HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-11-07 Correspondence =~.. {~ '{ -07-00
"'. :': "' 4f(1 )
Corah'Ill( ,
............ Thursday, October 1~, 2000
Riverview Square City Council Members
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
408 First Avenue
Dear Council Members;
The Board of Directors of the Iowa City/Cora]ville Convention and
Coralville, Iowa Visitors Bureau (CVB) is wholeheartedly behind and very excited about
the new life afforded the Englert Theater as a performance
entertainn~ent venue! We are very eager to add the Englert to our list of
visitor attractions.
52241-2406
The CVB Board agreed in January that establishing a cultural arts center
around downtown Iowa City is a key element in developing the area's
319-337-6592 tourisn~ attractiveness to visitors.
The econon-dc benefits of the Englert will be great. A new attraction
lures new people to town, and new people bring new dollars to spend.
1-e00-283-6592 An attraction like the Englert is a great catalyst for visitor (and local)
spending. Frequently, folks combine a dinner and a show, or come to
town early for tickets and shop before the show. Evening shows draw
overnight guests whose hotel/motel tax dollars help pay for tourism
319-337-9953 FAX promotion, police and parks in Iowa City.
We look forward to the continuation of the rich tradition of the Englert,
CVB@icccvb.org and are eager to assist in its promotion.
Sincerely,
http://www.icccvb.org ~~~,r~-~//J~
Ann Sn~others
President
") ' """" ' ~" October 25, 2000
· ,, , , ,~ Mayor Lehman and Members of the City Council,
!~ iowa c~'s r~denl professional Ilne~
- Riverside Theatre applauds the Englert Civic Theatre Group's efforts
to restore the Englert Theatre for use as a performing arts center.
Riverside Theatre is in favor of all projects which add to the cultural
213 North Gilbert Street
life of the Iowa City community,
Sincerely,
P.O. Box 1651
Iowa City, Iowa 52244 Amy Estes
Managing Director
Box Office: (319) 338-7672
Admin Office: (319) 887-1360
Fax: (319) 887-1362
info@riversidetheatre.org
www.riversidetheatre.org
L 1 t -07-00
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA i'!. 4f(3)
October 24, 2000
City Council of Iowa City
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52245
To the Council,
I'm writing to lend my strong suppo~ to the effo~ to renovate the Englc~ Theatre for live
performances. There arc ninny reasons to assist in this effo~. Here are just a few.
It will bring cultural activities downtown where most students congregate. At a time
when we are searching Eor alternatives to the bars, ~e Enlgc~ offers ~ oppo~nity
to draw students to events that will expand their sense otthc world.
· It will provide a new home t~r local theatre companies. Eve~one who works in
theatre knows that the most impo~ant element in achieving success is having a
theatre space that is a~ractivc, well equipped and easily accessible.
· It offers new space t~r touring productions. The Theatre A~s Dcpa~mcnt is usually
unable to present touring productions because we have obligations to produce work
by our students. Hanchcr Auditorium is too big tot many touring productions. The
Englcrt would bc large enough to provide an appropriate financial incentive but
intimate enough to offer audiences immediate access to performers.
Iowa City offers a great many cultural activities but a limited number of professional
fl~ea[rc events. I hope the Englc~ can change that. This would certainly benefit our
students and Eaculty.
I think I speak ~or our cmirc Faculty when 1 offer support ~or this project. I recognize it will
require substantial financial assistance From many sources, but 1 believe the result ~11 benefit
Iowa City in a unique way.
I hope you will let mc know if I can bc of assistance in this process.
Sincerely,
Alan MacVey
Chair
Theatre Arts Department 107 Theatre Bldg. Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1705 319/335-2700
FAX 319/335-3568
1 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
--]
X_ ·
Sally Stutsman, Chairperson
Charles Duffy
Jonathan Jordahl
Michael E. Lehman
Carol Thompson
OCT 2 5
MEMO
DATE: October 23, 2000
TO: City Clerks, Mayors, Council Members and City Managers
rut
FROM: Sally S sman, Chairperson
RE: Meeting of Board of Supervisors and Small Cities
The next meeting of the small cities and the Board of Supervisors was set for Monday, March
19, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. This was set at the October 16m meeting. The joint meeting will be held
at the Johnson County Board of Supervisors Office, Administration Building, Board Meeting
Room, 913 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City.
Again, this will be an informal meeting. The agenda will include a brief overview of the
happenings in your city for the past year. Then we will have a sharing of mutual concerns and
an exchange of ideas. To add an agenda item, please contact our office no later than March
9m'
913 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET, SUITE 201 · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-4207 · PHONE: (319) 356-6000 , FAX: (319) 354-4213
11-07-00
rrH 4f(5)
r
IP; cjjE
A COMMUNITY AND CAMPUS COALITION TO REDUCE BINGE DRINKING
Executive Members 10-24-2000
Carolyn Cavitt
Iowa City Council
Jim Clayton Coralville City Council
Johnson County Supervisors
North Liberty City Council
Mary Sue Coleman
Dear Councilors,
Sarah Hansen
To follow up on the issue of price special restrictions, I wanted to provide you with
Dale Helling a copy of recent correspondence from the Stepping Up Community Policy Task
Force to the State Alcoholic Beverage Division (ABD).
Phillip E. Jones
Representatives of the Task Force will travel to the ABD Commission meeting on
October 24m to present this information. The Commission is very interested in the
Mary Khowassah
issue of price specials. We will keep you updated on the outcome of that meeting.
Emie Lehman If you have comments or questions please call me at 335-1349 or e-mail me at Julie-
Phye@uiowa.edu
Steve Pa~ott
Kind Regards, .~.~
Dan Patterson , , \
Julie Phve
. ye, PH.Duli
Project Director
Lane Plugge
Tom Roddin
Cathy Solow
Nan Trefz
J. Patrick White
100 Curtier Hall, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 55242 (319)335-1349
Selected State Laws and Regulations Restricting or
Prohibitinl~ Alcohol Promotions*
Unlimited Drinks at fixed Games which Happy hour Two or Free
price for a fixed time offer alcohol as more drinks
(all you can drink) prize or promote drinks at
excessive drinking one price
Alabama Yes After 9 PM Yes
Alaska Yes Yes Yes Yes
Arizona Yes**
Arkansas Yes
California Yes Yes
Connecticut Yes Yes
Delaware Yes Yes
District of Yes
Columbia
Hawaii+ Yes Yes After 6 PM Yes Yes
Illinois Yes Yes
Indiana Must last entire day Yes
Kansas Yes Yes Yes
Kentucky Yes
Louisiana Must end before 10 PM
Maine Yes Yes
Massachusetts Yes Yes Yes
Michigan Yes Yes Yes
Nebraska Yes Yes
New Hampshire Yes
New Jersey Yes Yes Yes
New Mexico Yes Yes Yes
New York Yes Yes Must last one week Yes Yes
North Carolina Must last entire Yes Yes
business day
Ohio Yes Yes Must end before Yes Yes
9 PM
Oklahoma Illegal - no reduced
drink prices
Pennsylvania Yes No more than 2 Yes
hours and end
before 12 AM
Rhode Island Yes Yes
South Carolina Between 4 PM and Yes Yes
8 PM only
Tennessee Yes Yes Must end by 10 PM Yes Yes
Texas Yes Yes Must end by 1 ! PM Yes
Utah Yes Prohibited
Vermont Yes Must last full day
Virginia Yes Must end by 9 PM Yes Yes
Washington Yes Yes
*As of October 2000
** Licensees, but not employees may give away fi'ee drinks.
+ County regulations differ. The regulations of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maul Counties include these restrictions.
Data Sources: Training for Intervention Procedures Website, State Alcohol Laws and Regulations, 2000,
(http://www.gettips.com), New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Law 1999-2000
IPr,,tD . drI 11
A COMMUN~ AND C~PUB 00~ITION ~ REDUCE 81NG~ DRINKING
October 13, 2000
Executive Members
c~ly~ G,4tt Mr. Lynn Walding, Director
Alcoholic Beverage Division
Ji~ch~o. 1918 SE Hulsizer
Ankeny, IA 50021
Mary Sue Coleman
Dear Mr. Walding,
Su=h H~m In e~rlier conversations, members of the Community Policy Task Force of the
Stepping Up Coalition have expressed their interest in exploring restrictions on
Dale Helling price speei~l-~ on alcoholic beverages sold in Iowa. As you requested when we met
in Iowa City, the Task Force has reviewed price special restrictions and found them
Phillip E. Jones currendy enacted in 33 states and the Disuict of Columbia.
We have found the Ohio Administrative Code to be a good example of the types of
?vl~/~ow~al~ restriction we feel would be most relevant to the Iowa City area. It is summarized
tO say:
Emie Lehman "Licensees may not offer single-priced, unlimited service drink spe,q~ls, free drinks
for patrons or two-for-one drink specials. Licensees also may not encourage or
st~e pu,ott promote any organized game which awards alcohol as a prize or promotes excessive
drinking. Happy Hour drink specials must end before 9:00 pm."
Dan Patterson
In consideration of the promotions most widely available in this area, we have
prioritized these restrictions as follows:
lulie Phye 1. All -you-can-drink specials (unlimited drinks for a set price over a set time)
2. Akohol as a prize or part of a game/contest
hnc pl.~c 3. Limiting happy hours to no hter than 9pro and no longer than 2 hours in
duration.
Tom Rc.:~di. 4. 2 for I specials
5. Free drinks
Gthrs°l°w One concern not addressed by Ohio that is a concern in Iowa is the sale price
provided to a particular group of patrons, such as members of a Greek
N~ T,~2 organization. It would be of interest to know if this distinction could also apply to
21 year olds as evidenced in the 21 pitchers or shots on a 21" birthday. This
I. P~t,id~ Wl~te restriction is addressed by New York and North Carolina hws.
I00 Cuniet Hall. University of lowa. Iowa City, IA SS242 (S lg)~S-134g
These are our suggestions based on' the dam av~ihble to us We look forward to hearing your
thoughts and those of the commission at the meeting on October 24'u.
We have enclosed copies of the Ohio and New York code and summaries of price
restrictions for each state. Copies of drink spe,-ial~ and coupons are also enclosed for your
reference.
If our Task Force can provide further assistance, I can be reached at 319.335.1349 or Dale
Helling is the Task Force chair and he can be reached at 319-3S6.S013-
Thank you for your consideration of this material.
Sincerely, , ~
Project Director
l ! r'-;---,4f(6)
THOMAS J. VILSACK DEPARTMENT OF~COMMERCE
GOVERNOR AI.,fCONOLLf BEVERAGE DIVISION
~'_,', i '= ,',r ;t ",,,
SALLY J. PEDERSON Z'~Ti".,'~ .'.' "':~':, ,, ,r...%
LT. GOVERNOR ;""' ~ "TM
October 19, 2000
Dear Local Official:
On behalf of the State of Iowa, I would like to provide an opportunity to your local law enforcement
agency to join the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division's (ABD) enforcement efforts to reduce the use
and sale of tobacco products to minors.
The State of Iowa has earmarked several million dollars for a comprehensive statewide tobacco
initiative. The enforcement component of the initiative is twofold - stop illegal sales of tobacco
products to minors and stop illegal possession of tobacco products by minors. As part of this effort,
ABD will conduct educational programs for your community in the near future.
The strategy is simple: conduct compliance checks of Iowa's 6,000 tobacco retailers by financially
contracting with eligible local law enforcement agencies. To be eligible, you must be the local
licensing authority for tobacco permits. In addition, participating communities will be expected to
develop local programs to reduce youth access to tobacco, such as Cops-in-Shops programs, and
enforcement programs to ban use and possession of tobacco by youth on public property. This is
an aggressive and bold program intended to change the acceptable social norm of teen smoking, as
well as uphold Iowa's new tobacco laws, which went into effect July 1, 2000. Details of the program
are further explained in the enclosed information sheet.
I hope you will choose to participate in this important and far-reaching strategy. Details of the
program will be the subject of town hall meetings and ICN training scheduled in the coming weeks.
The dates and location of those events are enclosed as well. In the meantime, any questions you
have regarding these programs should be directed to Nicole Watson by telephone at
(515.281.7461 ) or e-mail (Watson@lowaABD.com).
Help protect the health of our young people by enforcing Iowa's new tobacco laws. Please join the
Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division and take the pledge to make Iowa a safe environment for our
kids. The ultimate success of the enforcement program is dependent on your participation and
commitment.
Thank you in advance f r yo Zparticipation. We look forward to hearing from you through your
local law enforcement en y Tuesday, October 31.
Sincerely,
1918 S.E. HULSIZER RD. / ANKENY, IOWA 50021-3941 / 515-281-74OC
IOWA PLEDGE
Reduce the Illegal Sale and Possession of Tobacco Products to and by Minors
Goal:
· Achieve a zero sales rate of tobacco products to minors.
Strategy:
· Perform tobacco compliance checks on each of Iowa's 6,000 tobacco permit holders at least twice a
year
· Perform initial round of compliance checks in December 2000, along with a second wave in Spring
2001
Tactics:
· Contract with local law enforcement agencies to conduct compliance checks.
o Contract fees will be calculated on the total number of tobacco permit holders in a given
jurisdiction.
o Participating communities will be reimbursed on a flat fee basis of $50 lump sum per
tobacco compliance check.
o A predetermined flat fee - number of tobacco permits x $50 x two compliance checks = fee -
will be paid, with reimbursements made upon receipt of completed tobacco compliance check
reports.
o Local law enforcement officials will be expected to ticket clerks, as well as retailers, when
conducting compliance checks.
· Contract will provide local youth tobacco possession enforcement.
o Based on the number of tobacco permit holders per community, local law officers will be
expected to commit time to youth tobacco enforcement activities, similar to Iowa ABD's efforts
at this year's Iowa State Fair.
o Local law enforcement officials will be expected to ticket youth in possession of tobacco
products.
o Locally, community partnerships will provide resources and guidance to the state's program.
· Local participation in the "Cops in Shops" program.
Reporting:
· Simple citation and report forms will be issued.
· Statewide training will be provided for compliance check procedures, reporting requirements and
adjudication processes.
Facts:
· 37 percent of Iowa teens report the use of tobacco products.
· Currently 67 percent of Iowa retailers are in compliance with Iowa's tobacco sales laws - 33 percent
of Iowa retailers sold tobacco products to minors during the last round of comp~ance checks.
· Studies have shown that tobacco law enforcement efforts, in conjunction with retailer education,
reduce illegal sales of tobacco to minors.
· Similarly, studies support effective law enforcement as an essential component of a comprehensive
statewide tobacco program.
Take the Iowa Pledge to uphold the tobacco laws;~.~! .. ~ --*
keep Iowa's kids healthy and not se~ tobacco products tO:infi~or~.'
.... j
Town Hall Meetings
An open meeting opportunity for community and county officials,
retailers and the general public
to discuss reducing youth access to tobacco
and Iowa's enforcement program
Tuesday, October 3 1
Ames, 10 pm
City Council Chambers
Des Moines, 2 pm
City Council Chambers
Wednesday, November 1
Council Bluffs - 10 am
Community Hall
Sioux City - 2 pm
City Council Chambers
Thursday, November 2
Waterloo - 10 am
City Hall- Council Chambers, 2nd floor
Cedar Rapids - 2pm
50 Second Avenue Bridge
Friday, November 3
Dubuque - 10 am
Library Auditorium (tentative location)
Quad Cities - 2 pm
Community Center, Banquet Room
Bettendorf
Community ICN Training
Training program for Local officials
participating in tobacco enforcement program
Tuesday, November 14 Thursday, November 16
ICN Training 2:00 -3:30 PM ICN Training 10:00 - 11:30 PM
Algona - high school Altoona - Public Library
Ames--high school Anita - high school
Anamosa--high school Carroll - community college
Ankeny - community college Dubuque -- Forum
Bettendorf - AEA Fort Dodge -- AEA
Centerville - high school Middle Amana-Clear Creek middle
Denison - community college school
LeMars - high school Milford - Okoboji - high school
Missouri Valley - high school Mt. Pleasant - IA Wesleyan
Monroe - PCM high school Norwalk - high school
Red Oak - community college I Riceville - high school
Wednesday, November 15
ICN Training 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Afton - East Union High School
Alta- high school
Clinton - community college
Council Bluffs - educational services center
Decorah - N. Winneshiek High School
Johnston - IPTV 1
Marshalltown - community college 1
Mason City - community college 1
Muscatine - community college
Ottumwa - AEA
Sioux City - AEA
Page 1 of 2
11-07-00
From: Dan Daly [dan-daly@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, October 25. 2000 3:22 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Cc: eleanor_dilks@uiowa-city.org
Subject: FYI
To the City Council,
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials sets the nationally
accepted standards for road design. The proposed new extension 1 st Avenue would
change the nature of that street from a residential collector to an urban arterial, though it
fails on many counts to meet minimum requirements.
The 1995 Iowa Department of Transportation report HR-234A, "An Engineering Study to
Update the Iowa Transportation Laws - Annotated" documents numerous cases of
municipal liability due to substandard construction and/or maintenance.
The extension would be distinguished from "grand-fathered" substandard situations. In
those cases existing roads, in response to growing external demands, have come to serve
traffic loads beyond design capacity and/or despite other deficiencies, before the adaptation
of national standards. A conscious decision to proceed with new construction that alters use
of an existing road in violation of design standards, in the absence of reliable traffic impact
studies, and despite public outcry, could be viewed creating a hazardous situation with
reckless disregard for the public safety.
Studies have shown that as roads approach and surpass design capacity, accidents and
injuries occur at rates far exceeding proportional traffic increases.
I will copy this to our city attorney so that she will know what may be coming. If your traffic
engineering staff has failed to bring these contingencies to your attention, legal staff should
at least be warned, since they may have to bear a significant workload increase.
P.S. Were the traffic accidents on 1st Avenue last week brought to your attention? On
Sunday three cars collided at 1 st and Rochester. On Friday there was another accident at
1 st and Wayne, a few blocks south of the Junior High, shortly after school let out. I've been
attempting without success to determine the NUMBER of accidents (property damage
and/or personal injury) on 1 st since Jan. 1, 1998. Police and Planning departments are
unable or unwilling to supply this information. Could you please track it down for me?
P.P.S. I do admit the above observations are motivated by a selfish concern for the safety
of my own children, and to a lesser extent my property tax burden, still I'd like to express my
appreciation for all the GOOD (I know what I mean) stuff you do for our town that nobody
ever thanks you for.
Dan Daly
2325 Mayfield Road
Iowa City, IA 52245-4815
10/25/00
Page 1 of 2
Marjan Karr
From: Dan Daly [dan-daly@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2000 10:23 AM
To: council@iowa-city. org; eleanor_dilkes@iowa-city.org
Subject: FYI
Dear Councilors,
Wanted to confirm your receipt of my 10/25 e-mail and say that I am now only seeking the
number of accidents on First Avenue since 1/1/1999.
I have received information from the Cedar Rapids offices of the Iowa Department of
Transportation covering 1993 through 1998. There were 324 accidents involving property
damage and/or personal injury during that six year period.
I'd like to know the number of such accidents since 1/1/1999 up to and including the one
yesterday at 8:00 AM when a female student riding her bicycle to South East was struck by
a car on First Avenue a block from school. She was taken to the hospital with what was
described as a "severe leg injury." This would tell us if the 1 accident per week average
from 93 to 98 has accelerated as suggested by the three accidents last week.
Also wanted to inform councils' council of prospect of litigation in addition to that arising
from accidents. We should also anticipate legal entanglements resulting from seizing of
privately owned land for adding (at least) turning lanes to a post-extension 1 st Avenue.
Though a good deal publicity informs voters that there are no plans to widen 1 st, I think we
all know that it would be necessary.
Thanks for all your help with this and everything else you do to improve life in Iowa City.
Dan Daly
Page 1 of 3
Marian Karr
From: Eleanor M. Dilkes
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2000 10:38 AM
To: 'Dan Daly'; *City Council; Eleanor M. Dilkes
Cc: Steve Atkins
Subject: RE: FYI
Mr. Daly,
Re: Your request for the number of accidents on First Avenue since 1/1/99
The City's planning department informs me there were 61 collisions on the entire length of First Avenue
(Rochester to Highway 6) in 1999 and 20 between 1/1/2000 and 7/10/2000. The source of the data is the Iowa
City police department's collision reports, which are current through 7/10/2000.
My intention in responding is simply to provide you with the information you have requested. Please
understand that the information should not be taken as an analysis of the collision history in the First Avenue
corridor. It is my understanding that one cannot draw conclusions about collision history based only on the
number of accidents, but rather, one must also look at accident severity and accident rate.
OCT .l ? 2000 . 4f(8)
De., Mayor Leh .,: CITY MANAGERS OFFICE
}VJy name is ]eJ~O'Hara, I'm fifteen years old ~ I'm a Boy Scout ~
~ Zowa CiW. Eor t~ Cit~p ~ the Co~u~ ~ b~ge I'm requ~ed to ~te a
letter to the City Co~cj] ~e~d~g a c~ent js~e Eac~ by t~ co~ty.
~e E~ Avenue e~e~ion js a ve~ jmpo~t issue t~t ~ects my
We live a ~w bloc~ away ~om the ~t~tion of F~st Avenue ~d Boche~er. [ th~
the city s~u]d go ~e~ whh the e~e~ion ~a~ it would ~e it much more
convenient ~; ~ ~d oth~s to g~ over to ~e No~h ~d~e ~ea. ]t wo~d ~t only
it e~ier for us to get over to the No~ Dodge Athletic Club, but ~t would al~ ~e it
much e~ier ~r ~ to get to the ~te~tate.
[ took ~o ac~t t~ pFoble~ t~s pr~t ~es, such ~ overly ~creased tr~c
flow on F~ Avenue, ~ th~ env~omenta] ~d the ~o~ could c~eate. The~
legjtj~te ~ncem~ t~t ~eed to ~ ~es~. Even thou~ ~y p~p]e c~ the~
prob]e~ ~ re~n to abedon the pro]~t, ~ f~] t~t the ~ne~t t~t ~mcs ~om the
~xtcnsion om wei~ ~e problem. I'm s~e the city w~] t~ to ac~o~te the ~ople
t~t ~]] ~ a~cted ne~ative]y by t~ pro~ect. Ho~]]y the city c~ ~ work ~th
env~omenta~sts to help m~ize the negative a~cct t~ m~ could have on the
env~oment ~o~d it. ~s e~ension won't ~e eve~one ~ppy, but it ~ an ~po~t
step ~to the ~e for iowa City.
Sincerely,
Jeff O'Hara
Page 1 of 1
11-07-00
Martan Karr 4f(9)
From: Michaelanne Widness [mwidness@home.com]
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2000 7252 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Fxtending First Avenue
Many of the issues being raised in connection with the proposed First Avenue extension are the same ones
discussed during the campaign to widen Melrose Avenue a few years ago. Concerns about pedestrian safety
(particularly as it relates to children), increased vehicular traffic, neighborhood changes, environmental
effects--all are being hotly debated, as they were in 1993-94.
The degree of controversy and the importance of this project to the community require that the city do now
what it did in 1994: hire a team of experts to conduct an environmental assessment (EA) looking at the likely
consequences of extending First Avenue. The Scott Boulevard alternative would be included as part of the
study.
Melrose Avenue ended up being 3 lanes instead of 4, as had been originally proposed by city staff, because
the EA revealed that more problems would have been created than solved with a wider street. The study
addressed the concerns raised by members of the community but also investigated important points that had
not been considered fully, if at all. By the end of the process, a community-wide consensus had been reached
that the 3-lane option was indeed the best alternative, and the fact that the street works so successfully
supports that conclusion.
Unfortunately, environmental assessments don't come cheap. The one that looked at Melrose Avenue ran
more than $100,000. No matter what the price tag to study First Avenue, however, the sum will represent a
fraction of the total cost of the project. Considering what is at stake, it would be money well spent.
Michaelanne Widness
10/23/00
11-07-00
T.O=AS .. S.EESE 4f(10)
/' P.O. Box 2267 ~/~ ~~~ ~
Iowa Ci~, IA 52244-2267 ~
319-337-2130 . ST ] 3
(fax) 319-358-5517 (toll-free) 877-6674276 , ~0
1 october 2000
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Iowa City
410 East ~ashington Street
Io~a City, IA 52240
Re: APPEAL OF 40 NORTH SEVENTH AVENUE SIDEWALK REPAIR NOTICE
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
Kimberly Johnson, Project Coordinator for the City of Iowa City,
has advised me the city has no established method to appeal
notices of alleged need to repair sidewalks. Therefore, I am
making this appeal directly to the City Council.
The sidewalk of concern is adjacent to 40 North Seventh Avenue,
owned by my mother, Marlys Breese, for whom I am authorized to
represent.
Here is the background:
· On 24 November 1999, mother received a letter dated
22 November 1999 from Roxann Bennett, Engineering
Division, City of Iowa City, stating the need for
repair of a sidewalk section and giving a 15 May 2000
deadline for completion.
· On 29 April 2000, the repair was completed using
Stone Mason Instant Patching Cement. This product
and method was chosen due to highly satisfactory
results from my personal use of the product in other
situations -- and because the cited sidewalk section
had only minor "pitting" of the surface.
· On I July 2000, my mother received a letter dated 30
June 2000 from Kimberly Johnson, Project Coordinator,
City of Iowa City, stating the method of repair was
"unacceptable due to it's nature of being a temporary
fix.."
1
THOMAS R. BREESE
· On 5 July 2000, I phoned Ms. Johnson and informed her
of the product used and why. She said she would
check into the matter and call back. It was at this
time she stated there was no method established for
further appeals.
· On 14 July 2000, Ms. Johnson called to advised the
City had decided the sidewalk section must be
replaced.
· On 7 August 2000, I wrote Ms. Johnson, restating my
reasons why the repair is, in my opinion and from
other uses of Stone Mason Instant Patching Cement,
equal in strength to the original concrete and a
permanent repair. I suggested the city (1) evaluate
the product, (2) re-evaluate the repair and (3)
advise of an appeal process for the formal protest of
their findings to-date.
· On 6 September 2000, Roxann Bennett wrote me stating
that "Sounding of the patched area indicate(s) that
the patching material is not completely adhered to
the existing sidewalk" and that replacement of the
sidewalk square must be completed by 15 November
2000.
· On 9 October 2000, I contacted the manufacturer of
Stone Mason Instant Patching Cement by e-mail,
receiving a reply on 13 October 2000. A copy of the
e-mail is enclosed. In their reply, their Customer
Service Representative states "(the product) is used
to repair all deteriorated or ~amaged concrete or
masonry surfaces. It has much higher strength and
adhesive qualities regular residential concrete.
Once fully cured it has a compressive strength of
about 5200 psi where regular concrete is normally
about 2500-3000 psi."
I therefore request the City Council accept the repair of the
subject sidewalk section -- or, at least, provide for a
re-evaluation of the repair following the forthcoming winter to
determine whether or not the repair is permanent or, as claimed
in Ms. Bennett's letter of 6 September 2000, "it will chip out
with the freeze-thaw cycles or pop off if something is dropped on
the p%tched area".
~S' c~ely
enclosure ~
2
Subj: Re: Stone Mason
Date: 10/13/00 11:02:39 AM Central Daylight 'Eme
From: communitycontactline@hotmail.com (use hickson)
To: TBREESE@aol.com
The Instant Patching Cement is a cement based, polymer modified patching
mortar. It is used to repair all deteriorated or damaged concrete or
masonry surfaces. It has much higher strength and adhesive qualities than
regular residential concrete. Once fully cured it has a compressive
strength of about 5200 psi where regular concrete is normally about 2500 -
3000 psi.
If it looks good now, and appears to be working good, I don't see any reason
to replace it.
Clinton Richards
Customer Service
>From: TBREESE@aol.com
>To: communitycontactline@hotmail.com
>Subject: Stone Mason
>Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 11:36:53 EDT
>
>Your Stone Mason Instant Patching Cement is a great product!
>1 have used it in a number of situations and have found it
>to make excellent repairs.
>
>Now, the problem. The City of Iowa City cited my mother for
>having one pitted sidewalk square - and demanded she
>replace the square. Instead, based upon my past experience
>with your product, I patched the square. It looks great and
>appears to be adhering well,
>
>The City says the patch is inadequate, that it will not last
>-- and the square must be replaced. I disagree.
>
>Can you provide information to support the adequacy of your
>product? I intend to protest the CitydE] TMS mandate. Your
>product may receive some well-deseRed publicity as a
>result.
>
>- Tom Breese, PO Box 2267, Iowa City, IA 52244-2267,
>(~oice/office) 319-337-2130, (fax) 319-358-5517, (e-mail)
>tbreese@aol.com
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www. hotmail.com.
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lo/5/oo ~ ~ OCT 13 ZOO0
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
Dear City Council,
All of the board members of the Iowa City Jazz Festival are already hard
at work and making plans for Jazz Fast 2001. Next year is our 10th
Anniversary (1 lth actual festival) making it a special year for the Iowa City
Jazz Festival. I would like to thank all of you, and former council members
as well, for supporting this great event over the past ten years.
Last year the City of Iowa City gave the Jazz Festival $7,500.00. I would
like to formally request this amount once again from the City but with a
twist. As part of our Tenth Anniversary campaign, we asking all sponsors
to consider contributing just 10% more than last year. That would mean
we are asking an additional $750 from the City of Iowa City. I would also
ask all of you to at least consider the following facts in your final decision.
It is our tenth anniversary, it will be the year 2001, and the for the first time
in a long time, we are adding a day(actually an evening) to the festival.
With your blessing, we would like to present two bands on Friday night
before the festival at the Fountain stage at the normal Friday Night
concert series times. (6:00 pm to 9:30) This is our new kick-off event for
the Jazz Festival. Let us know what you think.
Thank you, from everyone at the Iowa City Jazz Festival, for your
generous support!!
Sinc ely, L~,:1
Steve Grismore/Director/Iowa City Jazz Festival b~.
City of Iowa City4f(13)(
MEMORANDUM
Date: October 18, 2000
To: City Clerk
From: Jeff Davidson, Acting JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Agenda item for November 7 city council meeting: Installation of a STOP sign on No
Name Street at the intersection with Foster Road, and installation of NO PARKING ANY
TIME signs on Foster Road between Dubuque Street and the Elks Club driveway
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council
of the following action.
Action:
Pursuant to Sections 9-1-3A(5) and (10) of the City Code, signage indicating STOP will be
installed on No Name Street at the intersection with Foster Road. Signage indicating NO
PARKING ANY TIME will be installed on both sides of Foster Road between Dubuque Street
and the Elks Club driveway.
Comment:
This action is being taken following the reconstruction of Foster Road between Idyllwild Drive
and the Peninsula. The installation of a STOP sign on No Name Street at the intersection with
Foster Road will indicate to motorists on No Name Street that they should stop at the
intersection. The installation of NO PARKING ANY TIME signs is appropriate for the hybrid
arterial-collector functional classification of Foster Road.
jccogtp\memos\fosterroad .doc
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: October 23, 2000
To: City Clerk ~
From: Jeff Davidson, Acting JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Agenda Item for November 7, 2000 City Council Meeting: Installation of a
handicapped-only parking space in the Civic Center parking lot
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of
the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or
shortly after November 8, 2000.
Action
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(14) of the City Code, a metered parking space for the exclusive use of
persons with disabilities will be designated in the Civic Center parking lot adjacent to the Unitarian
Church.
Comment
This action is being taken at the request of the State Historic Preservation Office located at the
corner of Iowa Avenue and Gilbert Street. The space to be designated is currently a Sunday
morning only handicapped space. This designation will establish it as a 24-hour a day, seven days
a week handicapped parking space which will be open to the public and convenient to the State
Historic Preservation Office. This space will not be designated as a van-accessible space, but
van-accessible spaces will be available across the street in the Tower Place & Parking facility.
jw/mem/jd~agd.doc
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: November 1, 2000
To: City Clerk
From: Jeff Davidson, Acting JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Agenda item for November 7, 2000 City Council meeting: installation of a U-turn
prohibition sign on the east side of Gilbert Street between Highland Avenue and Third
Street.
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council
of the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or
shortly after November 8, 2000.
Action:
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(9) of the City Code, a U-turn prohibition sign will be erected on the
east side of Gilbert Street between Highland Avenue and Third Street.
Comment:
This action is being taken in response to a large number of motorists making a right turn from
Highland Avenue onto Gilbert Street and then executing a U-turn maneuver either into the
south- bound lanes of Gilbert Street or into the Pleasant Valley Nursery parking lot. This occurs
because of the difficulty in turning left from Highland Avenue onto southbound Gilbert Street.
j ccogtp/mem/u -turn. doc
Bob Elliott
1108 Dover Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
November 6, 2000
- c,,, ,
Ernest W. Lehman "
Mayor, City of Iowa City .':-' :: '~-'
Civic Center ~::: "
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Hello Mayor Lehman:
I write to you about referendum ballot items because of my current involvement in a
resulting campaign and because it's an important issue that needs to be addressed. I write
to you at this time, because I want to express my feelings before Tuesday's votes are in
and I'm accused of being either a gloating winner or a poor loser.
As you are aware, for the past five months I've been directly involved in a high visibility,
increasingly divisive campaign targeting the question of whether First Avenue should be
completed/extended. From my particular vantage point, no matter how Tuesday's vote
turns out, it would be in Iowa City' s best interest if this issue were not a referendum item.
Important decisions made by our representative form of local government most often
are a result of extensive study of relevant information (including citizen input) by city
professional staff, citizen volnnteer Planning and Zoning Commission, and the council.
On the other hand, decisions made by popular vote on usually complex referendum items
are often based on emotion resulting from insufficient information or misinformation,
frequently compounded by inappropriate innuendo and irrelevant implications.
Add to that, extended campaigns preceding referendum voting can be extremely divisive;
and experience here illustrates such campaigns tend to bring out the worse in those most
actively involved and/or passionately interested.
Thus I strongly encourage City Council to work toward a future that emphasizes decisions
by elected officials and minimizes referendum elections and their accompanying
campaigns.
Mayor Ernest W. Lehman
November 6, 2000
Page 2
In addition, I suggest it would be beneficial for representatives of the council to arrange to
meet in the near future with leaders of the two groups representing both sides in the First
Avenue campaign. That would be helpful on several levels.
1. Since Citizens for Common Sense Growth initiated the petition resulting in
this referendum and the one two years ago, their leaders would have the
opportunity to present their views, perhaps favoring referendum votes and
campaigns.
2. Based on the high visibility and intensity of the campaign now winding down,
it would be an opportunity for something of a debriefing. If there are future
referendum votes and campaigns, and there probably will be, this would be an
opportunity to address how they (future campaigns) might be made more
informative and issue-oriented, more positive and less negative.
3. It could be the start of determining if there is a way to greatly reduce the
frequency of referendum votes. Perhaps the first step toward forming a
special task force to address the issue at length and in depth.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this letter for your review. In order to very
briefly support points I've made about my disappointment with campaign activities, I've
included two pages with examples of misinformation and what I consider inappropriate
implication and innuendo.
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance in any way regarding an effort
toward greatly reducing the need for future referendum ballot items, making then more
informative and less divisive, or eliminating them altogether.
Sincerely,
Bob Elliott
End. Ex~ples ofC~paign ~etoric :~.:
Examples of Campaign Rhetoric
Referenced in Letter to Mayor Lehman
Following are examples of misinformation, whether intentional or unintentional, from the
First Avenue campaign now winding down. Not to necessarily pick on information
communicated by Citizens for Common Sense Growth, but they provide excellent
examples.
0 An information sheet distributed within the past few days leads off with a statement
that, "Big business has spent $25,000 to convince you to vote for a road ..... "
Our organization (Citizens for the Future of Iowa City) turned in the legally
required financial statement to the Auditor's Office last week. I'm not certain
of the exact dollar figure, but it reveals we've received well under $8,000 in
financial contributions.
0 Over the past month, mcuh campaign communication has focused on misinformation
that our group is backed entirely by big business and, therefore, our motives should be
questioned.
The truth is, among the 20-25 people who have been most actively involved
in planning and carrying our campaign activities, current and retired union
employees, school teachers and counselors, and university employees greatly
outnumber so-called big business, real estate, and development people. In fact,
our average itemized financial contributions have been a little less than those for
our opposition.
0 An earlier information sheet claims "High Accident Locations" along First Avenue.
Information from the most recent Iowa DOT Traffic Accident Locations Report
we obtained refutes that; revealing only three locations along First Avenue even
listed, and those were not even among the top 15 "high" locations throughout the
city. With 1 being highest accident rate and 75 lowest, the DOT data revealed the
following First Avenue accident location rating: tied for 19th with 4 others (First
& Court); tied for 39th with 5 others (First & Lower Muscatine); and tied for 45th
with 3 others (First & Hwy. 6). Those were the only three First Avenue locations
even included among the 75 listed.
Examples of Campaign Rhetoric
Page 2
0 How do statements such as the following add to the a body of knowledge that enable
citizens to cast well-informed votes?
"The conspiracy here begins as a socially-acceptable one: the conspiracy of greed
and money. But ..... it became a callous assault on free speech." (John Crawford,
11/4, Press-Citizen)
"Are these really average citizens ....?" (Clemens Erdahi, 11/4, Press-Citizen)
"Extending First Avenue through the edge of Hickory Hill Park....to see where the
road would gouge through." (Richard Johnson, 11/2, Press-Citizen)
In a personal reference to Bob Elliott -- "He's well taken care of. He's the
mouthpiece. Does he have any more connection to ACT? Does he have stock?
(Irvin Pfab, 11/2, ICON).
[Especially since he's a current member of the council, it's unfortunate that Mr.
Pfab contributed a misleading implication, and also that he knows so little about
one of Iowa City's major business assets. ACT, Inc., of course, is a nonprofit
educational service corporation with no stock involved.]
~O'NOV u e zooo
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
November 4, 2000
Ernie Lehman
902 Wylde Green Road
Iowa City, Iowa 52246
Dear Mr. Lehman,
Students for Local Politics and UISG cordially invite you to attend and take part
in the Student Forum on Alcohol Laws, to be held at The Fieldhouse Bar and Grill ( 111
E. College Street, Iowa City), on Wednesday November 15th starting at 7pro. We hope
that through open discussion and debate, we can help you reach a decision on the issue
that will be most beneficial to all. An information packet on the issue is being given to
the City Clerk to include in the City Council Mailing for this week. If you have any
questions please call Matt Blizek at 319-358-1844.
Sincerely,
Matt Blizek Andy Stoll
Students for Local Politics President, University of Iowa Student Government
July13,2000 ll(9. L ~ City
The Honorable Sally Stutsman, Chair
Johnson County Board of Supe~isors
913 S. Dubuque Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Re: CZ0027. County Rezoning Request for Properly Located East of Dane Road and West and South of the
Lake Ridge Mobile Home Park
Dear Sally and Members of the Board:
Johnson County has received an application from J.E.B.B., LC, to rezone an approximate 125.43 acre parcel
located east of Dane Road and west and south of the Lake Ridge Mobile Home Park from A1, Rural, and RS,
Suburban Residential, to RMH, Manufactured Housing Residential. The properly lies within Fringe Nea C and
within the City's adopted gro~h area.
At its July 6, 2000, meeting, the Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission recommended, by a vote of 6-0, that
the City Council fo~ard a letter to the Board of SupeNisors recommending denial of the requested rezoning due to
its non-compliance with the Fringe Area Agreement, Iowa City's Comprehensive Plan, and the Johnson County
Land Use Plan. The Commission furlher recommended that if the County is inclined to approve the rezoning
request, that the Council and Board meet to discuss the relationship of the Fringe Area Agreement to this pa~icular
request as well as the future of the agreement itself.
The Commission believes that, in pad, the intent of the Fringe Area Agreement is to ensure that urban density
gro~h occurs within the City, built to urban development standards, and with the benefit of City sewer and water
and other City se~ices, and that gro~h in the County occur at densities more appropriate for a rural setting and be
directed away from prime agricultural areas and environmentally sensitive areas. The proposed development plan
does not appear to comply with the development policies of the Fringe Area Agreement for Nea C, and the
applicant has not agreed to develop the properly in accordance with City development standards. The
development of this parcel without annexation may inhibit the City's ability to seNe and annex other prope~ies
within its gro~h area. The development of the subject properly without annexation will result in a substantial
population being seNed by a private sewage treatment plant when a modern publicly operated treatment facility is
available by gravity flow. The proposed rezoning is not consistent with many aspects of Iowa City's
Comprehensive Plan or the Johnson County Land Use Plan. The lack of a useable secondary access for residents
of the development, the amount of grading that will likely be required to implement the concept plan, and
uncedainties regarding storm water management are also of concern. The attached staff repod provides more
details regarding these issues and the reasons for the Commission's recommendation of denial.
Based on the above reasoning, Council agrees with the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission,
and therefore respec~ully fo~ards a comment to the Board that the requested rezoning of approximately 125.43
acres from A1 and RS to RMH is not consistent with the policies of the Fringe Area Agreement, the Iowa City
Comprehensive Plan, or the Johnson County Land Use Plan. Therefore, Council respec~ully requests that the
spirit and integrity of the Fringe Area Agreement be maintained, and recommends that the rezoning request be
denied.
Sincerely,
Ernest W. Lehman
Mayor
Enclosure
ind¢×b4:tJtr,Y~! 2EL.d~.
410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009
CfflJ
October 31, 2000
Robert N. Downer
Meardon, Sueppel & Downer
122 S. Linn Street
Iowa City, IA 52240-1830
Re: Wolf/Lake Ridge Manufactured Housing Park/City of Iowa City
Dear Bob:
The Council is scheduled to consider the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission regarding
the rezoning for the expansion of Lake Ridge at their next meeting on November 7, 2000. As you know, this
consideration has been deferred a number of times in anticipation of an agreement between the City and
Bob and Erma Wolf regarding the annexation and development of Lake Ridge and its expansion. In our last
conversation of October 2, it was my understanding that I would be receiving a letter from you authorizing
the deferral of this issue to November 7 and would also be receiving a draft agreement between the City and
the Wolfs. To date, I have not received either.
Given the approaching end of the year, the potential change in the Board of Supervisors, and the repeated
delays on this project, I would suggest that the City Council proceed on their consideration of the Lake Ridge
rezoning proposal and forward a recommendation to the Johnson 'County Board. We can still proceed to try
to work out an agreement between the City and the Wolfs regarding Lake Ridge. However, the specific item
under consideration on the Council's agenda can be dispensed with. This is the course of action that I will
suggest to the City Council at their work session on November 6. If you anticipate resolution of an
agreement prior to the Council's final meeting on December 18, 2000, please so indicate in correspondence
to the City Council.
As noted above, I believe we can continue to work on a mutually agreeable resolution of this issue.
However, I do believe that the question of the rezoning and development of the property in the County
needs to be resolved without further delay.
Sincerely,
~in, Director
Department of Planning & Community Development
cc: Bob and Erma Wolf
Stephen J. Arkins, City Manager
City Council,--"
ppdadmin/Itrs/wolf-lakerdg .doc
410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 · FAX {319) 356-5009
MeaRdON, SUEPeEL & DOWNER P.L.C.
WILLIAM L. MEARDON LAWYERS
(Iglg-lgg7)
WILLIAM F. SUEPPEL I ;'2 SOUTH LINN STREET T~LEPHCiNE: {3 I 9) 338-92:2:
ROBERT N. DOWNER FAX: (319) 338-7;>50
JAMES D. MCCARRAGHER IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 - 1830
MARK t. HAMER
thOMAS D. HOBART
MARGARET t. LAINSON
DOUGLAS D. RUPPERT
TIMOTHY J. KRUMM
WILLIAM J. SUEPPEL
CHARLES a. MEARDON
DENNIS J. MitChell
November 2, 2000
MS. KARIN FRANKLIN
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING &
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CIVIC CENTER
410 E WASHINGTON
IOWA CITY IA 52240
Re: Wolf/Lake Ridge Manufactured Housing Park/City of Iowa City
Dear Karin:
This letter is in response to your letter of October 31, 2000 and being
written at the request of Bob Downer who is out of town until November 7. He asked
that I inform you that the Wolfs are out of town and Bob did not have an opportunity to
visit with them before their departure but wanted you to know that he (Bob) will be
getting the draft agreement to you upon his return. He would therefore request that the
above matter be deferred to the next meeting subsequent to November 7, 2000.
Thank you kindly for your courtesy in this matter.
Very truly yours,
Bobbi Fry, Secy to
Robert N. Downer
bjf
Cc: Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Wolf