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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-03-21 Correspondence 03-21-00 5g(1) To: Mayor Ernie Lehman Q ~, From:: Bob Welsh ~--~ ,c-) r,: Re: Senior Center Skywalk ,.-~ <- _ ~ Date: February 7, 2000 !:..: Based on the Press-Citizen article and conversations I have had, I think there hai~ia ":- some miscommunication. '~- I believe Steve Atkins, Joe Fowler and others were led to believe that the Ecumenical Housing Corporation and HUD did not want anyone in the area of their exit from the parking ramp. In fact what they requested was that they have a private exit and that no one else would have access to their parking area. In light of this apparent misunderstanding, the architect Kevin Munson was directed to eliminate the exit that he had designed on the south side of the parking ramp to the Senior Center. This was a separate exit next to but unrelated to the exit for use by the residents of Ecumenical Towers. I have discovered that the Director of Ecumenical Towers and the residents did not realize that with the present design, visitors to Ecumenical Towers would need to exit on Linn Street and walk all the way around to the Towers. In the past, many of those who have used guest parking for the Towers are persons employed by various agencies that provide services to the residents. Many of these bring with them health or cleaning supplies. I do not believe it is in the best interest of the residents of the Towers that the separate door designed for use by the public was eliminated. I believe the residents of Ecumenical Towers would agree that it would be mutual beneficial to reinstate the exit that was eliminated. Let me suggest that the City Council take two steps: 1. Ask Kevin Munson if an exit on the south-side of the ramp can still be constructed and what would be the cost of this change. The Press-Citizen indicated that he said at this time it would not be "a slam dunk," but it did not say that it was no longer possible. My guess is that it would cost a lot less than $360,000. 2. Confirm with Ecumenical Towers that their request was for a separate exit and secured parking spaces and that they did not knowingly object to a separate exit for others. I believe most persons would think that putting in this exit at an additional cost of a several thousand dollars would be better than spending $360,000 plus. Page 2 I realize that the Senior Center Commission, based on the information they were given, wants the skywalk and exterior elevator at all costs. I was a supporter of a skywalk when the projected cost was around $100,000. I was concerned when the cost rose to $250,000. I was alarmed when the cost rose to $360,000 and found myself thinking them needed to be other altematives. I believe it would be helpful for the City Council to explore altematives other than the $360,000 skywalk/elevator and to provide for adequate lighting for the alley. 03-21-00 "' 5g(2) ~ ~ C~ NANAGF. R'S OFFICE 1427 Davenport Street CiTYIIANAGi R'S tlFFIC!r Iowa City, Iowa 52245 March 1st, 2000 Mayor Ernest Lehman and Members of the Iowa City Council 4 10 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52245 Dear Mayor Lehman and Members of the Iowa City Council: The following is the text of my remarks to the Council last night. I thought it might be appropriate to submit them to you in letter-form. William Boos Other Paths Some weeks go, I suggested that considerations other than concern for lawns, accidents and ecology drove the city's decision to "harvest" -- Anthony De Nicola's euphemism for "kill" -- 360 herbivores. I asked you then to declare victory, and retire the field. More recently, the Council has also approved extensive capital expenditures and construction projects in several areas in northern Iowa City, and many of us have come here tonight to protest this decision. Many of these tracts, moreover -- part of a new "northern corridor" -- coincided roughly with areas the city 'cleansed' of their deer. Was this rather striking coincidence really dictated by the needs of the city's drivers and flower-growers? More recently, Antony De Nicola and his collaborators have also submitted a report of their services rendered. In this report, they acknowledged that they had shot healthy animals, not pitifully undernourished and diseased deer of the sort many proponents of the killing led us to expect. They killed 65 adult male deer in all, along with 80 fawns and 215 does, about half of which were pregnant. This proportion of pregnant deer is actually low, not high, in a population of free-range deer - evidence, in fact, that the local population may have begun to regulate itself. Before the killing, city officials also told us that more than 700 deer were living in Iowa City. Now we are told that there were only 447 deer then, but 45,o now. If the new figures are accurate, they suggest that the city will have to carry out an annual deer-slaughter of significant proportions to attain its ends. In his report, Mr. De Nicola pressed for authorization to use silencers; fire in close proximity to people's houses; and shoot in Hickory Hill Park. I believe an overwhelming majority of voters would reject these demands, and I ask the Council tonight to repudiate them. In the report, finally, Mr. De Nicola dismissed out of hand use of the immunocontraceptive agents he studied in his 1996 thesis. Did he actually intend to suggest that effective methods for targeting deer with bullets would be ineffective with contraceptive darts? Did his rejection perhaps reflect an awareness that each round of killing makes the surviving population more difficult to target with anything -- bullets or darts? Whatever the answers to these questions, the Humane Society of the United States has offered to send a representative to evaluate the cost and feasibility of immunocontraceptive methods in Iowa City. They acknowledge that technical problems accompany such still- experimental methods. Indeed, they believe -- as do I, and many others, including a few city managers -- that we can and should simply live with the deer that live with us. The officers of the Humane Society are well aware, however, that many communities will insist on "controlling" their deer. Mindful of this, they predict that immunocontraception will become a widely available method for such "control" within the next year or eighteen months. Cooperation with the Society to this end may initially cost the City more than the officially acknowledged cost of White Buffalo's "harvest" this winter -- perhaps as much as two downtown telephone kiosks, say. Worse: immunocontraception would "solve" a "problem" Boulder, Colorado and several other cities with large deer populations have decided they don't even have. But it would also take the City out of the bounty-hunting and venison-butchering business. And that, it seems to me, would be an intrinsically good thing. I therefore ask the Council tonight to suspend its negotiations with White Buffalo's 'scientific' mercenaries; to invite the Humane Society's representative to visit; and to try other, less drastic paths in the years to come. Marian Karr From: BETKETCH@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2000 10:37 AM To: council@iowa-city.org; stephen_atkins@iowa-city.org Subject: Council meeting 3/7 I stayed with you till the end last night via cable! The behavior of the public was appalling. No person, not even a civil servant, should have to endure the verbal abuse to which you were subjected. Although I may not agree with anothers' viewpoints, my conscious would not allow me to stoop to the low level of many of those who spoke. My hope is that, in the future, those persons will show respect and offer constructive recommendations. Carefully considering our words is a sign of maturity and good judgment; to verbally attack another as was done last night shows a total disregard for others and perhaps ignorance about the issue being discussed. Please know that I, for one, do very much appreciate your work! Betty Ketchum 2929 Cornell Avenue Iowa City, IA 52245. MAR 0 8 2000 J Iowa C~ty Couocil E. S,.eet C!ff MANAGER'S OFFICE Zoo. Ci~, L~ 522~ De~ Co~o~: I am wn~xg expzess my support foz a local ordnance which would allow only those of minimum legal c~rinJdng age into dnnking establishments. High :~sk undenge dfir~lriag costs our community dearly in both the economic and social realms. Such an ordinance would save the City in enfozcement and clean up costs and mcxease the quality of life clt~s~town for ~ ciuzens. Iowa City is one oEvery Eew communities across the state and nation tl~t allows people below fine minimum legal Arirtking age to enter bars. Despite the best intentions of bar owners, it is unrealislic to expect that under-s. ge patxons will reEfsin Erom alcohol consumption once silowed entzsnce to the establishment. I feel we must do all we can to assist our young people in maldng healthy choices and nilowing 18 year old access to bars is mconsxstent with this philosophy. Iowa City prides itself on being a divezse and inviting community. Restricting access to under-age ,qr~nkers would drive a vital new late night market for a population of approximately 10,000 University of Iowa students under the age of 21- It is time for Iowa City to do the right thing and promote healthy choices for our young citizens. Please resmct access to bars to those of minimum legal dnnldng age. Sincerely, JI M %R 0 a 2000 CITY MANA 'S OFFIC 4~0 1~.. Washington S~eet Iows Ci~, ~ 52240 Dear Councilors: I am writing express my support for a local ordinance which would allow only those of minimum legal drinking age into drinking establishments. High risk underage drinking costs our community dearly in both the economic and social realms. Such an ordinance would save the City in enforcement and dean up costs and increase the quality of life downtown for all citizens. Iowa City is one of very few communities across the state and nation that allows people below the minimum legal dri~k4ng age to enter bars. Despite the best intentions of bar owners, it is unxealistic to expect that under-age patrons will refrain from alcohol consumption once allowed entrance to the establishment. I feel we must do all we can to assist our young people in making healthy choices and allowing 18 year old access to bars is inconsistent with this philosophy. Iowa City prides itself on being a diverse and inviting community. Restricting access to under-age drinkers would drive a vital new late night market for a population of approximately 10,000 University of Iowa students under the age of 21- It is time for Iowa City to do the right thing and promote healthy choices for our young citizens. Please resmct access to bars to those of minimum legal drinking age. Marian Karr From: Cheryl Carrington [cherylcarrington@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2000 11:48 AM To: co u n cil@ iowa-city. org Subject: Underage drinking in the Iowa City Bars Dear Councilors: We are writing to express our support for a local ordinance which would allow only those of minimum legal drinking age into drinking establishments. High risk underage drinking costs our community dearly in both the economic and social realms. Such an ordinance would save the City in enforcement and clean up costs and increase the quality of life downtown for all citizens. Iowa City is one of very few communities across the state and nation that allows people below the minimum legal drinking age to enter bars. Despite the best intentions of bar owners, it is unrealistic to expect that under-age patrons will refrain from alcohol consumption once allowed entrance to the establishment. We feel we must do all we can to assist our young people in making healthy choices and allowing 18 year olds access to bars is inconsistent with this philosophy. As parents of 16, 14, and 11 year old children, we are very concerned with under-age alcohol consumption. As we begin to look at colleges for our children to attend in the near future, the University of Iowa will be a consideration. However, the proximity of the many bars to the campus and the fact that under-age students are allowed in these bars will not place the University very high on our list of college choices. It is time for Iowa City to do the right thing and promote healthy choices for our young citizens. Please restrict access to bars to those of minimum legal drinking age. Sincerely, Dean and Cheryl Carrington 1138 Hunters Run Iowa City, IA 52246 Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com I 8 2000 TY MANAGER'S OFIqCE Toga Ci~ Counc.U 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Councilors: I am writing express my support for a local ordinance which would allow only those of minimum legal drinking age into drinking establishments. High risk underage drinking costs our community dearly in both the economic and social realms. Such an ordinance would save the City in enforcement and dean up costs and increase the q~mlity of life downtown for all citizens. Iowa City is one of very few communities across the state and nation that allows people below the minimum legal dinking age to enter bars. Despite the best intentions of bar owners, it is unrealistic to expect that under-age patrons will refrain from alcohol consumption once allowed entrance to the establishment. I feel we must do all we can to assist our young people in making healthy choices and allowing 18 year old access to bars is inconsistent with this philosophy. Iowa City prides itself on being a diverse and inviting community. Restricting access to under-age drinkers would drive a vital new hte night market for a population of approximately 10,000 University of Iowa students under the age of 21. It is time for Iowa City to do the right thing and promote healthy choices for our young citizens. Please restrict access to bars to those of minimum legal drinking age. Sincerely, Department of Psychology University of Iowa E119 Seashore Hall Iowa City, Iowa 52246 March g, 2000 Mayor Ernest W. Lehman Iowa City Civic Center 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mr. Mayor: As promised, I enclose copies of a memorandum to you, other members of the City Council, and the City Manager. The memorandum summarizes our findings on drinking by University of Iowa students, in anticipation of a more detailed presentation of this information to the City Council when the Council takes up the issue later this spring. Sincerely, Peter E. Nathan 319-335-2427 (telephone) 319-335-1)191 (fax} p..e..te_.rxn..a..th._a._n@uiowa,edu Department of Psychology University of Iowa E119 Seashore Hall Iowa City, Iowa 52246 MEMORANDUM March 9, 2000 TO: Mayor Ernest W. Lehman t// Members of the Iowa City City Council Connie Champion Steven Kanner Michael O'Donnell Irvin Pfab Dee Vanderhoef Ross Wilburn City Manager Stephen J. Atkins University oflowa Foundation Professor of Psychology RE: Survey of Drinking Practices by University of Iowa Undergraduates I understand that the City Council plans to consider again the current practice of permitting Iowa City bars and taverns to admit persons under 21 years of age so long as they do not consume alcohol. I would like the opportunity to share with the City Council the detailed information on student drinking at the University of Iowa my colleagues and I have gathered over the past four years. I think these data will be very helpful during this process of reconsideration. I'd like to summarize them briefly in this Memorandum and then present them in greater detail when the issue is considered later this spring by the Council. Our interest in surveying drinking practices at the University of Iowa was heightened by the publication in 1994 of a national survey of drinking practices by 17,592 undergraduates at 140 American colleges and universities (Wechsler et al., 1994). The survey generated a great deal of national attention. One reason was the surprisingly high rate ofbinge drinking found: 44% of students in the sample met criteria for binge drinking while 19% met criteria for frequent binge drinking. Another reason for the strong interest in the Survey was the finding that binge drinking and, especially, frequent binge drinking, were strongly 319-335-2427 (telephone) 319-335-0191 (fax) peter*nathan~uiowa. edu -2- associated with adverse behavioral consequences. These behaviors ranged from the relatively benign, like hangovers and missed classes, to the much more serious, like unwanted and/or unsafe sex, drunken driving, and alcohol-related violence. According to Wechsler and his colleagues, highest rates of binge drinking take place on campuses that are (1) located in the Northeast or North Central regions of the U.S.; (2) primarily residential rather than commuter campuses; and (3) within walking distance of one or more alcoholic beverage outlets. The University of Iowa meets all three of these criteria. Moreover, and importantly, it is located in a community that permits 18, 19, and 20 year olds to enter bars and tavems so long as they do not drink. For these reasons, we believed that comparison of these national survey data with data gathered from University of Iowa students might help us and our colleagues around the country understand how such local options and customs affect undergraduate drinking practices. Accordingly, we have surveyed a large number of University of Iowa undergraduates over the four years to ascertain both drinking practices and their behavioral consequences. Our data are striking: (1) In contrast to the 44% of undergraduate drinkers nationwide who met criteria Wechsler and his colleagues established for binge drinking, about 71% of University of Iowa students meet those criteria. (2) In contrast to the national survey' s figure of 19% of students nationwide who met criteria for frequent binge drinking, almost 47% of University of Iowa students meet these criteria. (3) Binge drinking and frequent binge drinking rates at the UI have remained remarkably stable over four years despite efforts to moderate them. Rates ofbinge drinking and frequent binge drinking by UI students are higher than those at the 140 colleges and universities sampled by Wechsler and his colleagues. Predictably, rates of adverse behavioral consequences associated with drinking by UI students are also very high. For example, more than a third of students at Iowa who drink report having experienced at least one instance of unwanted sex when they had been drinking; rates of unwanted sex for binge drinkers and frequent binge drinkers are significantly higher. Other examples: three out of five Iowa student drinkers reported missing a class because of drinking and more than four out of five reported having experienced a hangover; a significantly higher percentage ofbinge drinkers and frequent binge drinkers reported having experienced these alcohol-related consequences. University of Iowa students not only drink very heavily, they suffer serious behavioral consequences on doing so. I look forward to elaborating on our findings when you take up the issue of continuing to allow underage students to enter Iowa City's bars and taverns. IOWA CITY AREA SCIENCE CENTER, INC. 504 E. Bloomington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52245 Telephone: 319.337.2007 Fax: 319.337.7082 E-Mail: icscience@aol.com March 7, 2000 Mayor Ernie Lehman Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mayor Lehman: It is my pleasure to give you notice that our organization has completed negotiations with the Paleontological Institute, Moscow, Russia, covering a five year period, during which time Iowa City will be the "launching pad" for a series of unprecedented exhibits in a wide range of scientific areas. A part of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Paleontological Institute ranks as one of the top two or three such museums in the world, and enjoys a rich tradition reaching back to its founding by Peter the Great in 1716. The exhibits will feature specimens that have never been seen outside of the Paleontological Institute before, and will involve substantive areas ranging from paleontology, mineralogy, archaeology, history and culture, zoology and botany. The exhibits will be accompanied by some of the world's foremost scientists who will reside here and be available to the public and to educational institutions throughout the Midwest. The first exhibit to be shown under this agreement will be the Great Russian Mammoth Exhibition, which will open on May 10 at our current temporary venue at Old Capitol Mall. It will be shown through the summer months. This exhibit features the most notable specimens from the Institute's ice age fauna collections, many of them obtained from Siberia. After leaving Iowa City, the Great Russian Mammoth Exhibition and other exhibits coming here pursuant to our agreement with the Institute, will tour North America, but will principally be shown in the largest metropolitan areas. Like so many aspects of civic and cultural life that make the Iowa City area a great place to live, these exhibits will truly give our people a "large city" experience in our convenient and livable setting. Indeed, it is the quality of life of our community that has warmed the Paleontological Institute to this agreement. The experiences of the Russian scientists who accompanied the Great IOWA CITY AREA SCIENCE CENTER, INC. Page 2 March 7, 2000 Russian Dinosaurs make them wish to return. This long term agreement will ensure that they can again be our welcomed guests. This is a humanitarian as much as a scientific venture. The people of Russia need and deserve our friendship and support in times of extraordinary economic challenge. We need to build bridges of understanding that go beyond the sharing of military technologies and strategies. We are grateful that the people of the Iowa City area have made such a strong and favorable impression on the scientists of the Paleontological Institute that they would be willing- indeed, enthusiastic -- about entering into this unprecedented agreement with their American friends. Thanks to you, to the City Council and to the Citizens of Iowa City for this opportunity, and best wishes. Sincere , w LETTER OF INTENT This Letter of Intent is made and entered into on this 2nd day of April, 2000, between the Paleontological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (PIN), represented by Director Prof. Alexei Rozanov, on the one hand, and the Iowa City Area Science Center, Inc. (ICASC), represented by President James C. Larew, on the other hand. Collectively, PIN and ICASC are sometimes referred to as "the Parties." It is understood by the Parties that before any Agreement can become final, PIN must obtain the approval and concurrence of the International Academic Agency "Nauika;" represented by Director Dr. NikolaiParin, and Pleiades Media Group, Ltd., represented by General Representative Anatolii Alexandrov. Similarly, ICASC must, through its Board of Directors, authorize approval of this Agreement. However, the Parties jointly agree that it would be in their best interests to set forth the understandings they have reached at this time, in this Letter of Intent, with the specific plan of entering into a later, formal Agreement, with the approval of the above-described entities having by that time been obtained. The Parties wish to create a long-term and mutually-beneficial arrangement under which research and public understandings of important scientific and cultural issues may be advanced. To accomplish this goal, the Parties intend to execute a formal Agreement that will include the following essential elements: 1. That, for a period of not less than five years, starting in year 2000, PIN will lease to ICASC a series of exhibits featuring artifacts from various collections owned by PIN and other Institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 2. That, the exhibits' subject areas will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: paleontology; mineralogy; archaeology; history and culture; zoology; and botany. 3. That, the exhibits will feature specimens for the most part never before toured outside of Russia or in North America. 4. That, the exhibits will occupy exhibit floor space of not less than 2,000 square feet and not more than 4,000 square feet. The Parties agree that the Lease of these exhibits shall be subject to the following general terms and conditions: 1. That the Parties will equitably share costs of the exhibits. 2. That the Parties will equitably share in gate revenues generated by exhibit attendees. 3. That the Parties will cooperate in the promotion of the exhibits. to ensure the widest possible exposure of them to audiences in North America. 4. That the exhibits will be accompanied by one or more scientists from PIN who will be assisted in advancing research interests and activities while in residence. Although the Parties agree that the particular provisions of their final Agreement are still negotiable, they intend generally to follow the principles, terms and conditions set forth in their present Agreement related to the Great Russian Mammoths. The terms and conditions of this Letter of Intent may be modified by the Parties in their course of their continued negotiations. However, they intend, in good faith, to execute a final Agreement that is consistent with the spirit of Inteht. and provisions of this Letter ~~~/ Prof Alexei Y. Rozanov Director Paleontological Institute . IOWA CITY AREA SCIENCE CENTER, INC. 504 E. Bloomington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52245 Telephone: 319.337.2007 Fax: 319.337.7082 E-Mail: icscience@aol.corn FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2000 ICASC ANNOUNCES "GREAT RUSSIAN SCIENCE INITIATIVE" (Iowa City) -- The Board of Directors of the Iowa City Area Science Center, Inc., (ICASC) today announced a new five-year initiative, in conjunction with the Paleontological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (PIN) which will bring a series of never-before-seen exhibits from the venerated Moscow institution to North America. Called the "Great Russian Science Initiative," the exhibits will feature specimens and scientists from the Paleontological Institute's collections and professional staff in areas ranging from paleontology, mineralogy, archaeology, history and culture, zoology and botany. The exhibits will be prepared for exhibition throughout North America, principally to be shown at museums and science centers in the continent's largest metropolitan areas, but will be launched from Iowa City. The first exhibit to be shown under this agreement will be the "Great Russian Mammoth Exhibition," and will open on May 10, 2000, at ICASC's temporary location at Old Capitol Mall in Iowa City. It follows an earlier exhibition provided by PIN more than three years ago: "The Great Russian Dinosaurs," which drew approximately 10,000 visitors per month. ICASC had served as one of three North American hosts of the dinosaurs exhibit, whose world tour had been organized jointly by PIN and a group of Australian paleontologists. "This long-term agreement is the first of its kind between the Paleontological Institute and any North American institutition, or any institution anywhere in the world," reported James C. Larew, President, Board of Directors, ICASC. "We are certain that the agreement will benefit both institutions and the people of both nations." Under the terms of a Letter of Intent negotiated and finalized last week in Kansas City between Larew and Professor Alexei Y. Rozanov, Director of PIN, and approved by a unanimous vote of ICASC's Board of Directors today, ICASC will host the unprecedented series of exhibits and help the Russians to promote them throughout North America. Russian scientists who will IOWA CITY AREA SCIENCE CENTER, INC. March 7, 2000 Page 2 accompany the exhibits represent some of the world's leading specialists in their respective fields. Their presence in Iowa City will allow them to retain and broaden their professional relationships with North American colleagues. They will be available to the public, colleges and universities to discuss their research interests. Entry fees from the exhibits will be equitably divided by the two institutions. Funds going to PIN will support the institution during a time of extraordinary financial difficulties. "Iowa and Russia have a unique and long-standing relationship, one initially based largely on shared interests in agricultural production," Larew stated. "This agreement will allow Iowans to build on and broaden that relationship to include a wide range of scientific and cultural interests." ICASC is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation organized for the purpose of establishing a permanent science and technology center in the Iowa City area. For four years it has shown exhibits in temporary venues, including a butterfly garden in downtown Iowa City's Library parking lot. The Iowa City Airport Commission has approved locating a permanent science center facility on approximately six acres of the north commercial area of the Airport. Road construction funds, which will make development of that area a possibility, are a part of the City of Iowa City's proposed capital budget, concurrently under consideration by the City Council. Recently, the proposed ICASC facility has been listed a project that would be eligible for funding if the Iowa General Assembly creates the so-called Millennium Fund. "We believe the Iowa City area would benefit by a permanent science and technology center," Larew said. "It should be appropriate in size, modest in cost and rich in educational opportunities for people of all ages. The Great Russian Science Initiative points to the kind of extraordinary opportunities a science and technology center can bring to the people of our community, region and state." Enc.: LETTER OF INTENT Letter to Mayor Lehman IOWA CITY AREA SCIENCE CENTER, INC. March 7, 2000 Page 3 ICASC Board Members: Ewa Bardach (338.4901) Lynne Cannon (338.4437; 335.0483) Lorna Cress (354.1842) Jeanne Bancroft (339.6800; 351.1146) Steve Gordon (338.1277; 351.7592) Rick Oehler (354.3760; 356.9090) Michael Saks (335.9058) Nora Steinbrech (337.7573; 339.6859) Joan Tiemeyer (351.5333; 338.7381) Marian Karr From: Kyetyry@aol .com Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 10:21 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Budget Thank you City Council, minus one for voting down the budget admenments that Mr. Kanner brought forth in tonight's meeting. I don't need to reiterate the items, it was obvious that the council does not want to hear these again. I have lived on the east side of Iowa City all my life and I am for the 1st Avenue extension, along with the Scott Blvd connection to Captain Irish Parkway. All my life I have listened to my parents and their friends and neighbors in the Village Green area and now my friends and neighbors in that area how difficult it is to get from the east side to the north or to Interstate 80. I work in Cedar Rapids. So I need better ways to get there, not bus transportation, its to restrictive. Most bus routes don't allow me to stop at the grocery store or pick up my kids from school. Or to run errands for my company, go to meetings for my company or my community. Delaying this project does no good, I don't need to go into all the points and counterpoints again. You've heard those enough. Just put my name in that hat for one more person that wants this to happen. The sooner the better. All the concerns can be addressed properly. People have had plenty of time to think of the worst,so they should have been planning for the worst. If this doesn't pass, please give my name to Mr. Gatens, Mr Elliot and all those others who wish to start a petition to put this on the ballot and get this on it's way, once and for all. I'll sign and help them any way I can. For those of you that stand up and support this issue, I commend you. Your vote for this shows that you want Iowa City to expand, not let it all go somewhere else. I do not envy your position, but would love to have made some of the comments that each of you have made regarding this subject. It had been intersting to say the least. Thank You Mark Grenko 1448 Chamberlain Drive 0 3 -2 1-0 0 5g(13) ~ MAR 0 ~, 2000 0 IC City Council 3-1-00 C!ff MANAGER'S OFFICE 2004 Kochester C~ ~ ] ~ Ave E~ension Fo~s, [ ~'t t~e it ~ymore~ Z voted [or most o~you to provide two things rot the City o[ZC and it's cit~ens; ]~ders~p and Well ['m so~, I'm not seeing it on ] ~ Ave E~ension. ~y point ~d m~ ~ami]~, there are (5) o[us, thi~ o[the 5 o[us st~ding outside ~our door ~th sign protesting to 8~ the road B~T~ That's the image Z w~t you to see. What, m Z saying, Z have lived in [C since ] 9?2, ] have lived on the East side o~ [C 20+ ye~s. [ use Hicko~ Hill ~k more than 40 times a ye~, ] am a tree hu~er ~om wa~ back, [ hate c~s ~d t~c u much ~ ~e ~ per~n. ] have chil~en that cross ] ~ Ave E~g~ da~, so do L Z fide my hike on ]~ Ave. ~T, ~iH, the time is now to show l~dership and vision ~or ~L o[ ]C ~d it's cit~en's and build ]~ Ave e~ensio~ but wait, no Z ask more, show me more leaders~p; Execute ]~ Ave ~ Sco~ bird e~ensjon as pm o~a master plan. don't ~op there, ~ve me ~O~ leadership; m~e Hicko~ Hill the best undeveloped city p~k in Iowa. How?, aggressivd~ expand the pm East o~ ]" Ave ~ purchasing water shed land ~d creeks that h~d Noah ~d East, put in a re~]~ Mde sidewalk ~on~ ]~ Ave to enco~age ~oot ~d bicycle tr~c. Then, expand the ~oot tr~]s along the cr~k beds that you just purchased ~d work out a master plan to purchase and prote~ the creek watershed. Wait, there's more, ~on8 the new ] st Ave, put in huge numbers o~co~rer ~s to help screen the p~k ~om the inevitable tr~c. Oh yes, when ] listen to the ~oundskeepers o~ Cor~viHe and our ~nscience in Lone Tree, Z re~i~ that simply b~u~ there is a road ~i]t along ~cko~, [ am going to jump in m~ c~ and ro~ up ~d do~ ]~ Ave ~or no app~ent reagn. BuHl]one~. ]~ ]~ Ave is installed, Z ~d man~ East- siders MI] be driving FE~g ~]es, not more. ~it ~vin~ me ~CgO management ~d visionless leadership, that's not wh~ Z elect~ you ~]. Julie and Z elected ~ou to deal ~orce~]]~ with the issues and do what is best ~or ~L o~]C, not just those ~th the ]oudest mouth ~d special interests. Z so~ o~expected the cu~ent position o~anner( Z ~dn't vote ~or so~); but [ am disappoint~ in Zwing and goss. ~y o[you people he~d o[the concept o[~~?? ~ght now the road ~ppers look like jerk no-CroChets. The is a dine a~ place [~ ~-~o~h~ [h~ve ~ begins at the death of an organism. In the meantime, as long as IC is alive; let's get some master-planned, sustainable growth that benefits ALL of IC, not pander to the special interest of the fat-cats in the luxury homes off 1~t, they must be all laughing getting most of you to buy the save the park garbage, most of the opposition is from no-growth outsiders(not even IC/East side folks) and the people who live in their mansions off 1~t. You all have been suckered. Last comment, any of you Visionary think about this, what if lC had built the road in 1998;just ahead of CoralRidge Mall, and that by having 1~t connect traffic INTO IC, that maybe that would have been just enough traffic COMING INTO THE EAST SIDE OF IC to save Sycamore Mall?? Any of you visionaries think about that?? PS, for the micro mind no growth knee jerk decision-makers, better start saving some money up so we can redo all the Iowa City signs to read EAST CORALVILLE, IOWA (formerly Iowa City) Thanks for listening ....... Sorry about my tone, but I've heard enough from our newly elected "leaders" Vote now to extend 1 st AND Scott, as in NOW. Thanks jraaz Page 1 of 1 Madan Karr M Fror~i ......Tom Riley (Maher Bros. ii$~'i000)[teriley@~i]iiii:tagent.corni ........ Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2000 5:29 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: 1 st ave extension Dear Council, I am sorry I was not able to come to the public forums to express my position on the 1 st Ave. extension. Unfortunately I was running my business that has been here for in Iowa City for 75 years. I decided my time was better spent helping to create a tax base that Iowa City in the future is going to need. I have lived in Iowa City all my life. I do not live on the east side of town and my business is on the south side. Thus this situation has little impact on me personally or professionally. It appears that the group that is blocking this project is very organized. It looks as if they have accomplished what they sent out to do. If this is democracy at work, I can live with the results. Our business has operating entities in Cedar Rapids and Davenport. While operating in these communities I do not see the constant roadblocks to business and development growth. I do not normally comment on local issues because it can negatively impact my business if people do not agree with my opinions, but I feel progress in Iowa City is being inhibited. And as long as the University of Iowa is here to pull the local economy we can get away with it as a community. We better hope it continues to grow, because I do not see it coming from the private sector. I may be in the minority but I thought I would cast my vote in public opinion for this project. Sincerely, Tom Riley President Maher Bros. Transfer and Stg. 3/9/2000 March 3, 2000 Iowa City Council 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Ladies & Gentlemen of the Iowa City Council: As an Executive Board Member of AFSCME Local 183 and a Transit Operator of Iowa City Transit for the past 20 + years, I wish to express my gratitude for your approval of the Transit Downtown Interchange Improvements scheduled for construction this summer. I feel strongly that the construction of adequate and available restroom facilities for transit operators will enable us to provide a more efficient service. An additional concern for transit operators is to have an adequate break/lunch area that affords us a little reprieve and privacy from our busy days. We would also appreciate having access to a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee pot. Currently we have no space for that purpose, or those amenities. The current plan includes a lunch/break counter along a wall. This space is shared with other office personnel and affords little privacy from the public. As is, this plan is inadequate for a decent lunch/break area. Would the City please consider amending or expanding the current plans to facilitate the additional needs of its transit operators? I believe I speak for many of my co-workers when I say we appreciate your following through with this project and your consideration of all of our needs. Thank you. Sincerely, Bill Peterson (337-9046) cc: Steve Atkins Joe Fowler March 3, 2000 eff~ / "~ City Council of iowa City 4®0 E Washington Iowa City, Ia. 52240 Dear Council, I am finally contacting you in regard to my concern over the 'one stop ground transportation center' that is currently being considered. My concern is not that it is needed, I think it is a very good idea to relocate the Greyhound bus terminal, and to have some place that the taxi service can have for convenience (if indeed there is a demand for a center location for taxi cab service of this type). I know they are widely utilized, and I have used them-several times in the winter, just not aure ~ c~ntral location is necessary'. My strongest concern is in regard to the bus service terminal portion. And the LOCATION of this terminal. As someone who utilizes the bus service at least twice a day, if not in fact sometimes four or more times a day, I think it is a major concern to have passengers having to cross Buffington street in order to catch a bus. Do you really know how difficult it is to cross Burlington and then pe/:haps have to walk another block or so to catch a bus that may not come again for another hour (off-peak service) or perhaps a half-hour for peak service?? It is very difficult sometimes you wait 34 minutes for the lights to cycle through and then you have to allow time to get to your particular bus ~op. Is the council also considering adding another skywalk over Buffington street to help facilitate this situation? I have not heard this mentioned. I would like the council to consider the Washington street exchange, I think this works quite well now, and perhaps Capitol street could be redesigned to accommodate the taxi's and Greyhound bus service. I think we are again working against business to Old Capitol mall. By moving such a large volume of potential consumers another block-two blocks away, it is another reason for people not to shop downtown, and also not to utilize the bus. And especially now with the 'current price for gasoline at $1.49 a gallon I would think it would be in the City's BEST intereSt to consider this terminal situation VERY CAREFULLY. Also, do you realize how many elderly people utilize bus and taxi service? Once again they are left behind because we have a council that is not thinking about the population as a whole, and/or who does not have a clue as to what population base uses the service in question. Not everyone is 20 year old college student that can run three blocks to catch a bus!! PLEASE, PLEASE reconsider this idea. Wouldn't it be' much better to have that property put back on the tax rolls. You need to start finding and supporting groups that will GENERATE MONEY, not help DEGENERATE the downtown landscape, as may happen with this current proposal. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Marsha Hucke 418 Hawaii Ct. Iowa City, Ia. 52246 ~ MAR 0 9 2000 ~ CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE Gringos Mar. 9, 2000 ! 15 E. College St. '- -Iowa City, IA. 52240 ' · Iowa City City Council 410 E. WashingtOn St. Iowa City, IA. 52240 , Dear .City Council member~s: We at Gringos are still very interested in.providing a few outdoor tabl~s for our customers on the Plaza.. We arc aware that it is taking a little longer than anticipated to resolve some issues involving the sidewalk caf~ ordinance. We are hoping that these issues will be resolved fairly quickly. it is important, that we set up our cafes early in ~he season..Many visitors will be 'coming downtown to enjoy the springtime weather and the atmosphere of our new downtown environment. The cafes .will enhance that unique atmosphere, Especially with the Friday and Saturday night concerts starting soon. / We encourage you to take a positive look at our how the cafes will enhance downtown and hope that we will soon be able to offer more outdoor dining . experiences for everyone. Sincerely, Chris Burhans, owner & Nancy Burhans 115 E. College St.q~lowa City, IA 52240~,(319) 338-3000 5g(18) Gold Rush 2000 9~ ANNUAL BUSINESS FAIR March 24,25 & 26, 2000 Memorandum Date: Wednesday, January 05, 2000 To: City Counsel Members, Iowa City City Counsel Members, Coralville City Counsel Members, North Liberty Area State Representatives Area State Senators Iowa City Area School Board Members County Board of Supervisors From: Elected Officials Committee: Paul Heath, Small Business Development Center, and Lod Lensch, Brenton Bank Re: 2000 Business Fair Elected Officials Booth As in the past, a booth at the Business Fair has been reserved for our local and state officials. We would like to invite you to participate in this event, We are expecting over 8,000 attendees this year. The fair will give you an opportunity to meet with you constituents. Representatives from Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, Johnson County, State Officials as well as the iowa City Community School District Board will share the booth. Attached is a suggested schedule of two-hour time slots. Please call (335- 3742) or fax (353-2445) us with your schedules. If you have any questions, please let us know. You may reach Lori at 887-7407 or Paul at 335-3742. Thank you. ~ 'd 6LS~'oN NNVe NOIN]~e ~d8~:9 000~ 'L '~s~ Elected Officials Booth Schedule Your name: Your Office: Fax to: 353-2445 The hours of the Business Fair are: Friday, March 24 04:00 p.m. - 7; 30 p.m. Saturday, March 25 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 26 NOON - 4:00 p.m. Friday, March 24 Mary Mascher 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Bob Dvorsky John Weihe Chades Duffy Mike Lehman Friday, March 24 Bob Dvorsky 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p,m. Minette Doderer Mary Mascher Saturday, March 2'5 1. 10:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. 2. 3. 4, Satu~;day, March 25 Mary Mascher 12:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 2. 3. 4. Saturaay, March 25 Carol ThOmpson 2:00 p.m,-4:00 p.m. Minette Doderer Johnathan Jordale Sunday, March 26 10:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. 2. 3. 4. Sunday, 'i~larch 26 1. 12:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 2. 3. 4. 'Sunday, March 26 1. 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. 2. 3. 4. 8 'd 6LS~'oN ~NV9 NO/Na~8 ~d6~:9 000~ 'L '~s~ City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: March 13, 2000 To: City Clerk From: Jeff Davidson, Acting Traffic Engineering Planner ~~ Re: Establishment of NO PARKING ZONE As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3(B) 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 March 22, 2000. Action Pursuant to Section 9-4-1(a)(19) of the City Code, signage will be erected indicating NO PARKING at the intersection of Riverside Drive and River Street adjacent to the City stormwater pumping station. Comment This action is being taken at the request of the Wastewater Division. The sign will establish a vehicle tow-away zone so that City maintenance vehicles are able to access the site for maintenance. C:libby~parking.doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: March 13, 2000 To: City Clerk From: Jeff Davidson, Acting Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Designation of handicapped parking areas As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3(B) 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 March 22, 2000. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-4-11 (A) of the City Code, signage will be erected indicating RESERVED PARKING for persons with physical disabilities STATE PERMIT REQUIRED $100 FINE at parking meters 1205 and 1221 on Iowa Avenue. This designation shall be in effect between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and noon on Sundays. At all other times the spaces shall remain public metered parking. Comment: This action is being taken at the request of the First Christian Church located at 217 Iowa Avenue. The designated spaces will establish reserved parking for persons with disabilities on Sunday mornings. The First Christian Church hopes to move to a new location within the next few years at which time this action will be rescinded. jccogtp\memos~handcpkg.doc Marian Karr From: John Nesbitt [john-nesbitt@uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, March 21,2000 2:03 PM To: IC-CITY-CLERK-KARR Subject: Dilkes Rule Versus Good Process Leading to Community Consensus 2000 FLAR 21 Letter to City Council, Iowa City Dear IC City Councilors, The recently announced "City Lawyer Dilkes Rule," (CLDR) designed to turn an abstention vote into a POSITIVE VOTE for the motion, will NOT result in a more efficient or more effective City Council. The "CLDRule" will diminish understanding, debate, and consensus in "Athens on the Iowa." SHOOT FIRST, QUESTION LATER. The "CLDRule" is another City Governance steamroller tactic to push the "Go-Go-Grow-Grow" agenda. This "GGGG" agenda keeps costing more money, keeps missing it targeted goals of economic development, keeps fomenting "conflict" in Athens, and keeps lowering trust in City Governance. The "feeling" is that the City Council and City Government shoot or act before considering all the facts, all of the public's opinions, and the majority of public opinion. The City Council does not seek real costs information or hidden costs information. The City Council does ponder logical results nor search for possible unanticipated outcomes. The City Governance "targets of opportunity" call for fast action. The Dilkes Rule is another "shoot first and ask questions later." An issues that is only a few days old has prompted a fast legal response. In a few months citizens will be saying, "Look what happened! Why in the world did they adopt the 'City Lawyer Dilkes Rule'? What were they thinking?" MOUNDS OF INFORMATION. Another public perception is that City Management uses the "Bury 'em Strategy of Persuasion." City Management piles mounds of impossible to quickly analyse information on the City Council Table. The "pile" is replete with murky fine print and implications. The City Councilors are overwhelmed and fall back on City Management's implicit directions to "vote GGGG." The City Councilors vote "GGGG." There are no honest abstentions that signal "There are contra-indications and implications and costs and waste and debt factors that have not been taken into account." GOOD PROCESS. There is more here than just the "Dilkes Rule." Basic issues include the matter of civil liberties and good/due process. Is there a pattern here in "Athens on the Iowa" of bypassing good process? There are a series of issues lacking adequate discussion. First, there is the "Sales Tax Option" which was pushed by City Council but rejected by every precinct in Johnson County -- every single precinct. City Governance has not backed off on this. It's in storage waiting for a more propitious time. Second, there is the "Sleeping in Your Van Ordinance" which finally failed. Third, the Mayor's proposal to do away with Public Discussion, changing it to public comment. Fourth, there is the proposal to ban abstentions. And, fifth, there is the "Gag Rule" designed to limit Councilor "talk-time." When there is a lack of understandin~ or a disagreement, the leadership moves to cut off discussion and to vote with the "GGGG." At the Formal Council Meeting on March 7, an attempt to question points in the $196,000,000-plus city budget resulted in a move to cut discussion to "five minutes" per City Councilor. For seven councilors that comes out to five (5) minutes per $28,000,000. 1 If anything, the move should be to increase public input and to open City Councilor debate -- not to restrict input and debate. CAUSING COMMUNITY CONFLICT. There is another community issue -- conflict. City Government purposely avoids knowing OR simply ignores what citizens think about the airport issue and downtown development versus citywide development. There is the Pedall Triad: the kiosk silliness, the water fountain debacle, and the Ped Mall re-build at what cost. The library and parking ramps are conflicts ad infinitum. There is the 25 year conflict about protecting neighborhoods and the small town ambience versus the Go-Go-Grow-Grow movement and "all stand aside King Traffic." Then, there is 'Iowa City's Own Spic 'n Span Water' which may not be so healthful after all and has lots of buying drinking water at the local wells, read groceries. These issues, of major and minor consequence, lead to question, "Are 'they' looking for ways to create conflict?" If 'they' are, 'they' are doing to great job. Keep 'em in office. City Governance decides what is good for the City economy, or "GGGG," and presses on with its plan for "economic and social development." Of course, City Governance keeps "GGGG" chugging by ignoring the "social" side. City Governance does by suppressing its own neighborhood protection and preservation policies. City Governance chugs along until citizens lay timbers on the track and derail the City Governance train. For example, the derailment of the "Sales Option Tax." Ironically, the City Council reaction was not, "did we leave the public out when we made our run for this tax?" No, the reaction was, "We didn't get the package but we will get the parts, one by one. Bet on it!" What must citizens do to penetrate City Governance "GGGG" thinking? It is time for extended citizen input, long discussions, and debate by City"Councilors leading informed votes and decisions. "Athens" needs a deliberate, reasoned, people-first, thoughtful approach to preserving the city and protecting its citizens. As more and more GGGG plans fall short, misfire, and don't work for citizens, citizen confidence shrinks. Unless, of course, the citizen/s happens to have a "piece of the action." There are serious safety, economic, health, relationship, social, and security problems festering around the city, downtown, in its neighborhoods, on its streets, and in its homes and apartments. Shooting first and asking questions later is not the solution to these problems. Community Consensus is necessary for the future of "Athens on the Iowa." Community consensus requires that budgets be understood, that proposals be challenged, that questions be asked, and that issues be brought into the open. Sincerely, John Nesbitt 362 Koser Ave. Iowa City, IA 52246-3038