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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-27 CorrespondenceDear Cm'ty Councilors oF Iowa City, -, I believe that a plan to build 20 "high-end luxury' hou~ on a prominent rfdgotop next to Hickory Hill Park violates the Northeast Pistr[ct Plan and should NOT be approved as proposed. The park is an important public asset - for many of'us it fs the bes~ oFIowa City. This plan would diminish the park forever. I ask For your support in protecting the public's intel-es{: by p~esewin9 the integrity of'Hickory Hill Park Icor irutu re 9¢nerations. PLEASE DO NOTAPPROVE THESE PLAi',~S AS NOW Pear City Councilors (~f Iowa City, I believe that a plan to build 20 "high-end luxury' houses on a prominent ridg~op next to Hfcko~ Hdl Park vioiat~ the No,beast Di~rf~ Plan and should NOT ~ approved as pro~. ~e park is an [m~nt pubhc as~ - ~or many o~s it fs the o~ Iowa C[~. T~is plan would diminish the park CZTY COUNCZLOR3 OF PROTECT THE PARK! czz~ or zou* czT~ 411 E- WASHINGTON IOWA CITY ~A I ask (or you r su~ fn pro~e~in9 the pu blic's fnter~ pr~win9 the fnte~ri~ o~ Hicko~ Hill Park For ~uture 9enerations. PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THESE P~NS AS NO~ PROPOSEDJ Dear City Councilors orr Iowa City, I believe that a plan to build 20 'high-end luxury' houses on a promfnent ridgetop next to Hickory Hf[I Park violates the Northeast District Plan and should NOT be approvoJ as proposed. The park is an important public asset - for many of'us it is the best of' Iowa City. This plan would diminish the park rror~ver. ~OUNClLOR~ OF PROTECT THE PARK[ CITY or IOWA CITY 411 £, WASHINGTON IOWA CI?Y IA .~2240 I ask f'or your support in protecting the public's interest by preservin~ the intecjrity of'Hickory Hill Park for future generations, [~oEAp~SDE[~T APP~C~VE THESE PLANS AS NOW Dear City Councilot~ olr Iowa City, I believe that a plan to build 20 'high-end luxury' houses on a prominent ridgetop next to Hickory Hill Park violates the Northeast District Plan and should NOT ~ a~roved as pr~d. The park is an implant public as~t - ~or many o~as it fs the o~Iowa Ci~. This plan would diminish the park ~or~er. PROTECT THE PARK~ c~ or ZOlA CZTV ~A ~4~ m ask ~r your susa in protein9 the public's fnter~ by pr~win9 the int~ri~ o~ H[cko~ Hill Park ~or ~uture 9enerations. PL~SE PO NOTAPPROVE THESE P~NS AS NOW Dear City Cou ncilo~s of Iowa City, I believe that a plan to build 20 'high-end luxury' houses on a prominent rfdgetop next to Hickory Hill Park violates the NoF~heast District Plan and should NOT ~ a~roved as proud. T~e park is an fm~nt pubhc as~t - ~or many o¢us o~lowa Cry T~is plan would diminish the park TO: CITY COUNCILORS OF PROTECT ~E PARK~ CZT~ 0r ZOUA I ask ~or your su~ in prot¢~in~ t~¢ pu bhc's pr~n9 the in~ri~ o~ Hicko~ Hill Park ~or ~u~ure 9enerat~ons. PLEASE DO NOTAPPROVE THESE P~NS AS NOW PROPOSED~ Dear City Councilors o( Iowa City, I believe'chat a pbn to build 20 "high-end luxury' house~ on a prominent ridgetop next 'co H~cko~ Hill P~rk viol~ the No~he~ Dis~ri~ Pbn and should NOT ~ a~rov~ as pr~d. The park is an im~an~ public a~e~ - for many of us i~ is the ~ ofl~a Ci~. This plan would diminish the park for~er. T0: PROTECT THE PARK) c*vv or XOWA c*~v I ask for your su~K in prote~ing the pu bhc's intent ~ Drawing the in~egH~ o~ H~cko~ Hill Park 5or ~utu ee gene~ions. PL~SE DO NOT APPgOVE THESE P~N5 AS NOW PROPO5ED! Dear City Councilors of Iowa City, I believe that a plan to build 20 'high-end luxury' houses on a prominent ridgetop next to Hickory Hill Park violates the Northeast District Plan and should NOT ~ approved as proud. The park is an [m~nt public as~ - (or many of us it is ~be ~ o(Iowa Ci~, This plan would diminish ~he park foyer. CITY COUNCILORS 0F PROTECT THE PARK~ c~,y o? ~o~A 411 E- ~ASHZNGTON I ask (o~ your sup~ in prot~ing the pa blic's inte~ ~ Drawing ~h¢ in~H~ of Hicko~ Hill Park (or (uture gene~tions. PL~SE DO NOT APPROVE THESE P~N5 AS NOW PROPOSED~ 0 Dear City Cou ncilo~ of Iowa City, I believe that a plan to build 20 'hi.gh-¢nd luxury' houses on a prominent rid~]etop next to Hickory Hill Park violates the Northeast District Plan and should NOT be approved as proposed. The park is an important public asset - For many of'us it is the best of'iowa City. This plan would diminish the park t:orever. CZTY COUNCILOR3 OF PROTECT THE PARK! c~YY oF ~0,.,* CZT~ 411 £- WA3HZNGTON IOWA CITY IA 52240 I ask ~or your support in protedcin9 the public's [n'cerest by pr~servin9 the integrity o(Hfckory H[[I Park for future 9enerations. PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THESE PLANS AS NOW PROPOSED! Dear City Cou ncilo~ of' Iowa City, I believe that a plan to build 20 'high-end luxury' houses on a prominent ridgetop next to Hickory Hill Park violates the Northeast District Plan and should NOT be approved as proposed. The park is an impotent public asset - for many of'us it is the best of Iowa City. This plan would diminish the park forever. TO: CITY C0U~CILOR~ OF PROTECT THE PARK! city 0~ I*"* city 411 £. YA3HIN;TON ZO~mA CITY I~ 62240 I ask For your support in protecting the pu bhc's interest by preservin9 the [ntecjrity o(H[ckory Hill Park (or rru~u re 9enerations. PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THESE PLANS AS NOW PROPOSED! ~ c~,. ~-/j, Dear City Cou hallo, of Iowa City, I believe that a plan to build 20 "high-end luxury' houses on a prominent rfdgetop nex~c to Hickory Hill Park violates the Northeast District Plan and should NOT be approved as proposc~. The park is an important public asset - for many olCus it is the best of' Iowa City. This plan would diminish the park forever. TO: CITY COUNCILORS OF PROTECT THE PARK! cIYY 0r IOWA CIYY qll £- WASHINGTON IOWA CITY IA Si~2ql] I ask ~cor your support in protecting the public's interest by pr~ervin9 the integrity of Iqickory Hill Park for rru~u re generations. PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THESE PLANS AS NOW PROPOSED: Dear City Councilors of' Iowa City, I believe that a plan to bud4 20 "high-end luxury' houses on a prominent ridge~op next to Hickory Hill Park violates the Northeast District Plan and should NOT be approved as proposed. The park is an irnportar~t public asset - for many of us it is the best o~: Iowa City. This plan would diminish the park forever. TO: CITY COUNCILORS Or PROTECT THE PARK! CITY or IOWA CITY qll £. WASHINGTON IOWA CITY IA S~24U I ask for your support in protecting the public's interest ~ prese~vi ng the f nteg rity of' Flickory Ft ill Pa rk for ~-utu re generations. PL S£ DO NOT APPROVE T ESE PLANS AS NOW Dear City Councilors of Iowa City, I believe that a plan to build 20 'high-end luxury' houses on a prominent ridgetop next ,co Hickory Hill Park violates the Northeast Dis(ride Plan and should NOT be approved as proposed. The park is an important public asset - for many of us it is the best o(Iowa City. This plan would diminish ,cbe park forever. CXTV COU.CZLO.S or PROTECT THE PARK) CITY Or I0"* (:ITY I ask for your support in protecting the pu bl'c s [n,cerest by preserving ,the integrity of'Hickory Hill Park For fu,cu re generations. PLEASE DO NOT,APPROVE THESE PLANS AS NOW PROPOSEDJ, ,~ Dear City Councilors orr Iowa City, I believe ,cha,c a plan ,co build 20 "high-end luxury' houses on a promfnen,c ridgetop next to Hickory Hill Park viola,ces the Northeast District Plan and should NOT be approved as proposed. The park is an importan,c public asset -rror many orrus it is ,the best o(Iowa City. This plan would diminish the park forever. TO: CXTY COUNCILOR~ OF PROTECT THE PARK! C~TY or i0'"* CITY t ask ~o~yoursuppod: in pro,cecting ~che public's in,ceres,c by preserving ,the integrity orr Hickory Hill Park rror ica'cure genera,cions. PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THESE PLANS AS NOW PROPOSED! Dear City Councilors orr Iowa City, I beheve that a plan to build 20 "high-end luxury' houses on a prominent r[dgetoP no,-t to Hickory Hill Park violates the Nor~bcas~ District Plan and should NOT ~e a~p~oved as propose4. The pa rk is a n i mporta nt pu blic asse~ - ICor ma ny o~' us it is the o[Iowa C[~. This plan would diminist~ the park PROTECT THE PARKa c~r~ 0~ ~o~* c~r~ I ~sk ~or you r s~ ~n prot~n9 thc public's ~nte~ by pr~wing (he fntegri~ of Hicko~ Hill Park For Futu ~ gene~tions. PL~SE DO NOT APPROVE THESE P~NS AS NOW PROPOSED~ Dear City Councilors orr Iowa City, I I~lieve that a plan to build 20 'high-end luxury' houses on a prominent ridgetop next to Hickory Hill Park violates the Northeast District Plan and should NOT ~e app,oved as proposed. The park is an fmpoH~lnt public asset - ~'or many o~'us it is the o~lowa City. This plan would 4imin[sh the park ~'orevcr. PROTECT THE PARK! CZT~ 0r ~0.* 411 £. WASHINGTON I ask For your su~ in p~ot~ing the pu Nfc's inter~ by pt~wfn~ ~he int~ri~ o~Hicko~ Hdl Park ~or Future PL~SE DO NOT APPROVE THESE P~NS AS NOW PROPOSED~ Dear City Councilors of Iowa City, I believe that a plan to build 20 'high-end luxun/' houses on a promfnent rid9~ n~ to Hic~ Hill Park violat~ the No~hea~ Di~H~ Plan and should NOT ~ o[ I~ Ci~. T~is plan woulcl d[minis~ t~e pa~k [o~e~. cz~ cou.c~o.s PROTECT THE PARKI cztY I ~sk ~or your su~ in prote~ing thc pu blids inter~ pr~wing t~e int~ti~ of Hickow Hill Park lot future gene~tfons. PL~SE DO NOT APPKOVE THESE P~NS AS NOW PKOPOSED~ Dear City Councilors o( Iowa City, I believe that a plan to builcl 20 'high-encl luxu~/' hous~ on a prominent riclgetoP next to Hickory Hill Park violat~ No~eas~ Di~H~ Plan an4 s~oul4 NOT ~ ~pp~oved as pro~. ~e park is an impo~nt public as~ - (or many o(us it o~ I~a Ci~. T~is plan wo~ld diminis~ t~e pa~k [o~e~. PROTECT THE PARKI ciiY 0F i0wA {ilY PL~SE DO NOTAPPROVE ~ESE P~NS AS NOW PROPOSED!~;s is ~r ~,1~ ~t~. L~fs n~ ~Ss if up Pe~r City Councllots of' Iowa City, I ~eheve 'chat a plan 'co build 20 "hi, h-end b~ry' house~ o~ a prominent rfdget~ n~ to Hic~ H~II Park violat~ the No~hea~ Di~ri~ Plan and should NOT ~ approved as pro~. The park ~s an impo~nt public a~t - (or many of us it is the ~[ of Iowa Cf~. Thfs plan would diminfsh t~e park forever. PROTECT THE PARK~ C~T~ o~ ZOlA CZT~ ~ ask ~or your suppo~ in prot~n9 the pu bhc's inter~ by pr~in9 the [nte9 ri~ o~ H [cko~ H~II Pa rk ~or Fu~u re 9ene~t~ons. PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THESE P~NS AS NOW PROPOSED~ Iowa _ Public Library. 123 South kinn · Iowa City~ Iowa 52240-1820 Susan Craig, Director · Information (319) 356-5200 · Business (319) 356 5206 · Fax (319) 356-5494 DATE: February 19, 2002 TO: City Council FROM: Lisa Parker, President Library Board of Trustees RE: Parking With half of the surface lot across from the Library closed to provide a staging area for library construction and the probability that the entire lot will be closed for parking as soon as January 2003 the Library Board recently discussed parking for Library visitors. In an effort to alleviate problems associated with visiting the Library, we have expanded hours for the Park 'n Read and Ride 'n Read program to include all hours the Library is open. In regard to parking, the most convenient ramp for Library users is the Dubuque Street facility. Unfortunately, this is also the ramp with many long-term parkers, and people entering the ramp later in the day often have to travel to upper floors. This is an especially troublesome issue for older Library users and visitors with small children. In the past we have spoken together about identifying some short-term (two hour maximum) spaces in the Dubuque Street Ramp on the lower levels, which are convenient to the Library and other downtown businesses. We feel the time has come to post 40 spaces (approximately the number lost from 64-1A) for short-term (90 minutes or 2 hours) parking between 9:00am and 6:00pm in the Dubuque Street ramp. We understand this change requires official action on your part and request that the process to put these changes in place begin as soon as possible. We also have concerns about parking in the evenings and on Sundays because all public parking adjacent to the Library is now metered, and therefore is not enforced during these periods when the library is open. The result is much lower turnover in metered spaces during twenty of the sixty-four hours the library is open. Susan Craig has spoken to Joe Fowler about enforcing meters in the 64-1A lot for longer hours and signing those spaces for short term parking evenings and Sundays to promote turnover. Joe and Susan have both staffing and safety concerns about implementing enforcement for evening hours and Joe has additional concerns about possible confusion on the part of the public. Whether these options or others are eventually implemented, we hope to work with Council to find ways to improve parking evenings and Sundays for both library users and other visitors to the downtown area. Thank you for considering this request. Please let me know if you have further questions or would like to schedule a meeting with the Library Board. cc: Joe Fowler, Parking & Transit JeffDavidson, Planning & Community Development Steve Atkins, City Manager Box 9374 pid Cedar Ra s, Iowa 52409 Io~ Ci~ City Co~dl Ci~c Cen~r Io~ ~ty, Io~ 52~ Dear Members of the Ci~ Co~cii: I am ~fing t~s ~tter to offer my ~ in an attempt to assist you in ma~ng debug ~ ~e t~s in yo~ ci~ on a level ~at ~ll ~ ~neflciai to you~ as well as ~e o~er/o~ ~at a~ attempting se~i~ the ~ple of your city. I ~s a ~iver/o~er/op~ator of ~bs for 17 y~rs. ~ere was ~d a~ys ~ll ~ problems ~th this business, as the~ is ~ ~y business. ~e o~y ~ng you ~ do is ~ out aH ~e ~nflicfing s~tements ~d problems ~d ~ ~ a mull ~ment on eve~hing. ~em is ~me ~ings that I feel should be as~ss~ and somet~ng done about; as it wo~d help you as much as it wo~d us. Them is a few ~ings ~at I ~ ~ous a~ut ~d ~uld appr~iate it if you ~uld let me ~ow why some of these things am ~e ~y they am. (1). You ~ui~ 1 mfll~n doll,s of insane; I have no problem ~ this; ~at I ha~ a pmb~m ~th is that: We have 1 1/2 million ~ii~s ofins~n~ and our ins~ ~mpany is ve~ st~ct ~th the ~ple they ~ll pass to d~ve our ~ on our insu~n~. I was told ~e Ci~ n~ ~'S to put in o~ info~ation packets and that they would ~ available for the public to see at any time. There is no ~ason for ~e city to ~ve ~'s for our d~ve~. They ~e p~vate and pri~le~ info~ation ~d shoed ~t ~ on file for anyone and eye,one to ~. ~em is a privacy act ~th the s~te for i~o~ation on ~ve~ li~n~s. I ~rsonally do not ~t ~yone and eye,one ~o~ng ~em I li~ or my s~al ~ numar. ~em is to much st~ling of ~ples info~ation without helping them out by ma~ng it available thru the ciW clerks office. (2) I do not understand why we have to keep refiling the information about the cars when none of them have changed. I agree with the inspections of the vehicles; but once the information for the car has been filed with the city clerk; they could just take those sheets and check to make sure everything is still the same and it would save a lot of time and book work. The exception would be when you were putting a new car on or replacing one of the old cars. Page 2- City Council Cedar Rapids has an inspection twice a year for the taxi's and that is what they do at inspection time. they take the original sheets; that they keep in a notebook; and have a check sheet; like you do; that they fill out for each ear. They check the information about the caw ie: license number, via nnmber, years make and model against the car they are inspecting and make sure it is the proper car. It is very easy for them and the cab people. I am not trying to tell yon what to do; I am only trying to understand why and maybe help to make things easier for everyone. I would appreciate it if you could enlighten me on these matters and I am more than willing to talk to you about the taxi business. All we are trying to do is provide a service that I was told was needed in Iowa CiW. We have tried to put safe, clean and attractive vehicles on the street and we are using meters so people can see exactly what their fares are instead of having a different price every time they ride in a cab. We are doing our best to try to get along with everyone and conduct our business in a polite manner. Thank you for your time and consideration. Marian Karr From: Ameche, Mary [mary-ameche@uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2002 10:43 AM To: 'cou ncil@iowa-city.org' Subject: Bus services Hi Ernie (and friends), My mother lives in Muscatine and this weekend I finally had to take he~ car keys away from her. So, I'm looking for alternate transportation for her and in doing so and found this web site. http://www.iatransit.com/services/agencies.htm It looks like there is a contracted transportation service that's operating well in Iowa. I'm very familiar with Cy-Ride in Ames and am hearing raves about this MuscaBus service. Just fyi. Mary Mary Burmeister Ameche, Director Volunteer Services University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics 200 Hawkins Drive 8025 JCP Iowa City, IA 52242 319-356-7318 319-384-8032 fax mary-ameche@uiowa.edu www.uihealthcare.com/Volunteers Notice: This e-mail (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Commlunications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521, is cenfidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this cermmunication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error, then delete it. Thank yeu. · 666 Grand Avenue P0 Box 657 OBSESS'VELY, RELENTLESSLYA, YO~E. ~ F~ 2 ~ F ~' 5 ~ Des Moines, Iowa 50303-0657 515 281 2326 Telephone 515 242 4080 Fax Senior Vice Presideat Del[ve~ Sem[ces February 21, 2002 The Honorable Ernest Lehman Mayor of Iowa City Iowa City Council Members Civic Center Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240-1828 Dear Mayor Lehman and Members of the Iowa City Council: I am responding to a recent letter you received from Jim Larew and to advise you that the information he provided is incomplete and, in many cases, misleading. His letter concerning a municipal electric utility for Iowa City suggests a number of masons why he believes that municipal electric service would be preferable. Mr. Lamw's letter does not correctly portray the economics of operating a reliable, but complex, electric utility system. His letter also overlooks a number of the advantages that Iowa City gains as part of MidAmerican's integrated electric system. Mr. Larew refers to the two-cent cost of generating energy at some of MidAmerican's generating stations. He implies the price of electric service delivered to a home or business should be no mom than two cents. But the cost of energy at a given generating unit is only a small fraction of the total delivered cost of electricity. Reliable, delivered electrical service requires generation from multiple sources, using different fuels and technologies. It requires transmission services, distribution services, t~ansforroation (substations and transformers) services, metering/billing/customer response services and costs for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. These are costs that would be incurred by any provider of reliable electric service in Iowa - whether the provider is an investor-owned company, a municipal utility or a rural electric cooperative. Attached to this letter is a recent breakdown of the costs incurred in providing delivered electric service, and may be helpful in understanding the various components of your electric rates. As you may already know, MidAmerican can only change its rates after public hearings overseen by the Iowa Utilities Board, a state agency whose members are appointed by the Governor. The IUB has a large staff of professionals that review utility operations. Before approving any rate changes, the 1UB must determine that the rates include only the reasonable and necessary costs of providing service. Mayor Lehman and Members of the Iowa City Council February 21, 2002 Page 2 Mr. Larew's letter suggests that MidAmerican's customers in Iowa City may be at risk because of the businesses in which some of MidAmerican's affiliated corporations are engaged. I would like to set the record straight. MidAmerican's regulated utility business operates separately and independently from its parent company and its affiliated corporations. This is not just by choice - there are strict controls and reporting requirements imposed by state and federal law that require that prudent method of operation. In addition, Iowa law and IUB regulation prohibit cross- subsidization of non-regulated operations by utility customers. Mr. Larew's letter also attempts to raise concerns regarding MidAmerican's size. But, it is the size of MidAmerican's integrated utility operations that provides benefits to Iowa City that would not be available at a comparable cost and with the requisite degree of expertise from a small utility. For example, both MidAmerican and a municipal utility would assume the risks of financing, building and maintaining an energy delivery system and acquiring generation resources. However, for MidAmerican, these risks can be spread across a much larger and more diverse customer base. Also, because of the scale of our operations, we can negotiate significant discounts and long-term contracts for our generating fuels. There are other efficiencies that come from operating a larger utility, such as centralized purchasing, dispatching, billing and a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week customer call center. An excellent example of the benefits of a larger system for Iowa City is coping with student service connections and terminations in the spring and fall. Thousands of additional University of Iowa students contact MidAmerican as they move in and out of town, and we have the staffing resources to dedicate additional experienced employees from other areas to handle these peak loads. MidAmerican's size also helps ensure energy reliability. When disasters hit, such as the occasional blizzards and windstorms to which Iowa is subject, MidAmerican has the ability to immediately summon its own crews from across the state and work around the clock. We als0 have agreements for mutual aid with other large utilities. Recently, MidAmerican had the opportunity to assist the Kansas City area as it recovered from a horrific ice storm earlier this month. While municipal utilities may have a mutual-aid arrangement with nearby utilities, we believe that our reciprocal arrangements cover more utilities from diverse areas. This is particularly important when severe weather is widespread and impacts much of the state_:, Mayor Lehman and Members of the Iowa City Council February 21, 2002 Page 3 Mr. Larew's letter is flawed in many others areas and I would be happy to personally address each item at your convenience. But if you take away anything from this letter, please understand that MidAmerican is seeking a franchise in excess of ten years because that is what sound capital planning requires. Long-term planning is critical to both minimizing costs and maximizing system reliability. MidAmerican Energy is committed to satisfied customers. We are headquartered in Iowa and we invest in Iowa. We want to continue to serve Iowa City and are taking proactive steps to provide the highest-quality service you deserve. We look forward to continuing the relationship we've had with your community for more than a century. Sincerely, Attachment (D~r):' ~.. Unbundled Price Components Iowa City Residential Consumer Price (cents/kWh) Transmission Transmission 0.39 Distribution Substations 0.60 Primary Wires 0.93 Secondary Wires 1.99 Line Transformation 0.46 Service Lines 0.21 Meters 0.26 Customer Service 0.67 5.12 Generation Fuel 1.62 Ancillary Services 0.10 Capacity 1.93 3.65 Public Programs Energy Efficiency 0.09 ¢-~ ~"~ Alternate Energy Production 0.11 ~..-- ~ ,--4~' 0.20 --~ ~ - Total 9.36 ~ ,~- ch [Analysis prepared by MidAmerican Energy using existing rates and 2000 data. Although the '~. IUB has reviewed and approved the total rate in previous rate proceedings, the IUB has not been requested in a rate proceeding to review and approve the individual price components.] 2/20/02 Dear City Council Members: I encourage you to thoughtfully consider Iowa City's future energy options by renewing the franchise license for MidAmerican Energy for just 4 more years. I further encourage you to review Iowa City's energy options through a energy study that would consider the feasibility of public power. This study should include an open community conversation that considers the erergy needs of all Iowa Citians. Sincerely, Marian Karr From: leann hassman [hassman@kctc. net] Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2002 2:03 PM To: council@[owa-city.org Subject: Public Power Council Members: Last week I attended a Public Power Initiative meeting which I found to be very enlightening. Since I am a member of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), I have an interest and opinion in this area. Last year while at an MREA Energy fair, it was brought to my attention that Mid-American Energy is not as open towards alternative energy sources as other companies. For example, if someone wanted to use renewable energy products and be set-up on Net billing, Mid-American makes it very difficult through costly engineering surveys and requirements to become a government qualified facility. Conversely, Alliant Energy only requires a form to fill out. During these times of energy cost changes and uncertainties do we really want ~o be contractually bound for 15 years to a company that is not conducive or proactive towards alternative energy sources? Something to think about. Greg Hassman 337-8555 , , Letter of the week Polie¥ on consent needs council review The rights of clfildren Council to thoroughly read fi.shing trip or another red made, let's let the police often are treated with indif- the editorial by the Iowa herring by the Iowa City comsnce a judge for a ference, and Iowa City's City Press*Citizen from Police Department? If this search waccant and not an Council and police depart- Monday, Feb. 12. We think it practice were done by the innocent 12-yeax-old. ment are no exception, says it all. FBI, it probably would Ckildren need to trm~ the Children need to feel It can further be leave a gun or laptop Iowa City Police and not be given another reason to dis- protected in Iowa City, and addressed that at the age of behind. we must turn to the council 12, a child is not read:,' to As a parent (thank God trust them. If my son were to do that. cognitively address such a my son ~s grova0, I would 12, and the knock came to The latest is the issue of legal question of search and have to warn them never my door, "not with my child police officers gaining entry seasure. This opinion also is allow a police officer in the you won't." to search by, li~ most opin- held by the American house unless a parent is Michael Jones ion, terrifying a (what they Academy of Adolescent and home. This is m~e of any Predator think might be) 12-year-old Child Psychiatry. stranger. Anything a police Identification child. Is such a pracfice hon- Will the child of 12 be officer can have or wear, a Ckild Protection est and above board? Of able to see the difference potential child molester can~ Program course not. from a search prompted by have or buy. Better A Millstone I would urge the City probable cause, a police If a search needs to be North IAbert~ Resolution No. 0~:2 WHEREAS, Section IV (B) of the Agreement for Senior Center Operation dated June 30, 1981, by and between the City of Iowa City and Johnson County provides that on or before February 15 of each year the County shall transmit a resolution of funding commitment; and WHEREAS, the County is facing a substantial revenue shortfall and the need to reduce expenditures for FY 2003 from the level of the current year; and WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has concluded that it cannot commit the $145,664.00 which Iowa City has requested for 20% of the operational costs of the Senior Center for the fiscal year which begins on July 1, 2002, but that it can and is willing to contribute $100,000 under the terms of the Agreement; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows: 1. $100,000 is the amount determined by the County as its financial commitment to the Senior Center for FY 2003; 2. The Board's Executive Assistant is authorized and directed to notify the City of Iowa City of this resolution of commitment by providing copies thereof to the Senior Center Commission and the City Council. Adopted this I/"~41'"day of February, 2002. Motion by L~hr'¢¢.4~ seconded by ~ to pass Resolution /~,~ Harney_~,~ Leh man. ____~.,, Neuzil__.~ Stutsman ~]f~. Thompson Carol Thompson, Chairper~ob' Board of Supervisors Attest: Tom Slockett Johnson County AuditoE~ /'~_ ~ 't ~'~'""--, ../ ' 7./ RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO IOWA SF 165, DECLARING ENGLISH THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE WHEREAS Iowa has functioned successfully for more than 150 years without a law declaring an official language; and WHEREAS Most immigrants who move to Iowa and do not have English as their primary language soon learn English; and WHEREAS Almost all second generation immigrants to Iowa whose parents did not speak English as a primary language learn to speak fluent English; and WHEREAS Governor Tom Vilsaek in his 2010 Report hopes to attract diverse people to come live in our great state of Iowa. THEREFORE IT IS RESOLVED The City Council of Iowa City feels there is no need to adopt English as the official language of Iowa and urges that Iowa Senate File 165 be defeated at every level.