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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-21 Correspondence I ~ 1 ~~~~Ilf: -.;::.... _IIII'~ ....... .. CITY OF IOWA CITY MEMORANDUM IJ:ij Date: March 3, 2006 City Clerk Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner r)JJS To: From: Re: Item for March 21,2006 City Council meeting: Installation of NO PARKING ANY TI ME signs on the east side of Weeber Street As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(10), install NO PARKING ANY TIME signs on the east side of Weeber Street from Benton Street to the south lot line of 954 Weeber Street Comment: This action is being taken because vehicles parked on the street directly opposite each other make it too narrow for emergency vehicles to get through. mgr/AgendallemsJweeber. doc 0 "" ."" = S (:;..... 'S;'() ::1:1: -'- --.,! )to. .~ -<" =0 .J] '...,1 I ~C_' w r- .:.....<.i- ill .. fT: ;t>. c52~: :x .-. <:::-....', <2 '-J ~ )> W ~ ~ Marian Karr From: Jennifer WAGNER Useter@msn.com) Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 12:22 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: iowa city property tax/historic homes March 2, 2006 Dear Council - I am an Iowa City resident living in the Brown Street historic district. My husband and I bought an old house that, surprise surprise, requires a lot of work and money. A 1922 Colonial, we became only the third owners. When we moved in, years worth of flaking paint was all over the lawn; weeds were growing out of the gutters; plumbing from two upstairs bathrooms had made its way through the ceilings into the living room and nook; the porch is rotten and the bay window sinking. We needed a new furnace, new wiring, a new roof, landscaping to keep water from seeping into the basement, and lots of scraping and paint. We're still nowhere near completion - we're gutting a bathroom (remodeled in the '60's) this month. Obviously it's a labor of love or we wouldn't do it. But I've just heard of an incentive plan in Oregon, in which buyers in designated historic areas can "have their property taxes frozen for 15 years if they submit and get approval of a preservation plan." This per a current article by Peter Coy at BusinessWeek. There are many of us in this community who are fixing up our houses according to historic preservation rules and regulations in order to improve the property for years to come, certainly - but I'd argue the community at large benefits as well from our efforts. Beautiful homes make for beautiful neighborhoods. Obviousiy such a tax plan would be a great incentive and a big financial help to Iowa City homeowners who may be struggiing to pay for necessary improvements in their historic-district homes. I understand that the city is currently in the process of updating the local Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan, and have already hired a consultant who is planning to collect public input. So - in the spirit of our neighbors to the far west, I'd like to offer this idea up for debate as that plan moves forward. Thank you for your time, Jennifer Wagner jseter@msn.com Iowa City, IA 3/2/2006 Marian Karr c:m From: Sent:. To: Subject: Melvin Sunshine [m.sunshine@mchsLcom] Tuesday, March 07, 2006 1143 AM council@iowa-city.org new homeless shelter It seems to me that a good location for a new, larger homeless shelter would be the corner of Gilbert and College where the old bus depot was located. That plus the old building just east of it, would be an ideal location for a homeless shelter. It is not in an area of homes where residents would protest as they are doing so now.. The property is not highly desirable for other development as it is on the very edge of downtown and there are quite a few vacant properties in the middle of downtown. Residents there would not have to pay for bus rides to downtown. Mel Sunshine 1 ~ ~ Marian Karr From: Dale Helling Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 3:05 PM To: 'Rothsleep@aol.com' Cc: 'City Council Subject: RE: Probem wi area business owner. Dear Mr. Roth, Thank you for your recent emailto the City Council regarding the problems with restoration of your vehicle. Council members do not receive their email communications directly. You message will be forwarded to them as official correspondence and will be part of the record of their next formal meeting. If you wish to communicate with Council members individually, their names and telephone numbers are listed on the City website at 'WW\I\',icgov.org'. Please be advised that the City of Iowa City does not issue business licenses or regulate local business practices. Such transactions are regarded as contractual between the business and the customer and the City Council has no authority to intervene in customer service or customer satisfaction disputes. Iowa City does not have a Better Business Bureau. I can only suggest that you try to come to agreement with the business in question. In any event, the City Council has no authority to intervene on your behalf. I do hope you can achieve a suitable remedy in this matter Sincerely, Dale Helling Assistant City Manager From: Rothsleep@aol.com [mailto:Rothsleep@aol.com] Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 4:07 PM To: council@iowa-city.org SUbject: Probem wI area business owner. Dear Council Members, My name is James Roth. I am a former resident of Iowa City and now live in Jamesville, NY. I am having quite a bit of trouble with an auto repair shop in Iowa City and I am hoping you can either help me or give me some idea of who might be able to help me with this situation. I left my automobile with Harv's Autobody (423 Highland Ave, Iowa City,IA 52240) as a restoration project in late June 2000. I sold my house and moved to Jamesville, NY July 1, 2000 and received a bill from Harv Rundell (shop owner) a few months later. I paid this bill in full and continued to write and request updates regarding the process of the restoration. I am a member of the US Army Reserve and was called to active duty Dee 2002 and served in Iraq and Kuwait until July 2003. During this time I wrote to Mr Rundell (from Iraq) requesting any update information he could give me, but as had become his pattern, he would not answer my letters. Upon return from active duty I called Mr Rundell and he confessed to me that he had done nothing with the car and that he had been too busy. In fact according to his records and mine I had a credit balance of a few hundred dollars! Given Mr. Rundell's refusals to communicate with me over almost three years, I felt I should go to Iowa City and see what was going on for myself. Needless to say I was very disappointed. The car was disassembled and covered with a tarp. The parts I had entrusted the shop with were scattered in various places and the car was filthy. I decided to bring the car home an rented a car carrier from the local Ryder rental co. Upon loading my car and parts I noted to the shop foreman that several parts of my car parts were missing and he said that he would search for and send these parts along as soon as possible. We left it at that and I brought what he and the shop crew could find and returned to NY state. 3/6/2006 -~-----~---_._-,.._-~-~--- Page 2 of2 Two years have passed and these parts are still in Iowa at Harv's AutoBody? He will not answer my letter's and when I call he is not in. I can only surmise that these valuable parts (the car is a 1960 Corvette) have been lost or sold and I am seeking remuneration or replacement. I have begun collecting all of my paperwork to send to the Better Business Bureau in Iowa City in preparation for a formal complaint against Mr. Rundell and his business practices. My hope is that this situation does not "drag on" and some resolution can be achieved soon. I await your response and thank you in advance for your time and patience in reading this e-mail. Respetfully, James J. Roth 6434 Terese Terrace Jamesville, NY 13078 rothsleep@<Iol,com jamesjrolh@us.armymil 3/6/2006 ,-mr.r, Ua!2lJ 1033 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 March 5,2006 Mayor Ross Wilburn Iowa City City Council 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor Wilburn: I hope you'll have time to read through the enclosed New York Times article on Wal- Mart --especially to the very last paragraph, where we learn that by eliminating Coca- Cola's "bottlers" in the distribution scheme, Wal-Mart could conceivably increase its gross margin on Powerade "to 30 percent from the current 20 percent." Anyone familiar with business-where margins in the grocery industry are routinely around 3 percent - has got to realize that "we aren't in Kansas anymore." There has, quite simply, been a tectonic shift in retailing, and Wal-Mart is doing the shaking. As a city, we cannot provide a "level playing field" between Wal-Mart and local merchants. That's impossible. Wal-Mart is not just "a business"-it is a paradigm shift. I've sent you an article about Wal-Mart's policy of allowing free and unrestricted camping in its parking lots-irrespective of local laws. Let me be so bold as to suggest that once Super Wal-Mart is "in the door," they will do whatever they want and you won't have anything to say about it. There is still time to back out of this "deal." Sincerely, ~"tw 9 20 y::~' J C)~ --~, r-" -<r-':', ~ fT 522 :;fr- y ,...., = = "" ;:;;: :po :;0 I Q"\ ""t:l ::l!: ~ U1 Q"\ 11 .- ~ ! hl ---> ,.J Business Day mhtNt\tJlork mimt~ .'J FRIDAY, MARCH 3,2006 Its Wish, Their Command When Wal-Mart Shops for Groceries, It Gets Whatever It Wants By MELANIE WARNER Last year, Coca-Cola was preparing to introduce a diet soda, to be called Coke Zero. But executives at Wal-Mart Stores, the na- tion's largest retaller, thought they had a better Idea. They wanted a drink that contained Splenda, the artificial sweetener that had been selling extremely well at Wal-Mart, es- pecially among women shoppers. Coke Zero was sweetened with aspartame, an older, low-calorie sweetener. So Coke executives went back to the drawing board and in May Introduced a drink called Diet Coke With Splenda. The com. pany used the name Coke Zero on another new drink a month lat- er. Coke's new game plan underscores Wal-Mart's growing pow- er In the grocery business. With nearly 2,000 supercenters In the United States and plans for 280 more this year, Wal-Mart Is the country's largest food retailer, according to Retall Forward, a re- search firm In Columbus, Ohio. Data from food and beverage companies indIcates that Wal-Mart represents 14 percent to 18 percent of all food and beverage sales. As Wal-Mart hunts for ways to take costs out of its grocery business and offer popular items that can help bring customers lllustratlon byTbe New York Tlme!l o ~ $0 -1-" ==i <::.l. ) p:::\ -< () -,(....." -;'--~ J- ~ ~h' O::IJ ~7' )> into its stores, the company has become more involved in creat- Ing the products it sells, and how those products get onto Wal- Mart's shelves. Wal-Mart has a similar collaboration with Pepsi, and has even pushed Coke to change how it distributes its sports drink, Powerade, to Wal-Mart. .' This approach mirror's Wal-Mart's general strategy of urg- Ing vendors to provide the products Wal-Mart wants, at the price it wants. In the laundry detergent business, for instance, Wal- Mart has been pushing manufacturers to make superconcentrate versions that require less packagmg and shelf space. Wal-Mart would not comment for this article. Other supermarkets typically collaborate with large food and beverage manufacturers to promote products and create special In-store displays, though they rarely play a role In new product offerings or In how those products are dlstrlhuted. But Wal-Mart is special. "Wal-Mart is the SOo-pound gorma," sald Ted Taft, managing director at the Meridian Consulting Group of Westport, Conn. "You're going to want to do more things for a customer who is growing as fast as Wal-Mart Is." Food and beverage makers are finding that playing ball with C<;>ntinued on Page 6 C1 '" '-co 1;':;) ~ j.; :;;0 I '" -u :;l;: ~ c.n '" C6 IT THE NEW YORK TIMES, FRIDAY, MARCH 3,2006 Wal-Mart Gets What Wal-Mart Wants on Its Shelves Continued From First Business Page W:a1~Mart is wise. If they cooperate, they stand to do more business with Wal-Mart, get better and larger amounts of placement on Wal~Mart shelves - and increase sales: "If you don't respond," Mr. Taft said, "your competitor wilL" The enormous leverage Wal-Mart has with its vendors is evident in Bentonville, Ark., where Wal-Mart is based. The vendors, including Coke and Pepsi's largest bottlers and oth- er food and beverage makers, occu- py nearby office buildings. The mi~ gration has turned Bentonville's once-quiet rural landscape into a booming metropolis. Kraft and Kel- logg. for instance, both get 14 percent of their company's total sales from Wal-Mart. General Mills gets 16 per- cent. Pepsi, Coke's rival, has responded similarly to a Wal.Mart product re- quest. Wal-Mart executives asked Pepsi sales representatives in Ben- tooville to come up with a new diet soda in flavors not widely available. PepsiCo, which gets II percent of its North American sales from Wal- Mart, said that after the request from Wal-Mart, the company quickly set about creating a new diet soda line called Slice One, initially to be sold only at Wal-Mart, starting this month. The beverage contains Wal- Mart's preferred sweetener, SpleD- da, and comes in orange, berry and grape flavors. A Pepsi spokeswoman, Nicole Bradley, said that if the test of Slice One in Wal-Mart was successful, the soda would be sold by other retailers. "Pepsi is willing to undertake simi- lar efforts for any retailer interested, provided it makes economic sense," Ms. Bradley said. Pepsi also created an apple flavor soda and a Slurpee that was sold in 7-Eleven stores last summer and a tropical flavor of Mountain Dew for Taco Bell. After milk, eggs, bread and bananas, soda is the highest-volume item in gro- cery stores. In recent years, sales of regular soda have been declining, while sales of diet soda have boomed. But even more recently, diet soda sales have tapered off, with unit vol- umes up just 0.4 percent for the 52 weeks that ended Jan. 28, according to ACNielsen. Bill Bishop, president of Willard Bishop Consulting, a retail consult- ing firm in Barrington, Ill., says WaI- Mart's product ideas are otten in- spired by sophisticated product sales data from its stores. "It's a collab- orative process where WaI-Mart gives vendors all this data and then they help Wal-Mart analyze it," Mr. Bishop said Diet Coke With Splenda, which is sold at other retailers as well, has Coke Bottlers Challenge Wal-Mart Deliveries By MELANIE WARNER Wal.Mart suppliers are willing to go to great lengths to meet Wal- Mart's needs. For Coca-Cola, doing so has meant going to battle with some of its own bottlers. When a group of small independ- ent Coke bottlers read on a Web site that the company had ambitious plans to start delivering Powerade directly to WaI-Mart's warehouses, they were concerned. The new syst~m meant Coke's bot- tlers would no longer bring Pow- erade to Wal.Mart stores. They would not stock the product on shelves or arrange. occasional pro- motions with store managers. In short, they were being cut out of the system. A group of 60 bottlers" who togeth- er represent about 10 percent of Coke's volume in the United States, responded by filing two lawsuits against Coca-COla and Coca-Cola En-, terprises, Coke's largest bottler. l'iled in federal court in Springfield, Mo., and state court in Birmingham, Ala., the suits argue that delivery straight to the warehouse violates Coke's Powerade contract with bot. tlers. They seek to prevent the exten- sion of a test already under way in Coca-COla Enterprises' territory in Texas. Coke owns 36 percent of Coca-Cola Enterprises. Coke said it did not be- lieve that the new distribution sys- tem violated the contract. "We be- lieve that the contract does not pro- hibit the bottler from choosing to use sold 20 million to 25 milliOn cases in total, said John D. Sicher, the pub- lisher of Beverage Digest. Mr. Sicher says that is a "modest" performance for a new soda. Sometimes Wal-Mart's demands can cause unhappy ripple effects for a supplier. When Coke agreed to Wa]- Mart's request to change its delivery system for Powerade, some of its smaller bottlers felt burned. Coke and its largest bottler, Coca- Cola Enterprises, say Wal.Mart asked them to start delivering Pow- erade directly to Wal-Mart ware. houses. WaI-Mart declined to explain its reasons tor the new distributioll system. But a bottling executive, who requested anonymity for fear of alienating WaI.Mart, said the retail- er thought it could do a better job stocking and promoting Powerade in its stores than the bottlers could. "They're saying, 'I've got better ability to execute it through my stores with my people; so, if you can fit into. my world, I can help you,'" said the executive. Another beverage industry execu- tive who also insisted on not being identified said lhat Wal-Mart execu_ tives were upset because, when Pow- erade Option, a diet drink, was intro- duced last September, not all Wal- Mart stores were initially able to ob- tain the product. Unlike Coke's soft drinks, which are produced by 75 bot- tling companies around the country, Powerade is made at Coke--run plants and then distributed throUgh the many bottling companies. A group of Coca.Cola bottlers have filed suit to block a national introduc- tion of the new distribution system, saying the arrangement violates their contract. Marc Greenberg, an analyst at DeUtsche Bank, said Wal-Mart wants to strengthen Powerade's position in the sports drink market, which is dominated by Gatorade with its 80 percent market share. "Waf-Mart wants competition," Mr. Greenberg said. "They lOve that Coke and Pepsi kill each other in colas to service them. They love everything where you have close market shares be- cause without that you don't have high relative profits in the category." Analysts predict that with Coke de- livering Powerade directly to Wal- Mart warehouses, the retailer will be able to increase its margins. Bill Pecoriello, a beverage analyst at Morgan Stanley, estimates that by taking out the middleman, Coke could reduce Powerade's price to Wal-Mart by 5 percent. Assuming Wal-Mart does not raise the retail PFi~, Mr. PecorieUowrote a report.7last week, Wal-Mart's s mariJi on Powerade would _-.. ~ 30 p~nt from the current 20 J-pe~t. 1:*- . :;~) , 1 Jay LaPretefBlilamIlel1lNews 'Coca.Cola products at a Wal-Mart in Grove City, Ohio. Coke's plan to deliver directly to the retailer has drawn a lawsuit from some bottlers. an alternate delivery system within its own territory," said a Coke spokesman, Dan Schafer. Some bottlers were reluctant to re- sort to legal action. "It's like suing your family," said Edwin Rice, chief executive of Ozarks Coca-Cola Bot- tling in Springfield, Mo. "I'm not say. ing our underwear has Coca-COla on it, but just about everything else does." Mr. Rice said the bottlers were better equipped than retailers, who handle dozens of brands, to promote sales. "We have a vested interest in seeing the brand get developed," he said. "Our 'contract requires us to do that." The suit also represents a blow to Coke's chief executive, E. Neville Isdell, who has made efforts to im- prove relations with the company's bottlers. The last time a large group of bottlers sued Coke was to the 1920's. "Wal.Mart's growth and power is changing how consumers buy prod- ucts and how beverage companies sell products," said John Sicher, pub- lisher of Beverage Digest. "The law. suit is about Coke and its bottlers try- ing to come to terms with that." ~ ~.,~ -T] =:=.J ,~..-., I '" .:-<.::,r'-' r.;' 'T) -v 3: .......j OJ,} -s;: 7-~ "'-- )> ':':> '-'11 0'> Marian Karr ~ UlW From: Sent: To: Subject: Nancy L. Purington [nancy@nancypurington.com] Wednesday, March 08, 2006 11 :03 AM council@iowa-city.org; Steve Atkins Art on Fire >>>> Dear Iowa City Councilors and City Manager, Last night on the 6:00 news I heard about the need for a Fire Station. It may be true that we need a Fire Station. If we do, then we need to address those community needs exclusively. Visual art support is not in that league. But since the juxtaposition has been raised, I am offering some ideas to consider. If Public Art funding is underutilized, maybe we can increase its value by strengthening its applications. Below is a continually revised draft of my thoughts. advisory committee to review this subject. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >> > I would be happy to serve on an The Public Art money could be used to Library space that has been empty for public art in a Public Art Center for of a need with a similar focus in the property. pay for the new Public over a year. That would focus the Visual Arts and take care realm of intellectual We have tennis courts, basketball courts, fields of grass and trees, outdoor theaters and many other facilities for all factions of our community. The Public Art fund is all that is available to this community for the visual arts. This money could be used to expand concepts of its mission while improving empty library space with cultural, arts activity. This concept would fit into that corner of the downtown landscape beautifully as an element of the Cultural District as well as a compliment to private investments that improve the value of this real estate. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Purington, Visual Artist Member of the 1st Public Arts Advisory Iowa City Public Art Proposal, IC Area Committee Co-author of the Chamber of Commerce 1 Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Subject: Steve Atkins Wednesday, March 08, 2006 7:09 AM Marian Karr FW: fire station/public art? -----Original Message----- From: Nancy L. Purington [mailto:nancy@nancypurington.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 6:14 PM To: Steve Atkins Subject: fire station/public art? Hi Steve, I just saw the news. I believe that a fire station is a good thing. I am sorry that it has to be the visual art funding in a position that appears to be anti- fire station. Fire Station should stand on it's own. We have tennis courts, recreation, outdoor theaters, etc. We don't need to sacrifice them. Personally, I would like to see a community arts center. We have a recreation center, outdoor theater, basketball, acres of grass and trees, etc. A fire station should stand with like entities: police, etc., not art. Please help separate these waters. I can't be there tonight. Sincerely, Nancy Purington Visual Artist, Iowa City Steve, can you send this to the city counselors? I have lost all those e-mail addresses. Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Subject: Nancy L. Purington [nancy@nancypurington.com] Wednesday, March 08, 2006 8:06 AM council@iowa-city.org Fwd: Fire Station/Public ArVPublic Library > copy corrected: > Esteemed City Councilors, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It may be true that we need a Fire Station. take care of that need. If we do, then we need to The Public Art money could be used to pay for the new Public Library space that has been empty for over a year. That would focus public art in a Public Art Center for the Visual Arts and take of a need with a similar focus in the realm of intellectual property. We have tennis courts, basketball courts, fields of grass and trees, outdoor theaters and many other facilities for all factions of our community. The Public Art fund is all that is available to this community for the visual arts and its application could be expanded continue its mission and help pay for empty library space. to Respectfully submitted, Nancy Purington, Visual Artist Member of the 1st Public Arts Advisory Committee Co-author City Public Art Proposal, IC Area Chamber of Commerce of the Iowa 1 Page 1 of 1 Marian Karr From: Nancy L. Purington [nancy@nancypurington.com] Sent: Friday, March 10, 2006 3:19 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Cc: Steve Atkins Subject: Public Art Opinion OPINION I am writing to discuss support of the visual arts in our community and to share an idea that I believe will benefit the City and its residents in many ways. I suggest that the Public Art funds be used to lease space that the City has available at the Iowa City Public Library. This would focus public art in a Public Art Center for the Visual Arts and take care of a need that is a great compliment to the mission of the Iowa City Public Library. This space could also be utilized as office space for the Summer Of The Arts organization. We have tennis courts, basketball courts, fields of grass and trees, outdoor theaters and many other facilities for all to enjoy in our community. The Public Art fund is all that is available to this community for the visual arts. This money could be used to expand concepts of its mission while improving empty library space with an exciting cultural focus. This concept would fit into that corner of the downtown landscape beautifully as an element of the Cultural District as well as a compliment to private investments that improve the value ofIowa City's downtown real estate. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Purington, Visual Artist Member of the 1st Public Arts Advisory Committee Co-author of the Iowa City Public Art Proposal, IC Area Chamber of Commerce 3/10/2006 ~ Uaill..J Marian Karr From: mjc [mcrane@lcom.net] Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 9:41 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: more police? do you really need more police in iowa city? i see that the new budget includes funds for hiring 2 more policemen. the reason i ask is because the other night, east of iowa city and on the interstate---way outside of the city limits-- -sat an iowa city police cruiser with his radar gun out the window "clocking" interstate traffic. i'm not questioning a policeman's authority to be on the interstate but i wouid question their judgement in sitting in the median outside of the city limits trying to arrest speeders at night or even during the day for that matter! so again, my question is do you really need the 2 new policemen? evidently if the police iowa city currently has would spend their time in iowa city, there might not be a need for more. and is chasing speeders on the interstate at night really a greater priority for the iowa city police than patroling residential and business districts in town? michael crane 3/9/2006 -------~--"_..,---_._._---_.._--~---------- ~ ~ Marian Karr From: Rickdebass@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 12:51 PM To; jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us; rjmillerdc@juno.com; PauLhuting@yahoo.com/ cammie_scully@waterloo-ia.org; council@iowa-city.org; cityofne@yahoo.com; pcclerk@prairiecityiowa.us; cityclerk@grinnelliowa.gov; cmv@cityofmtvernon.com; mbeimer@mtvernon-ia.com Subject: House File 2647 and Senate File 2361 From Mayor Cicalo, Washington, IA To All, I hope all of us will consider this potential legislation ( House File 2647 and Senate File 2361) regarding Statewide Cable Franchise Agreement. Telecom technology is changing rapidly and if municipalities are not educated on the subject, we may end up with a loss of local control, limiting the ability to collect franchise fees as well as many other factors to be considered. On behalf of the City of Washington, a rural community, and all rural communities who will not benefit from the proposed legislation, I encourage you not to support these bills by contacting your representatives. Their email addresses are below In this effort, please share this request with anyone. Thank you, Rick Cicalo Richard J. Cicalo Mayor, City of Washington 215 E. Washington Washington, Iowa 52353 319-653-6584 (mobile)319-461-1719 (fax)319-653-5273.rcicalo@washingtoniowa.net Contact State Representatives: sandy grien.er@leqis.state.ia.u.~ david. miller@legis.state.ia.us Or your State Representatives; Subject: League Action Call: Statewide Cable Franchise Agreement Please contact your legislators this weekend or attend a local forum to express your concerns over the proposed statewide franchise legislation - House File 2647 and Senate File 2361. These bills would have the following impact: Eliminate local control over the franchise process by creating a meaningless statewide franchise facilitated by the Secretary of State's Office. 3/14/2006 Page 2 of2 Limit your ability to collect franchise fees by narrowing the definition of gross revenue and eliminating the ability to negotiate a new franchise or renew an existing franchise upon the expiration of the current franchise. Restricts your ability to control your rights of way from new entrants into your community. Eliminates your role as enforcer of customer service standards under Federal Cable Act guidelines. Prohibits build out requirements - so areas of your community may benefit from multiple providers while others will not. Some providers may choose to upgrade services while others may not. Limits your ability to provide for public, educational and government access channels in a manner that is consistent with local needs. This could impact local libraries, churches and other public service organizations in your communities. Limits your ability to require the provision of internal networks or to allow for provision of service to public entities in the community. House File 2647 passed out of the House Commerce Committee last week and was reassigned to House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday. The bill has been assigned to a subcommittee of Representative Jim Kurtenbach, Chair, Chuck Soderberg, and Brian Quirk Future action on the bill is expected next week. The Senate bill passed out of the Senate Commerce committee without recommendation. Both the House and Senate are working on addressing issues raised by cities and the cable industry over these two bills. We need more support from the cities at the local level to help us stop this legislation. 3/14/2006 Marian Karr ~ ~ From: Sent: To: Subject: Marian Karr Tuesday, March 14, 2006 8:10 AM 'calvin.symons@act.org' RE: per your request I have received your correspondence and will include in the packet going to Council this Thursday. Your correspondence will be included in the Consent Calendar of the formal agenda of March 21. Marian K. Karr City Clerk -----Original Message----- From: calvin.symons@act.org [rnailto:calvin.syrnons@act.org] Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 7:55 AM To: Marian Karr Subject: Re: per your request Dear Ms. Karr: I appreciate your response recently in regard to -this issue. I would like the Council to hear my concerns and respond to them. I would like the group to consider the issue from two perspectives. The first is adequate information to a homeowner regarding City notices. As you can see in the documents contained in my original submission, to expect a person to understand what is meant by the original notice, it appears to me that the City employees need to state the full extent of the expected action, After living in a home for 12 years and never having been informed about a section of sidewalk so far removed from my "home's sidewalk" and also never having removed any snow from the area on Mormon trek for 12 years, I think a reasonable person would not connect that this was part of the notice. It seems the City's employees have some expectation that one "should know". My first concern is that the city seems responsible to at least take the time to notify the homeowner of what is fully expected. I believe a reasonable person could feel comfortable reacting to the notice in an area where for the last 12 years they have cared for their sidewalk. I think it is unreasonable to expect me or any other owner to have know what is in the City's employees head. How much work would it be to tell the property owner what their expectation was? At another whole level, it is impossible for me to think that the City has contracted with a snow removal company at the rates that my incident seems to indicate. To charge over $140.00 to remove snow from approximately twenty yards of concrete seems exorbitant. I have spoken to other homeowners and have asked if any of those folks have ever seen a snow removal crew on Mormon Trek the answer is "no", But more aggravating is that the city would engage such a company for removal in the city at the rates which seem to be prevalent in the notice I and my neighbors have received. If this bill is true to the contract, I think the City owes it to its taxpayers to check and see what type of competitive bids have been drawn to allow for this rate to stand as a contract for this type of business. Has the contract been signed under competitive bid situations? All I am asking for from Council is a reasonable analysis of the situation and to look at the actions taken from that perspective. I think my past history of bill payment to the City speaks for itself in that I am not a person who shirks their responsibility. I would be glad to speak with any group in person if that becomes necessary or desired. Thanks for this hearing. Calvin Symons 2065 Little Creek Lane 1 February 25, 2005 City ofIowa City Payment Processing Center To Whom It May Concern: This is an erroneous bill. After receiving notice in the mail that my sidewalk had to be cleared, I removed the snow the following Saturday morning. No one or no agency removed any snow from my property this year. There were other properties in my neighborhood that had snow remaining on their sidewalks and this snow was not removed until the warm weather melted the snow. As far as I can tell, they were never shoveled by your vendor or by the individuals in the home. Calvin R. Symons 2065 Little Creek Lane Iowa City, IA o :;s;" ,~:;: ~:.. '-'., ~., 2>; ..c~ ~!:.. J-' -.J I f\) '~- :"~ c " ...- -~ :i;: J:: 'i "} "".J .-:-- '. (/1 Q ~ CITY OF IOWA CITY 28 February 2005 Mr. Calvin Symons 2065 Little Creek Lane Iowa City, Iowa 52246 Dear Mr. Symons: Your letter to our Payment Processing Center was forwarded to me for a reply. The snow that was removed was snow that had accumulated on Mormon Trek Boulevard. I responded to a complaint on 13 January, left a notice, and returned 18 January. The snow was not cleared from Mormon Trek Boulevard on 18 January so I sent a work order to Quality Care to clear the sidewalk. Their bill for snow and ice removal on 19 January was $142.50, which was split between 2057 and 2065 LilUe Creek Lane. Enclosed is a map of your property showing the frontage on both Mormon Trek Boulevard and Little Creek Lane. Please clear snow from the public sidewalk along Mormon Trek Boulevard as well as Little Creek Lane w~hin 24 hours of a snowfall of 1" or more, as well as within 24 hours of an ice storm. Respectfully, J lie Tallman Development Regulations Specialist julie-tallman@iowa-city.org 319/356-5132 319/341-4020 fax C: Robin Marshall o ~r. -,,>- ;:=;::~ ,_J:..-:' ~:::..: ....\ j> .c- en C) ~----'-'-'--------'-'---"~---~---_.._-_..._- ".-" ~.; c); I I" '"") '.0 "- i i -..-) ,~.,..,' . Julie Tallman <Julle-Tallman@lowa..c Ity.org> 03114/200501:54 PM To: '"calvin.symons@act.org''' <catvin.symons@act.org> ce: Subject RE: I think the notice is clear - it states that "Snow or ice accumulations which have remained on any public sidewalk in the city for a period of 24 hours may be removed by the City without notice to the owner, tenant, or person in charge of the property abutting such sidewalk". Key words are "public sidewalk" and "person in charge of the property abutting such sidewalk" . I see that we cited you for failure to remove snow in 1994, and hired Quality Care to remove the snow when there was no response to our notice. I don't know if it was the Mormon Trek sidewalk or the Little Creek Lane sidewalk. However, I do have a record of four complaints for weed violations along the Mormon Trek frontage: in 8/93, 5/94, 7/03 and 9/03. So I am a bit confused over how you could be unaware of your responsibility for the frontage along Mormon Trek. I am unable to answer how other property owners cleared the snow from Mormon Trek. I only know they did. I did have to issue a notice of violation to the health club but they took care of their sidewalks after receiving the notice. I don't recall other snowy sidewalks along Little Creek Lane. If you want to argue this case, you may argue it with City Council. If you don't pay the bill for removing snow, the charges will be assessed against your property and there will be discussion at City Council, during which time you may make an appeal. I will not argue the case with you. I saw the snow; I left the notice; I returned and saw that it was not removed; I sent the work order to Quality Care. I will not approve any amendment to these charges. -----Original Message----- From: calvin.symons@act.org [mailto:calvin.symons@act.org] Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 11:30 AM To: julie-tallman@iowa-city.org Subject: o :=En ).-~ :::; ,,--~ r;-:-., C:~', t:...., March 12, 2005 I N 01 o I appreciate the information provided in your recent letter. Before I can decide what further action to take, I would like to solicit the following information. My major concern with this process is the lack of information contained in the city'S notice letter. In order for people to comply with these notices it would be helpful to know what it is that is expected. Why would your notice not contain what is expected. :5/'-' :i> -,', -'::" -"" Dear Ms. Tallman: First, I would like to know what part of the original notice letter indicated where the property needed to be cleared? I have lived at this address for nearly twelve years and during none of those previous seasons of snow was I ever told that the sidewalk on Mormon Trek was my responsibility to clear. Could you provide me with where the city notifies home owners of this responsibility? I do not see anything listed in the letter which would indicate all the surfaces which I needed to clear. I think it is important to tell people what the expectation is when a letter like that is sent. Also could it be that in no previous year, when snow fell, in even heavier amounts, that I would not be notified as to this "requirement?" It just seems very odd that in no previous season if that was my responsibility, I would not be notified. Second, I jog along that stretch of Mormon Trek and I did not see how the walk was different from any other stretch of the sidewalk from where Farmers Insurance is all the way north to Benton. I have jogged this way and in many past seasons as well as this one, the sidewalks have not been cleared of snow and ice, and yet I never was aware of or witnessed any other property owners out shoveling or clearing these adjacent sidewalks to Mormon Trek. Can you please explain how these walks are cleared if it is not by the home owners (and I acknowledge I am not there observing 24 hours out of the day.) Third, please explain to me why there were other sidewalks on Little Creek Lane that were not cleared of snow and ice until the melting occurred, if you truly "inspected" my property? The walks I am referring to were not more than two houses down from mine and yet no effort was made to clear these walks, and if you truly inspected my property, I would expect all the house owners would be treated equally and that you should have hired Quality Care to clear these sidewalks which were much more in front of their homes that the walk along Mormon Trek. This was never done until the snow melted. Finally, if you could provide me with the proof that the walk was cleared of snow or ice in a before and after situation so I can at least see the evidence that the work which was claimed to be done was truly undertaken and completed. With the above information, I can decide how I would like to proceed in arguing this case fairly and with the City, as I am sure you can tell I think the notice was lacking as to what is really expected in your original note to me. Thank you for your time and energy to provide this information. Sincerely, Calvin R. Symons 2065 Little Creek Lane o ~~?; D (~,--, &;' I t"0 ~Li , . ~-') ~~' ~--./ ~~.:.. )..:,;: "'.: ,'"(I Cry <::::> ~ Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Subject: Carolyn Peterson [carolynp@cityofithaca.org] Sunday, March 12, 2006 10:38 PM council@iowa-city.erg greetings from Ithaca New York Dear Council Members: I am the mayor of Ithaca, New York, home of Cornell University and the future home of President Skarton and his family. Our community, being naturally inquisitive, would truly enjoy knowing about the relationship between your community, your university, and your president. Some of us may also be interested in a visit to your city. From what we have heard, there are many similarities between us. Please advise the best way for a conversation. We could arrange a conference call with prepared questions, either with you or your administrator or planning director, as appropriate. I am looking forward to your reply. Sincerely, Carolyn Peterson Carolyn K. Peterson Mayor - City of Ithaca City Hall, 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 607-274-6501 (phone) 607-274-6526 (fax) 1 - --- ---~--_..._--~----"-------,~-~_._--------,._"---------_..,-_."-_._------~---'-'-_..- I;(;~) I Marian Karr From: Nelson Gurll [gurlldoc@mchsi.com] Sent: Friday, March 10, 2006 4:55 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Cc: icct@avalon.net Subject: Iowa City Community Theatre's 50 Years of Entertainment The Iowa City Community Theatre (ICCT) will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary Season during its production of "My Fair Lady", April 28-May 7, at the historic Englert Theatre in downtown Iowa City. We have invited back the casts, crews, and others from 50 years of ICCT productions to celebrate this pivotal event in the theatrical history of Iowa City the weekend of CCTApril 28-30. When we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of ICCT, the Iowa City City Council generously designated that week "Iowa City Community Theatre Week" with an appropriate public announcement and a cetificate attesting to the same. Would the City Council consider doing something similar this year? Our celebratory week will be on the cusp of April/May, but we will welcome any recognitoion you can give irrespective of actual dates. It has been a notable year for theatre in Iowa Cityl Riverside Theatre celebrates 25 years of productions when the average life expectancy for professional theatre is 3 years. We have thrived for 50 years when the average life expectancy for community theatres is 8 years. Something to celebrate. Nelson GurU, MD, President, ICCT Board of Directors 3/1 0/2006 ~ Marian Karr From: Demizo Dancewear [demizofordance@msn.com] Sent: Friday, March 10,200612:46 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Modeling Denver's Downtown Revitalization Efforts Greetings Council Members, The City of Denver Colorado experienced a similar phenomenon to Iowa City during the early 90's in which growth and sprawl created voids in the central commercial district of the city. As we see more and more local businesses leaving downtown I wanted to offer a suggestion for Iowa City to embrace the solutions that have helped create a vibrant and diverse economy in Denver. Iowa City can utilize the microenterprise model to create unique shopping and service businesses that wili fill the empty spaces while serving as a catalyst to draw people back to the downtown area. Through strategic partnerships, incubators, a strong buy local program, re-evaluating how our CDBG funds are utilized and creating training and capitalization opportunities, iowa City can see a renaissance of interest and viability for its new and existing local businesses. Kersten Hostetter is the woman at the forefront of Denver's resurgence as the Executive Director of what is without a doubt the most successful microenterprise development model in our country, MicroBusiness Development. Their methods and experience are being duplicated with great success and they can work here. have spoken with Ms. Hostetter and she is very much interested in working with you and Iowa City leaders to assist in developing programming and implementation methods that can further improve on what we know is an amazing place to live. I would encourage you to contact her to learn how Iowa City can gain from their expertise. She can be rea~ed at: MicroBusiness Development 700 Kalamath Street Denver, CO 80204 Phone 303.308.8121 Fax 303.308.8120 i<mJI@micropusiness.org Submitted by: Mark Nolte, Rural Johnson County Resident 319-631-4139 *** eSafe scanned this email for malicious content *** IMPORTANT: Do not open attachments from unrecognized senders *** *** 3/10/2006 [;llJ Marian Karr From: sunrizes@sbcglobal.net Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 1 :53 PM To: council@iowa-city.org Subject: Requesting Votes Hi, my name is Veronica Stutler. My sister, Dinah Munn of Kirksville, MO. is getting married to John Conley of Pekin, IL. They are one of three final couples in the 2006 Dream Wedding Giveaway Contest, sponsored by local merchants here in Kirksville. The prize is worth $15,500.00. Our local television station is keeping track of how far this contest reaches, and anyone worldwide can cast a vote for the couple of their choice. I was trying to round up some vote from the surrounding states, and since we have several friends that would like to come to Dinah's wedding from your state, I decided to email you for some additional votes. If you would be interested in . helping, please go to W\,\IW. ktyo. com , click on Dream Wedding Giveaway, click on Couple #3 (Dinah Munn & John Conley), enter your email address, then enter your account information to verify your valid email address. At that time, your vote will be counted. Each person can cast a vote per EACH email address that they have. Your vote would be greatly appreciated by Dinah and John, as well as both families involved. Please pass this information along to whomever you would like. Thanks for your help, Veronica 3/9/2006 it- 0 (I'; ) Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Subject: Jean Walker [walkersic@yahoo.com] Thursday, March 16, 20064:24 PM marian-karr@iowa-city.org FYI - letter from the Melrose Neighborhood to the Iowa State Board of Regents Attachments: 2353494258-NhoodPropertyPurchase06_ 03-16.doc iWl'~ ~ NhoodPropertyPurc hase06_03-16.... Marian, Per our telephone conversation, I am sending you some correspondence that I would appreciate if you could distribute to the City Council members at their next (March 20) meeting. Thank you, Jean Walker Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo,com *** eSafe scanned this email for malicious content *** *** IMPORTANT; Do not open attachments from unrecognized senders *** 1 1=11 :I; I ,l,__.,,"_._~"_ To: Board of Regents, State ofIowa Date: March 16, 2006 200& iUR I 5 PH ll: 28 From: Jean Walker, Melrose Neighborhood Association Representative, Iowa City (....,'-.1.' i :-'". rU'---I!\' ..,;\ 1'1' u',-_C:"j[ iCJ'vW' (;! !CWVA CONCERNING ITEM 3D ON THE AGENDA FOR THE MARCH 20-21, 2006 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS IN OTTUMW A, IOWA: UNIVERSITY OF IOWA PROPOSED PROPERTY PURCHASE It has come to the attention of the Melrose Neighborhood Association that the University ofIowa wishes to purchase the vacant lot at 311 Melrose Court from the University ofIowa Facilities Corporation, to provide a second access point for fire and safety equipment for the University's adjoining property at 609 Melrose Avenue, and to use it for football parking. This vacant lot is located within the Melrose Historic District and we are extremely disappointed that this small grassy lot (50 x 107 feet) would be used for football parking. It is ambiguous as to how the lot would be so used. If it is for parking cars, it would be very disruptive to the owners/residents of the properties on either side and it would result, on wet, snowy, or rainy days, in unsightly ruts in the grass that the Neighborhood would be left with long after the cars and their occupants had left. This unsightly mess would also be the result if the lot were to be used as an access to the large grassy area or field behind 609 Melrose Avenue. Such access would be over the curb, up an incline, and over the grass. Also, more importantly, Melrose Court is a very narrow street and having this lot be an entrance or exit to the field would be extremely disruptive to the already overburdened street. Currently the property at 609 Melrose Avenue consists of a house, with adequate access for fire and safety equipment, behind which is the large grassy area or field. For this configuration, we see no reason why a second access point for fire and safety equipment would be needed. Therefore the University does not need this vacant lot for this purpose. The only reason we can imagine that a second such access point would be necessary would be if the University intended on constructing a large building in the field. Such a large building, in the Historic District (which would also mean increased vehicular traffic) would be very strongly opposed by the Neighborhood, as was a previous idea to place the Hope Lodge at this location. The lot has been kept by the owners of 311 Melrose Court for many, many years *precise1y* to discourage inappropriate development in the field and to avoid it being used as access to the field behind 609 Melrose Court (as it had been in the distant past), because such use had been/would be so disruptive of, and unpleasant for, the Neighborhood. We find it, frankly, extremely disrespectful to the Neighborhood for the University to contemplate its use, against the longstanding express wishes of the Neighborhood, for football parking or for access to the field, particularly in the heart of the Melrose Historic District. In fact we were shocked to find that the University of Iowa Facilities Corporation had recently purchased the lot in the first place, without our knowledge, as we have been given many assurances in recent years that the University was not planning to purchase any more properties in our Neighborhood. As we think that the University desires to be a good neighbor and has stated that it cares about Historic Preservation, we feel that the UI Facilities Corporation should not, in good faith, have purchased the property. Therefore we would like you to consider that the lot not be used for football parking or access to the field and that the Neighborhood be given the opportnnity to discuss purchase of the lot from the VI Facilities Corporation, so that the integrity of the Historic District is preserved. In the City ofIowa City's 2002 Southwest District Plan, concern was expressed "about the encroachment of university uses into the neighborhoods south of Melrose Avenue". In addition, in a section concerning the Melrose Neighborhood, it was stated that "it is an important goal of the City to preserve and stabilize existing residential neighborhoods close to the University and downtown" and that "Efforts should be made to encourage the University to work more closely with the City and surrounding community as it develops future expansion plans." As a broad statement, the Plan recommended the University be encouraged "to balance expansion needs with the community's goal to preserve existing neighborhoods." Even apart from what the City's Plan states, the University itself should be interested in preservation of this Neighborhood because the history of the Melrose Neighborhood is very much intertwined with that of the establishment of the UI Hospitals and Clinics and the UI Athletic Department on the west side ofIowa City and has been, and continues to be, a very convenient and pleasant residential area for faculty and staff of the University. Therefore we believe that the Melrose Neighborhood is an important asset to the University, as well as to the City and the Neighborhood itself, and that it is in the best interest ofthe University to preserve it as an attractive, viable and welcoming residential neighborhood, and counter-productive for the University to destroy it. Thank you, Jean Walker Melrose Neighborhood Association Representative P.S. In regards to the broad topic of preservation ofthis historic Neighborhood, we are looking forward to further discussion with the University about Neighborhood concerns over University acquisition of property in the Melrose Historic District. We hope to keep the Board of Regents apprised of those discussions as they move forward. :;; 9 ~ :,,~-o ::Jlt -,' _c ;; "11 ,.-., 0\ -0 -';. ~ ':11 ;---', ,---, .r=- N \.0 1- j(\5) Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Cc: Tim Weitzel or Wendy Robertson [timwendy@avalon.net] Friday, March 17, 20064:14 PM council@iowa-city.org karin-franklin@iowa-city.org; Helen Burford; MWieting@aol.com; Sunil Terdalkar; Mike Haverkamp 335 S. Clinton SI. Subject: Honorable Council Members: I am writing to inform you of a matter brought to the attention of the Historic Preservation Commission during the public comment period of a regularly scheduled meeting this last Thursday evening. Don Otto, a local builder, expressed his concern over the fact that he learned that a demolition permit has been requested for the building at 335 S. Clinton St. As he described his concern/ it was apparent that everyone in attendance at the meeting quickly recognized the building and the Commission had no trouble coming to an immediate consensus that this property is a significant structure. With that in mind, I feel it is my duty to advise you that by unanimous consent, the HPC has determined this structure to be potentially eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C for significant architecture. Further, it is likely the HPC would normally go on to consider this building a landmark but Iowa City ordinance requires landowner approval to make this sort of designation possible. The owner, Tom Binder, has contacted both the Friends of Historic Preservation and the Johnson County Historical Society to express his interest in preserving this building by moving it to another location. Unfortunately, moving a building has many issues to take into account which ultimately amounts to the need for time to decide what to do with the property. The commission does not wish to interfere with the plans of the landowner, but at the same time moving a building is a last resort consideration for preservation. Again, if the landowner does not wish to leave the building in place, we feel moving it is our only option but it is widely considered to be a worst-case option for many reasons. In preliminary discussion, is clear that there is not enough time to obtain the necessary permissions within a 30 day time limit. For instance, a lot needs to be found, a landowner needs to give approval, and the lot may need to be rezoned. It is the hope of the commission that the landowner is willing to cooperate as far as waiting for these permissions to be obtained. The friends of Historic Preservation organization is already pursing the feasibility of moving this building and it is likely that a landowner is willing to undertake the move of the building. The current owner has apparently even offered to provide some financial assistance with moving the building. Even so, it may take up to three months for a rezoning to occur. Therefore, I would ask at this time if it is within your power to grant some form of stay on the demolition of this important building, that this be done to ensure there is no miscommunication. while the details are sorted out. As there was no opposition from the commission to pursuing this issue, I feel I can say without hesitation that it is our respectful hope t~at you will be able to give this matter your full consideration. Sincerely, Tim Weitzel, Chairperson Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission 1 '-\--5 \\5') Marian Karr From: Sent: To: Subject: c spons [csspons@yahoo.com] Tuesday, March 21, 200610:48 AM council@iowa-city.org 335 S Clinton Dear Council Members, I understand that the City has been working with a potential buyer to move the house at 335 S Clinton to a new location on College Street. Since the ownerS don't want the building demolished and since there is a buyer willing to move the house, this sounds like a win-win situation, even if it involves some logistical details, and 11m delighted the City is supporting efforts that encourage historic preservation without impeding development. I'm writing now to ask if you could delay approval of the demolition permit so that the remaining details can be worked out. It may take a bit of effort to make sure everything falls into place but any extra help you can lend would be greatly appreciated by those of us who want to see smart growth happen in Iowa City. Respectfully yours, Claire Sponsler Member, Friends of Historic Preservation Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com 1 I ~\ \\. U\ " I r~; J '.',.:..,,~:~ - [1 ....... -t If . 'l' :1 , :;'Q l~ ~, "-1 . .. "I'{ . I ~ "...... ' ~ '1-" . 1"" .:it ../... .. . I, ,l"l,.u-. II/lilllliill IllnjIlIlH!' - . I ------,,- J ~- ~ - ~ -:::!) 1 f -I