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Home My WebLink About2001-02-06 Correspondence I02-06-0'/ Marian Karr 4f(1 ) , From: Caroline DieterJe [caroline-dieterle@UIOWA~=DU] Sent: Friday, January 26, 2001 4:47 PM To: connie_chmpion@iowa-city.org; dee_vanderhoef@iowa-city,org; ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org; ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; ipfab@avalon.net Cc: JCNEWS@yosemite.leepfrog.com; jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us; sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us; pharney@co.johnson.ia.us; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us; mJehman@co.johnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us Subject: JCNEWS: Police budget for FY02 Please request that discussion of the proposed FY02 budget for the Police Department be added to the last Council budget session. Please also let me know when that will occur. Because of the interest of Iowa City voters in the activities of this department, I believe it is the responsiblity of the council to have consideration of the proposed ICPD budget and increased funding request aired in public. Thank you, Caroline Dieterle Iowa Department of Transportation )istrict 6 Office 319-364-0235 430 Sixteenth Avenue SW FAX: 319-364-9614 P.O, Box 3150, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3150 January 18, 2001 Bet: IMN-80-6(212)240--0E-52 Johnson County Notification 2001-M-095 The Honorable Ernest Lehman, Mayor 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 SUBJECT: Pavement Patching Prqlect on interstate 80 Dear Mayor Lehman: This letter is official notification to your City Council that the Iowa Department of Transportation proposes to let a pavement patching project on 1-80 within Johnson County on February 27, 2001. A part of said project lies within the City of Iowa City and extends from the city's west to east corporation lines. The project is proposed for construction during calendar year 2001. The work will be done in accord with the current Form 810034, "Agreement for Primary Road Extension Maintenance and Operation". Project costs will be paid from the Primary Road Fund and no charges will be made against the city. Resident Construction Engineer, Ken Yanna, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, telephone number 1-319-365- 6986, will advise you of the contractor's proposed schedule when the information is available. We would appreciate this project notification being included on your next City Council meeting agenda as a matter of information for Council members. Please contact this office if you have any questions concerning this project. Very truly yours, Richard E. Kautz. P.E. District Engineer REK/ih cc Ed Fawkes, Bureau of Support Services, Iowa DOT, Ames, 1A 50010 Newman Abuissa, District Staff Engineer, Iowa DOT, Iowa City, IA 52244 Ken Yanna, Resident Construction Engineer, Iowa DOT, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 Marjan K. Karr, City Clerk, Iowa City, IA 52240 02-06-01 Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret Dwayne M. Bourret 319-337-9998 · 1-800-728-9998 FAX 319-351-6846 January 10, 2000 City of Iowa City CITY MANAOER'S OFFICE Cou_ndl Members City Manager ];ire, Police and P]a~rting Depar~nents Dea~ Co~cj[ ~embers, City ~ana~e~, Chje~s o~ ~olice and ~j~e and ~a~jn~ De~a~ments: We are o~osed ~o t~e dosin~ o~ ~he to~ ha]~ o~ ou~ alley ~om L]nn to Dabu~ue s~eets Da~a]]el to Rona]ds and B~o~n s~reets. Since ~9~6, the ~ima~y entrance and exi~ from ~e ~st ~oo~ o~ oa~ home is o~ ~a~ to the alley. We ha~e no &i~e~ay to ~own street ~om ou~ ~ima~y fi~st ~oo~ entrance ~hich ~aces ~he alley. Often ~e can only &i~e east on ~he alley to Li~ street i~tead o~ Duba~ue s~eeL ~iffy pe~cen~ o~ ~he ~ime ~he aJ]e~ entrance to Dubu~ue s~eet ~s blocked by ca~s and ~c~s durjn~ ~e day. ~s blockade is ~ene~ated by t~e a~a~ent b~fldin~ on the no~t~ s~de o~ ~e alley and ~he Success~ Lj~jn~ ~o~mer ~ra- ~ernity bufldin~ on t~e south side, bot~ buildings ~ron~n~ Dubugue s~eeL Successful Li~in~ causes ~he major bioc~jn~ o~ ~he alley access ~o Dubu~ue S~eet due ~o s~ate employees, delivery ~uc~s and con~ac~o~ ve~jdes pickjn~ up residents o~ the · he alley was b~ocEed at ~e Dubu~e street enhance-exit ~o~ ~o~ ~nutes by the ca~ o~ a social ~o~ker visitin~ Success~] Li~in~ one week a~o, causjn~ oa~ se~jce man to ~ait. Also passerbys stole [umbe~ off ~s ~uck ~om o~ &i~e~ay. We ]ire in a very dangerous neighborhood. ~a~in~ by ca~ &i~e~s ~rima~i~y c]o~ ~he alley at the Dubu~ue entrance. ~ wi,~et Success~l ~i~iR~ does ,o~ ~emo~e a~y s~ow ~o~ alley, bu~ pu~s ~heit dec~ s~ow i, ~e alley, teduci~ ~he alley ~o o~e way ~affic. Sno~ is piled so high a~ ~he alley entrance to Duba~ue s~eet, it is dangerous to bac~ out to Dubague. A sidewalk wouJd ~e~ ~e a be~er ~ie~ ~or backin~ o~ ~o Dubu~ue. A ~a~e a~ ~he to~ would ~even~ ~eo~[e d~i~jn~ u~ and ~hen cars can either t~y ~o ~u~n around on D~ivate ~ope~y (Si~ ~s or our ~ro~e~y) o~ bac~ uD on Dubu~ue. ~io~ to t~e oDe~n~ o~ Success~] Ei~in~ t~e~e ~as ~ar less ~affjc, ~ehjc]e and ~edes~fian, on the alley. ~he apartment bai]djn~ ~esidents ~i~ ne~ owne~s~p ha~e been exemplary in no~ b[ockin~ ~he alley ~e~y often compared ~o the ~ast, and mainly only w~en new tenants mo~e in o~ ouL We p~o~ide t~e ma~o~ alley sno~ removal ~rom our driveway down the alley ~o~ almost a t~i~d o~ a b]oc~. ~t is unfair ~o impact us so we may have no way ~o leave o~ home ~om ou~ ma~o~ entrance and &i~e~ay by dosjn~ our eas~ access to Linn s~ee~ from ~e alley. Wi~h aH ~ee] &ire ~e can ~o ~ the alley ~o t~e eas~ ~o ]ea~e oar ~ro~er~ when ~e ca~s and ~uc~s block the alley at Dubuque s~ee~. If our neighbors on the alley removed their share of the snow, the alley would have less problems for traffic. This includes the Sig Eps, two apartment buildings and one residential home. None of them ever remove snow from the alley. We are the only ones who pay for the snow removal on the alley. Closing the east half of the alley will prevent guests and service people from coming to our res- idence from Lirm street when the alley is blocked by cars and trucks at the Dubuque street entrance. The proposed closure gate would block rapid access by firetrucks, ambulances and police to our residence until the proposed fire gate is opened. Often our friends and service people have no access to us from Dubuque street due to the parked vehicles. Then they come down the alley from Linn street to our residential driveway. A solution is to tow any car in any alley that is reported blocking the alley. Why is an alley different than blocking a major street? Placing tickets on blocking cars, other than state vehicles which are considered exempt from ticketing, does not solve the blockage problem. Towing vehicles blocking the alley and our neighbors paying for their snow removal would to a long ways to solving the problems of alley use. Then a fire gate is certainly not needed to solve the problem. Car racing on the alley is because the top half is not shoveled. Only our share is shoveled. Only we pay to have half the alley shoveled. We remove the snow Successful Living tosses into the alley. My late husband John Zug's last trip was by an ambulance in 1995 going from our main home entrance driveway east on the alley to Linn street to Mercy hospital. In severe chest-lung pain as he was dying, speed was of essence to reach Mercy hospital. A fire gate blocking the upper half of the alley and cars and trucks choking off the lower half can be potentially very danger- ous for us if an ambulance or fire truck is called when time is of essence. In our old age, our upper residential driveway avoids steps for us. We protest your possibly forcing us to move when we are less spry because we can not reach the street by car from our home without walking on stairways. Are you considering closing the alley to pedestrian and bike traffic too, forcing more people to walk in the street on the south side of Dubuque street where this is no sidewalk in front of the Sig Eps and Successful Living? We suggested you install sidewalks there for pedestrian safety and we continue to urge this safety improvement. Please keep us advised as to what the plans you may implement that will adversely impact our property and that of our neighbors using the alley. We are prepared to use whatever methods are available to protest the closing our long-term access to Linn street from our residence. wampUM. Bourret ~ ~ . ~ Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret 02~06-01 EAW OFPIGE ~ JOHN T. NOLAN L22 EAST COURT STREET IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 D.C. NOLAN {19O2-IIITID TELEPHONE (,~19) ,951-0222 EI)\~ARD W. LU(;AS (19o9-1980} FAX (,qlg) f951~0~ ~°4 J~.u~ s, 2o0I~ 1 ~ ~ ~ ~/~ ~ Mayor //~ JAI',I 1 ~ 2001 City Council ~ Civic Cemer CIHMAN~GER'S OFFlet Iowa City, IA { De~ Mayor, The snowplow has now recovered for the ~ird time the sidewa~ in front of my building at 22 E. Co~ St. ~er I have 3 times shoveled the natural snow fall ~d snow plow. I'm ~i~ng to put you on notice ~at if somebody falls on the s~eet snow ~d ice that was plowed on the sidewalk, I'll tell them what I thi~ is i~esponsible, u~ecess~ ~d negligent city maintenance. The main p~ose of this le~er is to request that you tell the sno~low to slow down, keep the snow on the p~king, ~d not plow it omo the sidewaY. P.S. You might bring a shovel ~d clean up the mess . %,~ ~ Marian Karr 4f(5) · From: Eve Casserly [casserly~,zeus.ia.net] Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2001 11:05 AM To: council@iowa-city. org Subject: Task Force coming activities attachments are your invitations from the Johnson County Task Force on Aging to Our two upcoming programs: 1) Task Force "Winter Mixer" on Feb. 7th 2-4 P.M. and 2) Task Force February program presentation by Geri Hall on Feb. 12th, 1:30 P.M. Both are at the Iowa City Johnson County Senior Center at 28 S. Linn Street in Iowa City. We would be pleased to see you there. Eve Casserly Task Force Public Announcement: Alzheimers and Related Dementias A presentation by Geri Hall of the U. of I. Dept. of Aging Studies Monday February 12, 2001 1:30 P.M. Room 202 Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center 28 S. Linn Street Iowa City, Iowa One of the biggest fears of older adults is loss of mental faculties. Geri Hall specializes in the diagnoses and management of disorders of late life that produce behavioral and/or cognitive symptoms, including Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias, depression, psychiatric illnesses, and personal disorders, and altered coping styles. She is a nationally known researcher, author, and lecturer on care of people with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias. Geri also plays a role in the development of public policy agendas for older people - especially those with the disorders described above - including policies about service delivery and housing options. Co-sponsored by the Johnson County Task Force on Aging and the Iowa City Johnson County Senior Center. Public is invited. For further information, call Eve Casserly at 351-1135 WINTER MIXER Winter Always Turns to Spring Get Rid of Winter Blabs Meet, Greet, see Friends, Feel Better Date: Wednesday, February 7th Time: 2:00-4:00 Presenters: Johnson County Task Force on Aging a.a tae Iowa City Johnson Co. Senior Center Location:Assembly Room Iowa City Johnson County Senior Center 28 S. Linn Street Iowa City, Iowa Celebrate the Season by mixing with your fellow Seniors at a coffee-refreshment get together. This is a Senior Center MIXER (No speeches or Formal Stuff), so we hope lots of people will come .... especially YOU ..... and if you can ...... bring along a couple of signed valentine which we will send on to one of our fellow Americans hospitalized over at the local V.A. Hospital. (This is a rescheduling of the December 1 lth party that we had to cancel because of a big blizzard) For further information, call Lee McGovern at 338-4006 · :~/~~/~/~(~ ' 02-06-01 16, 2001 ~/t~,, De~ Iowa Ciff Ciff Co~cil: I would l~e to offer my obse~atiom as a vol~teer at the Iowa Ciff ~1 Car~ Adoption Center. ~ere are t~ee areas that need prompt assistance. ~ese ~: 1. Additioml 2. Additioml space ~. Increased ~din~ for materials ~d supplies I ~ ~pressed wi~ the ~defatigable ener~ and care of the professioml sm~ They are co~ed to ~e welfare For ~e ~als ~d are cont~lly work~ rewards mak~ the shelter a be~r place for the ~mals ~d the public. However, ~ey c~ o~y do so much. For example, it takes ~e equivalent of 1 F~ to clean cages and ~ seven days a week. T~s is j~t the basic clea~ ~d dis~ect~ that must be done to em~e a safe shelter. It does not include the daily feed~ ,on call a~mal con~ol ord~ce violations, public walk ~ assist~ce, lost ~d fo~d calls, sick room ~d emergency c~e, spay ~d neuter operations, adoption processing and licensing, educational activities, and ad~nis~ative respo~ibilities. Due to the press~es ~d demands placed on ~e staff, the shelter is dependent on vol~teers to assist in wa~g dogs, social~g a~als, cle~g, assisting ~ adoptions, ~swer~ questiota ~om visitors to ~e shelter, etc. It is also dependent on suppo~. In December there was a "Holiday with the Ho~ds" event t~t requested donations of food, toys, medieval supplies, beds, c~eras, leashes and coll~s. There was a wonde~l ~out for ~is event, w~ch ~cluded to~g the faciliff, ~teractin~ with the ~als, ~d receiv~ adoption ~d a~l c~e ~o~ation ~om ~e shelter As much as they depend on vol~teer help, they cabot ~ive the d~ection and suppo~ to these individuals. As an ex~ple, I spent quite a bit of time a~er I had walked several dogs ~ a dog ca~e that could not be opened. There was no way to seek assist~ce other th~ wait for someone to come by. There were ~o people on control calls, one person the cat area assist~g the vet with spay/neuter, ~d one person ~ ~e o~ce on the phone. Yellin~ For help did not work, as b~k~g do~s owrs~dowed my voice. ~s demomtrates ~at the c~ent smff c~ot meet ~e ~oreseen occ~ence ~ the shelter due to the~ ~volvement in ~ediate ~d ~ponant de~nds. There is too much that must be done on a day-to-day basis w~ch has s~etched th$ to their l~R. It is apparent to me that without additional professional staff, the public and the animals will not be as well served as they should be. The facility has outgrown its population. There are not enough outside runs for the dogs; some of the cages are difficult to operate manually, the adoption room is not user friendly, and the cat room is not large enough to accommodate the number of felines that come in on a weekly basis. There is no space for educational activities nor a separate space to work the dogs singly with tra'ming exercises The ground space outdoors is inadequate. I do not feel safe along the bike path nor in the front of the facility facing Kirkwood Avenue. If there was difficulty with an animal or a passer by I would have no way of contacting the staff for help. I am happy to be a part of a wonderful group of people (the staff and volunteers) and will continue to do what I can in the rehabilitation, care and adoption process. The immediate future needs to bring a positive recognition of the contribution the shelter brings to Iowa City, Coralville and the surrounding area. This can happen by giving it the assistance it must have to meet the needs of a growing community. incere ., Alicia Brown-Matthes 02-06-01 SROW TO 4f(7) REACH ENVIRONMENTAL ~ Civic Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 January 19, 2001 : g y v I n venue medians tL ~ Re Dama e caused b snow remo a o Iowa A As of Janua~ 18~h I had not received a response to the enclosed Janua~ 4~ letter to Steve Atkins detailing Project GREEN's concern over the damage to the Iowa Avenue median planrings caused by City snow removal crews and private contra~ors. We requested that, once the damage had been assessed, the appropriate City personnel meet with us to discuss the replanting and restoration of the damaged median beds. A follow-up call to the City Manager's o~ce on 3anua~ 18m resulted in a proposed meeting with Mr. Atkin's secreta~ and Bud Stockman of the Stre~s Division. We have decided that such a meeting would not adequately address our concerns. We repeat our request for a meeting with Steve Atkins to discuss the City's plans for the restoration of the Iowa Avenue medians. Please call Anne Hesse, 33%3796, or A.K. Traw, 351- 0709, after Feb~ ] 2m to schedule a meeting. GROW TO REACH ENVIRONMENTAL ~ PROJECT GREEN NOW Civic Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 January 4, 2001 Mr. Steve Atkins, City Manager Civic Center 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Steve: It seems incongruous that as the City of lowa City continues to invest considerable planning and resources into the enhancement of the three most western block of Iowa Avenue, its public works snow removal personnel have destroyed much of the remaining Iowa Avenue median landscape along its historic approach to the Old Capitol and the University of Iowa Pentacrest. This 6-block long Iowa Avenue median was Project GREEN's first project in 1968 to beautify and restore Iowa City's public spaces. The huge investment of time, money and concern that Project GREEN has given to enhance Iowa City's environment since that time is recorded in our treasurer's records and archives. But, just since June 1998--a short two years--our beautification of Iowa Avenue alone has resulted in the following expenses: Landscape Architect's plans, spec, bidding documents $800.00 Re-landscaping (plant material & installation) $7,084.00 Maintenance (professionally contracted) $6,815.40 Total $13,699.40 This does not include our incalculable commitment of time and energy. Yesterday, January 3, 2001, we documented the real and potential damage caused by the snow removal techniques of the City snow removal crews as well as those of private contractors. As the snow melts, we will definitely see the total damage done to the low-growing junipers that have either been buried by 3-4' (or more) mounds of street snow and shorn by the blades of the plow or front-end loader. Our documentation~ideo camera and snapshotshas shown that the University of Iowa Community Credit Union, the residence at the comer of Iowa and Governor, #832, the apartments #618 adjacent to Lou Henri's, and the A & H Apartments at 929 Iowa Avenue, have cleared the snow from their parking areas onto the Iowa Avenue median. The majority of the damage, however, was caused by City snow removal. We understand the priority for safe, passable street, and the difficulties posed by on-street parking; however, all cities sharing like problems, should have a plan for snow removal that does not damage public and private property. It would seem the conditions on Iowa Avenue would necessitate the snow being trucked away. Since the University of Iowa Community Credit Union has been a long-time generous supporter of Project GREEN, I will call and visit with its president, JeffDisterhofi, in hopes they will restore the damaged median plant materials in from of their building. The City might like to inspect the damage, and contact the other private owners responsible for damage due to their snow removal. As all of our projects over the past years have been joint ventures with the City, we would expect the City would pay for the replacement and installation of damaged plant materials and restore the medians to their former level of established growth. As I drove Iowa Avenue many times this past summer and fall, I noted that the appearance and health of the landscape was the finest it had been for many, many years. We would appreciate meeting with the appropriate City personnel to discuss how this restoration can be satisfactorily accomplished this spring. Sincerely, Anne Hesse Co-Chair, Project GREEN 3948 Stewart Road NE, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 phone: 337-3796 Copies sent to: Chuck Schmadeke, Director of Public Works Rick Fosse, City Engineer Terry Trueblood, Director of Parks and Recreation Bud Stockman/John Sobaski, Street Division, City of Iowa City. January 31, 2001 A.K. Traw Anne Hesse 411 MacBride Dr. 3948 Stewart Rd., NE Iowa City, IA 52246 Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Anne and A.K.: I have mad your recent le~er dated January 19 addressed to the City Council. I am disappointed that you have chosen to go over my head with respect to this issue. Lisa and Bud am capable public o~cials, and it was my intent they would review the circumstances with you and representatives of Project Green in order to make recommendations to my office. Both Bud and Lisa have my full confidence and am accustomed to dealing with citizen interest groups and other related issues. Probably most disappointing is the implication that you have "made up your mind" with respect to this issue. By your own admission, there are those that may have some bearing on the accumulation of snow in the parkway that are beyond the direct control of the City. Fudhermom, your suggestion that the snow be trucked out of the area could also be damaging to vegetation, and most of all would seriously disrupt the flow of tm~c through that area. The process of removing snow by truck takes substantially morn pemonnel, and with the limited personnel it is di~cult to free them from one responsibility to turn to this ve~ specific responsibility. To do so, and I would recommend to the Council, would likely disrupt snow ramoval and simply drag out the time involved. This does not mean we cannot address the issues involved, but I am simply not ready to fix the blame as you have apparently chosen to do. If you wish to pursue this ma~er fu~her, please feel free to contact Lisa. She can arrange a meeting, and I will ask that not only she and Bud Stockman be present, but also Ter~ Robinson. He has far more knowledge about vegetation and the damage to and results of snow removal than anyone else on our staff. Let me turn for a moment to another ma~er. Last summer, in a meeting with staff, you indicated Project Green would be applying for its own tax-exempt status, thereby eliminating the need for the Green Fund Board, which is appointed by the City Council and thus subject to the Iowa Open Meetings Law. At that time, the City agreed to continue providing bookkeeping seNices for Project Green. I understand there is another appointment to be made by the Council to the Green Fund Board in March, and fu~her, that Brad Neumann has requested an update for Council as to when you expect to obtain your own tax-exempt status and dissolve the Green Fund Board. I would reiterate Brad's request, and hope that this ma~er can be concluded without the need to make an additional appointment to the Board. Again, I will express my disappointment that you have chosen this pa~icular means by which to address the issue. The e~raordina~ amount of snow in December, of which you am fully aware, has caused many snow ramoval problems and much consternation. I would hope we can address this one in a manner that can be satisfacto~ to our public responsibilities and expectations for snow removal as well as the investment that you have made as a community interest group. Sincerely, Stephen J. Atkins City Manager cc: ~ Council Lisa Mollenhauer Bud Stockman Ter~ Robinson mgr/Itm/ann&ak.doc I02-06-01 Re~ Iowa Child Project hnuary 2s, 2001 CITY MANA R'S OFFICE Dear Members of the Council: I have lived in Iowa City for twenty-eight years, raised two children in the IC schools, received a BA and Masters in Library Science from UI, and been owner of two businesses. I f'md the cultural and educational resources here proportionate to, but more accessible than, my hometown of Chicago. I am against the Iowa Child / Rain Forest project in Coralville as currently proposed for the following economic and environmental reasons, and I pose the following questions: It would draw extravagant heating and cooling power from local sources that consequently: · would use energy that could otherwise heat or cool 1,000 homes · could cause a brown out during heat waves killing vegetation and animals in the project and deprive hospitals and residences in the commtmity. · would necessitate the construction of another power plant in this area, possibly nuclear fueled because gas supplies are strained now. Q -- What solar and wind power devices could supply all needed energy for this complex? It would create a twenty-story glass structure vulnerable to hail, tomadoes, and extreme Iowa temperatures. Q - What kind of glass will be strong enough to withstand hail and tomadoes, insulate against extreme temperatures but not filter out full spt~ctrum light to tropical plants? This year we have seen a gas crisis during the coldest winter in many years doubling fuel prices. This would also double the projected $3 million energy cost for the rain forest complex to $6 million making this nonprofit complex less likely to be self supporting. Q -- How will the project pay escalating energy costs? The hotel and rain forest would heavily tap the Selerian aquifer necessitating drilling into deeper layers. Q -- What impact would this have on water for the Iowa City - Cedar Rapids corridor? Omaha's rain forest is not well publicized in its six years and visited by few Johnson County residents. The driving radius to the proposed rain forest in Coralville would logically be halfway between Coralville and Omaha, Minneapolis, Chicago, and St. Louis where there are numerous natural attractions such as zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and greenhouses. This radius does not encompass the projected 1.5 million visitors per year. It is unlikely many tourists will fly in from major cities with their own natural attractions. Q ~- How much marketing would be necessary to promote this huge complex and fill a 600 room hotel? Ted Townsend's pledge of $10 million is only one thirtieth of the projected cost of the rain forest complex. It does not cover ongoing expenses. TIF or tax incremental financing credits only lowa Child project-related expenses rather than putting tax money into Coralville's general fund. TIF money of this scale should be put back into the community from which it depends for roads, water, sewage, etc. Q -- Is it to be "nonprofit" and not contribute to the tax base? Q - Where are the four economic feasibility reports on this project? They have not been made available to citizens who requested them. Q - What is a fair market value to be paid to developers Southgate and Dean Oaks for the acreage required for this project and the exits to I~380. A rain forest is not a characteristic of the state of lowa. Sustainable agriculture is. The introduction of hundreds of plants, insects, and microscopic organisms foreign to the Midwest could threaten indigenous crops. Ted Townsend suggested sending home specimens with school children. I doubt that Iowa farmers and hog and other livestock producers are prepared to combat new strains of bacteria, disease, and exotic "weeds" invading their crops and livestock. This could be devastating to lowa's agricultural economy. Q -What protection against contaminafmg Iowa soil and ecosystem have project engineers planned? A University of Iowa epidemiologist wamed of the additional threat to the community of tropical species-bom viruses, and vermin as well as large amounts ofpesticides to control these. Huge amounts ofherbicides would be necessaE¢ to control algae growth on a twenty stoE¢ greenhouse. Q - What precautions and filtering have been planned for protecting Clear Creek and the Eagles feeding at Crandic park from pesticide contamination? The proposed Magnet school and teacher education facility would not be associated with any public school district or college of education although it would take $75 million state dollars plus $75 million matching federal. Student selection from a 50 mile radius has not been thought oat. Commufmg would pose transportation and county road maintenance problems, another burden with no additional tax income. Q -- What staffing, curriculum development, standards, testing, and transportation are proposed for this magnet school independent of a school district? Thank you for your attention to these considerations, Pamela Michaud 109 S. Johnson St. Iowa City, IA 52240 339-1247 i 02-06-0'1 Marian Karr . 4f(9) From: Kent L. Ackerson [kent-ackerson@uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2001 3:30 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: 1 st Avenue extension According to a front-page article in the January 30 edition of the Iowa City Press Citizen the extension of 1st Avenue to the Captain Irish Parkway will be blocked by a pile of dirt. I am outraged. The voters addressed the contentious issue of extending 1st Avenue. They overwhelmingly voted to complete the extension. Please take the necessary steps to formally change your mind. Remove the pile of dirt. Allow 1st avenue to carry traffic as the voters have mandated. Kent Ackerson 617 Brown St. Iowa City resident since 1963 Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr From: GoCart54@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2001 3:39 PM To: Council@iowa-city.org Subject: Trust Dear members of the Council, I have had very little trust in this council before I read this mornings paper. To hold back anything from the public is below the oath of office and I feel that anything that passes will be looked upon as what are they getting out this personally. Trust is one thing that was missing in the last election and now we have a president whom people doubt and this is what I am talking about. Trust is one thing that one must have to hold public office and I feel that this council has let the people down with by withholding information. Harold Stager 201 N.lst. Ave. #302 Iowa City, Iowa 52245 1/30/01 J02-06-01 Madan Karr 4f(11 ) From: Ted Welter [ted-welter@uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2001 3:09 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: capital projects As a resident of the south east side of Iowa City I was greatly disappointed to hear that improvements to Sycamore Street and Burns Avenue were one of five projects that could possibly be postponed due to an increase in the amount of debt the city was incurring. I have lived in the South Point housing development since 1996 and see daily how inadequate Sycamore Street is to handle the increased traffic due to new housing in the area. The problem is never more evident than during soccer season when thousands of this cities youth are hauled in minivans and other vehicles down what is an unpaved two lane road with minimal shoulder space and deep ditches. I assume you all are well aware of the problems on Sycamore and I have not shed any new light on the matter for you. But what angers me the most is that I get the impression the possible delay might be caused by added debt needed for the library. As someone who voted in favor of the library expansion, at no time was I given any inclination that by voting "yes" I would also be delaying improvements to Sycamore Street. If given this information I know I would have switched my vote to "no" along with others who are in favor of capital projects that are on your possible postponements list. Please reconsider postponing Sycamore and Burns improvements. Ted Welter 1561 Dickenson Lane PS I get my information from the IC Gazette and apologize for taking up your time if the facts were not properly portrayed by them or interpreted by me. THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA January 30, 2001 University of Iowa Student Government Responsible Drinking Task Force 48 IMU Iowa City, IA 52242 Iowa City City Council City Center 410 E Washington St 52240 Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear City Council: On behalf of the University of Iowa Student Government (UISG), we wish to inform you of our latest actions regarding the drinking issue in Iowa City. Currently, UISG is hosting an on-line survey of students regarding their drinking behavior and ideas on curbing both underage and binge drinking. This survey is open to all UI students, and will run until February 1, 2001. After the survey has been completed, the results will be forwarded to the city council, University President Mary Sue Coleman, the Executive Committee of Steppin Up, and the media. Our presentation to the city council will be made at the February 6t~ public hearing. It is our hope that this survey will aid in the decision-making processes of the community and university as we tackle this highly debated issue. It is our goal to accurately voice the opinions of students, and to work collaboratively with University and Community officials to keep communication lines open. Thank you for your efforts on this issue, and we hope the information obtained will ensure that effective solutions are pursued. Sincerely, ~ Daniel Patterson Co-Chair, UISG Responsible Drinking Task Force President, UISG Student Government 48 Iowa Memorial Union 319/335-3860 www.uiowa.edu/-ulsg Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1317 FAX 319/335-3577 E-mail: uisg~uiowa.edu ci,y of city I MEMORANDUM Date: January 26, 2001 To: City Clerk From: Beth Pfohl, JCCOG Traffic Engineering PlannerS/~' Re: Item for February 6, 2001 City Council Meeting: Installation of a DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION sign on Gilbert Street at its intersection with Waterfront Drive 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 Section 9-1-3A(8), a sign indicating DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION will be erected to aid access for southbound Gilbert Street traffic turning eastbound onto Waterfront Drive. Comment: This action is being taken due to northbound traffic on Gilbert Street backing up and inhibiting southbound traffic from turning left onto Waterfront Drive. jccogtp/mem/wate~rontdoc