HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-09-25 CorrespondenceSeptember 13, 2001
Dear Colleague:
The University of Iowa College of Education is pleased to announce that on September 21, :~001,
two K - 12 Iowa teachers will receive the first Phyllis M. Yager (:ommitment to Diversity
Awards in recognition of their efforts in support of diversity. Both of these teachers were
nominated because of their extraordinary efforts to provide outstanding leadership in the area of
diversity.
The members of the College of Education Diversity Committee invite you to join us
in an afternoon of celebration as we recognize the accomplishments of teachers
in Iowa who support diversity.
Please reserve the afternoon to join us in various activities in the College and across campus.
· 12:30 Welcome and Introductions (Jones Commons, N300, North Lindquist Center)
· 12:45 Iowa Classroom Teachers Panel: "The Importance of Diversity in Iowa's Classrooms"
(Jones Commons, 3~ Floor, North Lindquist Center)
· 1:45 Research Presentations - Session 1 (various locations in the Lindquist Center)
· 2:45 Research Presentations - Session 2 (various locations in the Lindquist Center)
· 4:00 Recognition Ceremony (MacBride Hall)
President Coleman will recognize the award recipients
Keynote Address: Special Guest: Dr. James Anderson, University of Illinois
Professor Anderson specializes in the History of American education, the history of
African-American education, and race in American life and culture. His current
research interests include "How We Learn About Race Through History," in Learning
History in America, edited by Lloyd Kramer, Donald Reid and William Barney
(Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1994.
5:30-6:30 p.m. Reception (Iowa Hall in MacBride Hall)
Please contact Carolyn Colvin or Bobble Bevins at (319) 335-5441 if you have questions.
The ?fiyllis ~1. ~lc~er Commitment to Diversity Award w~
establ~hed in ~ of Phyll~ ~. ~aBer, a p~end and co~e of
the Col~Be of Educate. Mrs. ~er ~voted ~r career to
advocatinB mult~ultural opportunit~s a~ Ben&r-affiminB
activit~s in educat~ through ~r w~ ~ a c~ltant at t~
Grant WoodArea ~ducat~n Agency andin t~ Iowa City sc~o~.
September 18, 2001
Dear City Council Member:
Count me among your many constituents that are excited by the
prospects of a municipally-owned utility. Attached is a copy of an
article that seems to sum things up quite nicely. Please read the
article, and please vote to:
1 .)dramatically shorten the contract with MidAmerican, and
2.)explore a municipally-owned utility.
Sincerely,
Rod Sullivan
2326 East Court Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52245
Liz Rollsmeier
e ectrl company
A group of Iowa City I n the depths of the Great
Dep~ssion, a group of Iowa City
citizens is pushing to
bwned e|ect~ic utility. The public fervor
give local power over the issue inspired debates, rallies
and even art Poems were composed and
provider HidAmerican o.~ ~o~-~.'. ~.p ~. ~o~ ..d .~-
duced a play on the subject.
Energy the boot and ~w. though voters eventually passed
the plan and the city received a huge
establish a city-owned PWA
up changing their minds ~t the last
utility. They say such mo~.L The reason w~s twofold: The
electric company at the time, Iowa City
aplan would cut L!ght and Power Co., lowered its rates
and the dty didn't feel confident it cotdd
pay back the loan. The council renewed
rates~ col!sel've a Idng-t~rm contract with Iowa City Light
energy and help the .~ PoWer. despite public protest. One
dissenting counclhnan called the council
environment. Still,
Like they say, his~ry tends to repeat
some are Wary. itsel F18sh forward 70 yesrs to another
. group of dtizens-this one perhaps a tad
less boisterous but no less dedicated--
who have taken up the came, calling
itself Public Power Initiative for Iowa City
(PPI-IO. Members of the group meet neg-
ularly at a member's office, converging
during a rl!cent PPI 1C meeting Baker effectiveness. have environmental policies" that go ~riher
conversation with a,~y member of the "...the only real "a~o~e' i. ~g~d to whe,her e.~
of Los Angeles, whirl operates a municipal beneficiaqOf a flowever. he s~d, ene~ effiden~ pm
ene~ pro~, w~ ~touched. Baker [O~g'teI~~franchise ~ ~e more I~ely ~ m~idp~ u~li
implementing ener~-conse~wation prac- agreement i$ aren't concerned ~ profit For investor-
tices anda~oid~d m~ p~ d~.~ds ~d ffidAmerican Energy o~d ~o~p~, ".,~g~ ~ ~ ~g~
L A w~s also, due to i~ statt~ ~ a public a~dits shareholders, sedation ~ ~o~er se~ce, ~ opposed to
ufliW, eli~ble to receive fede~ power, ~OtIowa City and its ~ profit 1o~. A munidp~ pro~ ~swe~
black hole that the private did," B~er s~d citizens.zt more Ukely to meet their demands con-
PPI IC m~nt~ns ~at esmblL~hing a munic- -Jim Baker, PPI-IC cerning ener~ e~dency and cleaner
· e risk of a C~ifo~asWle ~s~ ever
te~ng Iowa CiW. m~g, "I'm pre~ i~o~t ~out ik' she A~ Iowa tradition
~ini-munis and munl tiles Fomer ci~ co~cil member K~en Dep~sion when Con~e~ p~ed la~
C~ently, Mid~e~c~ Ener~ {an Kubby stud ~at m~dp~ r~iden~ u~ req&g public u~es receive fede~
~vestor-o~ed uaV)'h~ excl~ive ~gh~ mt~ m gene~y about 30 pement I~ ~g ad beg~ re~a~g ~e private
to se~ ele~dV ~ Iowa Ci~. A m~idpal ~ ~e rata of ~v~tor-owned u~es ele~dV ind~.
fie boa of d~dom. A m~idp~ c~ pm Kubby s~d ~at ~ose sam~ co~d a~d mg ~e '30s ~d '40s, ~d even ~m ~e
(~e wholes~e m~ke0 ~d set it to ~s- Ioc~ly tongued ad e~iden~y m u$i~, ~t~. about t~ ~ h~ book, ~ ~t
tomere. PPI-iC mem~m say if ~e d~ it ca be goM for economic development,~ En~ War, desrobing how ~g ~m
evenm~ly derides to esmb~h a mu~fidpa she s~d. FDR's Public Works Adminis~a~on
~ what ~ cleverly temed a "~i-mm" denk .joked PPI-IC because she had con- nent's f~t roaches.' ~ co~ps ~
b~i~ly pm~ce-~ pm~d~g ~e efie~ who were ha~ng a difficult time pa~ng off pubficly, not privately, o~ed. But ~ey
pried ~e rest. If ~1 went well, ~e dW could desk,' she said, adding ~at Iowa CiV ~ owned by a munidp~i~)
Ci~'s ene~ dem~a. '~e need to ~ ~out renewable, end- aged one of ~e more succe~l m~dp~
~e convema~on ~ hea~g up became mmen~ly ~endly ene~ ~otwces. Io~ pro~s ~ low~ a ele~c u~ in
[m i974]," lie said. Birdall remembers t~ow cost Council member Mike O'Dinnwll sakl
4~ . *' he ~I~st look the bull by the hon~s, ehader the casts of implementing such n pnlg~m
ins a plane ell he cnu]d take inh,nn'd pho would he "~str,non~ical" (O'Donnell, by
..~ tns of the to~m After drclmg the dark spotq way. said he does quplx,~l si~ting a shod,.r
{~, 4' - . (whieh indicated heat loss) on the photos. hmwhLqe a~'ecmcnt with MklAmc~can. if
'7~(~]C~"-,T~ .; 2'~']" .... he visited the homes' owne,~ one by one ncg¢~ffitc clcancr enc~ pm~ams
helped reduce elelt~cjty ~age at a local unce~ainty." he said "~mt wp need to know
~ sock facto~ by 2~ percent and delayed the ~. m ~e long rim. ks ~ks going to pay o~?"
~di}47-~- -. need for new clc,~cal generation radiities While Bake, said starting off with a mi,xi
%~'~?' ;:~ '~':- ; in to~ muni wouhl actual~ cost vc,y littip Cht an
r.; incrc~singly dcwguiated m;uket. ynu don't
.,.~¢~,: . ~ot just for teRies c~cn need to inwst a suhstm~tial amount of
i:%¥~. Iowa CiW aHomey Jim Larew pointed out money into t~sition," he claimed), if the
that Iowa communities using mumcipal ci~ derided to totally ~t i~ ties with
electricity don't codespond ~th a pa~t- MidAmerican. the sto~ woukt hc a little dif
Im poli~c~ stm~ce. "You have Musca~ne. [erent For one thing. the city would have
which ~ a conse~a6ve town and Ames. pay the cornproW a I~e sum for ~king
shae if ~is bec~e a ~be~ veBus con- some high front end costs." Baer admired.
sedative t~ng." Membem of the ~oup ~e. however, that
Ded~g whether or not to go ~ some- initial expens~ could be recouped through
~owa City Public Power ~g ~at's going m save money ~d ~ bet- me long term savin~ m~d the poten~ abil
ii~l~'hfive has scheduled a public ter for ~e en~mnent seen~ ~e a no- iW to sell excess ene~
~/panet discussion about b~e~ However, me plm~ wo~d co~ some Birdall a~ees 'I~e Osage proF~ cost
i~i~pa[ ener~ for S~pt. 15 from money up ~n[ fi~L ~em ~ ~e sm~es: $350,000 to stm but continues to save the
ill:30am at the Iowa City q~e d~ would have to do a pm~ tom $1 million a year. "fix other wo~s, it
(~b~ic Ltbra~. lhey've invited ~udy for a~ $25,000 ~s~g ~e levi- wins a ~eat investment," he s~d.
F~e, an l~a Ci~ aRorney biliWofapm~x-ffitloo~e~would~ Mayor Emie Lehm~ said the los of t~x
ust r~slSned from the Iowa a cost-effe~ve, etc. If~e ~ s~dy looked money now being p~d by Mi&~e~can
; , . hvo~le, ~ey wo~d commBion a m~or needs to be considered. He ~so s~d that if
es Assodation lay LoSel ~T~'S ~To~---
get of th; MuscaHne muni~- -
eat. The Government Channel
deaLape the program and it R~
e shown live on the Llbra~
et (Channel 10). ~ ~
Crisis
~ 1121GitbedCt.
Iowa City
usage a tl&sic rate fm both htminesscs mid
(2m~cntly. businesses anti residential areas
si~rn sepalate contracts ~lr clectridty and
I,perate with different rates. l{e said a flat
late wotdd be the "ki.ss of death' for lapse
industries that ,'ely on discounts
"We're already losing taxes from
ever they want to,' Baker said in response
they usually build ouLside of Johnson ' '
County,..Tbat is the big advantage to a
publicly ox~ed fadli~. All of it would be
,'ity payroll And fuUe fadlilies could be / The Acrobat 'of
~ ~' Friday, September 21, 8 p.m.
we're not going to do it. ~at's p~ of why ',
you don't nksb ~to it." Kinmet a~ed that
indm~es tautly benefit from deals ~tb
investor-omed compm~ies. lie pointed out "darreau ~as
that under ~e mm~idpM model, the d~
co~dl or governing bo~d would have cOssislenllr aominate~
con~l over how mdm~al, coinmerdM ]a~ music charts
~d residenfiM mt~ wo~d v~-~d the aBd cemented
govemh~g body wo~d be accostable to his place in histoq
circus. who c~d vote indi~duM mere- aS aB ioteraatioHal
bern off fthey don't ~ke ~eir dealsions "~
a d~,you ~ detemne what your priori- Sepe~tar."
W ~," K~ner continued. "Do you w~t to --The JaR Review
have lower prices for the 6W or for ind.-
~? ...You've got that IocM con~ol."
.~though Le~ h~ ~ rese~afions,
he said if ~dies show ~at such a pro~
wo~d bring ~e pm~ed 30-peEent saw ~
in~, it's "ce~y some~ng we'd look at" X
tie po~ted out ~at ~ere ~11 I~ely be FOR TICK S
~afi the Handher Box
much conve~afion about ~e subje~ ~ ~e ' 0 0r 1-B00-HANCHER
cuing weeks. qfs $ intere~ng subje~~ Order 0nane at ~.ui0wa.edu~anche~
he s~d. "But if we'~ gong to be se~om IDD and aecess~bili~ call 319-335-1135
about i~ we'd beret get se~om p~tW
q~ck. We're ge~g to a point whe~ it's
B~erhood of Ete~ Worke~) dele-
gate to ~e lows Ci~ Fede~on of Labor,
s~d~at~m~conce~ep~P°s' www,ulowa,edu/hancher
~ ~ worke~' fight- "1 don't ~i~ ~ey
sho~d get a ~t ~ pay ff it does become a
m~iGp~," he s~d, '*I don't ~ [wo~-
ers] sho~ los~ ~y pay, bene~ or
However people stud on ~e ~me. ~ey
M] ac~owledge i~ ne~ ~d comple~i y
~, ~ well ~ how m~y ques~ons reinran
unanswered. '*We're ~1 just stumbling ~% SUPPOSeD BY
~ound h~f-bl~d here," Ryan s~d ".-It's a UNIVERSL~ oF iOWA DEPARTMENT
huge ~sue...how it's Ml going to go do~.
From: Mary Ann Johnson [majohnson319@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 7:49 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Ref: Earlier msg: Priorities in Life...and in Government
With all the preoccupation yesterday and this morning with the tragic events
in New York City and Washington, I realized that I sent my earlier message
to you from my office computer rather than my home computer. Therefore,
when I clicked onto your website to send you my feelings regarding the city
council meeting that proceeded without cancellation, as most other cities
had done, my message most likely did not have my email address on it. With
my watching the events unfold on television, and getting little sleep, I may
have used my office computer which does not have my personal email address
defaulted. My apologies. Please accept my retransmittal,which you might
want to attach to the first message from me.
My family feels probably even stronger now that the decision to proceed with
the City Council meeting sent out the wrong message. Everything is NOT
alright. We are once again at a stage in history equal to or probably
surpassing the Pearl Harbor Attack, when everything stopped in the U.S. to
concentrate on the loss of life and honoring it and paying proper respect.
What strikes me locally is that the firemen and policemen NATIONWIDE form a
strong, strong bond equal to that of a fraternity. Fire departments and
police departments are always assisted by other departments not only in
their own states, but also across the country in times of crisis. The
situation in New York City and Washington is clearly a crisis, to put it
mildly. The loss of life in the four hijacked airplanes is beyond
comprehension. What all of the people (firemen, policemen, rescue people,
the office workers in the World Trade Center and in the Pentagon, and
airline pilots, attendants, and passengers) when through---NONE of us can
even begin to appreciate. Those people---all of them---suffered to such a
degree psychologically and physically, that it cannot be ignored.
I equate Tuesday's events to the highest possible level of alert and first
signals of war. The residual effects deserve reverance, honor and respect
to the thousands of victims and souls. Hundreds of Johnson County residents
attended church vigil services and also the large outdoor service on the
Pentacrest, while an attitude of "Oh, this isn't New York City, so let~s go
ahead with out lives" rang out loud and clear at City Hall. Such a
"business as usual" attitude ignores the priorities in life, especially on
Tuesday night, eleven hours after the tragic attacks began. How could
Mayor Lehman, the Chief Executive of the Iowa City's Council allow the
council meeting to be held when all U.S. Citizens... (including those in
"cosmopolitan" Iowa City...no matter what their politics, gender, creed or
financial standing, all came together in shock? I, and many others
caring and concerned citizens of all ages, are truly dismayed at this
cold-hearted decision which shows such lack of compassion. I0wa City
officials need to "get in touch" with what "community" is all about and what
community, in the large sense of the word, truly means in a national sense
in this crisis.
majohnson319ehotmail.com
Mary A. Johnson
Iowa City
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I 0 -;9~5-1
Marian Karr (~
: )
From: Betty Smith [bsmith52240@hotmail,com]
Sent: Monday, September 17.2001 7:02 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Cc: lyiem@fyiowa,com
Subject: NON-Community Spirit of IC - City Mgr &Mayor
Dear Council Members:
I was very disheartened by two actions committed by city officials, that
were on top of the already somber news coming from New York City,
Washington, DC and Western Pennsylvania.
It's quite obvious that Iowa City officials do not foster the feeling of
"community spirit" evidenced by all of the outpourings to NYC, DC, and PA.
I am speaking of "COMMUNITY" in the broad sense of the word, NOT just within
your city limits.
I was not proud to be a citizen of Iowa City when I read in this past
Sunday's Iowa City Gazette that the iowa City leadership did not care nor
bother to send a representative of any kind or level to the grand ceremony
announcing the Iowa Child Project in Coralville. Are you forgetting that
the municipalities in Johnson County and neighboring counties are trying to
work TOGETHER for the good of the entire area? You sound so childish in your
excuses why you did not attend, Mr. City Manager and Mr. Mayor. Mr. Atkins,
you have perpetuated the impression many have of you that you are arrogant
when you state that you read the email announcement and had not intention of
attending. It would have been a very excellent expresion of goodwill on
your part. Mayor Lehman, if you were too busy at your store, please
remember that you have a Mayor Pro-Tem, Mr. O'Donnell, who is a revered
member of the Coralville business community. It would have been an excellent
way to publicize that he IS the Mayor Pro-Tem. Not all that many people
know that he is Mayor Pro-Tem. Certainly, as large as the City Planning
Staff is, one would think that the Community Development Planner or someone
else would have attended to show support and cooperation in the project. I
am shocked. I, and many other of the "establishment", middle-of-the-road
element of the electorate are so glad that the Gazette told us of the
background as to why there were no IowaCity representatives there. Try to
be more community-minded in the future please.
The subjects of conumunity-mindedness and spirit, bring me to my point that
the Iowa City Council, through the urging (or order) of the City Manager,
went ahead with last Tuesday's City Council Meeting on Sept 11, 2001--that
dreadful, awful day of the worst attack on American soil. You can say all
you want about "pressing ahead" with the business of the city, no matter
what, but "RUSHING to normalcy is far different from returning to normalcy."
I keep thinking of the losses of firemen, policemen, and rescue workers in
their attempts to save lives of civilians. Your actions, in going ahead,
showed arrogance to many. Local television stations rolled the long list of
communities who cancelled meetings that week. The national week of mourning
went from last Tuesday through yesterday, Sunday. Today, Monday, is the
official day when activities in government and busines were supposed to
officially return to "normal", or as much as can be. You had not regard at
all, on the day many compare with the attack of Pearl Harbor and to some
extent on the day of the Kennedy assassination of November 22, 1963.
With as large a city staff as you have, please get the opinions of more than
just the few in the local hierarchy on sensitive issues such as
cancellations and flag-lowerings.
Hoping you can do better NEXT time,
Betty Smith
Iowa City
1
Marian Karr
From: Betty Smith [bsmith52240@hotmaiLcom]
Sent: Tuesday. September 18, 2001 12:29 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Prev Ltr 9-17-01
I do hope that I did not come across as merely a complainer in my letter
concerning the council meeting and lack of attendance at the Iowa Child
announcement ceremony. I want you to know that I try to be constructive at
all times. In case there is any doubt, I would like to expand on my comments
constructively to help you.
After talking informally with several of my friends who happen to be retired
and active police officers on the Iowa City force, I learned about their
feeling of not being considered for advice during that horrible day, one
week ago. Those policemen and police women cannot be so open as to state
their feelings to you, the council. Those are the people to whom I was
referring to when I commented that people WHO KNOW ceremonial protocol on
your staff should be brought into the picture. They are your experts in all
sorts of issues associated with proper protocol concerning the display of
the flag and cancellations. Many of the members of the police department
have expressed disappointment with the lack of shown respect for the police
and fire departments in the eastern cities, which are a part of our larger
community, the United States. I hope this further explains my motivations
for my writing you.
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Marian Karr
From: W. James Schmidt [go_hawkeyes2001 @yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 8:27 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: City Partipation
I moved to Iowa City from Orlando where cities and
towns worked together in good spirit for the overall
good of the metro area. There was no apparent
jealousy between various suburbs and the main city of
Orlando. Whenever a new project, business or
institution came to Orange County, all rejoiced.
Officials willingly went to announcement ceremonies to
congratulate one another. Potential companies
recognized that fact, and that, in itself, was a
"plus" in attracting new businesses.
Imagine my shock when I read in one of the local
papers that neither the mayor nor city manager of Iowa
City, or their assistants cared to attend a press
conference in Coralville which formally announced The
Iowa Child Project. That project will bring much
revenue to not only Coralville, but also to Iowa City.
Do I detect some jealousy or what?! The City Manager
shows a very cavalier attitude in his excuse, that he
never gave it a thought to attend. He does have an
asistant city manager who makes quite a nice salary
who is supposed to act when he is not available. Why
didn't Mr. Atkins ask Mr. Helling to attend? I'm sure
that one of the other council members would have
willingly attended the ceremony in place of the mayor
who happened to be too busy at his store downtown. I
really don't understand the attitude here in Iowa
City. I have met the Coralville City Administrator
and the mayor at civic and charitable events. They
are both personable and outgoing in their demeanor.
When I Watch the Coralville council meetings, I get
the distinct impression that there is a spirit of
working together. An example is that most every
nieghboring town wanted to and did send a
representative to the Iowa Child press conference.
The absence of Iowa City was clearly obvious. We need
to use some common sense in governmental relations.
You just never know when one community might need one
another in a crisis or emergency.
Jim Schmidt
Coralville
Terrorist Attacks on U.S. - How can you help?
Donate cash, emergency relief information
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/US/mmergency_information/
Carol Hodne
817 N. Linn St.
Iowa City, IA 52245
September 21,2001
Iowa City Council
City of Iowa City
410 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Members of the Council,
I am writing to urge you to pass a smoke free restaurant ordinance. It only makes sense to vote
for the health of everyone in our community. Workers exposed to secondhand smoke are at
increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease. Many years ago I worked at a "classy" Iowa
restaurant. While I made good money, I paid for it every night in headaches and irritated and
teary eyes. Now I find out that the U.S. EPA has determined secondhand smoke to be a class A
carcinogen. That means that it has been proven to cause cancer in animals and humans and there
is no safe level of exposure. I wish I had known that then.
A recent study conducted in Japan, showed healthy non-smokers who were exposed to as little as
30 minutes ofsecondhand smoke suffered adverse effects immediately. Secondhandsmoke
lingers in a room and takes days to clear. The tar that fills the air when a cigarette is smoked
settles on walls, drapes, and furniture and then continues to off gas many poisonous chemicals.
Therefore, an ordinance with a time limit is not enough to protect the public from secondhand
smoke.
I urge you to pass a strong smoke free ordinance that protects the workers and the patrons. There
are so many benefits to smoke free public places, it only makes sense. Smoke free restaurants
have less risk of fire, lower cleaning bills, healthier employees who miss less work, and happier
patrons. I would be happy if restaurants and bars in Iowa City were smoke free. I miss not being
able to go downtown to hear entertainment and see friends. The businesses are too smoky and it
is just not worth getting a headache and irritated eyes. Iowa City needs to do many things to
revitalize our downtown. Having a healthy enviromment would bring a lot of people with money
to spend out of the woodwork.
If all restaurants in Iowa City were smoke free, we could attract residents of surrounding towns
to our community because we would be the only city in Iowa to provide smoke free
establishments 100% of the time. Thank you for your consideration of my concerns.
Sincerely,
Carol Hodne, PhD
Health Psychologist
From: Pete vogel [hedgehog_audio@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 11:21 AM
To: rj-winkelhake@iowa-city.org; karin-franklin@iowa-city.org; steve-nasby@iowa-city.org; bob-miklo@iowa-
city.org; al-mebus@iowa-city.org; rick-wyss@iowa-city.org; mike-brotherton@iowa-city.org; council@iowa-
city.org; eleanor-dilkes@iowa-city.org; david-schoon@iowa-city.org; steve-atkins@iowa-city.org
Subject: ICPD:lneffective, incompetent, unaccountable ........
Dear City officials,
It is with much sadness and frustration that I finally send this correspondence. It is also not without personal
risk, as I am aware of the deeply institutionalized corruption within our local justice system. However, the
issues which follow must NOT be ignored for long. There is widespread concern and discontent among Iowa
City's citizens concerning police behavior which is becoming more ubiquitous with time. I am eager to answer
replies or engage in constructive discourse regarding the malignant topics I am about to outline. I urge each of
you to reply as an indication of your willingness to acknowledge the existence of these issues AND
your obligations to do your jobs as public servants. If this email just goes to the recycle bin (as I suspect it will),
I will take that as an answer in itself.
I have lived in this community since 1986. Obviously, I believe this place has some merits. However,
predominantly within the last half-dozen years, I have been unfortunate enough to observe increasingly
numerous unconscionable events involving local law enforcement. These are not simply incidents involving
particular officers. The department-wide policies which are set by folks such as you are equally to blame.
I agree that drunk driving is a complicated social issue that must be dealt with firmly. However, there is so
much more to community policing than driving around with the sole aim of stuffing the "little white tube" of the
breathalyzer through car windows. It is at a horrible cost that we have become the leading municipality for per-
capita drunk driving and alcohol-related arrests. We do not have the resources to devote so many officer hours
to traffic stops between the hours of 10 pm and 3 am. There are very seldom any police on foot or bicycle patrol
in the residential areas at these times. And there ARE crimes against people and property occuring nightly. In
fact, with the exception of the Pedestrian mall and the local convenience store at Gilbert/Burlington, I cannot
recall having seen any police presence outside of the comforts of the police cruiser. This is inexcusable. I
personally have suffered for this kind of policy making. Since living here, I have had 13 bicycles (all locked)
stolen from residences all within a 6 to 8 block radius of the Civic Center. I have had numerous incidents of my
vehicle being entered and electronics and posessions stolen. Most recently, I made the unfortunate mistake of
renting a sublet in the 500 block of Burlington. In the 60 horrible days that I lived there, my vehicle sustained
over $2000 worth of random drunken vandalism. Beer bottles were thrown through my apartment window. I
was forced to patrol my own residence during "bar hours", and was even obliged to stop a savage fight (before
police arrived). An antique restored vehicle of mine had the windshield kicked out while it sat parked at the
comer of Clinton and Burlington. I have been assaulted numerous times at night by testosterone-and-beer-
soaked children. Many of these items have been reported and are on file. Many have not. At this point, they
have become too numerous to report. Oh, but there are very few drank drivers who escape the dragnet.
Wonderful.
Unfortunately, this lack of real community policing only encourages (or forces) people to take security into
their own hands. I am no advocate of vigilantes. However, when situations arise, it becomes mandatory
for citizens to protect themselves and their property with whatever means are available. I was born in Chicago's
inner city, and have lived, worked and played in some of the roughest areas of this country. I have spent time
working on the road, and have spent time in every major city in the US. Nowhere else have I ever felt the need
to arm myself. And so I have. Legally!
As a member of the Grand Jury which investigated the Eric Shaw tragedy, I am painfully aware of many things
9/18/01
Page 2 of 2
that I am sworn to never talk about. I had hoped that something positive would come from the grueling hours
spent in that court house looking at evidence. All I see are more "twenty-somethings" being hired by the ICPD.
Many of these officers lack the maturity and life experience to be given such responsibility without
accountability. A judge once pointed out to me that the police ARE the law. They are judge, jury, and
(sometimes) executioners. Interactions with police (not the courts) are the most threatening events to a person's
life and liberties. When I was 20 to 25 years of age, police service would have been a job that I did not have the
skills to execute effectively. Perhaps these officers are simply brilliant, exceptional human beings which have
been carefully selected by your offices. Perhaps not. Now, in the wake of the tragic events of Sept. 11, our
government is giving law enforcement the green light to search, question, impound, confiscate, and generally
perpetuate terror on the streets. It is my sincere hope that Iowa City will not follow this national trend.
Having worked in the entertainment industry for years here, I have witnessed countless acts by our local police
at 2 am. I am willing to outline those incidents to any who care to listen. I am not simply a disgruntled local
resident. I know more than I ever wanted to. Chicago's corruption is so deeply institutionalized that it is easy to
hide. Iowa City is still a small midwestern community. Any person who is not blind or illiterate can easily see
the stink that permeates the local criminal justice system. Gee, I sure wish I could have refused that breath test
and gotten a $20 speeding ticket instead. And I wonder if that public official even got an administrative
revocation for violation of the implied consent statute ..........
I am deeply concerned and troubled by all this. It is hard to be concise when one has so much evidence, and I
apologize for being verbose. And good luck in your continuing efforts to abolish the Police Citizen's Review
Board. This city is careening down a dangerous path with its present policies, and I hope that this won't fall on
deaf ears. The change must start from the top, and you folks are the ones responsible. May God help you all.
Sincerely,
A concerned citizen
reply to: hedgehog_audio@hotmail.com
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://exp!orer.msn.com
9/18/01
From: DChargerMan@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 5:17 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Keg registration--why we need it here
Here is an article I found about Keg registration.
KEG REGISTRATION: A TST PRIORITY ISSUE
TO REDUCE UNDERAGE DRINKING.
Kegs are the cheapest and easiest way to provide alcohol to underage drinkers. One of the main strategies to combat this
part of the problem of underage drinking is through keg registration.
Already 13 states as well as the District of Columbia have adopted a keg regulation law. While the Texas legislature will
not meet again until 2003, members of the Texans Standing Tall coalition are working on voluntary keg registration in
some parts of the state. Below is an explanation of how keg registration works, along with some pertinent statistics.
HOW KEG REGISTRATION WORKS
Keg registration is a system that requires beer kegs to be affixed with a unique, traceable identification tag. When a keg is
confiscated by police at a party at which underage youth have consumed alcohol, the purchaser of the keg can be
identified-and punished for supplying alcohol to youth.
WHO ALREADY HAS KEG REGISTRATION?
Thirteen states as well as the District of Columbia have keg registration laws on the books. The states that
already have keg registration are:
California, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South
Dakota, Vermont, Washington.
Keg registration became law in the state of Georgia this past May when it passed the House of Representatives by an
overwhelming margin of 165-5.
IS KEG REGISTRATION AN ADDED BURDEN OF RED TAPE FOR RETAILERS?
No. Retailers routinely record the purchaser's name address and driver's license number for a rental deposit. The
proposed policy simply requires that kegs be marked with a unique identification number as well, This record is to be kept
for only six months.
DOES KEG REGISTRATION INCREASE RETAILER LIABILITY?
On the contrary, the opposite should be true. If illegal keg parties were held, a keg registration record would provide proof
that the merchant acted legally at the time of the sale.
DOES KEG REGISTRATION STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RETAILERS and LAW
ENFORCEMENT?
Yes. Keg registration allows the retailer to work in conjunction with law enforcement to enforce the underage drinking
laws. Keg registration will save law enforcement both time and effort in identifying the individuals whom supply alcohol to
underage youth.
Below are some statistics and talking points concerning Keg Registration.
KEG REGISTRATION: A KEY TO CURBING UNDERAGE DRINKING
9/17/01
Page 2 of 2
74% of hi9h school seniors have used alcohol and 31% of those are binge drinkers
75% of 8th 9raders and 89% of 9th graders say that alcohol is very easy or fairly easy to get.
U. of Michigan Monitoring the Future 2000 survey
VVhen it comes to alcohol, youth are price sensitive, and kegs are the cheapest way to get alcohol in mass quantity.
Harvard School of Public Health 1997
An average keg will hold approximately 7 cases of beer, or 168 '12oz. servings of beer.
At $75.00 a keg that works out to $.45 cents a beer.
A keg rented at $50.0,0 will give out a l 2 oz beer at a cost of only $.30 cents a serving.
I'm sorry Marian, this is Dave Moore! I found this while surfing the web over the weekend. I know that Ames has a strong
keg ordinance, and if we are going to try and really solve underage drinking, we need to look at all options, including keg
registration.
Dave Moore
338-6177
9/17/0 1
From: Ab Gratama [jan-gratama@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 3:50 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Save the Trees
Dear Council,
We urge you to save the old historic trees - the burr oak and the
white pine - on the property of 220 River Street. It would be a shame
not to.
Ab and Lilian Gratama
River Street 505
From: William T. Talman [wtalman@attglobal.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 10:43 PM
To: Council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Lexington Avenue Closure
353 Lexington Ave.
Iowa City, IA
52246
September 14, 2001
City Council Office
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Members of the Iowa City Council:
The primary purpose of this letter is to send a second written thank you to Council for its careful
consideration of the dangerous traffic problem that we members of the immediate Lexington Avenue
community faced for years. The letter is also a thank you for installing the gate near the intersection
of Lexington and McLean. We found the newly installed barricade in place when we returned from an
extended business trip on August 31. I have waited now to write in order to make a personal
assessment of the results of its presence. I confess that I was prompted to write even earlier than I
had intended because I learned that some people have complained about your action. I am aware of
complaints from some people who do not live on Lexington and have never had to dodge recklessly
driven cars on our neighborhood street. They decry Council's prudent, intelligently considered AND
publicly discussed decision. I would frankly be shocked and appalled if anyone who might consider
himself or herself a neighbor would seek Council's reversal of an action that was taken after multiple
accidents both on Lexington and Park.
For the first time in the four years my family has lived on Lexington Ave., we have been able to spend
a night without the sounds of revving engines, of vehicles speeding past our house in excess of 60
miles an hour, and of auto chassises banging the pavement as the airborne vehicle reached the
bottom of the steepest dip on Lexington. Likewise, for the first time I have been able to walk, and
even stand, in my yard at 353 Lexington without having to constantly lookout for some thrill seeker
who threatened to hit me on the street or lose control and hit me in my yard. I no longer have to dive
into a neighbor's yard to avoid being hit by one of these inconsiderate scofflaws as happened at 5:45
one evening as I walked from work before the barrier was placed.
I know that you are aware how hard the citizens of Lexington Ave. worked to provide the City with a
suggested solution that would satisfy the problem while not imposing on anyone a remedy that would
produce undue hardship. The great majority of those affected on Lexington voted in favor of the
current seasonal barricade; but it should be remembered that an even greater majority had voted for
a year-round closure of Lexington Ave. We, who were the prime movers in initiating an action to
bring about a remedy, sought the second vote in deference to our neighbors who lived north of
McLean. We respected their concern about potential risks that they would face by exiting Lexington
via the steep slope into Park during the icy months of the winter. While the current solution is NOT
what we considered optimal, it was the optimal compromise for the following reasons:
1) The Iowa City Police, despite their valiant efforts, admitted that they could not control
the joy seeking traffic on Lexington;
9/17/01
Page 2 of 2
2) An analysis of use of speed bumps by the City's Department of Planning and
Community Development determined they posed too great a threat to the driving public
and would only add to the thrill sought by the irresponsible;
3) City Council felt that it was prohibited by law from installing video monitors;
4) Stop signs placed at two strategic locations on Lexington had proved a waste of
metal and time. Only those of us who already abided by the law paid any attention to
them;
5) We were advised that islands placed in the middle of Lexington would require
easements on neighborhood properties, would not solve the problem and would likely
simply be made into a roadway by some. The legitimacy of this likelihood has already
been demonstrated by drivers who decided that they were going to drive through
Lexington by simply using neighborhood lawns as a street, a practice now stopped by our
placing barricades in our own lawns.
6) Lexington had become a famous street (even featured in Time Magazine) for the
thrill seeking joy rider and the only way to break the tradition was to interrupt traffic. You
will undoubtedly recall that some members of Council were nostalgic because their
parents "ran the dips" with them when they were youths.
I am quite sure that I have forgotten some of the many options that we considered with you, but you
will undoubtedly recall others and the reasons they were felt to be inadequate.
Some may express concern to you that the barricade poses a risk to the unsuspecting motorist who might come
upon it without warning. However, Jeff Davidson did an excellent job in placement and design of the barricade
and in placing signs that warn of the barricade. Any person driving responsibly on Lexington should have no
problem seeing the obstruction and stopping before it. I have heard some opponents declare that the barricade
has already caused accidents. Yes, there was an accident shortly after the gate was installed, but the barricade
should hardly be blamed for it. Instead, a speeding driver who admitted to the Police that he had been drinking
and driving in excess of 50 mph caused the accident.
Some moan about increased traffic on their streets in Manville Heights. If there is increased traffic, it is
certainly not because of the closure of Lexington Ave. As you will recall your own traffic analysis showed that
the total traffic count on Lexington amounted to less than 100 cars per day and most of that traffic was from the
neighborhood. The neighborhood traffic would have to come to Lexington by another Manville Heights street
whether Lexington was open or closed. Those who used Lexington only for the thrill no longer come to
Manville Heights. It is, therefore, likely that traffic analysis on other streets in our neighborhood would show
no change or a reduction in traffic flow, seemingly a benefit to all.
In summary, there is simply no reason to consider changing the remedy that you found for our problem, unless,
of course, you would like to close the street throughout the year. That consideration is appealing to me after my
witnessing the speeding, ice skating vehicles that used our street even in the hard winter we saw last year.
When Lexington opens for the winter, I fully expect another hard season on the street, if not in the climate, this
year.
Again, I thank you for your consideration and for your action.
Sincerely,
William T. Talman, M.D.
353 Lexington Ave.
Tel. #354-4256
9/17/0 1
From: RhysBJones@aol.com
Sent: Monday. September 10, 2001 8:56 AM
To: cauncil@iowa-city.org; mike_odonnell@iowa-city.org; connie._champion@iowa-city.erg;
irvin_pfab@iowa-city.org; ross_wilburn@iowa-city.org; jeff-davidson@iowa-city.org; rnamia-
klingaman@iowa-city.org; lisa-mollenhauer@iowa-city.org
Subject: Lexington Avenue Thank You
On behalf of the residents of Manville Heights who have worked so hard with
you on the Lexington Avenue issue the past couple years, thank you so much
for the solution to the years of high speed joyriding we have had to endure.
The barrier/gate constructed by the City in August has performed far better
than we could have imagined. Not only have the 37 petition signing citizens
and their 22 children on the street felt an immediate safety effect, but all
of Manville Heights has benefited from the reduced high risk traffic in the
neighborhood. School children can walk the street safely, we can pull out
of our driveways without fear of a car racing over a dip at 60 mph, and it is
quiet when the bars close. Numerous other residents who use Lexington Avenue
for walks and biking have thanked and congratulated us for our action. We
thank the council and the City of iowa City with special recognition to Jeff
Davidson. Jeff understood the critical safety issues involved and has
followed through with action. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rhys B. Jones (Lexington Avenue Action Committee Chair)
Valerie L. Chittick
Owen and Isabel (age 4 months)
708 McLean St.
Iowa City, IA 52246
From: Karen Kubby [kubby@pobox.com]
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2001 9:28 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: wetlands
September 9, 2001
Dear City Council,
With the recent US Supreme Court ruling regarding wetlands, it seems that
we have a choice to make on a local level on protection of these important
elements of our natural environment.
As someone who was very supportive of our Sensitive Areas Ordinance, I
believe we should not decrease our standards for protection. This would
necessitate a change in our ordinance. We would need to keep the Corps of
Engineers definition of wetlands and add isolated wetlands to areas of
protection.
I think it is worth the time and energy to make this change.
Whispering Meadows (?) park in SE Iowa City is a good example. This is an
isolated wetland that was protected under our ordinance. Because of this
protection, it is now a central positive feature in the Grant Wood
Neighborhood for open space, recreation, wildlife and water quality.
Please vote to add isolated wetlands to the Sensitive Areas Ordinance.
Sincerely,
Karen Kubby
728 2nd Ave.
Iowa City, IA 52245-4504
Marian Karr I 09-25-01
3g(15)
From: Kate Newberg [fighting4truth2@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2001 3:00 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Please read & consider the option
To whom it may concern:
I received a flier in the mail requesting I contact my
city council member on behalf C.A.F.E. I want you to
know that I do NOT support further regulation of
restaurants. If you do decide to draft an ordinance, I
beg of you to place the responsibility & punishment on
THE SMOKERS and NOT on the restaurant
employees/owners.
I personally do not smoke, and I always request a
non-smoking section. If a restaurant is too smokey
for me, I simply stop eating there. I am strongly
against any ordinance, laws, or regulations limiting
the
choice of a person's right to choose. A basic freedom
we are slowly giving up in the United States.
I am also strongly against any ordinance, law, or
regulation enforcing smoke-free restaurants because it
hinders the business decisions of a company. There
are a few smoke-free restaurants available by choice
of the owners; and it should be their choice and not
the choice of local politicians.
I would also like to add, that when I was in college,
I used to work as a waitress in a restaurant. There
were a few instances when I would politely tell
someone
he/she must extinguish his/her cigarette because
he/she was seated in a non-smoking section. I was not
only yelled at by the customer, but the customer
proceeded
te smoke until his/her cigarette was finished, ash on
the floor and put his/her cigarette out in his/her
plate or drinking glass. I mention these episodes to
point out, any regulation must be directed at the
law breaker!!!! THE SHOKER & NOT the restaurant
employees/owners!
There are already far too many miscarriages of justice
by punishing restaurant/bar owners and NOT punishing
those individuals who chose to break the law. Our
country as a whole is lacking the concept of PERSONAL
RESPONSIBILITY!
If you do decide to vote in favor of smoke-free
restaurants (which based on the quality of the flier -
I can tell there is serious money backing this
campaign), I only ask that you make THE SMOKER
RESPONSIBLE!!!! and NOT the restaurant employees
and/or owners!
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Kate Newberg 1
crabbytoo@bolt.com
From: JRBAIA@aol.com
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2001 1:14 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Water plant sale
Perhaps the Gazette was incorrect in its reporting of the proposed sale of
the water plant on Madison. Assuming that it was correct, here are my
comments:
Since when is it good business practice to deduct the cost of demolition from
the accessed value of a piece of property when setting a sale price? It
seems to me that the UI will find that parcel to be desirable, and if so, let
them pay what the market will bear.
Somebody could explain to me what the UI does for the city to warrant such
consideration? Do they pay any taxes? Do they build their own parking ramps?
Get real! What are you thinking?
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
9/7/01
Marian Karr I 09-25-01
3,q(17) I
From: JRBAIA@aol.com
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2001 1:19 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Budget cut opportunity
If the City needs to save some money, why not downsize the planning
department? It seems to me that this socialist bureaucracy is totally out of
control. Leave development to the private sector. Enough already!
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
9/7/01
From: Shawtamike@cs.com
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2001 10:04 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Rezoning for Fareway
Dear Council Members,
As a resident in the neighborhood directly effected by this issue I urge you
NOT to rezone. I do agree that East Iowa City needs more retailers. I do
not agree that rezoning this land is necessary. Look around our area. We
have had a problem keeping retailers. That is evident by all of the vacant
buildings on the East side. Please urge businesses to fill up the vacant
buildings before building more. We do not need more buildings.
There is also a safety factor. I drive Highway 6 and Scott Blvd. regularly.
The semi drivers from the industries are not good about sharing the road.
They have a philosophy that if they can get the cab of their truck in front
of you they have time to go. Mixing this traffic with thousands of people
running errands will result in increased accidents.
I also would hate to see industries run out. We need them to survive also.
I am afraid if this area is rezoned not only will it be difficult to get new
industries in the area, but the ones we have may leave. Then how will those
workers afford to shop?
Tami Shaw
shawtamike@cs.com
From: Norjel@aoLcom
Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2001 4:47 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Lot 64A
I just wanted to express my opinion on the presentations for the development
of the Lot 64A. I thought the Moen group presentation was by far the best,
most thought out, and would meet the needs of Iowa City residents. I
especially like the idea of the grocery store downtown. There is a reap need
for that in order to attract permanent residents to locate in the downtown
area and to meet the need of those already living downtown.
Sorry, my name is Norma Jett.
9/l 0/0 1
ibrary FILE COPY
~ 23 5outh Linn · Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1820
Susan Craig, Director · Information (319) 356-5200 · Business {319) 356-5206 · Fax (319) 356-5494
September 5, 2001
Je~ Feick
PO Box 2896
Iowa City g 52244
De~ Mr. Feick:
I m writing in response to your meeting room rese~ation for September 17, 2001. You
do not quali~ to use the meeting rooms at the Iowa Ci~ Public Libr~ as ~ individual.
~e Policy on Meeting Room Use adopted by ~e Iowa City Public Libr~ Bo~d of
Trustees states that:
Rooms ~e available to non-profit goups whose headquaaers ~e in or
who provide se~ices to residents ofJo~son Co~ty. Rooms ~e not
available for the benefit of private individuals or profit-mgng
orggzations. Groups may be asked to provide a copy of a constitution or
F~hemore, the Application for Exception to ICPL Meeting Room Policy-Request for
Extended Sedes of Proggs/Se~ices is not a fore ~at we c~ently use. Old copies of
the fore were in a file drawer ~d ~fogately the new staff member ~at gave you the
fo~ did not ~ow that it is not cugently used. Cugent procedure is that exceptions to
the meeting room policy are refeged to me for consideration. I r~ely g~t exceptions
~d ceaainly will not g~t ~ exception to an individual because our meetings rooms are
intended for use by non-profit org~izations ~d policy specifically states that an
in~vidual may not rese~e them.
Sincerely,
Kara Logsden
CAVS Coordinator
MEETING ROOM RESERVATION
Date of used bT W T F SAT SUN ,c,rc,eonel 9' / /7 []
Is this en ( ) c o
Number attending O to the public? ~ } D
(Events in Meeting Room A must be open to t
Hours available: M-Th 8:00 a.m,-10:30 p.m. 8at. 9;00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. I Room D not available Q Boom
Fri 8:00 a.m.-7:30 D,m. Sun. 1:00-6:30 p.m. after the Library closes
Contact person ,p..,,~
~ Sh red [~t the pub~:[ on request
Equipment Request
Furniture: Audio Visual Equipment:
Equipment will be placed in the room prior to your scheduled
Rooms are pro-set to a standard room arrangement.
Users are responsible for any optional sebup or arrival. If equipment training is required, please arrange in
~arrangement and for resetting the room to its standard advance of your event.
'~arrangement as shown on the diagram posted in each ~ Podinto with microphone
~i ophones: (Up to 8, pIGs lavatiers and hart held)
~ Handheld Wireless Microphone (1}
Refrigerator I B C H ~1 ~ s VCR with Monitor (2 available)
% Tables (up to 16, Room A only)
users -responsible ~r set-up/takedown Pr%s~
Easel ~ Flip Chart Video (Room A 0.1v)
accept responsibility for re-setting the room and any damage or loss to meeting rooms and/or equipment and understand that I will be
billed a minimum of ~25 for damage or clean-up deemed extraordinary by the Ubrary staff. Failure to re-set the room may result in
barring from further use. I understand that thF Library has the dght to cancel this reservation up to eight weeks in advance if facilities
are needed for Library use.
Library card number or driver's license number
~ · 123 S. Linn St. ~ 10wa city, IA 52240 · 356-5200 · FAX/TDD 366-5494
Application for Exception to ICPL
Meeting Room Policy
Request for Extended Series of Programs/Services
Date:
Name Of Organization ,,.~'~L'~/2~y ;E I,~LI L_ FI'2c~(A_Q
Non-Profit? Yes 'x'x't No
Office/position with above organization
Phone W: H:
Brief description of series content/purpose:
o+ ALl d,
Io/zl/z~ol tern-~ZC~DCF~ z 3Pro Fm 7c~r}cF
Approved:
(date)
lib\office\appforex,mtr
91-440A
IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
GUIDELINES FOR EXCEPTIONS TO SECTION 806,4 MEETING ROOM POLICY
1. Under the Library's Meeting Room Policy, approval is normally granted only for a single
meeting or for a brief series of meetings extending for no longer than two weeks.
Rooms are not intended for a group's regular meeting place.
Qualifying organizations wishing to present programs or offer services primarily
intended for and oriented toward public attendance may apply for exceptions at the
Audiovisual Desk at least two months prior to their first program date. (Application
form attached.)
2. Organizations must complete an application at the AV Desk for a specific series. of up
to nine programs or.sessions with fixed beginning and end dates, two months prior to
.... their first program date. Program topics, speakers, or performers must be specified
at the time of application and no admission may be charged.
3. Community and Audiovisual Services Coordinator will review and approve all
applications for exceptions. Decisions may be appealed to the Library Director.
4. Approval will be granted for only one series per organization at a time. If approved,
Community and Audiovisual Services Coordinator will make any special arrangements
which may be necessary. AV Library Assistant will prepare meeting room and
equipment booking forms for signature by the applicant.
-- 5. Organizations must provide:
a. Room set-up and take-down.
b. Refreshments and serving utensils. Storage space for supplies is not available
between programs in a series.
c. Video production crew. the library can supply a single VHS camcorder and time
on Channel 10 only if available and if requested at time of application.
d. Publicity, posters, signs, etc.
5, The library reserves the right to cancel any series under the following circumstances:
a. Rooms needed for a library program may be preempted up to five weeks prior
to the program date.
b. Organizations fail to meet requirements specified on the application form or
elsewhere in rgeeting room rules.
~office\rntgroom.exc
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to au~o~ usc~ ~ cit~ ~ ~ptcr 7, Scc~on 75 i~7.~8D) of o~ ut~sils ~d sullies.
the A~inis~tivc R~cs adopt~ by ~c Iow~ TcIccomm~i~-
6ou ~d T~olo~ ~i~ion. Ho~ly cos~ for ~c I~ ~n- Smo~g is ~ohibitcd in all ~cas of ~c Libm~, ~cluding meet-
n~ ~11 ~ billed to ~c u~ based on c~cnt video mtcs set ~ ing'r~ lobby ud vestibules. No alcoholic ~v~gcs ~ alz
by ~c Io~ Tcl~i~tions ~d T~olo~ ~mission. ~ low~ on ~c ~cmiscs.
~o~s ~y ~vc b~kings only for a single m~t~g or for a brief ~c Li~ Boa~ of Tmst~s or ~c Ci~ of Iowa Ci~ arc not
s~ of m~gs cxt~ding for no longcr ~ ~o w~ at ~y rc~blc f~ a~idcn~ injW, or loss ofindi~du~ pro~ w~lc
one time. R~ms arc not intended for a ~oup's ~1~ m~ng using ~c m~ng r~ms or lobby.
place or for multiple day exhibitions or displays. Exceptio~ may
~ ~tcd wh~ R~m D is rcqucstcd for ~c as ~ I~ site. Uses of cquipm~t ~c proj~tion boo~, or the ICN comcction
m~t pro~dc ulid idcntification and si~ a s~tcmcnt ofrcsponsi-
~ is no f~ for ~c ~ of libra~ meeting rooms, but ~oups bili~.
~11 ~ c~g~ for labor ~d mtc~als to cov~ ~c ~st of damage
or cx~o~ room clean up that rcsul~ from use (minimum LibW propms ~d events may ~kc priori~ over non-libm~
c~rgc: $25). b~ngs, but adv~ rc~wations will not ~ cancelled without
prior notification of at l~st eight wccks.
Sale orating o~ than items which promote ~c mission or
go~s of~c Io~ Ci~ Public Libm~ is prohibited in all m~ting ~is ~licy shll ~ aden stcrcd by the Libra~ Disctot, or her/
rooms and ~c lobby. his dcsi~cc, who is au~o~d to adopt roles to implemur it. Ex-
ccp~o~ my ~ ~nt~ for proems deemed to bc in ~c public
Evcn~ sch~ul~ in M~ting Room A or when A, B, ~d C ~c interest.
all o~n eyen~ in R~ms B and C are subject to publi¢i~,
the public and will not be publicized with libra~ events unless Revised 1~99 356 525
· ""' '~ ' n~a fit u h '~t~c'~'?~"~I':!~~:' · ' leventsmustbefreeandol~ntothepublic. : however. a vaittcn fonn must be ~ompleted in person at the
':";"'~sid~nts~fJo~s, ps a.q . e~, ~.~?.rpro,,d.~;..~.:~. · Extrafoldinglablesand;dispi~.ili ~a~.;vMible ~ Audio Visual Serviccs Desk within 24 hours.
· ::'t.;::"ingr66ms'areavailablef~aval.c:.~l,l:evenlsmtdlil~tynol~; , Roomsize:35'x39i ': ;~; L: _ . . .~
:,:' I~--:': .~d ~l~si~cly foi'~'xhibin~,n ¢}: ~lspl~t~:.pt.~}ases for n/'o'i~' "' :' Maximum capacity' 125 :~. !. I used during th~ meeting and for l~.a;d~ng th~ room in its o~gina
.......... ? .... - setup.
"-'..",'d~'Weeklymeetingsarenotpermifi~lbfit;~bH~f~eri~s'-"~-~.~:: ~' :~:/"'; ~: ' '.[: ~i~.'~' . '
~f~smaYbebookedforupt0tw0we~l~.shfi'o~;i~aTy;~;~- : = .... ., ,.. ~:: .
be charged. ~ Rooms B and C
. - ' ~::,:i~!~7!' '~ j~7.L~ '~-;:~:~'~ ~ · ' Smaller meeting room with'four 3~" b~ a0~r tables in eadh with · AH equipment must be requested in idvance on the reservation
,~ll.~',~opt~c~e,:s~retyCed¢~ s~a~i?iaua.a&ba,¢;~,;~ ::' :-~{eetmg. sraaybeclesedt°.-th~p~b!'c.~C:~,~:~:~ ."' . : 0 Equipmentinchde~iVCl~wi~s~iior;:slidepmject~r.
q g mg p ted, please dill the AV Desk. · Maximum capacity: 20 in each room. available in Room A.
· A complet~ list of equipment availabl~ is listed on the room
'Ihe lobby may be used only with the sl~cia] p6rmission of the Rooms ~, B · C may he re·erred together g4th the walls opened to reservntion form.
Audio Visual Services Coordinator. malce one/arge area that will accotm~odate 200 chairs. Ti~e library
has 170 chairs aPailab[e if Roomg A, B, and C are all reser~e~i
Library Meeting Rooms A, B, & C are available: Groups gsingpr~ject/a~ ~r recording equi~m~nt are
Monday-Thursday g:00 AM. ~ 10:30 I!M. Room D advisedt~at U.S. copyrlgAtla~g~ensperf~rming or
Friday 8:00 A.M. - 7:30 EM. Room D sexves as the Lthraly' s Iowa Communications repreduclng eopyrlghted tna~erlal$ in ~ Inlbllc p/ace
Saturday 9:00 A.M. - 7:30 PM. Network (ICN) classroom.
unless permission has been granted by the copyright
Sunday 12:00 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. · Room D does not have to be used for ICN meetings; however, homer. A waiver must he signed when reserving such
ICN meetings take priority.
Library Meeting Room D is available: Standard set-up in¢ludes 5 tables and 18 chairs in a classroom equipment
setting.
Monday - Thursday 9:00 A.M. - 9:00 F:M. · Meetings may be closed to the public.
Friday - Saturday 9:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Microphones are available for ICN m~tings. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to
Sunday 12:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. · Hourly costs for ICN cotmeetion will be billed to the user. attend Iowa City Public Library events. If you are
Room size: 20' x 25' a person with a disability and/equire an accommo-
All meetings must start at least one hour before the L~brary Maximum capacity: 25 dotion to participate in a Library-sponsored
doses. Meeting room furniture may be arranged to fit the program, please contact the Audio Visual Services
needs of the user but must be returned to the standard Desk at 356-5200 ext. 125 at least 48 hours in
arrangement prior to departure. All food, drink and utensils See Policy on Meeting Room and Lobby Use (on the advance. TDD users should call 356-5494. Persons
must be provided by the user and clean up is the responsibil~ back of this brochure) for additional information. attending meetings that are not sponsored by the
ity of the group. Room users will be charged for labor and
materials to cover the cost of dam3ge or room clean-up if Library should contact the organization sponsoring
necessary. the event.
Marian Karr ~ 09-25-01
3g(21) I
From: Ken [gcoach@avalon.net]
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2001 12:36 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Library Expansion
9-6-01
Dear Members of the Iowa City Councih
I have received Karen Cubby's E-Mail, citing concerns about parking in connection with the Library expansion. ~ feel
certain that this issue is one of many among the various designs being considered.
Please accept my thanks and encouragement as you go through the arduous process of considering multiple proposals,
and making a final selection. I have every confidence that you will do a fine job of weighing the choices, including parking
considerations.
Iowa City is a great place to live, thanks to many decisions made by each of you. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Paula Ingalls
936 Weebet St.
Iowa City, IA 52246
9/7/01
FILED
2001 SEP 20 A?I 7:l~9
September 19~, 2OO1
CITY' GLERI(
IOWA GTY, IOWA
Ci%~ EIall
Iowa qity, Iowa 52240
Dear City Council P~embers:
This letter is written in hopes of convincing you ~o fully consider
the ot>tion you now have of br~n~ing a municipally-owned energy
system to Iowa City.
I lived fo~ 20 years in Csa[~e~ Iowa, which has had its own electric
utility since 194~ (~8 years). In 1960 voters the~e endorsed a
~unicipal gas plant which has operated for ~1 ,years. We very much
noticed the difference in our utility bills when we moved to
Iowa City. ~je cannot recall any problems with the way the utility
was [~anaged.
~/eston Birdsall, former manager of the p]ant in Osage, stated
me today that residential rates of private utilities average
~8~ hi~her in Iowa than in publicly-owned uti]ities. ~his is a
joltin~ difference in rates~ to say the least. Wes is well known
as a speaker and censultant on eaer~y ~aatters~ and th~u~h Petired~
seems ever ea?eP to share his knowled~3e of the energy picture.
In retjre~nent, he co~t hues ~o teach at ?7o~thern Iowa ~IniversitJ.
(I have sup?lie~ his address an.? 7hone nun~ber to D~le iielling.)
I w~!l say, too, that I remeLber experiencin~ the !~.ressure fre~
the ~riv~te!:/-nwIr~d
~ ........ ~se.
I would 1.i.>;e +e ~ee U~s co~nmunity~ especially needy and sizable-
parent fa,~-,il~es, benefit from a non-profit utility rather than to
be locked ~n~o a 15-year franchise and rt~tes over w;,nch the
communit] :,::~ z~o control; this beside sending profits out of
town,
Thaz;k you for yacht consideration.
In A~precia. tion,
2~1~ [{nchejter ,~venue~ ~209
Iov~a Oit~
StUdent
unger drivf
613 7TH AVENUE
CORALVlLLE,
IOWA 52241
PHONE: 319-339-1471
You are cordially invited to join the JOHNSON COUNTY
STUDENT HUNGER DRIV~ and the Iowa City Crisis Center for
FAX: 319-354-1911
a Sponsor Luncheon & CrisLs Center Tour
EMAIL: Wednesday, September 26, 2001
Beginning at 11:10 a.m. at the Iowa City Crisis Center
crossend Ca yahoo.com 1121 Gilbert Court, Iowa City
11:40 a.m. - 11:55 a.m.: Tour of Crisis Center and Food Bank by
Ross Wilburn, Executive Director
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.: Luncheon at LaCasa, Ltd., 1200 Gilbert Ct.'
12:20 p.m.: Introduction ofattendees and speakers:
Lane Plugge, Superintendent, Iowa City Community
School District
· Major Sponsors
· Faculty Advisors
· Student Representatives
· Ross Wilburn - Executive Director,
Iowa City Crisis Center
R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, September 19 to Diane Crossett,
Coordinator, JCSHD 339-1471
*Luncheon and facilities generously donated by
Robert and Mercy Sueppd - owners, LaCasa, Ltd.
hi consideration of other LaCasa patrons, we ask that you
please try to park along Gilbert Court
Mission Statement
"To unite and empower area
high school students in the
commitment to feed the hungry
and promote volunteerism"
Marjan Karr ~
From: WalI-Michael [wallm@horus.ophth.uiowa.edu]
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 8:59 AM
To: 'council@iowa-city.org'
Cc: 'rhysbjones@aol.com'; 'Jeff-Davidson@iowa-city.org'
Subject: Lexington Gate
Hello Council,
Our family wishes to thank you and Jeff Davidson for the thoughtful solution
to traffic control on Lexington Avenue. We are well aware of the
complexities of any proposed solution. We think you have found the best
possible solution given the resources available. Our children can now exit
the driveway on their bicycles without fear of someone speeding over the
hill.
You have saved injuries and probably lives with the gate.
Thank you,
Michael, Susan, Eric, Kurt and Brian Wall
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 12, 2001
TO: City Clerk
FROM: Beth Pfohl, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~t-'~
RE: Item for September 25, 2001 City Council meeting; installation of parking
meters for the exclusive use of persons with disabilities on the west side of
the Senior Center.
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(14), parking meters will be installed at four angle parking
spaces on the west side of the Senior Center with signage indicating RESERVED
PARKING HANDICAPPED ONLY. These parking meters will have a five-hour term limit.
Comment
These four angle parking spaces are being changed from Senior Center permit-only to
public handicapped meters due to the completion of the Tower Place and Parking facility
and the Senior Center skywalk.
jccogtp/mem/action9-25-01 .doc
September 11,2001 ~ ""
TO: ThS'H~norabl~ Mayor and the City Council ~ ~1 ~
RE: Civil Se~iCe Entrance Examination - POLICE SERGEANT
We, the undersigned members of the Civil Sewice Commission of Iowa City,
Iowa, do hereby ce~ify the following named persons as eligible for the position of
Police Sergeant.
Troy Kelsay
David Nixon
Robe~ Gass
Sco~ Miller
David Droll
Greg Humrichouse
Scott Gaarde
Kevin Prestegard
Becki Sammons
Jennifer Clarahan
IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
.
Lyra W. Dickerson
ja :erl:
ATTEST: ~ Karr, City Clerk
MUSCATINE POWER & WATER
COMMENTS BY
JAY D. LOGEL
GENERAL MANAGER
Muscatine Power & Water
3205 Cedar St.
Muscatine, IA 52761-2204
563-263-2631
Iowa City Presentation
September 15, 2001
My name is Jay Logel and I am General Manager of Muscatine Power
and Water (MP&W). MP&W is Iowa's largest municipal electric utility
in terms of electric generating capacity and electric sales. MP&W
ranks in the top 100 municipal electric utilities in the United States.
We are also a water utility and a communications utility. Each of the
three municipal utilities we operate has a common origin~ and a
common driving force.
In 1900 a private, investor-owned water utility served the City, that in
the estimation of many citizens, was not meeting the needs of the
people of Muscatine. A group of citizens decided to establish their
own water company and convinced the Muscatine City Council to buy
out the private firm. The City formed a municipal water utility under
the laws of the State of Iowa. A three-person board was appointed by
the Mayor, ratified by the city council, and thereafter the board was
responsible to the consumer/owners and governed the water utility.
The original loan to buy out the private company and to make
improvements was paid off from water rates collected from the
consumer/owners. The Muscatine Municipal Water Company was a
great success in the eyes of Muscatine citizens and operated until the
early 1920s when dissatisfaction with the then new electric service
prompted citizens to again take matters into their own hands.
In 1922 Muscatine was served by competing, investor-owned electric
utilities that were anxious to serve growing industrial loads with the
new marvel of electricity, but slow to develop residential services in
the community. A spirited political debate took place that resulted in
a decision to municipalize the electric service in Muscatine. The
leaders of Muscatine looked to the successful establishment of a
municipal water utility some twenty years earlier as a model and
decided to aggregate the water utility with the newly formed electric
utility. The board of directors was expanded to five members
appointed by the Mayor and ratified by the City Council with direct
responsibility to the consumer/owners of the two utilities.
In 1996 a group of community leaders approached the Board of
Trustees at Muscatine Power and Water to conduct a feasibility study
to determine if MP&W could deliver communication services to the
community. The citizens were concerned that high-speed Internet
access might pass by the community thereby limiting the economic
development potential of an otherwise very healthy industrial
community. They were concerned about cable television price and
quality, and the reliability and responsiveness of telephone service.
The results of the feasibility study were encouraging and shortly
thereafter a successful referendum election was conducted to enable
the establishment of a municipal communication utility under the
direction of the Board of Trustees of Muscatine Power and Water. We
are currently offering CATV and Internet access in a highly
competitive market place to the benefit of our consumers.
You can easily see the common origin of the three utilities, but the
common driving force may not be so evident. The driving force was
really the difference between for profit of investor-owned utilities and
nonprofit of municipal utilities. Serving customers while protecting
the consumer/owners investment drives municipal utilities.
Demonstrating a return on investment to their owners, who probably
are not their customers, drives investor-owned utilities. Good
customer service may be a way investor-owned operations help satisfy
their driving force, but it is not why they are in business.
Our focus today is primarily on electric utility service; so let me
mention some of the advantages that public power through MP&W
brings to Muscatine. Price and reliability are stabilized in Muscatine
because we own and operate our own generation facilities. Two-thirds
of public power utilities are distribution only corporations, and are
therefore subject to having to buy transmission and generation from
others. We are dedicated to the quality of life in Muscatine. We
participate in many community improvements like soccer fields, river
walks, etc. We provide and maintain traffic signals and streetlights at
no cost to the City. We provide free electric service to City owned
facilities. Our consumer/owners enjoy electric rates that are below
the State and National average. This fact has helped to attract and
expand a diverse and sound industrial base in Muscatine. Dollars
spent for electricity in Muscatine stay in Muscatine. We are
committed to the environment. We operate the only generation plant
in Iowa that is equipped with a scrubber to remove sulfur dioxide.
Local ownership and responsibility bring about many other
advantages.
The establishment of a municipal electric utility should be based on
need. If you are happy with the price, reliability, and service to your
community you are currently receiving than why change? If you elect
to change I strongly recommend you consider establishing an inde-
pendent board of trustees who are not directly responsible to the city
council but rather are directly responsible to you, the consumer/
owners.
Thanks for inviting me today. If you are interested in seeing
Muscatine Power and Water I extend an invitation to you.
Public Power - An Option for Iowa City?
A Public Forum Exploring Municipal Electric and Iowa City's Franchise Agreement
with MidAmerican Energy
IOWA
ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL
UTILITIES
Bob Haug, Executive Director
Outline of Remarks/Attachments
I. Iowa City's electric service franchise with MidAmerican Energy expires on
November 15. It is appropriate that the community is considering whether the
franchise should be renewed and looking at all the options.
2. The franchise:
a. What is a franchise for?
i. What's in it for the city7
ii. What's in it for the utility?
b. What are the franchise options7
i. Renew for long term
ii.Renew for short term (or long term with periodic options)
iii.Extend the current agreement and reconsider when the recently
agreed-to revenue freeze expires (end of 2005 ?)
iv. Let the agreement expire and go on without a franchise (at least for
a while - maybe up to a few years)
v. Let the franchise agreement expire and hold an election to establish
a municipal utility.
c. Senate File 57 - a new franchise tool for Iowa Cities
3. Why consider forming a municipal utility?
a. Local control over rates, policies, generation resources - most issues in
operating the utility
b. Reliability - local service personnel
c. Local jobs
d. Lower rates - The average rate for residential customers of MidAmefican
Energy for 1999, based on the most recent data reported to the Department
of Energy as revenue per kWh, is $0.090 cents/kWh. The average for all
Iowa municipal utilities is just under $0.064. That means MidAmerican
Rates are over 40% higher than the average rates of municipal utilities.
e. Municipal utilities have been a part of the electricity industry since 1882.
The credible threat of new municipal utilities is important to all Iowans.
Consider this:... The threat of displacement by public enterprise has
greatly improved the performance of industry. The competition of public
with private power has probably been a much more powerful influence
than regulation in this respect... - Alfred Kahn (The Economics of
Regulation)
4. Steps involved in establishing a municipal utility (handout)
5. Are other cities establishing municipal utilities?
a. See www. APPAnet.or~ (The American Public Power Association)
b. Iowa activity
i. Emmetsburg completing feasibility study
ii. Several other cities considering the option (recent IAMU contacts
from Clear Lake and Fort Dodge
6. The "muni lite" alternative
a. Establish a municipal electric utility by election, but defer the feasibility
study and acquisition of the incumbent utility's distribution facilities (local
poles, lines, transformers, lighting, etc.).
b. As a municipal utility, the city would have the authority to purchase
electricity in the wholesale market for its own utility uses, e.g., water and
wastewater operations. It could also sell its existing generation
(water/wastewater peaking generation) into the wholesale market.
Whether the new utility actually made wholesale purchases and sales or
simply used the authority to leverage a better deal from MidAmerican,
there would likely be some savings to city residents through lower utility
operating costs.
c. Savings could be used later to help fund a feasibility study for acquiring
local distribution, to conduct energy efficiency programs or invest in
renewable energy facilities, or simply to reduce water and wastewater
operating costs.
7. Why consider mtmi lite?
a. It positions the city to become a load aggregator in the event the
legislature approves retail competition for energy supply. A number of
states have taken that action and Iowa is expected to follow suit
eventually. To date, residential consumers and small businesses have not
faired well in retail competition. Their hope lies in aggregating their
energy needs to get a reasonable price. The city is uniquely situated to be
the load aggregator for a community and in our view, could do the best job
of securing energy supplies.
2
Community choice legislation passed in Califomia on Thursday (9/13) and
has been sent to the governor. The web site www.community.or~ contains
a wealth of information on why municipal aggregation is essential in
nominally competitive retail electricity markets.
b. Still another reason to consider muni lite is to acquire and operate
distribution facilities on the chance that MidAmerican decides to sell off
those facilities. MidAmerican Energy is now a privately held company,
it's not shareholder owned. It is reasonable to speculate that the current
owners - some of the richest people in the nation - may not be satisfied
with regulated returns on their distribution assets. With a municipal utility
in place, the city would be in an excellent position to acquire the facilities
in the event of a voltrotary sale.
8. What about municipal gas?
a. Establishing a municipal natural gas utility is a less complicated process
than establishing a municipal gas system. The Iowa Utilities Board is not
involved and, in the event the sale of distribution pipes is not agreed to,
the district court sets the price.
b. Several new municipal gas systems has formed in recent years. By
contrast, though a number of cities are Currently considering new electric
utilities, the last new municipal electric utility in Iowa was formed in
1976.
9. How many municipal utilities does Iowa have? Iowa has 137 municipal electric
utilities and 49 municipal gas systems. Our association also represents municipal
water and telecommunications utilities.
10. What is the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities? IAMU is a nonprofit
membership organization of 550 Iowa cities. We represent municipal utility
interests in the Iowa legislature and before state and federal regulatory agencies.
Our 22 member staff and volunteer committees also conduct both hands on and
classroom training for utility workers, including OSHA compliance training and
support. We also support energy efficiency programs of our members and
conduct research of interest to our members. Check out our website at
www.iamu.or~.
3
A Thumbnail History of the Electricity Industry
The beginning of the electricity business in this country is usually associated with the opening of
the Edison Electric Illuminating Company's first power station in New York on September 4,
1882. Sixteen days after Edison's Pearl Street Station went into business, Fairfield, Iowa, began
operating one of the nation's first municipal electric utilities. From then until about 1907, private
companies fought to win local franchises among themselves and against public power systems.
By the turn of the century the number of public power utilities had begun to grow at twice the rate
of the private ones. Private companies responded to public power by calling for state regulation
of monopoly service territories. They also opened a period of rapid consolidation. There were
3,659 private electric utilities and 1,737 public power utilities in 1912.~ By the time of the 1928
stock market crash, 85 pement of the nation's power supply was controlled by 16 holding
companies, which also controlled much of the country's railroad, iec, water, banking, and real
estate business.
The New Deal saw the breakup of the power trust and a surge of municipal and rural electric
utilities and federal power projects, such as the Tennessee Valley Authority. This phase lasted
until 1961, with a subsidized nuclear energy program and with the federal call for a tripling of
power output by 1980, development of power pools, and interconnection of power plants.
In the aftermath of the Arab Oil Embargo and the related rolling blackouts in the eastern U.S.,
new independent power producers were brought into the wholesale market. Their impact was
limited, however, because a lot of new generation was coming on line and most of the country
would end up with excess generating capacity. The last inVestor-owned utility plant in Iowa
came on line in 1982.2
Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) with a goal of replacing regulation with
competition in the wholesale power market. This new threat of competition has led to another
round of consolidations that may surpass the concentration of business that occurred some 75
years ago. EPAct also led a number of states to take competition a step further, passing laws that
would allow retail customers to choose from among competing power suppliers. California has
led the way on retail competition and nearly half the states have followed that lead, though
implementation has begun in only a handful of states. To date, competition at both wholesale and
retail levels remains an unfulfilled promise and the future of deregulation in the industry is
uncertain.
The 1992 Energy Policy Act followed deregulation of trucking, railroads, the airlines, and the
1984 breakup of AT&T. If deregulation has generally fallen short of its promise, it has failed
miserably in rural parts of the country, like Iowa. There is little, if any competition for rail
service and many rural rail lines have been closed. Air service has also suffered. If your flight
schedule is flexible enough, you can sometimes get to Phoenix or New York or Washington D.C.
for between 200 and 300 dollars, but a business meeting at Chicago's O'Hare Airport means an
$800 ticket or more. The wholesale energy market looks equally bleak. Besides an impending
generation shortage, progress in developing a new regional transmission organization - an
essential minimum for competition - has stalled.
~ These data and much of the historical information about the electricity indush'y came from Power
Struggle: The Hundred-Year War over Electricity by Richard Rudolph and Scott Ridley, Harper & Row,
NY, 1986, and from a shortened 1996 update by Scott RidIcy, entitled Profile of Power.
2 The Louisa Generating Station located down river from Muscatine proved to be more than Iowa needed.
Without additional generation, Iowa has had enough reserves to carry it for 10 years. A generation deficit
is predicted by 1993.
4
Steps to Establish a
owA Municipal Electric Utility in Iowa
ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAl
UTILITIES
The following is a general overview of the steps to be taken in establishing a municipal
electric utility. Other steps or changes may be necessary to reflect both local conditions
and changing legal and regulatory conditions at the state and federal levels. The Iowa
Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) and the American Public Power Association
(APPA) can provide advice and assistance in that regard.
1. Gather information about the current climate for establishing a municipal electric
utility. Inform IAMU about your city's interest. In turn, IAMU will notify APPA to
send information and updates·
2. Conduct a preliminary assessment ofthe feasibility, considering both capital and
operating costs and including alternatives for power supply. Altemate scenarios for
establishment of a municipal utility may emerge, especially in light of industry
changes. A qualified engineering firm typically conducts a preliminary assessment.
The IAMU can provide a list of qualified firms. [The incumbent utility may offer to
do a study of alternatives, including municipalization. A study by the incumbent
utility should not be relied on in assessing municipalization or other alternatives.]
3. Establish a plan for assessing and developing community support for a
comprehensive feasibility study. Community leaders should be identified as part of
this process.
4. With a positive preliminary assessment and sustainable community support, a full
feasibility study should be conducted. It should include an appraisal of the value of
the distribution system. As with other types of appraisal, multiple valuation
methodologies may be employed, including original cost less depreciation,
replacement cost less depreciation, and market value (sales of similar facilities
between willing buyers and sellers). In Iowa, there is some expectation that the
replacement cost less depreciation approach will be given greater weight by the Iowa
Utilities Board I determining the price for facilities presently serving the customers.
The Board must consider - but not necessarily include in the price determination - ".
·. the cost of the facilities being acquired, any necessary generating capacity and
transmission capacity dedicated to the customer, depreciation, loss of revenue and the
cost of facilities necessary to reintegrate the system of the utility after detaching the
portion sold·" The feasibility study should assess all costs of system acquisition,
operation, and reintegration as well as revenues. Power supply options should also be
identified· Sensitivity analysis should address likely scenarios related to restructuring
of the industry. [The consultant selected to conduct the preliminary assessment may
be a logical choice to do the full feasibility study, but the door should be left open to
alternatives.]
5. Assuming a full feasibility study yields positive results, an election should be set to
authorize establishment of a municipal utility. If there is a preference to establish an
independent board of trustees to govern the utility, the ballot issue is "double-
barreled," asking first, "should the city be authorized to establish a municipal utility"
and second, "should the utility be govemed by a board of trustees." A community
group should be organized to promote the ballot issue. The city is not allowed to
spend money to influence the result of the election. The city can present findings and
facts, but it cannot recommend that voters vote for or against a ballot issue. [The
election may be scheduled following the preliminary assessnient. This allows the
election to demonstrate public support for a full feasibility study. The city is not
obligated to proceed if the feasibility study does not warrant.]
6. Assuming the referendum receives strong public support, the City should make a
formal inquiry of the incumbent utility whether it would agree to negotiate a purchase
price for its facilities. The utility's stated position on selling the system should not be
presumed to be the same after a successful election as it was before. The Iowa
Utilities Board (IUB) would likely ratify a reasonable agreement. Also, restructuring
of the electricity industry may change the view of the incumbent regarding a sale of
the distribution system.
7. Regardless of the incumbent utility's response to a buyout offer by the city, the next
step is to petition the Iowa Utilities Board. The IUB must detennine whether
establishment of the municipal utility is in the public interest. ILrB approval results in
modification of the service territory map by designating a service area for the city.
The 1UB also determines the price to be paid for the incumhent's facilities and for
reintegrating the remaining system. The city would present expert testimony in the
proceeding to support its position on all issues considered by the IUB.
8. As the city moves forward from completion of the feasibility study, an operating plan
should be formulated and refined. Based on assumptions in the feasibility study,
detailed plans should be made regarding system acquisition, finance, power supply,
staffing, equipment, and operation.
WHAT CAN A CITY EXPECT FROM IAMU?
1. For municipalization: information and updates about municipalization, including
strategies likely to be employed by the incumbent utility to block municipalization,
promotional materials, limited legal and technical support, contacts at other municipal
utilities and our national affiliate, possible legal support and/or expert witnesses in the
1UB proceeding.
2. For operation: IAMU staff technical support, technical training, apprenticeship
programs, safety training, mutual aid program, assistance in arranging interim or
long-term agreements for sharing personnel, equipment or services with other
municipal utilities, joint power supply arrangements, representation before the
legislature and regulatory agencies. IAMU also maintains a joint membership in the
MidContinent Area Power Pool, which coordinates the electric transmission grid in
our region.
6
Public Power Costs Less
esidential customers of in- electricity than public power customers in power customers, so LIPA's rates have a
vestor-owned utilities paid av 1999. Public power commercial cus- statistically noticeable affect on public
[erage rates that were 18 per- tomers paid an average of 6.8 cents per power's average revenue per kilowatt-
cent above those paid by kWh. compared to T.4 cents per kWh paid hour. The change in average rates for
customers of publicly owned by commercial customers of investor- publicly owned utilities caused by the ad
systems during 1999. Public power cus- owned utilities and 7.0 cents per kWh dition of LIPA occurred over two years as
tomers paid an average of 7.2 cents per paid by commercial customers of cooper- LIPA began operations in mid-1998. and
kilowatt-hour for residential electric ser* ative systems. There were only small rift~ 1999 was its first full year of operations.
vice, compared to 8.5 cents per kilowatt ference in average rates paid by industrial Importandy, LIPKs customers have ben-
hour paid by residential customers of in- customers of publicly owned and investor- eftted from their switch from Long Island
vestor-owned utilities, and 7.5 cents per owned electric utilities in 1999: industrial Lighting Company (LILCO) to public
kilowatt-hour paid by residential cus- customers of publicly owned utilities paid power. LIPA was able to reduce the av-
tomers of cooperative systems. 4.6 cents per kWh, while industrial cus- erage rate charged to its residential cus-
Across the country, publicly owned tomers of investor-owned utilities paid 4.5 tomers by 16 percent and the average rate
electric utilities continue to lead the way cents per kWh. Industrial customers of charged to its commercial customers by 8
in providing residential, commercial and cooperative systems paid an average rate percent, as compared to LILCO's average
industrial customers with low-costenergy of 4.1 cents per kWh. 1998 rates. (Neither LIPA nor LILCO
for homes, businesses, large industry and Publicly owned utilities' average rate have distinguished between commercial
the public. The chart below compares the advantage has narrowed a moderate and industrial customers.)
national average residential, commercial amount in the last two years, and the most State restructufing activities in several
and industrial revenue per kilowatt hour important reason was the addition of a states have also narrowed the gap be-
paid by customers of publicly owned, in- very large, new public power system, tween publicly owned and investor
vestor-owned and cooperative electric Long Island Power Authority (Li[PA), owned utility rates as some states have re-
utilities in 1999. which displaced a high-cost private power quired investor-owned utilities to
Commercial customers of investor- company. LIPA's one million customer implement rate reductions or rate freezes
owned systems paid 9 percent more for meters represent 6 percent of all public as part of retail choice. In addition, the
rate comparisons do not cover sales to all
ultimate customers, as customers served
Retail Electric Rates by an alternative supplier are excluded
from the database. These customers typ-
ically are investor-owned utility customers
[ Publicly Owned ~ Investor Owned ~ Cooperative in high-cost states. The exclusion of sales
]0.0 to customers served by alternate suppli-
9.0 8,5 ers changes the overall composition of the
data base, so care should be taken in mak-
8.0 7.2 7.5 7.4 ing year to year comparisons.
~ 7.0 6.8 7.0 The 1999 data presented here are
~ fi.0 based on information reported to the
~ · Department of Energy, Energy Informa-
r.~ 5.0 4.6 4.5 tion Administration (EIA) on Form EIA-
4.0 · 861. "Annual Electric Utility Report."
3.0 · · ~ Data were reported by 2,008 publicly
2,0 · I --owned electric utilities, 239 investor
owned utilities and 900 cooperative sys
1.0 · I 'terns operating in the 50 states and Dis-
0.0 I I -- trictof Columbia. The following table
__ shows revenue per kilowatt-hour infer
Residential Commercial Industrial mation by state. ·
30 American Public Power Associati~ * 2001 Annual Director-/& Statistical Report
U.S. ELECTRIC UTILITY STATISTICS, *1999
(Statistics are based on data filed on Energy Information Administration Forms EIA-860 and EIA-861.
Does not include U.S. territories.)
Number of
Electric Utilities
Total: 3,156
Number of / ,. ~.~
IJItimate
Customers
Publicly Owned Utilities ........18,266,406
Investor-Owned Utilities .......92,408,587 ' :""' ' '':''~:~ '';~';
Cooperatives .........................14,533,164
Federal Power Agencies ...............34,426
Total .........................~25,242,583
Megawatt-Hour
Sales to Ultimate
Customers
(in thousands of MWh)
Publicly Owned Utilities .............499,000
Investor-Owned Utilities ..........2,397,707
Cooperatives ..............................287,615
Federal Power Agencies ...............51,577
Total .............................3,235,899
2001 Annual DirectoPJ & Statistical Report · American Public Power Association 11
U.S. ELECTRIC UTILITY STATISTICS, 1999
Totals do not include U.S. Territories
Electric
Revenues from
Sales to Ultimate
Customers
(in thousands of dollars)
~:~'~'-.-"."" :.
Publicly Owned Utilities ........ 31,426,979
Investor-Owned Utilities .....163,664,990
Cooperatives .........................'19,'1 'i 9,138
Federal Power Agencies .........1261.720
Total .........................215,472,827
/
Megawatt-Hour
Generation
(in thousands of MWh)/ .-..~'
P.b,,c,yowne..t,,.,,e~ .............382.46~
Investor-Owned Utilities ..........2,325,091
Cooperatives ..............................178,270
Federal Power Agencies .............303,635
Total .............................3,189,465,,.:. ,,,
Installed Capacity
Publicly Owned Utilities ...............96,023
Investor-Owned Utilities .............531,936
Cooperatives ................................~,0~
F~eral Power Agencies ...............68,736
Total ................................728,779
12 American Public Power Asseciatie4~ · 2001 Annual Direclm'J & Siatistical Report
SF 57 Page 1 of 2 ,
SF 57
PAG LIN
1 1 SENATE FILE 57
12
1 3 kNACT
1 4 RELATING TO APPROV~ OF CITY ORDINANCES GRANTING CERTAIN
1 5 LvfILITY FRANCHISES.
16
1 7 BE IT ENA~ED BY HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
18
1 9 Section 1. Section 364.2, subsection 4, paragraph b, Code
I 10 2001, is amended to read as follows:
1 11 b. ~ Such a~ ordinance shall not become effective
1 12 unless approved at an election. The proposal may be s~mitted
1 13 by the council on its own motion to the voters at any city
1 14 election. Upon receipt of a valid petition as defined in
1 15 section 362.4 re~esting that a proposal be submitted to the
1 16 voters, the council shall submit the proposal at the next
1 17 regular city election or at a special election called for that
1 18 purpose before the next regular city election. However, the
I 19 city council may dispense with such election as to the grant,
1 20 amendment, extension, or renewal of an electric light and
1 21 power, heating, or gasworks franchise unless there is a valid
1 22 petition re~estinq submission of the proposal to the voters,
1 23 or the party seeking such franchise, grant, amendment,
1 24 extension, or renewal requests an election. If a majority of
1 25 those voting approves the proposal the city may proceed as
1 26 proposed. The complete text of the ordinance shall be
1 27 included on the ballot, if paper ballots are used. If an
1 28 electronic voting system or voting machine is used, the
I 29 proposal shall be stated on the ballot and the full text of
1 30 the ordinance posted for the voters pursuant to section 52.25.
1 31 All absentee voters shall receive the full text of the
1 32 ordinance.
1 33
1 34
1 35
2 1 FurRY E. KP3~MER
2 2 President of the Senate
23
24
25
2 6 BRENT SIEGRIST
2 7 Speaker of the House
28
2 9 I hereby certify that this bill originated in the Senate and
2 10 is ho~ as Senate File 57, Seventy-ninth General Assembly.
2 11
2 12
2 13
214 MICHAELE. MARSHALL
2 15 Secretary of the Senate
2 16 Approved , 2001
2 17
2 18
2 19
2 20 THO~L~S J. VILSACK
http://www~~egis~state~ia~us/cgi~bin/Legis~ati~n/Fi~e-~n~y~p~?F~LE=/usr/ns~h~me/d~cs/GA/;... 9/14/2001
Directory of Contacts
Electric Administration 502 Carroll Ave. 515-239-5170 Ames Municipal
Electric System
Merlin Hove, Director 239-5171 502 Carroll Avenue
hove@city. ames.ia.us P.O. Box 811
Gary Titus, Assistant Director 239-5176 Ames. IA 50010
Fax 239-5308
Electric Engineering 502 Carroll Ave. 515-239-5175
Jacob Chacko, Electrical Engineer 239-5174
chacko @ city. ames. ia. us
Fax 239-5308
Electric Distribution 2208 Edison St. 515-239-5500
Phil Rust, Superintendent 239-5501
Phil Schumer, Assistant Superintendent 239-5503
Fax 239-5507
Electric Meter 2208 Edison St. 515-239-5510
Tim Scher, Supervisor 239-5510
scher@city. ames.ia.us
Electric Production (Power Plant) 200 E. 5th St. 515-239-5190
Marwin Bogue, Plant Superintendent 239-5191
bogue@city.ames.ia.us
Dell Brown, Assistant Superintendent 239-5243
Electric Plant Control 502 Carroll Ave,
Harold Ault, Electrical Engineer 239-5173
Fax 239-5308
Utility Customer Service 515 Clark Ave. 515-239-5120
Mike Wheelock, Utility Accounts Supervisor 239-5120
A.M.E.S.
Ames Municipal Eleclric System
Bull Perm ure
I Apply for Building/Zoning Permit BUILDING
1 a. Contractor's Registration PERMIT
1 b. Development Review Committee COMMERCIAL/
INDUSTRIAL
2 Apply for Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical Permits Multi-Unit
3 Inspections Required Residential
3a. Building
3b. Plumbing
3c. Electrical
3d. Mechanical
1. The contractor/owner must complete a Building/Zoning Permit Application which The
may be obtained from the Inspection Division. Present the Building Official with a contractor/owner
set of stamped building plans for review. must call the
Inspection office
1 a. The contractor must be registered with the City of Ames Inspection Division
at 515-239-5153
and carry contractor's public liability insurance in the amount of no less than
to schedule the
$500,000 and provide the Inspection Division with a Certificate of Insurance. The
contractor must also be registered with the State of Iowa. various
inspections.
1 b. A site plan must be submitted to the Planning and Housing Department for a
meeting with the Development Review Committee (DRC). After the project goes
through DRC, an approved site plan will be submitted to the Inspection Division
from Planning and Housing; then a building permit will be issued if building plans
have been submitted and reviewed.
2. Subcontractors apply for their own permits (electrical, plumbing and mechanical).
Subcontractors need to be registered with the Inspection Division and carry
contractor's public liability insurance in the amount of no less than $500,000 and
provide the Inspection Division with a Certificate of Insurance. Subcontractors
must also be registered with the State of Iowa, and the electrical and plumbing
contractors must be licensed in the City of Ames.
3. Each project must have the following inspections done during the course of Inspection Division
construction. 515 Clark Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
3a. Building - footing, foundation, framing and final. 515-239-5153
3b. Plumbing - groundwork, stack, yard meter and final. fax 515-239-5261
3c. Electrical - service, rough-in and final.
3d. Mechanical - gas, furnace and final.
A.M.E.S.
Arne~ Mun cipal Electric System
Electric Utility Territory Map
A.M.E.S.
Ames Municipal Electric Syslem
;,.'. '.' ," ..':..: .....""i'~"
u /~'~V~:~ X ~ ' '~'-'
The city uses a City Council/City Manager form of government with the City City Government
Manager serving as the Chief Executive Officer for 14 departments. The Director
of the Electric Department serves as the Chief Operating Officer and handles the
day-to-day operations of the Ames Municipal Electric System. A citizen board
(EUORAB) advises the City staff and City Council on major issues related to the
electric utility.
The Ames Municipal Electric System does not receive any tax support from the A.M.E.S.
City of Ames. In fact, we actually contribute over $1.084 million annually to general
city coffers as in-lieu-of tax revenue. This replaces tax revenues the City would earn The citizens of
if our community were served by a privately held utility company rather than the the City dames
Ames Municipal Electric System, a public, not-for-profit utility. In addition, A.M.E.S. established the
contributes $100,000 annually to economic development and supports community Ames Municipal
events such as VEISHEA, Festival of Trees and the Jaycees' Fourth of July Electric System,
celebration by providing materials, labor and electricity. a public.
Power Plant Generating Capacity not-for-profit
utility, in 1896.
Unit 8 68 MW
Unit 7 33 MW
Combustion turbine 19 MW Important
Phone Numbers
Fuel
Coal Low sulfur sub-bituminous coal (90%) City Manager's
RDF Refuse-derived fuel (10%) Office
515-239-5101
Distribution System
City Inspections
Service territory 19 square miles 515-239-5153
69 kV transmission line 77 circuit miles
Overhead distribution line 268 circuit miles City Planning
Underground distribution line 147 miles &Housing
Distribution substations 7 515-239-5400
Population Served Utility
Full-time employees 79 Customer Service
Ames population 48,691 S 15-239-5120
Story County population 74,252
Story County
Customers Courthouse
515-382-6581
Industrial 2
Large commercial 346
Small commercial 1,929
Residential 16,669
A.M.E.S.
Ames Municipal Electric System
w
tes
WATER & Water & Yard Water Rate
YARD WATER $1.23 per one hundred (100) cubic feet.
Ordinance 3436 Minimum Bill -- based on meter size: Water Yard Water
Adopted May 27. 1997 5/8" or 5/8" x 3/4". ...........................$ 6.85 ..............$ 1.75
3/4". ..................................................13.70 ..................2.50
1". .....................................................27.40 ..................3.50
1-1/2". ...............................................54.80 ..................4.75
2". ...................................................109.60 ..................6.25
2" - battery of 2 ...............................219.20 .................N/A
2" - battery of 3 ...............................328.80 .................N / A
3". ...................................................219.20 ..................8.00
4". ...................................................328.80 ..................9.75
6". ...................................................657.60 ................11.50
Water &sewer rate 8". ................................................1,096.00 ................13.25
information applies 10", ..............................................1,644.00 ................15.00
to commercial and Multiple Unit Surcharge
residential consumers. 5/8" meter, 2 or more units .......................$ 1.70/month/unit
3/4" meter, 4 or more units ...........................1.70/month/unit
1" meter, 8 or more units ..............................1.70/month/unit
1-1/2" meter, 16 or more units ......................1.70/month/unit
2" meter, 30 or more units ..........................51.00 for first 30 units plus
..................................................................... 2.70/month/unit for units over 30
3" meter, any number of units ....................... 2.30/month/unit
SEWER Sewer Rate
Ordinance 3326 Each user shall pay for the services provided by the City based on his/her use of
Adopted Ma~y 9. 1995 the treatment works as determined by water meter readings or other appropriate
methods acceptable to the City.
The minimum charge per month shall be $5.50. In addition, each user shall be
billed $1.41 per 100 cubic feet of usage as follows:
a. A treatment user charge rate for operation and maintenance, including
replacement, of 24¢ per 100 cubic feet of water used per month; and
b. A sewer user charge rate for operation and maintenance, including replacement,
of 30¢ per 100 cubic feet of water used per month; and,
c. A capital charge rate for debt retirement of 87¢ per 100 cubic feet of water used
per month.
For those users whose wastewater has a greater strength than normal domestic
sewage, a surcharge in addition to the normal user charge will be collected. The
surcharge for operation and maintenance, including replacement is: 8¢ per pound
biochemical oxygen demand; 14¢ per pound suspended solids; 20¢ per pound
ammonia.
Any user who discharges any toxic pollutants, as defined in the Sewer Use
Ordinance, which cause an increase in the cost of managing the effluent or the
sludge from the City's treatment works, or any user who discharges any
substance which singly or by interaction with other substance causes
identifiable increases in the cost of operation, maintenance, or replacement
of the treatment works, shall pay for such increased costs.
A.M,E,S.
Ames Municipal Electric Sysleln
Commeroa Electric Rates
The commercial Commercial Rate Comparison Electric rates in Iowa
electric rate is are among the lowest in
available to I the nation, and the
A.M.E.S. 5.6¢ electric rates of the
non-residential I
Ames Municipal Electric
customers whose Alliant - IES 6.8¢
monthly energy ~ I System are lower than
usage exceeds Marshall County REC 7.1 ¢ its neighboring utilities.
~ I In fact, A.M.E.S. hasn't
10,000 kWh, and is MidAmerican Energy 6.7¢ had a rate increase
mandato~/[or i ~ since 1979. As a
customers with Midland Power Cooperative 6.3¢ community-owned
metered demands of public power system,
S0 kW or greater. United States Average 7.6¢ we're not here to
I maximize profits, but to
5¢ 6¢ 7¢ 8¢ provide an essential
Average Revenue per kWh service. The benefits of
our low rates extend to
Data in graph is based on information reported to the Department of Energy,
Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Form EIA-861. Ames Municipal industrial, commercial
Electric System's 1997 EIA-861 data has been recalculated 1o reflect our and residential
current classification of commercial accounts customers.
Winter
Bills mailed on or between November I and June 30.
Customer Charge: $40,00 per month
Demand Charge: Energy Charge:
(based on billing demand) (based on billing demand)
First 50 kW $3.05 per kW First 200 hours 4.7¢ per kWh
Next 100 kW $2.65 per kW Next 200 hours 3.7¢ per kWh
Over 150 kW $2.25 per kW Over 400 hours 3.3¢ per kWh
Summer
Bills mailed on or between July 1 and October 31.
Customer Charge: $40.00 per month
Demand Charge: Energy Charge:
(based on billing demand) (based on billing demand)
First 50 kW $4.25 per kW First 200 hours 5.5¢ per kWh
The minimun~ bill Next 100 kW $3.85 per kW Next 200 hours 3,8¢ per kWh
shall be the Over 150 kW $3.45 per kW Over 400 hours 3.5¢ per kWh
customer charge The billing demand shall be the greater of:
plus current a. The current month's demand
demand charge. b. 75% of the high demand in the previous 4 summer months; or
c. 60% of the high demand in the previous 11 months;
d. Provided that the demand used for billing shall in no case be less than 15 kW
after discounts.
Energy Cost Adjustment: The net monthly billing, based on rates, will be
A.M.E.S. increased or decreased by an amount corresponding to the change in average
%rlle'~ Municipal Electric SystemCOSt Of power plant fuel in the preceding month.
Residential Electric Rates
Budget billing is Residential Rate Comparison The residential
available for residential electric rate is
customers or other I available for all
customers whose A.M.E.S. 7.2¢ separately metered
electric usage is less Alliant - IES 8.5¢ dwelling units
than 3,000 kWh per ~ I occupied by a
month. A one-year Marshall County RE0 9.2¢ single family. This
history of service and a I does not apply to
current account are MidAmerican Energy 8.8¢
required to be eligible. J residences such as
Midland Power Cooperative 8.9¢ fraternity or sorority
J houses, roomin~
United States Average 8.4¢ houses or
I residential care
7¢ 8¢ 9¢ 10¢ facilities.
Average Revenue per kWh
Data in graph is based on information reported to the Department of Energy,
Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Form EIA-861.
Winter
Bills mailed on or between November 1 and June 30.
Service Charge: $3,50 per month
First 400 kWh 6.8¢ per kWh
Next 600 kP4h 5.7¢ per kWh
Over 1000 kWh 5.4¢ per kWh
Minimum bill $3.50 per month
Summer
Bills mailed on or between July I and October 31.
Service Charge: $3.50 per month
First 400 kWh 7.7¢ per kWh
Next 600 kWh 7.3¢ per kWh
Over 1000 kWh 6.7¢ per kWh
Minimum bill $3.50 per month
Energy Cost Adjustment: The net monthly billing, based on rates, will be increased or
decreased by an amount corresponding to the change in average cost of power plant
fuel in the preceding month.
Deposits: There is a deposit requirement for residential utility service unless the
customer can provide an acceptable credit reference from another utility, other
than telephone. Deposits are refunded with interest after 12 consecutive months
of prompt payment of the utility bill.
A.M.E.S.
Utility Application Procedure
APPLICATION FOR I Complete Application for Municipal Utility Service
UTILITIES
2 Meter Labs Receive Orders to Install Meters
3 Meter Fees Billed Through Accounting Division
4 Monthly Utility Charges Billed Through Utility Customer Service
Utility 1. The Application for Utility Services may be obtained from the Utility Customer
Customer Service Service Division or the Inspection Division at 515 Clark Avenue. A completed form
515 Clark Avenue may be faxed to 515-239-5286. If the applicant is not an active customer on the
Ames. IA 50010 utility billing system, a separate application may be required. The applicant will be
Rm. 136 contacted, and a form may be mailed or faxed to the customer. A deposit may
also be required.
515-239-5120
2. Once the application is received by the Customer Service Office, a service
order(s) is sent to the Electric or Water Meter Division to install the meter(s).
When you are ready for the meters, contact the appropriate division.
3. After the meters have been installed, fees will be invoiced by the respective meter
division and billed through the Accounting Division of the Finance Department.
4. Charges for the utility consumption are billed by the Utility Customer Service
Division.
A.M.E.S.
Ames Municipal Electric System
eter erm ure
1 Complete Application for Municipal Utility Service TEMPORARY
ELECTRIC METER
2 Temporary Service Location
3 Call Electric Meter Lab When Ready for Meter
4 Electric Meter Lab Will Set Temporary Meter & Connect Service
1. The contractor or property owner must complete an alSplication for utility services.
All utility services may be applied for on the same form. The form may be
obtained at the Inspection Division. To find out the current fee for temporary
electric service, call the Customer Service Division at 515-239-5120.
2. Temporary services for construction shall be set within two feet on the back of the
electric pedestal.
3. Call the Electric Meter Division when ready to have the meter set and the service
connected. In most cases, services can be obtained the same day as notified.
4. The Electric Meter Division will set the temporary meter and will connect the
service.
I Obtain Electrica~ Permit PERMANENT
ELECTRIC METER
2 Pick Up Meter Socket
3 Install Meter Socket
4 Provide Trench and Have Covers on Entrance Panel
5 Call Electric Meter Lab for Wire To Be Installed and Connected
6 Services Above 320 Amps
1. Obtain an electrical permit and meter slip from the Inspection Division at 515
Clark Avenue.
2. Take the meter slip to the Electric Meter Division and pick up the electric meter
socket. The Electric Meter Division will also determine the socket location on the
building. Electric
3. Install the meter socket, service panel and grounds. Meter Division
4. For residential homes/duplexes, provide a 30" deep trench from the location of the 2208 Edison Street
meter socket to transformer/secondary pedestal. For commercial buildings, Ames. IA 50010
please refer to the Electric Meter standards available from the Inspection Division. 515-239-5510
Have the covers on entrance panel and approval or the meter will not be set.
5. Call the Electric Meter Division for wire to be installed in the trench and connected
at meter socket and transformer/secondary pedestal.
6. Services above 320 amps shall be referred to the Electric Engineering Division
at 502 Carroll, 515-239-5175.
A.M,E.S.
Ames Municipal Electric Syslem
Zone:
Com~ai,~ant'~ ,~ame:~T'~'Z~ ~IC-[~ ~one ~o:
Referred to: HOUStNG~PECTION
Investigation by: ID~ITY, IOWA
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
INVESTIGATION REPORT (include: violations, locations, pa~icipants, measurements,
INSPECTION REQUEST
CITY OF IOWA CITY
BUILDING INSPECTION DIVISION
FAX (319) 356-5009
PROJECTADDRESS
Temporary Electrical Service Plumbing Groundwork :~ Z 2 y y
~ Buildings Footings ~ Commemial Range Hood
~ Building Framing ~ Gas Meter Release
D ed at least 24 hr .~~ ~/'~ A~~
hisi~sp~nsRSl.~ z Cir le e)
I SEP 2 0 21~1 .
HOUSING & INSPECTION SERVICES
IOWA CITY, IOWA
Page 1 of 1
From: Kay Burke [kayb@inav.net]
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 12:47 PM
To: Council@Iowa-City.or9
Subject: Nuisance Law
Monday
September 24
Iowa City Council Members:
In this morning's paper I read with great interest a proposal to strengthen Iowa City's nuisance ordinance. I was gratified
to learn of the council's concern regarding the transformation of many Iowa City neighborhoods, from quiet single family
residences into rental homes with numerous inhabitants. The result in my neighborhood has been trash-laden yards and
frequent all-night loud parties. We feel certain that the number of occupants at the following addresses exceeds the legal
limit:
308, 310, and 503 Melrose Court
This neighborhood fully supports a new nuisance ordinance, and hope it can be effectively enforced before our once
peaceful neighborhood is forever changed.
Kay Burke
505 Brookland Park
Brooklland Park Neighborhood
9/24/01
From: Amy Butler [amy-c-butler@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 3:18 PM
To: council@lowa-City.org
Subject: Nuisance Law
Members of the Iowa City Council:
I was pleased to read in this morning's Press Citizen that the City Council
will discuss a nuisance ordinance tonight. I have been distressed these
past several years over the increasing levels noise, drunkenness, and
littering in my neighborhood. Football weekends and the beginning and end
of semesters are the worst times. Several houses in my immediate vicinity
have recently turned from single-family homes to student rentals and the
consequences have been dramatic. The worst offenders are the students who
live in 308, 310, 402 and 503 Melrose Court.
Last spring there was a rowdy party next door to me that included students
urinating in the neighbors' gardens, drunken bellowing and screaming, games
of catch that led to the trampling of my and other neighbors' gardens, and
so on. The elderly woman across the street (409 Melrose Ct.) went over to
the duplex (402/404 Melrose Ct.) where the party was being held and asked
the students to quiet down, which they did not do. She was so upset that
she had a heart attack that evening. The students were remorseful and
brought her flowers in the hospital, but this did not deter them from
having an equally rowdy party several weeks later, one which included young
men running up and down the street naked.
I will eagerly support a stiffer nuisance ordinance, as well as the hiring
of additional staff to enforce the new law.
Thank you.
Amy C. Butler
326 Melrose
Iowa City
Marian Karr ,,~ ~,
From: Laura Stern [noah17@home,com]
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 2:54 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: inspection of rental houses
Dear City Council,
My name is Laura Stern and I live in the Brookland Woods neighborhood,
that is, both sides of Melrose Court and around Roosevelt. We are
definitely having a problem of rental houses that are rented to far too
many people. These houses are full of very rude renters. Some of them
must have three times the allowed number of people. 310 Melrose Court
has made a parking lot out of its back yard. These kids are up all
night screaming outside. There yards are full of trash. I beg you to
drive by 503 Melrose Court to see the upwards of 50 beer cans lying in
the yard. We have a nice quiet neighborhood. We want something done.
310 Melrose Court, 308 Melrose Court, 503 Melrose Court, the white house
on the corner of Melrose Court and Brookland Park Drive, Trudy Champe~s
old house at the corner of Melrose Court and Melrose Drive. These
people are illegally renting to too many and the renters are
unbelievably rude and loud. Please help us.
Laura Stern
517 Brookland Park Drive
iowa City 339-8852
August 31, 2001
Mary Helen and John Stefaniak
Margie and Jim Hawtrey
Jackie and Bob Hess
Anna Gay
Earline, Jim, and Nathan Gigliercano
Joe Gigliercano C) '<
Dear Neighbors,
-.
I've had it with being awakened in the middle of the night by our local
miscreants, so I asked the police what I could do. They directed me to the
housing office, on the lower level of the Civic Center, where I got the
following names and numbers.
I highly recommend that we all start calling these folks in the middle of the
night when their tenants wake us up. That's what I'll be doing.
511.505. and 512 South Dodge belong to
Michael and Kelly McLaughlin 351-7597
614 Pine Ridge Road
Coralville, Iowa 52241
501 South Dodge belongs to
Julie and Daniel Hays no number listed
3021 Wapsi Avenue
Iowa City
435 South Dodge belongs to home 339-8401
John and Linda Yutzy work 3384)581 ex 6263
1314 Sandusky Avenue
Iowa City 52240
431A South Dodge (the new building that replaced Michael Blake's house)
Greg Allen 645-2001
2427 Highway 6 NW
Tiffin, IA 52340
514 South Dodge is in the trust of Ralph S. and Maureen Vinci
836 Paddock Lane
Libertyville, IL 60048 (847) 367-6971
Local number (at the house) 351-6429
August 31, 2001
Michael and Kelly McLaughlin
614 Pine Ridge Road
Coralville, Iowa
RE: Your rental properties on South Dodge Street
Please be informed that, as of today, the long term residents of South Dodge
Street, Iowa City have been furnished with your names, address, and phone
number in order to transfer responsibility for ongoing disturbances at your
rental properties from the Iowa City police to you.
Having directed our complaints to the police for years, we have been advised to
take new steps. Those steps will, from this point forward, involve you each and
every time we are awakened by your renters for any reason, including the
following:
* breaking glass in the street in front of your houses
* hooting as cars drive over the broken glass
* playing basketball late at night
* playing music so that we have to hear it or the stereo bass in our
own homes
* allowing the noise of voices to be so loud as to go beyond
your property line
Perhaps you and your tenants are unaware that Iowa City has a twenty-four
hour noise ordinance that stipulates that action can be taken if and when a
resident disturbs others with noise that leaves his or her property line at any
time of the day or night.
South Dodge Street used to be a lovely, peaceful street with older homes that
boasted architectural integrity, careful upkeep, and gardens. It still is for
numerous residents here. By failing to instill or maintain civil behavior in
your tenants, you have inflicted on other adults offensive conditions that you
yourselves would not tolerate.
Would you appreciate it if we came to Pine Ridge Road at two, three, or four in
the morning, sat on shabby furniture in front of your house, littered your
lawn with our garbage, and woke you up with our bottle throwing, basketball
playing, voices, and music?
Kindly advise your households to dispose of their garbage properly, re.._spect
the block they live on, and be quiet.
Thank you,
South Dodge Street
Iowa City
'~
From: Diehi, Dedra [dedra-diehl@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2001 2:20 PM
To: 'Council@lowa-City.org'
Subject: Nuisance Ordinance
Iowa City Council Members:
I am writing in support of the proposed strengthening of Iowa City's
nuisance ordinance. We have lived in a neighborhood near the University of
Iowa for 24 years and have noticed in recent years that there are more and
more rental properties in the area that seem to have more tenants than is
appropriate for the size of house, parking facilities, etc. There are also
more problems with loud parties and with furniture and trash in the yards.
Some of the locations exhibiting these problems are 308 and 310 Melrose
Court and 521 and 601 Melrose Avenue.
We sincerely hope that a new nuisance ordinance can be implemented and
enforced before irreparable harm is done to this neighborhood we care so
much about.
Dedra and Paul Diehl
513 Brookland Park Drive
Marian Karr
From: WalkerslC@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday. September 25, 2001 2:55 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org; doug-boothroy@iowa-city,org
Subject: Nuisance ordinance
I was very glad to see in yesterdays paper that you are going to address the
problem of noisy rental properties in residential neighborhoods. I have
lived on Lucon Drive since 1973 and have noticed a big incresase in the last
few years in the noise on Melrose Court, whose houses back onto my property.
This is due to family homes now being occupied by students.
For example, the people living in 308 and particularly 310 Melrose Court
create a noise disturbance almost any night. The noise from 310 continues on
until midnight or beyond. They do not appear to have any understanding of or
civility for the neighborhood. I see this as a growing trend. I have talked
with the people in both places - and when that failed with 310 I have called
the police. This works for a while. It is very timely that you are
addressing this problem at this time.
Thank you,
Jean Walker
Remarks for Council--Tuesday, Sept. 25th
We have come befbre you a munber of times, with the same primary themes: density and
all its related traffic and safet3~ concerns; inconsistent zoning and the subsequem stress
that new development places on existing neighborhoods. I'm here for your consideration
of a zoning request, where timely action would be greatly appreciated.
We have submitted an application to donone a parcel of land on Benton St., referred to
as Benton Villa, from RM44 to RM20. Since we have spoken with most of you about
this request, I will only briefly describe the projecl that is being proposed, which initialed
our action, There are Lwo buildings with eight units each currently on the t .3 acre piece
of land. A new development seeks to replace these sixteen units with four three-story
buildings and a tolal orS0 units. These buildings would be directly adjacent to single
family homes on two sides and an eight-plex directly behind. The plans call ti3r no
significanl buffer between these three-story' buildings and the adjacent residential
neighborhood; in fact they will decrease the existing buffer of open space that exists with
the current apartment buildings and land use.
We are requesting an RM20 zoning, which would encourage smaller scale buildings with
appropriate buffer zones between the complex and the adjacent homes. This is not a huge
parcel of land, just 1.3 acres; and we are hoping for something in the range of 30 units to
replace the existing sixteen. An RM20 zoning would also create less additional stress on
Benton St. and all of the related concerns on do~vn the hill.
I realize that it is neither the developer nor the property o~er's fitull that this RM44
zone has been allowed 1o sit directly next to single-family homes. This is one more
example of the inconsistencies and historical oversight plaguing our neighborhood, which
I hope and trust will be resolved during the SW district planning process. 1 t~el
frustration and regret that the developer and property owner are caught in the middle of
onr struggle to defend our neighborhood from a lack of comprehensive planning. There
is great collective wisdom in front of me, and I doubt that any of you would believe it
makes sense to bury single fmnily homes under 3 story- apartment buildings within
several t~et. However, until the SW district planning process is complete, this is an
instance where waiting for the process to be concluded would be too late. Once this acre
of land is paved over and three story buildings erected, there will be no opportunity to do
something better or smarter for the neighborhood as a whole.
Developers make substantial investments in their plans and our neighborhoods. Yet so
do families, and in an arguably more profound way. Maintaining neighborhoods that
appeal to young families is ultimately the best protection of everyone's property. values
and the city's existing and fmure tax base.
I am asking that you set a public hearing tbr the next possible opportunity. This ~vot~d
allow public disettssion and a decision prior to the issuance of a building permit for the
project proposed. This would give everyone involved input into the appropriateness of
the existing zoning in relation to the surrounding property.
We came before you a number of times about Southgate's development proposal for the
Jensen tract, which is within yards of the Benton Villa proposal. Our concerns remain
consistent: over-crowding, traffic escalation and a bizarre mix of zoning that places
small homes in the shadows of huge complexes with no regard for open and green space.
I have been gratified to see, from reading the papers that the City is defending the formal
Council decision made ~th respect to the Southgate proposal. We are tbllowing that
particular case very closely, as are other interested parties~ since it has impact upon our
rights to a super majority provision under Iowa state law. Yet I want to be very cl~ar that
I, as much as any ofyoa~ truly regret that our attempts to compromise in that case were
unsuccesst~al and the matter must end in the courts.
This zoning application submitted yesterday is the first of several that our neighborhood
is preparing~ in hopes of being proactive about our future. I have learned much from our
interactions over the past months, and have taken to heart the concept of appealing a
zoning designation prior to development proposals. However~ I am not looking forward
to shepherding several down zoning requests through city channels over the coming
months, which seems an unfortunate use of effort given that there is a comprehensive
planning process about to begin.
We respectfully request that you place a moratorium on large development projects in our
area until the plarming process has been completed and a plan adopted. The Benton Villa
projec~ is the only pending project affected by this request. Thecitjzensofourareaare
anxious and enthusiastic about working with city staff and all of you to create a plan that
allows our city to grow? increases our tax base, and does so with r~spect fbr existing
neighborhoods, and in harmony with the diverse mix of housing in our area. A
moratorium on large-scale projects would allow the planning process to proceed wi~h
integrity.~ and be a proactive approach to solving the problems we have, rather than
perpetuating them. We will embrace the results of a plan that we are a part ofcreating~
and will welcome the changes it brings.
Will you please set our do~ zoning application for timely public hearing and place a
moratorium on large projects in our neighborhood pending the planning process? We are
simply seeking a chance to openly discuss the options.
Robynn Shrader
Weebet Hatlocke Neighborhood Association
SEP--25--2801 05:~7 PM OUTER LIMITS OF I C ~19 S51 8548 P.02