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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-15 Correspondence Marjan Karr From: Nancy Purington [npstudio@zeus.ia.net] Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2000 12:18 PM To: city concil Subject: Arts iowa City Dear Council Members; As you deliberate budget requests, I hope you will give the following pieces of information sincere consideration. As I addressed you two weeks ago, I mentioned that our annual budget has been $44,000. My business manager, Sharyn Reitz, and I were very surprised to hear that the Jazz Festival weekend budget is $68,000 and the Iowa Arts Festival weekend budget is $138,000. Both have paid directors. I simply want to remind you of the following facts: Arts Iowa City is open and free to the public 52 weekends and 52 weeks a year. We hold monthly receptions which are open and free to the public. Currently, the volunteer board of directors supply the refreshments out of their own pockets for these events. We do not have a director. We have been designed and supported by hundreds of citizen volunteers for 25 years. The Arts Fair has been avenue of Arts Iowa City since it began. Last year was the first year that Arts Iowa City co-sponsored that event with the iowa Arts Festival. It is perceived that the Arts Fair, which is the most visible aspect of the Iowa Arts Festival, has always been a product of the Iowa Arts Festival. It is the other way around. The iowa Arts Festival grew out of events and programs sponsored by Arts iowa City's 25 years of arts advocacy for the community. The iowa Arts Festival separated into a 'Festival", and it added performing venues during the same weekend of our Arts Fair. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Purington, President of the Board, Arts Iowa city 2/7/2000 Marjan Karr From: Nancy Purington [npstudio@zeus.ia.net] Sent: Friday, February 04, 2000 2:27 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: epicenter text HAPPY NEW YEAR!(Letter from the President, AIC) for ARTSHEET 2-4-2000 The confiuence of millenniums ushered gale force changes through the 'silver' halls of The Iowa City/Johnson County Arts Council---Arts Center---Arts Iowa City. The most astonishing event was our CERAMICS '99/ALL FIRED-UP Exhibition which kicked-off our visibility within the downtown streetscape. We celebrated the inauguration of City Plaza and Iowa City's Public Art Program in a front row seat. Inner Ear, produced by Maggie Conroy, re-surfaced and engaged our space with West High Improv. The High Art Show was a special success celebrating the outstanding talent of our next generation and their mentors. We initiated and facilitated the Cultural District Discussion Group which spawned a lexicon that reverberates throughout the town. The most famous term is "Epicenter" which was contributed by John Loomis, a new member of AIC. The Epicenter is a concept which is now used to identify and determine where 'energy for the arts' is located. Terms like velocity, quakes, and vortex have been used with great humor to discuss the changing art scene in Iowa City. Larry Eckholt styled the term 'Loomiscale' as an unit of measurement. You might say that AIC has registered a steady 7.8 on the Loomiscale this fall, and the Englert exploded onto the scene shortly thereafter with a 9.9. The Epicenter is where the energy is, and the energy is everywhere for the Arts in Iowa City these days. Our brief visual splash created a gigantic shock wave, and the experience feels like surfing in the midst of a monsoon. Where are we? I have often thought that all of the energy that was harnessed in anticipation of a move to Center Space or the Community Events Center led to this eruption, and it was fueled by 15 - 20 years of expectation and constraint. The void left by our absence at the 'underground' location has been filled with speculations and in-roads into rebuilding our Arts Underground programs all year around. At the High Art opening night, I spoke with Jenny Naso and Jeremy Chen from United Action for Youth. Jeremy has a degree in art education from the U of IA and is "pumped", to design an outline for art and youth at AIC. Laurie Zaiger and Polly Brotherton(City High) also have programs which could interface with AIC space. Keith Fox and Leslie Hollis continue to develop classes for all ages. One of the most important treasures AIC can offer the community during this time of turbulence in schools across the nation, is a facility and expertise in art education. Critical thinking and problem solving is an important exercise and product of visual arts practice. These structures can be applied to everyday conflict resolution as well as decision making strategies in business. The Institute for Social and Economic Development(ISED) has written for a grant to lead workshops in entrepreneurship for artists and arts business development targeting youth as well as all ages. If accepted, AIC will host the workshops and benefit economically, too. Well, my 500 words are up and these are just a few of the great events which brought us through millennium fever. Please invite all of your friends and neighbors to invest in membership with AIC. We continue to strive for excellence in community building through the arts. Sincerely, Nancy Purington, President of the Board of Directors Marian Karr From: Nancy Purington [npstudio@zeus.ia.net] Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2000 12:51 PM To: city concil Subject: bottom line Dear Councilors; Arts Iowa City has offered Iowa City the opportunity to re-vision the future direction that our community might take since we became visible on City Plaza last September. We present the visible form of the soul of this community. We have begun designing classes for youth for the entire summer session. If we have to vacate this upstairs gallery location at 207 E. Washington Street, we will have to put those programs back in the filing cabinet. Our lower level space will have to accomodate the exhibitions which are already scheduled for the rest of this year.[ Our agreement to remain upstairs past the end of February depends on the allocation approved by the Public Art Advisory Committee and the future investment that the community and City can make. Please help us keep our options open for a few more months while the community decides how valuable we are to the vitality of daily life. Everyday, new citizens find us, and are asking how they can help. We need time for them to join us and add their investment, whatever it can be, as we anchor this new vessel we have launched. We have just established fund-raising activities which need time to coalesce. We exist on this day. We are not in the future. We are here. We made it on our own for 25 years and now we do need help as the winds of change sweep through this town. Remember, where we are today was an empty store front for months before we took the initiative to make the move we had been working toward for decades. Help us through this rough spot. Thank you, Nancy Purington, Arts Iowa City, Board President 2/7/2000 Dwayne and Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret ~ 215 Brown Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245-5842 g]l.~t~,~~~ 319-337-9998 FAX 319-351-6846 February 2, 2000 Dear Members of the Iowa City Council: We are concerned about the future of the near Northeast side of Iowa City bordered by Dubuque and Dodge Streets, a historic district. We are among the few homeowners in this area who did not protest the founding of two halfway houses for men located within a six block area of our residence. We live next door to homeless men. We also live next door to an older ten-unit apartment building, and a fraternity. In some ways, the homeless are the preferable neighbors. However, the homeless often do have cars and friends with cars, plus there are the cars of those who serve them. Grievous new parking and traffic problems, due to the homeless shelter and halfway house occupants and staff, profoundly affect our entire neighborhood With adequate parking ourselves, we listen in sympathy to complaints of our Linn Street neighbors. We note, also, that there is usually an illegal parking problem at the base of the alley south of Brown Street. The city has in, the past, refused to post NO PARKING signs in this congested area. Such signs and stricter ticketing of cars might help a little. To lessen the impact of shelters on a neighborhood, we urge that homeless shelters and halfway homes be spread throughout the city in: affluent neighborhoods, middle-class and working-class neighborhoods. Our neighborhood already has more than its share, and now there is the prospect of more. Please, prevent the "ghetto"izing of one area with high concentrations of indigent populations. The mayor of Minneapolis (an African-American woman) speaks strongly for economically mixed neighborhoods. Currently there is an active movement in Dubuque, Iowa for cross-section neighborhoods. This is new, forward-looking social movement that should be researched for implementation in Iowa City. All neighborhoods in Iowa City should have an equal opportunity to experience this mix of the disadvantaged and advantage& Perhaps this would serve to develop a greater sensitivity to the problems of the less fortunate. The homeless migrating to Iowa City find that more free benefits and social services are offered here per capita than in the larger cities such as Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, the Quad-Cities and, possibly, even Chicago. For this reason, there will be continue to be many more homeless immigrants coming to Iowa City seeking free social services. Thus, your vote on how the homeless and indigent are cared for in our city often expands the demand for services. We urge the Council and city staff to develop a program which spreads shelters throughout Iowa City rather than undue concentration in just one or two areas. We understand that the huge home on Church Street, currently for sale by Hillcrest Services, may be funded by the city, interest free, for an additional facility for the homeless or those needing halfway housing. This building is only two blocks from the former fraternity building (now used as a shelter for homeless men) next door to us and within a mile of the halfway house on Gilbert Street. We suggest that a different location be considered in another neighborhood to avoid "ghetto"izing one area of town. Practically, such facilities should be established two to five miles apart to alleviate traffic problems. We urge you not to "ghetto"ize the less fortunate through your legislation. The rich, the middle class, student populations, and the displaced and homeless should be integrated, not deliberately separated by City Council mandate and funding designating only one or two areas of the city for shelter locations. In many instances, zoning ordinances have been altered to take care of the halfway house residents. These changes should be city-wide, not targeted in one neighborhood. One other factor should be considered. The halfway home on Gilbert Street often has dozens of residents. This is an unfortunate service to these people and the neighborhood. Single family dwellings are not zoned to have more than four unrelated people living together-- four to a bathroom, four to a kitchen. We understand that frequently there are as many as 30 residents at this halfway house. Such density violates the requirements, which should be enforced for the sake of the residents and the neighborhood, even though the facility was established by a church group and approved by zoning as an exception. There are existing state codes about how many people may be using one kitchen, one bathroom: not over four unrelated people. We believe the desire to minister to the less fortunate should not take precedence over the safety of the residents. Waiving the requirements, as was done in Iowa City, is dangerous and uncaring for the destitute residents or those paroled from the state prison system. Is there regular inspection as to sanitation and living conditions within the shelters? Are there programs in place that give the residents an opportunity to work in return for bed and board? Do they experience work habits which are essential for the rest of us? Are there programs to help them achieve human dignity? Does anyone who is getting a free meal have the opportunity to work for their bread? A "work for food" program in Washington D.C. is providing such training to people who, in turn, are getting jobs in the fast food industry. Thank you for your serious consideration to not use city funds to create a ghetto which would potentially destroy the pleasant residential aspects of the historic near Northeast side of Iowa City, which already has a nice mix of students, apartments, single family homes, and facilities for the displaced and disadvantaged. We would like the opportunity to visit further with the Council, its members and/or city staff about these growing concems. Social change should benefit everyone. Full benefits cannot be realized if the changes weigh too heavily on one sector, and we all have an investment in our community. Sincerely, ~ Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret CITY MAtVA TER'S OFFICE January 27, 2000 Honorable Ernie Lehman Mayor, Iowa City Civic Center 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240 re: Iowa City Fire Department Dear Mr. Lehman: On January 14, after our electric stove caught fire, we called the Fire Department to make sure that the fire had been completely extinguished. (We used a small fire extinguisher before they arrived). The firemen were most accommodating, and they were kind enough to carry the stove outside just to ease our minds. We want to commend Tom Lacina, George Norenberg, and Harry Brooks for their help and their courtesy in a potentially dangerous situation. Thankfully, little damage w~s done, but ~.hey provided a great deal of support. Please thank them for us. SinCere~ ...... :~ 346 Hutchinson Avenue Iowa City IA 52246 January 26, 2000 Dear Iowa City Counselors and Mayor Lehman: I am hoping that you all have had time to discuss the six acres of land in Hickory Hill Park that are designated for the cemetery. I am hoping that you will dedicate these acres and all the land designated as park to Hickory Hill Park. This can be a beautiful, natural, undeveloped park, with minimum expense to the city. There are already many fine features in the Park that should be considered before any big construction projects take place. I worry that people who can not identify plant species or bird habitat may be involved with future planning in the park. I think that it is imperative to get qualified, local individuals to be involved with any future plans for the park and surrounding area. Iowa City is full of expert botanists, bird w'atchers, bikers and hikers. You should not have to hire outside consultants to make plans for the park. If you have not visited the park, and have not walked around and through the six acres of land that was originally designated as cemetery, but is being used as park, I would personally like to invite each one of you to a brief tour of the area. I could point out the various tree species for you and show you where the many beautiful wild flowers grow in the spring. Call me any time! I am hoping that each of you has the vision to protect and preserve the six acres as park land, and that on Tuesday, you dedicate these acres and all the surrounding acres to Hickory Hill Park. Sincerely, N~~cvF. Hindes 728 Fairchild Street Iowa City, Iowa 52245 351-3176 02-15-00 4f(7) January 26, 2000 City Council FEB 0 I EOOO 4,0 w.,hi,,g,o. st MANAGER Iowa City, ]A 52240 CITY 'S OFFICE RE: Hickory Hi]] Park Dear City Council members: I am writing to you to express my opinion regarding the issue of dogs being off-leash in Hickory Hill Park. It is my understanding that you have received complaints recendy from others using the park that dogs are frequen~y off-leash on the trails. I am writing to you not to complain about this, but rather to encourage the council to strongly consider making at least a portion of Hickory Hill Park a designated off-leash dog park. I am a nearly daily user of the park and appreciate that a park of such natural beauty exists within the city ]irmts for all to enjoy. I am also a dog owner and appreciate the benefits of proper exercise for one' s pet (not to mention one's self). I believe a compromise is the best option in this situation. The "leash law" has not been an effective deterrent for people allowing their dogs off leash in this park or others. I do not believe that stricter enforcement of this will curtail the problem. And, if it does, it will be drive many citizens away from the park. It has been my experience in my many days at Hickory Hill that the "Dog People" are some of those that take the best care of the park. I have seen them spreading wood chips on the trails to keep the trails upgraded for all. I have seen them m-situating bridges that have slid into dangerous angles. I have seen them toting beer bottles and other garbage out of the park left behind by others that use the park. I have also witnessed the community bonding that exists between them. It seems that this is a yahable community resource for these people. Rather than further c~minalize their behavior, I am encouraging you to set aside a portion of the trails and hillsides of Hickory Hi]] Park as a place that they can legally engage in these activities. This has been done successfully in several major cities (including Seattle), with benefits to all. By identifying a certain portion of the park as the area for dogs, those who prefer not to be in the company of the dogs can simply use the other portion of the park. Those that do bring their dogs to the designated off-leash area will be able to exercise themselves and their pets without fear of fines and without fear of retribution from other angry citizens. I feel that it would be a win-win situation for the councL1 to decide in this manner on this issue. This is a compromise that should appease all factions and provide for continued community support for the park. Finally, I would also like to add a footnote that I would also like to ask the council to vote against any Eurther encroachment on the park by the cemetery, roads, residential construction or other building. This park is a rarity that should be treasured and preserved. Once it is carved up, it will not be possible to regain it and, as it is now, it is a place where those who find solace in nature can bc at peace within the city limits. Features like Hickory Hill Park are what have kept me in this city since coming here to school in 1987. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. 1020 Kirkwood Ct.; Iowa City, IA 52240 Wednesday, January 26, 2000 To the City Council Members of Iowa City We understand that at a recent city council meeting the issue of dogs off leash at Hickory Hill Park has come up once again. It seems that this comes up about twice a year, typically during sledding season and early in the spring, after a complaint. As daily users of the park, we have a few observations that we would like you to be aware of. 1) Dog owners are among the most responsible users of Hickory Hill. On a daily basis we pick up litter left by others. We do trail maintenance - spreading wood chips to help prevent erosion and improve the trails. We personally built a bridge over the creek at a place on the trail that had heavy erosion. This was done completely with our own labor and at our own expense for materials. 2) The people we see at the park on a daily basis are very responsible with their dogs. When we meet someone without a dog, we leash them up. We know of no dogs with behavior problems that are allowed off leash by their owners. 3) We challenge you to survey the park on different days and at different times. We are confident that you will find the vast majority of Hickory Hill Park users are there with dogs. Often, the loudest complaints come from a vocal minority. The dogs that frequent Hickory Hill are healthy, well adjusted, social, and well behaved. They are this way because they are allowed to run and play. Many have come from the city pound. It says something about the responsibility of the owners that take their dogs out on a daily basis, if not twice daily, during all kinds of weather. Just like humans, dogs need to exercise which means raising their heart rate to maintain a healthy life. Simply walking doesn't allow this, they need to run and play. Park use should be allocated according to the wants and needs of those who use it. You wouldn't call off the summer concert series on the pedestrian mall because a small group of people doesn't like music. Don't let a small group of people dictate how the majority uses the park. How many complaints have their been? Of what nature are the complaints? Are they simply that a dog was offieash, or has someone actually been harmed in any way? We respect the rights of non-dog owners to use the park. But we have rights as well. Rather than outlawing an activity that responsible citizens do hundreds of times a week, we would like a solution that is beneficial to all, including the dogs. Sincerely, Steve Bernhardt 27GlendaleCourt Gae Walton 1603 Glendale Road Marjan Karr From: L. Aho [laho@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu] Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 12:33 PM To: COUNCIL@iowa-city.org Subject: Hickory Hill Dear Council Members: I understand that you have been considering the issue of off-leash dogs in the park. I urge you to allow dog owners to use the park grounds to exercise their dogs, responsibly and safely, off leash. The vast majority of people who use the park do so because they have dogs: the walkers, joggers, young and elderly alike, are there to enjoy the trails with their canine companions. I have walked my dogs there for three years now, quite regularly, and have, myself, never seen any person attacked or menaced by any dog off leash at the park. The people who use the park often take care of the trails on our own, and pick up litter there as well. There are no places in or around Iowa City to allow one's dog to run and play, except for this park. I assumed the responsibility of being a dog owner knowing that dogs need lots of exercise and attention so they are happy and do not grow up with behavioral problems (biting, chewing, etc.). Hickory Hill is the best place to let dogs and their owners "socialize" without getting in the way of the rest of the city. Thanks for taking up the issue of off-leash dogs at the park, and please take the opportunity to affirm your support for dog owners and our duties to our furry friends. Thank you, Lara Aho NCIC The Neighborhood Council of Iowa City Representing Iowa City Neighborhood Associations Bluffwood S,e~e.~.~o~.~r January 27, 2000 Bryn Mawr Heights Mark. .... Iowa City City Council College Green 410 E. Washington St. ~a~..,~.~ Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Galway Hills .a~ ~e,.~a. Dear City Council members: Goosetown ca,,~Ka,eK,a.s The Neighborhood Council addressed the issue of traffic problems on Grant Wood non-arterial streets at its August 5, 1999 meeting. Representatives from ~a.e~,.~ the Highland Avenue area were present to provide insights into their Harlock-Weeber experiences with the Traffic Calming Program. William Knabe Longfellow There was considerable discussion regarding the increasing volume, Ann Freerks speed and perceived recklessness of vehicular traffic on residential Melrose Avenue streets. John Ries and Jeff Gillitzer presented background on the Traffic George Haskell Miller Orchard Calming Program generally, and on the ill-fated Highland Street chicane ..,..aker Specifically. The general consensus of the Neighborhood Council on this Morningside particular issue was that the Highland Community had acted in good Ba,.ys.,.,e. faith in their application for the program, and that the City may have Northside over-reacted to commuter pressure by removing the chicane after only s, .......arb ......de..~o.ge10-14 days rather than the six to twelve month trial agreed upon. It was Penny Bryn noted that modifications had been made to the chicane only days before P.,,>,,.,..,i...K,..~. its removal that might have reduced the magnitude of the obstruction Pepperwood had drivers been given time to adapt to the new conditions. It was J~..,~e..illla~s suggested that the reaction of commuters tended to verify the degree of Shimek the problem, and that perhaps attention should have been directed to the ~'~°~" shortcomings of the adjacent arterial rather than re-opening Highland South Pointe Street to unobstructed traffic flow. There was concern that the entire K~'""~""Y Traffic Calming Program may have been discredited on the basis of one Southwest Estates political fiasco. Jan Bergman Ty'n Cae On the general issue of neighborhood traffic there was unanimous Judy Pfohl Village Green agreement that traffic problems are increasing across our community s,e~e~o~b~=, and various aspects of traffic control were discussed. These ranged Walden Woods from more emphasis on maximizing arterial use to increased ~a.,. B.a~o. ~o.~ld enforcement of traffic ordinances. Current resistance to traffic calming Walnut Ridge barriers, and the inequity of expecting residents on existing arterials to ~n=~e~ki.~ bear the brunt of this increasing problem led the group to conclude that Wetherby Friends increased enforcement was the only practical solution. and Neighbors J~' ..... Several ideas related to the enforcement issue were advanced. The Windsor Ridge success of the University Heights traffic control program was cited by ~°""~'°" many. The Neighborhood Council is aware that law enforcement resources are always stretched thin and that traffic enforcement lacks 410East Washington Street glamour. Still, it is an issue of great concern to residents to maintain a Iowa Cily, IA 52240-1826 ATTN: Marcia Klingaman Neighborhood Services Coordinator (319) 356-5237 sense of neighborhood integrity and safety. The Neighborhood Council speculated that the City might pursue a special program where high-visibility traffic enforcement was conducted on a pay-as-you-go program where revenues generated from a dedicated traffic enforcement officer would be used to offset the cost of the program and to secure additional officers if the anticipated magnitude of enforcement were realized. The Neighborhood Council felt strongly that more effective traffic control is past due in our community, and that we would like to see the City Council take a proactive rather than reactive position on this matter. Toward that end, the Neighborhood Council asks that this issue be addressed in an upcoming City Council meeting and that there be provisions for audience input so that some of the ideas raised here, and others we may not have considered, could be discussed. Please forward the date of such a discussion to Marcia Klingaman, Neighborhood Services Coordinator at 356-5237and she can notify the members of the Neighborhood Council. Thank you for your time and consideration of this request. Sincerely, Neighborhood Council of Iowa City Cc: Stephen Atkins, City Manager RJ Winklehake, Police Chief JAN ,~ 1 2000 ' ~ ~'~Z~ ~ ~ ~ ~:~, CITY MANAGER'$ OFFICE Ernest Lehman, Mayor ~ d/IN ~a 1 2000 Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street CItY MANAGER'S OFFICE Iowa City, IA 52240 Re: Allowing under age students into bars. Dear Mayor Lehman, ! believe in free enterprise but I do not support it when these businesses allow underage students into their establishments that promote and serve alcohol. The University of Iowa is your greatest financial support system to the wonderful community of Iowa City. Prospective parents may think twice about sending their student to the University of Iowa when they learn that Iowa City is one of the remaining communities that allows ] 8 to 20 year old students into bars. I firmly believe that the parents of today are concerned about the under age and binge drinking that occurs on college campuses. These same parents will not support campuses and communities that do not share their concern with under age drinking. The University of Iowa and Iowa City should work together to promote a scho]lar]y and socially exciting enviornment for our young. Working together can bring success to the University, the community and the student. There are alternatives for under age students. One example, is a successful business near the University of Minnesota campus. It is a computer/coffee house that has live entertainment. There is also an abundance of information for student European travel. This business has been written up in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota Daily and the Miuneapo]is Tribune. The young owner/proprietor has also been invited to lecture at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Business. Check out the web site. www. EuropeanGrind.com I believe a business like this would be a great success in Iowa City. Thank you for y'ouz' time and I hope the community of Iowa City will ~e visit the policy of allowing under age students into their bars. Sincerely, Margaret L. Francis 15 Winterberry Lane Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022 Marian Karr ~l~ From: karen [kkubby@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu] Sent: Friday, January 28, 2000 8:13 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: language City Council, I've noticed in the newspaper, that in recent talk about the success of the lethal porton of the Deer Management Plan, that the term "deer harvest" is being used. The Deer Management Committee came to the council asking you to use the term "deer kill" so that it wasn't couched in a euphamism and that we were clear about what the city would be doing. Please return to using the term "deer kill" in future discussions and written material. Karen Kubby From: RredLIor@aol .com Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2000 5:18 PM To: Dee Vanderhoef Cc: RredLIor@aol .com Subject: East Iowa City Dear Council member, I am a local resident living on the East side of town. In the past few years we have seen many businesses leave Iowa City and move to Coralville or simply fold. I am concerned that the east side of Iowa City is becoming a ghost town. The multitude of empty buildings in our area is making residents very nervous about the future of our once abundant city. The building that once housed Randall Foods, Dairy Queen, as well as other stores has stood empty for several years. Now we are losing Sycamore Mall and Pepperwood Place appears to be in grave danger. The vacating of Econofoods and Best Buy will likely cause a domino effect on the other small businesses there. It is very frightening to see the east side of iowa City failing. I am writing as a concerned resident to ask that we refurbish these buildings quickly with stores and businesses useful to the community. The east side now only has the choice of one grocery store, (Hy-Vee) when we once had the choice of Randalls, Econofoods, and Eagles. Due to Stiers craft store becoming a collectibles shop and the certain loss of Ben Franklin, local artisans will be forced to drive to Cedar Rapids to buy craft supplies. Pepperwood Place seems an ideal location for a Michaels Craft store. Local residents continually comment that department stores are greatly missed on the East side. We seem to building more housing, yet taking away businesses like grocery stores ,pharmacies, and department stores needed to sustain a flourishing community. Please make every effort to encourage new and familiar business to return to the east side. Thank you for your attention, Lorrie Crandall JAN 19 ZOO0 ~ CI~ MANAGER'S OFFICE January 27, 2000 Shelagh Hayreh 600 River Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Ms. Hayreh: Thank you for your letter expressing concerns about the future Peninsula parkland. A conceptual plan for the area has been completed, and it does include a system of trails and many prairie grasses and wild flowers as part of the development. Whether or not a concrete walkway along the river's edge will be incorporated into the final plans has not been determined as yet; we have to keep in mind that the Peninsula side of the river is in the floodway, and therefore more prone to flooding than the Rocky Shore sidewalk. While plans are not finalized, I can assure you that protection of both the riverfront and the trees in the area are very important considerations. Thank you for your interest in this project. We feel it will be a tremendous asset to the residents of the community when completed. Sincerely, Ernest W. Lehman Mayor cc: City Council Parks and Recreation Director Planning and Community Development Director 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 * FAX (319) 356-5009 special olympics IOLUa February 2, 2000 Mayor EruestW. Lehman City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mayor Lehman and City Council Members: I would once again like to express my appreciation to each of you for declaring March - Special Olympics month. It demonstrates the commitment that the Iowa City community has for our Special Olympians. As I work with and for our athletes, I'm often reminded ofVince Lombardi's famous line: "If you'll not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives." Every day, our athletes demonstrate tangible, visible, awe- inspiring examples of people striving to reach their personal best, no matter what the obstacles. And their accomplishments - both on and off the field - have indeed been amazing. I would like to invite you to join us at our two upcoming Iowa City events. la~ Veilas live - Our annual casino night is scheduled for Saturday, March 4, beginning at 8:00 p.m. With the purchase of a $20 licket, individuals will gain entrance to Eastdale Plaza - Iowa City's "casino". Each person attending will receive $20,000 in play money to use at blackjack, craps, roulette and bingo. Food and beverage are also included. In addition, during the evening, prizes donated by local businesses may be purchased from a prize store with play money. Our 2000 goal is $70,000 Mid-W'mler Tournament- On March 17 & 18, close to 1000 Special Olympian s from across the state will lwavel to Iowa City to compete in basketball skills, cheedeading, gymnastics and powerlifting at the University of Iowa Fieldhouse. A banquet and dance in the athletes' honor will be held on Friday evening at the University of Iowa Recreation Center. Competition will take place on Saturday beginning at 9:00 a.m. If you would like any addilional information on either of these events, feel free to contact me at 515/267-0131. Again, thank you for believing in our athletes and helping celebrate their accomplishments. Its communities like Iowa City that make Special Olympics such a success. Sincerely, Sheri McMichael Vice President/Development 3737 Woodland Avenue / Suite 325 / West Des Moines, Iowa 50266-1930 / Phone (515) 2674)131 / Fax (515) 267-0232 Special Olympics Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation Authorized and Accredited by Special Olympics International for the Benefit of Citizens with Mental Retardation ~'-~'~~..~ DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ~"' Medical Center 601 Highway 6 West Iowa City, IA 52246 dAN ~ ."~,~,3 ~ CIR MANAGERS OFBC[ Dear Friend of Veterans: On behalf of the patients and staff, I invite you and/or the members of your organization to visit our VA Medical Center on Sunday, February 13, and Monday, February 14, 2000, anytime between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to participate in the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans. Guests will be received in the Chapel (1W55) and directed to both outpatient and inpatient areas for their visit. A shuttle will be available to assist you in reaching the main entrance from all parking lots. Across the nation special guests will be visiting veterans at VA facilities. Our patients are always appreciative of the recognition they receive from visitors such as you. We hope you will be able to join us for this special observance. Questions can be referred to Gary L. Strank, Volunteer Program Manager, at 319-339-7129. Sincerely, GARY L. WILKINSON Medical Center Director Marian Karr From: Clopey@aol .com Sent: Monday, February 14, 2000 2:06 PM To: council@ iowa-city. o rg Subject: Skateboard Park We realize your time is valuable. We are submitting the following points against locating the Skateboard Park in Terrill Mill Park by E mail for your perusal before the meeting tonight. 1. There has always been an understanding that the Dubuque Entrance to Iowa City would be kept as pleasant and attractive as possible. A Skateboard Park would not be an attarctive addition to that area. Mercer is out of the way. Have you seen the skateboard area there? 2. Safety. If there was a Hawkeye game or an activity at Hancher, how could an ambulance or police vehicle cross the traffic. Where is there an emergency phone located? How would the skaters arrive at the park? They would come down Dubuque Street hill and cross traffic. Mercer is out of the traveled way and facilities are already in place phone, restrooms etc. 3. The area of Terrill Mill offers many parking lots, hills roads that would tempt skaters out of the Skateboard Park premises. These areas would be private and public but poorly supervised and would lack supervision. Mercer Park is in an area that would provide neighborhood supervision and policing by the citizens 4. You wish to free downtown of skaters yet they would be attracted to downtown for snacks and food. There is not provision for such near Terrill Mill. Mercer is located near at least five fast food restaurants 5 Most importantly Terrill Mill Park is located in the flood plain (possibly in the flood way).During the spring high water on the Iowa River Dubuque Street is generally down to two lanes instead of four. Often it is closed completely. 6. Noise travels on water more easily than in a populated area. Skateboarding is noisy with the addition of music piped loudly so the skaters can hear it; Therefore disrupting private, universtiy ,and park activities. What about the new theater in the City Park and Hancher. 7. Skateboard Parks are not just for the local skaters. While attending one of the planning meetings, I heard the skaters comparing parks in Davenport, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, and California. So you are attracting many out of area young people. 8o You have located tow youth activities in the southern part of Iowa City. The soccer fields and the girls softball complex. Parents find it necessary to transport the children there and they stay and watch and thereby police the activity. Why is this activity not treated in the same manner and located in that same location? It is out of the way and does not cause disruption and might even bring parents out to observe. I believe that there is bus transportation to that area as well as Mercer. Why are the Skaters allowed to determine where their park is located? To me that is a decision made by the Council to the advantage of all the citizens not just a few. Keep Terrill Mill Park as a pleasant entrance to our City. Lyle and Carol Seydel Q. Guess what~ coming to YOUR neighborhood? A. A lot MORE TRAFFIC on 1st Avenue! HOW MUCH TRAFF I C ? HOW FAST Nobody really knows the answers to those two big questions, although the answer to the one at the top is certain. If the city opens the proposed extension of 1 st Avenue north to Captain Irish Parkway, this street will become a major north-south arterial the street that will be expected to take everyone from the southeast side to Interstate 80. Traffic counts will certainly double. They might triple. And they might even go even higher than that! How fast x;,ill th.a.t. t_r~.ffic ~o9 Well. you ca.r~ be sr..~re of one thing: it won't be going 25 mph! People do not drive 25 mph on what they perceive to be "arterial" streets and the city would never allow 1 st Avenue to be an arterial street in any new neigh- borhood. Could your neighborhood be a sacrifice zone?? This has to be asked, because it's well-known that wherever there is more and faster traffic, property values decline and sometimes precipitously! And this doesn't just affect houses on the main road, either--it affects entire neighborhoods! The city anticipates the contraction of some very expensive homes on the hills around the 1 st Avenue extension. Will this compensate for the damage or losses to existing neighbor- hoods? Will the city lower your property taxes if your property values go into decline? Also, didn't the voters of Iowa City reject this project at the polls? These are questions that need asking! Wha will a~k th~m--lf van dt}n~t? These are the people to ask! YOur City Councilors! (Thefirst four have stated their support for building the lst Avenue exten- sion. The last three have stated strong reservations about building it.) Ernie Lehman, Mayor 902 Wylde Green Rd. ,- Iowa City, IA 52246 ..I. Phone-Res: 338-7741 Bus: 337-2375 · ..... Mike O'Donnell, Mayor Pro "i 901 W. Park Rd. Iowa City, IA 52246 ~',. Phone-Res: 354-8071 ..... ' Councilor Conhie Champion 430 S. Summit Iowa City, IA 52240 Phone-Res: 337-6608 Councilor Dee V~derhoef 2403 Tudor Dr. Iowa City, IA 52245 Phone-Res: 351-6872 Councilor Steven Kanner 2315 E. W~hington Iowa City, ~ 52245 Phone-Res: 338-8865 Councilor ~in ~ab 505 E. Jefferson Iowa City, ~ 52245 Phone-Res: 351-4094 Councilor Ross Wilbum 1917 Taylor Dr. Iowa City, ~ 52240 Phone-Res: 358-6374