HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-02-09 CorrespondenceEkhard E. Ziegler
809 Wylde Green Rd.
Iowa City, IA 52246
Phone 354-3469
Iowa City City Council
Civic Center
410 East Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
January22,1999
Dear Council Members:
I wish to reiterate my opposition to the proposed widening of Benton Street.
I have since 1974 lived on Wylde Green Road close to Benton Street. I am
therefore a long-time regular user of Benton Street. It is true, of course, that
traffic on Benton Street has increased over the years, especially so, it seems,
during recent years. In my judgment, however, the present configuration of
Benton Street is perfectly adequate for the amount and type of traffic it
carries. And it will remain adequate for many years to come, even if traffic
keeps increasing at the rate it has during recent years. I have never
witnessed jams or substantial delays on Benton Street itself. Back-ups do
occur often during rush hour at the intersection with Riverside Drive. But
that problem will not be improved by widening Benton Street. It may, in
fact, get worse because a widened Benton Street may attract additional
traffic that now is using other routes. A widening project will, of course, have
long-term adverse effects on most properties along Benton Street. The City
Council should carefully weigh all the local adverse effects against possible,
but questionable, beneficial effects for the Iowa City population at large.
Therefore, because there is no need to widen Benton Street and because
widening it will in my opinion have more adverse than beneficial effects, I
urge you to keep Benton Street as a two-lane street.
Sincerely,
Ekhard E. Zi~~r~l~r'
4f(21
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
Greenwood Drive ~ Iowa City, Iowa - 52246
T~L: 319-339-6859 FAX: 319-339-5729
19 January 1999
To Whom It May Concern -
JAN 2 ? 1999
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
Dr. Nora L. Steinbrech, Prlncll:x:fl
Mrs. Kcflhy Paulsen, Seamtan/
It is with great concern that I submit this letter asking you to proceed with caution
on the Benton Street Widening Project. As the principal of Roosevelt Elementary
School for the past nineteen years, I have had first hand experience dealing with the
many dangers that the Benton Street hill presents to our students. I am hopeful
that the following situations will be given careful consideration:
1. Children must cross both Greenwood Drive and Benton Street with the
help of an adult crossing guard and student safety patrols. City buses, a large
number of cars, and trucks, plus numerous private driveways of the large
apartment complexes, make this a congested and often confusing
intersection. Adding a heavier load of traffic with additional lanes will
make it more so. It would also take longer for children to cross four lanes of
traffic, thus creating longer lines of waiting cars. ~
2. This intersection is just beyond the crest of a very steep hill. The longer it
takes a kindergartner to tromp across four traffic lanes, the longer the lines of
waiting cars will become. There would be no way to avoid some cars having
to come to a standing stop on that very steep hill. Toss in snow and ice on
that hill and it will become an even larger problem.
3. At this time, there is no sidewalk on the south side of the street.
Therefore, it has not been difficult to prevent children from jay-walking
across Benton Street hill. If a sidewalk is installed it will be extremely
difficult to stop children from running across the street.
4. Children crossing Benton Street at the bottom of the hill cross two lanes of
traffic on their way to and from school. An adult crossing guard assists them.
While we are told that if the street is widened to four lanes, traffic speed will
be monitored, it is doubtful that anything will keep the speed of cars and
trucks under control at all times. Increased speed of traffic coming down the
hill puts children and the crossing guard at the bottom of the hill in greater
jeopardy.
Page 2
5. I would imagine that if the street is widened to four lanes, the number of
trucks using this route will increase. If this would occur, it would throw the
area into even greater chaos.
6. At various times over the years, attempts have been made to develop the
land south of Benton Street hill. With a change in the configuration of
Benton Street, it is probable that some sort of building will finally take place.
This will add even more traffic to the area because it has already been made
clear that traffic in and out of that newly developed area would not be
permitted to use Highway 1, and Miller Street is simply to narrow.
Please restrain the widening of Benton Street to two lanes with a third 'turning
lane' if absolutely necessary. Under no circumstances should the street be widened
to four lanes unless a means can be found to provide for the safety of Roosevelt
School students as well as those who will be crossing Benton Street without even
the benefit of a crossing guard with a handheld sign!
Dr. Nora L. Steinbrech
Principal
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Peter Weyer [peter-weyer@uiowa.edu]
Tuesday, January 26, 1999 3:00 PM
council@blue.weeg .uiowa.edu
wastewater plant
Dear Council members,
As a long time resident of Iowa City, I read with great interest the article
in this morning's PC on IC's wastewater plants violating Clean Water Act
standards.
Say it isn't so!! Didn't we (the taxpayers) pay $50 M for construction of
the new south plant?? Apparently, the engineers who designed that plant
didn't include the technology necessary to remove certain contaminants, and
now we need a $45 M upgrade?? Great planning on someone's part!! Or
perhaps a built-in windfall for some consulting firm?
The comment that "this is nothing new" (detections of these contaminants in
the Iowa River from plant effieunt) is not what I want to hear!! If
something is wrong, why haven't we (the people paying for the plant) been
told before?
Regardless of where we are in the plan "to fix the situation", I would like
a detailed discussion (on camera - so the citizens can view on Channel 4) of
what the heck is going on. And please give us some history while you're at
it - like when was the City first aware of problems, when were reports first
filed with IDNR, etc. What we DON'T need to hear is you guys editorializing
on how "off-base" the Environmental Advocates are for bringing this to the
public's attention, and potentially, before the courts.
Thanks for responding to my concerns.
Your constituent,
Pete Weyer
1111 E. Court Street
Peter Weyer, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination
The University of Iowa
100 Oakdale Campus, N203 OH
Iowa City, IA 52242-5000
(319) 335-4014 FAX (319) 335-4077
e-mail: peter-weyer@uiowa.edu
Marjan Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Florence Boos [florence-boos@uiowa.edu]
Friday, January 29, 1999 5:03 PM
council@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu
non-lethal deer control
Dear Council,
I know that you feel some frustration at the postponement of a clear end
to the deer issue. I am writing to ask that we start to implement more
non-lethal methods of deer control in the penninsula immediately, rather
than waiting until more confrontational crises develop. First, Foster Road
and other nearby streets need luminous night deer crossing signs and a
lower speed limit. The city could start installing reflectors (which when
properly implemented have been reported to work in other areas) and
investigate the use of contraception, of which more than one form is
available. We could start to think about some positive response to the
deer, who when not crossing roads are a lovely addition to the
city--perhaps a city deer park for children and tourists.
All this might not cost too much more than shooting the deer--and
certainly less than any resulting lawsuits if something went wrong. Any
form of shooting within city limits is a dangerous business, anyway. I
notice that the wishlist for items to be built or bought with the new
proposed sales tax, no one has mentioned long-term deer management. Surely
foresightful non-lethal deer management should be an item in the city
budget in future years.
Thanks for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Florence Boos
(26 year IC resident)
FROM
: J. FISCH
lanuary 30, 1999
PHONE 1'40.
: 310 471 5412 Jan. 30 1999 0~
TO: IOWA CITY CLERK, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JOE FISCH
RE: CRUEL AND UNNECESSARY DEER KII ,LINGS
I have recen~y read that Federal Wildlife Services agency has been
shooting deer in Iowa City, claiming that this murderous method of
"managing" the deer problem was "timely". As a sometimes visitor
to your beautiful city, I urge you to pursue non-lethal options in this
area. These innocent animals are God' s creatures and they deserve
better treatment from us, the caretakers of this planet.
Thank you for taking the time.
Sincerely,
Fisch
1029 North Bundy Drive
Los. Angeles, CA, 90049
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Robert Rutkowski [r_e_rutkowski@hotmail.com]
Thursday, January 28, 1999 10:19 AM
council@blue.weeg.uiowa .edu
Salvation for the Deer
Mayor
City Council Members
c/o City Clerk
Iowa City, Iowa
Dear Gentlemen:
Concern is expressed that Wild Services started shooting deer last week
after writing an Environmental Assessment claiming non-lethal methods of
deer management were not "timely".
I urge you to pursue non-lethal options.
Thank you for taking this appeal into consideration.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Rutkowski, Esq.
2527 Faxon Court
Topeka, kansas 66605-2086
Fax:l 785 379-9671
E-mail:r e rutkowski@hotmail.com
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
FEB. 4.1999 g:47AM
NO. 5994
Stephanie D. Merchant
2618 Silver Falls
Kingwood, Texas 77339
Via FacSimile 319-356-5009
Iowa City Mayor and Council Members
edo City Clerk
Iowa City
Dear Mayor & Council Members:
It has just oome to my attention that Wildlife Services started shooting deer last week in
Iowa City after writing an Environmental Assessment claiming non-lethal methods of deer
management were not "timely." When threatened with a legal challenge, Wildlife Services
halted Rs killing program temporarily. I am writing to urge you to make a stand on this issue.
Non-lethal options need to be pursued.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Very txuly yours,
Stephanie D. Merchant
FEB.
4.1999
12:46PM
CEGELEC AEG-HR
NO.191
330 Castlegate Road
PittsbtWgh P,4 15221
(412} 371-3603
Fax.. (7249 873-9656
FAX TRANSMISSION COVER SHEET
Date:
1'o:
Faxt
February 4, 1999
The Iowa City Mayor and Council Members
c/o The City Clerk
319.356.5009
NO $AL E4 ~ION FOR ~ D~_,R
8ender: Marliese Bonk
YOU SHOULD RECEIF'E 1 PAGE(S), INCLUDING THIS COVER SHEET IF YOU DO NOT
RECE1FE JLL THE P.4GE&', PLEASE C. fl r.L (724) 8 73-9412,
b~ar Mr. Ms~yor: " ' ' ....
As iS evident according to recent press accounts, the "Wildlife Services" (the federal agency
formerly known as "Animal Damage Control") started shootingi'doer last week in Iowa City ai~r
writing an Environmental Assessment claiming non-lethal methods of deer management were not
"timely."
When this deer-killing Progrant attracted the anention of outraged citizens alI over the country and
when"Wildllfe Services" where threatened with legal challenge~ "Wildlife Services" halted its deer
massacre temporarily.
Despite the vileness of this program, the Salvation Army, it turns out, is the party coordinating
distribution of the meat. This is a blatant use of the oharity's g.o.e.d name to justify the city'a
destructive action while trying to ereate a positive image for wi~dHfe~slaughter programs,
Therefore, Mr. Mayor, I'm urging you to kiss "Wildlife Sin-vice!" goodby and pursue non-lethal
options. Otherwise, I shall never donate another nickel to the Sl~Ivation Army, a charity that I have
generously supported in the past!
CC: L~. Colonel Tom .fortes, National Community Relations and Development Secretary,
Salvation Army, Mr. Sears, Iowa City office, Salvation ~erny
~ .c.., !,.: ....
IOWA C:IT'~; IOWA
7oa~ Ci~, 7on~a, 52245
(_,'v, c: Cc
Hy-Vee, Inc.
Mayor Ernie Lehman and
Members of the City Council
City Hall
410 E Washington
Iowa City, IA 52240
January 28,1999
FEB 0 1 1999
CiTY i4NilBEit'$ OFRCE'
Re:
Proposed New Drug Town
310 North First Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa
Dear Mayor Lehman and Members of the City Council:
I'm wdting to you concerning our proposed new Drug Town which will occupy most of
the former Hy-Vee Food Store located at 310 North First Avenue in Iowa City. It has
been brought to my attention that the current CN-1 Zoning does not allow a drive-up
window for our pharmacy department. As you are aware, today's modern drug stores
have drive-up windows, a very intricate and important part of the pharmacy which fits
the ever-changing lifestyles of today's consumers. Since we always had a drive-up for
groceries when the food store was there, we never thought a ddve-up for pharmacy
would not be allowed, hence our dilemma. We are ready to begin construction and
understand it's approximately a four month process to amend the zoning to allow the
drive-up window.
Hy-Vee, Inc. is hereby requesting the City of Iowa City to amend the CN-1 zoning under
paragraph (d) special exceptions to allow drive-up windows for pharmacies. Our
drive-up window for pharmacy is very similar to that of a financial institution in that it
uses the same equipment and provides a service and convenience for the residents in
the neighborhood in which it serves. The window is often times used by those who
have just come from a Doctor, are ill and do not feel like getting out of their vehicle and
walking into the store. We feel it fits in the neighborhood commercial zone very well as
it helps meet the day to day needs of a fully developed residential neighborhood.
Because the process for the amendment we are requesting is somewhat long, we plan
to move ahead with the construction, hoping the city will approve our request.
Please let me know how I should proceed with this request. If you have any questions
or would like to discuss this, please don't hesitate to call me at 515-267-2861.
Sincerely,
Bailie'
pc: Dennis Ausenhus
Planning and Zoning Commission
DAB/slg
5820 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Phone: (515) 267-2800
TO:
FROM: JIM LAR£~
RE:
IOWA CITY AREA SCIENCE CENTER, INC.
504 E. Bloomington Street
Iowa City, I.wa 52245
PHONE: 319-337-2007
FAX: 319~337-7082
Council Members / City Manager
,! JAN 7 1999
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
Campaign Train for Science and Technology Centers
Sunday, February 14, 1999, 12:00 noon
Enclosed you will find a copy of our press release which describes
an Iowa City to Des Moines Campaign Train which we will launch on
Sunday, February 14, 1999, at 12:00 noon.
The purpose of the trip is to bring public attention to the fact
that Iowa remains one of a few states in the nation which presently
provides no state tax funding for science and technology centers.
Although the science and technology center that we envision for
Iowa City will be supported largely by admission fees, memberships
and donations from corporations and foundations, it is also the
fact that such centers are educational institutions, and, as such
can only rarely be run without at least some tax support.
Our proposal does not envision the need for local tax revenues.
We will be holding a campaign "send off" event immediately
preceding the Campaign Train's departure. One can participate in
that event without becoming committed to a train ride. More
information will follow.
Of course, we would welcome any of you to "come on board" as a
guest of ICASC and the Iowa Interstate Railroad, Ltd., for a
portion or all of the statewide ride.
You need not ride the entire route to be a participant. We will be
making a stop at Homestead (near Bill Zuber's Restaurant) and
expect to be exchanging some passengers at that point.
Let me know of your interest.
It has been more than three years since the City of Iowa City and
Airport Commission first suggested that a permanent science and
technology center be located at the Iowa City Municipal Airport.
We have appreciated the Council's continued support since that time
and hope you will assist us in making this concept a reality in the
near future.
IOWA CITY AREA SCIENCE CENTER, INC.
504 E. Bloomington Street
Iowa City, lowa 52245
PHONE: 319-337-2007
FAX: 319-337-7082
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 1999
CAMPAIGN TRAIN TO CROSS IOWA
SEEKING SUPPORT FOR SCIENCE CENTERS IN THE STATE
Sunday, February 14, 1999
(Iowa City)--The Iowa City Area Science Center, Inc.,
("ICASC") today announced that during President's Day Weekend it
will be initiating a new statewide campaign to bring public
attention to the need for increased support for the state's
locally-based science and technology centers.
To mark the campaign's start, on Sunday, February 14, 1999, in
cooperation with the Iowa Interstate Railroad, Ltd. ("IAIS"), ICASC
will be sending a passenger campaign train across Iowa to bring
public attention to the need for increased support of locally-based
science and technology centers.
Details about the Campaign Train were jointly announced in
Iowa City by IAIS President and CEO Douglas M. Christy and ICASC
President Jim Larew at a meeting today convened by the Iowa
Association of Rail Passengers at the Radisson Hotel.
"IAIS is a strong supporter both of efforts to establish a
permanent science and technology center in the Iowa City community
and to establish rail passenger service on our line to serve the
people of Iowa," Christy said. "This trip will highlight the need
for both."
Christy expressed the basis for the railroad's support of
enhanced science and technology education. "A strong economy in
the future will be based on jobs that require an increasing base-
line knowledge about and hands-on experience with scientific and
technological matters," Christy said. "We are pleased to donate
the services of our railroad to ICASC and its guests to make this
Campaign Train possible."
Lead by IAIS's power, the train's consist will include the
Caritas, a vintage re-built passenger rail car owned and donated
for ICASC's use by Clark and Nona Johnson of Minneapolis,
Minnesota. The car has been used in political campaigns across
North America. However, Larew conceded that this was probably the
first time that the Caritas had been used for a campaign trip
highlighting the need for increased funding for science and
technology education.
"Iowans, throughout history, have touted ourselves as the
leadership state in educational programs and achievements," Larew
stated. "Our public and private schools and universities continue
to do a very good job, by any measure, of formally educating our
students."
"But traditional, formal educational settings cannot meet
every need that people of all ages have for increased opportunities
for education in the areas of science and technology. By contrast
to the good job that our teachers are doing in the classroom,
today, we stand as one in a small handful of states in the entire
nation that provides no state revenue support for science and
technology centers," Larew said.
"The comparison is unfavorable when made either to our upper-
Midwest neighbors and is simply unflattering when compared to
states such as Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and North
Carolina," Larew said. "We think it is time to get on the right
track and we hope this Campaign Train will assist us in expressing
that sentiment."
The Campaign Train will originate at the restored Rock Island
Depot, 119 Wright Street, Iowa City, at 12:00 noon, on February 14,
and will continue through Iowa in a westerly direction, making
brief stops in Homestead, Grinnell and Newton, before terminating
in Des Moines in the late afternoon of the same day.
Taking part in the ride across Iowa will be local supporters
of Iowa City's science and technology center, along with
representatives of science and technology centers in Bettendorf,
Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Des Moines.
The campaign train marks an initiating event of a new
statewide campaign to bring public attention to the need for
increased support for the locally-based science and technology
centers.
"Our state has a number of incredibly efficient, membership-
based science and technology centers upon which to build," Larew
said. "Science and technology centers cannot, and do not, attempt
to replace formal classroom teaching. Rather, science and
technology centers in progressive states are proving to be a vital
part of the overall mix of institutions which support science and
technology education."
The Iowa institutions invited to participate in the Campaign
Train are those which are members of the Association of Science and
Technology Centers, Inc., a national association headquartered in
Washington, D.C. They include: The Family Museum of Arts and
Science (Bettendorf); The Grout Museum / Bluedorn Science
Imaginarium (Waterloo); The Putnam Museum of History and Natural
Science (Davenport); the Science Station (Cedar Rapids); and the
Science Center of Iowa (Des Moines).
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
john calvin jones [jcjones@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu]
Tuesday, February 02, 1999 8:10 PM
council@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu
Police Citizen Review Board Policies
To Mayor Lehman and the other Council Members:
(I submit this letter to you that it shall be read into the record of the
next city council meeting).
It has come to my attention, via the DI, that the PCRB believes that
"complainants should be allowed to give testimony at hearings" and the
process should allow for "the identification of the officers involved
through a numbering system."
Of course I believe that complaintants should be afforded opportunities to
testify, but more importantly officers must be identified in public records
about alleged abuses. They should not be noted by number, but in NAME.
I justity this claim by referencing an idea employed by police, "the
innocent have nothing to hide."
Cases of police abuse should be far and few between. But none of us is
served by shielding the identity of those who may abuse their power. To
create a better, community-friendly, police force, the first thing we
should expect and demand from our "protectors" is their honesty, integrity,
and openness.
Police officers are of a class of civil servants who we need to be able to
identify, hence they wear a uniform. They also sport name plates -
supposedly to allow for laudability and accountability (when merited). The
PCRB was developed in the wake of the shooting of an innocent man where no
provocation existed. If the purpose of the PCRB is to help Iowa City have
a better police department, one of the chief ways it will achieve this aim
is by bringing light to issues of conflict, not by bureaucratizing them.
I urge the City Council to adopt measures that will create public records
that identify officers accused of inappropriate behavior.
John Calvin Jones
PhD candidate,
Department of Political Science
College of Law (class of 2001 )
341 Schaeffer Hall
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
(casa/huis) 319 353 4890 (before 7.00 or after 22.00)
(trabajo/werk) 319 335 2066 (Saturday and Sunday only)
(mensaje/berichten) 319 335 2358 (9.00-16.00 lunes por viernes/tot M aan V)
February 1, 1999
To: City Council Members
Court. After attending the Council Work Session on January 25, we
decided to write a letter detailing the reasons for our opposition.
We have lived on Tower Court for twenty-seven years. The street, which
is three blocks long, has only an entrance/exit to George Street. Cars do
park on the south side of the street. Since Tower Court is a dead-end
street, parking does not seem to be a traffic or safety issue. We have
been able to observe over the course of the last week the number of cars
parked on Tower Court at various times of the morning and afternoon.
This ranges from between 5 and 12 cars, some of which do belong to
residents of the street. Some residents report having difficulty backing
out of their driveways. We observed only two instances of cars parked in
front of the homes of the two residents who voiced complaints at the
January 25 meeting. We believe the problem is mainly a communication
problem, which has arisen between several residents.
One of the other reasons stated for instituting a parking ban was the
inability of the City to pick up leaves this fall. We have had a discussion
with one of the people on that City crew. We were informed that it was
difficult to pick up leaves, but when people were asked to remove cars the
leaves were successfully cleaned from the yards.
Many of the residents of Tower Court have one-car garages, and narrow
driveways. As a result some residents do park their cars on the street,
as well as using the street for guest parking. Delivery vehicles as well as
cars and trucks for people doing work at various residences on Tower
Court also park on the street. The proposed ban on parking would severely
limit these activities.
We do support the recent ordinance amending City Code Title 9, Chapter 4
which wilt limit on-street storage parking to 48 hours or less. We feel
this will take care of the complaints from Tower Court residents.
February 1, 1999
FEB 0 3' 999
CITY MANAGER'$ OFRCE
City Council
City of Iowa City
Civic Center
410 E. Washington
Iowa City, IA 52240
Re: Parking on Tower Court
Dear Members of the Council:
It is my understanding that a petition was circulated last week in order to determine
current views, by those of us who live on Tower Court, of the proposal to prohibit
parking on both sides of the street during weekdays. Unfortunately, I was unavailable
when the petition was circulated.
Had I had the opportunity to react to the petition, I would have indicated that I very
strongly favor retaining the current parking restriction. That is, it is my hope that
unrestricted parking on the south side of the street will continue to be allowed.
I empathize with those of my neighbors who find the commuter parking during
weekdays a nuisance. There are a number of circumstances that could result in real
problems if weekday parking on the street were prohibited. Primarily, for those of us
who have a number of family members and friends visit our homes during weekdays,
restricting parking on both sides of the street would leave these visitors no place to
park.
Your reluctance to enter into a permit system is most understandable due to
enforcement and employee work load problems, as well as budget considerations if
such a system were requested on other streets. In addition, such a system would not
resolve the problem of numerous visiWrs at one time. However, I submit that a change
to disallowing parking on both sides will impose a significant hardship on some in
order to alleviate a nuisance to others.
I will be pleased to respond to any questions you, or others, may have of me regarding
this matter.
Sincerely,
1017 Tower Court
Phone: 354-6653
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date:
To:
From:
Re:
January 26, 1999
City Clerk
Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ¢
No parking 8 AM to 5 PM, Mon-Fri on south side of Tower Court
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of
the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or
shortly after February 10, 1999.
Action
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10) of the City Code, signage will be installed indicating "No Parking 8
AM-5 PM, Mon-Fri' on the south side of Tower Court.
Comment
This action is being taken based on a neighborhood survey, in which 24 of 32 surveys were
returned and 15 of the 24 (62%) favored this action. The issue for the neighborhood is University-
related commuter parking. Parking on the north side of Tower Court is currently prohibited and will
not be changed by this action.
jccogtp\mem\twrcrt. doc
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date:
November 30, 1998
To: City Clerk
From: Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Plan~qer ~
Re: No parking 8 AM to 5 PM, Mon-Fri on southiside of Tower Court
/
/
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City;Code, this is to advise the City Council of
the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or
shortly after December 16, 1998.
Action
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10) of the City Code, signage will be installed indicating "No Parking 8
AM-5 PM, Mon-Fri" on the south side of Tower Court.
Comment
This action is being taken based on a neighborhood survey, in which 24 of 32 surveys were
returned and 15 of the 24 (62%) favored this action. The issue for the neighborhood is University-
related commuter parking. Parking on the north side of Tower Court is currently prohibited and will
not be changed by this action.
jccogtpVnmo\twrcrt.doc
January 19, 1999
TO:
RE:
The Honorable Mayor and the City Council
Civil Service Entrance Examination - CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR I
We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify
the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Construction Inspector I.
James Protaskey
I0 A CITY CIVIL
C SIO
cely,Chair
SERVICE
ATTEST:
Manan Kan', City Clerk
410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET * IOWA CITY, IOWA 511240-1826 * (,t, 19) 356-5000 " FAX (319) 356-5009
January 19, 1999
q,'i: mbCb)
TO: The Honorable Mayor and the Ci.ty Council
RE: Civil Service Entrance Examination- EMERGENCY
DISPATCHER
COMMUNICATIONS
We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify
the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Emergency Communications Supervisor.
Helen McKinstry
IOWA CITY CIVIL
CO . SSION~
Mi y, Chair
SERVICE
ATTEST:
M~'~.Karr, City Clerk
410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET * IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 * 1319) 3,56-5000 * FAX (31{)) 356-5009
January 19, 1999
TO:
RE:
The Honorable Mayor and the City Council
Civil Service Entrance Examination - MAINTENANCE WORKER II - CBD
We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify
the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Maintenance Worker II - CBD.
Kevin Oxley
IOWA CITY CIVIL
COF1VIISSION
Chair
SERVICE
ATTEST:
MmY~~'arr, City Clerk
410 EAST WASilINGTON STREET * IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 * (319} 356-5000 * FAX (319} $56-5009
January 19, 1999
TO:
RE:
The Honorable Mayor and the City Council
Civil Service Entrance Examination - SPECIAL PROJECTS INSPECTOR
We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify
the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Special Projects Inspector.
William Anderson
SERVICE
ATTEST:
M~Karr, City Clerk
410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET * IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 * (319) 356-5000 '* FAX (319) 356-5009
5:5~PM
M0.519
P. 2/2
January 27, 1999
VIA FAX: (3J9) 356-5009
Iowa City Mayor
Council Members
c/o City Clerk
Iowa City, IA
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
I am writing on bchalf of the deer that arc being shot by your idea of"dear managcrn~nt." I realizc that
overpopulation is a big problem and is an oilgoing issue for many, .many ar~as around our country.
However, I believe that there are much more humane ways to control populations besides taking out
your guns and shoofiug the dew dead. Look at it this way, there is an overpopulation problem among
mankind, too. Our world is quickly filling up with people, soon, there will not be enough worn for all
of us. What would we think if the r~nedy for human ovcrpopula~on would be to pull out rifics and
shoot a certain number so that population nabms we.~ redtreed to a comfortable level I rcalizc that
this is a drastic comparison, bowever, the same point can be taken from both scenarios. I bclicve with
some research, there could be oth~ methods to reduce population and effectively manage the cider
probl~n. Have you considcr~ capturing the dccr and spaying/neutcfing them? This would allow them
to naturally "thin out" over time and permau~ntly and continually r~nedy the situation.
I urge you to take a closer look at your methods and hope that you will realize that this is a most
inhumane way to control d~er populations. Senseless slaughter of deer by the droves is absolutely
unacceptable. This would give reason to question why there are such things as hunting licenses and
certain seasons and days of the year that hunting is legal. Where would i.t all stop? Before long, we
could be living in a world that has no protection for easily accessibIe wild animals and them we would
have an entirely different problem, endangermerit and distinction. I-{av~'t we harmed enough animal
species throughout our years as guests on this planet7
I believe that there are much more acceptable ways to r~m~dy this ~ituation and I ask you to please
research these other options.
16105 E. 28d' Ta'rac~, #3012
hdcpcndcace, MO 64055
(816) 478-2326
EmaiI: vancamp~gkbaum.com
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
GAMARCHMAN@aol.com
Monday, February 08, 1999 10:27 AM
marian_karr@iowa-city.org
Tower Court Parking
Re: Tower Court parking
Please forward to Mayor and City Council
We attended the City Council planning meeting, January 26, 1999 and wanted to
respond to the discussion regarding the parking situation on Tower Court.
We have lived at 1109 Tower Court for 21 years and along with all of the
neighbors solved our parking issues by working cordially and cooperatively
with each other.
This changed approximately two years ago when University Heights passed an
ordinance prohibiting parking on their streets. Now we have people using our
street as storage while they commute to other places. This causes difficulty
in receiving services (leaf removal, snow plowing, and recycling pickup). A
survey done in November, 1998 showed 62% of the home owners were in favor of
prohibited parking 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
We know there has been a petition circulated requesting the survey be
overruled. We urge the City Council to go with the majority vote of residents
of the street and implement the restricted parking.
Thank you for your consideration.
Gloria A Marchman
James N. Marchman
1109 Tower Court
319-354-1971
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
MUBasebal@aol.com
Monday, February 08, 1999 3:53 PM
marian_karr@iowa-city.org
GAMARCHMAN@aol.com
Re: Tower Court Parking
We hope you will agree to restrict parking on Tower Court from 8-5 Monday
through Friday with unlimited parking at night and on weekends for the
following reasons:
1. The street is being used as a storage for cars - unmoved for at least 5
days at
a time, and for students and employees of the university. It is hoped the
council will give us the same consideration as a previous council did for
Manville Heights residents in limiting parking there when the law school
was in their area.
You will agree with the Nov. 1998 survey when 62% of the residents voted
for
being
this restriction.
You will take into consideration the petition which was circulated is
done so by students who may only be living on the street a few more
months.
We have lived here at this address since 1964, this is the first time we have
felt compelled to express our wishes to the council. We urge you to cast your
vote as the majority wishes.
Donald E. & Janis A. Boenker
1108 Tower Court
Please forward this to the mayor and city council.
February 8, 1999
Conhie Champion
Ernic Lehman t,,''/
Karen Kubby
Dee Norton
Mike O'Donnell
Dean Thornberry
Dee Vanderhoef
Dear Iowa City Council members,
I am writing you with regard to recent activities involving Tower Court and its parking situation.
As a resident on this street since 1982, I wish to express my support of keeping the parking as it
has been - on the south side of the meet. Parking on the west end of Tower Court does get
congestcd with commuters and rental properties. However, the duplexes have ample room for
multiple vehicle parking.
To prohibit parking entirely on Tower Court might appear to eliminate the problem for those who
reside on the west end. But it would also be unfair to residents on the east end of Tower Court
who ~ionally use the space for personal autos. Any service providers would not be allowed to
park their vehicles if called to provide services to residents for plumbing, deliveries, roofing, etc.
And I would rather see our law enforcement agents spend their time enforcing laws where residents
lives or homes are at risk, rather than writing parking tickets.
Thank you for taking so much time to discuss and study this issue. It is time, however, to eliminate
any further expenditures in time or money by the city regarding parking on Tower Court. Please
vote to retain the current parking pattern on Tower Court. Thank you.
Most .$' iiy,
1000 Tower Court
Iowa City IA 52246
· .. WORLD REPORTS...
Eadh Island Journal -- Winter/Spring 1 gg9
'hen you pop a pill, it doesn't stop
:re. Pharmaceuticals given to
people and domestic animals -
inc uding antibiotics. hormones. pamkil]-
ers, tranquilizers, and chemotherapy drugs
g~ven to cancer patients - are lurning up in
surface. ground and tap water. Increasingly,
large quantities of drugs excreted by hu-
maris and domestic animals are being dis°
tributed into the environment by flushing
toilets and by spreading manure and sewage
sludge onto and into soil.
German scientists report that anywhere
from 30 to 60 drugs can be measured m a
typical water sample. The concentrations of
some drugs in water are comparable to the
low pans-per-billion (ppb) levels at which
pesticides are typically found.
X~q'mt is the long-term effect of drinking, day
after day, a dilute cocktail of pesticides, antibi-
otics, painkillers, tranquilizers and chemo-
therap), agents? No one knows. It is simply
beyond the capabilities of science to son out the
many chemical interactions that could occur m
such a complex chemical soup. The only solu-
tion to such a problem would be prevention.
Post-Flush Pollution
The first stud), that detected drugs in sewage
took place at the Big Blue River sewage
treatment plant in Kansas City in 1976. The
problem, duly recorded in scientific litera-
ture, was then ignored for 15 years.
In 1992, German researchers looking for
herbicicles in water kept noticing a chemical
they couldn't identify. It tumed out to be
clofibric acid (CA), a drug used to reduce
cholesterol levels in human blood and a
dose chemical cousin of the popular weed-
killer 2,4-D.
Since 1992, researchers in German),, Den-
mark and Sweden have been measuring CA
and other drugs in rivers, lakes and the
North Sea. To everyone's surprise, it turns
out that the entire North Sea contains mea-
surable quantities of clofibnc acid. Based on
the volume of the sea (12.7 quadrillion gal-
lons) and the average concentration of CA
(1 to 2 parts per trillion [ppt]), researchers
estimate that the North Sea contains 48 to
96 tons of CA ~qth 50 to 100 additiona] tons
entenng the Sea each year.
The Danube River in German}' and the Po
River in lta]y also contain measurable quanti-
ties of CA. Tap water in Berlin contains CA at
concentrations between ] 0 and 165 ppt.
lndivldua] sctcnllsts wnhin Ihc t'S Food
and Drug Administration (FDA] have bccn
concerned about this problem toe a dccadc.
bul so tar the FDA has taken the ofhcial
positaon that excreted drugs arc not a Frob-
]em because lhc concentrations Iound m the
enxqronmcnt arc usually bc}o~ one par~ pcr
bilhon tppb).
EMPTYING OUR MEDICINE CABINETS
Thin)' percent of the drugs manufactured
between ] 992 and 1995 are lipophilic. mean-
ing that the)' tend to dissolve in fat but not
in water. This g~ves them the ability to pass
through cell membranes and act inside cells
Unfortunately. it also means that once they
are excreted into the environment. the)' en-
ter food webs and concentrate in predators.
Man)' drugs are designed to be persistera.
so that the)' can retain their chemical struc-
ture long enough to do their therapeutic work.
Unfortunately. such drugs also tend to persist
in the environment after they are excreted.
Dilution Is No Solution
A landfill used by the Jackson Naval Air
Station in Florida contaminated groundwa-
ter w~th a plume of chemicals that has been
When a human or an animat is
given a drug, anywhere from
50 percent to 90 percent of it
is excreted unchanged
moving slowly underground for more than
20 years. Pentobarbital (a barbiturate), me-
probamate (a tranquilizer sold as Equanil
and Miltown) and phensuximide (an anti-
convulsant) are still measurable in that
groundwater plume.
When a human or an animal is given a
drug, an)'where from 50 to 90 percent of it
is excreted unchanged. The remainder is
excreted in the form of metabolites- chemF
cals produced as by-products of the body's
interaction with thc drug. Researchers re-
pon thal some of the metabo]ites arc more
lipophilic and more pers~stcm than the origi-
Eban Fleaux
SORRY
: -..
na] drugs from which they
were derived '
~rhen a new drug is pro-
~ .
posed for market the FDA
requires the manufacturer
to conduct a risk assess-
ment that estimates the concentra-
tions that will be found in the envi-
ronment. If the concentration will
be less than one ppb, the drug is
assumed to pose acceptable nsks.
The FDA has never turned dox~m a
drug based on estimated environ-
mental concentrations. Moreover,
no actual testing is conducted af-
ter a drug is marketed to see if the
environmental concentration was
estimated correctly.
Many drugs can be measured
at environmental concentrations
exceeding one ppb. There is
ample evidence that some chemi-
cals have potent effects on wildliE at
concentrations far below one ppb. Estra-
diol, a female sex hormone (and a common
water pollutant), can alter the sex character-
istics of certain fish at 20 parts per trillion.
Another problem resulting from releas-
ing drugs into the environment is that bacte-
ria can develop resistance to medical antibi-
otics. Ant~iotics are only useful so long as
bacteria do not become resistant to them.
Hospital sewage systems discharge substan-
tial quantities of antibiotics and chemotherapy
drugs into the environment. Health Care
Without Harm, a large national coalition of
environmental and health groups, might
consider tackling this problem.
Sewage sludge is a major pathway by which
drugs enter the environment. This provides
a scientific rationate for labeling sewage
sludge a dangerous soil amendment, the
use of which should be forbidden.
For a long time, people have worried that
the world was going to run out of natural
resources. ]t is now apparent that we have
run ou! of places lo throw things away
Reprinlcd./rom Rachel's Environment 6:
Heallh Weekh'/En,,ironmental Rcscarth
foundation. PO Bo:~ 5036. Annap,li.L MI)
21403.7036. (888)2RACHEL. (410)263-
1.5g4..lax.' ~410) 263-8944. Rat'hH~ t.~ a kcc
.wrvuc.' ta.~-dcductibh' d, natt,n.~ arc ,,charnel
Summer/Fall (Southern Hemisphere) 1999
February 2, 1999
Johnson County Board of Supervisors
County Administration Building
913 South Dubuque
Iowa City, IA 52240
CITY OF I0 WA CITY
Dear Jonathan and Members of the Board:
The City Council discussed the County's proposal to resolve the Milder rezoning case on
American Legion Road. It is our understanding that the County proposes the rezoning of two
one-acre parcels to RS with the remaining 18.4 acres of the Milder property being placed in an
outlot with the zoning A-1.
We believe the outcome of this action would follow the intent of the Iowa City/Johnson County
Fringe Area Agreement although it would not follow the letter of the Agreement. In Fringe
Area B, the preferred land use is agriculture for any properties outside the City's projected
growth area. Consideration can be given to RS-10 zoning, or one dwelling unit per ten acres.
Given the circumstances of this case - the previous subdivision of the land; the resulting
configuration of the 20.4 acre parcel; and the location of the two houses which have already
been constructed - designation of an RS-10 zoning in which each house is on a 10-acre parcel
is very difficult to achieve. Also problematic is the fact that clustering of development is not
anticipated by the Fringe Agreement in this area, as currently drafted, and the County Zoning
Ordinance does not permit agricultural uses within the RS zone designations. Because the
outcome of the County's proposal will be, at least in the immediate future, no more than one
dwelling unit per 10 acres, and the fact that the houses have already been built, we can support
the County's proposal. However, given history, the A-1 zoning does not necessarily guarantee
that the remaining 18.4 acres will remain in agricultural use. It is our understanding that the
County Board will require designation of the 18.4 acre outlot for agricultural use and include a
provision in the Subdivider's Agreement with the platting of the Milder lots which will restrict
further resubdivision of the 18.4 acre parcel. This should ensure compliance with the Fringe
Agreement at least until a future Fringe Agreement and a future Johnson County Land Use Plan
provides for other than agricultural use in this area.
We appreciate the Board's consulting with the City before taking any action on this rezoning
given our previous formal statements regarding this property. We look forward to coming to
mutually agreeable resolutions of land use issues with the County in the future.
Sincerely,
Ernest W. Lehman
Mayor
ppddir/Itrlmilder,doc
410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240-1826
(319)356-5413
January 28, 1999
Mayor Ernest W. Lehman
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
In executive session Tuesday, January 26, 1999, the PCRB voted to request
an extension of the 30-day reporting deadline according to City Code Section
8-8-7B.6 for PCRB Complaint #98-19.
On January 21, 1999, the Board requested further information from the
Police Department. The Board's Report for #98-19 is presently due on
February 12, 1999. !n anticipation of the additional investigative information
from the Police Department and, in order to ensure the investigation is
conducted in a manner which is fair, thorough and accurate, the Board
requests a 30-day extension to March 14, 1999.
Thank you for your prompt consideration of this matter.
Sincerely, ,d_-~)
~son, Vice-Chair
Police Citizens Review Board