HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-13 CorrespondenceMarian Karr
From: Carol DeProsse [cdeprosse@earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 9:32 AM
To: jpwhite@co.johnson.ia.us; cthompso@co.johnson.iaus; mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us;
sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us; pharney@co.johnson.ia.us; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; carolt@inav. net;
Connie_Champion@iowa-city.org; Ross_VVilburn@iowa-city.org; Dee_Vanderhoef@iowa-city.org;
Ernie_Lehnnan@iowa-city.org; Steve_Atkins@iowa-city.org; Marian_Karr@iowa-city.org; slp@list. uiowa.edu;
ccsg-list@home.com; iagp-johnsoncounty@yahoogroups.com; icprogs@yahoogroups.com;
Robertsonforcouncil@yahoogroups.com; CehenCandidacy@aol.com; jcnews@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Show on PATV
The War on Drugs: Impacts on Local Communities
will premiere on PATV November 14 at 7:30 p.m.
This is a replay of a public forum held at the Public Library on October 22, with featured speaker Keyin Zeese,
an attorney from Washington, DC, who rounded the Common Sense for Drug Policy Foundation. It is a very
informative, factual presentation.
Even if you think you know everything there is to know about this issue, or think you don't want to learn
something new, please try to catch this show. It will air again after the 14th; I'll keep posting dates and times.
11/6/0 1
11-13-01
Marjan Karr 4e(2)
From: Eve Casserly [casserly@zeusja.net]
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 3:47 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: handicapped senior lawyers in Clock Tower parking?
I am contacting you about the parking available next to the skywalk access
for handicapped and others that leads directly in to the 2nd floor of the
Iowa City Senior Center.
There are four places designated for handicapped seniors only. Next to it
are 5-6 places designated for lawyers of a particular firm only.
These places taken up by the law firm members are highly desirable for any
seniors (handicapped or otherwise) going thru the skywalk to the Senior
Center.
I am requesting that these members of the law firm be assigned places
elsewhere and that the places now assigned onlyto these lawyers be,
simply, open parking ..... hence available to seniors as well as others.
As the situation now exists, it appears that this law firm must employ only
senior handicapped lawyers whose practice requires they have easy protected
access to the Senior Center. Assuming that this is not truly the case, I
request that this parking assignment be changed.
Thank you for your attention.
Eve Casserly
Johnson County Task Force on Aging
Lisa Mollenhauer
From: Steve Atkins
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2001 8:01 AM
To: Lisa Mollenhauer
Subject: FW: Senior Parking at Tower Place, Level 3
..... Original Message .....
From: Chris O'Brien
Sent: Tuesday. November 06, 2001 2:59 PM
To: 'casserly@zeus.ia.net'
Cc: Steve Arkins; Joe Fowler
Subject: Senior Parking at Tower Place, Level 3
Eve,
My name is Chris O'Brien and I am the Parking Manager for the City of Iowa City. I am just dropping you an e-mail in
response to your request/concerns from 11/5/01. Those 4 parking spots were scheduled to be, and were, relocated on the
afternoon of 11/6/01. We placed those signs in the location near the senior center because originally the law firm had
informed me that they were going to be used by clients that they have, many of which are between 70 and 80 years of age.
It was not until we received the signs and placed them up that we realized that they were for individuals employed with the
firm. They have many clients that come to them for estate planning and wills and wanted some safe parking for their
senior clients. The signs were placed up and after receiving several comments in regards to them I informed Simmons
Perrine that we would be relocating their signs the week of November 5th. I also informed Michelle from the Senior Center
as to this information. We waited on removing the signs in order to allow them time to inform their clients and employees
and to allow us time to order the parts we needed to hang the signs in a different location. I apologize for any
inconvenience this may have caused and want to thank you for your concern regarding this matter. If you have any
questions feel free to call me or e-mail me. Once again, thank you for your e-mail.
Chris O'Brien
Parking Manager
City of Iowa City
(319)356-5094
chris-obrien@iowa-city.org
From: jklbailey@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2001 2:31 PM
To: feedback@iowa-city.org
Subject: www.icgov.org - Citizen Feedback Submittal Form
Purpose of this e-mail:
Problem: Problem
Comments: TO: City Council Members
City of Iowa City, IA
FROM: Jody Bailey
400 BJaysville Ln. #1
P.O. Box 374
Iowa City, IA 52244-0374
(319)339-7838
jklbailey@yahoo.com
DATE: 10/24/01
Dear Councilors:
I am writing to you on behalf of the concerns of myself and fellow
residents who are residing on a portion of the new Foster Road extension,
also known as BJaysville Lane. As a member of the Iowa City community for
15 years, an active voter and a student in excellent academic standing at
the University of Iowa, I have taken it upon myself to take issue with
some oversights and inconveniences that the city has subjected us to here
as a result of city development.
First of all, the population out here feels a lack of agency regarding
their concerns as well as not having the information or resources to
contact the necessary channels. Secondly, I feel outraged regarding the
expectations on the residents to bear the brunt of major inconveniences
caused by the construction out here. Lastly, I have found other methods of
complaining about these circumstances to have received little priority or
attention from the parties responsible.
Let me summarize the situation in case you may not be aware of it.
Starting in August, the City has begun work to expand Foster Road to
connect with Prairie du Chien. This project involved acquiring a portion
of private property owned collaboratively by the Alberhasky family.
Portions of their acreage out here is holding some 7 buildings out here,
of which all are rentals, either houses or duplexes and homes to
approximately 45-50 people. BJaysville Lane was a small gravel dead end
road that served as a driveway to access these residences that had gravel
parking lots in front of each building. In the process of removing acres
of trees to clear the way for water lines and future road construction,
the crews have turned our lane and parking lot into a virtual mud-hole. In
the beginning, the residents were asked to move their cars to make room
for machinery, our alternative parking spots could only be our front
yards, which is a steep and grassy hill. We were told this would be
temporary and by October we would have a paved driveway and space allotted
for parking. This has yet to happen.
The first concern I have is that the general disregard for the community
members and their families who live here. We have yet to receive any
acknowledgment or correspondence whatsoever from the City about the
procedures taking place in this process that obviously affects our lives.
In example of the disorganization and neglect of the City, let me tell you
how I received word that I was supposed to relocate my parked car. I was
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informed by a next door neighbor one early August morning at 7 am that
"some guy" knocked on his door telling him we needed to move our cars or
they would be towed. Now that's communication. Some neighbors said they
received notes on their doors the day before. I never saw one and neither
did many others. What's that all about? Even more aggravating, we were not
given any options for alternative parking arrangements either, nor were we
informed how long we could expect it to be before we could expect things
to be normal again. We were just told simply "to move our cars". I have
asked my landlord frequently about updates on what to expect and he said
he doesn't know either. I think this lack of communication is at the least
irresponsible and negligent on the behalf of the City. I don't know if
this was an oversight but I expect better efforts from such a city that is
so industrious and ethically responsible.
Secondly, I am completely outraged regarding this parking situation! It
has been 3 months now since we have been told to "temporarily" move our
cars. The yards for our duplexes out here are grassy steep inclines and
obviously become a problem when the weather isn't favorable. Since we are
located off of Dubuque Street, there is no on-street parking options for
us to turn to instead. To park in our yards, car owners out here have to
"jump" their cars up a 1 foot muddy, embankment to exit the "driveway" and
pull into our yards. Then if it is rainy, we sputter, spit mud and spin
our way up to our front doors. Our yards have turned into ugly, rutted
roads instead of the peaceful sanctuaries they once were. The common lane
is also now only about the width of 1 ~ cars after construction and a
light "gravel" deposition and if we parallel park beside the embankment,
cars traveling along the lane cannot get around the parked cars without
sliding into a mudhole about a foot deep. The rutted mudhole is what's
left after being driven over and tore up by bulldozers for two months. 3
days ago, partly inspiring this new burst of outrage over this mess, I
witnessed a SEATS bus, here to pick up an elderly resident, in the process
of turning around by pulling up onto the embankment of the yard, backed up
right into the mudhole and got stuck! I watched as it sat there for 5-10
minutes as the driver spun his wheels trying to get it out. Tuesday, I
tried to get my car up the embankment and it was so muddy that my car slid
sideways in the mud and slid back down almost hitting a telephone pole. I
had to leave it parked at the bottom on the "lane" and in the process
making it a perilous situation for anyone trying to get around my car and
trying no to get stuck in the mud. What amazes me the most is that the
City didn't plan a little better to provide parking for us, not to mention
obviously coming into this project with absolutely no regard for the needs
or comfort of those who live here. Did I mention the challenge of keeping
up my studies (and my sanity) while listening to tree chippers grinding
away in my front yard from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day for 2 straight
months?
How more ridiculous does it get? Oh, it does. I am currently dragging a
muffler as a result and my car's suspension sounds like a wall full of
rats. My partner and I have three cars between us, an '88 Honda Accord, a
'96 VW Jetta and a '85 Toyota Pick-up, and every single one has a roaring
muffler as a result of this ridiculous situation. We don't live in the
boondocks, we live 1 ~ blocks East of Dubuque Street within the city
limits. I spoke with Roxanne Bennett from the City Engineering Dept. and
she explained that the situation would be resolved by the end of October,
at which point we'd have a blacktop driveway and a paved parking lot. I
haven't seen it yet and it's already the 25th of the month. I recently
inquired as to the parking situation now that our yards are a soggy wet
muddy mess full of ruts, and what the hell are we going to do when it
SNOWS? The last time I contacted MS. Bennett, by telephone a few days ago,
she informed me that she didn't know at this point when our "parking lot"
was going in and that it may be awhile. I naturally feel resentment that
the costs of repairing our vehicles should come out of our own hard earned
income, and the more hell that I get to look forward to now that winter is
on its way, thanks to the City I thought I loved. I must say that this
productive and progressive couple in their upper 20's, one who was born
here, have been thinking about our future careers and family have been
talking about taking it somewhere else.
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The bottom line here, is that my gut feeling tells me had we been private
homeowners and driving $40,000 vehicles around, we would not have been
expected to accommodate the City in this manner. In fact, most likely the
process would have unfolded in an entirely different manner. Had you been
threatened by community members with the money and agency to wield
lawsuits and other charges of negligence in the face of this operation,
perhaps the City may have doled out quite preferential treatment. In no
way, shape or form, has the City been attentive or considerate to the fact
that there are families living out here; full of working class people and
students (3 of whom are graduates) whose property (i.e. vehicles) are a
necessity and an investment for their productive lives and whose
membership in this community is quite possibly more influential and
valuable than you might think. I feel like the people in this neighborhood
have been virtually bulldozed over by the City along with our yards,
driveway and peaceful seclusion we enjoyed at one time out here, all in
the name of progress, with absolutely no consideration or compensation
from those responsible whatsoever.
It's quite apparent to me that the city council at this point has their
primary focus on those with economic advancement of the city and private
business owners in mind. What is most shameful is your neglect of the
average, everyday working class families who make up a larger percentage
of the city's voting, consumer, laboring and tax-paying population than
you may realize. I feel quite adamant at this point that what you
subjected the community members out here is absolutely inconsiderate and
negligent. Money rules in Iowa City and it's more evident to the common
people than you realize. I asked some of my neighbors if they "called
anyone to complain" and then "why not?"; one man said to me "They don't
give a shit about us out here." He's a war veteran whose already felt the
sting of living traumatized by his service in Vietnam and then his mental
and physical health forgotten by the government who sent him there in the
first place. The elderly gentleman who rides the SEATS bus needs his part
time job to supplement his SSI, he doesn't need the SEATS program telling
him they won't drive down his road anymore because of the condition it's
in.
Quite coincidentally, I am reading an excellent book by Robert D. Putnam
called "Bowling Alone", whereby his main thesis is that people are
dropping out of community involvement and becoming estranged from one
another in America's communities. I can't help but conclude to some extent
this is because the working class and lower income men~bers of our
communities are silenced by corporate dominated public relations and money
hungry politicians. Where's your voice if you don't have any money or
power? If a city can't give consideration and dignity to those who do work
and live under modest means, they are indeed failing to represent the
Icommunity".
Everyone knows damn well out here that they eventually will be displaced
as the City prepares to turn this road into a new development project
after the road goes in. Then you can relocate the "undesirables" of your
community to another crook somewhere out of sight and out of mind. I will
be fortunate enough to be relocating in spring. My neighbors I will leave
behind to fend for themselves. However, I felt that in the meantime, these
humble and hard working community members deserve to be heard and
recognized as valuable members of the local economy. If the local economy
is what is of most importance to Iowa City, then remember that these
people are contributors as well. If the city doesn't fear the lack of
votes or major economic investments of some of their population and in
process neglect to consider their wishes and needs for comfort and peace
in their lives, I hope you will at least remember this: all members of
this community have the capacity to understand the events around them,
they know what's going on and have strong opinions about it, some just
lack the agency to voice it. The inability to voice the injustices felt by
these members of the community is exactly what empowers society to
continue to neglect and disregard them. Your job as city councilors is to
have the foresight into addressing citizens needs and doing your best to
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find solutions to be proactive and responsible in dealing with these
concerns and finding solutions. For citizens of all socioeconomic groups
and especially those with limited opportunity, deserve this service from
their community leaders.
Cc: City Manager
Name: Jody Bailey
Phone Number: (319) 339-7838
E-Mail Address: jklbailey@yahoo.com
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
TO: Rick Fosse, City Engineer
FROM: Roxann Bennett, Utility Technician ~ .~
RE: Foster Road Grading and Water Main Project ~
E-mail from Ms. Bailey to City Council
DATE: October 31,2001 C~
Slow progress of construction on this project by Maxwell Construction, has raised concems of
the residents living in the immediate area. This memo is intended to answer the concerns
addressed to the council by Ms. Bailey.
This project was originally intended to be completed by the end of December 2001. At the
current pace, construction will continue into the Spring of 2002. We have requested an updated
construction schedule from Maxwell Construction.
A letter t9 residents on Bjaysville Lane regarding construction scheduling was mailed to them at
the onset of the project on July 25, 2001. Several of these letters were returned to the City
marked Vacant by the US Post Office. One of the returned letters was addressed to the
apartment that Jody Bailey resides in. An additional notice of construction activities was given
to residents via door hangers and were distributed to each apartment or duplex along Bjaysville
Lane prior to the clearing and grubbing operations. This notice addressed temporary parking
arrangements for residents. It was noted at this time, that several of the residences did not have
door knobs and notices were stuck in the door jambs of these residences. It is possible that these
notices fell off and were blown away. Further notices will be sent via US Mail.
Another letter to the residents of Bj aysville Lane regarding the current and prospective status of
this construction project will be mailed this week. We are highly aware of the frustrations
encountered by citizens adjacent to this constraction project. We are working towards improving
communications between the residents, the City, and the Contractor. We have received a few
complaints/requests for construction information from a few residents regarding this project.
These complaints were addressed in a timely and courteous manner and have been resolved.
A concern expressed by Ms. Bailey is in reference to the temporary parking situation provided to
the residents. Original plans called for a temporary parking lot to be constructed near the west
end of Bjaysville Lane to be used by the residents. The Contractor failed to provide this to the
residents as required in the contract. To remedy the parking situation, the City Engineering
Division has directed the Contractor to widen Bjaysville Lane to 30 feet with gravel to provide
parking close to their homes. This will allow the residents to park in front of their homes
throughout the winter months. The grading work and gravel placement was to have started last
week, but was delayed by several days due to heavy rains. Engineering Staff and the Contractor
did not want to make the situation worse before making it better. Grading began on October 29,
City Council Ltx
Page I of 2
but was again held up by rains. We anticipate that the grading and placement of gravel on
Bjaysville Lane to be completed by October 3 1.
I appreciate Ms. Bailey' s comments regarding previous conversations, however, our records
indicate the conversations were different than mentioned in her e-mail. Construction schedules
and parking issues were addressed according to construction activities taking place at the time.
However, Maxwell Construction has not followed their initial construction schedule, which has
been frustrating to the Engineering Division and property owners involved with this project.
At the current time, the Engineering Division feels that the issues surrounding Ms. Bailey's
complaints are being addressed and we will impress on the Contractor the necessity of staying on
task and schedule.
Cc: Maxwell Construction
City Council
Page 2 of 2
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
TO: Rick Fosse, City Engineer
FROM: Roxann Bennett, Utility Technician
RE: Foster Road Grading and Water Main Project Update
DATE: November 13,2001
This is to provide a follow up on the memo dated October 31,2001. Bjaysville Lane was graded
and gravel was placed throughout the entire length. An additional 20' wide gravel section was
placed adjacent to the residences to provide on street parking with a 10' travel lane. This work
was accomplished on October 31st.
Door hangars were distributed on November 1st notifying residents about the new parking area
and informin them that a letter will be forthcoming addressing the construction activity. On
November 2~g a letter was mailed to the residents with regards to the construction work schedule
and parking area.
Ms. Bailey's letter was returned to the City marked by the US Post Office as Vacant, Return to
Sender. Ms. Bailey's post office box number was obtained and all previous returned mail was
sent to her on November 12th. (I was out of the office the week of November 6 - 9.)
We are currently waiting on an updated construction schedule from Maxwell Construction.
When this arrives, an updated schedule of construction activities will be sent to the residents on
Bjaysville Lane.
City Council Ltr -2
From: james lee [ilee5500@sylvaninfo.net]
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2001 1:16 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: All because Anthony Williams (D.C.) denied me disability benefits!
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
(THE UNITED STATES SENATE IS IN VIOLATION OF ARTICLE I, et al of the
U.S. Constitution)
WALTER LEE
5355 NOMINI HALL RD.
HAGUE, VIRGINIA 22469
Plaintiff
v. Civil Action No.
BARBARA BOXER
501 I STREET, SUITE 7-600
SACR~AMENTO, CALIFORNIA 95814
(916) 448-2787
In her capacity as a Senatorial Representative
Of the Civil Rights of the Citizens of California, and
Her Sworn Oath to defend and protect the same.
DIANE FEINSTEIN
11111 SANTA MONICA BLVD, SUITE 915
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90025
(310) 914-7300
In her capacity as a Senatorial Representative
Of the Civil Rights of the Citizens of California, and
Her sworn Oath to Protect and defend the same
Defendants
PETITION FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
For the reasons set forth in Walter Lee v. U.S. Government (11 Aug 01)
the Plaintiff has proven that on 11 Dec 00 the United States Supreme
Court knowingly conspired to aid and abet the facilitation and
accomplishment of numerous felonious criminal acts (High Crimes) that
were knowingly committed by Judicial Officers of the Court representing
the District of Columbia against the Plaintiff in a court of law under
color of law in a civil complaint in order to deny the Plaintiff the
entitled disability benefits that the applicable laws demand.
Therefore, once those High Crimes, consisting of Conspiracies to Aid
and Abet the facilitation and accomplishment of Perjury, Fabricating
Evidence and Obstruction of Justice (Impeachable Offenses) were
committed on 11 Dec 00, the United States Supreme Court from that day
forward no longer had any Constitutional Authority IAW Article III to
entertain and or rule upon any case or controversy.
Therefore, the United States Supreme Court did not have the
Constitutional Authority to rule in Bush v. Gore on 12 Dec 00, which
means that George W. Bush was not Elected to the Office of President of
the United States IAW Art. 2, Sec. 1, cl 3.
Therefore, every act and order committed and issued by George W. Bush
in the capacity as President of the United States is Unlawful, which
means that the current Administration of the Executive Branch of the
United States Government is Unlawful.
1
Therefore, every Citizen nominated to a Federal Post by George W. Bush
and confirmed by the United States Senate is Unlawful, which means that
every Senator who has voted to confirm a U.S. Citizen nominated by
George W. Bush, who then became a Federal Officer, has violated Article
I, et al of the U.S. Constitution albeit unknowingly.
Court TV reported on 24 Oct 01, that the U.S. House of Representatives
passed legislation that gives wide, pervasive and sweeping discretionary
powers to police by providing them with additional authority to; (1)
Allow the U.S. Government and the State to search "A Suspected
Terrorist" home, or places they believe he or she may reside; (2) Allow
the U.S. Government and the State to conduct a continuing wiretap on all
phone lines that the U.S. Government or the State believes that "A
Suspected Terrorist" may use, (3) Allow the U.S. Government and the
State to track, monitor and review internet activity of "A Suspected
Terrorist", inter alias.
Where was the debate on such an invasive bill that is currently working
its way up through the U.S. Congress? I definitely want to see that
vote, but, how could the U.S. House of Representatives truly have had a
genuine debate on such a discriminatory piece of legislation designed to
erode the Civil Rights of all U.S. Citizens, and continually and
systematically provide more discretionary powers for the State and the
Federal Government to continually infringe upon the personal and private
lives of all its Citizens by the Police under the "aegis" of a possible
connection to "A Suspected Terrorist".
Did even one member of the House of Representatives hold at least one
town meeting or a Public Debate about this matter before their
constituents to get the consensus of the "People" in whom they
represent, in order to vote consistent with the wishes of their
Constituents position to such a piece of legislation, that invades upon
U.S. Citizens personal space by infringing upon their Civil Rights to
their personal privacy?
Nevertheless, the day the Respondents confirmed a U.S. Citizen to a
Federal Posts (in the capacity as a U.S. Senator) that was nominated by
George W. Bush (in the capacity as President) the Respondents violated
Article I of the U.S. Constitution et, al.
As Senatorial representatives of the Civil Rights of the Citizens of
their respective State, the Respondents have sworn an Oath of Office to
God swearing or affirming that they would protect, support, and defend
the Civil Rights of their constituents as stated therein. The Plaintiff
maintains that U.S. Citizens have the Constitutional Right to a Supreme
Court and such inferior courts Congress has established, and a President
legally and lawfully elected to the Office of the President pursuant too
the U.S. Constitution.
The Plaintiff maintains that he and the Respondents Constituents are
currently being denied those basic, fundamental and irrefutable rights
and further submits that this "Anti-Terrorism Bill" that has been rushed
through the House and up to the Senate is in order for the United States
Government to have a legal justification for spying on the Plaintiff and
other unsuspecting Citizens.
The Plaintiff maintains that the U.S. Government is currently violating
every ethical and moral principal envisioned for and in the Civil Rights
of every individual Citizen in this Country as stated in the U.S.
Constitution, and all of this effort is to continue to deny an unlearned
disabled indigent the entitled disability benefits that the governing
laws demand and that the evidence supports that he is entitled too.
The Plaintiff believes that the U.S. Government is making a Mountain
out of a mole-hill. The Plaintiff further submits that the truth is the
truth, and the truth is that four lawyers of the Office of Corporation
Counsel, D.C. (Jo Anne Robinson, Robert Rigsby, Charles Reischel and
Sharlene Willjams) conspired to commit Perjury, Fabricate Evidence and
2
Obstruct Justice in a Court of Law, Under Color of Law in order to deny
the Plaintiff the entitled disability benefits that the governing laws
demand.
The Plaintiff maintains that every other accusation made against any
Federal and or State Official in this complaint comes at the expense of
Federal and State Officers of the Court knowingly issuing Court Rulings
or conducting investigations that tries to cover-up for these Lies, and
the Plaintiff maintains that this is aiding and abetting those
particular criminal acts. The criminal acts cited are Perjury,
Fabricating Evidence and Obstruction of Justice, and since it has been
proven that these are Impeachable Offenses, and if the Plaintiff can
prove that Officers of the Court representing the District of Columbia
have committed these criminal acts, then every criminal act cited by the
Plaintiff has been proven.
The Plaintiff maintains that these are facts that are not going to
change with time,
Wherefore, the Plaintiff demands the Court to enjoin the Respondents
from exercising their duties in the capacity as a Senatorial
Representative of the Civil Rights of their respective Constituents in
confirming U.S. Citizens to Federal Posts and passing legislation, et al
until the Respondents have answered this complaint disproving the merits
of the Plaintiffs' complaint in a full, fair and open hearing.
Wherefore, the Plaintiff demands the Court to provide him with Competent
Legal Counsel to prepare any and all future pleadings regarding this and
any other complaint that may need to be filed with the Court at a later
date in order to place legal clarity on all of the Plaintiffs' future
complaints in future pleadings.
Mr. Walter Lee, Pro se
United States Citizen
I hereby certify that a copy of this document was mailed via first
class mail to this Courts address on 25 Oct 01
Mr. Walter Lee, Pro se
(804) 472-3927
~POST SCRIPT-
The Plaintiff asks the Court to consider that every complaint or
accusation alleged by the Plaintiff must begin with whether or not the
Plaintiff can prove that Officers of the Court representing the District
of Columbia knowingly Conspired to Commit Perjury; Fabricate Evidence
and Obstruct Justice in a Court of Law, Under Color of Law, in a Civil
Complaint against the Plaintiff.
The Plaintiff maintains that those criminal accusations can be proven
when the District of Columbia Court of Appeals (George Gallagher, St.
Judge, Vanessa Ruiz, & Inez Smith-Reid, Associate Judges) is compelled
to produce the document this Court ruled that the Plaintiff received on
17 Mar 00, when the evidence will reveal that this document not only
does not exist but was "Ruled" into existence by the Court in order to
support their false claims that the Plaintiff was not entitled to the
disability benefits sought for in his complaint from the District of
Columbia.
~PERSONAL NOTE~
So where do we go from here, do you people want to just continue
litigating this matter day after day, week after week, month after
month, in court after court and now year after year, when you people can
not even afford a hearing in a competent court of law to defend your
position, or to provide me with competent legal representation, because
you know that the day you do that, this entire farce of a balloon will
burst?
Do you think I wake in the morning cherishing the fact that I might
have to submit another pleading to a U.S. District Court regarding this
matter? Is it Vanity that is keeping you People from trying to talk
sensibly to me about this matter by recognizing that I am the aggrieved
party whose seeking nothing more than the disability benefits sought for
in the original complaint and now such compensation that the evidence
presented in a competent court of law would justify.
You know its alright to be wrong sometimes, and sometimes it takes a
small little complaint such as this one to open up some eyes to the
daily abuses of Individual Citizens Civil Rights in this Country that go
on in our Judicial System, and more often than nought it is against the
poor, the indigent, the minority, the disenfranchised, the elderly and
the disabled of this Country whose Civil Rights are most often abused.
You can not keep doing Citizens of this Country the way that you have
been used to doing, because your actions demonstrate exactly how far
this Government has strayed away from any semblance of respecting the
Supreme Laws of the Land as stated in the U.S. Constitution, and the
proof of these statements can be borne out in totaling how many lives
have been lost as a result of the U.S. Government continuing to violate
the Supreme Laws of the Land as articulated in the U.S. Constitution.
Consider the reason why this Country was formed and a revolution
started in the first place and you will see that the U.S. Government is
behaving no differently than King George, because when the day has come
when a U.S. Citizen can not even get a hearing in a competent court of
law, nor provided a competent legal attorney amidst the accusations that
has been alleged in this complaint to litigate such serious issues, the
evidence supports strongly that this is because I am right.
So what is the "Stumbling Block" that keeps you people from trying to
settle this complaint with me by obeying your Oath of Office to protect
my Civil Rights to due process and equal protection of the laws to a
full fair and open hearing in a competent court of law on the merits of
my complaint? Is it JESUS? It can not possibly be JESUS, because you
people have loudly professed in public gatherings and public forums that
you are Christians and therefore believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob.
If this is the God you people Worship then you should have no problem
with settling this matter with me because, you see, I also Worship this
God, therefore, being like minded because our God only has one Spirit, a
competent court of law can easily determine who is right or who is
wrong, and the evidence would support that it would be better for all
concerned if this matter was resolved forthwith out of court which I
maintain can be done with a stroke of a pen allowing such proceedings to
begin.
Finally, take a step back and look all around you, and what do you
see? You see a Government that has so little regard for the safety and
well-being of its Citizens that it will issue a warning to diplomats of
certain countries to refrain from entering, while not divulging the same
information to the ~anerican People. You have the U.S. House of
Representatives being "CLOSED DOWN" by the Speaker of the House because
of worries of anthrax contamination, but the postal workers at the
postal facility where the letters were processed which caused such
worries, those workers were not ordered to go home so that the building
they work in could be closed down for inspection.
How do these actions not foster trepidation in the heart, soul and mind
of a Christian?
Mr. Walter Lee, Pro se
ZOLZ
From: NORALEEB7@aol.com
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2001 9:02 AM
To: Council@iewa-city.org
Subject: Gate on Lexington Ave,
Remember, as f recall, the gate was to be opened November tst, which is this Thursday.
It has been very hard for the leaf trucks and our city employees to do this pick up.
The next pick up is November 2 and 3, so this would be a great advantage.
Please see that this is taken care of.
Nora Lee BaJmer
359 Lexington Ave.
Iowa City, Iowa 52246
337-3298
10/29/01
Marian Karr J 11'~13'01
From: Richard Kerber [richard-kerber@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2001 4:17 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Lexington Ave gate
Dear Council members- As a Lexington Ave resident, I'm writing to commend
you for installing the barrier on Lexington Ave. Now, when I'm called back
to the hospital for nighttime emergencies, I no longer have to wonder if
its safe to back out of my driveway- and I can concentrate on what I'm
going to do for the patient in the hospital, without having to expect to
become a patient myself! Contrary to the alarmist predictions of some,
noone has been injured by the barrier, and my friends on neighboring
streets have not noticed any particular increase in their traffic.
I'm sure your planned re-evaluation of the barrier next year will
confirm its benefits. Thanks again for making our street a safe one.
Richard E Kerber,MD
Richard E. Kerber, MD
Associate Director, Cardiology Division
University of Iowa Hospital
Iowa City, IA 52242
(319) 356-2739
Fax (319) 356-4552
From: Scott Kading [kading@brni.com]
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2001 3:31 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org; steve-atkins@iowa-city.org
Cc: ross-wilburn@iowa-city.org; connie-champion@iowa-city.org; dee-vanderhoef@iowa-city.org;
Ipfab@avalon.net; eleanor-dilkes@iowa-city.org; dougboothroy@iowa-city.org; tim-
hennes@iowa-city.org; david-schoon@iowa-city.org; dale-helling@iowa-city.org;
DennisM@meardonlaw.com
Subject: 13 S. Linn St, Iowa City, Iowa
City Council of Iowa City,
In 1999, my wife and I purchased a great old building at 13 S. Linn St. in
downtown Iowa City. Over the past couple of years we have spent a lot of
time and money restoring it to what it was like when it was built near the
turn of the century and we had it'added to the local historic register.
During the same timeframe, we have been working with the city building
department to put a business in the basement of this building. As you
probably know, this has been quite a battle. The reason that I am writing
to you is because we are now in the district court/litigation phase and
there is really no reason for this to be drawn out any longer. We are local
residents that want to spend money in downtown Iowa City to open a business.
We have been met with nothing but roadblocks from the building department
and we would like to request your help in getting this matter resolved.
District court is scheduled to hear the city's arguement in the next couple
of months. The issues are: Was there a change in use, do ADA rules apply,
and does the State of Iowa have jurisdiction in this case. There clearly
was no change in use and, eventhough we feel the ADA is a good things, based
on the City of Iowa City's codes and regulations, handicap accessibility
rules simply are not applicable in this case. The remaining issue is of the
the State of Iowa having jurisdiction in this case. We did not win our
first appeal on a technicality, we clearly won the contested issues,
therefore, proceeding with this case willl more than likely set a bad
presedent for the City of Iowa City when the ruling is handed down.
Here are the main facts (of the many) in our favor:
The State of Iowa and the City of iowa City have already determined that an
elevator is not required in this case.
The City of Iowa City is telling us that we must install a ramp that will
allow access to the basement. While this is theoretically possible, it
would be extremely expensive and render over 50% of the main level and 50%
of the basement unusable. Division VII's accessibility rules and
regulations for the physically handicapped in section 16.007(1) state that
the "rules and regulations are inteded to make all buildings and facilities
used by the public accessible to, and funcitonal for, the physically
handicapped, to, through, and within their doors, without loss of function,
space, or facility where the general public is concerned." There clearly
would be loss of function, space, and facility in this case.
It will cost well over $200,000 to make this old building accessible which
definitely exceeds the ADA'S specified 50% rule of the value of the
facility. We have paid estimates from and architect and a contractor but
the building department simply chooses to ignore these numbers.
There was no change in use. The last permit issued is the same as what we
are applying for now. The city's codes clearly read that in order for there
to be a change in use, permits specifying that change must be issued.
We respectfully request that the City of iowa City issue permits to us. If
the City wishes to pursue their district court appeal to determine if the
1
State of Iowa has jurisdiciton, this is fine, but dropping this case would
save all of the taxpayers money - as the City of Iowa City has already spent
a significant amount of money keeping us from operating a business in iowa
City. Thank you for your help in this issue as we would like to keep
improving this old building and help in the improvment of downtown Iowa
City.
Scott and Thane Kading
13 S. Linn St.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319)430-0696
Requested Agenda Item and Issue in Downtown area ~
Marian Karr
From: Goldberg, Chuck [Chuck. Goldberg@Meristar.com]
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2001 11:39 AM
To: 'council@lowa-city.org'
Subject: Requested Agenda Item and Issue in Downtown area
Importance: High
Dear City Council Member,
There is an issue that I would like to address and hopefully you will find it as problematic and distasteful as I do. Public
urination has become a serious problem hem in Iowa city and seems to be taken very lightly by the City from an
enforcement standpoint. If a person were to urinate in the pubtic areas of this hotel it is a simple misdemeanor and a
citation is issued and the local magistrate can determine what fine if any is paid. They are not inconvenienced or detained
in any way. They go on about there business and laugh it off going to the next Bar or after party. If I were to visit any one
of your homes or any home for that matter and urinate in your living room this would be a felony and I wourd at the very
lease spend the evening in rock up and I am sure be hit with a greater fine and some sort of remembrance of the
experience.
The point I am trying to make is that this hotel IS home to 234 families at any given time and the stairweirs and the lobby
are there foyers and staircases, and the people that deface these premises or any business in the Iowa city area should
understand that this is not going to be tolerated by this community any longer. We will allow these young adults ( and
Professionals ) to live amongst us while attending the University of Iowa or work with us in our community or visit as either
a family member or A~umni. But we will not allow them to violate this city or its business in the process and they will pay a
hefty fine and at the very least spend the night in JAIL if they choose to ignore not only our taws but the way in which we
choose to live in our community respecting each other and the property and businesses that make this a wonderful place
to live and work in.
I ask that you accept this correspondence and place a discussion item and possible solution resolution to an agenda in a
future but somewhat close City council meeting.
We need to let these people know that his is not the way we will choose to rive or allow our city to be looked at.
Thank you for your consideration and time.
Chuck Goldberg
General Manager
Sheraton Iowa City Hotel
210 S. Dubuque Street
Iowa City IA 52240
Phone:319-337-4058
Mobile:319-631 - 1886
Fax:319-337-7037
Chuek. Goldberg@MeriStar.com
10/2 6/0 1
From: KristieDVIP@cs.com
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2001 3:23 PM
To: cedar-co.auditor@juno.com; dan_boddicker@legis.state.ia.us; joe_bolkcom@legis.state.ia.us;
rep.boswell.ia03@mail.housegov; connie-champjon@iowa-city.org; auditor@co.jones.ia.us;
supervisors@co.washington.ia.us; robert_dvorsky@legis.state.ia.us; jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us;
thomas_fiegen@legis.state.ia.us; ro_foege@legis.state.ia.us; rgarringer@co.iowaia.us;
supervisors@co.iowa.ia.us; Goodmat@aol.com; chuck_grassley@grassley.senate.gov;
tom_harkin@harkin.senate.gov; pharney@co.johnson.ia.us; hherwig@ci.coralville.ia.us; wyoiowa@msn.com;
djacoby@ci.coralville.ia.us; council@iowa-city.org; talk2jim@mail.house.gov; jaleff@home.com;
mlehman@co.johnson.ia.us; ernie_lehman@iowa-city.org; vicki_lensing@legis.state.iaus;
dlundell@ci.coralville.ia.us; gene_manternach@legis.state.ia.us; mary_mascher@legis.state.iaus;
andy_mckean@legis.state.ia.us; tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us; nussleia@mail.house.gov; Ipfab@avalon.net;
Laurenreece67@aoLcom; jschnake@ci.coralville.ia.us; dfs001 @yahoo.com; mark_shearer@legis.state.ia.us;
bryan_sievers@legis.state.iaus; sstutsma@co.johnson.ia.us; cthompso@co.johnson.ia.us;
phil_tyrrell@legis.state.ia.us; dee-vanderhoef@iowa-city.org; Pdwvpmsa@aol,com; jweihe@ci.coralville.ia.us;
ross-wilburn@iowa-city.org; president@whitehouse.gov; rose.mary.pratt@igov.state.iaus;
Davidfranker@aol.com; cbergren@hotmail.com; me4kids@another.com; trfitzgerald@hotmail.com;
rnsgilds@netins.net; crkinkead@hotmail.com; Amgmadsen@aol.com; MPedde2@aoLcom;
susanmrandall@hotmail.com; jaron_v@hotmail.com; Kfdoser@cs.com
Subject: Domestic Violence E-Newsletter
[
In today's society, domestic violence is widely known to be one of the greatest physical dangers to
women. Women, men and children are murdered each year and the risk of child abuse is much
greater in households where domestic violence occurs. Responding to domestic violence is critical
and requires a community wide effort. The Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP of Iowa
City, Iowa) has served Johnson, Washington, Iowa, Cedar and Jones Counties since 1978, providing
direct service support to more than 24,000 women, children and men during the past two decades. In
one year DVIP will answer 18,000 crisis/phone calls and provide support to more than 1300 women,
men and children.
The goal of the Domestic Violence Intervention Program is to provide comprehensive services to
adults and children affected by domestic violence. The DVIP is founded on the belief that everyone
has the right to live free of fear and harm. Our mission is to end domestic violence through support,
advocacy, shelter and education. We believe that by keeping elected officials apprised of our
services, the barriers we face in providing services and the impact of funding cuts, victims of violence
stand a better chance of receiving the support they deserve.
Approximately 1-2 times a month I will send you a short e-newsletter outlining our recent services.
Some of you may be aware that we lost more than $40,000 in state and federal funding this year
(this is nearly 10% of our budget) and are expecting at minimum another $20,000 in cuts next year.
Because our budget is already very tight, staffing is the only place we can cut--which means the loss
of direct service support.
10/2 5/0 1
Page 2 of 2
Future E-Newsletters will be much shorter and will include only information about how many
individuals we have served since the last email contact. Information will include number of hotline
phone calls, how many people received safe shelter and how many women and children we were
forced to turn away because of lack of space and resources. For example:
Between 911101~9123101
DVIP received 129 Hotline calls
DVIP provided 467 nights of safety in our shelter
DVIP turned away 34 women and 47 children seeking shelter.
We appreciate your attention and concern in reading this E-Newsletter. If you have questions, please
contact me at the listing below.
If you would like to be removed from this E-Newsletter list, please reply to this email and type
"remove" in the body of the message.
Thank you,
Kristie Fortmann Doser
Director of Education and Volunteer Services
Domestic Violence Intervention Program
P.O. Box 3170
Iowa City, Iowa 52244
319-351-1043 or 1-800-373-1043
KristieDVI P@cs. com
10/25/01
From: MARTHA HOBAN [mjhhoran@msn.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 5:10 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Proclamation for United Nations Day
Today, Wednesday October 24 is United Nations Day.
Your probably remember that T accepted the Proclamation for them last night at the Council meeting.
After several tries today, I found out who was in charge and finally contacted them about 4:00 pro.
The Iowa Division United Nations Association has offices in Old Brick at 20 East Market St.
Their phone # is 319-7290.
E-mail address: unaiowa@inav.net, website: http://soli.inav.net/~unaiowa
The Director of the Iowa United Nations Association is Katy Hansen. I spoke with her this afternoon and
then delivered the Proclamation and the Flag to her at their office.
Johnson County UN Day Celebration is tonight.
6:00 pm dinner, 7:00 pm Program at the Sheraton Hotel, 2]_0 S. Dubuque, Iowa City.
Program: Kathy and Pat FIoerke, "Sustainable Hope in Nicaragua, A Community Approach"
Representatives from the Jubilee House Community. They will show slides and sell gifts from Nicaragua.
Reservations, $25, send to Susan McGuire at ]_34 Cardiff Circle, Iowa City, IA 52246.
From 3ohnson County UNA newsletter
Linn County UN Day Celebration, is Thursday, October 25 7:00-9:00 pm, Beems Auditorium, Cedar
Rapids Public Library.
Program: Dr. 1'4aureen McCue, "Microbes on the Move: The Spread of Infectious Diseases"
Ph.D. in Epidemiology and 14edical Anthropology at the University of Iowa. The focus is on
infectious diseases with some practical at-home applications as well as global implications.
Free and open to the public. Refreshments and entertainment, along with the awarding of the Honorary
Chair.
Terrorism and Us: What Do We Do Now?
Saturday, October 27, 1:00-4:00 pro., Towa City Public Library, Rm. A.
Speakers:
3eanne Sowers: "Radical Tslamic Groups, Terrorism and U.S. Tnterests"
Completing Ph.D. from Princeton in politics, studying the economic and political development of
the Hiddie East. Conducted research in Egypt, Israel, West Bank, Gaza. Worked as a Middle East analyst
at the Congressional Research Service.
Katy Hansen: "The Role of the United Nations in Cornbating Terrorism"
Director, Iowa United Nations Association and former Peace Corps Volunteer in Nigeria. Spent
nine months in Uganda under Idi Amin.
Free of charge and open to the public. Plenty of time for questions and answers.
Hope this is helpful.
F,larti Horan
mjhhoran@msn.com
]0/25/0] 2407 Crestview Ave.
][owa City, Towa 52245
Page 1 of 1
Marjan Karr
From: MARTHA HORAN [mjhhoran@msn.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 5:35 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: correction on United Nations information
Hello Council:
Correction on United Nations information:
The phone number for the Iowa Division United Nations Association offices is:
319-337-7290
Sorry for the typo.
rvlarti Horan
mjhhoran@msn.com
10/25/01
From: JRBAIA@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 12:51 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Pentacrest DEMONstration
For nearly five weeks, as I have taken lunch at Pancheros, I have noticed what appears to be a police presence at Clinton
and Washington. It appears that this is in conjunction with the anti-American demonstration being held daily (?) by a very
small group of protesters.
Why are we allocating the resources of our community for this police presence? These misguided individuals are mostly
silent by their own choice. I suspect it is because they have nothing really to say in terms of solutions, and it appears that
most people ignore them anyway.
And so what if they are confronted? To paraphrase that great socialist, humanitarian, and abortion provider Karen Kubby;
I don't relish the idea of my tax contributions being utilized in this manner.
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
10/16/01
Page 1 of 1
From: Marquee123@aol.com
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2001 11:49 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Englert Night Out
Dear City Councilors,
I am writing to you today to ask the City Council of Iowa City to assist the Englert Civic Theatre Group with a very special
New Year's Eve benefit. With tireless volunteer efforts from our current volunteer staff, we are closer than ever to
achieving our fundraising goal. Now, we need your volunteer support to help make sure that our goal is met.
The Englert Civic Theatre Group wants to re-define what it means to celebrate New Year's Eve in iowa City. We are
planning the Englert Night Out, an alcohol-free, family oriented, benefit that will take place from 4-Bpm on Monday,
December 31st. Englert Night Out will host various artistic performances (live music, theatre) and interactive activities
(dance workshops) at different locations within the downtown area, similar Lo 'First Night' productions in larger
metropolitan cities. The evening will also include a silent art auction, concessions, tours of the Eng[ert Theatre, and
much, much more. All proceeds from the event will contribute towards our goal of renovating and restoring the historic
Englert Theatre.
Englert Night Out is a community-building event. Participation from many organizations are vital to our success, and we
believe this event will truly embody the spirit that the "Englert is for Everyone!" Since our events are spread out at
multiple venues around the downtown Iowa City area, we have been recruiting Venue Captains to coordinate the events
at participating venues such as the Iowa City Public Libarary, the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, and local
downtown businesses. Would you consider becoming a Venue Captain for Englert Night Out?
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact me at 688-2653, or via email at btibbeLs@avalon.net. We
sincerely appreciate your time and your continued support of the Englert Civic Thaeatre Group.
Sincereiy,
Brian Tibbets
Volunteer and Events Coordinator
Englert Civic Theatre Group
221 E Washington St.
11/9/0 1
THE MOST ~~ NAME IN DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
'AAAA WWWW~
DOREN KUSTER
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER
MFDWEST REGION
September 24, 2001
Honorable Council Members:
I continue to be surprised that the city has yet to consider using HDPE dual wall pipe as
an alternate storm sewer product to concrete. Especially since it offers superior
performance and considerable costs savings to owners and taxpayers. There are numerous
plastic pipe products that are being sold throughout the United States. None, however,
have gone through the rigorous federal, state and local testing procedures that high-
density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) has. None have had more explosive growth or had a
more positive impact on the storm sewer market than HDPE.
Why is this? HDPE offers superior performance over concrete pipe by having better flow
characteristics - due to its smooth interior - and joints. Every twenty-foot length of
HDPE pipe comes with a bell and spigot joint and an O-ring rubber gasket to reduce
infiltration and exfiltration. With concrete pipe, the laying length is typically seven and
one half to eight feet. Civil engineers know that storm sewer problems -infiltration,
exfiltration, and misalignment - typically occur at the joints. With its longer laying
length, HDPE dual wall pipe reduces the potential for these problems by two thirds. The
design engineer must request an O-ring type gasket for concrete pipe; it is not a standard
item.
Of equal importance is the significant costs savings that metropolitan areas and cities are
realizing (examples include Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Minneapolis metro cities;
Burlington, Iowa; Cedar Falls, Iowa; Fort Madison, Iowa; and Jefferson City, Missouri).
The Iowa Department of Transportation has had this product approved for highway storm
and culvert applications since 1989. By allowing a proven product to be specified (along
with concrete), significant savings can be gained by the city. Even if concrete pipe were
used on a project where both materials were specified, the city would still reap the
benefits of specifying HDPE due to the dramatic drop in the concrete pricing. We have
witnessed this in many other cities.
Why would concrete pipe price drop? In comparing the two materials, concrete pipe has
a tremendous weight disadvantage which leads to higher labor costs. Typically, when
concrete is the only pipe specified, these higher labor costs are passed onto the owner,
which in some cases is the city.
ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, INC, 4 S 100 ROUTE 5R SUITE 12 NAPERVILLE, rL 60563
TEk 666 / 733 8080 630 / 428 4130 FAX: 630 / 428 4140 HTTP//WWW ADS-PIPE COM
CHARLES CITY BUFFALO EAGL[ GROVE IOWA CITY NEW RICHLAND
2199 HIGHWAY 210 SOUTH 1605 EAST HWY 55 NE 20TH STREET 2905 S GILBERT STREET 214 DIVISION STREET E
CHARLES CITY IA 50616 BUFFALO, MN 55313 EAGLE GROVE. IA 50533 IOWA CiTY IA 52240 NEW RICHLAND MN 56872
HTTP //WWW ADS-PiPE COM
ADS is the number one manufacturer of HDPE. With twenty-two plants nationwide and
a local facility in Iowa City since 1968, we credit our growth to our dual wall pipe known
as N12. I encourage you to look us up on our Web site at
HTTP://WWW,ADS.PIPECOM.
We are not asking any city to choose HDPE over traditional pipe materials. We simply
want this proven product to be on a level playing field when it comes to specifying storm
sewer projects. On behalf of our local customer service center, the local distributors, and
the five manufacturers that sell HDPE dual wall pipe in the area, we appreciate the Iowa
City Council taking the time to address this issue. If you have any questions you may
contact me at 319-373-3010 or fax 319-373-3018.
Respectfully,
Doren Kuste~7~
HEARDON, SUSPPF'L [x DOWNE:R
WILLIAM L. HEARDON
dAMES O. MCCARRAGHER IOWA CITY. IOWA 52240 - 1830
THOMAS D. HOBAFTI'
WILLIAM d. SUEPPEL
CHA.LES A. MEA.OON
dENN,FE" E.
November 8, 2001
CITY COUNCIL
CIVIC CENTER
410 E WASHINGTON ST
IOWA CITY IA 52240
Re: Proposed Vacation of Benton Court
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Our office represents Christian Retirement Services, Inc., the owner and
operator of Oaknoll Retirement Residence. Sometime ago Oaknoll petitioned for the
vacation of Benton Court, a one block long dead end street north of Benton Street
between Oaknoll Drive and George Street. This request was favorably acted upon by
the Planning and Zoning Commission at its meeting on Thursday, October 18, 2001. No
written or oral objections were made to this request and, because of the non-
controversial nature of it, the Commission acted upon it at the initial meeting at which it
was considered.
This did not reach the City Council in time to be placed on its agenda for
October 23, and I assume that it will be set for public hearing at the meeting on
Tuesday, November 13.
The purpose of this letter is to request that this matter be given expedited
consideration by the Council. As it set forth in the appl/cation filed, Oaknoll owns all of
the property abutting this street. Final plans are underway at this time for the
replacement of the initial Oaknoll Health Center, a frame structure constructed in two
segments in the mid-1960's and ea~y 1970's, with a steel and masonry structure that
would also contain approximately eight apartment units. The cost of this project is
estimated at between $4,000,000 and $5,000,000 and would involve approximately the
north 30 feet of Benton Court. Although it is not anticipated that construction will
City Council
November 8, 2001
Page 2 of 2
commence prior to March, 2002, it is of great importance for Oaknoll to know that the
vacation of Benton Court will be approved and a purchase transaction completed for
the vacated stn~et prior to awarding construction contracts. In the event that expedited
consideration of this application is not given it is possible that construction could be
delayed considering the time necessary for all Council action, title matters, completion
of the sale and transfer of the vacated street, etc.
Your favorable consideration of this request will be appreciated.
~owne~r~'~' ~
RND/bjf
cc: Ms. Patricia Heiden Ringham