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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-15 CorrespondenceITEM NO. - SPECIAL PRESENTATION Next'is a special presentation. It is again my pleasure to announce that the City of Iowa City has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This certificate is awarded annually by the Government Finance Officers Association, which is a professional organization with a membership of over 13,500 government finance professionals serving agencies throughout the United States. The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is the highest form of recognition in the field of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Earning the award exemplifies a significant accomplishment by a local government and its management, since only 22 out of 948 Iowa cities received this certificate last year. Even more noteworthy is the fact that this is the 20th consecutive year that the City of Iowa City has received this award. In these times of budgetary constraints, the rest of the City Council and I rely more than ever on accurate financial reporting, budgeting, and financial forecasting on which to base our decisions. This Certificate confirms the diligence of our staff in fulfilling their responsibility to provide accurate financial information to the City Council and the citizens of Iowa City. I thank them for their good work. I would like to present the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the year ended June 30, 2004, to Finance Director Kevin O'Malley, who is here tonight to represent the staff of the Finance Department. City of Iowa City 4a E ORANDUM Date: November 8, 2005 To: City Council and City Manager/ /j . From: Kevin O'Malley, Finance Directo~~ ~ Re: Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Re~orting - Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2004 ~J The City of Iowa City has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2004. A Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is presented by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada to government units and public employer retirement systems whose comprehensive annual financial reports achieve the highest standards in government 'accounting and financial reporting. The City has received the award for each of the past 20 years. This award was achieved through the hard work and diligence of the Accounting Division. indexbc\memos\3-1 kom2.doc City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: November 7, 2005 To: City Clerk and City Council From: John Yapp, Acting JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for November 15, 2005 City Council meeting: Removal of NO PARKING ANY TIME signs in front of 1007 Bloomington Street, and reestablishing the NO PARKING MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY 8 AM-5 PM designation. 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(10), Remove (2) NO PARKING ANY TIME signs with directional arrows in front of the 1007 Bloomington Street property, thereby reestablishing the NO PARKING MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY 8 AM-5 PM designation consistent with the rest of this Bloomington Street frontage. Comment: The NO PARKING ANY TIME designation was established in front of the 1007 Bloomington Street residence at the request of a person with a physical disability, to allow a Johnson County SEATS bus to pick her up in front of her residence. This person no longer lives at 1007 Bloomington Street, and the parking restriction is no longer needed. The area in front of 1007 Bloomington Street will revert back to its previous designation of No Parking Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8 AM-5 PM. Date: November 7, 2005 To: City Clerk From: Anissa Williams, JOOOO Traffic Engineering Planner (,,wv,-, Re: Item for November 15, 2005 City Council meeting: Removal of parking meter in the 500 block of North Clinton Street. Move NO PARKING CORNER TO HERE and NO PARKING 2AM to 6AM TOW AWAY ZONE signs approximately 30 feet north. 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(17) and 9-1-3A(10), remove parking meter CL500N in the 500 block of North Clinton Street. Move NO PARKING CORNER TO HERE and NO PARKING 2AM to 6AM TOW AWAY ZONE signs approximately 30 feet north to where parking meter was removed. Comment: This action is being taken at the request of the First Baptist Church and has been approved by the Director of Parking and Transit. This will remove one parking space in front of a curb drop for persons with disabilities. jccogtp/mem/lstbapt-parking.doc Date: November 8, 2005 To: City Clerk From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for November 15, 2005 City Council meeting: Installation of NO PARKING ANY TIME signs on both sides of Freedom Court 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(10), install NO PARKING ANY TIME signs on both sides of Freedom Court Comment: This was requested by the property owners on Freedom Court. Freedom Court is a street in a commercial subdivision. This action is being taken due to large vehicles parked on the street making it too narrow for emergency vehicles to get through. jccogtp/mem/freedomcou dsigns.doc iT1 Marian Karr ~ From: Geoffrey Lauer [glauer@biausa.org] Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2005 11:57 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Transit Needs Dear Council Members, Thank you for all your effort on behalf of my hometown! Also - PLEASE consider extending bus service to the residents of the Chatham Oaks area. They need not live like second class citizens unless we let them. Thank you! Geoff Geoffrey M. Lauer National Director of Affiliate Relations Brain Injury Association of America 741 Dearborn Street Iowa City, IA 52240 319-621-7078 Phone 202-478-2966 Fax glauer~biausa.~p_~ vvww.biausa.orq 11/1/2005 Marian Karr ~ From: Rod Sullivan [rodsullivan@mchsi.com] Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 1:43 PM To: council@iowa-city.org; steve-atkins@iowa-city.org; ICHA-DESK@iowa-city.org Cc: Mike Sullivan; Sally Stutsman Subject: An opportunity to work together... Dear City Council, City Manager, and Housing Authority: My name is Rod Sullivan, and I am a member of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. I am writing you today because I have a suggestion that I believe would benefit the people of Iowa City and Johnson County. As you know, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors is in the process of acquiring all the property in the block just north of the County Administration Building. (This area is bordered by Clinton, Lafayette, Dubuque, and Benton Streets.) The County plans to build a Health and Human Services Building at this location. The building would house several County Departments: Public Health, Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (MH/DD), General Assistance, and Veteran's Affairs, as well as the Iowa Department of Human Services and Juvenile Court Services. This will eliminate the County's interests in locations at 911 N. Governor, Eastdale Plaza, and 1105 Gilbert Court. Consolidation of all these operations should save taxpayer dollars in the long run; more importantly, it should provide a higher level of service to people who use any of these services. Having spent many years working in human services in this community, I know that people are often forced to travel a great deal in order to conduct business. The new facility should ease this situation somewhat. In keeping with thi~~ idea of "one stop shopping," I would like to see us take this idea one step further, and invite both the Iowa City Housing Authority and JCCOG Human Ser~ice~ Planner to join us in the new building. I think this would be a positive move on several levels: 1. Less "run around" for the public. 2. Greater opportunities for cooperation and collaboration between agencies. 3. It would help alleviate overcrowding at City Hall. 4. It would demonstrate that governments can, in fact, work together. 5. It represents a different way of thinking. Obviously, there would be many details that would need to be worked out: How much larger would the building need to be? Would Iowa City pay anything toward construction, maintenance, or parking? Would Iowa City pay rent? If so, how much? Would Iowa City get involved in the design of the building? Are there trade-offs that might be considered in lieu of rent? I do not have the answers to these questions. Perhaps this idea will not even fly with my fellow Supervisors. I do think we would be remiss not to discuss this proposal at both the City Council and Bo~iilrd of Supervisors levels. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Rod Sullivan Johnson County Board of Supervisors Marian Karr From: Rod Sullivan [rsullivan@co.johnson.ia.us] Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 12:08 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Cc: steve-atkins@iowa-city.org Subject: TIFs Dear Iowa City City Council: My name is Rod Sullivan, and I live at 2326 East Court Street in Iowa City. I am writing you today in my capacity as a member of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. It should be noted that these comments are mine and mine alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the majority of the Board of Supervisors. I am writing in response to the Press Citizen's November 8 coverage of your discussion regarding Legislative priorities. As you might imagine, I read the discussion of TIFs with great interest. TIFs will cost Johnson County government over $2.2 million in FY06, up from $1.9 million in FY05 and $1.7 million in FY04. The fact that Johnson County has not received $5.8 million in tax revenue over the past 3 years should be of great concern to all of us. This $5.8 million would pay for necessary health and human services programs, along with hundreds of additional services. What's more, the County could likely reduce taxes if this money were available. Since fully half of the population of Johnson County resides in Iowa City, this lack of funding has a significant adverse effect on EVERY ONE of your constituents. Iowa City has not, in my opinion, abused TIFs. I think Iowa City's use has been largely responsible, and I applaud you for that. That said, I caution you about increasing your use of TIF. I have volumes of information I would be happy to share that documents many reasons that TIFs are usually unwise. When I hear that protecting TIFs is your top Legislative priority, I fear that means Iowa City is poising to increase the use of TIFs. On a related note, I feel that Iowa City has a responsibility to help Johnson County (and your own constituents) deal with these TIF issues. I believe strongly in the idea that "to those whom much is given, much is expected." Iowa City is lucky. We have much. Iowa City could, and should assist Johnson County in promoting responsible TIF usage. Imagine if you will, a bully who takes another child's lunch money every day. A couple smaller kids are emboldened by this, and they begin taking lunch money, too. The biggest, strongest kid stands by every day, doing nothing. I have three children, and I am trying to raise them to stand up when they see injustice. In the above scenario, Iowa City is the biggest, strongest kid. I am asking my own children to stand up in this situation. I decided I should ask my City Councilors to take the same stand. Johnson County NEEDS your help. To say, "Our city does OK," and leave it at that is not an adequate response to your constituents. Please feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan(~,mchsi.com for further discussion. Thanks. Sincerely, Rod Sullivan eSafe scanned this email for malicious content IMPORTANT: Do not open attachments from unrecognized senders *** 11/8/2005 Marian Karr ~ From: Jeff Davidson Sent: Friday, October 28, 2005 9:26 AM To: 'phswartzy@juno.com' Cc: *City Council; *City Manager's Office; Anissa Williams; Ron Knoche Subject: Intersection of US 6 and Heinz Road Hello Phillip Swartzendruber. Your message below was forwarded to me for response. Next year we have a project scheduled that will reconstruct US Highway 6 between Lakeside Drive and 420th St. Full turn lane separation will be constructed at the Heinz Rd intersection, which will help the issues you have identified. We will also set up the intersection for a traffic signal; that is likely to be installed in the next few years as well. Thanks for your message. Jeff Davidson, Traffic Engineering Planning. ..... Original Message ..... From: Dale Helling Sent: Friday, October 28, 2005 8:03 AM To: Jeff Davidson Cc: Kathryn Johansen Subject: FW: URGENT MESSAGE!!! Dangerous Intersection!!! Please respond w/ a cc. to Council. Thanks. --Dale ..... Original Message ..... From: phswartzy@juno.com [mailto:phswartzy@juno.com] Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 10:04 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: URGENT MESSAGE!!! Dangerous Intersection!!! Council Members, please be advised that the intersection of Heinz Road and Highway 6 is a very dangerous intersection. Many, many times, while waiting to turn at that intersection, cars from both directions, use the turning lanes and passing lanes! This happens constantly! I see it happen more times than I don't see it happen! Please do something before someone gets killed. Philip Swartzendruber, 62 Erobi Lane, Iowa City, 52240, 341-9070. (Modern Manor) 11/2/2005 CITY OF IOWA CITY To: City Council 41o East Washington Street City of Iowa City ~o~,a city, Iowa 52240-1826 (319) 356-5000 410 E. Washington St. (3 t,))3s6-soo,)F^X Iowa City, IA. 52240 ,,,,,,,.~.~go,,.or~; Dear Council Members: The Iowa City Telecommunications Commission (ICTC) is aware the budget process will soon begin for the City. The Commission would like to bring a matter of concern regarding this subject. In 1979 when this Division was first created, the City Council agreed upon a policy that all revenue collected from cable TV subscribers would be used to the benefit of cable TV subscribers. Three years ago the City Council made a decision to break from this longstanding policy and directed that $100,000 of the franchise fee be put into the General Fund to help recoup the funding lost from the State. The ICTC respectfully requests the return of these funds to the Division so as to keep in agreement with the policy originally established by the Council. The Division is an Enterprise Fund. It is our understanding that this is the only Enterprise Fund from which revenue has been reallocated to the General Fund. Moreover, the cut represents a substantial. " percentage of the division's budget. The loss of this funding has hurt the ' Division in a number of ways. Equipment has not been purchased and staffing has had to be cut back as a result. Raises to part time staff to keep up with inflation and to be competitive have been put on hold. The Commission hopes the Council will reconsider this matter and return funding to the Cable TV Division. Please feel free to contact me or Drew Shaffer, Cable TV Administrator (356-5046) if you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further. C) ~ ,'~ Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Saul Mekies, Chairperson ICTC 887-3617 (work), 351-6809 (home) cc: ICrC cc: ICrC Enclosure Cable fees help to fund non-TV items By Jim Butts - The Daily Iowan Published: Thursday, July 14, 2005 Iowa City residents who pay cable bills are buying more than just summer reruns. Thanks to the "franchise fee" listed on the bottom of their bills, they also help pay for evei-ything from road construction to ambulance service. Iowa City spends $100,000 every year from residents' cable bills on services that have nothing to do with cable TV, a fact not likely to change as the city renews its cable agreement. The fee, listed'on all cable users' bills, amounts to a tax that specifically targets cable TV watchers, city officials say. "The folks who are paying for cable are subsidizing the general services for those who don't pay cable fees," said City Manager Steve Atkins. City budget analyst Debbie Mansfield said no other city "enterprise funds" - areas of the city that pay for themselves - give money to the city's general fund without a reason. In other words, when city residents pay their water bill, they actually pay for water-related services. That is not the case with the $100,000 the city takes from cable bills. "There is no formUla. There is no rationale," she said. "It Was strictly a budget-funding measure." In early July, the Iowa City City Council initially approved extending the city's cable agreement with Mediacom despite objections from some city councilors over a lack of channels in the basic-cable package. The council is set to vote again on the cable contract on July 19. That agreement with Mediacom dictates that the city receive a franchise fee, listed on all cable users' bills, in exchange for letting Mediacom provide service. The city receives up to approximately $650,000 from those fees, the majority of which is used for the area's numerous public-access channels and other cable-related services. But in 2003, with the city's budget in crisis because of a cut in state funding, c~_ncdors:~ decided to take $100,000, or around 15 percent of the franchise fee, for genera~ice~ While Atkins admitted the $100,000 fee is unfair, he said it is unlikely to repeaT0ar'~C3 *"~ because the city's budget is so tight. ~ N~-5_~ :~ City Councilor Regenia Bailey, who has voted against renewing the city's cont~ith~. Mediacom, said on Wednesday that Iowa City consumers are unhappy with th¢~ cablec:~ services. At a past council meeting, she cited a poll that found close to half of the cable subscribers were dissatisfied with their service. "If people were delighted with the services they were getting with their fees, this would be all right, but they're not," she said.. Besides advocating for more channels for basic-cable service, she didn't know if the council will change the $100,000 subsidy. "It's worth examining when the budget comes up this year," Bailey said. E-mail DI reporter Jim Butts at: j ames-butts~uiowa.edu Marian Karr From: Mark Patton [markpatton@ivhfh.org] Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 10:18 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Cc: Mark Patton Subject: Habitat for Humanity Dear Council Members, Thank you for taking the time to hear our concerns at the Public Speak portion of the Council meeting last evening. And thank you for putting our concern on an upcoming work session agenda. In a previous e-mail to you I wrote briefly about the Land Trust concept. The Land Trust is a viable and reliable way to assure long-term affordability. We feel it works well for those in the 60%-80% of area median income bracket who more easily qualify for conventional financing than our target audience; our target audience are folks earning between 25%-50% of area median income who have less discretionary income currently, less likelihood of increasing personal income any time soon, and less ability to secure conventional financing. For the lower income families we serve, we provide financial counseling for our families to help assure their success. We have had no families default in the 11 years we have been building. Last year the cost to our families to purchase a home averaged $94,000; we have them pay their mortgage back with no interest over a term which fits their individual ability to repay. Adjustments to the term can be made if they experience a serious illness or loss of income. We look forward to visiting more about CDBG funding soon. Thank you for your understanding and willingness to work together. Peace, Mark Patton 11/2/2005 Marian Karr ~ From: Jim & Shirley Knapp [jsknapp@mchsi.com] Sent: Friday, November 04, 2005 2:45 PM To: opinion@press-citizen.com Cc: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Open Letter to the Purveyors of Public Power To the editor of the Iowa City Press Citizen and the City Council of Iowa City This is in response to the letter I received from this group pushing Public Power. I also attached my spiel on the City Council and their ineptitude in past boondoggles. Would the blind copy recipients please forward these documents to everyone on your email list. These people are not playing with a full deck and they are dealing off the bottom. Higher taxes and utility bills are the only possible result of Public Power. Question their motives and hold them to it. Jim Knapp 528 Rundell St. Iowa City, IA 52240 *** eSafe scanned this email for malicious content *** *** IMPORTANT: Do not open attachments from unrecognized senders *** 11/4/2005 Open Letter to the Purveyors of Public Power. Know this it will give you the time to repent and erase the black deeds you are pushing: This is what I think and I am not alone. A yes vote that would put the question under the Iowa City Council's control and that is analogous to putting a child in a crib with live hand grenades. Furthermore you are misleading the public by saying a "No" vote ends any chance of public power for Iowa City. It does most assuredly not and you are misleading the public by saying so. You use this to scare people. The study can be done at anytime the council so chooses and then given the results of the study to the "real public" not some Idiots, some Liars and some Misrepresenters. Your very statement misrepresents the question, if the council indicates this then they are liars and if you think anyone with a modicum of intelligence believes you God help you, you are idiots. In order to show true respect for your organization I would prefer to say that the gullible are being mislead for whatever purpose the leaders have. I suspect in some cases burned out brains, senility, greed, financial gain and so forth. Look before you leap. Examine the qualifications of your supporters and protagonists and know that some are less than the sharpest knives in the drawer. Does anyone in that group have any eyes set on being at the head of or close to the top of the Public Power Group? Their motives are also suspect. If you think you can guarantee your Vote "YES" for the following as you state: ]. Lower Rates 2. A Stronger Local Tax Base 3. Local Control 4. Reliability, .5. Renewable Energy 6. Conversation Then I suggest you get the insurance and performance bonds and take out a huge Errors of Omission policy because you have put your names to this the document and can be held liable. Power to the people to decide their fate does not come from the City Council it comes from God the Holy, Trinity in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May shame be brought on any of you that does not know that and will not see what the wolves in sheep's clothing are setting the people up to practice their deceit. Then double shame on those of you that already know that and are acting like false prophets for you are guilty of lying. What is your price? Thirty pieces of silver. You have already sold out to the enemy. Jim Knapp 528 Rundell St. Iowa City, IA 52240 319 354 2443 Through The Looking Glass An electronic newsletter to provide for an informed public by bringing to light the local issues that effect our lives. James C. Knapp - Publisher Volume I Issue 1 askjimknapp~,mchsi.com Copyright - August 7, 2005 uotations of the Week "Yes there will be p~king for the libra~." Emie Leman in a Joint Meeting with the Libra~ Board "Yes there will be new go~h in the spring." Chauncey Gardner in Being ~ere 1979 Editor's Comments Re.qardinR Why We Do Not Want Public Power The main objective of this newsletter is to create a more enlightened community and thereby enable the members to know what political paths they are being led down and the potential snares awaiting them on that journey. The quotation may not seem appropriate but please bear with my explanation and justification for stopping the folly of turning anything over to the control of the City of Iowa City. TODAY WE LOOK AT OTHER VENTURES BY IOWA CITY 1) Nothing the City of Iowa City has done for the past umpteen years has been done with the slightest of altruistic motives, but rather to extend, expand and allow the present administration to take advantage of a City Council that has no idea what it is doing. Sadly enough, if they do know what they have been doing they are setting themselves up for a lawsuit and they cannot plead ignorance as a defense even though it may in their case be. 2) I refer to a long list of boondoggles dating back so many years you would have to check the Archives at the Public Library. That is assuming you can find a parking place, do not have several children in tow or are bound to a wheel chair and want to travel through a building that will be managed by a ba'nk robber. a) Turning down federal assistance on building the sewage treatment plan in the 1960s. b) Locating the water treatment plant in the wrong place because Karin Franklin wanted a bike path and lied to the city regarding the placement of locating the several wells which cost us (taxpayers and water & sewer customers) millions. c) Urban renewal which is three for three in strikeouts. First came the Holiday Inn Hotel which failed miserably and was taken over by the present owners and still losing money after all kinds of tax breaks and being bought at only half the original cost. Then along came Old Capitol Mall which failed miserably and went on the market 2 years ago at 50 cents on the dollar. It is recovering but at the cost of allowing the University to take over a substantial portion of the building. This was illegal according to the original Urban Renewal University / Iowa City R14 plan but your council under the direction of Steven Atkins changed the clause that read that "the U of I could not occupy any space in the plan area below the third floor of the building." Funny how things happen and the City Attorney should be working for the people of Iowa City not keeping the Council and some of the other city personnel out of trouble. Thirdly, Plaza Centre One would appear to be the exception but note that the U of I has taken over two floors and it also was doomed to fail without the U of I coming to the rescue. d) Then comes the worst travesty of all and you will have to buy my book to know all the dirty deals that were used to accomplish it. I speak of Plaza Towers and all the money given to Marc Moen, the secret meetings in violation of Iowa's Open Meetings Laws and the fact that there were several people that had conflicts of interest sitting on the council that were not recused from voting even with substantial conflicts of interest. What they did was saddle the taxpayers with an unconscionable debt of over $10,000,000 to be paid out of your taxes over the next 25 years. 3. There were others costly projects that need mentioning. Not under the (dis)guise of Urban Renewal but rather "economic development." I will remind you of a few. a) Then along came fast talking Terry Stamper and our Urban Planning Department. The Peninsula which has failed for two years and even with all the breaks it still remains basically undeveloped and Terry Stamper's group was allowed by our council to stay in control. It just shows what power and money will accomplish. Ernie is on record patting himself on the back in one meeting and then ruing the day when Stamper drove the old Peninsula down. The trip down Primrose Lane was at the behest of the Iowa City Urban Planning Department. b) Lest we forget our wonderful new library paid for by taxes and isolated because of the endowments bestowed upon Plaza Towers. By the way, the day they officially decided to announce the recommendation for the Moen Group to be the preferred developer they had a Hem and Haw meeting with the library board and the council. The council already knew what they were doing (they had it in their packets) but they pretended they were being open and honest just to appease the library board. Even though Susan Craig already knew what was happening as she had the information in her hands at the time. And Ernie Lehman played the role of Kindly Old Mayor to the hilt. That is the reason for the lead in quote. I think it went something like this, "Let's see what are you here for? Oh yes library parking, (pause) then "Where is Joe Fowler? I saw him somewhere." The meeting ended on an air of hope "Yes there will be parking." This reminds me of Chauncey Gardiner when he said, "There will be new growth in the spring." c) Sometime ask me how the Iowa City Community School Board blew $5,000,000. Better yet ask them. 4. So what makes anyone think that the City of Iowa City can handle the responsibility of Public Power when they have had a track record of blowing millions at every turn for years and no one on the council or on the election ticket for November has a clue about running public power? Here are a few questions regarding your logic. a) Do you know where the money will come from to purchase Mid America's property? Answer: Bonds which will require a levy and have to be retired and that will raise taxes. b) Did you know that Mid America is the second largest taxpayer in Iowa City? Answer: If you say yes then please tell me how taking them out of the private sector will ever in any way replace the revenue from those taxes. c) Where will the source of the electricity for the public power come from purchased? Answer: It will come from the same sources as Mid America presently purchases it. d) Will that be at a lower price? No! Why? Because ICPP is misinforming the public, e) Why would Iowa City want to run a public power electrical distribution system? Answer: Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Giving the City Manager more control and therein by securing his position more. This would be the bes~xampl~ the Peter Principle since hiring and promoting some of the present city staff. ~ IF IOWA CITY VOTES FOR PUBLIC POWER THE COST THE FIXED INCOME, THE POOR & THE ELDERLY. VOTE c~ 2 Marian Karr From: Jim Clayton [jimclayto@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 10:08 AM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Press Citizen Interview Peter Nathan Please direct a copy of this to council. Thanks, Jim Clayton Sunday, November 6, 2005 Many bar ordinance concerns unrealistic Not passing law 'irresponsible' By Jacob Maxson For the Press-Citizen This week's Q&A is with Peter Nathan, a professor in the Depart-ment of Community and Behav-ioral Health at the Univer-sity of Iowa ....... AI)VER I I Sl::;i. 4 I::.N I Q: If the 21-and-older ordinance is passed in Iowa City, do you think underage drinking would be substantially reduced? A: Yes, I do think that if the 21-and-above ordinance is passed, underage drinking, including binge drinking, would be substantially reduced. I base this opinion on my reading of a great deal of scientific data, gathered over three decades and more, that say that reducing access to alcohol by underage drinkers reduces their alcohol consumption. Making it more difficult for underage drinkers to enter Iowa City's bars would reduce their access to alcohol. And that would make it a more difficult for them to drink. While passing this ordinance might cause a modest increase in house parties and other places serving alcohol illegally to underage drinkers, I don't think the increase of parties would be great. After all, house parties are difficult to organize; the host must purchase alcohol and run the risk of being arrested for serving underage drinkers and they are more difficult to visit than a downtown bar. So I don't think they will become the problem many people opposed to passing the 21-and-above ordinance predict they will. I think passing the 21-and-above ordinance would reduce alcohol consumption and binge drinking by underage drinkers by 25 percent to 30 percent overall, even taking into account the change in house parties that might happen. Reducing underage binge drinking will also reduce the negative consequences of the drinking by at least an equal amount. The result? Fewer of Iowa City's young women will suffer the horrendous trauma of rape and physical violence, fewer of our sons and daughters will lose their licenses, mobility or lives because of drunken driving, and fewer high school and UI students will have to drop out because of binge drinking's effects on their studies. Q: Do you think it's fair that area bars can be fined and potentially lose their liquor license if underage drinking occurs in their establishments? There is really no way of knowing whether employees served the alcohol or 11/8/2005 Page 2 of 2 whether friends of the underage drinkers bought it for them. The latter being the case, there is very little a bar can do to prevent this from happening. A: It may not be fair, but since the law says underage drinking is illegal, the bars have a legal obligation to do everything they can to reduce underage drinking on their premises. Since the bars in virtually every other city and town in the U.S. have the same responsibilities, I assume that Iowa City's bars would want to do the same thing. In fact, I think that our bars could do a more effective job than they now do, especially if they did not have to worry about drinking by their underage patrons. If those underage persons could not enter the bars and taverns of Iowa City, the self-policing enforcement problem would simply not be as great as we are told it now is. Q: Some think the ordinance would be detrimental to the survival of several downtown bars, saying that minors account for a significant amount of their earnings. Do you think the ordinance would create a negative economic effect? A: I do think that passing the 21-and-above ordinance would have a negative economic impact on Iowa City. I also think that justifying continuing to let underage drinkers into the bars of Iowa City because stopping it would cause an economic problem for the city is not a good justification. Maintaining the city's financial stability on the backs of its underage drinkers doesn't seem to me to represent sound public policy. I think more than just a few bars would have to go out of business if they could no longer serve underage drinkers. In fact, as many as a third of Iowa City's drinking establishments would probably have to close down. While that would certainly represent a short-term economic problem for Iowa City, its long-term impact would be much more positive. I think it would lead to a more diversified business community in downtown Iowa City, as well as a more attractive weekend/evening environment for Iowa City's adult citizens. Q: Do you think underage drinkers are more likely to binge drink at a bar than they are at a house party? A: No, I don't think there is much difference in the alcohol consumed at house parties and (at) bars. If anything, because access to alcohol is a good deal easier in bars than at house parties, there may be a bit more drinking overall at the bars than at the house parties. Q: Is the city council likely to pass the 21-and-older or will it remain 19-and-older like it is now? A: I don't think the ordinance will be passed. I don't think a majority of city counselors want to risk the financial consequences to the city of doing so. I also think a majority think the underage drinking in Iowa City is "normal" for college towns: It is not. It is much more than is "normal" elsewhere. For what it's worth, I think not passing the ordinance is very irresponsible. I also think it will be tragic for the underage drinkers of Iowa City, including both our own sons and daughters and the university students. Jim Clayton 319-330-3561 (cell) 11/8/2005 Marian Karr From: Dale Helling Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 8:21 AM To: 'Sherry Dennis' Cc: *City Council Subject: RE: Dear Mr. Dennis: The City Council has no jurisdiction over such matters nor do they recommend or endorse specific attorneys. You may wish to contact the County Attorney or the Clerk of Court in the county in which this record exists. They may be able to better advise you on how to proceed. Sincerely, Dale Helling, Assistant City Manager From: Sherry Dennis [mailto:sdennis15@msn.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 1:03 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Dear Sir, I am writing to find out about getting a expungment on something that happen ? year's ago in Iowa It was a domestic issue o~ maybe you can refer' me to a attorney that can do this I find this is preventing me from gaining employment if my records were cleaned then I can land employment easier please contact me so we can talk about this issue I have all the court papers sincerely Jeff Dennis 11/8/2005 Marian Karr From: Adam Zarifis [azarifis1830@mchsi.com] Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 8:54 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: jail overcrowding Hello, My name is Adam Zaifis. My partner Sam Somma and I have been doing a project on the jail overcrowding for school. We would like to bring to your attention that the jail was originally made to hold 46 inmates in 46 cell. when thoughts filled up they doubled the the people per cell. Now it can hold 92 inmates. Even with this it is still overcrowd. The population of the jail has over tripled in the last 20 years. The Overcrowding study committee project that by 2019 the jail will need to hold 255 inmates. Some options would be expand the current jail that is difficult because there is not much room to. They could build a separate minimum security facility to hold less dangerous prisoners. Finally building a new jail would be the most reasonable. It would cost the most money but it would solve the problem. Thank you for your time, Adam Zarifis Marian Karr ~ From: Terry J. Hokanson [Terry-Hokanson@verizon.net] Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2005 10:55 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Your Roll in Solving the Gas Pump Pinch. Mayor Ernest W. Lehman: I'm "Terry J. Hokanson," and I have an excellent short term fix for our long term energy problem. Although my energy saving designs span several categories, such as drastically reducing home heating and cooling bills, perhaps your office would be most interested in city powerplants that yield three times the amount of energy output to fuel input, compared to the most efficient powerplants built today. In other words, besides the list of other obvious benefits, electrically produced hydrogen automotive fuel would suddenly become extremely competitive with gasoline. In order to build a small, several kilowatt working prototype, I simply need access to a small machine shop and several thousand dollars in materials. Perhaps someone in your community would like to provide this for a share of the profits. About My Criminal History Well over twenty years ago, the folks running the professional copyright and patent theft ring I live under informed me that they drugged me up and made incriminating movies of me which, although they've repeatedly threatened to, they never actually got around to arresting me and producing this so-called evidence in court. Instead, they've been threatening to maim and/or kill me, in between whispering incriminating buzzwords in my ear, along with that long list of demonic incantations designed to separate a fool and his money. To complicate matters, about ten years ago, I attempted to expose the long list of extortion and murder mechanisms, I've experienced over the years, by writing a three hundred fifty page book on the subject, but I kept sounding like that former CIA head who was forced to reveal the reason he couldn't give the Congressional probe meaningful answers is because the government erased his memory of the events in question. Of course, the fact that the government denies my access to any and all records and files kept on me makes it extremely difficult to sell my life story to the movie industry without finding that the whole idea behind this hypnotic whisper campaign is to force me to 'admit guilt by denial' while in fact the folks running this fraud scheme are patiently waiting to club me over the head with a whole new set of dizzying charges, that take many years to mentally acclimate to, about the time the police handcuff me and haul me away for the so-called legal trial I've been asking for. So far, since I can't get a proper handle on my life story, I've been forced to market a very black comedy, based on an unbelievably corrupt government that relies heavily on hypnosis to run a fraud scheme resembling a Soylent Green factory, reminiscent of those LSD experiments rumored to have been conducted on unsuspecting US citizens and swept under the rug by the US Government. Both the FBI and the Florida Polk County Sheriff's Department showed up at my home in response to the personal experiences I related to the movie community in my resumes. While confiscating firearms during one of these house calls, theyboth insisted that I'm nothing more than a mental case who desperately needs to sign my name to a blank government psychological examination contract. Of course, since both the "Baker Act" and the "Patriot Act" gave these police agencies all the power they need to legally strap me down and stick needles in me, and subsequently repeat any level of psychotic mantras whispered in my ear by the folks running the hooded police SWAT team scam over the years, why would they instead attempt to trick me into signing my name to such an extremely dangerous legal contract? Obviously, either I'm as crazy as the police insist, or the FBI and the Polk County Sheriff's Department are involved in committing and/or covering up a very lucrative extortion and murder scam which involves knocking me down by various cloak and dagger methods in order to extract items that I would otherwise copyright and patent, such as my energy saving devices and/or home and office interior designs which, although I've placed a fifty billion dollar patent royalty potential on, the aircraft interior companies and other crooks around town have in the past insisted on paying me Covert US Prison System wages for while sabotaging every step I take to raise my standard of living. About Providing Materials, Workspace and Protection 11/7/2005 Page 2 of 2 First, your friend with the machine shop will know within a few minutes of examining my basic powerplant schematic if my project is even worth investing anything in. Of course, if my plans are worth pursuing, and your friend doesn't enter into this long running conspiracy to dupe me out of my earnings potential, I do expect full patent protection, as well as a wide range of other benefits which not only concern my safety but also relate to the mass production and distribution of my powerplants around the world. On the other hand, if it's suddenly revealed that the mental giants at MIT, General Electric and so forth, have developed the same systems that I've been looking for investors for since the 1990's, I'm also an extremely high end foldout furniture designer.. In other words, if your friend with the machine shop is interested in building home, office and/or aircraft interiors, I have a great deal of experience in these areas. If your friend with the machine shop is interested in building Manufacturing Equipment, based on my designs, in order to run a large assembly plant, I can design and build a number of extremely futuristic movie sets, far superior to those found on any "Star Trek" related TV series, to be used in something vaguely resembling a Home Shopping Network TV series in which everything on the movie set is for sale.. Of course, it would seem to make more sense to manufacture and market a single item than go off the deep end, like I attempted to do when I contacted several thousand members of the movie community with my movie sets and numerous TV series, followed by the FBI and Sheriff's Department showing up at my home. But then, if you've watched the recent Chrysler commercials, involving furniture popping out of the floor, I designed all that stuff back in the 1970's, before the Miami police brought me out behind a billion dollar furniture store chain, cuffed my hands behind my back, leaned my head out of a police car and beat me about the head with a night stick. This means, since this Chrysler commercial thing is obviously one of those many methods used to screw me out the profit loop, in this case by putting my business out on the street for everyone to pick through, in order to back me into a corner and quietly suffocate me and any business plans I have out of existence, we can easily manufacture and sell those items displayed in that Chrysler commercial without any legal problems, until we generate the cash-flow needed to properly develop, manufacture and sell my more impressive designs. But then, perhaps the whole idea is to force me to prove that the 1970's Miami .Police Department entered into a conspiracy with the movie community to plagiarize my work by way of fraudulent police surveillance warrants, incriminating hypnotic puppet shows, professional film editing, and just plain old Mafia racketeering. Did you read the part where the government denies my access to any and all records and files kept on me? In any case, if your friend with the machine shop wants to build relatively simple, small footprint machinery for mass producing a very small product that fits in the hand, back in the 1990's, I was designing the machinery needed to build my "Cool Cap," personal air conditioning invention, when the "Polar Cap" came on the market, followed by those neck coolers. Although the "Polar Cap" was nothing more than a rude joke, blown out of proportion by the slime rolling off the Covert US Prison System's subliminal soft touch machine, I was easily discouraged by not only the negative energy I was experiencing at the time, but also by the fears of what dirty tricks lie ahead. But then, if your friend with the machine shop has a very large "Design and Engineering Department," I could just as easily keep several dozen engineers occupied for quite some time with my long list of products and production machinery designs. For instance, my 'electric motor, million speed transmission, kinetic energy recovery and anti-skid breaks,' all built into each automotive wheel. That is, if I'm paid well and the crew resists their urge to snap me around with hypnosis while playing those undermine and second guess games, as well as those FBI surveillance video blackmail and subsequent Covert US Prison System death row games that seem to be an integral part of office politics where huge sums of cash are involved. Terry J. Hokanson 9440 Bryant Rd Lakeland Florida 33809 11/7/2005 November 5, 2005 To: Steve Atkins, Eleanor Dilkes, Ernie Lehman, Reginia Bailey, Connie Champion, Ross Wilburn, Bob Elliott, Dee Vanderhoef and Mike O'Donnell I call attention to Jay Honohan's guest opinion in Friday's Iowa City Press.Citizen. Is it appropriate for the chairperson of a city commission to use his position to promote his stance on a ballot issue? I do not question his right to express a view as a private citizen. I do object to his using his position to enhance his credibility. I may or may not agree with his premise/arguments, that is a mute point. I disagree with anyone who uses rhetoric designed to alert/alarm me because I am a senior incapable of understanding the Latham Report and/or pro or con arguments. This type of abuse of public "privilege" needs to stop. It demeans the writer, those who continue to reappoint him and certainly the seniors he seeks to influence. Sincerely, June Braverman, Ph.D. 11/11/2005 Dear City Council Member, As many of you know, the ICAAB has continued working diligently throughout the semester in addressing issues concerning underage and excessive drinking. Although we have been very busy with our own businesses and projects, the volunteers serving on the Board have spent a lot of time and energy monitoring the activities of our downtown establishments. We feel that even though PAULA numbers have not decreased significantly, we are beginning to see the direct effect of our efforts, especially concerning excessive drinking. The establishments, most of them, have continued complying with all of the recommendations set forth by the ICAAB well over a year ago. The results yielding less major incidents downtown, safer environments for everyone to enjoy, and the downtown area has continued to remain a thriving, energetic environment for our community. The Summer of the Arts promotion we coordinated this past Summer was a great success and most business owners we spoke with loved the extended shopping hours, some have even stayed open later on a regular basis. Our annual "Safe Community Program" the ICAAB sponsors in coordination with RVAP, was again a great awareness program for students and community members alike. The ICAAB was happy to support and sponsor the efforts for the nOn-alcoholic, Town and Gown event held at the Sheraton a few weeks ago. We have also coordinated several other fundraising and sponsorship efforts that were or we hope will be a continuing trend of the unity and support that creates much of the energy and success we all enjoy in our community. The Iowa City Alcohol Advisory Board and the downtown establishments are proud to play a part in continuing the traditions that set our community apart from others. However, the ICAAB still recognizes that there is much more work to do in addressing the issues concerning underage and excessive drinking in our community. We have continued to analyze and discuss many of the ideas brought forth by Board members, establishment owners and operators, as well as community leaders. In response to many of the recommendations made, the ICAAB has developed a comprehensive plan to further address issues concerning underage and excessive drinking in the Iowa City community. Our comprehensive plan is an imaginative, broad based tool in addressing the alcohol issues that continue to be prevalent with emphasis on three key groups; the Iowa City City Council, the Iowa City Police Department, and the University of Iowa. The ICAAB recognizes that these key groups can reach further than the ICAAB can do itself. We can continue to monitor establishments within our realm, but we are unable to procure the assistance needed from groups such as Stepping Up, MECCA, and the U of Iowa Parents Association. Our focus on reducing underage, and especially excessive drinking in Iowa City will continue, but with thc assistance of these key groups we can certainly extend upon the small success we have had thus far. The ICAAB feels that the City Council's support in these areas will be a necessity to assist in finding a feasible solution to these~sues:~ ©~< < 1) Continuing Communication with the ICAAB The ICAAB has a very good understanding of how establishments should be and are run in our community. We can use this insight to provide the City Council with a necessary and vital point of view when discussing potential ordinances and the effects of these ordinances, not just in the establishments downtown, but on our downtown area as a whole. The City Council should utilize the tools the ICAAB can provide. 2) Consider some Guidelines as Potential Ordinances The guidelines and recommendations set forth by the ICAAB have been fairly successful in raising the awareness level of establishment owners and operators in our community. Most, if not all of the establishments have consistently adhered to many of these guidelines and found that they are useful in their everyday operations. Some of these guidelines could easily be set in place as ordinances, thereby utilizing the power of Iowa City to assist in curbing underage and excessive drinking in our community. a) Consider adding a restriction on outside containers to the current ordinances already in place. b) Explore an ordinance in regards to window advertising of specials in accordance with guidelines set forth by the ICAAB. c) Explore requiring, and making available T.I.P.S. training for owners, operators, and servers in Iowa City establishments. 3) Consider' implementing a Local Beverage Tax or Liquor License Fee By implementing a Local Fee or Tax we could use this fund to assist in the cost of extra policing and enforcement, as well as extra cleaning needed in the downtown area. Another option may be a "Late Night" Fee for businesses open after 11 pm. As you can see, a lot of thought and effort has been put into finding realistic and workable solutions to the alcohol issues in our community. We certainly feel that by working with the ICAAB that Iowa City can take a huge step toward reducing underage and excessive drinking without destroying the energy and liveliness of our downtown. With your support, the ICAAB will find these solutions and take the necessary leaps towards achieving all of our goals. Thank you for your time and feel free to contact us with any questions or comments you may have. Regards, - ' Leah Cohen .~< ICAAB Co-chair ICAAB Co-Chair bflyrmS@yahoo.com tirno5555~.aol.com I CAAB ~ city Alcohol Advisory Board "Promoting a safer, more responsible community" Comprehensive Plan Through all of the efforts and accomplishments that the Iowa City Alcohol Advisory Board has achieved this past year we have, for the first time, truly achieved a sense of unity amongst the establishments in Iowa City. The communication we have received from not only the bars and restaurants, but retailers, community groups and city officials, has been overwhelming. It is the intention of the ICAAB to maintain our diligent efforts and to continue to focus on improving our community. However, it cannot be the sole burden of the ICAAB to monitor and enforce all of the aspects that can be implemented to improve upon the alcohol issues that still overshadow much of the positive energy that' drives our community. The ICAAB will continue to monitor and police the establishments in Iowa City with regards to the guidelines we have set forth, but the spectrum of our reach is limited. Therefore, the ICAAB needs the assistance and support of all the organizations that may reach where we cannot. The guidelines and recommendations set forth by the Iowa City Alcohol Advisory Board have been effective in creating a more conscious, responsible attitude regarding the operation of establishments in our community. By combining the ICAAB's efforts with those of other organizatiOns; such as the City Council, ICPD, University of Iowa, and the Iowa ABD, we can continue to make a positive difference in our community. It is important to note that the ICAAB has also analyzed and discussed many options that we feel will not work in conjunction with the goals of reducing underage and excessive drinking in our community. Ideas presented by other groups, or thought of by ICAAB members have been discussed and found to not be feasible solutions to the reduction of the current alcohol issues that exist. Some of these ideas are zoning, a keg registration ordinance, a 21 and up serving age ordinance, and a 21 and up bar entry age, to name a few. After exploring these, and several other options, the ICAAB has determined that a general, community based effort is needed to have any kind of real, positive effect on these issues. The following is an outline for our comprehensive plan. By directing efforts in enforcement, education, and marketing, with each organization focusing on certain aspects of the issues that need to be addressed, the ICAAB can continue to accomplish the goals we have set for our community. I CAAB ~o~ city Alcohol Advisory Board "Promoting a safer, more responsible community" Comprehensive Outline I. University of Iowa A. Work with the ICAAB to advance educational opportunities regarding the alcohol issues in our community. 1. Work on expanding the Transitions classes now offered by the University to include alcohol related education. 2. Work on including more alcohol education programs during orientation or offer college credit for incoming freshman to attend classes regarding alcohol education. 3. Continue to support the ICAAB in efforts to bring speakers to present to the University of Iowa students and community members. 4. Create a more expansive program for parents of incoming freshman to assist in their efforts regarding responsible alcohol education. B. Create more non-alcohol events that will appeal to students and community members. The ICAAB has determined that the bars are not responsible for creating non-alcohol venues, but should offer support and assistance. C.Public Service Announcements 1. Utilize the influence of the University of Iowa and the influential figures involved with the University to promote responsible, positive messages regarding alcohol in our community. 2. Utilize UI Athletes and Coaches to promote sportsmanship and responsibility with regards to sporting events. (A Take Pride in the U of Iowa ign) campa. CD 3. Using private and public funding to promote th~ campaigns. ~ < '< II. The Iowa City Police Department A. Continue support of compliance checks in Iowa City establishments, cn I CAAB Advisory Board "Promoting a safer, more responsible community" 1. These checks are effective in keeping establishments and servers "on their toes". 2. Consider sending a letter to establishments that pass stings instead of informing them immediately, similar to the State's Cigarette stings. B. Assist the ICAAB in issues arising from "problem bars". 1. Consider doing a profile for a "problem bar". 2. Make these establishments aware of why they would be considered a "problem bar" so as to give them direction in improving their efforts regarding these issues. C. Continue responsible enforcement 0f alcohol related laws. 1. Continue enforcement of PAULA, especially regarding "problem bars". 2. Stricter enforcement for over-serving, providing alcohol to minors, and limitations on quantities sold. 3. Stricter enforcement regarding House Parties and unsupervised alcohol events with regards to bootlegging, providing alcohol to minors, and disorderly house issues. 4. Reconsider the definition of the "within arms reach" in local ordinances. D. Address car towing issues downtown. 1. Too many people drive for fear of having their car towed. Although not the best decision, it creates unsafe conditions for everyone. 2. Increase fine for illegal parking between 3 a.m. - 6 a.m. 3. Address the issue of bar employees that may be cleaning, closing businesses after 2 a.m. with regards to towing cars. 4. Work with the City to create a realistic plan for cars left downtown on certain nights and find a new sol,ion fd~ cars left in the ramp, which is now $14 if left o.~igt~ E. Continue assistance and support of T.I.P.S. training four2> establishments. 1. Consider using monies collected from PAULA__-~m~es ilar T.I.P.S. and educational funding. 2. Continue providing trainers for T.I.P.S. trainiri~ as we2h believe establishments prefer to interact with the ICP~ with regards to alcohol educational training. I C~B Iowa City Alcohol Advisory Board "Promoting a safer, more responsible community" III. City of Iowa City A. Continue communication with the ICAAB in regards to guidelines that we have and will implement. B. Consider some guidelines as potential ordinances. 1. Consider adding a restriction on outside containers to the current ordinances. a. Has been a successful guideline in regards to bar crawls. b. Helps in restricting distribution to minors by of age patrons. 2. Explore an ordinance in regards to window advertising of specials in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the ICAAB. 3. Explore requiring T.I.P.S. training for servers and establishments. a. Consider using monies collected from PAULA fines for training and education. b. Provide opportunities for large scale T.I.P.S. training sessions at least 4 times per year. C. Consider implementing "Late-night Fee" for businesses open after 1 lp.m. 1. This "fee" could be used specifically for businesses in the CB-5 and CB-10 districts open after 11 p.m. 2. This "fee" would be used specifically for funding extra policing and cleaning needed in the downtown area. 11/11/2005 Dear President Skorton, As you may well know the Iowa City Alcohol Advisory Board has continued diligently working throughout the past year toward our efforts to reduce underage and excessive drinking in our community. With many, volunteers working countless hours discussing and addressing these issues, the ICAAB has'formed a comprehensive plan we feel will further the success we have had thus far. We realize that, as a Board, we can have a major impact on excessive and underage drinking within establishments in Iowa City. However, we also realize that there are some areas that we have little reach and require assistance from all facets of our community, especially the University. In our comprehensive plan we have outlined numerous efforts that we feel will have a broader impact on underage and excessive drinking issues in our community than we, as a Board, can have alone. Along with the City Council, the Iowa City Police Department, and the U of Iowa Parents Association, the ICAAB feels that the University faculty and staff can have a tremendous effect on these issues that overshadow the positive image our community tries to create. They key role that the University of Iowa plays in our community is a tremendous part of the identity of Iowa City. We feel that by focusing on three general areas, the U of Iowa can play a major role in effecting some positive change, not only in the students that reside here, but on the community as a whole. These areas are: 1) Education Although we know the curriculum and nature of classes at the University change almost every semester, the ICAAB would like to see a class added for incoming Freshman similar to the Transitions Program, but more focused on issues dealing with alcohol and lifestyles, as well as stressing the importance of not just residing in the community, but becoming part of it. 2) Alcohol-Free Events The ICAAB would like to recommend more University sponsored alcohol-free events. Although we realize that it is hard to coordinate and make these events appealing to students, more alternatives are necessary to improve upon th.~ ~'::'~" balance of the community not associated with the downtown nightlife. ~ ~ ~-~ ICAAB would absolutely attempt to work the University in coordinating ~ advertising these events to not just students, but the entire community. © -< 3) U of Iowa Role Models and Mentors Program ~' "~ We would like to recommend an advertising campaign, utilizing the pop and influence of icons associated with the University of Iowa to promote2t:: responsible behavior and sportsmanship to students and community members. We would be able to use funds the ICAAB has been promised from Mediacom to launch such a campaign. Iowa athletes and coaches would be a great start to a promising, positive campaign which could deliver a strong message to not only Iowa City residents and students, but the entire state of Iowa. The ICAAB will continue to maintain a diligent effort t° address issues concerning excessive and underage drinking in our community. By working with the University we feel that, together, we can have a tremendous impact in improving our city and the image of the University of Iowa and its students. Please feel free to email us any questions or comments you may have. We certainly hope that we can further develop a solid working relationship that can enact some very positive changes for all of us. Thank you. Regards, Bdan Flynn Leah Cohen ICAAB Co-Chair, Secretary ICAAB Co-Chair bflynnS~yahoo.com timo5555~aol.com (319) 530-5394 11/11/2005 Dear Chief Hargadine, We just wanted to thank you for meeting with us this past October. Although we have already discussed much of what we are sending you regarding our comprehensive plan for the ICAAB, we just wanted to make sure you had all the information that we are sending to the City Council and to several leaders from the University as well. We will keep you informed of any progress we will have on some of the issues that we discussed, late-night towing, etc. As always, please feel free to contact either of us with any questions or comments you may have. Once again, thank you for your time and look forward to speaking with you again in the near future. Regards, L~ Brian J. Flynn ICAAB Co-Chair ICAAB Co-Chair bflynn8(~_~yahoo.com timo5555 Gaol.com (319) 530-5394 MICHIGAN STATE October 25, 2005 ~ ~r..'---~--o~"-'~ .... ~ ~_/__/ . . _ ~/,j~ Dear East Lansing Resident: '"-'O,~_~ ~ .-~~~ I wrote to you at the beginning ofthe'~all semester as we all looked forward to a proud and historic Sesquicentennial celebration. Unfortunately, the early excitement and the wonderful events have been tainted by growing frustration among East Lansing residents, as some of you have experienced disruptive alcohol-induced behaviors by young adults in your neighborhoods. Let me assure you that the Michigan State University community--administrators, faculty, staff, and the vast majority of our students--share your frustration and are deeply concerned about these behaviors and their impact. I have expressed these concerns directly to the students. The behaviors demonstrate a lack of civility, a lack of respect for others, and a lack of self-respect. They must be addressed. And they are being addressed. We at MSU have worked hard in recent years with concrete improvement--not public relations--in mind. On an ongoing basis, we are investing heavily in educational programs that emphasize the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption. These programs have become models for other universities. ~"~~'~ This semester alone, we have launched a number of significant initiatives. For example, ~~}'")1~,// MSU staff members have hosted meetings in their homes so that students and longer- ~ term community members can talk and share their perspectives. Student leaders have OFFICE OF visited East Lansing neighborhoods to speak with their peers about the importance of THE PRESIDENT civility. We implemented modified tailgate policies to curtail excessive drinking. Michigan State University 50 Administration Building And only last week, we raised the question of whether the East Lansing bars were East Lansing, Mi promoting drinking games and paraphemalia. We received assurances from Police Chief 48824-1046 517/355-6560 Tom Wibert that such activities violate Michigan law and that East Lansing officers FAX: 517/355-4670 would enforce that law with due diligence. Together, we identified a com~ct~n con{/~rn ' ' 1 with Anheuser-Busch s promot~ona "Bud Pong" game. MSU health edu .~c~cr~,, wS~ their counterparts at other universities, contacted the company--and have recei~assu~<nces the promotional game would be discontinued immediately. ~" ~' ,o ?-r-- IrT] Initiatives such as these will continue, but clearly there is more work to b~e__d~,e. I1~ writing to you today, I commit Team MSU to stepping up the pace in add~C'"s~mg o_u."-r mutual problem, and I ask you to work with us. We have a number of ide~ and ~,e]come yours in return. I encourage you to send your suggestions to me at presmail~ms~u. Team MSU will take the lead in setting up forums that build upon past successes. In future communications, I will talk about specific plans and ideas in more depth. However, we all must recognize that simplistic responses to complex issues will not bring success. Hard work is ahead of us. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity institution. We must face three realities with candor. First, the high-profile, dynamic, Big Ten atmosphere that provides an economic engine for East Lansing and a source of culture and entertainment for our community is also an environment that can stimulate situations that are not what we want. Second, the current composition of the neighborhoods and downtown are the result of decisions made over time about zoning, schools, and business development in East Lansing and the region. The outcome of these decisions, we must admit, is that the character of our neighborhoods and downtown now present an attractive climate for a certain kind of young adult--a small number of MSU students, nonstudents, and a transient group that comes into town to join friends for party events. Third, we are grappling with a widespread national problem. Binge drinking and the resulting behaviors are now epidemic among young adults, both high school and college students, and nonstudents. I thank all of you, our neighbors, for understanding the complexity of the issues facing us, and I particularly thank Chief Wibert for cooperating with MSU police and for his public statement recognizing that this is not only a student issue. I thank all of you who recognize that the university and our students are a vital part of the community and do not generalize the actions of a few to the entire student body. Building on this foundation, I believe we can come together--university, students, and community--and engage in the hard work that will result in a sound, grass-roots strategy to address solutions that can be long lasting. Sincerely, Lou Anna K. Simon, Ph.D. President Perspectives of 7.0Q51 0¥-8 I.'07 Leisure and Play C;[[Y,~",' r ,~,,~_~_ 10/19/05 IOWA crr IOWA To whom this may concern, I hope you guys are happy, and making a lot of money. Which I am sure you are since you doubled the cost of PAULA citations. I'm sure you are making tons of money. Now even the governor is helping you guys ruin college kids social lives since he funding officer's overtime salaries. I just want to know what handing out PAULA tickets does for the city and the state other than earn money. It sounds like a perfect plan to earn revenue for the city and the state in my eyes. You guys go out and target the easiest people you can earn a buck ffonm That being college kids with wealthier parents. Police Lt. Jim Steffen even said this himself, "Because we have nine dedicated officers over two nights to do nothing but enforce PAULA's, then I hope the numbers would be higher." Well Lt. Steffen, you are right to hope numbers would be higher, because the numbers are actually way higher this year compared to last year. In the first weekend of school this year there were 54 citations handed out. In the first weekend of school last year there were only 37 citations handed out. On top of that, citations have been doubled this year thanks to our wonderful city council here in Iowa City. To me that translates into one thing, more money in Iowa City's pocket. They aren't here to serve and protect, they are here to hunt you down in bars and steal your money. Giving these tickets is ruining the college experience here in Iowa City. We used to have one of the best tailgates in the country right here in Iowa City. Now it is hard to even fmd a tailgate spot without being harassed by the police. We go out and buy our beer, and the next thing you know, there are eight to ten cops on bikes pouring out our beer and stealing the tapper's to our kegs. I have a funny story to go along this as well. I was tailgating in Ames Iowa at the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game earlier this year. There were police everywhere, but I noticed something strange. The cops were just standing there minding their own business not hassling anybody. With my curiosity and being 21 as well, I decided to go up to one of the officers and ask him why they weren't writing everybody tickets and he simply replied, "We are here to keep order and prevent fights from breaking out." He also added that they enjoy seeing kids have a good time; all they care about is the safety of everybody around the stadium. If somebody does get out of line they will arrest them right away, but they don't just rain everybody's good time by writing PAULA tickets. The Ames police and Iowa City police sound like polar opposites of each other. One is out to make money and one is out to protect everybody. If you ever notice the writing on cop cars, it says, "To Serve and Protect." That is exactly what the Iowa City police do not do. That is not their main objective, their main objective is to make money and they are very good at what they do. Marian Karr From: Anissa Williams Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 4:34 PM To: 'jg1042@MSN.COM' Cc: *City Council; Kathryn Johansen; Jeff Davidson Subject: Re: POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS AT INTERSECTION OF FRIENDSHIP AND 1ST AVENUE, IOWA CITY Jeff LeMaster, Your email has been forwarded to me for response. Currently there are not any plans to signalize this intersection. We completed a study in 2003 at this intersection. This was evaluated for both an all-way stop and traffic signal. We have specific warrants that are set up by the Federal Highway Administration to dictate whether or not an all way stop or traffic signal is possible. This intersection did not meet the warrants for either an all-way stop or traffic signal at that time. Traffic volumes on Friendship would have to had nearly double in the past two years to meet the warrants currently. There is not a documented safety issue at this intersection. As part of the warrants for traffic signals, collision history is evaluated. There have been 4 collisions at this intersection in the past three and a half years. All are rear-end collisions. Rear end collisions are not correctable by a traffic signal and in fact traffic signals increase the incidence of rear end collisions. Thank you for your request and feel free to contact me if you have further questions. Anissa Williams JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356-5254 From: jeff leMaster [mailto:jglO42@MSN.COH] Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 12:39 AH To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: POTENTIAL FOR ACC][DENTS AT INTERSECTION OF FRTENDSHIP AND 1ST AVENUE, IOWA CITY Are there any plans to place a stop light at the above intersection? Almost every day the volume of traffic, people pulling out in order to get on the main drag (1st Avenue); I've watched numerous incidences of near misses, screeching brakes, people taking chances that are putting them, pedestrians and other motorist at risk. .lust wondering. Thanks .left LeMaster 3329 Shamrock Drive Iowa City, IA 52245-5133 November 2, 2005 Dear Mayor and City Council, I was the individual who was to accept the Hospice Proclamation on behalf of the Iowa City Hospice on the November 1st meeting. Please accept my apology for my absence. Due to illness and a misunderstanding, all my own, no one was notified. I sincerely hope that the City Council knows how appreciative the Iowa . City Hospice organization is for the recognition and that they were in no way responsible for my mistake. Your presenting of the proclamation is a great validation of the work that they do in the Iowa City area. Let me say, again, how embarrassed and sorry I am for my absence. I hope that you will accept my apology. Sincerely, /n Ann Sullivan Hospice Volunteer 11-15-05 Marian Karr From: Kathryn Johansen Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2005 9:09 AM To: 'Scott Flaherty ' Cc: *City Council Subject: RE: Questions about November 1, 2005 meeting Dear Scott: The Iowa City Hospice Proclamation was scheduled for acceptance by Ann Sullivan, a volunteer for the Hospice organization. Unfortunately, due to an emergency, Ann was unable to attend the City Council meeting. Please contact the Iowa City Hospice organization for further information regarding this proclamation. Thank you for writing. Sincerely, Kathi Johansen Administrative Assistant to the City Manager From: Scott Flaherty [mailto:Scott-Flaherty@uiowa.edu] Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 7:16 PM To: cou ncil@iowa-city.org Subject: Questions about November 1, 2005 meeting Dear I was present at your November 1, 2005 City Council Meeting and noticed that the opening proclamation, National Hospice/Palliative Care Month, was not present. I was curious as to where the members were that were supposed to give the proclamation and also who was supposed to give the proclamation. This information will be used for a Journalistic Reporting and Writing class. I would appreciate any and all information regarding this proclamation such as who was to give it, what it was about why it was being given, who it would affect, what other proclamations have been given in the past, and how this proclamation will effect the citizens of Iowa City. If you have any other information that would also be appreciated. Thank you for your help. Scott Flaherty Ss;ott-Flahe rty ~,u iowa. ed u 11/10/2005 Marian Karr From: LDWicklund@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 7:35 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Cc: Jeremy-chen@uiowa.ed u; beppie@avalon.net Subject: Letter of Recommendation to the Iowa City Council To: Iowa City Council From: Arts Iowa City Date: November 9th, 2005 Dear Iowa City Council Members: I have learned that The Moving Crew is requesting temporary use of the bus depot space at 404 College Street for public art workshops and art exhibitions until the space is developed for permanent use. I would like to speak on behalf of The Moving Crew, a group of very active, creative, talented University of Iowa Art Students. The members of The Moving Crew have participated in creating exhibitions at the Arts Iowa City Gallery in the Jefferson Building. These talented artists are highly energetic in promoting arts and involving the public in exhibitions. Their Collage Exhibition last March created an interactive art space and was one of Arts Iowa City's most successful exhibits for the year in terms of getting the public physically involved in art. The Moving Crew created, managed, and advertised their very hands-on, messy, wonderland of interactive art and they literally used every space available including some leaky rooms that Arts Iowa City generally avoids. The gallery was bursting with "hands on" art. At the end of the exhibition all the rooms were cleaned, repainted, and returned to better that before condition. The members of The Moving Crew are very responsible. I recommend that the Iowa City Council allow The Moving Crew to revive the bus depot space as a center for public art workshops and art exhibitions. This would further enliven the downtown area. The depot space would be in good hands and it would be able to serve the cultural interests of Iowa City rather than remaining vacant. I hope you will vote affirmatively to The Moving Crew's request. Sincerely, LaDonna Wicklund Arts Iowa City President *** eSafe scanned this email for malicious content *** *** IHPORTANT: De not open attachments frem unrecegnized senders *** 11/10/2005 Marian Karr From: Beppie [Beppie@avalon.net] Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 8:29 AM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Agenda for Nov. 15 council meeting...use of old bus depot ~Dear Members of the Iowa City city council, I would like to support the request being presented to you tonight from the "The Moving Crew". They are asking you to let them use the old bus depot as a home for their art organization until the space is renovated and leased. They will describe in detail how they envision using it, so rather than parrot their presentation, I will confine my remarks to the reasons you should let them use the space. There is little doubt that everyone would say the old depot is an eye sore. The Moving Crew could transform that corner. During their "Collage" show at Arts Iowa City, they transformed spaces far more disgusting than the depot into artistic wonderlands. They were able to draw people off the street into their activities. The proximity to the rec center is good for involving the community in art related activities. They are an energetic enthusiastic group of U of I students who should be supported by council. Visual arts and artists bring richness to a community, and anything that you can do to assist in this effort are good and worthy acts. Thank you, Beppie Weiss November 14, 2005 To the Mayor and Council Members: Defeat of the public power referundum should remind the City Council that its first responsibility is to the citizens of Iowa City and recognize that MidAmerican Energy Company's electric service in the community is a monoply with electric rates deter- mined by profit on shareholder investments. Municipal electric utility rates are not profit motivated and therefore are lower then a private utility. Chapter 476 of the Iowa Code covers regulations for public utilities(private and municipal). Chapter 476 defines the author- ity, powers and rules of the Iowa Utility Board. As a taxpayer and concerned citizen I have reviewed parts of Chapter 476 that deal with electric utilities and I would urge the City Council to review Chapter 476 to understand the function of the Iowa Utility Board in relation to Iowa City and MidAmerican Energy and recognize possible options for electric service which the City Council could investigate before rushing into a franchise with MidAmerican Energy. MidAmerican Energy has apparently agreed to a revenue freeze through 2010 with conditions,one being that MidAmerican rate of return on equity not fall below ten percent in a 12 month period. The next five years provides an opportunity for the City to consider a possible option for electric service with MidAmerican. A partnership between municipal governments(JCCOG), University of Iowa and MidAmerican Energy. Chapter 476.25 could provide a basis for dialogue within the proposed partnership and the Iowa Utility Board. Chapter 476.25 allows the Iowa Utility Board to review a request of an electric utility or municipal corporation to modify the boundaries of an electric utility exclusive area if found to be in the public interest. The partnership could eliminate various franchises and estab- lish a close working relations in the partnership and the univer- sity could gain research opportunities funded from revenues in- cluded in the electric rates. Respectfully, Dennis Saeugl i~g Iowa City, Iowa