HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-28 Correspondence
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Iowa City City Council Meeting
2-28-06
Animal Oxygen Masks
My name is Robin Butler. Last fall, my partner Janelle Rettig and I
read an article about animal-specific oxygen masks for emergency
personnel. The story touched us, so we decided to help our local fire
department and animal control center secure the equipment. We
solicited the help of others in the community to raise the $493 needed
for this project.
On behalf of all the contributors, we are pleased to present the City
of Iowa City Fire Department and the Iowa City Animal Control Center
with nine sets of masks. These masks fit more snuggly on animal
snouts, providing more oxygen than human masks. Each set consists of
three sizes of masks for varying sizes of animals. Currently,
approximately 200 fire departments in 18 states have these masks. Iowa
City will be one of the first fire departments in Iowa to have them.
(Coincidentally, as of last week the Cedar Rapids Fire Department
carries animal oxygen masks.)
We would like to recognize the other contributors to this project:
Bright Eyes and Bushy Tails, Petland, Kolder Pet Hospital, Julia's Farm
Kennels, Pet Central, Laurie Haag and Susan Beckett.
The good people at the Iowa City Fire Department and the Animal Control
Center do a wonderful job. Werre glad they will have more equipment to
help them make our community a safer place for all our family members.
Attachments:
H.E.L.P Animals, Inc. brochure
Certificate of Donation
PROTECT "
What You Can Do:
f.I_E_L_~_
To Raise Funding and Awareness:
Have a garage or yard sale or
donate your excess "stuff" for one of 4"f,.,~lf, '"t.@
our own yard sales' Or maybe a
bowling fun day with silly games, a f~~I4~Uf/.("( ZQOJ
dog wash or a car wash! Bake Sales
are always tasty' Have us speak to
your favorite group, school, nursing
or rehabilitation home. There is
always a Benefit Motorcycle Run. We
will help. Donations of services,
r-.- product or a financial one will be
. greatly appreciated and distributed,
. photographed and noted in our
scrapbook and record s. IRS Tax
letters are sent upon request.
Volunteer at one of our many events H.E.L.P. ANIMALS, Inc. accepts
such as Low Cost Pet Shot clinics, an
parades, festivals, etc. Appreciation Award from The County
Council and Deputy Fire Chief Weaver for the
P.S. It costs $49. for each Donation of Animal Oxygen Mask Sets to the
complete set of Three sizes for the County Fire and Emergency Departments of
SurgiVet Animal Oxygen Masks Set. Vol usia, FL.. Each Fire Station was equipped
SurgiVet Animal Oxygen Mask Sets have been Think About it and contact us. with a set for the First Response Truck. The
distributed to every First Response Truck at all Please. K-9 division in Volusia County has also
Fire Stations in Volusia County, FL. Both County received an individual mask per dog.
and Cities as well as the K-9 Division (below) H.E.L.~. 4"f"'Al~, @KKCLARK 2004
. ~-! ;~it /:: "
/" ..'f.. .,." '..e.@ "For the Benefit and Well-being
,-/ -f + Of All God's Creatures"
386-775-4966 Health
P.O. Box 740514 Educate
Orange City, FI 32774-0514
Please Help Us to Help ~,.y., N..t.. i~I.: U6.:nr./i'lU Love
Protect
Them www.HelpAnimalslnc.org Florida Non Profit All Volunteer
Brochures Compliments of Hel pAn imals I nc@yahoo.com IRS 501[c] 3 Tax Exempt & Tax Deductible.
Avon HELPing Animals (386) 774-0288
& David Dougherty CPA 'D021605hetpanim a Is inc
(386) 668-3328
II !l1~~IIJN ~TI1'E!lEIVT II businesses care about our projects. Visit creatures. They too are faced with the same
Greet,ng Cards by Judy G. on EBay as seller: problems we all have. Our mission is to raise
HELPANIMALSINC '100% is donated back' funds and assist with the cost of vaccinations,
medical supplies, drugs,
We deeply care about the Well- Being of our utilities and such repairs:
Animals. domestic, agriculture and Wild. septic, plumbing, all types of
Ne also understand that many people may roofing, electrical. etc. for
need to be reminded to care for the animals, the safety and well bell1g of
as they would want to be treated. Some the animals 111 their care.
people may have the need to be around a Carolyn M. of L.I., N.Y. is
pet for their comfort. We try to meet that enjoying her "Animal
need through our many programs. Nancy, Kathy Paynter and Cheryl looking over Kathy's new Time", Pet Interaction
medica! supplies as her Kitty approves' benefits both young & old
HEALTH alike. Pets love it as well!
EDUCA TE We have an educational 0JKKCLARK
program designed for the young and old Your donation of goods, services or
alike on the importance of responsible pet financial support will be deeply appreciated.
ownership. We stress to have pets spayed [L]Mary Keller. 'The
or neutered to control the overpopulation of
unwanted animals. Bird Lady of Holly
Hill" & Priscilla go
over her newly
acquired supplies'
Dr. Rocky Esposito, DVM 's our
Veterinarian for our Low Cost Pet Shot
Events. Florida State Law is that ONLY a [R] Phyllis Lamborn of the
licensed Veterinarian can administer a Bird Rescue Center in
RABIES Vaccine and ISSUE a properly New Smyrna Beach, FL,
completed RABIES Certificate. We want Kathy Rasche giving a seminar about the injured & Nancy look around to
to thank Henry Schein, Inc. for their Barn Owl 'Olive Owl" at a Civic Picnic & (below) see what needs to be
valuable support by keeping our medical Cheryl making repairs on a fixed after the Hurricanes.
supply shed
supplies costs down. We also have a SPAY We educate the
& NEUTER PROGRAM for those who public on the [LJ Volunteer
qualify, with Veterinarians in town. Most prevention of animal Marlee &
likely it could be your vet! abuse and reporting Jacques the Dog
We buy medical supplies from Henry of it to proper enjoyed being in
Schein, Inc. to give to needy facilities we authorities. Contact the City of
care for. Supplies were really appreciated us if you would like Debary, FL.
by all. PRN Pharmacal, Inc. donated a Kathy to speak to Christmas
Liquid Skin product for the injured wildlife your Group' Parade!
during the 4 Florida Hurricanes in the fall of Love is what the people working for the
2004. Bandaging fowl is not an easy thing to Shelters. Rescue Organizations & Wildlife
do! Aaron Pest Control and many other Rehabbers have thru their devotion for their little
5
CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
Mayor Ross Wilburn
February 28, 2006
Good evening everyone. I am honored and feel privileged tonight to deliver this, my first State
of the City address. As I prepared, I thought about the change this represents, the past eight such
addresses having been given by my well respected predecessor, former Mayor Ernie Lehman. I
couldn't help but reflect on other changes that are happening in our community and our region of
the state.
We do have an experienced city council, however one change involves the election of our newest
member Amy Correia. Also within the city, we established a Youth Advisory Commission to
the City Council that will begin meeting in the near future. Weare also in the first year of
having an appointed Council liaison representing the University ofIowa Student Government.
Further, we have a new Police Chief who came to Iowa City last fall. Looking out into the
community, we have a new president of the Chamber of Commerce in Nancy Quellhorst. Soon,
we will also have a new University of Iowa president. My hope being that the new University
President recognizes the value of strong relationships between the University and the
community. Lastly about change, as we continue to define the aspects of the Cedar Rapids/Iowa
City Technology Corridor, we must take note of the changes in leadership in our surrounding
corridor partners.
These and other changes, as they occur, have a very real impact on the community and on those
of us who are your representative local government policy makers. These changes bring us new
ideas and perspectives that can translate into new challenges and new opportunities, and
profoundly influence this city's future direction and relationships.
Certainly the look ofIowa City changes constantly as we embark upon capital projects in
response to community growth and development demands. During the past year, we opened the
Court Street Transportation Center and completed the much needed reconstruction and
signalization of the North Dubuque Street/Foster Road intersection. We continue to see progress
on the reconstruction of North Dodge Street from Governor Street to 1-80, the construction of the
Camp Cardinal Road extension to West Melrose Avenue, and the Mormon Trek Boulevard
extension west and south of the Airport. These latter three projects directly support development
now underway in the City, and as the community continues to expand, we recognize the vital
importance of orderly, sustainable growth and development. In December, the City Council
adopted a new Development Code, refining existing contemporary zoning and development
standards and creating new ones as well. This process involved several years of hard work,
persistence, and willing compromise on the part of the Planning and Community Development
staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission before it could be brought to Council for
consideration. I would like to once again acknowledge the efforts of staff and particularly the
volunteer members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, as they faced the challenges of
addressing many difficult and controversial issues in this process.
2006 State of the City
Page 2
A critical challenge that must be met at all levels of government in the years ahead is one of
becoming more cooperative and collaborative in our various activities. Governmental entities
often tend to be provincial in their interests and their approaches to conducting operations, while
failing to capitalize on the efficiency that may be possible when similar needs are addressed
jointly. Having stated that, I believe it is important to collaborate not just for the purpose of
consolidation's sake, but for the purpose of providing quality service. This city government is
currently involved in projects in cooperation with nearly every governmental entity that adjoins
or overlaps our jurisdiction. For example, we are partnered with the State ofIowa on the North
Dodge Street improvement project; with the City of Coralville on the Camp Cardinal Road
extension; with the University ofIowa on the Melrose/Grand Avenue improvements; with
Johnson County on the reconstruction of South Gilbert Street from Napoleon Lane to Sycamore
Street; with the Federal government in the extension of Mormon Trek Boulevard east across the
Iowa River, as well as with the construction of the Court Street Transportation Center; and with
the Iowa City Community School District in the funding of the gymnasium constructed in
conjunction with the Grant Wood School Family Resource Center. These and other joint
projects will serve our respective communities well and are likely forerunners of many more
cooperative endeavors in the future.
Of even more critical importance, however, is how we partner with you as citizens in making our
decisions. Council members use a variety of ways of gathering that input, from reading your e-
mail submissions, to some holding office hours, and even while being stopped in the grocery
store. We do listen, and while we cannot respond in an affirmative way to every citizen request,
one example stands out in my mind that illustrates how we can seize upon opportunities to be
both better informed and influenced by the people we serve. Two capital projects recently
completed were not previously funded in our Capital Improvements Program for 2005. These
are the signalization projects at Mormon Trek Boulevard and Cameron Way and at Scott
Boulevard and Court Street. It became apparent to us last year that the demand for improved
traffic control at these intersections was increasing much more rapidly than had been anticipated.
This realization came largely through input from many citizens who sent letters or emails, or
who called or visited Council about these problems. We were able to respond by adjusting our
Capital project priorities in order to do the much needed work. The results are obvious, and I
believe we all feel very good about having made these changes in response to citizen input.
Quality of life issues are a primary goal for serving the community. Surely "bricks and mortar"
projects have a role to play and that role is a very important one. But of even greater
significance are the direct services we provide. Council recently conducted a planning and goal
setting session in which we began to identify priorities for the upcoming year and beyond.
Among the suggestions by individual council members as possible priorities included
neighborhood and historic preservation; additional police officers and firefighters; creation of
jobs through economic development efforts; strengthening cultural arts programs; youth input to
the City Council; emphasis on volunteering; cleaning and beautifying riverbanks; litter control;
reviewing transit routes and service; assessment of Senior Center programs; and a number of
issues related to scattered site affordable housing and the issue ofhomelessness. This list is by
no means exhaustive, but it does give a flavor for the concerns on the minds of individual council
members, concerns that many feel strongly need to be addressed. Of particular note is the issue
of housing needs and affordability and of locating affordable housing throughout the community.
2006 State of the City
Page 3
The Scattered Site Housing Task Force has made recommendations that we will consider. There
are also vast differences in community expectations on how the city should respond or even if
the city should playa role. As so often happens, solutions will not be easily identified and those
we consider may pose accompanying difficulties and be likely to require compromise within the
community. Yet I am hopeful that we can all address these issues respectfully, with open minds,
and with concern for and understanding of the need to help as many citizens as possible to have
access to at least their basic life needs. Responding to those local needs and basic city services
become more and more challenging with budget constraints, reductions in Federal and State aid,
and with the city's heavy reliance on property tax as our primary source of revenue.
Council has also committed to reviewing the Iowa City Transit system. Revenue from the Court
Street Transportation Center will be earmarked for Transit operations and this may provide an
opportunity for future expansion of that service to areas not currently served. Recognizing that
many citizens depend on mass transit for their everyday transportation needs, our commitment to
Iowa City Transit and all those it serves should be demonstrated through careful and thoughtful
consideration of how we can best meet both current and future mass transit demands.
Tonight we will hold a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 06-07 budget. This budget is balanced,
but includes little in the way of increased services. Taxable values on residential property have
again been rolled back by the State, placing severe limits on our ability to raise revenue to fund
existing services. As in the past, much of our budget involves previously committed or
mandated funding, leaving only a limited portion of the total budget for discretionary purposes.
Nonetheless, we are determined to allocate those funds in a way that will make a difference
wherever we can. We have tried to balance infrastructure needs with service demands and to
minimize any property tax increase. We believe this budget and our sound fiscal policies will
enable us to retain our Aaa General Obligation Bond rating.
You may have concluded from my remarks tonight that the coming years will reflect a "business
as usual" theme. To some extent that is likely to be the case. However, there are changes as I
have alluded to earlier, and with change comes opportunity. I am confident we will respond to
those opportunities in a very favorable way, taking advantage of new ideas and perspectives,
regardless of their origin, to keep ours the healthy and prosperous community we have come to
enJoy.
I would like to end on a somewhat personal and perhaps untraditional way for our typical state of
the city address. Tonight coincides with the final day of Black History Month. I want to
compliment the University of Iowa for again holding a series of cultural and educational forums
that are free to and attended by the University and Iowa City Communities. In addition, I want
to congratulate them on participating and helping to fund the new Diversity Focus organization
that will be a technical resource for Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor businesses to help the area
embrace and support an increasingly diverse workforce. I highlight the Diversity Focus
experiment because of an experience that I had as part of former Senator Edwards visit to our
area last Saturday, where one group we heard from was our local Sudanese population, who are
having difficulties finding employment in their various professions. Worthy of note is the effort
the Iowa City Area Development Group's (lCAD) staff member, Linda Shreiber, in promoting
the Iowa Professional and Technical Diversity Network as a way to get informal networking to
2006 State of the City
Page 4
occur within the Corridor between various groups. I want to give one final thanks and nod of
appreciation to this city council for selecting me to serve as Mayor. As has been noted in various
media outlets, I have the distinction of serving as Iowa City's first African-American Mayor.
While that was not my colleagues' reason for selecting me, their decision to appoint our city's
first Black Mayor has sent a symbolic message of embracing diversity and equal opportunity to
those who have felt disenfranchised historically. Last Sunday, I was asked to speak in Cedar
Rapids at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church for their Youth Day and Final Black
History Month activity. It was very clear at this event, and from other invitations I have
received, that Iowa City accomplishing another "first" was viewed in a positive light. These
events show that Iowa City and the Technology Corridor, while not perfect, represents the
leading area of economic and cultural growth in the state and I'm very proud to be part of it.
Mayor\state of city Z006.doc
Marian Karr
[;rJ
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Kathryn Johansen
Friday, February 10, 2006 3:16 PM
'Untiedt, Jenna B.'
'City Council
RE: Students Today Leaders Forever
Hello Jenna,
Thank you for your email message to the City Council regarding
Council members do not receive their email messages directly.
forwarded to them as official correspondence.
your service project.
Your communication will be
At your first convenience, please provide me with details of the type of service projects
your group is interested in providing. Please be specific. Once additional information
is received perhaps I can refer you to a department or organization within the City that
will benefit the most by your organizations generosity.
Thank you for your interest in Iowa City, Jenna.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely!
Kathi Johansen
Administrative Assistant
to the City Manager
-----Original Message-----
From: Untiedt! Jenna B. [mailto:JBUNTIEDT@stthomas.edu]
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 3:56 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Students Today Leaders Forever
Dear Iowa City Council,
Greetings from the Mid-West! We are a group of college and high school students from
various campuses around the Mid-West involved in a national non-profit organization called
Students Today Leaders Forever also abbreviated as STLF. STLF's mission statement is to
promote the initiative and living with the passion that ONE student CAN make a difference.
STLF is an organization that is determined to make a difference on our campuses, in our
home towns, and in communities across the country. We are an eager group of students
wanting! and willing to make a difference.
During the month of March, a number of students from various campuses across the Midwest
will board busses and begin a trek across the country stopping at various cities to
pe~form service projects along the way. It is through these service projects that we are
making a difference in the communities in which we visit. Our vision is that by helping
random cities and communities that they will continue to perform acts of kindness and
service forward to others and their community creating a ripple effect.
During this March our route will be visiting seven different cities and our final
destination point is the New Orleans area. Our first stop is Iowa City. It is our goal to
perform a service project for your community and citizens. We will approximately have 40
college-aged students and 2 chaperones participating in the service project for your
community and to help your organization.
We will be arriving in Iowa City on March 17th during the late afternoon or evening and
are also looking for a place to be put up over night. We are looking to perform a service
project on the morning of the 18th in any area you wish to have us help. If you could
please further contact us with more information about your organization and/or any
possible service activities and contacts we would greatly appreciate it.
My name is Jenna Untiedt and I will be the representative from our route that will be
working with you and your community with confirming these activities and other details for
1
this stop. Thank you so much for taking time to read this letter and possibly consider
helping this amazing group.
Feel free to contact me at anytime either by phone or email. Thank you for your time and
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jenna Untiedt
Students Today Leaders Forever-St. Thomas Chapter jbuntiedt@stthornas.edu
612-703-8942
2
Page I of I
[:[J
Marian Karr
From: Tim Leaven [timothy-Ieaven@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 3:34 PM
To: Council@iowa-city.org
Subject: bus route expansion
I am sending this email to state my support for the proposal for Iowa City Transit to extend bus service
to the Hunter Run neighborhood.
**********************
Tim Leaven
319-335-6698
ti mothcleaven@!Ji.owa.ec!u
h!!p-",Jwww.m!!c!icLIlELyiOW1l..edujpatholoQY
httpJlw'v'v'W.path,piowa.edJ,I/virtpalsJidebo)(
2/14/2006
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CITY CLEFiK
iOWA CITY IOWA
To the Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
City ofIowa City, Iowa
We have audited the financial statements of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, for the year ended June 30, 2005, and
have issued our report thereon dated November 28, 2005. Professional standards require that we provide you with
the following information related to our audit.
Our Responsibility under Auditing Standards Generally Accepted in the United
States of America and OMB Circular A-133
As stated in our engagement letter dated May 24, 2005, our responsibility, as described by professional standards,
is to plan and perform our audit to obtain reasonable, but not absolute, assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement and are fairly presented in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. Because an audit is designed to provide reasonable, but not
absolute, assurance and because we did not perform a detailed examination of all transactions, there is a risk that
material misstatements may exist and not be detected by us.
In planning and performing our audit, we considered the City's internal control over financial reporting in order to
determine our auditing procedures for the purpose of expressing our opinions on the financial statements and not
to provide assurance on the internal control over financial reporting. We also considered internal control over
compliance with requirements that could have a direct and material effect on a major federal program in order to
determine our auditing procedures for the purpose of expressing our opinion on compliance and to test and report
on internal control over compliance in accordance with OMB Circular A-l33.
As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the City's financial statements are free of material
misstatement, we performed tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts and
grants, noncompliance with which could have a direct and material effect on the determination of financial
statement amounts. However, providing an opinion on compliance with those provisions was not an objective of
our audit. Also, in accordance with OMB Circular A-133, we examined, on a test basis, evidence about the City's
compliance with the types of compliance requirements described in the u.s. Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement applicable to its major federal program for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the City's compliance with those requirements. While our audit provides a reasonable
basis for our opinion, it does not provide a legal determination on the City's compliance with those requirements.
PEOPLE. PRINCIPLES. POSSIBILITIES.
www.eidebailly.com
3999 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 100 I Dubuque, Iowa 52002-26391 Phone 563.556.1790 I Fax 563.557.7842 I EOE
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Management is responsible for the selection and use of appropriate accounting policies. In accordan= with the
terms of our engagement letter, we will advise management about the appropriateness of accounting policies and
their application. The significant accounting policies used by the City of Iowa City, Iowa, are described in Note I
to the financial statements. No new accounting policies were adopted, and the application of existing policies was
not changed during the year ended June 30, 2005. We noted no transactions entered into by the City during the
year that were both significant and unusual, and of which, under professional standards, we are required to inform
you, or transactions for which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or consensus.
To the Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
City ofIowa City, Iowa
Page 2
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Significant Accounting Policies
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Accounting Estimates
Accounting estimates are an integral part of the financial statements prepared by management and are based on
management's knowledge and experience about past and current events and assumptions about future events.
Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to the [mancial statements and
because of the possibility that future events affecting them may differ significantly from those expected.
Audit Adjustments
For purposes of this letter, professional standards define an audit adjustment as a proposed correction of the
financial statements that, in our judgment, may not have been detected except through our auditing procedures.
An audit adjustment mayor may not indicate matters that could have a significant effect on the City's financial
reporting process (that is, cause future financial statements to be materially misstated). An audit adjustment was
made to reduce notes receivable for loans that had not yet been funded. In our judgment that adjustment indicates
a matter that has a significant effect on the City's financial reporting process.
Disagreements with Management
For purposes of this letter, professional standards define a disagreement with management as a matter, whether or
not resolved to our satisfaction, concerning a financial accounting, reporting, or auditing matter that could be
significant to the financial statements or the auditor's report. Weare pleased to report that no such disagreements
arose during the course of our audit.
Consultations with Other Independent Accountants
In some cases, management may decide to consult with other accountants about auditing and accounting matters,
similar to obtaining a "second opinion" on certain situations. If a consultation involves application of an
accounting principle to the City's financial statements or a determination of the type of auditor's opinion that may
be expressed on those statements, our professional standards require the consulting accountant to check with us to
determine that the consultant has all the relevant facts. To our knowledge, there were no such consultations with
other accountants.
To the Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
City of Iowa City, Iowa
Page 3
Issues Discussed Prior to Retention ofIndependent Auditors
We generally discuss a variety of matters, including the application of accounting principles and auditing
standards, with management each year prior to retention as the City's auditors. However, these discussions
occurred in the normal course of our professional relationship, and our responses were not a condition to our
retention.
Difficulties Encountered in Performing the Audit
We encountered no significant difficulties in dealing with management in performing and completing our audit.
Other Comments
We have included additional comments regarding financial reporting. These comments are not a result of in-depth
study of any specific areas but are based on observations made during the course of our audit.
This report, a public record by law, is intended solely for the information and use of the officials, employees, and
citizens of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, and other parties to whom the City of Iowa City, Iowa, may report. This
report is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties.
As always, we will be happy to discuss these or any other topics at your convenience. We would like to take this
opportunity to express our appreciation to you and your staff for the fme cooperation that we received during the
course of the audit. We look forward to many years of continued service to the City of Iowa City, Iowa.
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Dubuque, Iowa
November 28, 2005
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CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA
FILED
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2005
OTHER COMMENTS
2006 FE8 I 7 AM": I I
CIT\! CL[r~;(
IO'/</A CiTY IOWA
DOCUMENTATION SUPPORTING CREDIT CARD PURCHASES
During our review of credit card purchases made by library personnel, we noted several instances when the
documentation used to support the purchase was missing either itemized receipts, a supervisor's approval, or an
explanation of the purpose of the purchase. We recommend that library management review their policies for the
use of credit cards and implement review procedures to insure that sufficient documentation accompanies credit
card bills to strengthen the controls of the purchasing process.
CODIFICATION OF CITY ORDINANCES
In performing the audit, we noted that the last time the City published a codification of City ordinances was in
February 2001. As a reminder, the City is required by Iowa Code to make this publication at least once every five
years.
REPLENISHING OF THE LANDFILL CHANGE FUND
In performing procedures at the City landfill, we noted that employees may take money from the cash bags and
take it to the bank to obtain change to be used in daily operations. Per inquiry, it appears this occurs on a fairly
regular basis. We recommend that the City look into the possibility of using the armored courier service to
perform this duty. This would increase internal control and would also limit exposure of employees transporting
money.
NEW GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD (GASB) STANDARDS
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has issued six statements not yet implemented by the
City ofIowa City. The statements, which might impact the City ofIowa City, are as follows:
Statement No. 42, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Impairment of Capital Assets and for Insurance
Recoveries issued November 2003, will be effective for the City for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. This
statement establishes accounting and financial reporting standards for impairment of capital assets and also
clarifies and establishes accounting requirements for insurance recoveries.
Statement No. 43, Financial Reportingfor Postemployment Benefit Plans Other Than Pension Plans issued April
2004, will be effective for the City for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. This statement establishes uniform
financial reporting standards for other postemployment benefit (OPEB) plans and supersedes the interim guidance
included in Statement No. 26. This statement affects reporting by administrators or trustees of OPEB plan assets
or by employers or sponsors that include OPEB plan assets as trust or agency funds in their financial reports.
Statement No. 44, Economic Condition Reporting: The Statistical Section issued May 2004, will be effective for
the City for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. This statement amends previous guidance regarding preparation
of the statistical section for governments that issue a comprehensive annual financial report.
Statement No. 45, Accounting and Financial Reporting by Employers for Postemployment Benefits Other Than
Pensions issued June 2004, will be effective for the City for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. This statement
establishes standards for the measurement, recognition, and display of OPEB expense/expenditures and related
liabilities (assets), note disclosures and, if applicable, required supplementary information (RSI) in the financial
reports of state and local governmental employers.
CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2005
OTHER COMMENTS
Statement No. 46, Net Assets Restricted by Enabling Legislation issued December 2004, will be effective for the
City for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. This statement clarifies the definition of a legally enforceable
enabling legislation restriction. It also specifies the accounting and financial reporting requirements for the
restrictions and for any changes in them.
Statement No. 47, Accounting for Termination Benefits issued June 2005, establishes accounting standards for
termination benefits. For termination benefits provided through an existing defined benefit OPES plan, the
provisions of this statement should be implemented simultaneously with the requirements of Statement No. 45.
For all other termination benefits, this statement is effective for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006.
The City's management has not yet determined the effect these statements will have on the City's financial
statements.
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Page 1 of 1
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From: Kathryn Johansen
Sent: Tuesday, February 21,20063:54 PM
To: 'Joe'
Cc: *City Council
Subject: RE: Housing
Dear Joe,
Thank you for your email to the City Council. Council members do not receive email directly. Your message will
be forwarded to them as official correspondence and formally accepted at the February 28 City Council meeting.
If you wish to communicate with individual Councilors, feel free to contact them directly. Their names and
telephone numbers are listed on our City website at www,icgov.org
Thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Kathi Johansen
Administrative Assistant
to the City Manager
From: Joe [mailto:iowa19us@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 2:01 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Housing
Council,
I recently moved out of Iowa City and am curious about the rationale for a particular aspect of the residential
zoning code. Apparently the maximum number of unrelated people I could have living in my house is 5 because
of noise. trash, parking, overcrowding issues. What if I were to own a 8 bedroom house on the edge of town on a
huge lot with plenty of space? Why should I still be limited to 5 people (unrelated or not) when the place is
obviously designed for more people and noise, trash, parking and other concerns would not be as big an issue
with the huge lot? If a person owns their own house (not renting and not a business), what right do you have to
tell us how many people can live in our home? If people are illegally parked, tow their car, if people litter or are
loud give them a ticket, etc. Obviously it can be viewed as more efficient just to put a blanket ban on more than 6
non-related residents, but at least with my line of thinking you preserve individual liberty and empowerment, which
I thought was suppose to take precedent over societal concerns. As soon as you pay my property taxes, you can
have a say about how many people can live at my house. Thanks.
P.S. I already contacted the housing people, so please don't simply defer to them, I am interested in more of a
political philosophy type of response and I'm not saying there should be no zoning laws, so please don't take that
line of argument.
It is also irrelevant to talk about how long this rule has existed or how many other cities have similar laws; I am
talking about this particular issue in Iowa City.
-Joe Larison
Relax. Yahoo! Mail virus ~l!l1lling helps detect nasty viruses!
2/21/2006
I];1J
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
theresa kopatich [theresakopatich@yahoo.com]
Wednesday, February 22,2006 12:11 AM
council@iowa-city.org
information
Attachments:
3166274625- Wal kinformationsheet. doc
~~
&
Walkinformationshe
et.doc (46 K...
I am with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Johnson County. We will
be having our 2006 Walk for the Minds of America on Sat. May 6th beginning at 9:00am. I
would like to invite the Counsel Members to join us. We will have a free Kick Off
Luncheon on Thursday, March 9th.
NAMI is ODe of the largest agencies that offer support, advocacy and education to persons
with mental illness and their families. The Walk is held to raise awareness about mental
illness and the funds raised go to support NAMI's projects. This year we are working on
joining with the school systems to add mental illness as a regular piece of the
curriculum.
I am attaching a information sheet for you and I hope that you will join us for both the
luncheon and the Walk.
Thank you,
Theresa Kopatich
Walk Coordinator
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
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1
(@ nnml WnlKS
* * * * * fOR TUE mlDD Of "mERle"
INFORMATION SHEET ON THE IOWA CITY. NAMIJC WALK
DATE: May 6th, 2006; LOCATION: Lower City Park
WALKER CHECK-IN TIME: 9:00am OFFICIAL WALK START TIME: 10:00am
DISTANCE: Up to 5 Kilometers
. The NAMIWalks for the Mind of America is a nationwide fundraising and
mental health awareness program that is being held in over 100 communities
around the country in 2006, including right here in Johnson County. It is expected
that these walks will raise over 5 million dollars in 2006 for NAMI and the mental
health services it provides to thousands of families across the country.
. There is no walker registration fee for the Walk. All participants are encouraged
to collect donations from family members, friends, co-workers and business
associates in support of their participation in the Walk. NAMIWalks for the
Mind of America is a rain or shine event
. Proceeds from the Walk will be used to fund NAMI's programs here in Johnson
County. These programs include support, education, research and advocacy
involving schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression), major depression,
obsessive-compulsive disorder and severe anxiety disorders.
. All walkers raising $100 or more will receive a NAMIWalks for the Mind of
America event T-shirt.
. Companies, organizations and families are encouraged to organize teams of
walkers made up of employees, organization members, relatives and friends to
take part in the Walk.
. We encourage you to begin putting your teams together now and collecting
donations. Please make sure checks are made out to NAMIJC. Teambuilding
and fundraising materials will be given out to team captains at a free KICKOFF
LUNCHEON that will be held March 9th at the Brown Deer Country Club,
beginning at 11 :30. You will receive an invitation in the next few weeks. We
hope that you will join us for this important meeting!
. To RSVP for the luncheon or to get more information please call Theresa
Kopatich at 337-5400 or 530-2624 or by email attheresakopatich@yahoo.com
Marian Karr
G;]
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Kathryn Johansen
Wednesday, February 22,20062:10 PM
'ki mberly-sanders@uiowa.edu'
'City Council
RE: Question about Council Meetings
Dear Kimberly,
City Council Work Sessions are typically held at 6:30 p.m. on the Monday prior to the
Tuesday Formal Council Meeting. Council Work Sessions are intended for matters which are
expected to come before the Council for formal action at a regular meeting or items
needing direction by the Council. No formal vote of the Council may be taken at a Work
Session.
The Formal City Council meetings are typically held the first and third Tuesday of each
month at 7:00 p.m.. It is at the Formal meeting that Council members will vote on items
as outlined on the formal agenda.
Thank you for writing, Kimberly. I trust you will find this information helpful.
Sincerely,
Kathi Johansen
Administrative Assistant
to the City Manager
-----Original Message-----
From: kimberly-sanders@uiowa.edu [mailto:kimberly-sanders@uiowa.eduJ
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 10:35 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Question about Council Meetings
Hello,
I am a journalism student at The University of Iowa, and for a class I have to
cover a city council meeting. I was planning on covering the Formal Work Session on Feb.
28, but I am curious to know what the difference is between the formaal work session and
the work session that takes place on the 27th (monday). Whenever you get a chance, please
let me know.. .it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot,
Kimberly Sanders
1
E-Mail This
r;;o
Marian Karr
From: Kathryn Johansen
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 11 :10 AM
To: 'dlschoen@aol.com'
Cc: 'City Council
Subject: RE: NYTimes.com: Rewarding Recyclers, and Finding Gold in the Garbage
Hello David,
Thank you for your emailto the City Council. Council members do not receive emails directly so your message
will be forwarded to them as official correspondence and will be formally accepted on the February 28 City
Council agenda. You may contact individual Council members if you wish. Their names, phone numbers, etc.
can be obtained from the City's website at www.icgov.org .
Thanks again for writing.
Sincerely,
Kathi Johansen
Administrative Assistant
to the City Manager
From: emailthis@ms3./ga2.nytimes.com [mailto:emailthis@ms3.lga2.nytimes.com] On Behalf Of
dlschoen@aol.com
Sent: None
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: NYTimes.com: Rewarding Recyclers, and Finding Gold in the Garbage
I!!'ltdwwjlork 8imtll
~::: E-Mail This
ASlnr.lE TOOL'S
5PONI5OREDI!IY
I 11lAIIKYOU I
fOR SIeIII8
This page was sent to you by: dlschoen@aol.com
Message from sender:
Dear City Council, I noted this with interest this morning, and wonder if it
might be feasible in Iowa City. I would be happy to hear from all or any of
you about it. David Schoenbaum 617 Holt Avenue Iowa City, IA 52246
351-5121
BUSINESS IlllJSINESS SPECIAL I February 21, 2006
Green Ventures: Rewarding Rec}'cltlsdl.nd Finding Gold in
thcuGarbage
By BONNIE DeSIMONE
A company founded by Philadelphia natives works with municipalities to
give households coupons for the weight of materials recycled.
2/22/2006
E-Mail This
Page 2 of2
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Marian Karr
From: Walter Helms [pastor@stthomasmoreic.eom]
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 3:25 PM
To: eouneil@iowa-eity.org
Subject: Homeless in Iowa City
Attachments: Helms, Walter.vet
Dear Members of the City Council:
The plight of the homeless in Iowa City concerns a
great number of us.
For the past three years churches
and congregations have organized on behalf of Shelter House
to provide overflow beds during the winter months at various
locations. Especially in this cold weather, we have become
concerned for those still turned away.
While all this happens, plans for a new facility for the
Shelter House are stalled awaiting a zoning ruling in the courts.
People sleeping in outdoor exposures to the severe cold
in the winter months, or at any time, seems an affront to
the citizens of the community. At recent meetings, groups continue
to address and raise awareness of the problem we face.
I plead on behalf of those working to provide shelter that the
City Council consider ways to support the efforts of Shelter House
and other organizations caring for those who need us in these
special ways. We think there is strong support in the community
for the progress of the Shelter House project in serving the needs
of the homeless in our midst.
With highest regard for the members of the Council and their
dedication to our service, I am grateful for your concern about this
Issue.
Sincerely,
Fr. Walter Helms
St. Thomas More Church
108 McLean St.
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319)337-2173 x 104
www.stthQlllaSII!Qreic.CQlll
pastor@stthomasmoreic.com
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2/22/2006
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
dlkepler@rockwellcollins.com
Thursday, February 23, 20068:22 AM
council@iowa-city.org
Cc: disciple.pastor@xwlres.net
Subject: Request for action item on city council next session
Attachments: City request doc
I am requesting that the following attachment be placed on the agenda for the city councils next session regarding
the emergency homeless overflow shelter. Thank you
Dale Kepler
C Ave Mfg. Continuous Improvement Mgr.
(319)295-3357
dlkepler@rockwellcollins.com
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2/23/2006
--~._---~-~---"._~-
On February nnd, 25 members of the Overflow Homeless Shelter Task force, met along
with members of the Consultation of Religious Communities to discuss additional
alternatives to provide emergency shelter for the homeless of Iowa City, Coralville and
Johnson County as a whole.
As you are aware, our current shelter can only provide bed space for 29 individuals,
which has resulted in numerous people in need being turned away regardless of the
weather conditions. During the 5 month period (Novl to March 31) ofFY' 05 that local
churches provide this emergency shelter, more than 1200 nights of shelter was provided.
However, as of January 31, 2006, we have currently provided more than 890 nights of
emergency shelter, a 28% over a year ago during this same period. Most alarming, is that
we have also turned away over 60 people. What is unconscionable is that during last
weeks extreme cold weather, where livestock advisories were issued to insure that farm
animals and pets were to be out of these dangerous conditions, more than 20 people- our
fellow brothers and sisters- were refused emergency shelter as there was no more room!
They were left to survive these brutal conditions on their own.
We are requesting that the city council take immediate action on actions listed below to
assist with this current crisis to insure that emergency shelter is available to all who
qualify.
1) Immediately reclassify the current churches providing shelter from boarding
house to emergency shelter status. Current space capacities are limited due to
local fire officials having deemed our churches as boarding houses which require
200 sq. ft. of living space per person. Yet, when we contacted the American Red
Cross to reference what standards they use when providing emergency housing,
we discovered that per FEMA guidelines they use a 50-60 sq. ft. standard. Such
an immediate change would either double or triple our capacities. For example, at
my congregation of First Christian Church, we are allowed to house a maximum
of 16 people per night @ 3200 sq. ft. . An immediate change would allow us to
house 53; no one would have been turned out into severe conditions either last
week or this year! We do not provide 24 hour living space, as a boarding house
would, nor do we provide any access to shower, laundry, kitchen or permanent
personal space. All we offer is a warm, dry and safe place to sleep, from 10pm to
6am. At which time these rooms are reconfigured to be used for the normal
church business or activities.
2) Use whatever leverage or resources to get the Shelter House lawsuit expedited
through the court system. Not only are we in current danger of someone suffering
a severe cold injury or possible fatality due to exposure, we could also forfeit a
significant federal grant that is earmarked for a new shelter facility
3) If we are unsuccessful in getting our sites reclassified, have the city take over the
emergency overflow site and use the Robert Lee Recreation Center to fulfill this
need. Current congregations participating in the emergency overflow shelter
would be willing to assist with volunteers.
In closing we are asking for this to be brought to immediate attention and action by the
city council. By immediately reclassifying our sites we can then focus on the more
comprehensive and long term solution of an expanded facility and service.
Thank you for your time and assistance in this moral action of providing shelter for those
in this community with the greatest need and to insure that never again is there "no room
in the inn" for our fellow brothers and sisters where they are turned into the dangerous
and frigid conditions!
Dale Kepler
Emergency Overflow Task Force Member
Page 1 of2
Marian Karr
From: AnnetteJAMcat@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 11 :57 PM
To: Council@lowa-City.Org
Subject: Classification of Homeless Shelter Overflow
To Whom It May Concern:
Like you, I feel privileged to live and work In Johnson County. Also, and with great satisfaction, I assist on
those evenings/nights when the Homeless Shelter must use local Houses of Worship to provide a warm place
and a night's sleep for the "overflow" when the shelter has met its legal occupancy limit.
Very often, and unfortunately, one church/house of worship cannot take the total number of individuals who are
turned away from the Shelter House but still need a place to stay because there "is no room in the Inn".
Consequently, I'm hoping we might all work together for both a temporary solution and hopefully for a more
permanent solution to this problem.
To provide assistance for the rest of this cold and snowy/rainy season, I would ask that you might consider
reclassifying the status of these Houses of Worship and Shelter House from a "short-term-boarding-house"
type of classification (my memory is not jogged properly (!) to remember the exact name of the classification as
it's presently stated) to something closer to what it is--possibly an emergency shelter classification. I would ask
great consideration of this especially for Zion Lutheran Church as they will be able to take care of guests on
those nights when the churches/houses of worship have also met their legal limit of guests they can allow to
stay there. Zion would provide "back-up housing" as it were--so no one would be left to stay under a bridge
somewhere.
I'm hoping you might agree that this new classification would be beneficial to our community efforts, and to your
efforts as well as ours to "let no human being be left behind" on these cold wintery nights.
I know that your concern is equal to mine in helping the human condition--and we do need more affordable
housing so all our citizens can have a basic right to shelter, regardless of race, creed, country of origin, etc.
If we could work with you on solving this most immediate problem, as well as solving the long term problem
(which includes considering the desperate need for low cost, affordable housing,) I think all of us would profit
from these endeavors. I'm sure I needn't reiterate the statistics regarding the plight of the homeless here--I'm
sure you have had many ideas on what to do, and are far more knowledgable on this matter than I am.
Consequently, that's why I'm asking for a consideration of reclassification of the Shelter House as a short term
solution--and long-term solutions can be considered at a time when the need for a warm place to sleep isn't so
critical.
Should you want more specific information such as the rising numbers of homeless individuals in Johnson
County--or anything else for that matter, 1 would be most happy to do any leg work or track down any research
that would help this cause.
I do appreciate your taking the time to read this, and I ask for Divine guidance in helping all of us do the best
we can for all citizens of Johnson County. In the words of Isaiah, "Come, Let Us Reason Together".
Grace and Peace,
Annette Meyer
Lay Representative
to Consultation of Religious Communities
First Baptist Church
500 Clinton Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52245
2/23/2006
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Gay Mikelson [gay-mikelson@uiowaedu]
Thursday, February 23, 2006 8:22 AM
council@iowacity.org
overflow project
Dear Council Members: I attended the Overflow Task Force meeting on February 22 with
about two dozen other people from Iowa City and Coralville and learned that Shelter House
has had to turn away about 80 people from the overflow so far this season.
You will be receiving an item for discussion at your next work session and I urge you to
consider it seriously and positively. We are hoping the Council will work with the Task
Force to solve this problem that directly affects people's lives, especially in the
coldest weather. Thank you.
Gay Mikelson
8 Bangor Circle
Iowa City
1
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Christine Mulien [christine.mulien@mchsi.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 12:39 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Homeless overflow "overflowing"
Please find a way to reclassify the Consultation of Religious Communities' Interim Homeless Overflow Shelter, so
that it is not considered, for the purposes of the Fire Code or any other regulations, in the same classification as a
rooming house. it is nothing like a rooming house. It would be much more appropriately classed in a similar
classification to a Red Cross Emergency Shelter.
The homeless overflow is "overflowing". It is unconscionable to be turning away people from a system that is
staffed, in place, has a track record, and has more space, just because the project somehow falls under the fire
code at200 sq.ft. per person. Upping the number of people that can stay at the overflow will not fix the long term
problem. But it will improve the "band aid", while we await the court settlement for the special zoning exception for
Shelter House, and can begin to move on that front.
Twentyfive concerned citizens, representing many faith communities in Johnson County, attended a meeting
today to see what we could do. All of us in attendance were very concerned about the number of homeless
people that have been getting turned away from the homeless overflow shelter, often on the most bitterly cold
nights, this winter.
This is what we came up with as our best shot. Get us reclassified so we can help more people. It won't require
any more volunteers. It won't require any more work from Shelter House helping us. It will require very little extra
effort, actually, and could help many innocent people who are just looking for a place to sleep.
You have the power to make regulations to help people. We're asking you to make a change to help some of the
least-powerful, least-eared-for, and often least-thought-of in our midst. It is always a good reflection on you when
you do
Thank you!
Christine Mullen, Chair -- CRC Interim Homeless Overflow Task Force
2/23/2006
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: katharine nicholson [katharn@avalon.net]
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 20063:56 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: to everyone on the council - the homeless need your help.
to everyone on the council - the homeless need your help.
Today I attended a meeting of the CRC [Consultation of Religious Communities] on the subject of inadequate
housing for the homeless. There were 25 concerned citizens there, primarily those involved with the Shelter
House Overflow Project. This project is now in its second year & no longer able to accommodate everyone who
needs our services. Something needs to be done. But several things are blocking the way of the simple human
compassionate ministry of overnight winter shelter for everyone.
First, the statefire marshall insists that our church sites must be classified as a boarding house and provide 200
sq. ft. per individual. This isn't even logical. These people arrive at 9:30 PM, go right to bed & get up & leave at
6 AM. This is a shelter, not a home. This is over twice the space the Red Cross & FEMA require for emergency
housing.
Then, the monies pledged for a new larger Shelter House may be lost because lawsuits are biocking the project.
The Shelter House board & staff are extremely frustrated by this.
Please do what you can to help us.
Katharine Nicholson
2018 Plaen View Drive
Iowa City, IA 52246-4447
2/23/2006
Co ~ (? )
Marian Karr
Cc:
Subject:
nicholsdomehome@juno.com
Thursday, February 23, 2006 11 :05 PM
council@iowacity.org; tgill@cLcoralville.ia.us; jfausett@cLcoralville.ia.us;
j lundell@ci.coralville.ia.us; jschnake@ci.coralville.ia.us; jwei he@ci.coralville.ia.us;
hherwig@ci.coralville.ia.us
dlkepler@rockwellcoliins.com; disciple. pastor@xwires.net; disciple. sec@xwires.net
Request for action on homelessness
From:
Sent:
To:
Attachments:
Fw: request for action
B
Fw: request for
action
Dear fellow citizens,
I am forwarding to you an attached plea from Dale Kepler, Homeless Overflow coordinator
for First Christian Church of Iowa City and Coralville.
Last week two homeless people in Chicago died as a result of exposure to the extreme cold.
Those of us who have grown up in Iowa City and are now part of its faith community,
working community, and tax base believe that we are not doing what we/ as human beings of
all faiths, are called by our collective conscience to do for our fellow humans. In a
season where there are livestock warnings because the weather is inhumane for our animals
and pets, we are choosing, because of a rule of law, to allow citizens of our community to
endanger their lives by sleeping in the subzero streets and corridors of our city.
We, who have the space and the compassion to offer to these unfortunate people a safe,
warm shelter, are told that we must adhere to "rooming house" regulations.
We are not a rooming house. We are, in every imaginable sense of the term, an "emergency
shelter." We would offer our faith home to those who would be turned away from the
"official" shelter due to lack of space. These people are US. They are families who have
lost their means of income. They are veterans who have fought for us so that we may live
in the comfort and safety of middle class America. They are the mentally ill. They are
the divorced, the laid off, the victims of our economy and of our economic short-
sightedness.
They are closer to some of us than we care to admit. Any of us who have had financial
difficulties know that, if not for our family and our faith family, we might suffer the
same fate as those we seek to serve. None of us is immune to this potentially devas~ating
circumstance.
I ask that you immediately take action to reclassify the churches offering shelter from
"rooming house" status to "emergency shelter" status, and allow a smaller square footage
per person so that we may serve more of our citizens.
I also ask that you use whatever means available to expedite the approval of the new
Shelter House site.
In the event you are unsuccessful in facilitating the new Shelter House, I ask that the
cities of Iowa City and Coralville assume responsibility of the overflow from the existing
shelter and open the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center to house these people.
Please allow all
forward thinking
very attributes.
of us, as citizens of these two progressive cities, to be proud of our
and compassionate care of those who need to avail themselves of those
Please help.
Laura Kittrell
1
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Page 1 of2
Marian Karr
From: Lana Reid [disciple.sec@xwires.net]
Thursday, February 23, 2006 1 :51 PM
Maggie Acker; Allen Dix; Amy Bonta; Amy Sorensen; Angela Ward; Anthony Sorensen; Barbara
Brodersen; Beth Pelton; Beth Wheeler; Bill Laubengayer; Bob/Eunice Welsh; Bonnie Bryce; Brian
James; Brooke Schultz; Carl Christensen; Carol Mertens; Carolyn/John Hartley; Cheryl
Schnoebelen; Corinne Stanley; Cory Coobs; Dale Kepler; Darrell & Linda Flinn; Daryl/Barb Henry;
David Klein; David Rodgers; David/Kay Hudson; Del/Ruth Ebersole; Dennis Arnold; Dennis
Watters; Doug Langbehn; Earlene Giglierano; Elizabeth Romo; Gail Crowe; Gail/JoEllen Crowe;
Gary Johnson; Gayle/Joan Cuppy; George/Katie Gay; Gerry/Lisa Eiseman; Jan Jensen; Jan
Ricklefs; Jane Setzer; Jennifer Knights; Jill Eakes; Jim Giglierano; Jim Jensma; Jim Lang; Joel
Ringdahl; JoEllen Crowe; John Williams; Joseph Chen; Joshua Bahr; Jude Monk; Julie A
Fitzpatrick; Karen Dawson; Karen Haslett; Ken Johnson; KenUBecky Pearson; Kevin Keyser; Larry
Meyer; Laura Kittrell; Leesa Eiseman; Lisa Jones; Lori Lux; Martha Hedberg; Maxine Simmons;
Michele Brandstatter; Mike Riley; Nancy Ream; Nancy Richards; Pat Harding; Patricia Arnold; Paul
Long; Rex Brandstatter; Roger/Sherry Child; Ron/Diane Hertel; Sally Smith; Sandie Bass-Ringdahl;
Scol! Van Oss; Sharon Sass; Sherry Miranda; Stacie Frede; Stacy Thompson; Steve Clark; Steve
Cuppy; Steve/Kat; Sue Langbehn; Sue/Mike Cronin; Suzie Oliver-Summy; Tara Clark; Tony
Sorensen; Wendy Beaver
Subject: Fw: request for action
Sent:
To:
__m Original Message __m
From: ,lQhOMcKlosjry
To: Dale I<slpleJ: ; Lana Reid
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 1 :36 PM
Subject: request for action
Dear First Christian Friends,
Our Homeless Overflow Task Force Coordinator, Dale Kepler, and I are requesting your help in contacting the
City Councils in Iowa City and Coralville to ask for their asistance in providing shelter for our local homeles
families and individuals. The immediate crisis is in making more room in the interim overflow shelters, but this
crisis is ongoing because of lack of stable funding for the Shelter House program and delays in the construction of
a new shelter. Please use the email addresses below and ask your council member(s) to support requests by the
Shelter House and the Consulatation of Religious Communities.
Thank-you.
John
To contact Iowa City Councilors: <::Quncjj@iQwa-c~g ,
For Coralville City Council and Mayor
tgjJl@Qi.coralvjjle.ia.us , jfausettC1ilcLcoralville.ia.us.
jluodell@ci.cQG3Iville.icLus , jscho<3ke@ci.cQralville.i<3.us jweihe@ci.cQralville.ia.us, hherwig@ci.cQr<3lville.ia.us
On February 22nd, 25 members of the Overflow Homeless Shelter Task force, met along with members
of the Consultation of Religious Communities to discuss additional alternatives to provide emergency
shelter for the homeless ofIowa City, Coralville and Johnson County as a whole.
As you are aware, our current shelter can only provide bed space for 29 individuals, which has resulted
in numerous people in need being turned away regardless of the weather conditions. During the 5
month period (Novl to March 31) ofFY' 05 that local churches provide this emergency shelter, more
than 1200 nights of shelter was provided. However, as of January 31, 2006, we have currently provided
more than 890 nights of emergency shelter, a 28% over a year ago during this same period. Most
alarming, is that we have also turned away over 60 people. What is unconscionable is that during last
2/24/2006
Page 2 of2
weeks extreme cold weather, where livestock advisories were issued to insure that farm animals and pets
were to be out of these dangerous conditions, more than 20 people- our fellow brothers and sisters- were
refused emergency shelter as there was no more room! They were left to survive these brutal conditions
on their own.
We are requesting that the city council take immediate action on actions listed below to assist with this
current crisis to insure that emergency shelter is available to all who qualify.
1) Immediately reclassify the current churches providing shelter from boarding house to
emergency shelter status. Current space capacities are limited due to local fire officials having
deemed our churches as boarding houses which require 200 sq. ft. of living space per person.
Yet, when we contacted the American Red Cross to reference what standards they use when
providing emergency housing, we discovered that per FEMA guidelines they use a 50-60 sq. ft.
standard. Such an immediate change would either double or triple our capacities. For example,
at my congregation of First Christian Church, we are allowed to house a maximum of 16 people
per night @ 3200 sq. ft. . An immediate change would allow us to house 53; no one would have
been turned out into severe conditions either last week or this year! We do not provide 24 hour
living space, as a boarding house would, nor do we provide any access to shower, laundry,
kitchen or permanent personal space. All we offer is a warm, dry and safe place to sleep, from
10pm to 6am. At which time these rooms are reconfigured to be used for the normal church
business or activities.
2) Use whatever leverage or resources to get the Shelter House lawsuit expedited through the court
system. Not only are we in current danger of someone suffering a severe cold injury or possible
fatality due to exposure, we could also forfeit a significant federal grant that is earmarked for a
new shelter facility
3) Ifwe are unsuccessful in getting our sites reclassified, have the city take over the emergency
overflow site and use the Robert Lee Recreation Center to fulfill this need. Current
congregations participating in the emergency overflow shelter would be willing to assist with
volunteers.
In closing we are asking for this to be brought to immediate attention and action by the city council. By
immediately reclassifying our sites we can then focus on the more comprehensive and long term
solution of an expanded facility and service.
Thank you for your time and assistance in this moral action of providing shelter for those in this
community with the greatest need and to insure that never again is there "no room in the inn" for our
fellow brothers and sisters where they are turned into the dangerous and frigid conditions!
Dale Kepler
Emergency Overflow Task Force Member
2/24/2006
~f~J
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Parker, Beth [beth-parker@uiowa.edu]
Thursday, February 23, 2006 11: 16 AM
council@iowa-city.org
HOMELESS OVERFLOW CRISIS
Dear Council Members,
I am e-mailing regarding the ongoing crisis with the county's homeless population and the
dangerously cold weather. I am a member of the faith-based group made up of volunteers
from various county churches, and the synagogue, that is working with Shelter House to
take in homeless persons overnight when Shelter House is full. Most residents of Iowa
City & Johnson County are not aware that this winter even the overflow shelters have been
having to turn persons away. We are understandably concerned, to say the least, that
persons are being turned away on nights cold enough to warrent livestock advisories, which
has happened several times this season. You will be hearing more about this issue at
council meetings in coming weeks, and I hope you will be attentive to possible solutions.
Thank You,
Beth Parker
1
Page I of I
G-+'(8)
Marian Karr
From: Monk, Judy [Judy.Monk@linncounty.org]
Sent: Thursday, February 23,20062:19 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: shelter
It is not often that we are given the opportunity to help others... .it is a privilege when we can help those in need,
as the situation is never one sided but givers and receivers are truly one.
It is essential that help is given to those in need of emergency shelter. Please add your support for no other
reason than one of basic decency.
Thank you.
Judy Monk
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LINN COUNTY CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
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your system.
Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
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The recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. Linn County does
not warrant any email or attachment to be virus free and accepts no liability for any damage caused by
any virus transmitted by this email.
2/23/2006
Meeting regarding homeless issues
Page 1 of 1
~ "'-( ~ )
Marian Karr
From: Eastham, Charles [charles-eastham@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 1 :25 PM
To: elliottb53@aol.com; council@iowa-city.org; steve-atkins@iowa-city.org
Cc: pastor-courtney@icfirstchurch.org; bob.untiedt@usa.net
Subject: Meeting regarding homeless issues
Bob and Steve,
I am contacting you to request a brief meeting, about 30 minutes, with myself, Reverend Courtney Ball, and Mr.
Bob Untiedt to begin a conversation about how we as a community are responding to our homeless neighbors
and friends. The three of us have been invoived with a larger group of people from a number of local faith
communities who have been meeting and discussing homeless issues for several months now. At this point we
are interested in getting together with people in local governments so that we might understand our mutual and
individual perceptions and interests. To that end the larger group has divided into several teams so that most
people in roles like yours can be included in this conversation. In the near future we anticipate hosting a general
community meeting when a summary of our individual meetings and possible future action steps can be
presented.
Since we all, like both of you, work during the day the times our individual schedules come together are at 5:00 on
Monday, Feb. 27, Wednesday, March 1, and Thursday, March 2. Hopefully one of these times will work for you as
well. We would be happy to meet with both of you at once if that is possible at a location convenient to you.
Regards,
Charlie Eastham
37 Colwyn Cl.
Iowa City, IA 52245
338-1066 (h) or 541-3972 (c)
2/24/2006
___._______u._.'._._
Page 1 of 1
C -I;, 'l )
Marian Karr
From: Darrell Flinn [sawswood1@inav.net]
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 20064: 17 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Shelter house Please approve more funding for the shelter house for the homeless, please, please ,
please.
2/26/2006
Page I of I
C ~('g)
Marian Karr
From: Stacy Thompson [eyedr11@mchsi.com]
Sent: Friday, February 24,20066:41 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: RE: homeless shelters
Dear Council Members:
I am writing to urge you to put the lack of shelter for our homeless in Johnson County at the forefront of
your priorities. It seems that if the churches were re-classified as "emergency shelter facilities" we
could house many more homeless victims immediately. In the long run, I hope that you will not allow
the courts to delay our obtaining a new shelter facility.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Stacy
2/25/2006
v. -'r l f)
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Nancy K Stensvaag [nstensvaag@juno.com]
Monday, February 27, 2006 4:41 PM
council@iowa-city.org
Homelessness in our community
Dear Iowa City Council Members,
I am writing to urge you to take more proactive action in dealing with the unhappy plight
of homeless persons in our community. As a member of the Homeless Overflow Task Force and
First Presbyterian Church, I have become aware of the large numbers of homeless persons in
our community.
That our community does not provide a safe and warm shelter out of the Iowa winter weather
is unconscionable. Our weather is often severe, but even when it is mild, I can't imagine
having to sleep outside. Our Shelter House does a marvelous job of housing 29 persons, but
when this is full, the churches have been helping out with"providing an extra bedroom. And
still homeless people are being turned away.
Even this activity by numerous volunteers does not house all those needing shelter,
particularly when the weather become severe, which is obviously the time when shelter is
needed the most!
I am asking for three things.
First, that the classification of these churches be changed so that they are
classified as transitional housing rather than as boarding houses, and therefore would be
able to house more people for the few hours of the night that they are at the churches.
Second, if this can not be done quickly, that there be a waiver so that when the
weather is severe, the boarding house rule of only 1 person per 200 SF be waived and more
people be allowed to sleep in the warmth of our church buildings. I believe that I was
told that the transitional housing regulations require only about 60 SF per person.
(By the way, a FEMA emergency would set aside as little as 15-60 SF.
Third, that you look for a community solution to this temporary overflow of the
existing Shelter House by looking for a larger, public shelter, like the downtown
recreation center, that could be used every night as an extra" sleeping space until the
new shelter is built.
The needs of homeless children, women, families and men should be addressed immediately.
It broke my heart when I was at the. overflow one night when a two year was there with her
parents. The homeless have real problems that our community has the assets to help with.
You, as a Council, have the key to make our community more compassionate to those people
in need of a warm, safe place to lay their heads.
Thank you for your time and consideration of these concerns.
Sincerely,
Nancy Stensvaag
4 Heather Drive
Iowa City, IA 52245
319-338-0524
1
--_.-~--~----_."-
Marian Karr
G;]
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
stepping@uiowa.edu
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 1 :36 PM
council@iowa-city.org
Keg Registration and Nick's Law
Attachments:
Keg Reg Letter. doc; Nicks_Law_Raliypdf; KegRegPolicyBrief.doc
~l
~
..c.,..
~
1Wl......~....
~
Keg Reg Letter. doc Nicks_law_Rally.pdKegRegPolicyBrief.d
(934 KB) f (40 KB) oc (39 KB)
Please see attached materials.
***
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1
Executive
Members
Shelly Campo
LaShelle Christensen
Jim Clayton
Co-Chairperson
Sam Cochran
Ben Darbro
Geri Garvey
Sarah Hansen
Dale Helling
Michael J. Hogan
Will Jennings
Phillip E. Jones
Mary Khowassah
Co-Chairperson
Mark Kresowik
Ernie Lehman
Lauren McCarthy
Bill Nelson
Steve Parrott
Lane Plugge
Angela Reams
Coordinator
Nan Trefz
Ralph Wilmoth
Erick W olfmeyer
:\ .... The
,~:~!~PPING UP
1TO Reduce the Harmful Effects of High Risk Drinking
February 22, 2006
City Council of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Mayor and City Council:
Recently, Keg Registration and Nick's Law came to the attention of state lawmakers. This
legislation discusses a statewide Keg Registration ordinance along with other important
components to assist in keeping our youth safe. Keg registration is a necessary and
effective method, backed by research, to decrease underage drinking and the harmful
effects of high-risk alcohol use. Keg Registration is an important means in protecting our
youth and holding adults accountable. The Stepping Up Project supports Keg Registration
as an effective way to reduce high risk drinking and the resulting harms.
Sincerely,
r2rv:vP/l ~
~ Artifel;;"R';ams
Project Coordinator
ft!~:-
Co-Chair
)1;Mr.~-~.
;::ary Khowassah, MD
Co-Chair
100 Stanley Hall, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 55242
Phone: (319)353-2529 Fax: (319)353-2527 E Mail: stepping@uiowa.edu
THOMAS J. VI LSACK
GOVERNOR
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
STATE CAPITOL
DES MOINES, IOWA 50319
515281-5211
FAX 515-281-6611
SALLY J. PEDERSON
LT. GOVERNOR
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
For More Information:
Jennifer Mullin or Joseph Jones
515-281-0173
Public safety officials join Governor in
rallying for Nick's Law
DES MOINES - Governor Vilsack was joined by former Iowa Senator Tony Bisignano and a
number of public safety officials and students today at Lincoln High School to rally support for
recommendations made as part of the Iowa Keep Young Drivers Safe (KYDS) Initiative
legislative proposals known as NICK'S LAW. The IOWA KYDS report was released at the
press conference and is available at www.iowaKYDS.org.
Nick's Law, is named in memory of Nick Bisignano, son offormer Iowa Senator Tony
Bisignano. Nick was a Central Iowa high school student killed in an alcohol related motor
vehicle crash. See www.nickbiz.org
Traffic crashes are the number one cause of death and serious injury for Iowans under the age of
25. The Iowa KYDS Initiative began with an effort to learn what the facts and data tell us about
how we can prevent teen deaths due to traffic crashes. A large body of research from state and
national experts strongly makes the case that many teen deaths and serious injuries can be
prevented by enacting measures that have been proven effective.
"Nick's Law gives us an opportunity to help our less experienced drivers to become more
responsible and to adequately punish those who act in contrary to our young drivers' well-
being," said Governor Vilsack. "We have a responsibility to our children and our communities to
do what is best to keep them safe on the highways and in our neighborhoods."
The KYDS Initiative is the product of many months of work by traffic safety experts and law
enforcement leaders, with input from and participation by parents, young drivers, community
leaders, and many others. The effort was coordinated by the Department of Public Safety, which
worked in cooperation with the Departments of Transportation, Public Health, and Education, as
well as AAA Minnesota-Iowa and the Iowa-Illinois Safety Council.
Multi-faceted, the legislative proposal created by Iowa KYDS Coalition includes measures that
are carefully targeted to the biggest risk factors for death and serious injury among young drivers
and their passengers. These measures, which have been subject to rigorous study and evaluation,
represent the best practices from all the states and even other nations.
The IOWA KYDS Initiative and NICKS Law include:
. Expanded Passenf!er Restrictions-Limits intermediate license holders to one passenger
other than immediate family members or adults age 21 or older.
. Exoanded Nil!httime Drivinl! Restrictions-Expands current restriction placed on
intermediate license holders from driving between 12:30AM - 5:00AM to 1 1:00PM -
5:00AM. (There are exceptions for school functions and employment)
. Increased Relluirement for Supervised Drivinf! Hours-Increase required supervised
driving to 50 hours. (30 hours during instruction permit stage plus 20 hours during
intermediate license stage.) This is an increase for the current 30 hours of combined
requirement. )
. Restrict the Use of Cell Phones-Prohibit intermediate licensees from using cell phones,
or other wireless communication devices, while operating a motor vehicle. (Exceptions
for communications with law enforcement, fire protection, or emergency services
agencies. )
. Expanded Seatbelt Relluirement-Amend current child restraint law to require backseat
passengers under the age of 18 to be restrained by seatbelt or other appropriate restraint
system.
. Kef! Ref!istration- Require keg beer, with two gallons or more capacity, to have an
identification number affixed to the keg, and require recording of purchasers' personal
identifiers as well as the name of the employee selling the keg.
. Criminal Offense-Expand the criminal offense of providing alcohol to a person under
the legal age so the offense includes "knowingly permitting consumption or possession."
This proposal is structured so that it would apply only to a person, who is the owner,
lessee, or who has control ofthe premises; who permits consumption, knowing or having
reasonable cause to believe the person is under legal age.
. Civil Liabililv-Extend civil liability for damages resulting from the intoxication of a
person under the legal age to any person who knowingly and deliberately made alcohol
available to the underage person.
###
POLICY BRIEFING
Beer Keg Registration
Introduction
Keg registration (or keg tagging) is a tool to identify aod penalize adults who buy beer kegs for
underage youth. Keg registration laws require wholesalers or retailers to attach a tag, sticker, or
engraving with ao identification number to kegs of five gallons or more. At purchase, the retailer
records identifying information about the purchaser (e.g., name, address, telephone number,
driver's license number). These records are kept for a specified length of time, usually six
months to a year. A refundable deposit may also be collected for the keg itself, the tap
mechaoism used to serve the beer, or both. The deposit is refunded when the keg aod/or tap is
returned intact with the identification number but is forfeited if a keg is returned with ao
identification tag that is defaced or missing.
In some states, keg laws specifically prohibit destroying or altering the ID tag and provide
penalties for doing so. Other states make it a crime to possess ao unlabeled keg.
Some states collect information that may aid law enforcement efforts such as the location where
the keg is to be consumed aod the tag number of the vehicle in which the keg is traosported.
Some states also require retailers to provide warning infomlation at the time of purchase about
laws prohibiting service to minors. Keg purchasers can be required to sign a statement
promising not to serve alcohol to underage individuals. This statement could be used as a tool to
educate purchasers about their potential liability if they serve alcohol to underage people.
When a beer keg from which underage youth drink alcohol is confiscated by police, the
purchaser ofthe keg is identified aod arrested or fined for supplying alcohol to underage persons.
The Facts
~ Beer kegs are often a main source of alcohol at parties. Nothing is more associated
with binge drinking thao kegs. One sixteen gallon keg contains as much beer as seven
cases, or 171 twelve ounce caos. By encouraging the consumption of greater quaotities
of beer, kegs increase the risk of driving under the influence of alcohol and other alcohol-
related problems. (1)
~ Kegs have been shown to be a major source of alcohol for underage drinkers. The
major factors influencing underage attendance at keg parties are low price of alcohol and
the lack of adult monitoring. (2)
~ When police arrive at underage keg parties, people often scatter. Without keg
tagging, there is no way to trace who purchased the keg.
~ Adults who illegally provide alcohol to underage youth may be deterred only if they
believe they will face legal or financial consequences for providing alcohol to people
under age 21. Keg registration encourages adults to think twice before purchasing kegs
and allowing underage youth to drink from them.
~ Keg registration does not penalize the beer industry or retailers. Rather, it is a policy
to penalize adults who buy beer for underage youth. By supporting keg registration, the
industry becomes part of the solution to the underage drinking problem.
~ Communities can pay for keg tagging through various methods, such as licensing
fees. Keg registration is not likely to be time consuming because most retailers already
record the name and address of keg purchasers.
~ A national survey of adults showed that over 60% of respondents were in favor of
keg registration laws. (1)
Policv Solutions
Keg registration can be implemented voluntarily by a store, or required by a local ordinance or
state law. Communities may want to implement keg registration as a first step in attempting to
reduce youth drinking because it is relatively easy to implement.
In Billings, Montana, for example, a keg registration ordinance was passed by the city council in
June, 2002. A plastic numbered tag is attached to the keg at the time of purchase that identifies
where and when it was purchased and removed upon return (3). The Billings Police Department
supplies the tags and needed forms for tracking. The retail establishments are responsible for
obtaining the tags from the police department.
A different form of keg registration was passed in Madison, Wisconsin, in December, 2001. The
city council passed an ordinance that requires keg delivery requests be made in person at the
store. The purchaser must show two forms ofID at the store and be present at the delivery
address to sign a receipt upon delivery. Records of all keg purchases are required to be kept by
the stores for two years. None of the liquor store owners expressed opposition to the new
regulations, stating that the new law does not interfere with regular business operations. (4)
Keg registration could make a significant impact on the challenges of underage drinking. Other
strategies that target adults who provide alcohol to youth should also be implemented, such as:
. Increased police enforcement against adult providers and increased follow-up by the
court system
. "Shoulder tap campaigns" in which police cite adults who buy alcohol for youth who
approach the adults outside liquor establishments
. Warning posters, flyers, and other educational campaigns to inform adults of the potential
financial and criminal consequences for illegally providing alcohol to underage youth
References
1. Wagenaar AC, Harwood EM, Toomey TL, Denk CE, Zander KM. Public opinion on
alcohol policies in the United States: Results from a national survey. Journal of Public
Health Policy, 21 (3): 303-27, 2000.
2. Wagenaar et al. Where and how adolescents obtain alcoholic beverages. Public Health
Reports, 108(4): 459-464,1993.
3. Webb, J. Local leaders win community support cracking down on kegs. The Billings
Gazette. Billings, MT. July 8, 2002.
4. Spaetti, A. City Council passes keg ordinance. The Badger Herald. Madison, WI.
December 4, 200 I
Rev.
5/04