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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-18 CorrespondenceI""l'tl 05-18-99 39(1) Anl tjil Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Subject: H EADWAVE@aol .com Thursday, May 13, 1999 1:47 PM council@iowa-city.org Goosetown Traffic Calming Dear City Council Members: I intended to respond to your decision regarding traffic calming earlier, but the my computer crashed, hard, and has been down for almost a week. I am disappointed in the decision and the process. With reference to the decision, it seems clear that there are valid traffic concerns in the Goosetown area, concerns which will see no resolution now until First Avenue is completed -- if the engineers are right. I do not like the wait and I will be surprised (pleasantly!) if the First Avenue project has a major impact on the problem. I do respect the fact that Council ultimately has the decision. With reference to the process, I have a number of concerns. When people spend a great deal of time organizing and canvassing for a special ballot, have support from that ballot, and see no results, the process seems duplicitous. The standards for the process you established appear to have been met, then nothing is done. In this project, the engineering department recommended earlier that no more action should be taken, citing their belief that First Avenue is the only real solution to the problems we are experiencing. We petitioned them, through the Council, to restart the process. As a result, the process was restarted, expending additional time for us and for staff. You have a fire department who routinely and categorically says no, and says it in such a way as to cause (I think) greater than necessary concerns. While this is second hand, I have been told they used as examples, in an earlier project, information about trucks which the Iowa City Fire Department does not have. While safety is a real concern, I would like to see more than just flat rejections. I am surprised there are any completed projects. You need to decide how much support is enough. Approving some projects and not others when results of balloting are similar is not credible. You do not appear to be dealing with us in good faith. You will always have to make a fiscal decision if a project is supported by balloting and you need to devise some way to deal with that. Again, different decisions for similar ballot results is problematic. One suggestion is to set a dollar limit for projects, although I don't like the idea very much. think the traffic concerns in our neighborhood are more complex than those dealt with by other projects, and any response is of course going to be more expensive. Finally, I was pleased to note that two of you realized you are part of the daily cut-through problem on Bloomington and in Goosetown. If your driving habits have changed as a result, great! If they have not, it increases my belief that First Avenue won't have a significant impact. I would like to see some traffic counts at that time. Thank you for your time. David L. Rust 915 East Bloomington Street DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY ROCK ISLAND DtSTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS CORALVILLE LAKE PROJECT 2850 PRAIRIE DU CHIEN RD NE IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-7820 I]E(DEI]Ifl)E ,.IC APR 3 o 1999 April 29, 1999 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE City Council Members of Iowa City Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa 5224 Dear City Council Members of Iowa City, On Memorial Day, May 31, 1999, at 1:30 PM the Corps of Engineers and the Johnson county military organizations will be honoring six local military veterans at Coralville Lake. The 45 minute ceremony will be conducted at the East Overlook Picnic area located on the east side of the dam. This year's honorees are: Maynard Sexton Rex Flansburg Harry Eister William Knowling Robert Bowers Roy McAtee The Corps of Engineers would be honored by your presence at the dedication ceremony. In the event of rain the ceremony will be conducted in the ranger storage area adjacent to the visitor center on the east side of the dam. Should you have any questions please contact Park Ranger Kate Soska at 338- 3543. Sincerely, John C. Castle Operations Manager May 12, 1999 To: Iowa City Council Members From: Patty Mishler Please research this...What percent of lowa City's population currently use the Iowa City Public Library on a regular basis? How many of those residents are University of Iowa students? Now consider...What percent of Iowa City residents have consistently voted down expansion of the Iowa City Public Library at it's current location? And ~nally...What percent of Iowa City residents expect our tax dollars to provide the best and most efficient response by fire/police personnel? If you consider these percentages, I hope you can move quickly to put this library expansion plan to rest...permanently! The internet has made the entire planet our "virtual library", and our current building provides that access. I fail to see the need to construct a larger facility...and be faced with the operating expenses forever. Thank you for your consideration. Patty Mishler fifv'e z~z ......... 812 Woodside D 7 lowa City, IA 52246 (319)354-5155 PIet 5, /999 502 l{/hLtL,5_,g, Av Zowa CLt~z, la 5'22zt5' Dear EouncLi [~em~era, AwALZe bac~, Z had waLtten to you re~ardLng my {Aou~Ata a3ou{ deer control. 2' Lnciuded and artLcie from a ma~aSLne that alao poLnted ou~ dL/fLcuitLe4 wL~h huge herd4 of deer. I ~ope that ali of you had a chance to head Lt and pa44 Lt on. 7oda~, Z am encio4Ln~ a coupie of g~otoa t~at ahow wha~ happened to a coupie of nLce evergreen4 due to t~e wLnLer ~Eme feeden~ of 4o many deer. 7wo of tAe4e evergreen4 ~ave 5een removed 5ecau4e ~Ae~ were 4o 4everei~ damaged. No new growt~ we4 apparent. Z do hope that you move forward en [Lnd~n~ a 4oluL~on to down the deer populatLon - wAEc~ contenue4 ~o prow. A 4olut~on tart wLii he ~end to t~e deer a4 weli a4 for ali ?eopie i~vCn~ ~n t~e 4ame area. Z ~ad my ever}reen~ En t~e front of t~e hou4e ~eavLi~ enca4ed c~ec~en were durLn~ t~e w~nter 4o deer wouidn'~ chew on ~t. Z have recentiv Laden ~t o[[ and am hopeful the deer w~ii not Lnciude En their 4ummer deer. ~ ho4ta4 are ~et to be ciaemed b~ t~em. Oni] teme wLii tail e~ t~4 ~4 on rAcEr movement rou~e. ~7 .;~ ~veZ~n To Mayor Lehman, Mr. Thornbury, Ms. Vanderhoff, Mr. Norton and Ms. Kubby, May 1 O, 1999 Mrs. Champion, Mr. O'Donnell, I have been using the Iowa City transit system ever..' day for the last 18 years. Before that t used the system on and off since the current system was established in 1971. As someone who doesn't own a car nor drive the transit system that we have in towa City is a treasure. I can live where I want have access to stores, employment, doctors and the like. Having stated this, I was quite distressed to look at the recommendations that the transit planners have in regards to our system. I realize that having a complete and c:~,icient system is not easy. A growing cib' and the needs of the passengers, such as school children or those folks covered by the ADA means more pressure is put on a system that is stretched to its seams. ! am also aware that transit systems don't make money for a city. But I see the issues raised by this proposal as being a *'-'" point red *~" First ' ' .,.,,.,, ,,.g. ,is an enwronmental one. We shouldn't be building parking ramps we should be investing in transit. This one I will leave to others who can argue t"e ""'~"+ The second nn~- is about accessibiY~ ~ .h., system attempts to cover the city with the few resources it has how can it really serve any~nes needs. Third. I feet is a auestion of priorities ! will be- InKing mu .qaturdav ~nd ~v~ning service so that routes can go to the west side of towa City. There was no survey conducted about where the needs are. !n fa~, if anything the studies that were done indicated that my route, Lakeside was the second busiest during the day and the third busiest on Saturdays and evenings. ! don't understand what sense it makes to take buses away from an area where the use is heavy to an unknown area where there is no indication of a need for at~'-'daNe transit. And what is the point -'~ a downtown shuttle where most people are within walking distance of the places they need to go where others who live on the frin es of town ,.,"~ be losing service? P!ain ""'~ the City is telling those '-'~the . ,.,, us on Southeast ~,,-,~, many of whom are low income, elderly or disabled that those people who chose to build $200,~IIO homes need the service as much as we do. I am not so sure about this. And it would be terrible to pit the service on economics not my intent and that is ,.'"" ~ have chosen to address the final red flag that one being the question of safety. My iob requires me to work on scheduled Saturdays ~nd e:;enings Tn take ~ which ~ could afford to would cost between 9-1'~ dollars, On the evening that ~ am required to work. I leave my job at 9 O ~, and take t"e n'~ Lakeside. -"' ...... ~"' ~ will leave the bus at 10:15 at my corner and walk the half block to my home. I am not comfortable but its about a 2-3 minute walk. The current proposal would have me leaving the bus around 10 p.m. at the corner of Union Rd and Hollywood Blvd, which iS .4; ....,.. ,.,..^ ^_..., ..... .4 ^;_..- .,^_, .... my "'^'- or ~ ~ walking ~ou u ~;y~- ~.,:u~:.-,~ u,, ~uuy across ~ street from P&G ,u .:, , ~ cutting through Fair meadows park ^-" uu get ~,~ ,u cutting two blocks from my trip Or I c^' 'Idoff the bus at Lakeside Apartments and walk be~.een two apa~ment buildings, ponds, an old tennis court and another apartment complex. None of you live in this part ^' '" ....~ ~ have to remind you that there wa~ a shooting over here u, town but ~ uu~ ~ think ' last year. Its not safe. In the winter for an elderly or disabled person who can't access SEATS, which isn't always available, this trek would be impossible. For a young mother with small children it would be a tough trip. This section of town is developing at a rate that is consistent with the rest of Iowa City, the service is needed. I don't think forcing people who can't walk a long distance to use their resources ,~or costly transportation is very wise. Nor making the end of a bus ride a jaunt into danger very, appealing. I was told by Mr. Logsden that a deviated route maybe established but I find this deviated system to be trying. t don't want to force my fellow passengers to sit though a side journey to my home. Nor do t want to burden the driver with another task to remember especially during the last run of the evening when there might end up being several excursions to passengers front doors. My point in all of this is for all of you to consider the concept of the safety of the people who use the transit system in the event of any changes to it. Thank you for your consideration, Terri Byers 2509 Nevada Ave Iowa City, IA 52240-6776 CtlY M/ NAGER'S OFFICE 606 HoltAvenue Iowa City, IA 52246 May 7,' 1999 City Council City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Members of" the Council: On the 18th of this month you will be expected to consider the recommendations of the Transit d%partment concerning increasing ridership on City buses. At the public meeting on May 6 a sizable group of citizens learned the general outlines of the proposed changes. As you might expect, there were numerous objections. In an effort to increase numbers, without changing the budget, additional service was proposed for some routes while the entire block of non-peak time was eliminated from the Manville Heights route. The reason was that ridership on this route is the lowest of any of the City routes. The rationale seemed to be that losing riders from Manville Heights would more than be overcome by increased ridership in favored routes. Since the Transit'department was instructed by you to increase the numbers, they could have no other concern. Human costs were irrelevant to their decision-making. As representatives of all of the people of this City, however, your concerns must necessarily be much more concerned with the unintended consequences of such a ~ecision. I am writing to protest the proposed cut in the Manville Heights route. Riders need.a 9:30 or 10:30 bus in order to get to the library, downtown shopping, doctor and dentist appointments, and the Senior Center. They need an 11:30, 12:30, or 1:30 bus in order to return home. .This is especially true if they have to take more than one bus to reach their destination. Without the inexpensive and convenient bus service we now enjoy, faithful bus riders of the Manville route will be obliged to make other arrangements. Since many of these are elderly, and some frail or handicapped, they will turn to SEATS. Some can afford to pay the usual fee. I suspect that many cannot. If you are not regular riders on our City buses you will realize that not everyone considers the bus as an attractive form of transportation. Simply permitting you to take it on the half hour as well as the hour would probably not be sufficient incentive to persuade you to leave your.car at home. Faithful riders are generally people who have little choice in the matter. They are too poor'to afford a car. They are too handicapped to obtain a driver's'license. These people need your compassion and your assistance. Please consider them when you make your final decision. Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Subject: Kalan, Katherine [KalanK@uihc.uiowa.edu] Thursday, May 06, 1999 12:07 PM 'council@iowa-city.org' BUS ROUTE REDUCTION I would like to express my strong objection to any reduction in our bus routes. My first reason is that it would severely restrict the hours which I could work. The second relates to our community as a whole. Iowa City citizens pride themselves in their high level of awareness and global concern in many areas. The bus system here allows for easy access to the entire community for those without other means. It also allows many of us to reduce pollution and congestion by taking the bus to work and shop. The EXPRESS route was a wonderful addition, lightening the parking load downtown and saving a tremendous amount of money that would otherwise have gone to parking. If anything, the bus routes and hours should be expanded. Katherine Kalan Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Subject: JAMES SURRATT [JIMSURATEK@webtv.net] Saturday, May 08, 1999 9:04 PM council@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu transportation I would like to ask the Iowa City Council to please try to see a greater vision of the mass transit needs, not just for Iowa City Citizens, but for Johnson County and the surrounding counties as well. Each weekday during rush hour, the streets and highways fill with auto traffic, not just in Iowa City but between us and the surrounding bedroom communities as well. Let's face it. As the property taxes in Iowa City go up, so does the population in these bedroom communities. As a 20 year veteran of Iowa City Transit with an extra 5 years experience from before, I've seen the demographics shift in Iowa City over the years. We've expanded it several times trying to keep up with the demands for service in our growing community. The university students have pretty much been situated close to downtown with the AUR apartments in place and no longer flock in great numbers to the outlying apartment complexes like they did back in the 70's. So the needs have shifted. As more factories are locating in the east-side development areas, transportation needs are not being properly addressed. Not long ago, the director of the U of I vanpool that provides vans for employees that live in commuter areas said he has 100 vans in use. And he coud use another 100 vans to meet the demand for the service! These factories have no such service. It's going to take someone with a great vision to see that mass transit is needed for a greater area. It's going to take the cooperation of all of these communities and their respective boards of supervisors of each county to sit down together and plan how they are going to meet this tremendous need. It will probably take years to develop and implement, but in the end it will have been worth it! Especially if you consider that it will be drawing from a much broader tax base along with help from the federal and state governments! James Surratt 133 Arabian Court Iowa City Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Subject: Barta, Susan [BartaS@uihc. uiowa.edu] Thursday, May 06, 1999 2:26 PM 'council@iowa-city.org' Possible Reduction of Bus Services 05-18-99 3g(10) Dear Iowa City Council Members, I am quite concerned about the recent discussions regarding the possible reduction of bus services in Iowa City. Although I do not currently use this service on a regular basis, I have depended on it in the past as my "alternate" means of transportation throughout the city. I have recently moved to a new residence within Iowa City and do not have a city bus service that is near enough for me to utilize. This service will be missed. My greater concern has to do with my fellow co-workers who depend on the city busses to get them to and from work. One specific employee under my supervision does not own a car and depends solely on the bus for her transportation. Current routes provide the accessability to places throughout the city, as well as a sufficient route schedule. Reduction in routes or services would not only be an inconvenience, but also could possibly require this individual to seek new employement at a facility closer to their home. I appreciate your willingness to hear my voice, and trust that you will make wise decisions in this matter. Susan Barta University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Iowa City Transit Public Input Meeting Comment Form Please return to: lowa City Transit 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Name: ~-~ Address: Phone Number: City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM 05-18-99 3g('13)(a) Date: May 12, 1999 TO: From: City Clerk Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Designation of handicapped parking on the east side of the 10 block of South Linn Street As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or shortly after May 28, 1999. Action Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(14) of the City Code, signage and pavement markings will be installed on the east side of the 10 block of South Linn Street designating the five existing 10 minute loading zone spaces as four handicapped parking only spaces. Comment This action is being taken to accommodate the displaced handicapped spaces by the downtown renovation and Iowa Avenue Multi-Use Parking Facility. The spaces will be signed for Senior Center use only. This will be in effect during the 1-1/2 year construction period of the parking facility. jccogtp\memos\linnst. doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM 05-18-99 3g(13)(b) Date: To: From: Re: May 12, 1999 City Clerk Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~ Installation of Metered Spaces on Clinton Street from Market Street to Church Street As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or shortly after May 28, 1999. Action Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(17) of the City Code, parking meters will be installed on Clinton Street from Market Street to Church Street on both sides as stated below: 200 N. Clinton - 10 metered spaces on the west side, 12 metered spaces on the east side 300 N. Clinton - 0 metered spaces on the west side, 10 metered spaces on the east side 400 N. Clinton - 10 metered spaces on the west side, 10 metered spaces on the east side 500 N. Clinton - 15 metered spaces on the west side including 2 handicapped spaces, 12 metered spaces on the east side All spaces will operate with two-hour time limits except the two handicapped spaces which will have five-hour time limits. Comment This action is being taken to help provide greater turnover of the existing parking along Clinton Street. The University of Iowa requested this action be taken. jw/mem/dr~lint.doc L: i :' City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM 05-18-99 3g(13)(C) Date: To: From: Re: May 12, 1999 City Clerk Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~ Modification of Loading Zone on 300 N. Clinton Street As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or shortly after May 28, 1999 in coordination with the installation of parking meters on surrounding blocks. Action Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10) of the City Code, signage will be installed replacing the existing "10 Minute Parking" zone with "Loading Zone 15~minute limit enforced 24 hours" on the west side of the 300 block of N. Clinton Street. Comment This action is being taken at the request of the University of Iowa to clarify the intent of the loading zone. This will be done in conjunction with the installation of parking meters on other blocks of Clinton Street. jw/mern/dr-clint2.doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: May 12, 1999 To: City Clerk From: Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner '~ Re: Modification of Existing Handicapped Parking Space on 200 East Washington 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 May 28, 1999. Action Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(14) of the City Code, signage will be removed and reinstailed eliminating one existing handicapped parking space on the south side of the 200 block of East Washington Street and replacing the space on the north side of the west end of the existing loading zone. Comment This action is being taken as part of the downtown renovation to ensure the space is accessible. The existing space did not have conforming ramp access. The new space will be constructed in accordance with ADA specifications. lm\mem\dr5-12.doc April 28, 1999 i L TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council Civil Service Entrance Examination - PARKING ENFORCEMENT ATTENDANT 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 parking Enforcement Attendant. Gloria Hanson Dwight Glinsmann IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE ATTEST: 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 * (319} 356-5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 05/14/99 16:19 '~319 339 5705 CITY HIGH --- r,~ HIgh .~r,.hoel 900 Morningside Drive Iowa City, IA S2245 (319) 339-S811 Fax (319) 339-5705 'q'he School That Leads" Trudy Day. Ed.P Principal Shirley J. Fours Assistant Principal Jim S. Casas Assistant Prinsipa~ Larry Bmwn Athletic Director May 14, 1999 Emic Lehman Mayor Civic Ccn~er 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52245 Dear Mayor Lehman: I understand there is current discussion about bus route changes in Iowa City and concerned that some of these changes may have a negative impact on City High students. My name is Shi~ey Fouts and I am the associate principal who is in charge of the special education programs at City High. Several of our programs depend on public transportation to provide community and work exl:~riences for those students with special needs. Not having the bus service would impact the functional/life skills component which is an integral pan of the educational program. In the recent past the ? Avenue route was dropped whilc other routes changed to an hourly schedule, thus, leaving only the 1:00 p.m. bus on Court SWeet and Fourth available to City High students. As the City Council discusses the bus routes, please consider the needs of City High students and slx:cial education programs in particular. I am advocating for the ma/ntenance of the Court StrectY Fourth Avenue bus that arrives at 1 p.m. and arriv~ downtown in approximately 15 minutes. Students currently leave downtown at 2:45 p.m. to mtum to schoel in a timely manner. This bus mute specifically supports the community based experiencPs which are part of the special education programming. While I understand the complexides involved in such dcdsions and know that all constituencics have their own masons for service, it is certain that if no bus service were available to City High School during the day the absence of that service would negatively impact our students and programs. ~oo2/o02 Sincerely, Shi~ey J. Fours Associate Principal 05/18/99 15:05 '~'319 339 5738 WEST HIGH SCHOOL West High School Jerry L. Arganbrlght, Principal ~ Where Joan Burns, Assistant Principal Rxce|lence Reese 1VIorgan, Assistant Principal 1~ A Mary Raftand, Athletic Director Tradition May 18, 1999 TO: RE: Iowa City Council Bus Route Proposal I am aware the Council is currently discussing modifying bus routes in Iowa City to help accommodate students and adults in the Hunters Run and Southwest Estates area. As I previously communicated to the Council, I am very supportive of some modifications in the Iowa City bus schedule to help accommodate our students who reside in these developments. We have a growing number of students who would certainly benefit from increased bus services to these neighborhoods. I know the council is aware of the multitude of activities and related events which our students are involved with here at West High, Additional bus service as proposed to the Council would cadairily be a great benefit for students who participate in these activities as well as students traveling to and from school on a daily basis. I certainly appreciate the Council's suppod for our students who would use the expanded bus service. Thank you 2901 Melrose Avenue - Iowa City, Iowa 52246-3605 - Telephone 319-339-6817 - Fax 319-339-5738