HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-10 Correspondence Marjan Karr I 2f(1 )
From: JRBAIA@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 9:03 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Replacement Sidewalk Contractors Enhancement Act
Recently my sidewalks have been marked for replacement. Can you tell me how
to apply for a subsidy so that I can more easily afford that work?
I am also concerned that pedestrians traversing my walks will settle into a
rhythm, anticipating only a smooth surfaces, devoid of even the most hairline
cracks, chips, and changes in "elevation." What happens when they encounter
the numerous potholes in the street as they transition from one smooth walk
to another?
When will you fix the street? Should I set a time limit for you, and if you
don't comply fix it "myself~' and then send you the bill? What about the
giant chunks of curb that I am missing, when will that be fixed?
By your actions you show a propensity to assist "neo-traditioal
neighborhoods," how about more support for existing "traditional"
neighborhoods?
Regards,
Jim Barrett
James R. Barrett, Jr., AIA T: (319) 887-1282
Architectural Design Services F: (319) 887-1283
123 North Linn Street, Suite 2A-2 T: (877) 822-1282 (toll free)
Iowa City, iowa 52245
6/2 7/0 1
From: JRBAIA@eol.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 8:55 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Stareper bailout
Consideration of the awarding of the peninsula project was in part determined
by the developer's ability to demonstrate solid financial backing. It is no
concern that Ioca~ banks have exercised their prerogetive not to partioipete.
The request for financial assistance, at this early stage, clearly shows the
developer has not met this criteria.
How do you explain yourselves? Especially the five of you who voted for the
loan.
In the future please be resolved to the fact that the public sector should
not be in competition with local developers, architects, contractors,
real-estate agents etc.
Regards,
Jim Barrett
James R. Barrett, Jr., AIA T: (319) 887-1282
Architectural Design Services F: (319) 887-1283
123 North Linn Street, Suite 2A-2 T: (877) 822-1282 (toll free)
Iowa City, Iowa 52245
6/2 7/0 1
From: putz@pocketmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 6:58 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: smokefree restaurant input
Dear Members of the Council,
Published statistics indicate 26% of the US adult population are smokers-- one out of four
adults who may not frequent a restaurant if smoking is prohibited within. The restaurant
owner currently has the option of choosing to be smokefree thus risking a loss of perhaps
one out of four potential adult customers. To be forced into a nonsmoking establishment
via Council mandate may affect the profit margin expectations and open a can ef worms the
Council may wish to ignore if the Council is truly interested in attracting and/or
maintaining dining establishments in Iowa City.
Please allow the restaurants to decide whether smokefree is in the best interest for
their individual private businesses.
Sara J. Putney
1117 Spruce St.
Iowa City IA 52240
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Marjan Karr 2f(4)
From: Eileen Fisher [eileen-fisher@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Monday. June 25. 2001 5:23 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Cc: irvin_pfab@iowa-city.org; ipfab@avalon.net; dramsey@meccaia.com
Subject: administrative fine for retailers who sell to youth
Dear Iowa City City Council Members,
The Johnson County Tobacco Free Coalition would like to applaud you for your efforts to improve enforcement
oflowa's Adolescent Tobacco Control Law. Each year over 430,000 persons in the U.S. (5,000 Iowans) die
fi'om tobacco, including 53,000 nonsmokers exposed to secondband smoke.
According to the Surgeon General's report "Reducing Tobacco Use" - a substantialproportion ofteenages who
smoke purchase their own tobacco, and the proportion varies with age, social class, amount smoked and
.factors' related to local availability. In addition, research has shown that most minors can easily purchase
tobacco Jbom a variety of retail outlets.
We believe most retailers want to be responsible community members and help reduce the epidemic of tobacco
use. Some stores have even implemented rewards for employees who pass a compliance check. Conducting
regular compliance checks of all tobacco retailers and assessing the administrative fee will motivate retailers to
train their employees and to devise their own programs to reduce the sale of tobacco to minors.
Thank you and your staff for working with the Johnson County Department of Public Health and the Johnson
County Attorney's office to implement assessment of the administrative fees. Reducing minors' access to
tobacco reduces the number who will eventually become addicted to tobacco.
Sincerely,
Eileen Fisher
3722 Hummingbird Ln SE
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-338-1494
6/25/01
07-10-01
From: Marquee123@aol.com
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2001 12:03 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org; steve-atkins@iowa-city.org; karin-frankFin@iowa-city.org; dale-
helling@iowa-city.org
Subject: Englert Theatre
FYI,
Just thought you might like to know that the Englert Theatre has been
designated as an Official Project of Save America's Treasures, a program of
the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We have also passed through the
state level for the National Register of Historic Places. We will know within
2 - 4 months if we will be placed on the national list.
< http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010625/ts/arts endangered dc 1.html >
Arts Iowa City has agreed to partner with us. They will use the second
tloor apartment as one of their main exhibition spaces. Because we will be
using the apartment during intermissions and for receptions. They will have
built in audiences and more exposure than just their regular volunteer hours.
There will also be classroom and meeting room space available on this level.
We are exploring the idea of a "cultural incubator" for the third floor.
The idea is to house various non-profit arts and humanities organizations and
to pool resources, save on expenses, and strengthen conu~unication.
Preliminary inquiries with Jazz Fest, Arts Fest, Arts Iowa City , Iowa City
Comeunity Theatre, Friends of Historic Preservation and other various
nonprofits have been positive. For the moment we are working on a business
plan and collaborating with the Non Profit Center at the University of Iowa.
Our fundraising continues and we are applying for a variety of grants.
The main ones we are looking at are the CADT Fund which is under the Vision
Iowa Program; the Kregse Foundation and The Carver Foundation for
accessibility funding. In addition to the $100,00 we received from the State
Historical Society to redo the lobby area, we recently received a grant from
the National Trust for Historic Preservation to do a paint analysis on the
auditorium. We also received a $10,000 grant from the Department of Cultural
Affairs that will be applied towards expanding the Project Coordinator's
position and hiring a Volunteer Coordinator.
We will be replacing the roof this summer. We have also hired Rick
Loula from the Division of Performing Arts to design the sound, lighting and
rigging system for us. Rick builds theatres all over the world and are lucky
to have him here in Iowa. He is donating part of his fee to this project.
I thought you might like an update. This is just the basic outline of
what we are tackling. If you have furthur questions please don't hesitate to
contact me.
Justine Zimmer
Project Coordinator
07-10-01
Madan Karr ~
From: David Conley [dconley@renthistory.com}
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2001 12:51 AM
To: counci~@iowa-dty.org
We are a Consumer Reporting Agency {TransUnion, Equifax and Experian) that
tracks information about residential tenant payment history. Recently we
have been contacted by a number of housing authorities asking if they can
report information to us and pull reports on possible assisted housing
candidates. Apparently a number of these potential candidates have a history
of going from property to property never mentioning the fact that they still
owe these authorities money from previous homes/apartments.
As a result of numerous requests, we are expanding our service to allow the
different Local, State and Federal housing authorities to report information
about their clients to our service. We will then make this information
available to the other housing authorities in the form of a rental history
report. This information will allow all of the housing authorities to, in
real time, pull of the rental payment history of anyone that has lived in
subsidized housing. Did they destroy the unit? Did they move out and leave
the housing authority stuck with the bill?
Please let me know if you have any questions.
www.renthistory.com
David Conley, Executive Vice President
Rent History, Inc
877-674-5486 ext 129
dconley@renthistory.com
N07-10-01
Marian Karr 2f(7)
From: Randy Bremner [bremnerrandy@hotmaiLcom]
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2001 5:03 PM
Subject: 150 mayors' offices nationwide in support of Initiative
Dear Mayor,
On Honday, June 25, 2001 President Bush stated "Faith-based organizations
should be able to compete for government funds without being forced to hide
their religious character," Bush said at a mayors' conference. "The days of
discriminating against religious institutions simply because they are
religious must come to an end if we want to heal America."
Bush urged mayors to voice their support to Capitol Hill. Be pointed out
150 mayors' offices nationwide were trying to undertake similar efforts.
As a physician in Iowa who daily sees the individual impact of poverty,
homelesshess, urban blight, and teen pregnancies amongst other societal
problems, I ask you to actively support President Bush's "Faith Based
Initiative" for the good of all our communities.
Sincerely,
Randall J. Bremner H.D.
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
Madan Karr i ~o~o;
From: Cochrane, Lisa [LCochran@allstate.com]
Sent: Sunday, July 01, 2001 6:08 PM
To: 'council@iowa-city.org'
Cc: 'cary.cochrane@pefformcom.com'
Subject: Regarding city alcohol policy
To Hayor Ernie Lehman and City Councilors:
I am writing as a concerned parent of an incoming freshman Engineering
student at the University of Iowa. Hy husband and I were surprised to learn
at orientation this summer that your city policy allows minors to go into
your numerous bars as long as they are over 18. We are requesting that you
consider changing your policy to limit entrance to bars to adults who are at
the l~gal age of 21 or older. Et is very hard to trust that servers who are
the peers of customers will enforce the drinking age of 21 years.
Additionally, we would hope that the city would do everything possible to
limit the number of bars so close to the campus. We noticed that your
campus town is basically made up of bars. Actually, our son's orientation
"education" included lots of discussion about which bars are the best to
frequent; as well as mentioning to us that Iowa City allows bartenders to be
age 18 -- not 21. We would hope that establishments would be restricted
from hiring help who are younger than 21.
Than}: you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Lisa Cochrane
Lisa Cochrane
Assistant Vice President
Marketing Communications
Allstate Financial
Phone: 847-402-4743
Fax: ~47-326-7142
email: lcochran@allstate.com
asst: Diane Fleming
847-402-7363
L07-I0-01
Marian Karr 2f(9)
From: Kathy Johnson riohnson12@ameritechnet]
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 5:35 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Age limit for bar entry
I had the pleasure of being in your city in June for my
daughter's orientation at the University of Iowa. You have a
lovely city and your hard work is very apparent.
I am writing to express my concern over your city policy of
allowing 19 and 20-year olds into bars. With the tremendous
pressure these young adults feel to be part of the group and
conform to group standards, I simply cannot fathom the majority
of them being able to withstand that pressure and NOT drink
alcohol when it's so close to them.
If you are a parent, you have or will be going through the angst
of sending your beloved off on their own. We work so hard to
teach our children how to make safe and wise choices, knowing
that some of the choices they do make will not be so terribly
wise or safe. But as adults, we should know better. Allowing 19
and 20 year olds into bars is not a wise or safe choice, and it's
time for this to change. Quite frankly, I cannot understand why
it ever was allowed. There are so many other dangers for these
kids contend with in finally learning how to be on their own,
that we owe this to them.
Please start this next school year with a wise and safe choice by
changing your City policy to prohibit 19 and 20 year olds entry
into bars.
Kathy Johnson
4016 Brummel Street
Skokie, IL 60076
Marian Karr ) i
From: Loretta Gronewold [Ioretta-gronewold@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 10:55 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Stop dangerous Reserve practice!
This morning when I was passing the UI printing, Iowa City airport,
there was several individuals in camouflage on the ground aiming rifles
at the highway! There was no warning! My daughter started screaming
because she thought she was going to be shot! The UI Security and the
Iowa City Police Dept both just said, oh, they are just training. I
think this is outragous. They should practice far away from other
people. I can guarantee you that if I went out and aimed a rifle at
oncoming traffic that I would be locked up! My children should not feel
in danger because of the Army reserve. They should go out to the firing
range in Tiffin or some other secluded area. I think you should stop
this from ever happening again. It could cause an accident. What if a
rifle did fire by accident? Who is to blame? Why should we allow this
to happen? What benefit is there from aiming at oncoming traffic? Is
there going to be a war in iowa City some time soon that requires them
to hit cars as they are driving by?
Please let me know what you intend to do about this type of training.
Thank you,
Loretta Gronewold
iowa City Resident
University of Iowa Employee
Mother
337-2828 evening
335-2323 day
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: June 18, 2001
To: City Clerk
From: Beth Pfohl, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for July 10, 2001 City Council Meeting: Addition of 15 MIN LIMIT to current
loading zone signs located on Jefferson Street in front of Seashore Hall
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of
the following action.
Action:
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(18), signage indicating NO PARKING LOADING ZONE will be
revised to NO PARKING LOADING ZONE 15 MIN LIMIT on the south side of Jefferson
Street in front of Seashore Hall.
Comment:
This action is being taken at the Parking Division's request to clarify enforcement of the
loading zone.
Jccogtp\memos\jeffersonloading dec
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
Date: June 18, 2001
To: City Clerk
From: Beth Pfohl, JCCOG Traffic Engineering PlannerS7~
Re: Item for July 10, 2001 City Council Meeting: Change eight parking meters in the
400 Brock of College Street from 30 minutes to 2-hour terms
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of
the following action.
Action:
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(17), the eight existing parking meters in the 400 Block of
College Street will be changed from a term of 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Comment:
The 30-minute meters were initially provided for John Wilson's Sporting Goods customers.
Since the move of the store, these meters are poorly utilized due to the 30~minute parking
term. The 2-hour meter terms will allow motorists to park for an extended period of time.
jccogtp\memos\collegemeters.doc
PUBLIC ACCESS
TELEVISION
Iowa City, Iowa
July 5, 2001
TO: ICTC, Iowa City City Council
FR: PATV \ Lt'
RE: Purchase of Building
The following is a list of activities PATV has been engaged in in the process of locating and
acquiring a permanent location for PATV:
January: PATV meets with ICPL to discuss space options. Library indicates it will not be selling any
of the commercial space in order to accomodate future library expansion needs.
February: CTG makes a unanimous recommendation to give PATV's building acquisition top
priority as far as the remaining $125,000 pass-through funds are concerned.
PATV meets with Michael McClellen regarding purchasing the building PATV currently resides in.
Asking price: $500,000.00
PATV engages the services of Westwinds Property Management to identify commercial space for
sale. PATV looks at property options on paper.
March: PATV sends a formal request to the Englert Steering Committee to purchase a space in the
new Englert building.
April: Justine Zimmer of the Englert Group informs PATV that the Englert Steering Committee will
not be selling space in the new Englert building.
PATV scouts properties with representative from Westwinds Management.
May: PATV receives notice from the Evert Conner Rights and Resources Center for Indepedent
Living that they are interested in "coming together to locate a mutual space to consider joint
ownership."
623 S. Dubuque St. Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Phone: 338-7035
Fax: 338-8456 e-rnaih patv@avalon.net web: www. icpatv. org
June continued...
PATV and the Conher Center meet to discuss space needs. The property at 730 S. Dubuque Street is
identified as being a viable option. Both entities tour the property together several times. A contrac-
tor is asked to take a look at the property and give an estimate on assessed renovations to the space
to make it workable for both parties.
PATV sets up Building Account with Hills bank.
PATV meets with its lawyer to discuss property tax exemption options.
PATV and the Conher Center meet with Tim Finer, Vice President at Hills Bank, to talk financing.
PATV Board unanimously approves a motion to make an offer to purchase the Hagan's building at
730 S. Dubuque St. for $290,000.00 with outstanding contingencies (financing from both City and
Hills Bank, rent-to-own lease agreement with the Conher Center, and an appraisal of the building).
This figure was arrived at from a financing plan outlined by Tim Finer, Vice President of Hills Bank.
PATV contacts Westwinds Property Management to make an offer of $275,000.00 on the property
mentioned above, with aforementioned contingencies.
Counter offer is made of $290,500.00 by seller. PATV offers $285,000.00. Offer is accepted.
cc: Steve Arkins
Dale Helling
Drew Shaffer
Andy Matthews
PUBLIC ACCESS
T:ELtSV:I SION
Iowa City~ Iowa
July 5, 2001
TO: Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
Iowa City City Council
FR: Public Access Television, Inc. P-P
RE: Pass-through funding for permanent PATV facility
In response to a memo from Dale Helling dated June 28, 2001, PATV is
submitting this formal request for a letter of commitment of $125,000.00 in pass-
through cable funds for the acquisition of real property at 730 South Dubuque
Street.
The Facility:
Built in 1966, 5600 square feet; 5000 square feet concrete parking area (20 spaces)
Zone is CI-1 - Intensive Commercial; intended use deemed appropriate for this
zone
Roof: awaiting inspection; Heating System: 2000 (lower level); Cooling System:
2000 (lower level); Electrical: awaiting inspection
Improvements made: New heating and cooling system installed in lower level
Improvements to be made: make building ADA compliant, install new tile
flooring/carpeting, repair retaining wall, other improvements subject to
inspection
Division of space: PATV 2800 square feet (lower level), Evert Conner 2800 square
feet (upper level); Evert Conner would be in a lease-to-own arrangement with
PATV; the building would eventually be owned in partnership
ADA accessibility: (included in contractor's estimate)
Property taxes: $6100/year (awaiting a property tax exemption ruling by the City
Attorney)
Assessed at: $179,570.00 (2000)
Appraised at: $310,000.00 (2000); current appraisal forthcoming
Financial Information:
Agreed-upon purchase price of the building: $285,000.00
Moving expenses: $100
Cost of planned improvements, both interior and exterior (based on contractor's
estimate + 10% buffer): $100,000
Anticipated operating costs, including maintenance of building & grounds,
insurance, utilities, etc. for the 1~t year: $62,000.00 (2001 budget: $56,302.00)
Capital reserve: $5,000.00
Revenue:
Bank financing: $270,000.00 at 7.95% over 25 years (see letter of commitment
from Hills Bank)
623 S. Dubuque St. · Iowa City, Iowa 52240 · Phone 338-7035
Fax 338-8456 ° patv@avalon.net · http://www.icpatv.org
PUBUC ACCESS
TtS:LEV I S I
Iowa City, Iowa
Revenue continued:
Pass-through revenue to be used for downpayment, appraisal, closing costs:
$125,000
Revenue from Evert Conher Center as leasees of 2800 square feet: approximately
$1600/month (stipulations for annual cost per square foot, utilities, and taxes
will be included in contract to be negotiated prior to dosing - see attached letter
from Evert Conner)
Estimated grant money/fundraising for building project: PATV Silent Art
Auction fundraiser ($3000); CDBG grant ($7000)
Money from City Agreement to be committed to paying off the mortgage:
$12,000 annually*
*Mortgage payments are estimated at $2,075.00/month (see letter from Hills
Bank dated July 3). Currently PATV pays $1200.00/month. The Conner Center
v~ill commit approximately $1,075.00/month to PATV's mortgage payment;
PATV will commit $1000.00/month to a mortgage payment; net savings from
current rental costs and anticipated mortgage payments figures into capital
reserve
Considerations made regarding this building were cost, location to current PATV
facility, location to the INET, potential re-sale value, long-term tenant
arrangement, and modifications to building to make it workable.
By purchasing this building at this point in time, PATV would convert $61,200.00
from rental payments into equity payments over the life of the current franchise.
PATV needs a letter of commitment from the City by July 20th. Closing date and
ownership transfer is August 15th.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
cc: Steve Atkins
Dale Helling
Drew Shaffer
Andy Matthews
623 S. Dubuque St. · Iowa City, Iowa 52240 · Phone 338-7035
Fax 338-8456 ° patv@avalon.net ° http:Hwww.icpatv.org
1401 8. GliFoe~Btmet
319,338~1277
2001
Public At, tess Television
A{tn; l~,ene Paine
623 S. Dubuque St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
Via fax #338-~56
D~ Reme:
This letter is to co-firm that Hills Bank and Trust Company has approvcd mortgage
~usa,,~8 for PATV te purchase a buildin8 at 730 Dubuque St, Iowa City, Iowa. It is out
undoBranding rh~t the purchase price is a~sproximately $285,000.00. Aaditiona//y, i~, ~s
anvjcipat~ that there will be ~pproxim~tfiy $100,00O.00 in imprav~nents made to the
building, Based upon the gram you are receiving f~m the ci%y of Iowa City in the
srnotmt of $125,000.00 it s,!~peam ~hst you ~,ill need mortgage financing in an amount not
to exceed $270,000.00.
A loan in the of u~ to thc mount of St/0,000.00 h~s been appa~ovea by our bank ~ au
ir;terest rate 0f7.95% fixed for 5 yea with ma amofazat/un not ~o aceed 25 3ream.
Based an a 25-year amortization th~ monthly payment would be $2,075.00. The
payments based on a 20 and 15-y~r araortinfion would bs $2,250.00 and $1,575.00 per
month, resp~tively.
~ approval is subject to a eatiefactory appraisal on ~he W0perty ~nd free and clear title
to the property beinS convey~ to PATV.
Please ca/l mc at 338-1277 if'you should have any questions. We appreciate the
op[o.--'amity to Frorifled mortgage f'mancing to your organlza~on.
Sincerely,
Tim D. Fia~r
Vir, e President
TDFe
· 131 Mllt 8'~'eet, HI,I~ lows .sls~, 319-678-P.a!11 · 1401 8c~jt~ (31r'aer~ 6h%et, ~ ~, I~ 5~, $1 ~1~7
Ju~ ~s O1 e4:aS~ ~ert C~n~er CIL 318 338-8365 ~,i
Evert Conher Rights and Resources
...... Center for Independent Living
20 East Market S~reet, Iowa City, IA 52240 · Voice and TEY: (319) 336-3870
Renee Payne, Director
Public Access Television
623 S. Duhuque Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
June 25, 2001
Dear Ms. Payne;
On behalf of the board of directors at the Evert Conner
Center, I wahl ~o provide information ~o you and your beard
concerning our commit~en~ to purchase space through a rent
~o own agreement w~th PATV. This agreement is contingent
upon PA!V purchasing the property located at 73C South
Dubuque Stree~ in Iowa City.
We have discussed payinU $!,6CC plus a designated amount of
utilities, and property taxes, if appropriate, to PATV cn a
mczth!y basis.
The board has further discussed having our lawyers draw up
contracts at the appropriate time to reflect the desires of
both the Connor Center and PATVs ~oard of Directors.
I~ you nave questions, please do no~ hesitate ~o contact me
at the above address cr phone number.
Sincerely,
THE PENINSUU JUL
N EIG t-ll OKI CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
July 10, 2001
Mayor Ernie Lehman
City Of Iowa City
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Mayor Lehman:
The start of site construction seems a good time to pause, say
thanks, and reflect on the uniqueness of the Peninsula neighborhood.
Three years ago a group of Iowa City planners, elected officials,
and interested citizens came to consensus around an alternative
vision of community development. That vision suggested a new physi-
cal form and a new process: a traditional neighborhood and a highly
interactive, public design charrette. Although the new model flew in
the face of conventional suburban development, the community's
vision is moving steadily toward reality. This is no small feat;
most visionary plans remain just that: brilliant design concepts
that are not built because they're incompatible with regulatory and
market structures.
The Peninsula neighborhood's new approach has faced many obstacles.
This experience is consistent with other New Urbanist developments
around the country. Seeing the project as a pioneering effort, Iowa
City's leaders have wisely taken steps at every stage in the pro-
cess-from the selection of a design consultant, to the redrafting of
its ordinances--to counter the natural tendency for something new to
be ground down by the bureaucratic status quo. It was this special
effort on the part of city staff and elected officials that at-
tracted us to the project. We sensed that you genuinely wanted this
neighborhood to be built as designed. The Stamper team has taken on
your goal as our own, and we've appreciated your dependable and gen-
erous support since we picked up the ball from the city.
The recent city council meeting reminds us again of the many chal-
lenges faced by new and visionary projects. Such undertakings become
large targets in the eyes of the skeptics.
(Continued)
Mayor Ernie Lehman July 10, 2001
Experience provides valuable lessons: One member of our team worked
with the Province of Ontario in the process of developing its 4,000-
acre Cornell development. At various stages of the project, the
Toronto region's powerful homebuilders association threatened to
"shut down the project." Despite the group's protestations, the
Province stayed its course and resisted attempts to water down the
neighborhood's unique design. Years later, when the first streets
reached completion, the tide turned dramatically.
Today almost every new development in Toronto boasts some element of
New Urbanist design. Developers and builders rush to incorporate
such features, not because they're required to do so by government,
but because the customer has seen a new, higher standard of commu-
nity design and is willing to pay for it. Cornell has been the site
of several "street of dreams" home exhibitions. Almost from day one,
houses in the neighborhood have garnered a disproportionate share of
awards from the local chapter of the homebuilders' association.
Meanwhile, the pioneering role government played has been long for-
gotten. Articles in the local press refer to the "master home-
builder's hiring of a visionary New Urbanist planner," when, in
fact, it was the provincial government that hired the planner and
ran the public design process. Provincial staff guided the planning
effort up to the point of securing the zoning changes required for
Cornell to be built as designed. All of these steps were completed
years before the homebuilder came on the scene.
The Cornell example also reminds us of the importance of a local
"demonstration project" in changing the paradigm for development in
a region. It's only when people can walk down a street, see, and
truly feel the difference between that street and one in a compa-
rable suburban development that the prevailing model begins to
change. Although valuable, photos in books and magazines can't begin
to convey the three-dimensional reality of a place.
To sum up, we feel honored to have been given the responsibility of
bringing Iowa City's vision to reality. We knew that the road might
be bumpy; we knew that we couldn't do it entirely on our own. That's
why we appreciate the partnership we've been able to forge with the
city and many local businesses and civic groups. With the increased
public/market interest of the last few weeks, we're more confident
than ever that the Peninsula will be a great success. But most im-
portant, that success will show that a city can take positive, pro-
active steps toward determining its own future.
Sincerely,
Terry L.
Managing Partner
Marian Karr
From: Irvin Pfab [ipfab@avalon.net]
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2001 10:31 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org; Marian Karr
Subject: Welfare Law Heightens Need for Child Care
Visit http://www.womensenews.org to find other stories.
Here's today's update:
Washington Lookout
Welfare Law Heightens Need for Child Care
By Sarah Stewart Taylor - WEnews correspondent
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WOMENSENEWS)--The need for single mothers to find adequate
child care is more urgent than ever, as they may no longer have the option
of subsisting on federal welfare pa3anents. Yet many experts at a recent
conference expressed the view that government has not done enough to make it
possible for single parents to work and care for their families.
At a June conference on research and policy development, experts and
advocates for women and families discussed several major steps required to
permit low-wage mothers end their reliance on government assistance:
increasing child-care subsidies and making them widely available; providing
child care for night shifts and weekends, when many low-income women work;
and subsidizing mothers on assistance with the equivalent of child-care fees
to permit them to stay home and care for their own children.
This latter suggestion grows out of the concern that U.S. mothers are
getting two very different messages. Many middle class women are urged not
to pursue a career while their children are small--because their presence is
so vital to their children's well-being. At the same time, however, the care
needs of the children of single mothers receiving government assistance
often go unmentioned as these parents are urged--again by experts and public
policy commentators--to find any paid work, regardless of the amount of
income it would produce and even if they have to cobble together child-care
arrangements.
The discussion of these conflicting messages and pragmatic needs of working
parents was one of the highlights of the Women's Policy Research Conference
held here.
Martha Burk, chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations, sounded
the opening bell for the child-care discussions.
"If there were more women in Congress, votes would be different," Burk said.
"If men took equal responsibility for child care, there would be day care in
Congress."
Men Can Leave Early to Pick Up a Car, Women Faulted for Picking Up a Kid
Burk added that the need for child care often is part of the double standard
women experience in their professional lives.
"When men have to leave work early to pick up a car at the garage, everyone
commiserates about how cars are always breaking down," Burk said. "But when
women have to leave to pick up children at day care, everyone thinks she's
flighty and can't do it all."
Scholars focused on reliable child care as an essential component in making
it possible for low-wage women to end their reliance on government
subsidies.
All working parents of pre-elementary school children need child care;
however, single parents who once could rely on government assistance when
child care was not available may no longer be eligible because of time
limits built into the 1996 welfare law.
Rachel Schumacher, researcher at the Center for Law and Social Policy, said
that many families eligible for child-care subsidies under the welfare
system are not receiving them, mostly because they are not aware the
programs are available. Additionally, Schumacher said, one-third of all
women who live in poverty say they're not working outside the home because
of child-care concerns. Problems include a shortage of quality day care
centers, a lack of care for infants and the difficulty of finding child care
during evening and weekend shifts.
Elizabeth Bartle, a sociology professor at California State University at
Northridge, said she had interviewed low-income women who had reported
problems with state child-care vouchers. She quoted one woman in a focus
group as saying that the state had suddenly stopped paying child-care
providers who accepted the vouchers.
"You don't want to leave your child if you can't pay the person," the woman
in the group told Bartle. Whatever the specific circumstances behind the
mother's statement, Bartle believed it reflected the worries of many
low-wage mothers.
"There are sO many issues in just getting children to day care," Battle
said, and ensuring the providers are paid creates so many other problems
that "people barely have time to be worried about quality."
Lack of Child Care a Bigger Problem for Low-Wage Women
While conference participants emphasized that the lack of appropriate child
care is a problem that cuts across class and socioeconomic boundaries, Jill
Weigt of the Center for the Study of Women in Society said it's dangerous to
assume that the problems of the low-wage mothers are the problems of all
It's much harder to find day care if the only jobs available are low-paying,
she said, adding that families receiving welfare have to work out child-care
arrangements under the watchful eyes of social workers. In a study of women
who had left the Temporary Aid to Needy Families or food stamp programs for
work, Weigt said, most of the women worked in the low-wage seotor of the
economy and "very few had simple, uncomplicated child care."
Barbara Ferguson Kamara, director of the District of COlU~Dia'S office of
early childhood development, said that her program has addressed the supply
side of the child-care equation by encouraging women leaving welfare to
obtain a child-care provider license and open their own child-care centers.
She said also thatshe has actively pursued corporate partnerships in order
to involve employers in the child-care debate.
"Once you start getting people to the table," she said, "you can explain to
them that the child-care subsidies aren't enough .... Child care is the
Paying Women to Stay Home to Care for Children Stirs Controversy
One panel focused on whether women should receive benefits to stay home for
the first three years of a child's life, as they are encouraged and able to
the University of Maryland and American University, objected, saying that
paying women to stay at home would erase much of the progress of the women's
movement and make it seem that women are not capable of working at
"interesting jobs."
Some members of the audience disagreed, saying studies on the importance of
parental involvement during the first three years of life should impel
policy-makers to promote stay-at-home subsidies for those who want them.
And some participants talked about double standards in a culture that tells
middle-class and upper-middle-class women they should stay home with their
children, but denies that option to women receiving assistance. Montana has
started paying women leaving welfare the going rate for child care for
staying home with their own children, something that could be tried in other
states, participants said.
German policy-makers drew appreciative murmurs and envious sighs when they
described that country's extensive system of maternity leave, job security
and other policies designed to support parents and families.
"Child care is a challenge for our entire society," said Marlene Rupprecht,
a member of the German Bundestag~ or parliament, through an interpreter.
Rupprecht detailed her nation's system of publicly funded kindergartens for
all children between the ages of 3 and 6.
But during another discussion, Elisabeth Vogelheim, a former member of the
executive board of the Public Services and Transport Workers' gnion of
Germany, said that despite Germany's support for working mothers, women
haven't made it into middle and upper management in corporations. They still
suffer because they still take on the primary responsibility for child
rearing, she said.
"Even in Germany," she said, "it's hard to reconcile child and career."
Sarah Stewart Taylor is a free-lance writer in Washington, D.C.
Related Women's Enews article:
Sweden Sounds Like Eden for Working Parents:
http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/532/
For more information, visit:
Institute for Women's Policy Research: - http://www.iwpr.org/
Children's Defense Fund: - http://www.childrensdefense.org/
Center for Law and Social Policy: - http://www.clasp.org/
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies:
http://www.naccrra.net/
Copyright 2001 Women's Enews. The information contained in this
Women's Enews report may--with the prior written authorization of
Women's Enews--be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise
distributed. To obtain permission, reply to this email and provide
the publication or broadcast date and the name of the newspaper,
magazine, radio or television station, cable network, Web site,
newsletter or list serve where it will be replicated. Please
include the approximate size of the audience you intend to reach.
3
Iowa Wetlands in Need
c/o 1220 Sheridan Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240
July 10, 200l
Iowa City City Council
Civic Center
Iowa City, IA
Dear Council Members,
On behalf of Environmental Advocates and Iowa Wetlands in Need (IWIN), I am writing to ask the
City Council to act to prevent a rollback of wetlands protection in our city. As you likely know, based
on the first assistant city attorney' s memorandum of July 9, 2001, the United States Supreme Cou~t
decision known as SWAANC removes protective status for isolated wetlands (those not connected to a
navigable surface water). This decision means that isolated wetlands in Iowa City originally targeted
for conservation when the Sensitive Areas Ordinance (SA0) was adopted no longer have protection.
Three weft ands in our city, including those on city property, already have lost their protected status
since SWAANC:
Braverman/Kennedy, S. Gilbert and Southgate, 1.12 acres
Aviation Commercial Park, 2.4 acres
First phase of Captain Irish Parkway, 0. 1 acres
Isolated weft ands provide flood abatement, enhanced water quality, and wildlife and fish habitat.
We ask that you act to prevent a rollback from the community's original expectations of the SAO and
restore, at a minimum, the level of protection Iowa City wetlands had before the SWAANC decision.
It seems this would best be accomplished by a revision to Iowa City's SAO so that the definition of
wetland/weftand areas does not simply refer to the Army Corps of Engineers' definition of
jurisdictional wetlands.
Governments in other states already have taken action to prevent isolated wetlands destruction since
SWAANC. For example, in May, Wisconsin' s governor signed a new law that regulates isolated
weftands, and, in April, Ohio's governor signed an emergency order. Environmental Advocates and
IWIN are working to see if Iowa, as a state, can follow the lead of these states. Meanwhile, we see a
viable opportunity here for you to adopt measures to protect isolated wetlands in our community.
Groups such as the Iowa Valley Resource and Conservation Board support our efforts.
We realize this is a complicated issue but we strongly feel it deserves your attention and discussion. If
any council members have any questions, 1WIN leaders (including wetlands specialists) would
welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Becky Soglin
IV/IN Co-Leader
Environmental Advocates Vice-Chair
319/351-6410
Attachments
NEWS RELEASE RE OHIO'S EMERGENCY ORDER TO
PROTECT WETLANDS
Ohio EPA
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER
P.O. Box 1049, 122 S. Front St.
Columbus, OH 43216-1049
Tele: (614) 644-2160 Fax: (614) 644-2737
NEWS RELEASE
April 17, 2001
Emergency Rule Creates State Dredge-and-Fill Permit
Projects that impact isolated wetlands in Ohio must first obtain a new state
dredge-and-fill permit, which was authorized today by an executive order of
Governor Bob Taft. The execul~ve order establishes an emergency rule that
will be effective for 90 days.
In January, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal government does
not have authority to regulate wetlands that are not connected or adjacent
to navigable waterways. The court held that, under the Clean Water Act,
Congress intended to leave the regulation of these isolated wetlands to the states.
Since Ohio law contains no stand-alone permit for weft ands impacts, all development
in isolated wetlands in Ohio has been prohibited since January. The emergency rule
addresses this gap in the regulations by creating a state dredge-and-fill permit.
Meanwhile, the Taft administration will work with the General Assembly on legislation
to establish a framework for permanent improvements to the permitting program
for impacts to wetlands and streams. These changes would be implemented through
a formal rule-making process following enactment of legislation. "We need a system that
recognizes the importance of weftands to the environment, while providing applicants with
timely review of their projects and consistent expectations," Governor Taft said.
"We hope to set up a reasonable and predictable wetlands permitting program
as a long-term solution to improving how all wetlands are regulated in
Ohio," said Ohio EPA Director Christopher Jones. Stakeholders will be
involved in the process to update the program rules.
Ohio EPA envisions legislation that enables a level of regulatory review
that corresponds to the quality of the affected water body. In addition, the
state needs a permanent permitting process for isolated waters that is
reasonably consistent with the permitting process for non-isolated waters,
in order to minimize regulatory confusion. Other permanent process
improvements would result in: lessened application requirements for some
projects, a "completeness check" by Ohio EPA on all applications, reduced
review times for all projects, and predictability in approval criteria for
the regulated community while still ensuring a high level of protection for
Ohio's highest quality wetlands and streams.
About 90 percent of Ohio's original wetlands have been destroyed, and it is
estimated that 45 percent of the remaining wetlands in Ohio are isolated.
Many are relatively high quality and benefit the environment by recharging
ground water; removing excess nutrients; retaining contaminants and flood
waters; providing habitats for important and diverse species; and serving as
centers for recreation, education, and research.
NEWS RELEASE RE WISCONSIN' S NEW BILL TO PROTECT
ISOLATED WETLANDS
>Subject: weftands release
>> For Immediate Release - May 7, 2001
>> Contact: Lisa Hull (608) 266-8110
>> Debbie Monterrey-Millett (608) 266-9806
>>
GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL PROTECTING WETLANDS
Wisconsin first state in nation to respond to Supreme Court ruling
MADISON -Gov. Scott McCallurn today signed Special Session Senate Bill I, a measure
that he had sought for the protection of isolated wetlands throughout Wisconsin that were
potentially left unprotected as a result of a ruling earlier this year by the U.S. Supreme
Court.
Wisconsin is the first state in the nation to respond to the January 2001 U.S. Supreme Court
decision, which nan-owed the water and wetland areas subject to federal regulation.
Gov. McCallurn worked closely with state lawmakers to develop consensus legislation on
wetlands protection. Once the bill was finalized, Gov. McCallum called the Legislature into
special session last week to address the measure. Both the Senate and Assembly passed the
bill unanimously.
"I am pleased that lawmakers were able to put their differences aside to pass this very
important bill," Gov. McCallurn said. "This is proof that all sides can work together to do
something great for Wisconsin."
Gov. McCallurn said that the wetlands protection measure has widespread support from the
Department of Natural Resources, environmental groups and the business community.
"Protecting our precious weftands became a priority from the moment the U.S Supreme
Court ruling came down and I said early on that it would be a priority for my
administration," Gov. McCallurn said. "Wisconsin's wetlands are vital for flood control and
for keeping our lakes and rivers clean, as well as for protecting fish and wildlife."
Gov. McCallurn said that the bill he signed today gives the Department of Natural Resources
comprehensive regulatory authority over isolated, intrastate wetlands that are free from
federal regulation as a result of the High Court's ruling.
The measure will allow the DNR to regulate certain types of weftands that are off limits to
the Amy Corps of Engineers. It also sets time lines for processing, approving or denying
water quality certifications for non-federal weftands.
The U.S Supreme Court decision also narrowed the areas and activities the Wisconsin DNR
protects through its water quality certification, potentially leaving vast portions of
Wisconsin's wetlands unprotected from being dredged or filled, including wet meadows,
lorested wetlands, ephemeral pondsand bogs.
)>
>> Debbie Monterrey-Millett
>> Governor's Press Secretary
>> 608-266-9806 (o)
>> 608-770-0248 (cell)
Please see reverse for information re Ohio's emergency order.)
IWIN
Iowa Wetlands in Need
Help restore protection of
many of Iowa's isolated wet/ands
In January, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling eliminated federal and state jurisdiction over
isolated wetlands. These are wetlands not directly connected to a navigable surface water
such as a lake or river. However, isolated wetlands provide critical fish and
wildlife habitat, flood abatement and enhanced water quality.
As a result of the ruling, many of Iowa's isolated wetlands suddenly are
vulnerable to commercial, industrial and residential development activity. The ruling does
not affect wetlands that remain in agricultural use. However, isolated wetlands on
agricultural land that is sold and developed for non-agricultural uses are at risk.
If you have ever traveled to the prairie pothole region of north-central Iowa, if you have ever
stood on the marshy carpet of an Iowa fen, then you have been introduced to the type of
weftand that no longer has federal or state protection.
And since the decision, many isolated weftands previously identified by the Army Corps of
Engineers as protected by the Clean Water Act already have been filled in, and no mitigation
(substitution for loss) was required.
According to the Executive Summary of the Iowa Wetlands and Ripman Areas Conservation
Plan, 89 to 95 percent of our state's original wetlands have been lost over the past 150 years.
Clearly, Iowa cannot afford to lose more of its isolated wetlands.
In April, the governor of Ohio issued an emergency order to regulate Ohio's isolated
weftands. In early May, the governor of Wisconsin signed into law a bill that allows the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to regulate its isolated wetlands. These
achievements came in large part from effective wetlands coalitions that brought together
conservation, environmental, recreation and outdoors groups.
If you or your organization would like to see Iowa follow the lead of these states and adopt
measures or laws to protect our isolated wetlands, please contact Iowa Wetlands in
Need (IWIN). We'll add your name to our mailing list, then we'll get back to you about
our next step in this effort.
IWIN was formed in March in response to the Supreme Court isolated wetlands decision.
Our organization includes weft and scientists, planners and environmental activists. For our
preliminary efforts, we have the endorsement of 1000 Friends of Iowa, Audubon Iowa,
Environmental Advocates, Friends of Lake Macbride, Iowa Native Plant Society, Sierra
Club - Iowa Chapter, Sierra Club - Iowa City Area Group, and more than 10 individuals.
For more information about IWIN and our efforts, please contact a co-leader listed below.
You also can visit the Association of State Weftand Managers for background on the
Supreme Court decision (known as SWANCC) at http://www.aswm.swancc.index.htm
Becky Soglin dulie Tallman
IWIN co-leader IWIN co-leader
319/351-6410 319/338-9185
rsoglin@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu 1644 Morningside Dr.
(personal e-mail account) Iowa City, IA 52245