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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06-12 Info Packet of 5/24 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET I MISCELLANEOUS TEMs I IP1 Meeting Schedule and Tentative Work Session Agendas IP2 Letter from Mayor to Brian Mueller (Willlares Pipeline Co): Appreciation for Donation IP3 Letter from City Manager to Dab Schoelerman (Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa): Expansion of Unitarian Church IP4 Memorandum from City Attorney: Out of Office IP5 Memorandum from Assistant City Attorney: Manufactured Gas Plant Site by Burlington Street - Status Report IP6 Downtown Construction and Events Calendar: May - October 2001 IP7 Eraall Tom Saterfiel to Roxann Bennett: Sidewalk at 1514 Muscatine Avenue IP8 Letter from Robert Schope (U of I School of Social Work) to Human Rights Coordinator: Honorary Membership in PHI ALPHA IP9 Iowa City Housing and Inspection Services Customer Service Survey - May 2001 IP10 Invitation: Student Built House IP11 Invitation: Public Art Projects Dedication Ceremonies IP12 Emails from Carol DeProsse: Drugs (3) IP13 Email from Carol DeProsse: Justice and: Racial Disparities Johnson Count:3/Board of Heal~:h: Znvil:at, ion (Previousl,y d~s~:ribu~:ed) CAFE, "The Poli~:'ics ol~ Tobacco Cont, rol: Tnvil:at,'~on (Prev'~ousl~v d~s~:ribu~:ed) City Council Meeting Schedule and May24.2004 Tentative Work Session Agendas May 28 Monday MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY - CITY OFFICES CLOSED )June 11 , Monday 6:30p SPECIAL COUNCIL FORMAL MEETING Council Chambers Executive Session - Land AcquiSition and Pending & Imminent Litigation SPECIAL COUNCIL WORK SESSION Council Chambers June 12 Tuesday 7:00p SPECIAL FORMAL COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers June 25 Monday 6:30p SPECIAL COUNCIL WORK SESSION Council Chambers June 26 Tuesday 7:00p SPECIAL FORMAL COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers July 4 Wednesday INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY - CITY OFFICES CLOSED July 9 Monday 6:30p SPECIAL COUNCIL WORK SESSION Council Chambers Meeting dates/times subject to change FUTURE WORK SESSION ITEMS Dog Park Airport North Commercial Area Agreement Downtown Historic Preservation Survey Parking Rates Sidewalks Housing Enterprise Zones Smoking in Restaurants Traffic Calming May 17, 2001 Mr. Brian Mueller Williams Pipeline Co. Coralville, IA 52241 Dear Mr. Mueller: On behalf of the Iowa City City Council, all of the City employees, and in particular our Fire Fighting personnel, thank you for your generous $5,000 donation to the Johnson County Hazardous Materials Response Team. The City COuncil is aware of the responsibilities of this team, and in padicular the dangerous and hazardous situations they may find themselves. The community recognition of the importance of this work is appreciated. Thank you again. Ernest W. Lehman Mayor cc: City Council Andy Rocca council/hazmat-donor.doc 410 EAST WASHINGTON SIREET · IOWA CITY, [OWA 52240 1826 · (3191 356 5000 · FAX (319) 356-5009 05-24-01 I _ Deb Schoelerman ~ C% President, Board of Directors Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa 10 South Gilbert St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Ms. Schoelerman: I have spoken with some members of the City staff and wish to respond to your letter of inquiry of April 23, 2001. It appears that the proposed 15 to 20 foot expansion of yqur building to the east would present some issues, particularly as such an expansion would encroach upon the newly relocated sanitary sewer line. We do not permit building over the sewer lines in case repair of the li!ne is ever needed. Potentially such a line could be moved again, however this is very costly and I believe impractical unless the Society were to bear the burden of the cost. We would also be reluctant to lose the 10 or 11 parking spaces currently along our west property line. This would be a loss to Society members as well since the lot is shared by Society members and the general public on Sunday mornings. In answer to your question about a northern expansion, l~he property is zoned CB-2. In this zone, you may build to the lot line and cover the lot with a 2-story building. However, on-site parking might be required depending upon the use of the expansion. There is also a process of approval through the Board of Adjustment for expansion of a religious use in this zone, but that seems to be a minor consideration in this Case. I guess one concern we would have is how the addition fits with the existing building. It's hard to visualize how an expansion flush with the north line of the building would work with the current architecture. I must point out the City has no regulations which address this iissue; I merely raise it as a thought. Currently this building is not designated as an historic landmark, although I understand it could qualify as such. As far as the City's interest in the acquisition of this property, we continue to be interested. I cannot commit to purchase of the property without further negotiations and reaffirmation of the City Council. Historically, the City has had an interest in owning all the property in the block on which the church sits. I would anticipate negotiations and City Council approval could occur over a period of two months from the time we begin serious talks. If the City did not purchase the property and the Society put the property on the market, I would be happy to publicly and in writing support its use as a social service agency. I hope this letter answers your questions. If there is anything further I can provide you, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, City Manager Cc: City Council Karin Franklin mgr~ltrs',schoelerman.doc 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 · FAX ()i9) 356 5009 UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF IOWA CITY 10 SOUTH GILBERT AT IOWA AVENUE (319) 337-3443 IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 April 23, 2001 Stephen J. Arkins, City Manager ~ [~ [g [~ ~ ~ ~ ~ City of Iowa City APR 2 5 2001 Civic Center 410 E. Washington St C[]'Y ~[i~Nh~[]~'S 0~:Flg[ Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mr. Atkins: This is a follow up letter to a meeting you had with Dee Norton and Mike Van Meter last February 13. At that time you suggested that if the Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City our current questions. (1) Would the City entertain an expansion of the Unitarian building to the east requiring 15 to 20 feet of land currently owned by the City? (2) If that eastward extension was granted by purchase or long tenn lease would we be en- croaching on or be restricted from building over or near the relocated sewer line? (3) If the renovation option should proceed on th~ existing structure would the UU Society be able to extend the main body of the building to the north so as to "line up" with the northern extremities of the current structure? (4) If the UU Society should choose to sell the current church site would the City potentially elect to buy the site? Is it possible, at this time, to estimate the timing that such an effort might take assuming both parties were willing to negotiate a price? (5) If the Church should choose to relocate and the City were not interested in the property would the City indicate (in writing) that it is supportive of a sale to a social services agency(s)? We appreciate your cooperation in responding to these questions. Our Vision Committee and others within of our congregation are working to explore these planning options and hope that you and your busy staff will not be unduly burdened with a timely response. I look forward to your reply. Sincerely, Deb Schoelerman President, Board of Directors Minister, The Reverend Nancy Haley · Director of Religious Education, Lois Cole · Secretary, Patty Dunlap · Music Director, Peter Alexander Principal Organist, Paul Soderdahl * Principal Substitute Organist, Dennis Ungs · Choir Accompanist, Margaret Richardson * Custodian. Mark Kaalberg City of IoWa City MEMORANDUM DATE: May 22, 2001 ~ TO: City Council FROM: Eleanor M. Dilkes, City Attorne RE: Out of Office I will be out of the office on the Tuesday and Wednesday following Memorial Day - May 29 and 30. My staff will know how to reach me. cc: Steve Arkins Marian Karr Dale Helling eleanor/mem/memoriaIday.doc City of Io!wa City M MORANDUM Date: May 14, 2001 To: City Council From: Andy Matthews, Assistant City Attorney,t~'~,~ Re: Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site by Burlington Street - Status Report This memo will serve to update you regarding activities associated with this site which is under the purview of the U.S. EPA. You will recall that the site sits primarily above what is now Iowa-Illinois Manor apartments. determine the nature and extent of coal tar contamination at the site and assess the threat to human health and the environment. MidAmerican Energy has essentially completed such assessment and is in the process of analyzing and finalizing the data and submitting it to EPA. It is Ilkely that the parties will enter into another AOC to address any remediation of the site. Following several inquiries by City staff as to the status o~e this matter, officials from EPA and IDNR met with City staff and State Senator Joe Bolkcom, who has expressed repeated interest and concern regarding this site. The parties met on May 9 and discussed in some detail the status of this matter. EPA and IDNR officials continue to believe, based on the information available to them, that there are no known health risks presently associated with the site. The City is beginning its planning for the Burlington Street Bridge replacement project and had some concerns as to how the project may be affected by this site and any site remediatinn activities. Staff was assured that EPA would assist in any way it could to permit the City to continue with the bridge replacement project, and if the City were to encounter c0al tars during construction activities, that they could quickly bring in contractors to assist in removal and aonstruction activities. Senator Bolkcom expressed a concern that residents and prospective residents of Iowa-Illinois Manor apartments be informed that the aparnnent building sits atop of a coal tar site, to permit them to factor such issue into their decision whether to rent there or not. Because EPA officials indicate that they have not seen anything to warrant a health risk determination, that they were unsure whether they could insist that the owners of the building provide such information, but indicated that they would consider the matter and discuss it with the apartment owners. The risk assessment should be completed within the next two or three months, and following such review, determinations as to remedial steps will then be made. Staff asked that it be kept informed of the results of that risk assessment. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call me. cc: Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney Stephen Atkins, City Manager Dale Hailing, Assistant City Manager Chuck Schmadeke, Public Works Director Rick Fosse, City Engineer Downtown Construction & Events Calendar May - October 2001 (Construction/installation items italicized & bold) May 14 Iowa Avenue Streetscape Improvements Begin 3-Week UI Summer Session Begins 18 FNCS (Friday Night Concert Series): UI Pan American Steel Drum Band l 9 Bubblefest 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Pedestrian Mall) 25 FNCS: City/West High School Jazz Ensembles 28 Memorial Day June 1 FNCS: Kathy Lee Ogden 5 Sarnmer Session Begins 6 Installation of Solar Marker by Christoph Spath 7 Iowa Arts Festival Dedication of Solar Marker, 5:45 p .m. 8 Iowa Arts Festival 9 Iowa Arts Festival 10 Johnson County Courthouse Rededication Iowa Arts Festival Dedication of Tomado by Justine Zimmer and kickoff of Iowa Sculpture Showcase, 10:00 a.m. 15 FNCS: Dave Moore 16 Pride Parade Iowa City Community Band 2-3 p.m. (Pedestrian Plaza Mini Stage) Iowa City Big Band 3-4 p.m. (Pedestrian Plaza Mini Stage) JJCS (Just Jazz Concert Series): Dan Knight Trio 19 UI 6-Week Summer Session Begins 22 FNCS: Dave Zollo 23 New Horizon Band 2~3 p.m. (Pedestrian Plaza Mini Stage) Iowa City Community Band 3-4 p.m. (Pedestrian Plaza Mini Stage) JJCS: Dan Moore Quintet 29 Jazz Fest FNCS: Iowa City United/Matt Wilson 30 Jazz Fest Tower Place completed by end of June July 1 Jazz Fest 4 Independence Day 6 FNCS: Poetic Justice 7 JJCS: Saul Lubaroff 13 FNCS: Tomados 14 JJCS: Oddbar 20 FNCS: Shade of Blue 21 JJCS: Jim Hall Quartet 27 FNCS: Johnny Kilowatt UI 8-Wk./6-Wk. Summer Sessions End UI Summer Commencement 28 JJCS: Daugherty/McPartland Group August 3 FNCS: Rich Webster 4 JJCS: Grismore Trio 8 Transit Interchange completed 10 FNCS: Orquesta de Jazz y Salsa Alto Maiz 11 JJCS: School Daze Irving B. Weber Day 17 FNCS: Lazyboy and the Recliners 18 JJCS: Abilities Awareness 24 FNCS: Bohemian Soul Tribe 25 JJCS: Thelonius Assault 27 UI Fall Semester Begins 31 FNCS: Big Wooden Radio tba Senior Center Skywalk completed by mid to cud of August September 1 JJCS: Blue Tunas Iowa Football v. Kent St. (Home) 3 Labor Day 8 Iowa Football v. Miami of Ohio (Home) 15 Iowa Football v. Iowa State (Away) 22 Iowa City public Library Friends Foundation Kickoff Festivities 28 Homecoming Parade 29 Iowa Football v. Penn St. (Home -- Homecoming) 30 American Heart Walk October tba Iowa A yen ue Literary Walk Plaque Installations tba Iowa Avenue Streetscape Completion Par(y 1 Library Project: ConstructionfenceerectedaroundZenoch & CilekBldg Playground to be removed and stored. 6 Iowa Football v. Purdue (Away) 13 Iowa Football v. Michigan State (Away) 15 Library Project: Demolition of Lenoch & Cilek Building begins 20 Iowa Football v. Indiana (Home) 27 Iowa Football v. Michigan (Home) 31 Halloween Friday Night Concert Series (FNCS): Fridays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on the Pedestrian Plaza Mini Stage Just Jazz Concert Series (JJCS): Saturdays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on the Pedestrian Plaza Mini Stage tba - to be announced S :\PCD~ECODEV~ECodev2\INTEKNXMEMOS\DT Master Calendar 2001 doc 05-24-01 Steve Atkins IP7 From: sater@act.org Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2001 12:23 PM To: Roxann-Bennett@iowa-city.org Cc: Steve-Atkins@iowa-city.org; Charles~Schmadeke@iowa-city.org Subject: Re: Sidewalk Information Thanks for you for your quick and complete answer. One of the real advantages to Iowa City is a great system to sidewalks that allow people to walk and jog in safety all year long and I appreciate the efforts that are made to keep the functional and open to the public. Tom ~/ Subject: Sidewalk Information Reply Separator j~ Author: Roxann Bennett <Roxann-Bennett@iowa-city.org> at internet Date: 5/15/2001 3:18 PM Mr. Saterfiel, This is in response to your e-mail concerning the sidewalk at 1514 Muscatine Ave. This closed section of sidewalk was brought to the city's attention on May 1. The barricade around the section of sidewalk at 1514 Muscatine Ave was not put in place by city personnel, nor was it at the city's request. There is a large void under the sidewalk and in the parkway, immediately adjacent to the sidewalk. The barricade is protecting the walking public from falling into the hole. Researching the situatioh, involved several utility companies and the City. The research indicates that the void is in the area of an old water service, which went to 1514 Muscatine Ave. It is anticipated that the void under the sidewalk will be backfilled and the sidewalk opened to the public within the next two days. Unfortunately, the city is not always notified when property owners close sections of the public sidewalk. Our inspectors work with the property owners to assist with sidewalk closure issues or concerned citizens bring them to our attention. We try to keep sidewalk closures to a minimum, due to the high volume of foot traffic in Iowa City. Occasionally this does not happen. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused you. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions. Roxann Bennett Utilities Technician City of Iowa City - Engineering Division 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 319-356-5438 ' I 05-24-01 I THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA ~,/,., IP8 Heather Shank Human Rights Coorinator 4 t 0 East Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Heather, The faculty of the School of Social Work, recognizing your m:my years of d~dicated service to · ' ' dy o,,,awar ou an We would like to formally recognize your many contributions by conferring your honorary certificate at this year's School g~aduation ceremony. Larry Allen, who teaches at the School in an adjtmct position, will also be given an honorary membership at this ceremony· The School of Social Work's graduation ceremony will be on May 11 (Friday) at 10:00 AM at the Old Brick Church & Community Center at 26 East Market Street. We hope that you will be able to attend and personally accept the award. On behalf of the PHIALPHA Corfkmittee and the faculty of the School of Social Work, congratulations on winning this award. Please let me know whether you will be able to attend the graduation ceremony. Sincerely, Robert D. Schope, Ph.D. (Chair) Assistant Professor School of Social Work e-mail: robert-schope@uiowa.edu phone: 335-1264 School of Social Work 308 North Hall Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1223 319/335-1250 FAX 319/335 171 I Iowa City Housing and Inspection Services Customer Service Survey ~ May 200'! HOW AIeE WE I:>OiH< . "We had three houses inspected and inspectors weire friendly, informative, and fair." "Norm Cate was very courteous, prompt, and efficient in the inspection. Thank you." '1 have been very pleased with the service and response have received from your department. Thank you for answering my MANY questions." "You have all been very pleasant to work with. I am sure your jobs can be very stressful at times. I much appreciate you and your office staff (especially Joan) always taking the time to answer all my questions. (patiently too!)" You're doing a real good job. No complaints. Keep up the good work. Thanks." Inspector was prompt and arrived exactly at the appointed time. Was knowledgeable and fair about conditions about the premises. Was expedilent in seeking the things he was checking for, and provided a minimum of intrusion upon the tenants. Offered helpful advice on certain safety and maintenance items." You are doing just fine. Thank you for your help, guidance, and patience." The inspector was on time, friendly, efficient, and thorough. Inspection was completed with no inconvenience to the tenants. Very satisfied with everything." "My experiences have been mostly positive but I reserve the right to disagree with any future decisions your inspectors make. I always worry about how you inspect an older house as maintenance with older houses is an ongoing process." "The inspector has cordially performed the inspection. It is helpful to keep updated condition of property." "Inspection on 4/10/01: Bob Shaver was very courteous and helpful to me for inspecting my rental property at 322 N. Friendship. Good man for the job who explained to me and the tenants where there were concerns." "I noted an improvement in Iowa City inspection services: a second inspection for trivial code violations is waived if the owner emails or calls in the correction of the violation. You save money and time for you and the owner!" "I think you're doing great, especially Mr. Shaver. He handled an inspection of ours that involved some very difficult tenants and represented the City in a very professional manner. All of the inspectors we have dealt with have been fair, thorough, and professional." "Inspector did a thorough job - was friendly and informative. Our reinspection was once again friendly and helpful." "Two properties inspected this past year. Both inspectors were very courteous and helpful." h4sadrn/commenlsO1 doc Iowa City Housing and Inspection Services Customer Service Survey ~ May 2001 Page 2 Mr. Anderson was very professional and appropriale. I did not feel I was being invaded by the police this year. As a retired nurse from VNA I have been in many rentals. I only wish the rules were enforced by all inspectors and landlords!" We feel that the last two years that inspectors JOhn Bovey, Art Anderson, and Norm Kate have been very professional." Julie enjoys working with your inspectors." I particularly enjoy working with Art Anderson, who is informative and helpful in keeping my structures up to code." Good. It is easy working with you people." "Rental housing inspectors are very helpful. Gary apd his staff again were polite, fair, and very concise. I really appreciate the help. It makes by:rentals a nicer home and I can sleep well knowing the home is truly safe. Thank you." "OK. However, I do not think rental units need to be inspected every three years. I feel that a one-time inspection is sufficient so long as the dnit does not change ownership or maybe every 5-10 years. I feel that every 3 years is a waste of taxpayer- rental owner- money. Just another way for the City to interfere with property owner business and collect more money. I wonder if the properties that really need inspection are getting them." "Inspector was very courteous and thorough. I would say a big improvement over some the inspectors in past years." "Over the years I have been building my house, you have not only been co-operative, but also very helpful by promptly responding to my many inquiries. The "Electric Code Class" presented by Pat Hansen was well organized, interesting, and informative. Two thumbs up for Pat." "I have been dealing with AHS' all over the United States., None show the same enthusiasm towards the trade that Pat seems to show, although I don't work in the area much I believe Pat is doing a great job." "Pat Hansen did an excellent job or organizing and teaching the 8-hour class over the changes in the 1999 National Electric Code. Pat did an excellent PowerPoint presentation. Six of my staff attended the class and all agreed it was very professionally given." Would like to see unschedule Insp. of jobs to check and see if there is a licensed elec. on job. Better communication between yourself and power company about location of new (existing) services." Pat Hansen, your NEC Code update class for conduct was very good." Just fine! Norm was on time and reasonable in his expectations. Keep up the good work." "Norm Cate has inspected a number of our properties an is always friendly, professional, and fair. We appreciate that." hisadmlcommentsO1 dec 2 Iowa City Housing and Inspection Services Customer Service Survey ~ May 2001 Page 3 "The inspectors have been good to work with. Fair. Joan & Jan are always so helpful down there too." "Your man was here on time and was very good. He was not overbearing as some of your people have been in the past. He told us what wSs wrong and as of yesterday we got them taken care of." "Norm is great to work with. He flags us for violations relevant to safety (mostly grounded willing to follow-up on our poison n I .' "Very good service and understanding by Art Anderson. Provides contemporary information and also accommodating with schedules." "I think you are all doing fine. The house on 1211 Pearl Street had a lean-to added by a neighbor in the back of the garage. It's in very baJd shape. I would like to have it removed. I seems to me the City could solve this bad problem;. The owner is selling. Thank you." bmadrn/cornrnents01 doc 3 Help Us Celebrate [ o,~%, I Community Development in Iowa City.t Join us at the Student Built Ho use 1830 High Street Parking available on street and at City High School Friday, June 1, 2001 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. (Awards Presentation at 4:45 p.m.) Co-hosted by the Greater lowa City Housing Fellowship Home Builders Association of lowa City Vocational Training Council Iowa City Community School District and The Iowa City Housing and Community Development Commission The I0wa City Public Art Advisory Committee & the I0wa Arts Festival invite you to the dedication ceremonies for two Public Art projects located on the downtown Iowa City pedestrian mall Balance &Solar Marker Tornado by by Christoph Spath Justine Zimmer Thursda_y, June 7 S~nd~g, J~me lO 5:45p. m. 70:00 a.m. north end of the pedestrian mallon the Iowa Sculptor's Showcase Pad (formerly Blackhawk Mini Park)(near Burger Iiing) Illinois Hemp Bill ! o2-~ i 1 Marian Karr IP12 _ From: Carol DeProsse [cdeprosse@earthlink.net] Sent: Thursday, May 17. 2001 2:03 PM To: JCNEWS@yosemite.leepfrog.com Cc: jpwhite@cojohnson.ia.us; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us; mlehman@co.johnson.iaus; sstutsma@co.johnson,ia.us; pharney@cojohnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; tjneuzil@msn.com; carolt@inav.net; Connie_Champion@iowa-city.org;:Ernie_Lehman@iowa-city.org; Ross_Wilburn@iowa- city.org; Dee_Vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ipfab@av~lon.net; Steve_Atkins@iowa-city,org; mary_mascher@legis.state.ia.us; vicki_lensing@legis.state.iaus; joe_bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us; barry_brauns@legis,state.ia.us; ro_foege@legis.state.ia.us; dchard_myers@legis.state.ia.us Subject: JCNEWS: Illinois Hemp Bill The Illinois legislature has passed HB3377, the Industrial Hemp Study bill, and forwarded it to Governor Ryan for his signature. GovernOr Ryan previously opposed this bill but it has been amended to address his stated concerns. 5/17/01 Drug War: You can help end its horrors Page 1 of 2 Marian Karr From: Carol DeProsse [cdeprosse@earthlink. net] Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 2:17 PM To: JCNEWS@yosemite.leepfrog.com Cc: jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us; mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us; sstutsma@co.johnson.iaus; pharney@co.johnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; tjneuzil@msn.com; carolt@inav.net; Connie_Champion@iowa-city.org;'Ernie_Lehman@iowa-city.org; Ross_Wilburn@iowa- vicki_lensing@legis.state.ia.us; joe_bolkcom@legisistate.ia.us; barry_brauns@legis.state.ia.us; ro_foege@legis.state.ia.us; richard_myers@legis.state.ia.us Subject: JCNEWS: Drug War: You can help end its horrors A new bill offered by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) would repeal federal mandatory minimum drug sentencing. The "Major Drug Trafficking Prosecution Act," introduced earlier today (Wednesday, 10/23/01 ), would end mandatory sentences for possession, distribution, manufacturing, importation and other drug-related offenses, and place curbs on the ability of the federal government to prosecute low level drug offenders. Please visit http://www,stopthedrugwar.org/justice/to ask your US Representative, your two Senators and President Bush to end mandatory minimum drug sentencing, and read below to find out how to do more. In a press conference launching the bill, Rep. Waters was joined by Derrick Curry, whose 19-year sentence for a first-time "drug conspiracy" was commuted by President Clinton; and Karen Garrison, whose twin sons are serving 19- and 15-year sentences, also on first-time conspiracy charges. None of these people were guilty of major crimes in any meaningful sense of the word, yet years of their lives have been taken away by harsh, poorly thought out sentencing laws passed by Congress without hearings in a political frenzy 15 years ago. The Garrison twins and thousands others are undeserved[y imprisoned and should be set free now. Passing this bill will only partially address the problem, as federal sentencing guidelines and state sentencing laws will still be in place. But it will be a major step forward to end some of the worst injustices, and we hope you will support it. Please visit http;//www.stopthedrugwar.org/justice/to e-mail and fax your US Representative, your two Senators and the President. When you are done, please follow up by calling them or visiting their offices. You can reach your Rep. and Senators (or find out who they are) by calling the Congressional Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, or visiting http;//www.house.gov and http://www~senate,gov online. We 5/23/01 Drug War: You can help end its horrors Page 2 of 2 will let you know the bill's number as soon as that information becomes available. (Note that despite the act's title, no sentences are actually increased; the name was chosen to make the point that federal agents and prosecutors are violating their mandate of targeting major criminal activity and are squandering vast resources by going after low-level offenders and giving them lengthy prison terms. While DRCNet believes that targeting major traffickers is ultimately futile as well, it would at least be less destructive than the current incarceration of large numbers of primarily low-level offenders.) Three more people have been arrested on drug charges just in the time it's taken to read this letter. Please help bring it to a stop today! http://www.stopthedrugwar.org/justice/ 5/23/01 Marian Karr ~ From: Carol DeProsse [cdeprosse@earthlink.net] Sent: Friday, May 11, 2001 8:48 AM To: icnews@yosemiteleepfrog.com Cc: Connie_Champion@iowa-city.org; Ernie_Lehman@iowa-city.org; Ross_Wilburn@iowa- city.org; Dee_Vanderhoef@iowa-city.qrg; ipfab@avalon.net; Steve_Atkins@iowa-city.org; jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us; cthompso co.johnson.ia.us; mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us' i'n , kundell; Dave Jacoby; Jean Schnake Subject: Re: JCNEWS: outbreak of common sense wait until summer school gets up and running and watch the public intoxes being hauled down to the old pokey in increasing numbers. hope readers noticed, as well, that the overcrowd~ing is still Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. lots of small amounts marijuana possession charges still being filed, as well. don't we all feel safer, though? Winklehake loves to fulfill his quotas set by the drug grant; white loves to prosecute the young, recreational pot smokers; and carpenter must love to see the troops filing in the door of the jail or he would tell the public loudly and clearly that many do not belong there. he could influence arrest policies by helping those of us who know that many of those in jail do not need to be there. also, how about people picked up on outstanding warrants? lots of times these are for exceedingly MINOR offenses. but instead of nabbing them at 6 in the morning so they could go right before a judge and post bond and get out, the ICPD waits until 8 at night so the miscreants have to spend a night in jail, get a meal, a full body search, and take up a bed, often a mattress on the floor. the ICPD is unnecessarily feeding the jail population. I would agree that Carol Thompson appears to have done some about face on this issue. if she sticks to it, and could bring herself t6 work with those of us who formed the Alternatives to a New Jail, Some real change might be brought to bear. >From: JeffreyLCox@AOL.COM >To: jcnewseyosemite.leepfrog.com >Subject: JCNEWS: outbreak of conmen sense >Date: Fri, May 11, 2001, 8':25 AM > > At last, an outbreak of common sense among our local elected officials. > County Supervisor Carol Thompson points out, in yesterday's Press-Citizen, > that city officials could ease the jail overcrowding problem: "Six less > people per day would have gone a long way to help our overcrowding problem." > > Mayor Ernie Lehman responded with a comment that should be entered in the > "implausible statement of the week" contest: "I think it's obvious to all of us that we are willing to work with you." LehmanIs real response was several weeks ago when he, and five other members of the council, voted down Steve Kanner's attempts to put some controls on the Police Department's campaign of selective law enforcement directed against marijuana offenders, complete with garbage searches and "knock and talk" operations to gain access to your home. Take a look at the daily police for documentation of the steady stream of small scale marijuana offenders being sent to our jail by the Iowa City Police. Jeff Cox Justice & Racial Disparities ! I ~ 05-24-01 o l Marian Karr ' IPl 3 From: Carol DeProsse [cdeprosse@earthlinknet] Sent: Friday, May 18, 2001 8:39 AM To: JCNEWS@yosemite.leepfrog.com Cc: jpwhite@cojohnson.ia.us; cthompso@cojohnson,ia.us; mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us; sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us; pharney@co.johnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; tjneuzil@msn.com; carolt@inav.net; Connie_Champion@iowa-city.org; :Ernie_Lehman@iowa-city.org; Ross_Wilburn@iowa- city.org; Dee_Vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; ipfab@av~lon.net; Steve_Atkins@iowa-city.org; Harry Herwig; John Weihe; Diana Lundell; Dave Ja¢oby; Jean Schnake Subject: JCNEWS: Justice & Racial Disparities RACIAL DISPARITIES IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM This address before the ICLU by former Federal prosecutor, Don Nickerson can be seen on Channel 4 at the following times: Tuesday, May 22rid ~ 1pro Tuesday, May 22nd after Iowa City City Council Thursday, May 24th @ 3pm Friday, May 25th @ 3:53AM 5/18/01 Ilie ~IoAnsoe eOhmty 6ourd ol amd t~ StdH ol t~a ~o~.So. eoh.t~ Department ot PuO~tc ~ea~t~ cordially l.vlta you to a eeceptiox to l, GfaAa~ Da~eron wdo is eest~nlne [~o~ tar position Frlda}/ ~.~e Ist, 2001 3:00-~:00 p.m. 6oard ot SuperviSors Meeti~e ~oo~ ~ou~tV ~l~iSttdtio~ ~ul~dt~e 3owa elty, 3own Clean Air For Everyone The Politics of Tobacco Control A Discussion led by Stan Glantz Thursday, May 24, 2001 6:~0 pm- 8:00 pm Iowa City Public Library - Meeting Room A 123 South Linn Street Iowa City, Iowa For more information contact The American Cancer Society at 319-339-3837. Sponsored By: · Robert Wood Johnson Foundation · American Cancer Society · 4 Counties 4 Tobacco Control (Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, and Washington) · The University of Iowa Health Science Colleges · Environmental Advocates Featuring Stan Glantz, Ph.D. University of California at San Francisco Professor Stan Glantz has been a leading activist against the tobacco industry since 1978. He is one of the founders of Americans for Nonsmokers Rights. He helped w-rite and produce the film "Secondhand Smoke", which concerns the health effects of involuntary smoking. His book, "The Cigarette Papers", has played a key role in the ongoing litigation surrounding the tobacco industry.