. Achieving this will help to prevent urban sprawl along the edges of the community, reduce commute times, provide a diverse residential community, preserve historic resources, and support the vitality of the City's central business district. Effort should be made to encourage the University to work more closely with the City and the surrounding community as it develops future expansion plans. In areas such as the Melrose neighborhood, the City must take a more assertive role in the zoning and regulation of University properties if it is to achieve these important goals." THEREFORE, SO THAT THE CITY, UI, AND NEIGHBORHOOD CAN DEVELOP A LONG-TERM PLAN TO BALANCE THE NEED FOR UI EXPANSION WITH THE NEED TO PRESERVE THIS HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY NEED TO MEET TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES BEFORE AREAS SUCH AS THE SITE FORTHF PROPOSED TENNIS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY ARE IRREVERSIBLY DEDICATED TO THESE PURPOSES. The playing field as regards this topic is incredibly uneven for the Neighborhood as compared to the University. The University has a large, salaried department dedicated to campus planning, and its plans tend to be divulged to the City and its residents (and the Board of Regents) when they are in a relatively late stage of completion, In addition, salaried personnel represent the University's interests to the Regents. In comparison, members of the Neighborhood volunteer their time and resources in all of these matters. More importantly, the University is not confined by the regulations imposed on citizens and businesses by the City. For example, recently the University planned to locate a three-story residential building the size of a large motel within our Neighborhood's historic district, which is zoned RS5 for single-family residential, even though the City would not have allowed another non-State-owned entity to construct such a building there. Because of these powers given to the University by the State, the University could continue to acquire properties within our Neighborhood and demolish them, but we (and many citizens across Iowa City who strongly believe in preserving our historic buildings) feel that the University has already demolished too many of the historic buildings in this area and enough is enough. There are also advantages both to the University and the City in preserving this Neighborhood. It currently contributes a substantial amount of funds to the City's tax rolls. It is part of both the City's and the University's histories and helps make the City unique. It is a draw to University employees who wish to work close to their work. It provides a pleasant residential atmosphere close to the UI Hospitals and Clinics rather than the institutional feel of University buildings and ramps. It could be a pleasant walking tour for patients and families visiting the UIHC, consisting not only of historic buildings but knowledge of people of historic interest to the University and the City. A disadvantage, to both the University and the City, of the University destroying our Neighborhood to achieve its expansion, is that the expanded campus would be bisected by Melrose Avenue, one of Iowa City's most important arterial streets, and the City would be unlikely to vacate it to the University (as the University has achieved in other places in the area, to the detriment of traffic there.) Thus it is of vital importance to consider, in light of the long-term physical needs of the University, the complete list of land already owned by the University and the way to achieve desired expansion without destruction of the last vestige of a historic Neighborhood in Iowa City. This list would include, for example, both the west campus and the large tract of land adjacent to the Ronald McDonald House. In addition, the University needs to plan for responsible growth and land use, so that a vibrant neighborhood such as ours is not demolished (i.e., the University must not look to destruction of our historic Neighborhood to meet its needs for expansion.) For example, instead of satisfying an apparently insatiable need for parking close to the University, especially in this congested Neighborhood, the University should have any needed parking ramps in outlying areas and provide adequate transportation to University destinations. This would fit with the University's desire to expand its walking campus. Another example of better land use would be for the UIHC to expand on the north side of Newton Road, which is not an important arterial street like Melrose Avenue, rather than on the south side of Melrose Avenue. In addition, as opposed to her opinion that the Melrose Neighborhood is worth preserving, the Historic Preservation Consultant has determined that "the substantial majority of buildings along this stretch of Newton Road would not be eligible for the (National Register of Historic Places) either individually nor could this area be considered an historic district because of compromising exterior modifications or because they are less than 50 years old." It should be noted that much of the UIHC's need for expansion could have been accommodated by the moving of Kinnick stadium from this area to the west campus. We feel that the Neighborhood should not be destroyed by the University because the price for the relocation of Kinnick stadium was too high. In 1998, the University published a Sesquicentennial Campus Planning Framework including a map that delineated the University boundaries. This map clearly EXCLUDED our Neighborhood from the University boundaries. Therefore we are asking that the University keep to this plan so that a vitally important and irreplaceable part of the City's and University's heritage is not destroyed but can be enjoyed and appreciated by current and future generations of this City and this State. THEREFORE, IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE AN EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSITY THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO ALI PARTIES, WE ASK THAT THE UNIVERSITY, THE CITY, AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD MEET TO DISCUSS AND RESOLVE THESE ISSUES BEFORE ANY MORE LAND USE MATTERS ARE APPROVED BY THE IOWA STATE BOARD OF REGENTS. I look forward to your response to this letter. Thank you, Jean M. Walker Copies to UI and Iowa City officials SVENDSEN TYLER, INC. N3834 DEEP LAKE ROAD SARONA, WISCONSIN 54870 715/469-33oo FAX: 715/469-33OO EMAIL: SVENDSENTYLER@ CENTURYTEL.NET April 3, 2004 Jean Walker 335 Lucon Dr. Iowa City, Iowa 52246 Dear Jean, Earlier this week you asked me to share some comments about my thoughts regarding the history of the Melrose Neighborhood and why it should be preserved. Some preliminary observations follow. Based on my nearly 30 years of work as an historic preservation professional, including 13 years working on various Iowa City projects, I am confident in saying that the Melrose Historic District is a neighborhood worth preserving. It has a strong sense of neighborhood identity and retains an intact collection of architecturally and historically significant houses. Its historical significance derives from its association with the University of Iowa hospital complex and athletic buildings. Put simply, through the years the people who researched, healed, coached, taught and worked north of Melrose Avenue, frequently lived south of Melrose. Though this physical proximity has been difficult to manage at times in recent years, it is part of what makes the neighborhood special and worth preserving. The proposed Melrose Historic District includes a multi-block neighborhood along and south of Melrose Avenue and the campus of the University of Iowa. As you are aware, this district is currently being considered for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The Melrose Historic District developed in several stages beginning in the late 19th century and extending through the post-World War II period. Its greatest growth was associated with the establishment of the University of Iowa General Hospital and the creation of the buildings for the University's athletic programs during the late 1920s. Staff and faculty for these facilities needed housing, and the mixture of small and large lots available in Custer's Addition and the Brookland Park Addition located south of Melrose Avenue and north of Brookland Park provided ideal home sites. Seventy years later, the Melrose Neighborhood tells the story of this important period in the history of the University.of Iowa, its hospitals, and its athletic programs. Architecturally, the neighborhood retains an important collection of diverse, architecturally significant houses and small cottages. A handful of older residences along Melrose Avenue, a state road laid out in 1853 to connect Iowa City to points west, convey the history of the area before the West Side Campus of the University was established. The balance of the neighborhood contains well- preserved examples of Craftsman Style bungalows, Georgian and Colonial Revival Style houses, and English Period Cottages located along narrow streets and picturesque drives. The Melrose Neighborhood's historic associations with the University of Iowa, its hospitals and athletic programs, and its collection of late 19th century and early 20th domestic architecture certainly make it worth preserving. National Register designation of the proposed Melrose Historic District will strongly reinforce the neighborhood's special character. In so doing, residents of Iowa City as well as visitors to the community and the University of Iowa Hospital will have a heightened awareness of its historic interest and aesthetic charm. Designation of historic districts in other neighborhoods in Iowa City as well as in other areas of the country has lead to their preservation and stabilization. National Register designation will encourage the same positive future for the Melrose Neighborhood. Sincerely, Marlys Svendsen, Historic Preservation Consultant Marian Karr 3~~f9 From: p.mcnichol [p.mcnichol@mchsi.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 6:59 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city,org Subject: Visual Preference Survey Dear Council Member, 1 participated in the Visual Preference Survey on a recent Saturday. After I completed the survey it occurred to me how fortunate 1 am that I live in a city that would even give me the opportunity to indicate my preferences on how I want my town to look. I want to express my appreciation for that opportunity. Thank you! I am an Iowa City native, and it matters to me very much how my hometown presents itself. I trust the information gained from this survey will help the planning and zoning folks when they do the task of re-writing the zoning regulations. I'm sure there are constituencies who want development to occur in a way that benefits their particular interests. Actually, that includes me since I want my neighborhood to be protected (even though it's already pretty much a disaster of litter and trash)! However, 1 trust that the P&Z staffand the Council will take the survey results seriously, whatever they may be, and will let the people speak about the kinds of neighborhoods and streetscapes in which they would like to live. Again, thanks. Respectfully, Patty McNichol 817 E. Bloomington St. 4/20/04 ICH e-newsletter Marian Karr From: United States Interagency Council on Homelessness [ichnews@setechnology.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 3:12 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: ICH e-newsletter !~ US ICH Seal " The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness e-newsletter Reporting on Innovative Solutions to End Homelessness 04.2:1.04 Partners In a Vision In this issue... · NAMI ENDORSES NAMI ENDORSES SAMARITAN SAMARITAN INITIATIVE; CALLS FEDERAL FOCUS INITIATIVE; CALLS FEDERAL FOCUS "LONG OVERDUE" "LONG OVERDUE" · DENVER WINS OVER $:1,000,000 IN NEW The National Alliance for the Mentally III (NAMI), the TARGETED HOMELESS nation's largest organization serving individuals with RESOURCES severe mental illness and their families, has endorsed · RALEIGH/WAKE COUNTY H.R. 4057, the Samaritan Initiative, citing research GO PUBLIC AND MORE NC that shows that persons with severe mental illness and MAYORS BACK 10-YEAR co- occurring substance abuse disorders are PLANNING PROCESSES disproportionately represented among persons · LOS ANGELES REGION experiencing chronic homelessness. NANII's national WINS RECORD FUNDS IN membership is composed of 210,000 members and SUPPORT OF PRISONER 1,200 affiliates. REENTRY AND HOMELESS VETERANS Tn a letter to H.R. 4057 sponsor Representative Rick . FEDERAL PARTNER Renzi of Arizona, NAIVlI's Acting Executive Director PROFILE: DEPARTMENT OF Michael Fitzpatrick stated, "Focusing federal policy on VETERANS AFFAIRS chronic homelessness and strategies oriented toward · DID YOU KNOW... permanent solutions is long overdue. H.R. 4057 is a · INTRODUCING THE critical step forward in shifting policy and resources COUNCIL'S REGIONAL toward chronic homelessness and permanent solutions COORDINATORS: for states and communities. Your legislation will ensure CARLETON LEWIS~ REGION that efforts to address chronic homelessness stretch II COORDINATOR across all of the federal agencies responsible for · FEDERAL SURPLUS addressing the full range of housing and support PROPERTY service needs of individuals that experience chronic homelessness. This interagency approach is critical to achieving successful outcomes and reaching the goal of ending chronic homelessness for as many as 150,000 individuals and families." H.R. 4057, the Samaritan Tnitiative legislation, was introduced on March 30 by Congressman Rick Renzi of Arizona with bipartisan support from 11 Republican and Democrat House members. The introduction of the bill is the first step in the legislative process to bring to fruition the Samaritan Initiative proposal outlined in the Administration's FY 05 budget to provide new federal housing and supportive services resources specifically targeted to the goal of ending chronic homelessness in ten years. 4/21/04 ICH e-newsletter Page 2 of 6 NAMI Letter DENVER WINS OVER $1,000,000 IN NEW TARGETED L: I1 HOMELESS RESOURCES Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper last week announced over $1,000,000 in new [~ funding from three federal agencies to address housing and service needs of chronically homeless and homeless veterans populations. Denver received $500,000 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HOME funds targeted to persons experiencing chronic homelessness, HUD Secretary Jackson's first public announcement after his Senate confirmation, as well as up to $800,000 for VA Per Diem beds for homeless veterans, and selection as a site for a Social Security Administration Homeless Outreach Projects and Evaluation (HOPE) grant. "I am tremendously grateful for this funding for Denver," Mayor Hickenlooper said. "It rewards the efforts of our community-based Commission on Homelessness, which has been working aggressively since November to develop short-term and long-term solutions to the many challenges faced by our homeless residents. We will use this funding to create housing for some of our chronically homeless residents, as a first step in helping them stabilize their lives." Up to $800,000 of the funds were awarded to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for three year support of transitional housing and supportive services for homeless veterans. The Mayor (shown second from right) was joined by (left to right) U.S. Department of Labor Deputy Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training Charles Ciccolella, VA Homeless Veterans Programs Director Pete Dougherty, VA Rocky Mountain Network Director Lawrence Biro, HUD Region VIII Director John Carson, Council Executive Director Philip Mangano, and Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director John Parvensky (far right). Council Executive Director Mangano, noting that Denver is also an award site for last year's Collaborative Initiative to End Chronic Homelessness, pointed out that the recent awards position Denver second among all cities in the country in homelessness resources announced at the U.S. Interagency Council meeting earlier this month. Denver, at work on a 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness initiated by Mayor Hickenlooper, was one of only two cities to claim awards in all three agency funding categories announced on April 1. Read more about the recent HUD, SSA, and VA awards >> RALEIGH/WAKE COUNTY GO PUBLIC AND MORE NC []:1 MAYORS BACK lO-YEAR PLANNING PROCESSES Last week this newsletter reported that the Raleigh/Wake County lO-Year Plan was the 100th plan endorsed by jurisdictional CEO's in the country. On Friday at a press conference at Raleigh's historic St. Augustine's College, Council Executive Director Philip Mangano publicly congratulated Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and Wake County Commissioner Kenn Gardner and city and county staff and stakeholders for their commitment. Additionally, since Raleigh's commitment, eight other mayors and county executives have announced the beginning of 10-year planning processes. Mayors of Asheville and Winston-Salem, North Carolina, also publicly launched 10- year planning processes during the week. Council Executive Director Mangano travelled to North Carolina for meetings with jurisdictional leaders across the state. Asheville Mayor Charles Worley and Buncombe County Vice Chairman Bill Stanley, Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory, Henderson Mayor Donald Seifert, Jr., Salisbury 4/21/04 1CH e-newsletter Page 3 of 6 Mayor Susan Kluttz, and Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines all participated in meetings on 10-Year Plans, the Administration's Samaritan Initiative, and federal investments to end chronic homelessness. Pictured at the Raleigh/Wake County press conference are: (front row, left to right) Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker, Council Executive Director Mangano, Wake County Commissioner Phil Jeffries, and St. Augustine's College President Dianne Boardley Suber; and (back row, left to right) Triangle United Way President and Ending Homelessness Steering Committee Co-Chair Craig Chancellor, Ending Homelessness Steering Committee Co-Chair Scott Cutler, Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Kenn Gardner, Representative Brad Miller, Representative David Price, and Wake County Continuum of Care Co-Chair Jeanne Tedrow. LOS ANGELES REGION WINS RECORD FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF PRISONER REENTRY AND HOMELESS VETERANS Los Angeles will benefit from new federal funding awards to improve outcomes for I prisoner reentry and homeless veterans. Recent federal funding awards for Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and several surrounding communities placed the region first in the nation in securing these funds. The Volunteers of America (VOA) organization was chosen pending final review for the Social Security Administration's (SSA) new Homeless Outreach Projects and Evaluation (HOPE) awards. SSA will train VOA staff to assist in processing applications with a focus on individuals being released from the county jail. The Los Angeles PATH program received funds for up to three years for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Per Diem transitional beds. North Hollywood and Santa Monica also received VA awards to provide community-based beds for homeless veterans. Council Executive Director Philip Mangano joined Los Angeles Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Renata Simril, Los Angeles Director of Homeless Services Armen Ross, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Director Mitchell Netburn, and Chief Chuck Jackson of the LA Sheriff's Department for an announcement on April 13. VOA will also receive a Department of Labor grant in partnership with The Salvation Army, enabling the two organizations to work with homeless veterans in the county jail to provide job readiness training and education opportunities. Upon release, individuals can access VOA transitional housing and job development services. Additional benefits include work clothes, tools, transportation, literacy classes, and computer skills. VOA's President Bob Pratt commented on the awards, stating, "The transition from jail to a productive, stable life is difficult. Our ability to ease people into jobs and housing significantly reduces recidivism." Council Director Mangano noted, "These awards represent a further deepening of resources for both intervention and prevention to end the national disgrace of homelessness." Pictured at the LA event are: (left to right) VOA Board Chair Klm Caldwell, Ocean Park Community Center Executive Director John Maced, VOA Executive Director Bob Pratt, Council Director Mangano, LA Homeless Services Authority Executive Director Mitchell Netburn, Mayor's Homeless Director Armen Ross, and representatives of Special Services for Groups. 4/21/04 ICH e-newsletter Page 4 of 6 FEDERAL PARTNER PROFILE: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS i On April 1, 2004, Secretary Anthony Principi became the first Department of [ [] Veterans Affairs Secretary to chair the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. An undaunted supporter of ICH since President Bush revitalized the Council in March 2002, Secretary Principi believes that the work of the Administration in leading the effort to end chronic homelessness is vital to the well- being of homeless veterans. Secretary Principi stated at the April 1 Council meeting, "My thanks to the members of the Interagency Council and your Departments for all you do. The commitment of this Administration as reflected by your work is evident and very encouraging and will stay the course." Secretary Principi oversees a Department that provides medical care to a range of eligible beneficiaries, including eligible homeless veterans, through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and the VA's Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), which provides economic benefits to assistance to veterans and eligible dependents. VA operates the largest integrated network of services, benefits, and programs to address the treatment, rehabilitation and residential needs of the nation's homeless veteran population. Since the vast majority of homeless veterans suffer from serious medical and mental illnesses, including substance use disorders, VHA's clinical staffs provide direct health care services to homeless veterans. In FY 2002, VHA provided medical and mental health treatment to approximately 100,000 homeless veterans. Overall responsibility for coordination of homeless issues and programs resides in the Office of Homeless Veterans Programs, which oversees all internal and external efforts to assist homeless veterans. VHA's specialized homeless services programs include the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program (HCHV) and its component programs: Grant and Per Diem Program, Supported Housing Program, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Veteran Affairs Supported Housing Program (HUD-VASH), Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program (DCHV), Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program, and Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residence Program (CWT/TR). In FY 2002, VHA's specialized homeless veterans programs served 79,000 homeless veterans. In 2002, VHA's HCHV Program staff provided outreach, treatment, and referral services to 61,000 homeless veterans, which was a 5% increase over 2001. VA's 35 DCHV programs provided 5,500 episodes of treatment and rehabilitation to homeless veterans. For homeless veterans provided residential care in either a community- based program or a DCHV program, (approximately 10,100 homeless veterans), 77% were either independently housed or moved to another housing program at discharge, and 64% were employed or were participating in Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) at discharge. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) initiated action to create full-time homeless coordinators at the 20 largest offices and part- time coordinators at smaller offices to assist homeless service providers and expedite benefit claims. VA Homeless Programs >> DID YOU KNOW... That the U.S. Department of Labor has fine tuned the successful Job Corps Program Lo be more accommodating to young people aging out of the foster care system. The Departments of Labor (DOL) and Health and Human Services (HHS) have successfully >artnered to ensure that foster care youth, who are named as an eligible population in .lob Corps' authorizing language, are now the focus of improved outreach and tracking for the .lob Corps program. This increased outreach is targeted to an at risk population that has been shown to be at high risk of homelessness when leaving 4/21/04 ICH e-newsletter Page 5 of 6 public care. National research has shown that about 25% of foster care youth fall into homelessness within two years of "aging out" of state foster care systems. Job Corps services help prevent foster care and runaway youth from becoming homeless by providing education and training opportunities for at-risk young adults ages 16 -24 years old. Job Corps is primarily a residential program, providing needed residential stability to support young people in the community while they are learning a skill or trade or earning a GED..lob Corps operates 118 Job Corps Centers in 48 states and Puerto Rico where participants receive comprehensive academic and vocational training services, as well as health care and other services. Because of increased outreach efforts that align Job Corps opportunities with state foster care systems, Job Corps has significantly increased the numbers of young adults served who are identified as foster care, homeless or runaway youth. DOL has estimated that more than 2,000 such young people were served by the program in 2003, compared to 200 in 2001. The estimated cost of providing Job Corps training to foster care, homeless and runaway youth for Program Year 2003 was approximately $49,610,000. Read more... >> INTRODUCING THE COUNCIL'S REGIONAL COORDINATORS: CARLETON LEWIS, REGION H COORDINATOR With this issue, the e-newsletter continues its profiles of the Council's Regional Coordinators. Through partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Council has Regional Coordinators in the ten federal regions. The Coordinators are charged with convening regional representatives of federal agencies as a Federal Regional Interagency Council that mirrors work among the federal partners in Washington. Key among the goals for the Regional Councils is to work collaboratively to make federal resources more available and accessible to homeless people. The Regional Coordinators are a key resource for fostering the creation of Governor-endorsed state interagency councils on homelessness and jurisdictional 10- year plans to end chronic homelessness, endorsed by Nayors, County Executives, and City IHanagers. Carleton Lewis is the Council's Region II Coordinator, responsible for Council initiatives in New York and New Jersey. The region has an active Regional Federal Interagency Council which meets monthly and has included participation by representatives of the Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Labor, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Social Security Administration. There are ten city/county 10-year planning processes underway in the region. Both New York and New Jersey have state interagency councils on homelessness. Mr. Lewis previously served as the Vice President of Operations at the United Way of Essex and West Hudson. He was an Operations Specialist for HUD's New York/New .lersey Regional Director's office, and served as liaison between the Regional Director's Office and the Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC) in New York and New Jersey. He represented HUD in Community Development Projects in Far Rockaway, Public Safety Initiatives in Bedford Stuyvesant, and Special Collaborative Initiatives in Harlem, as well as HUD's faith-based initiatives. Mr. Lewis was one of three New York HUD employees assigned to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEI'4A) on the response to the September 1! attacks. 4/21/04 ICH e-newsletter Page 6 of 6 FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY Nonprofit organizations, units of local government, and States are eligible to apply. Properties may be used for a wide variety of programs and services for homeless people, including, but not limited to, emergency shelters, transitional housing (with occupancy limited to 24 months), food banks, job training, storage facilities, or administrative space. All programs and activiLies must be operated in a manner that is consistent with Federal civil rights and non- discrimination laws. Each Friday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) publishes a list in the Federal Register and briefly describes properties determined to be suitable and available. There are two ways to access the weekly listing. 1. Contact your local HUD office or call 1-800-927-7588 to receive information on properties in your area. 2. Visit the Federal Register online at ........ http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html, Choose browse and then back issues, and then select the most recent Friday issue. For general questions about the Title V program, information about suitability criteria, information about the status of HUD's review of individual properties, or to be put on HUD's mailing list to be informed as properties become available in your area, call HUD at its toll-free number - 1-800-927-7588 - or write to: Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs, U.S. Department of HUD, Room 7262, 451 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20410. Or, visit HUD's Title V web page at http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/homeless/programs/tS/ index.cfm Quick Links... · US ICH Mission · US ICH Council Members emaih ichnews@setech nology.com United States Interagency Council on Homelessness · 45! 7th Street SW - Suite 2200 - Washington - DC · 20410 Send this e-newsletter to a Colleague Powered by ir~ SafeUnsubscribe(TM)j ~ Constant Contact This email was sent to council@iowa-city.org, by Strategic Enterprise Technology, Inc.. Update your profile ITnstant removal with SafeUo~ub~cribeTM I Privacy Policy. 4/21/04 Marian Karr From: Curt Ellis [curtis.ellis@comcast. net] Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 2:11 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: A Request Dear Council Members, I'm looking out the window of my house in Iowa City as I write this - watching the owners of a crumpled Audi and a pickup try to disentangle their front bumpers. I just moved here in January, but I have personally witnessed five accidents at the intersection of Governor and Burlington since then - and I promise I don't just sit at home looking for them! The accident is always the same - one car is driving downhill on Burlington Street, and the other is coming uphill. Both have green lights. The second car attempts to turn left onto Governor Street, and drives right into the first car. The second driver is at fault - and always seems to think that the oncoming traffic will stop when they in fact have a green light, too. Each of the five accidents I've seen could have been prevented. There is a green arrow that tells the second driver when it's all clear to turn left.., but the rest of the time there should be a red arrow. As it is now, the green arrow just disappears and the second driver is expected to know they should yield to oncoming traffic. It's logical, but a lot of people seem to have trouble with it, and somebody's going to get hurt. In the time I've been writing, the two crumpled cars have moved to the roadside. Nobody was hurt, but the airbags popped in the Audi and the truck's bumper is scraping against its tires. The police have been braving a downpour to sweep up, and it all seems like an unfortunate waste and frustration for everyone involved. It seems like a pretty small fix could make this little corner of the city a much safer place. Thanks for your attention. Curt Ellis 217 S. Governor St. Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 337-4046 Marian Karr ~-~ . ,~ ~ From: Dale Helling Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 10:23 AM To: 'curtis.ellis@comcast.net' Cc: *City Council; Jeff Davidson Subject: FW: A Request Mr. Ellis, Thank you for your recent email message to the City Council. Council members do not receive their emails directly and your message will be forwarded to them. I also referred your message to Jeff Davidson, the head of transportation planning for the City and the Johnson County Council of Governments. Jeff's comments below reflect the City's policy of following the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices as the best practice for controlling traffic on the urban streets and highways in Iowa City. The traffic control methods prescribed in the manual reflect standardized signal configurations that should be familiar to most motorists. As Jeff points out, the modification you suggest may improve the situation in one aspect but would likely create a different accident experience. The type of signalization in place at Burlington & Governor is not atypical for intersections where the predominant traffic movement is a left turning movement or where it is not desirable to restrict left turns to a "protected" phase only. I hope you find this information helpful. Dale Helling Assistant City Manager ..... Original Message ..... From: Jeff Davidson Sent: Monday, April 26, 2004 5:32 PM To: Dale Helling Subject: RE: A Request Dale, this intersection allows protected and then permissive left turns EB to NB. The traffic control signage is set up according to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to allow these movements. Protected/Permissive left turns exist throughout Iowa City at our signalized intersections. This allows the intersection to operate with much higher capacity for traffic. You may recall a few years ago we went to protected/permissive left turns on Burlington St downtown and it had a tremendously positive effect on traffic movement. The only place where we limit left turns to protected only (as this person is advocating) are in high speed situations like Hwy 6 where the speeds may cause motorists to make bad decisions on an adequate gap for turning. We would expect going to protected left turns only at Burlington/Governor to reduce right angle collisions as Mr. Ellis suggests, but increase rear-end crashes as well as overall intersection capacity. ..... Original Message ..... From: Curt Ellis [mailto:curtis.ellis@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 2:11 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: A Request 1 Dear Council Members, I'm looking out the window of my house in Iowa City as I write this - watching the owners of a crumpled Audi and a pickup try to disentangle their front bumpers. I just moved here in January, but I have personally witnessed five accidents at the intersection of Governor and Burlington since then - and I promise I don't just sit at home looking for them! The accident is always the same - one car is driving downhill on Burlington Street, and the other is coming uphill. Both have green lights. The second car attempts to turn left onto Governor Street, and drives right into the first car. The second driver is at fault - and always seems to think that the oncoming traffic will stop when they in fact have a green light, too. Each of the five accidents I've seen could have been prevented. There is a green arrow that tells the second driver when it's all clear to turn left.., but the rest of the time there should be a red arrow. As it is now, the green arrow just disappears and the second driver is expected to know they should yield to oncoming traffic. It's logical, but a lot of people seem to have trouble with it, and somebody's going to get hurt. In the time I've been writing, the two crumpled cars have moved to the roadside. Nobody was hurt, but the airbags popped in the Audi and the truck's bumper is scraping against its tires. The police have been braving a downpour to sweep up, and it all seems like an unfortunate waste and frustration for everyone involved. It seems like a pretty small fix could make this little corner of the city a much safer place. Thanks for your attention. Curt Ellis 217 S. Governor St. Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 337-4046 THE JOHNSON COUNTY TASK FORCE ON AGING Heritage Area Agency on Aging April 20, 2004 Iowa City City Council 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 ATTENTION: Ernie Lehman, Ross Wilburn, Mike O'Donnell, Dee Vanderhoef, Connie Champion, Regenia Bailey, and Bob Elliott Dear Councilors: Enclosed is a copy of the Senior Center/Dining Report prepared by a committee of the Johnson County Task Force. Because of your position of leadership and your personal interest and concern for seniors, we are sharing with you the committee's observations and recommendations. One of the missions of the Johnson County Task Force is to idemify and advocate for the needs of older persons, promote new and existing programs and policies that address those needs. We believe that this report addresses itself to this mission, and we hope you will find it useful. The Committee was chaired by Pat Ephgrave and consisted of Eve Casserly, Lee McGovern, Betty Kelly, Betty McKray, Julie Dancer, Irene Bowers and June Braverman. This report was presented to the Johnson County Task Force at its April 2004 meeting, and was approved for distribution. We would be happy to discuss any part or all of this report with you. Our hope is that this report will result in improved services for the seniors of Johnson County. Respectfully, Robert Welsh, Task Force Chair Pat Ephgrave, Committee Chair Robert L. Welsh 84 Pengo Drive Iowa City, Iowa 354-4618 welshbob~aol.com A Report on the Dining Sites and Senior Centers of Johnson County Executive Summary ...................................... p. Prologue ........................................................ p. 3 Congregate Meal Participation .................... p. 4 Satellite Study ............................................... p. 5 Satellite Study Conclusions ........................ p. 6 Iowa City/Johnson County Study ............... p. 6 Iowa City/Johnson County Conclusions...p. 7 Recommendations ....................................... p. 9 Addenda: OAA Congressional Declaration of Objectives Preparedby the Senior Center/Dining Site Committee of the Johnson County Task Force on Aging Heritage Area Agency on Aging Executive Summary Following the change in the funding and fee charges of the iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center (ICJC), t~e Johnson County Task Force on Aging (JCTFA) decided to examine the condition of congregate dining and associated programs at sites throughout the county. The programs are under the Older Americans Act of 1965 which partially funds congregate meals. We applied objectives of the OAA. We found six satellite centers (Autumn Park, Coralville, Emerson Point, Hills,, North Liberty, and Solon) which receive their meals from the ICJC, and one other small site, Lone Tree, all of which we surveyed together. The (JCTFA) study considered these factors in each dining site: Location Site Social and Activities Program Staff Kitchen Site Self-Appraisal. Most had important social functions especially at small sites which have a sense of camaraderie and client ownership. Where the managers know their clients there are parties for holidays and birthdays to make the site homelike and special. However there were problems. The basic site dining needs were: information: no site provided resource or service information by speakers or brochures. meals: deficiencies in serving warm food and having adequate quantities, accurate menus, and special diets. publicity: little attempt to attract and keep clients. programs: few attempts at socialization for clients before or after meals. communication: limited to menus, need to share ideas on other problems. transportation, lack SEATS service to seniors and some parking difficulties. © Page I ~.{7: -- The host dining site, ICJC, had similar problems with its dining program, plus the difficulties of divided responsibility and planning by two organizations: the Senior Center and Elder Services. It also lacked meaningful input by seniors chosen by participants in both organizational structures. The Senior Center does not serve as a resource center for information or for one-stop services. Our recommendations are: 1. to keep and improve the congregate meal program in Johnson county. 2. to strengthen and improve cooperation between the dining program and the ICJC senior center, perhaps with one administrator over all. 3. to have the senior center be known as a welcoming and sharing place with its staffs modeling welcoming and caring behavior, serving the senior population with programs and services, and sharing its expertise with the dining site/senior centers throughout the county. 4. to have participants choose representatives to any program advisory boards. 5. to have the ICJC dining site through education and outreach encourage participants to raise their average donation closer to the new suggestion of $2.75 for the meal which now costs $3.75. 6. to have ICJC and Elder Services establish community outreach programs to seniors and to get community support, and to provide information to seniors. 7. to consider the June Braverman, Ph.D. report to the Iowa City Council suggesting the ICJC increase partnerships (particularly with other government departments and agencies), and promote programming, volunteering and marketing. 8. to have the ICJC rely less on city funding and campaign to get diverse sources such as grants and fund drives as a financial hedge. 9. to have the City of Iowa City consult with Johnson County on cooperating administratively and financially to best serve the senior citizens of Johnson county. This report is offered in the spirit of the Older Americans Act which calls on s~ior citizens to participate in the organizations and activities designed for th~ welfd~e. Page 2 ~ -~' A Report on the Dining Sites and Senior Centers of Johnson County Studied in the Fall of 2003 PROLOGUE In the spring of 2003 after the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior decided to charge membership fees due to financial reasons, the John~s~0~Co~ty Task Force on Aging (JCTFA) resolved to look at the status of dining sites the county. We knew social, recreational, and broad educational experien~s offend by the Senior Center would be altered, and as a county task force, we wantea~to survey programs throughout the county. We determined that the Older Americans Act (see addenda) and the principles of the Congressional Declaration of Objectives would be our guide. The Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965, as amended, is interested in the health and welfare of Older Americans, which at that time was a serious probiem for the many poverty-level seniors. The federal act encourages the states to set up programs addressing the concerns of older citizens in nutrition, transportation, housing, employment, long-term care, community services, and participation in civic, education, training, and recreational activities. When first conceived, nutrition needs of the elderly was a major concern as a higher percentage of seniors were at or below the poverty level. The meal program was designed to provide them with a third of their recommended dietary allowances. This was successful as participants had a a significantly higher percentage of their daily requirements than non-participants. But it was recognized that to keep seniors active in their community they needed food for their psyche as well, so the programs encouraged socialization and education. In 1980 there were 10,679 seniors aged 55 and over in Johnson county. In 2000 there were 12,286. While the numbers of seniors in poverty has thankfully declined and the proportion of those needing the congregate meal program has dropped, there is still a need which should not be ignored. To help seniors to live productive lives in the community rather than retreating in isolation to depression and nursing home care, the socialization aspects of the program are vital. A report by Heidi Silver for the National Policy and Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging listed three benefits of maintaining a congregate meals program: social interaction with other older adults, opportunities to volunteer,and access to a variety of activities and social services. Nationally, seventy percent of congregate meal participants also are involved in recreational activities at their site, so this has implications for our Senior Center and the community. In Iowa City, church and civic groups first began a nutrition program in 1973, and in 1975 Johnson County authorized a kitchen in Close Mansion. At the urging of community groups, the Senior Center (the old Post Office) was now owned by Iowa Page 3 City. When the Senior Center opened in 1981, the kitchen was transferred to it. With the establishment of the federally assisted Senior Center, many community service programs for senior citizens found a site. Today only a few services for seniors are to be found there. However, a congregate dining site still is there and is supposed to offer educational, recreational, and social activities. CONGREGATE MEAL PARTICIPATION Are congregate meals important if use is down? The main reasons for meal decline the Silver Report found were: lack of knowledge about the program, inadequate transportation, social discomfort in asking for assistance, poor health, and dissatisfaction with foods served. The latter is important; two dining sites out of the county in Vinton and Wellman have successful food programs which draw seniors out of their area. For some, the answer to the menu problems is a dine-out program. To increase participation, the Silver Report found these components of a successful program: Choice in menu, including cultural & dietary choices Attractive presentation of food Knowledgeable and friendly staff Pleasant, welcoming, supportive environment Participant input & volunteer opportunities Adequate transportation & parking Variety of programs, services & activities Widespread publicity and outreach Another reason for the decline in congregate meals, as the South Dakota Adult Services and Aging reports, is the changed focus of the OAA. W~th limited funds, attention switched from broad community services for seniors to health-related, long-term care services for the frail elderly at risk for institutionalization. The changed emphasis involved all levels of government and left less support for congregate meals. Ironically, this change may exacerbate the real problem of institutionalization the OAA is trying to meet. The Task Force has been involved with the new emphasis on long-term care. Our booklet on Assisted Living is on the Web for the Department of Elder Affairs, and we were invited to participate in conferences on long-term care and revision of state regulations on assisted living. So we appreciate and support the thrust of state and national efforts regarding long-term care services. But this does not mean that the community should abandon one program because another currently needs top priority. Congregate meals and active senior centers are still important in Johnson county to keep an involved and healthy senior population. Therefore, while looking at some public services to seniors in Johnson county, it is in Page 4 the dining component that JCTFA began our study. The current subcontractor for nutrition from the Heritage Aroa Agency on Aging is Elder Services. They have had the contract since 2002 when Heritage changed from Johnson County to Elder Services as the nutrition subcontractor. The ICJC site prepares the meals for several satellites and for home delivery. As the ICJC Senior Center has provided educational, recreational, and social activities on site, Elder Services only provided congregate meals. Volunteers at some small sites offered some social/recreational activities. As Heritage and the Task Force discussed this situation with the ICJC dining site, changes were and are being made. A hostess was hired and some activities began in December of 2003. We recommended that Elder Services develop and support a cooperative exchange of ideas among the various sites. They are now attempting to do this by opening a conversation with the Senior Center staff. After several months, no more is known. SATELLITE STUDY The Johnson County Task Force study originally looked at these fac~r~:~n ,~ch:~ county dining sites: Location (ex. access, parking), Site (ex. safety, appearance), Kitchen (ex. layout, on-site & delivery meals), Staff (ex. staff & volunteers, interaction), Social and Activities Program ( ex. space, types of programs and service), Site Self-Appraisal (ex. needs, plans). Johnson County has one multipurpose senior center, ICJC, so the six satellite centers (Autumn Park, Coralville, Emerson Point, Hills,, North Liberty, and Solon) which receive their meals from the ICJC, and one other small site, Lone Tree, we grouped together for comparison. Those visits, at least one per site, consisted of two to seven committee members. Visits to other Iowa sites consisted of four to seven members; visits to senior centers outside of Iowa were by single members. Congregate meals at Johnson county's small sites are offered at varying frequencies: between twice a month at North Liberty to daily at Autumn Park and and Emerson Point. Two sites were in apartment complexes, two were in churches, and three were in community or recreation centers. All were on the first floor, and all but one were easily handicap accessible. Only two had bus service, but parking was adequate in small lots or on the street. The kitchens were all clean and well-maintained. Kitchens in churches were larger with excellent facilities. All satellite participants, whether through a sense of duty or of social pressure, contributed the $2.50 suggested at that time. (Raised on April 1,2004 to $2.75.) Most had one or two staff members and the assistance of volunteers. To the dismay of its clients, one site, Coralville, has groat trouble finding steady staff. Volunteers at all sites must go to ICJC to get the meals which aro then kept warm. Several sites are struggling to meet their projected daily average of meals (Autumn Park, Coralville, Hills, and Solon) and Page 5 to maintain paid staff (Hills and Solon). Few have any system for displaying informational booklets or announcements, and those that do are constrained by space or lack of racks and use table displays. At the time of our visits, three had bingo, card, puzzles, etc. Some have parties on birthdays or holidays. Six of the sites are looking for program help to improve socialization. Their perceived needs (by at least two sites) are: for meals: better food warming, quantity control (frequently short servings despite a reservation system), special diets increase number of meals offered (Coralville and North Liberty) for publicity: need outreach program, notices for new clients, pamphlet racks for program: improve socialization to attract and keep clients meal service, would like program of speakers, etc. for education and entertainment, for cooperation: willing to work with other sites, for funding: one center is trying to expand as part of a community c_~ ter al~ wants to enlarge a kitchen, washrooms, and meeting/activity rooms. for transportation: restore SEATS senior service SATELLITE STUDY CONCLUSIONS .~ Elder Services needs to be responsible for the many elements composi~g a g~i~d dining/senior center program, whether working in partnership with other agencies or communities, or assuming the role itself . While each locality is different in its population, needs, and the resources which can be brought to bear, some countywide support and cooperation is necessary. Each and every small site cannot be expected to have expertise to meet the varying needs such as we reported. There are notable differences among the sites. While participants at all sites were friendly, some seemed to have a great deal of camaraderie and a sense of "ownership" of their site. In varying degrees they engaged in various social activities and volunteered with the setup and cleanup. In one case, besides the paid director, they had a group organization and with the support of the whole community, had purchased a van to help alleviate transportation problems. Seniors participating in the planning and operation of community-based services and programs provided for their benefit, as in Solon, plus enthusiasm, caring, and dedication by staff do make a positive difference among the sites. IOWA CITY/JOHNSON COUNTY STUDY The JCTFA study continued to look at the same six factors at the ICJC Senior Center: location, site, kitchen, staff, social activities & programs, self-appraisal. We evaluated ICJC by visiting other large centers in and out of Iowa. Page 6 The location which was ideal in the 1980's because of Iowa City's smaller population and the proximity of senior/Iow cost housing, is not as ideal today: parking was simpler then. Today, the increased population, apartments with insufficient parking, loss of senior SEATS, and more students filling up the Tower ramp, make the Senior Center less accessible to those served. This is negatively impacting all aspects of the Senior Center program. The parking ramp bridge is convenient, but lack of parking sites for seniors with mobility problems near the ramp is a concern. The front entrance has many steps, although the side entrance and elevator provide easy access. These are problems which relate to a downtown site and are shared by other cities, e.g. Cedar Rapids. The site itself is in good condition and a well maintained historic structure. Unfortunately, senior centers taking over downtown properties, such as ICJC or Witwer in Cedar Rapids cannot offer the ease and flexibility of use, or changes in programming that are offered by recant structures built to serve seniors. The ideal is the one story facility such as the Center for Active Seniors, Inc. (CASl) in Davenport, or senior centers in Loveland, CO, Bloomington, MN, or Sioux Falls, SD all of which have or are planning programs difficult to add here. (For example, beauty shops and complete fitness centers with trainers and showers.) The kitchen at ICJC is crowded but functional. They prepare 325-350 meals of which 70-90 are consumed at ICJC, 95-110 go to the satellite sites, and 125-135 are home deliveries. There are 5 paid staff supplemented by volunteers. Volunteers and staff are very friendly to clients; but clients have limited interaction with the new site manager and none with the supervisor. The dining room is kept clean and sparkling, but there is no nutrition or participant council. The menu is occasionally inaccurate and quantities short. The ICJC participants' average donation for the 2nd quarter of '03-'04 was $1,65 per meal. There are occasional volunteers providing music, and art works are frequently on display. There are no racks to shoW announcements or social services to the diners. As mentioned earlier, new programs to provide socialization activities are being initiated by Elder Services. Still, we found the dining program at ICJC has many of the same concerns as the satellite sites regarding their meals, publicity, program, and transportation (see above). And, programs at all sites can be limited when sharing their site space, particularly for finding storage space. IOWA CITY/JOHNSON COUNTY CONCLUSIONS: Every site has challenges: Witwer is having access difficulties, and CASl is getting a different population mix. All senior centers are trying to keep their congregate meals fitting the needs of their particular community. Despite their prot[-~ms, ~hat distinguishes the Witwer and CASI dining programs is their obviou,%---~elco~ng attitude and their willingness to innovate. ~ :~ -F~ Page 7 --~ ? ~ -FI ,-7 r,,.) The Witwer "Learning Lunch" is a case in point. Interesting or entertaining speakers on such topics as butterflies, sports, fishing, health topics, etc. are presented once a month and can be shared with satellites to include all seniors in the program. CASI (and Sioux Falls) have large, bright areas used for coffee, snacks, and conversation. These are well used. CASl, which is a meal satellite receiving them from a local provider, is thinking of moving its congregate meals, in the future, to an attached cottage for adult day care. It will then convert its meal program to a cafe to attract those interested in a lighter lunch. To encourage meaningful senior input, CASl has an Advisory Board which gives input to their goveming board. Among its members are the participant-chosen seniors who head up such activities as bingo, etc. The missions statements of the three centers are quite similar: to provide respect, programs, services, and activities to meet the needs of seniors. To meet these needs, most large centers offer an array of information on racks, etc. and usually access or referrals to service agencies besides the nutrition program. ICJC is deficient in this regard. Regarding nutrition needs, WitWer runs its own while CASI and ICJC have separate dining programs. However in all centers we visited, participants view the dining and senior center as one. And this is where there is a breakdown at ICJC. For above all, it is the obvious welcoming attitude and caring spirit at the Davenport and Cedar Rapids senior centers, which happen to house meal programs, which makes the whole programs special . An Iowa City resident who formedy attended CASI, remarked, "The most important thing about them is the way they welcomed and treated you." As noted, the needs of the ICJC dining site conclusions are similar to the satellites: for meals: better food warming, accurate menus, quantity control, diet menus for publicity: need an outreach program, to attract clients, pamphlet racks, for program: improve socialization with games and activities, would like program of speakers, etc. for education and entertainment, for cooperation: willing to work with other sites, for transportation: restore SEATS service for seniors, increase parking for information: more display racks and storage space A unified organizational structure managing the ICJC or a cooperative joint approach to program planning and scheduling would better serve the needs of senior citizens in Johnson county. Both Cedar Rapids and Davbnport have a single director responsible for dining and program services at the site. This is important not just for the congregate meal program, but also for its effect on the ICJC senior center itself. As one of our Task Force committee members put it, "1 attend the senior dining almost daily...(I) am having a hard time fitting all the activities into my schedule. I think it is vital that the senior center and the meals program work together." There is a symbiotic relationship between a congregate meal program of some sort and a,-vJtal senior center. The Silver Report, mentioned eadier, reported that 70~)~ of rt~al participants stay for activities. Page 8 ~. r- A greater sense of ownership among the participants should be encouraged, perhaps by the activities and programs offered at the dining site, and perhaps by more client involvement in planning the program or helping to choose those who are involved. Both these options are part of the congressional objectives for seniors: ".... full participation in the planning and operation of community-based services and programs provided for their benefit...' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IOWA CITY/JOHNSON COUNTY DINING SITE How can services to senior citizens be improved? In addition to keeping and improving the congregate meal program in Johnson county, we urge strengthening and improving the cooperation of the dining site program and the ICJC senior center, perhaps with one administrator over all. The senior center should be known a welcoming and sharing institution with its staffs modeling welcoming and caring behavior, and serving the local population with programs, services, and expertise which are then shared with the dining site/senior centers throughout the county. Participants should choose representatives to any and all program advisory boards. Regarding funding, all senior centers visited have some fee system, although it is not a large source of income. VVitwer and CASI, as well as all out-of-state senior centers did not rely on one source, but had a mix of various levels of government support, many grants, fund-raisers, etc. Therefore we urge less reliance by the ICJC on city funding and a campaign to get diverse sources as a financial hedge. We suggest a county-wide program at dining sites put on by the senior center might encourage more county funds. Likewise, through education and outreach, Elder Services should try to raise the meal donation average in Iowa City. All large centers have established community outreach programs to increase senior awareness of activities, get community support, and serve as resource centers of information and services. ICJC and Elder Services should do likewise. We further recommend consideration be given to some action suggestions in the June Braverman, Ph.D. report given to the Iowa City Council, on the ICJC stressing partnerships particularly with other government departments and agencies, and improving programming, volunteering and marketing,. THIS REPORT IS OFFERED IN THE SPIRIT OF THE OLDER AMERIC~,IS)A~ WHICH CALLS ON SENIOR CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN THI~:~ ~ ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES DESIGNED FOR THEIR WEL.I~.~J~E._ .~, ~_ r--~ Page 9 © ~ .~ ~.~, Older Americans Act 65, Title 42; Chapter 35; Subchapter 1; Sec. 3001 Sec. 3001. - Congressional Declaration of Objectives The Congress hereby finds and declares that, in keeping with the traditional American concept of the inherent dignity of the individual in our democratic society, the older people of our Nation are entitled to, and it is the joint and several duty and responsibility of the governments of the United States, of the several States and their political subdivisions, and of [ndian tribes to assist our older people to secure equal opportunity to the full and free enjoyment of the following objectives: I An adequate income in retirement in accordance with the American standard of living. 2 The best possible physical and mental health which science can make available and without regard to economic status. 3 Obtaining and maintaining suitable housing, independently selected, designed and located with reference to special needs and available at costs which older citizens can afford. 4 Full restoration services for those who require institutional care, and a comprehensive array of community-based, long-term care services adequate to appropriately sustain older people in their communities and in their homes, including support to family members and other persons providing voluntary care to older individuals needing long-term care services. 5 Opportunity for employment with no discriminatory personnel practices because of age. 6 Retirement in health, honor, dignity - after years of contribution to the economy. 7 Participating in and contributing to meaningful activity within the widest range of civic, cultural, education and training and recreational opportunities. 8 Efficient community services, including access to Iow-cost transportation, which provide a choice in supported living arrangements and social assistance in a coordinated manner and which are readily available when needed, with emphasis on maintaining a continuum of care for vulnerable older individuals. 9 Immediate benefit from proven research knowledge which can sustain and improve health and happiness. 20) Freedom, independence, and the free exercise of individual init~iye planning and managing their own lives, full participation in the plannm.~S~d operation of community-based services and programs provided for th~ir)-~ene and protection against abuse, neglect, and exploitation Page 10 the community mental health center for mid-eastern iowa 16 April 2004 Your Honor: I am writing to follow up on the request that had been made of you by a community member that you, on the behalf of the city, form a commission to review the delivery of mental health services to our community. Of particular interest was how these services were provided to the members of our comm,u, nity that are homeless. I do not know whether or not you are considering such an action but I did want to offer any services or infmxnation to you that you might find helpful regarding this issue. Sincerely, Execut~veD.i_rector' 507 East College Street · Iowa City, IA 52240 · phone: 319-338-7884 · fax: 319-338-7006 SERVING JOHNSON, CEDAR, IOWA, AND LOUISA COUNTIES Marian Karr From: Tom Widmer Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 2:27 PM To: 'devilchkn@hotmail.com' Cc: Matt Johnson; RJ Winkelhake; Dale Helling; *City Council Subject: RE: Noise Mr. Kelly, The City does have an ordinance (Excessive Noise from Vehicle, 6-4-4A) which covers this violation. In states that no vehicle can play sound equipment on a public street or premises, public or private, so that the sound is audible accross residentail property lines. If a vehicle is upon a public street and producing sound so that you can hear it in your house/apartment, it is in violation of this ordinance. This ordinance is not a perfect solution for your situation in that Lakeside Apartments are private property. However, if a vehicle has the music volume to the point you are stating, we would (and do) take action. Noise vio!ations are responded to only after a complaint, so I encourage you to call the police department. A moving vehicle is many times out of the area by the time we arrive on scene, so the more information you can give us about the vehicle, the better. I hope this gives you the direction you are looking for. It is a frustrating problem, especially as warmer weather arrives. Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions. Captain Tom Widmer 356-5272 ..... Original Message ..... Frown: eggbert [mailto:devilchkn~hotraail.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 4:35 PM To: council~iowa-city.org Subject: Noise Hi, My name is Paul Kelly I live at Lakeside Apts, and have lived here for about 7 years. My question/concern is reguarding loud car stereos. This problem seems to be a constant irritation at lakeside apts at all hours of the day and night. Some of the vehicles passing by are so loud they literally rattle the windows. By the time I get up from sleeping or whatever else I may be doing at that time the vehicle is gone and I therefore cannot call in a plate number to the police. Does the city have a specific law reguarding ther amount of noise a vehicles stereo can produce? I know most cities have a limit to the amount of sound a vehicle can produce and it is usually enforced with a fine. I would greatly appriciate some kind of action/enforcement reguarding this issue. Noise this loud is very unpleasant to say the least, and it is a very frustrating ordeal to call in any particular vehicle. Thank you for reading this, I hope someone can do somthing about this issue! Paul P Kelly 4/21/04  05-04-04 Marian Karr 3f(15) From: Benjamin Lewis [benlewis@avalon.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 8:42 AM To: Dave Elias Cc: *City Council; Rick Fosse; Jon Thomas; Barb Coffey Subject: Re: E-Waste That's great. It's good to know Iowa City has a program like this... I get a lot of questions about it at work. I will definitely make use of it. Thanks, -Ben On Apr 26, 2004, at 7:04 PM, Dave Elias wrote: Thanks for the note. I wanted to let you know that we do have a computer disposal service that's been in place for a year. We received a small grant from DNR to start it up and the initial program was completed the end of March. The old eletronics we collect are shipped to a DNR approved recycler. Please see the attached ad, although it's not current. A new ad will be out next week. Currently, our program works like this when you bring an old computer to the landfill: $5.00 -- one Computer system or TV with 17" screen or less. > $10.00 -- one computer system or TV over a 17" screen. > $.25 per lb. -- bulk electronic waste (If you have a trunk full > a pick-up load, we just weigh it all.) > $2.00 minimum -- (for small electronic stuff like printers, CPUs, > VCRs, etc. that doesn't include a CRT(picture tube)). > You simply pull up to the scale window, pay the fee and unload your > stuff. > Your message sparked my curiosity. I searched through our City > Landfill/Recycling pages en the web site and didn't find any mention > ef this > program. I thought we had it up. So, we'll get right on it and try > to make > it clear. Check back later. > http://www.icgov.org/landfill.htm > > Thanks again for your concern. Hope we can help you out. > > Dave Elias i > Wastewater/Landfill Superintendent > Iowa City > office 319-887-6106 > cell 319-325-1809 > > ..... Original Message ..... > From: Benjamin Lewis [mailto:benlewis@avalon.net] > Sent: Monday, April 26, 2004 5:42 PM > To: council@iowa-city.org > CC: dave-elias@iowa-city.erg; rick-fosse@iowa-city.erg > Subject: E-Waste > > > > It is really hard to get rid of a computer in this town (especially a > Mac). That's why I'm attaching a flier for a program called the E-waste > collection day from the folks in Scott County. I think this would be a > very good idea for Iowa City. > > - Ben Lewis > Iowa City Resident > > > > > *** eSafe scanned this email for malicious content *** > *** IMPORTANT: Do not open attachments from unrecognized senders > > <E waste ad.pdf> Get Rid of Your E-Waste the E-Z Way. Announcing E-Waste Drop-off Collection Event. Calculators Cameras Cassette recorders CD players Electronic Waste Cell phones (e~ I~k-tr(~n' ik Copiers (small, home type) w~st) noun. Computers Also referred to as Keyboards E-Waste. Anything (typing and musical) with a circuit Monitors board and or Mouse cathode ray Printer cartridges (all types) tubes. Does not Printers (ribbon, laser, inkjet) include food Radios preparation or Scanners personal care Stereo receivers appliances. Tape recorders TVs Typewriters (electric) VCRs Video game equipment Remove old, obsolete items from your home that would typically be landfilled. These items contain materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals, which pose a threat to people and the environment if disposed of in your regular garbage. No kitchen or personal care appliances will be accepted. ECR-WSS April 24, 2004 Drop-off Collection P.SRTSTD U.S. Postage 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Waste.· PAID 5640 Carey Avenue, Davenport ~Conlr~l~.~lon Davenport, IA of Scott County Permit #7 RESIDB~TIAL The Waste Commission of Scott County, which operates the P.o. Box 563 POSTAL CUSTOMER Scott Area Landfill and the Scott Area Recycling Center, is Buffalo, IA 52728 holding a drop-off collection event for household e-waste at the Scott Area Recycling Center, located at 5640 Carey Avenue, Davenport, (north of 53rd Street, near Hamilton Technical College) on Saturday, April 24, 2004, only. We will accept the types of e-waste described on the front of this card free of charge from residents on April 24 only. Items must have been used for personal use only, no business waste. Items for this collection must be of reasonable size-such that one person can carry. If you have large items, such as console TVs, please call us, as we accept these only at our Landfill Facility. If you are unable to attend this event, keep in mind the Scott Area Landfill accepts e-waste for a minimal fee during normal business hours. For more information call 381-1300 or visit www, wastecom.com C L-.A -I NOW ACCEPTING ELECTRONICS I I I I I , =1111 , I I I I MELRO~ Iowa City Landfill & Recycling Center Marian Karr From: Bentler, Suzanne [suzanne-bentler@uiowa.edu] Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 9:12 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: dog park April 28, 2004 Ernie Lehman, Ross Wilburn, Connie Champion, Regenia Bailey, Bob Elliott, and Dee Vanderhoef: With the understanding that there are many issues before the council this year, I am writing to urge you to continue your support of one. Please maintain your support of the of£-leash dog park in the Iowa City area. It is my understanding that a proposal for a site for the park will be coming before you soon. I urge you to consider this proposal and veto in favor of the park. There are a good many voting Iowa CiTy dog lovers who wish to exercise their pets within the law and the dog park would allow them te de so. I urge you to vote in favor of the park. Sincerely, Suzanne E. Bentler Iowa City .Dear Council Members, Last September, JCDogPAC made a presentation to the City Council about our need for an off-leash dog park and about our efforts to create such a park. The City staff was kind enough to work with JCDogPAC to find a parcel of land appropriate for park us. I understand your busy agenda, but would just like to remind you how important having an off-leash dog park is to dog owners and their dogs. Please give this important issue your full attention. Our dogs need a safe place to play soon. Thank you,Jane A. Flanigan Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr From: jilljack[diki_256@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 1:47 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: dog park Please, make Iowa City a dog friendly city by adding a dog park. So many to~vns and cities have dog parks, and more and more residence and students have pets that need a place to run and play. It would not only add to all the other wonderful offerings of Iowa City, but also cut down the problem of dogs being off leash thanks Jill Jack 728 dearborn Do you Yahoo!? Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at Yahoo! Hot Jobs 4/27/04 Marian Karr From: neurdo@mchsi.com Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 12:15 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: please support the dog park! Dear Council Members: I am writing to urge your support of JCDogPAC's efforts in establishing an off- leash recreation area for dogs. This endeavor has been highly successful in other towns in Iowa and around the country. It is time that Iowa City afforded a similar amenity to its residents, four-legged or otherwise. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Cherie Marvel 18 Jema Ct. Iowa City Marian Karr From: April Neppl [april-neppl@uiowa.edu] Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 11:37 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Cc: April Neppl Subject: Dog Park With this email I am encouraging the City Council to give their full attention to getting an off leash park for all the dogs and dog lovers of Iowa City. Not owning a dog, I have seen the benefits of one when visiting my daughter in New York. I was skeptical at first, thinking all the dogs would be barking and biting at each other, but was certainly surprised on every daily visit to the park--all the dogs were having a great time--yes there were a few who didn't get along--but they quickly found other dogs to play with. We have taken her dogs to Ryerson Woods, on the leash, but they certainly behave and have a better time off leash--so please, give them an off leash park to play and have a good time. Thanks, April Neppl April Neppl Senior Gift Accountant University of Iowa Foundation P.O. Box 4550 Iowa City, Iowa 52240-4550 1-800-648-6973 This e-mail (including any attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 USC. 2510-2521. It is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this com~nunication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error, and then delete it. Thank you. Marian Karr From: lisa schleisman [savvylisa@juno,com] Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 3:01 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city,org Subject: Dog Park Dear Councilors: Please continue to consider the establishment of a dog park in Iowa City this summer. This past week I have come across 2 dogs on different occasions running loose. One I was able to get to my car safely, he was on Hwy 1 S by the Mormon Trek interchange. His owner was running down the road after him. The other was on Scott Blvd by Court St. I was unable to stop but did see a police car 2 blocks later and told the officer about the dog. These dogs need a place to run that is SAFE. Owners need a place to take their dogs that is SAFE. I hope you will consider a dog park as essential to Iowa City's continuing growth and desirability. Thank you for your time and consideration, Lisa M. Schleisman, owner of The Savvy Boutique, Iowa City and long time Iowa City/ Johnson County resident The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr From: SUEPPEL@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 7:31 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Dog Park I will make this short and to the point. I am in full support and feel like a dog park would definately be a great addition to our community. The Pennisula area seems to be a 9rear location. Water nearby, accessible. Thank you for your support in this Robin Sueppel 15'19 E College St Iowa City, IA 4/28/04 Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr .~-" & d. ~ From: GARYINIA@aol.com Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 2:49 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Consider an off-leash dog park, please Members of the council, please give attention and consideration to an off-leash dog park within the Peninsula parkland area. Many thanks. Gary Levitz 14 Cherry Lane NE Iowa City, IA 52240 319 -354 -4117 4/29/04 Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr ~ ~'(//~) From: Miller, Elyse [elyse-miller@uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 2:34 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: It's Time for an Off-Leash Dog Park Greetings, Council members. I have lived in [owe City for 15 years end have been a do9 owner for 8 of them. I wish to encourage all of you to do whatever you can to make on off leash dog park happen for our city. Other, less desirable places to live have do9 porks, l: believe it's time for our most livable and fair city to follow suit and count itself among the more enlightened by ensuring that a safe place for canines and humans to play and interact be established. Many thanks for your time, Elyse Miller 1215 2nd Avenue 1:owo City, ZA 52240 5/3/04 Marian Karr ~ ~ From: Alane Tranel [alane-tranel@uiowa,edu] Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 2:10 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city,org Subject: off-leash dog park We would LOVE to have an off-leash dog park in Iowa City. It would be a wonderful place for dogs and their owners to meet. There are so few places that dogs can romp and play. Please consider this request. Thank you. Alane Tranel Marian Karr From: Yucuis, Rebecca S [rebecca-yucuis~uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 10:47 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Cc: Cherie Marvel Subject: off leash dog park Hello all City Council members, As an owner of two dogs, I am in support of an off-leash dog park, and hope that you will consider it in your deliberations this spring. I first became aware of the off-leash concept when visiting Austin, TX. They have an off-leash area at a public park that runs along a creek. Instead of being monitored, there are signs at the two ends of the off-leash area, stating that this is an off-leash area, and dogs may be loose. I was surprised to see how well the dogs behaved, and how uninterested they were generally in anything other than their owner, and perhaps other dogs fetching a ball, etc. There weren't "packs" of dogs, and dogs didn't bother me, a lone walker on the same trail. I suspect that when dogs are used to being unleashed, and able to explore their surroundings a bit, the excitement regarding "visiting" new dogs or people lessens. I have heard that plans for a unleashed dog park for Iowa City will be monitored more than the park in Austin, and that you will only allow dogs with current shots, and be charged a fee to bring a dog to the park. These seem reasonable expectations, and I would gladly pay for the opportunity to have my dog run at her pace, instead of mine for a little while. One of my dogs is young, and there is no greater joy for her than to just run for a little while. (Dog owners know, you can see joy in the way that she moves!) I know that you have many items before you at all times, and the off-leash park only holds interest for a subset of Iowa Citians. I become bold, however, when I remember that the airport only holds interest for a subset, as do the bike trails, the jazz fest, and many other opportunities that make Iowa City a special place to live. Many people own dogs, and I suggest that this dog park could hold as much value to those who use it as any other recreational facility in Iowa City. Good luck in working through this proposal. I would be willing to assist in looking into this issue, in whatever way I could be of service. Thank you, Becka Yucuis Marian Karr ~ ~ From: Steve Ziebell [cmdzie@mailpsychiatry. uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 10:09 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: off-leash dog park My name is Steven Ziebell, I live at 1127 Ash St., Iowa City and I would be in favor of an off-leash dog park in Iowa City. Thanks Marian Karr '~ From: DANOSNOW2@aoI.com Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 12:33 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Dog park in lC! Please let us have a dog park in Iowa City! We drive all the way to Cedar Rapids every week just so our dog can have a place to play & run off leash. There's no reason why Iowa City can't have a dog park as well. Dogs deserve an area where they can exercise off leash and there are so many residents who own dogs that would use it. Please let us have a dog park too!!! Thank you for reading and considering our request. Karen & Dan Garland 2165 Plaen View Drive Iowa City, IA 52246 Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr ,~Cf~.~ From: Cabel Gray [cagray@appliedsystems.com] Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 9:00 AM To: co u ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Off leash dog park I fully support an off-leash dog park in Iowa City and hope the council will too. Cabel Gray 1523 Rochester Ave Iowa City, IA 52245 319-358-8930 4/30/04 Marian Karr ~ From: Sandy Pickup [spickup3@mchsi.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 4:41 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Cc: Tracy Hightshoe; Stephen Long Subject: CDBG I want to thank the Council, Planning staff & HCDC for the opportunities provided to Free Medical Clinic by the commitment of each group, to improve the health of the community. Without your support we would be unable to fulfill our mission of "providing health care to those in need". I would like to invite each of you to the Clinic to see how the dollars you allocate help the people in our community. Thank you again for your ongoing support. Sandy Pickup Co-Director Iowa City Free Medical Clinic Notice: This e-mail (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521, is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender (319-3374459), that you have received the message in error, and then delete it. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. The authorized recipient of this information is prohibited from disclosing this information to any other party unless required to do so by law or regulation and is required to destroy the information after its stated need has been fulfilled. Thank you. 4/27/04 April ~.9, 2004 Dear Mayor and City Council members, ! propose that there would be a designated bicycle safety day in ]owa City held at the ~owa City elementary schools. Tt would be held on a Saturday in early, spr ng- ate March or early April and there would be two shifts so that m~re elementary students would be able to attend. One training time at ten in the morning and another shift at one in the afternoon. After talking with Racquet Master Bike and Ski, ! found out that they would help out with a training-type day. They helped out at the Bicycle Rodeo sponsored by Mercy and the police and fire departments were there as well selling appropriate helmets to the riders. So, if we could get help from local bicycle experts and get volunteers like college students to help participate in the organization, it would be an inexpensive and efficient way to get kids to learn about bicycle safety. This includes learning how the bicycle works, learning about helmet safety and street-riding safety as well. In !owa City there are 10, 531 students PK-:~2. Assuming that each grade has about an equal number of kids, there would be approximately 4,5:L3 kindergarten through sixth graders spread out between the seventeen ~---~-~ elementary schools. Other grade levels would be able to participate if tiered7 so desired. We V,'ould create a different day for those kids in middle scho_g~4 and high school. ~' Every year more than 500,000 people are treated in the emergency room in the US and more than 700 people die as a result of bicycle related injuries. Children are at pa~icularly high risk for bicycle-related injuries. In 2001, children 15 years and younger accounted for 59% of all bicycle-related injuries seen in the U.S. emergency departments. 49% of all bicyclist deaths occur to children 16 or younger. Each year, almost one million children are treated for bicycle-related injuries in U.S. hospitals, emergency rooms or in other medical settings. One in seven children surfer head injuries in bicycle- related accidents. Head injuries cause three out of four serious injuries and deaths that occur in bicycle accidents. These important statistics prove that teaching bicycle safety is a much needed and never overrated program that would benefit the community and the people in it. With the proper promotion of the spring-time bicycle safety day, there could be some great results for children and parents and other members of the Iowa City community. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Oriana Kaufmann Nick Thompson 112 N Johnson Iowa City, IA 52245 Earnest Lehman, Mayor 410 E Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor Lehman: My name is Nick Thompson. I am a therapeutic recreation student at the University of Iowa. I am concerned with the amount of leisure activities available for youth and college-aged kids in Iowa City. I think there needs to be some activities that mn later at night. The problem came to mind when I realized that all my friends talked about how they wished they had something to do. Because no good suggestions came out, it was drinking time. Stepping up is trying to create some alternative activities for students. But to be honest, few of them have been extremely appealing. I think a program similar to intramurals should be started in the Parks and Recreation building on Burlington and Gilbert. Intramurals are available, but a lot of people live on the east side of the river up to 2 miles away from the Field House. If some of the same activities were available within walking distance to the east-side students, I think you would see similar success as intramurals. It would even help by being an alternative to drinking seven days a week. I want to thank you for taking the time to read my concerns. Sincerely, Nick Thompson Members of the City Council, I am writing this letter in lieu of the re-visitation of the 19 ordinance. The trial period for the 19 ordinance will soon be over and it will be time to decide on the fate of the program. There will be three options, 1) to continue with the 19 ordinance, 2) to abolish it, and 3) to establish a 21 ordinance. There will be a strong push from many to establish a 21 ordinance. But I strongly believe this would be a mistake. A 21 ordinance would be just as ineffective as the 19 ordinance at curbing underage drinking. The simple fact of the matter is nothing will curb underage drinking. Students will find a way to drink no matter what ordinances there are. The bars entrance age should either be 18 so all students can go because downtown is a lot safer and easier to monitor than house parties are. There is no form of protection at house parties, whereas at bars, them are bouncers to keep students safe, and the bartenders can cut off people from alcohol if they believe they've had too much. Downtown bars are also a lot easier for police to monitor since a majority of the bars are within a 3 block radius, whereas house parties can be anywhere in the Iowa City or Coralville area. Police officers can patrol through bars at leisure to check for underage drinking, but they can not even enter private residences without a warrant, probable cause, or suspicion of immediate danger. This makes it extreme difficult for authorities to monitor underage drinking. A 21 ordinance would also cause other serious ramifications as well. There would be a dramatic increase in the use of fake id's. Drank driving would also increase as people drive to and from house parties and their own residences. Sexual assault would increase as well, since there is a higher chance of it at house parties than there are at bars. Finally, a 21 ordinance would cause serious economic damage to Iowa City. So many of the people that frequent bars are between 18 and 20 that some bars would be forced to shut down as a result of lack of revenue. The downtown area would be spotted with closed down bars. The city would suffer as a result, as they would lose much in taxes when the bars close down. In conclusion, a 21 ordinance would be a mistake for many reasons. For one, it wouldn't really curb underage drinking, it would simply push the problem into the surrounding neighborhoods. It would also make partying a more dangerous activity, and would take away activities such as dancing, bowling, and socializing from students. Lastly, it would cause serious economic damage to Iowa City. Think about these things when re-visiting the issue of the 19 ordinance. Si~el Erin Hubbard \ CD Charles Massarolo 100 Currier Hall #E134 Iowa City, IA 52242 Council Members 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 RE: City decision to allow alcohol sales at certain outdoor events. Dear City Council, I am writing in regards to your recent decision, as reported and discussed in the Daily Iowan, to allow an exemption to the 19-ordinance regarding the sale of alcohol for the annual riverside theater Shakespeare Festival. While I am over the legal drinking age and this ordinance therefore has no effect on me, I am disturbed to see the city legislating what venues are acceptable for younger people to see concerts and other artistic related performances/shows. It appears in your allowing access to those under 19 during this festival, you are in fact saying that events that the city council likes shall be exempt from your ordinance. The ordinance clearly states that "fees charged to gain entry to or remain on the premises," (http://www.icgov.org/council/documents/19ordinance.pdf) do not count toward the 50% exemption written into the ordinance. So if you allow the Shakespeare Festival an exemption from this ordinance, it is only right that you afford other events and venues that promote art and artistic expression the same exemption you have provided for this summer festival. The city council is currently appearing to be discriminatory in which events it is allowing exemptions to and those it will not. It is only fair for the council to enforce the laws it passes equally to all businesses, regardless of when it is held, and who the target audience is. I encourage you to either revoke the exemption given to the Shakespeare Festival or to enforce your laws equally among all venues that provide artistic expression. Sincerely, les Massarolo II Chris Butzke April 20, 2004 Council Members 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Council Members: On behalf of the more than sixty thousand residents and the twenty-eight thousand students living in the Iowa City area, I urge you to support a 100% smoke-free Iowa City. Secondhand smoke is a serious health concern~ It causes the same problems as active smoking: cancer, heart disease and respiratory illness. Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 toxic chemicals and 43 known carcinogens, including formaldehyde, cyanide, arsenic, carbon monoxide, methane, and benzene. It is a serious occupational hazard for hospitality workers and musicians who deserve the same protections as the typical office worker in Iowa City. Although the tobacco industry and its front groups endorse ventilation systems, not one health organization promotes these expensive systems over going smoke-free. Not only are these ventilation systems costly, they also fail to remove cancer-causing substances in secondhand smoke. Making Iowa City a smoke-free city is the only way to protect public health. And the good news is that going smoke-free costs nothing, either in expensive ventilation systems or through loss of sales. Studies of sales tax data from 81 cities in six states consistently demonstrate that smoke-free ordinances have no effect on restaurant revenues. The obvious health and economic benefits of a smoke-free society give great merit to supporting a 100% smoke-free ordinance in Iowa City that will create safe public places for everyone. Please make Iowa City a smoke-free city. Sincerely, 0 -~ =o '-'Fl Chris Butzke ~ ~ co Concerned Student at The University of Iowa e..3q 325 E. Colle9e Street · Apt.# 1628 · Phone: (51§) 205-1232 · chri$-butzke@uiowa.edu I ~ 05-04-04 Marian Kerr 3f(22) From: WELSHBOB@aol.com Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 8:35 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Request The Iowa City City Council: Dear Councilors: The Johnson County Task Force of the Heritage Area Agency on Aging is organizing for the coming year. We are seeking to increase our partnerships and develop better liaison relationships with the decision makers and service providers in Johnson County. This letter is to ask the City Council to designate a person to be an ex-officio member of the Task Force. Johnson County has appointed one of its members to serve as an ex-officio member and a second person to serve as an alternate. We hope that the City of Iowa City will appoint one of its members and if it deems wise an alternate. The Task Force meets the second Monday of each month at the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center from 1:30- 3:00 PM. Bob Welsh, Chair Johnson County Task Force on Aging 354-4618 welshbob~aol.com 4/29/04 Marian Karr From: Jean Walker [walkersic@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 3:50 PM To: City Council; Karin Franklin; Shelley McCafferty; Marcia Klingaman; Steve Ark[ns Subject: May 4 Talk; May 7 Tour re: Melrose Neighborhood Historic Preservation 03.doc As you already know, the Helrese Neighborhood Association ef Iowa City has hired Historic Preservation Consultant Harlys Svendsen te survey and research our Neighborhood and to nominate the eligible portion of it to the National Register ef Historic Places. Hs. Svendsen will be in Iowa City this week and we would like to invite you to two events to be held in connection with her visit: 1. Hs. Svendsen will give a sur~mary of her work (to date) on TUESDAY, Hay 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall ef the Hennen±te Church {405 Hyrtle Avenue). We are inviting all members of the Neighborhood te this meeting, whether they are resident or non-resident owners (such as the University of Iowa) ef the properties. We are also inviting members of the City staff, but not members of the media. We hope that you can attend to hear (and ask questions) about the history ef the Neighborhood, the eligible portion ef the Neighborhood, and the pr©cess for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. 2. Hs. Svendsen will lead a Walking Tour in the historic part ef the Neighborhood on FRIDAY, Hay 7 at 10 a.m., starting at the north end of hucen Drive (off Helrose Avenue, south ef the UI Fieldhouse). The Tour is in honor of National Historic Preservation Week and the neighbors, members ef the City staff, the UI adt~inistration, and the media are invited te this event. (See attached Press Release.) In case of heavy rain, the Tour will be postponed until 11 a.m. Call 337-5201 with questions. I apologize for the short notice of these events, but I hope that you can come! Thank you, Jean Walker, Helrese Neighborhood Association Representative, 335 Lucon Drive, Iowa City, 337-5201 Do you Yahoo!? Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at Yahoo! HotJobs http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/careermakeover *** eSafe scanned this email for malicious content !