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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-17 Correspondence Date: May 5, 2005 To: City Clerk From: ^nissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~ Re: Item for May 17, 2005 City Council meeting: Installation of two YIELD signs at the Ashwood Drive/Glendale Road intersection As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(5), installation of two YIELD signs at the Ashwood Drive/Glendale Road intersection. Comment: This action is being taken to assign right-of-way at this intersection. A citizen of the neighborhood requested the intersection control be evaluated. Ashwood Drive meets the warrants for installing yield signs. This will assign right-of-way to Glendale Road, which is a collector street. This action is consistent with Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Mgr/agd/aw-ashwood.doc Date: May 10, 2005 To: City Clerk From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner C~ Re: Item for May 17, 2005 City Council meeting: Removal of two Iowa City Transit bus stops from the southeast corner of the intersection of Grand Avenue/South Grand Avenue and from the southwest corner of the intersection of Byington Road/Grand Avenue. Installation of an Iowa City Transit bus stop on the south side of Melrose Avenue near the lot line of 407 Melrose As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1~3A(19), remove two Iowa City Transit bus stops from the southeast corner of the intersection of Grand Avenue/South Grand Avenue and from the southwest corner of the intersection of Byington Road/Grand Avenue. Install an Iowa City Transit bus stop on the south side of Melrose Avenue near the east lot line of 407 Melrose Avenue. Comment: This action is being taken at the request of Iowa City Transit to relocate bus stops in conjunction with the reconstruction of South Grand Avenue and the Grand Avenue/Melrose Avenue/Byington Road one-way loop. jccogt p/mem/melrosebusstop05-17.doc Marian Karr From: n00b [admin@c0wzftp.com] Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 10:23 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: FTTH (opportunity iowa) Council members, Helle. Let me introduce myself. I'm Neal Daringer, husband and father of 1. I have lived in Iowa City for the last 3 years and love living here. I hope te live here for many years to come. I am writing you today te ask for you te support the Opportunity Iowa initiative. This initiative would create an alternative te modern DSL, Cable modem, Cable TV, Telephone, and Long Distance service. I do not work for, and am net associated in any way with the Opportunity Iowa initiative. Creating this new alternative would be in the interest ef all citizens because its always a good choice to leek at every option that is available. In the long term the cost commitment would not be an issue as Fiber te the Heme(F?TH) uses less overhead than the tradition services. This translates te lower costs te citizens/businesses. Lower costs combined with better long-term services just seems like a no-brainer te me. I wish you all well. Ged 81ess, Neal Daringer 2100 Scott 81vd Trlr 97 Iowa City, IA 52240 Marian Karr From: thomas.saterfiel@act.org Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2005 9:46 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Sidewalk concerns I would like for you to have the right individual to inspect two sections of sidewalk on Muscatine Avenue. If you go north from where Muscatine and Scott cross you will find a large number cedar trees that are growing on both sides of the sidewalk. In the past you have had the owners cut them back but they have now grown back over the side walk. Just beyond the cedar trees you have a yard that looks like it belows to an absent landlord but most likely that is not city issue. If you continue on Muscatine past were Washington intersects you will find on the right hand side a series of bushes that have grown out on the sidewalk and also need to be cut back. Thanks for your assistance in this manner since it can cause problems when you have more than one person trying to get past these sections on the sidewalk. You have always done a good job on making sure that the sidewalks are in good shape and free of clutter. Tom Saterfiel 337-1196 Apdl 26, 2005 Council Members 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 To Whom It May Concern: The Iowa House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill that states "all registered sex offenders cannot reside within 1000 feet of a school or day care center., It is up to the Senate and the Governor to approve it to become law. We have a problem due to the fact that the proposed site of the new homeless shelter located on Waterfront Drive measures approximately sixty feet from HACAP, which has a day care center. Rule #8 of the Iowa City Shelter House rules for guardians of dependants states that "Shelter House may have occasions in which clients of Shelter House may be on a $~ate's sex offender list. It is the guardians' responsibility to provide care and supervision for the well being and safety of dependants. Do not assume that anyone you mcct while at the shelter house is not on a state sex offender list." It appears quite definite that the homeless shelter is knowingly allowing sex offenders to come to the area for shelter and services. The proposed Shelter House will be built approximately 60 ~ct from the HACAP day care center. There is also a school bus pickup point at the entrance to Hilltop Nobile Home Park, where schoolchildren wait to go to school. This would also be about 60 feet from the bansient facility. The bottom line is that the Waterfront Drive area has a lot of children. There are 85 at the Hilltop Mobile Home Park and approximately 70 at the HACAP daycare center. One hundred fifty five children plus sex offenders equals major problems. ! urge the shelter house board to find an alternate site. Sincerely, Todd Eakes 2018 Waterfront Drive Iowa City, IA 52240 Marian Karr ~ From: John Neff [john-neff@uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2005 7:08 PM To: council Subject: Municipal power referendum Hain Findings.doc (30 KB) Attached is a report about some of the factors that control the cost of electricity. A number of important factors are not known so claims about what will happen to rates is just shooting in the dark. In a nutshell the main problems are too way much debt and not enough income. John Neff *** eSafe scanned this email for malicious content *** *** IMPORTANT: De not open attachments from unrecognized senders Comments on the Proposal to Create a Municipal Electrical Power System John Neff May 3, 2005 The proposal to create an Iowa City municipal power system by condemnation of the Mid American Energy Corp. (MEC) electrical distribution system has started a debate about the amount, if any of the cost savings that would result. This debate will not be settled until long after the November 8th referendum because there are too many important unknown factors that control the cost of electricity. I have reviewed a number of these factors in an attempt bring the issue into sharper focus. The factors are discussed below and I have given values and estimates for some factors and noted possible trends for others. I hope that by making my findings available others will be motivated to determine better values. Findings 1. According to the president of MEC their revenue (including street lighting) from the Iowa City electric market in 2004 was $42 million or $1,450 per customer, using the most recent estimate of 29,000 customers. This is about 80% of the East System (including Iowa City) average of $1,860 in 2002. 2. In 2002 the average revenue per customer for the entire East System was; residential $734, commercial $5,582 and industrial $283,312. Residential use provided 88.8% of the customers and 35.0% of the revenue, commercial use 10.6% of the customers and 32.2% of the revenue, industrial use 0.2% of the customers and 32.0% of the revenues and street lighting accounted for the rest. The most likely explanation of the low revenues in the Iowa City market is that has a relatively low number of industrial customers. 3. Utility profits in Iowa are in the range of 10% to 12% so that MEC profit from the Iowa City market in 2004 was about $4.5 million. The amount that can be borrowed if all the annual profit is used to make debt payments is $63 million, assuming twenty five year revenue bonds at 5%. This is the borrowing cap unless revenue is increased or costs are reduced. 4. Iowa City market contains 4.2% of all MEC electrical customers, the 2004 MEC report to the Iowa Utilities Board gave the total MEC debt as $1.4+ billion and 84.4% of this debt is for electrical infrastructure so the Iowa City market share is $49.6 million. These funds were borrowed to pay for production, transmission and distribution facilities. It is not known how this debt will be distributed if Iowa City municipal power is created. The debt to revenue ratio is 118%. 5. The Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR) collects an excise tax on electricity and gas sales that is used for property tax replacement. There is no known market value for electrical and gas distribution systems so the IDR used the depreciated replacement value to get an appraised value of the property in each tax district. For the Iowa City tax district the depreciated replacement value of the electrical system was determined to be $35.3 million. 6. Iowa City municipal power will not have an electric power plant. This means they will have no bargaining power when they contract ~vith wholesale providers of electricity. There is also an unresolved question about who makes contracts for interruptible power. If the wholesale provider is at a great distance from Iowa City the transmission cost can be a crucial factor. We need to know the delivered cost of wholesale electricity to an Iowa City substation not the cost of production. 7. The price of fuel used to produce electricity like any other commodity will respond to inflation. If the utility rate structure includes a fuel cost factor (MEC rates do not) the increased cost of fuel results in a prompt rate increase otherwise there is a delay caused by the utility waiting to request a rate increase and the time it takes to obtain approval. Over the long term differences between prompt and delayed rate increases tend to diminish. 8. A high debt to revenue ratio means that debt service is a significant cost that is sensitive to interest rates. Utility debt ratios have increased very rapidly in recent years and are in the range of 54% to 63% which is a cause for concern. The U. S. Senate has already held hearings to obtain information about this problem. The recent trend of increasing interest rates has aggravated this problem. The Iowa City electricity market revenue and profit are relatively low and as a consequence the debt ratio is high and the borrowing cap is low. The delivered cost of wholesale electricity and how the cost will change with time are not known. How the debt service on the $49.6 million MEC debt will be distributed is unknown. I think that $35 million depreciated replacement value represents a robust lower limit to the market value of the distribution system but the actual market value is unknown. We do not know what Iowa City municipal electric rates will be because these are the most important factors controlling the price of electricity. Marian Karr From: Jeff Davidson Sent: Monday, May 09, 2005 4:53 PM To: 'mattsissel@yahoo.com' Cc: *City Council; *City Manager's Office Subject: FW: lC traffic lights Hello Matthew Ryan Sissel. Your message below was forwarded to me for reply. Having traffic signals revert to flashing mode late in the evening is something favored by only a small number of cities. This is because it violates one of the primary rules of traffic engineering: always send a consistent message to the motorist. For example, when you approach a red octagon sign, you know that it is always, without exception, a sign telling you to stop. When taken in the context of the hundreds of types of traffic signs and markings, plus the myriad of other stimulus that a motorist encounters, consistency is essential. We believe the inconsistency of having a traffic signal operate in both operation mode and flashing mode is not worth the slight reduction in vehicular delay. Remember, we must accommodate all motorists, not just those with good perception and reaction. Thanks for your message. Jeff Davidson. ..... Original Message ..... From: Dale Helling Sent: Monday, May 09, 2005 1:34 PM To: Jeff Davidson Subject: FW: IC traffic lights Please respond & cc Council. Thanks. --Dale' ..... Original Message ..... From: Matt Sissel [mailto:maU:sissel@yahoo.com] Sent-' Honday, Hay 09, 2005 1:17 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject.' [C traffic lights On my new lo!og, I recently wrote a post about why traffic lights in lC don't go to blinking reds late at night. I would like this to change. You can read the whole thing here. I would appreciate any replies/answers. Concerned IC citizen Matthew Ryan Sissel 5/9/2005 Marian Karr ~ From: Matt Sissel [mattsJssel@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 5:15 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: question My name is Matt Sissel and I am an lC resident. I am curious about the legality of buying a lot in town and living in a tent on the property, without a house on the land; at most a shed for storage. Please direct to the proper ordinances if they exist. Thanks, Matt Check out my new blog - http://mattsissel.blogs.com/ Marian Karr From: Jann Ream Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2005 2:13 PM To: 'mattsissel@yahoo.com' Cc: *City Council Subject: response Matt - You wondered if it was possible to buy a lot in Iowa City and simply put a tent on it to live in and perhaps have a small storage shed. The simple answer is no. There are many city codes that would prohibit this situation but there are three main sections that apply. First, the Iowa City Zoning Code (14-6) designates permitted uses for all zones in Iowa City. In residential zones, the permitted use on a lot is some type of dwelling whether it be a single family, duplex or multi- family structure. Because it could be argued that a tent is technically a dwelling, the next code section would apply -the Iowa City Housing Code (14-5E). The housing code requires minimum structure standards for all dwellings (14-5E-17) including (but not limited to) a kitchen sink, refrigerator, toilet, hot water, connections to City water and sewer, heating and electrical service, exits and minimum head room. Thirdly, the adopted Iowa City Building code would apply which would require (among a myriad of other structural requirements) a permanent foundation, walls, roof etc etc. The zoning code also would prohibit the placement of a shed (which is an accessory structure) before the establishment of the principal use -the dwelling. Please contact me if you have further questions about permitted uses in Iowa City. - Jann Ream 319-356-5120 Marian Karr ~ From: Jochimsen, Peter [peter-jochimsen@uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, May 09, 2005 9:21 AM To: council@iowa-city.org; Steve-Atkins@iowa-city.org Subject: FW: your comment Some members, not all, of the Deer Task Force, thought that my note below, might be of interest to the Council and to the City Manager, and thus I am forwarding this to those person. Peter Jochimsen At 06:32 AM 4/28/2005, you wrote: >As this year's work seems to be winding down, I thought I would like to >write a few things about the experience on this task force, and, if >given the opportunity, this is what I would say at the Council Meeting >if my schedule permits. In spite of numerous and multiple publications >forwarded by many members of the committee, including, economic cost to >farm production, a billion or more in auto damage, the loss of life >incurred by those who hit deer, (please Jan, don't swerve to avoid an >animal in the road, this is the worse thing that you can do, and >endangers your life as well as those in the oncoming lane, and is the >cause of most traffic deaths in automobiles), the development of chronic >wasting disease in these animals because of over crowding, and finally >the complete change in the ecology of the woodlands; those opposed to >implementation of bow hunting, have never offered any suggestion as to >dealing with the any aspect of the above enumerated problems. They >simply vote no to the only solution that has been offered thus far. >They have never articulated a substitute proposal or any plan designed >to ameliorate this tragic situation. Either they think that there is no >problem, or there is no solution. The dissenting members have offered to >write to the Council, but refuse to divulge what it is they wish to >propose as any rationale attempt to deal with a difficult situation, >which as I write, even the State is attempting to deal with. > >Even though I have been named to this task force, as "Hunter," I have >never killed a deer, except with an automobile. I was driving with my >wife up to Mt. Ranier, in the state of Washington when a deer passed in >front of my rented Sazuki S, (I think the S designation was for suicide, >since the car suffered nearly $3000. damage) and really spoiled a nice >trip to the great north west. Unbelievably, while attending this last >meeting of the task force last Tuesday, my daughter, three grandchildren >and her husband, who live in Fairfax, a little town just west of the >Cedar Rapids airport, struck and killed a deer. The damage is about >$2000. and if nothing else my grandchildren now know why their mother >insists on seat belts. > >I don't believe that status quo is an appropriate response, and call >upon those who oppose the document supported by the majority, to offer >some suggestion or program that the task force could act upon as an >alternative to the current proposal. > > > ..... Original Message ..... >From: Harold Golf [mailto:harold-goff@uiowa.edu] >Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 10:50 PM >To: Ashman, Janet V; ldykstraicl@aol.com; patricia.farrant@act.org; >Goff, Harold M; Jones, Martin L; Sidwell, Pete R; Jochimsen, Peter; 1 >alan-nagel@uiowa.edu; Kathryn-Johansen@iowa-city.org >Subject: Revised version of rationale statement > >Hello fellow task force members, > >I made the four minor revisions on todays rationale statement, and it is > >attached as a Word document. > >Regards, >Harold Page 1 of 2 Marian Karr From: Alan Nagel [alan-nagel@uiowa.edu] Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 9:37 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Cc: Steve Atkins; janet-ashman@uiowa.edu; Idykstraicl@aol.com; patricia.farrant@act.org; harold- goff@uiowa.edu; marty-jones@uiowa.edu; pete-sidwell@uiowa.edu; peter-jochimsen@uiowa.edu; Gene Szymkowiak Subject: More deer, info, fyi The following I wouM have stated tonight or tomorrow night, if and when appropriate. I felt that you had enough information in hand without adding an individual opinion, prior to work session. Because I feel the issues may deserve further attention, I offer these remarks to you, to read at your discretion, attached and imported below. Alan Nagel member of task force, voting in majority My name is Alan Nagel: I've been a member of the Deer Task Force since fall '04. What motivated my membership is 1. a concern for the environment (I have been for six years a board member of the Johnson Co. Heritage Trust, for which I help with woodland and prairie management), 2. a conviction, borne out by the data since 1997, that the Iowa City deer population has not successfully been brought down to established population goals. (In one year only has the population in each zone surveyed been brought to the maximum population-density goal), 3. and thus the conclusion that the urban deer populations must be better controlled to prevent our parks, other city land, and private land from further permanent damage. I say "further permanent damage" simply because the Long-Term Deer Management Plan calls for a maximum population of 35 deer per square mile. Above that level, damage of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses is irreparable: that criterion is again agreed upon in the long-established Plan, and is generally shared by plant biologists. The Plan also observes that at a density of 25 deer per square mile the damage to plants is subject to recovery, if remedied in the short-term. I am not a hunter, and have never been one. I would be equally happy with another means to control the population than urban bow-hunting. Yet the Task Force has always, and I believe rightly, rejected the possible non-lethal means of control. The City needs another tool in its work-kit. Bow-hunting is the only one available. I thus in January interviewed by telephone the city officials in charge of urban bow-hunts for Bettendorf, Cedar Falls-Waterloo, Coralville, Des Moines, Dubuque, Marion, and University Heights. I have also consulted with Harry Graves, head of the Johnson County Conservation Board, about the bow-hunting in Kent Park. These communities do not report experiencing the problems often spoken of as reasons against bow-hunting. Citizen complaints are very few. (I will provide copies on request.) Deer control in Iowa City is not succeeding in any lasting way. Something better needs to be done for management of the populations. 5/3/2005 Page 2 of 2 The Task Force is charged with the following duties: To annually recommend to the City Council an updated Deer Management Plan that meets the goals of the Long-Term Plan. To that end, members should review data (population count, deer-vehicle accidents, reflector effectiveness, previousIy-implemented population control programs, herd health), review current and recommend future educational tools, review and consider all non-lethal and lethal management methods and recommend appropriate action. The majority of the Task Force has recommended to you that authorizing urban bow-hunting in Iowa City is the appropriate action. Thank you. 5/02/2005 *** eSafe scanned this email for malicious content *** *** IMPORTANT: Do not open attachments from unrecegnized senders *** 5/3/2005 My name is Alan Nagel: I've been a member of the Deer Task Force since fall '04. What motivated my membership is 1. a concern for the environment (! have been for six years a board member of the Johnson Co. Heritage Trust, for which I help with woodland and prairie management), 2. a conviction, borne out by the data since 1997, that the Iowa City deer population has not successfully been brought down to established population goals. (In one year only has the population in each zone surveyed been brought to those maximum goals.), 3. and thus the conclusion that the urban deer populations must be better controlled to prevent our parks, other city land, and private land from further permanent damage. I say "further permanent damage" simply because the Long-Term Deer Management Plan calls for a maximum population of 35 deer per square mile. Above that level, damage of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses is irreparable: that criterion is again agreed upon in the long-established Plan, and is generally shared by plant biologists. The Plan also observes that at a density of 25 deer per square mile the damage to plants is subject to recovery, if remedied in the short-term. I am not a hunter, and have never been one. I would be equally happy with another means to control the population than urban bow-hunting. Yet the Task Force has always, and I believe rightly, rejected the possible non-lethal means of control. The City needs another tool in its work-kit. Bow-hunting is the only one available. I thus in January interviewed by telephone the city officials in charge of urban bow-hunts for Bettendorf, Cedar Falls-Waterloo, Coralville, Des Moines, Dubuque, Marion, and University Heights. I have also consulted with Harry Graves, head of the Johnson County Conservation Board, about the bow-hunting in Kent Park. These communities do not report experiencing the problems often spoken of as reasons against bow-hunting. Citizen complaints are very few. Deer control in Iowa City is not succeeding in any lasting way. Something better needs to be done for management of the populations. The Task Force is charged with the following duties: To annually recommend to the City Council an updated Deer Management Plan that meets the goals of the Long-Term Plan. To that end, members should review data (population count, deer-vehicle accidents, reflector effectiveness, previously-implemented population control programs, herd health), review current and recommend future educational tools, review and consider all non-lethal and lethal management methods and recommend appropriate action. The majority of the Task Force has recommended to you that authorizing urban bow- hunting in Iowa City is the appropriate action. Thank you. 5/02/2005 Marian Karr From: Alan Nagel [alan-nagel@uiowa.edu] Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 4:14 PM To: "Iowa City Council" Cc: kathryn Johansen; janet-ashman@uiowa.edu; Idykstraicl@aol.com; patricia.farrant@act.org; harold-goff@uiowa.edu; marty-jones@uiowa.edu; pete-sidwell@uiowa.edu; peter- jochimsen@uiowa.edu; Gene Szyrnkowiak Subject: Deer population data K. Johansen has compiled the City and adjacent areas deer population, for the Deer Task Force annual report 2004-5 (through the beginning of Feb. 2005). The number is the highest it has ever been: Jan. 24 aerial count 871 WBI kill - 154 Total 617 The 2003 count (after the WBI sharpshooting) totaled 565. 2002 count 201 2001 count 257 The above I believe are for the same total areas (Clear Creek zone including some of Coralville). The 2000 count, area uncertain, totaled 507, 1999 477, 1998 269. Current management is not giving us a net progress in managing the urban deer herd. Alan Nagel Marian Karr From: Barbara Thomas [bgriffinthomas@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 11,2005 4:01 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Habitat for Humanity Golf Tournament As a leader of our community, you're well aware of the importance of volunteer efforts by community members and the positive ripple effect that can have. On June 24th, volunteers from around the area will join together to help Habitat for Humanity. The Second Annual Habitat for Humanity Four-Person Best-Ball Golf Tournament is organized by Coralville's United Methodist Church, and will raise funds for a home being built in Coralville. The Brown Deer Golf Course will serve as the backdrop for this fundraiser. The $100 entry fee includes 18 holes at either a morning or afternoon tee time, lunch or a banquet dinner, a social hour with entertainment by The Domains, and a silent auction of donated merchandise and gift packages. Not a golfer? Tickets are available for the social hour, silent auction and banquet for only $25 per person. Of course, there are many ways to help Habitat for Humanity through this golf outing. Sponsorship levels range from $250 to $2500. In addition, we welcome donations of merchandise or materials that can either be used as prizes for our golfers or items for our silent auction. And last but not least, there's your time. By volunteering at the event, you're helping make our dream a reality. Take the time to consider participating in the Second Annual Habitat for Humanity Four- Person Best-Ball Golf Tournament. This event, organized by Coralville's United Methodist Church, will help Habitat for Humanity provide simple, decent housing for low-income families in our community. To learn more, call 319-530-2575 or visit www.godscumc.org/habitat.htm Thank you, Barbara Thomas Discover Yahoo! Find restaurants, movies, travel and more fun for the weekend. Check it out! http://discover.yahoo.com/weekend.html Opening of UAY Youth Center Marian Kart From: Jim Swaim [JimPSwaim@msn.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 3:11 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Cc: Teresa Ulin Subject: Opening of UAY Youth Center Dear council members and Harian Kerr: Attached is the invitation/announcement for UAY's opening of the new Youth Center at 355 Iowa Avenue on Friday, Hay 20th from 4:00-5:00 p.m. IVlarian, could you please include this in the packet that goes to Iowa City Council members this week. Thank you. Jim Swaim, United Action for Youth 5/11/2005 UAY al United Action for Youth al 410 Iowa Avenue al P.O. Box 892 m Iowa City, IA 52244 m 319-338-7518 Please Join Us What: The Grand Opening of United Action for Youth's new Youth Center Where: 355 Iowa Avenue, the Tower Place parking ramp on Iowa Avenue When: Friday, May 20th beginning at 4:00 p.m., program and ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m The board and staff of United Action for Youth are pleased to open the new Youth Center at 355 Iowa Avenue. Refreshments will be provided by The Cottage. Youth and staff will provide tours of the new facility beginning at 4:00 p.m. There will be a brief program and ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. The Youth Center will be open for business and host its first youth band concert Friday evening and the Youth Center's art gallery will have its first exhibit on display. Please join us if you can. Clear Day Marian Karr From: Briggs, Michael [michael-briggs@uiowa.edu] Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 4:44 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: This is a GREAT idea which Iowa City should definitely enact upon! CHICAGO The Chicago City Council has voted to ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. The measure passed today without debate. And Alderman Burton Natarus says it will go into effect July First. The rule would require drivers to use hands-free devices unless making 9-1-1 emergency calls or talking while the vehicle is parked. The penalty for using a hand-held cell phone would be 50 dollars. But that would increase to 200 dollars if the driver was involved in an accident. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says he supports the ban, calling it good common sense. New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia all already prohibit talking on hand-held cell phones while driving. Michael Briggs 2832 Brookside Drive '['owa City 52245 *** eSafe scanned this email for malicious content *** *** IHPORTANT: Do not epen attachments frem unrecognized senders 5/11/2005 Wal-Mart See also Walmart RUPPERT SEE ALSO RUPERT