HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-09 CorrespondenceMarian Karr
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ellen sweet [emsweetl 544@yahoo.com]
Tuesday, October 19, 1999 9:29 PM
Council Iowa City
Iowa City Weed Law
I have telephoned most of you twice, some more than
twice. I have sent you a lot of literature that I
trust you read. I have not heard from any of you in
response to my requests that you consider modifying
your weed law or at least give residents fair warning
should they purchase native species, sold locally,
that they risk the wrath of the City weed official and
should contact him/her before planting native species
on their property.
I consider it to be simple courtesy that the council
responds to my appeal and don't understand your
collective silence.
Ellen Sweet
319-337-3779
PO Box 2988
Iowa City, IA 52240
Do You Yahoo!?
Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com
Marian Karr
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J4A2C@aol.com
Friday, October 29, 1999 11:46 PM
Ernie_Lehman@iowa-city.org
Council@iowa-city.org
deer
With many issues demanding attention from you, it is understandably
impossible for you to become erudite about every subject. However, given the
controversial nature of the deer debate, it is important that members of the
council acquire a minimum understanding of deer reproduction before spending
money on a will-o'-the-wisp project that is repugnant to many. Above all,
the council must be honest about its true motives to want deer killed.
Accidents increase during the rut/hunting season. The council would endanger
peoples' lives by having deer killed close to heavily-traveled roads. Once
the slaughter begins, the accidents will escalate as the deer flee wildly
from their killers. Furthermore it is incomprehensible that the council is
willing to spend up to four times more in public funds to attempt to prevent
one-fourth that amount in damage to private property by slaughtering animals
whose population will quickly rebound the following spring. Indeed, if
accidents are of real concern, it would make far more sense to spend the
money on additional reflectors and drivers' education.
Killing deer to eliminate deer browse is a "fools dream." As long as one doe
remains alive who has established certain plants as food, she will identify
those plants as a food source to her offspring. Educating the public as to
the proper selection and protection of plants is the only effective and
humane solution.
An article published in the Iowa City Press-Citizen on Aug 17 stated that
according to a DNR wildlife biologist, Iowa City areas cannot support more
than 30 to 35 deer per square mile without threats to the ecosystems. What A
farce! What scientific study is such claim based on. As far as we know, no
such study has been conducted in Iowa City, nor for that fact in any other
urban area. It is more likely that the figure is established from a
prejudicial, but unproven, belief that this number is the limit to human
tolerance. To hide behind the premise of scientific data where none exists
is obscene. To blindly accept information without demanding proof and basing
important decisions on hearsay is irresponsible.
In light of evidence that killing deer does not solve genuine problems and
can exacerbate them, it is safe to assume that the council is using the
relatively few deer-related accidents and complaints about deer browse from
influential citizens as smokescreen for other ulterior motives to want deer
eradicated at taxpayer's expense. Please reconsider an ill-advised decision
to slaughter our deer.
Jim and Amy Cramer
Marian Karr
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Jamie Achrazoglou [jamie-achrazoglou@uiowa.edu]
Thursday, October 28, 1999 11:04 AM
council@iowa-city.org
doug_ripley@iowa-city.org
Traffic Situation
October 28, 1999
Mayor Ernie Lehman
Iowa City Council
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Mayor Lehman,
I am writing to express my concern about a traffic situation that exists in Iowa City.
Twice in the past week I have been "honked at" as I attempted to turn left onto Dodge Street
(Highway 1 ) from Prairie du Chien Rd. Every morning (M-F) I approach the Prairie du Chien/Dodge
Street corner with dread in the pit of my stomach-will I be able to take a left without endangering
myself and my children? Will I anger the unfortunate drivers who simply need to turn right and must
wait on me to turn left first? I'm often forced to drive gutsy, take a risk and jump into FAST moving
commuter traffic. It's only a matter of time before I get hit.
The problem is just as difficult later in the day, and I suspect it's just as hard for those turning left or
right onto Dodge from ACT Circle, Press-Citizen, HyVee, Dubuque Road...
I ask that our city traffic planners assess the situation and they'll quickly see the problem. Please
devise a way (Lights? Limits? 4-Way Stop Sign?) to slow traffic on Dodge and allow motorists,
bicyclists and pedestrians in the area to access and cross Dodge Street. Do it before it is too late.
Sincerely,
Jamie L. Achrazoglou
1435 Prairie du Chien Rd.
Iowa City, IA 52245
Jamie Achrazoglou
The University of Iowa
Design & Construction Services
400 North Hall
Iowa City, IA 52242
319-335-1284, Fax 319-335-2722
November 4, 1999
Ms. Jamie L. Achrazoglou
1435 Prairie du Chien Road
Iowa City, IA 52245
/
CITY OF I0 WA CITY
Re: Your letter of October 28, 1999
Dear Ms. Achrazoglou:
The mayor has forwarded your letter to me for response. We are aware of the constraints at the
Prairie du Chien Road/Dodge Street intersection, which as you have stated are especially
noticeable during the morning and afternoon rush hours. We are planning to install a traffic
signal at this intersection to make it function better for the types of turning movements that you
have described. However, a traffic signal cannot be installed at this intersection until it has been
reconstructed. The existing roadway geometry will not accommodate a traffic signal in a manner
that is acceptable for the traffic volume entering from each approach of the intersection.
The City Council has programmed the reconstruction of Dodge Street between 1-80 and
Governor Street for 2003. This project will include the reconstruction of the Prairie du Chien
Road intersection and installation of a traffic signal. In addition to improving turning movements
at Prairie du Chien Road, the 2003 reconstruction project will also improve conditions for the
other elements stated in your letter including bicyclists and pedestrians. Fortunately, this
intersection does not rank high on our list of high traffic accident locations in Iowa City.
We do not believe a four-way stop is appropriate at the Dodge Street/Prairie du Chien Road
intersection given the much higher traffic volume on Dodge Street than on Prairie du Chien
Road. I would also remind you that Dodge Street is not actually under the City's jurisdiction.
Dodge Street is a state highway and as such is under the jurisdiction of the Iowa Department of
Transportation. All matters pertaining to Dodge Street including our pending reconstruction
project and the modification of any traffic control devices must be approved by the Iowa
Department of Transportation.
Although we are unable to accommodate your request for immediate action to improve this
intersection, hopefully you can see that our long-range planning will alleviate many of the
difficulties that concern you. Thank you for your correspondence.
Sincerely,
Stephen J. Atkins ''~' ~'~
City Manager
cc: Jeff Davidson
Rick Fosse
jccoglp/Itr/ach.doc
410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY. IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 · FAX (319) 356-.5009
',~ty of iowa City, iowa
)esr :'3 ouncil . e abets:
,-
ff you recall, aGoat a yesl~ ago
:~cern~f~e v~;ss rezone-i to allow :iodge~ oases Constr~ction Co.
to build condoni;.nia,ns..~t that time an adde:~ was added to
requnre %, drive to be closed ?t ;~:~ch time as ny wife and
were noilbnger ~Lvins on the propcrty or if the city started
the ?oster j.:oad project.
Yesterday i was told that they' were
~oin:g to close the drive at once and ;~'e ran into s proOle-n.
i c~n' % :~ut in a new drive to the west as Dave ~'o,;ian has
buildinU there. i can't put the drive north as nodge Co is
"~"rtirm;Z a build].hE a.t ny north line i can't go east as was
the 91an if the drive had to be closed. 1'he reason is that the
dew roe2 into the divelope.dent had to be c~t lower tha:-a planned
}n:l a ~.:;tone wa, ll was b~rilt along -ny east s.ile. 1his leavens
v,'ith two choices, buy a helicopter or leap the wall with
c::3r, v c woulj o:aly work once.
2 would. like to respectively askthe
council to reverse the ~iecision on ay drive and allow it to
be used .:t ~ been the way into this property for ~I~ years
?hank you for your consideration,
j incere!y,
Lud ~ ,.jetty
_600 z'oster/,odd
iowa City, iowa 522~5
Marian Karr
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Laurence Fuortes [fuortes@home.com]
Thursday, October 21, 1999 4:53 PM
cou ncil@ iowa-city. org
(no subject)
Dear Iowa City Council members, I and my family are dismayed at the
plan to replace the Englert Theater with another bar. The city council
has to recognize the plethora of bars and unfortunate decline in the
character of the downtown. We need to preserve historic buildings and
look toward developing the downtown into something other than an expanse
of liquor emporia. This building could easily be used for a number of
arts and entertainment purposes other than a bar. Please explore further
the issue of city council control of the number of liquor licenses
granted. Thank you very much, Laurence Fuortes
d"2 ,J
Marian Karr
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Judeminer@aol .com
Thursday, October 21, 1999 11:37 AM
council@iowa~city.org
englert theater
A message to my Iowa City Council members:
Please do all you can to save the Englert Theater from becoming an expansion
of the next-door bar. Be strong against monied-interests.
I would support your efforts to buy the Englert for our use, for the people
of Iowa City .... using it as a cultural center/films-performances-plays. Or
have the theater declared a Historic Site ..... to stop the sale.
I see developers changing the face of our downtown without the input of our
citizens: putting up parking ramps instead of places for people to
meet .... and now changing movie theaters into bars. Give the people of Iowa
City a chance to say how they want their city to be developed] Have a vison
for our communal good.
Thank you.
Judy Miner
713 S. 7th Ave.
Iowa City, IA
339-0280
Councilor Dee Vanderhoef
2403 Tudor Drive
Iowa City, IA 52245
Mr. and Mrs. P. Ferman Milster
2351 Cameron Way
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319)354-9060
Dear Councilor Vanderhoef,
November I, 1999
We are writing to you and other City Council members to express a traffic safety concern
which exists on the west side of Iowa City which needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
The corner on which we live, Mormon Trek and Cameron way (directly across form the
University of Iowa Community Credit Union) has progressively become a busier intersection
over the past few years with the construction of the west-side's main strip mall. In this strip
mall, several important and frequently-used businesses exist, including the credit union,
Snyder-Hartig Drugs and Fareway groceries -- the only such businesses located on the west
side.
Because of the construction of these popular businesses, traffic on Mormon Trek has
increased significantly, and with it, dangers to pedestrians and motorists alike. Numerous
"fender-benders" have occurred at this intersection and at the nearby Quik Trip, also a
popular business. Crossing the street either by car or by foot is extremely dangerous, and
there are many children living in the area. Youngsters attending West High often cross
Mormon Trek at this location, darting between cars that move quickly down the street. This
entire stretch of road is a fatality waiting to happen.
Mormon Trek is one of only a few major streets bisecting Iowa City north to south, and the
only one on the west side. It is frequently used to access Highway 1 on the south and the
"Coralville Strip" on the noah, as well as to access both Highway 280 and Interstate 1-80
entrance and exit ramps. It is an extremely busy road in a highly-populated residential area.
We would like to respectfully request the following considerations (in order of preference)
for capital improvements through the City of Iowa City for the Year 2000 to deter or
eliminate future traffic accidents for occurring:
1) A stoplight/crosswalk installation at the intersection of Mormon Trek and Cameron Way
(entrance to the strip mall).
2) A widening of the thoroughfare with a center turning lane.
3) Lowering and enforcement of the speed limit on Mormon Trek from Melrose Street to
Benton Street.
Traffic studies must be implemented immediately, and funds should be allocated for the
alleviation of this situation before it is too late. Please consider the above ideas or any other
solutions as soon as possible.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Mr. and Mrs. P. Ferman Milster