HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-04 Correspondence
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CITY OF IOWA CITY~
MEMORANDUM
Date: March 28, 2006
To: City Clerk
From: Anissa Williams, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner a;;f
Re: Item for April 4, 2006 City Council meeting: Installation of NO PARKING CORNER TO
HERE sign on the east side of the 10 block of N. Johnson Street
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 38 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 CORNER TO HERE sign on the east side
of the 10 block of N. Johnson Street approximately 30 feet north of the intersection with Iowa
Avenue.
Comment:
This action is being taken to eliminate vehicles parking in front of the fire hydrant on N. Johnson
Street.
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From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Nancy Ostrognai [nostrog@inavia.net]
Monday, March 20, 2006 1128 AM
council@iowa-city.org
Dee Vanderhoef
Dear EaSL Central Council of Govern~ents Con~act Pcrs~n:
T ~n\ a resident of Iowa Cj.ty a~d ~he chairperso~ of the Jotnso~ County Coalitiorl
Persons with D~sabilities I wis~ fo~ my group to work wi~h :he city Lo purcl12se a bus
There j.5 great need. People with disabilities are of~en on tte o~tskirts of cown w~erp
tousing is cheaper, and there is no access to transportation if they don'c qualify for ~r;(
paratra~sit. lnstj.cutions like ChaLhan Oaks are also beyond the reac:h of ~he city-ce~tp~L
transit system unless ODe qualifies for parara~sit .My ioea is to rotate ~l)e desti:ldLions
to LIe outskirts so that each place gets sc~rvice Zit l2ast tltW days iJ week. I ",,'dS told tllej
you work wich cities to receive funds [rom tra~spcrtation grants. I s this an apprcpriar
ploject ~or you? If noL your agency whc) else would be gooci to co~~acL? How (:a~ I best
br~ng this idea to fruition?
Nancy Ostrognai
ICGov.Org Email Release
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Marian Karr
From: James Surratt [jamessurratt55@msn.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 25, 20064:21 AM
To: council
Subject: Fw: ICGov.org Media Release: Construction and Street Closures
It might be a wise decision if perhaps street names would be reviewed to avoid future confusion.
When Gilbert Street was realigned south of Prentiss Street some years ago to where Linn Street
was, the name Gilbert Street continued all the way past Highway 6 to the city limits. What was
Gilbert Street south of the railroad viaduct was renamed Gilbert Court.
Now we have a similar situation with Riverside Drive as noted in the forwarded bulletin below.
Perhaps some other name should be used instead of "Old 218."
dm Original Message -----
From: web@icgov.org
To: jamessurratt55@msn.com
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 5:54 PM
Subject: ICGov.org Media Release: Construction and Street Closures
News from The City of Iowa City
Title: Mormon Trek Boulevard Extension - Willow Creek to Old Highway 218 UPDATE
Release Date: Monday, March 20, 2006
Release Time: 5:51:00 PM
Originating Department: Engineering
Contact Person: Sarah Okerlund
Contact Number: 319-356-5149
It has come to our attention that there is some confusion with the exact location of the
roadway closure associated with the above mentioned project. South Riverside Drive will
be closed to through traffic south of Commercial Drive to Old Highway 218 near Hubbard
Feeds and the University of Iowa Mossman Building. Old Highway 218 will remain open
to traffic. Access to residences and businesses in the area will be maintained at all
times. Delays may be possible. For further location details, please see the attached map.
m Mormon Trek Boulevard Extension - Willow Creek to Old Highway 218 Map
Original Media Release (Wednesday, March 15, 2006):
Weather permitting, beginning on Monday, March 20, 2006, South Riverside Drive will
be closed to through traffic south of Commercial Drive to Oid Highway 218 near Hubbard
Foods and University of Iowa Mossman Building. This street closure is in connection with
the Mormon Trek Boulevard Extension Project and will last for approximately 3-4
months. Access to residences and businesses in the area wiil be maintained at all times
although delays may be possible.
Motorists are encouraged to take note of this construction work to seek an alternate
route during this time period. As always, caution should be exercised when traveling
through all construction areas.
3/27/2006
lCGov.Org Email Release
Page 2 of2
For updated information on road construction in Iowa City, visit the City of Iowa City's
website at
http://www.iowa-city.org/works/roadconstruction.asp
To subscribe and unsubscribe from ICGov email releases click here:
http://www.icgoy.org/subscribe.asp
Click here to go to the City Jobs page
Do not reply directly to this e-mail. It is produced from an automated system, and is
not monitored for replies. If you have a question or comment about this information,
piease contact the originating department of this message, or by using the form at:
http://www.icgovorg/serYicecenter/feedback.asp.
For technical questions, please contact us by using the form at:
http://www.icgoy.org/serYicecenter/webmaster.asp.
3/27/2006
em
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Robert Tye [icdbni8m2001@yahoo.com]
Sunday, March 26, 2006 924 PM
cou n ci I@iowa-city.org
Concerned Citizen About Water Fluoridation
Dca.::- C~ty Council Members,
My Name is RobE~rt Tye, ::L'm not a member of yoc.r COlrffiU:1ity but I am conce2::'ned with your
choice to E'luoridate your water system.
I would urge you to investigate the lack of safety testing that has been done on the iss~e
of ?lucridation.
The~e are marly artic~es on the. internet which ~ead ~o serious issues concerning
E'l~oridation of our water systems.
PliO;dse for the sake of your community, don',: be nislcd by the EPA.
E)ince~-e]';/,
Robert Tye
P.s.
T grew up in Iowa, I am concerned.
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection arou~d http://mail.yahoo.cOTIl
1
Marian Karr
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From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Dale Helling
Monday, March 27, 2006 1113 AM
'Christopher Jones'
'City Council
RE: Quick question about council member salaries
Dear Mr. Jones,
Thank you for your communication to the City Council regarding Council Members'
compensation. Currently the Mayor is paid $7758.40 annually each Council Member receives
$6760.00. Council salaries are adjusted every 2 years according to a cost-af-living index
as provided by City ordinance.
I hope you !ind this information helpful.
Sincerely,
Dale Helling, Assistant City Manager
-----Original Message-----
From: Christopher Jones [mailto:mrchristopherjones@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 5:43 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Quick question about council member salaries
Dear Iowa City Council:
I a student at the University of Iowa and am doing research on the Iowa City Council and
would like to know what the annual salary is for the mayor and council members. Thanks!
Sincerely,
Christopher Jones
Senior, Political Science
The University of Iowa
1
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March 22, 2006
City ofIowa City
Mayor & City Council/Parking Division
410 E. Washington St
Iowa City, IA 52240
To whom it may concern:
All I have to say it is pretty low to receive a parking ticket, issued to my wife & me, who
took the nature trail going west, walking from the little park to get something to eat. We
had been shopping at Coral Ridge Mall. We could see there were lots of Hawkeye fans
and people parking in the area. We notice the sign posted, for parks use only. Isn't that
what we were doing? What does that sign mean? Why doesn't it say NO PARKING on
game day or something like that? How is a person supposed to know they couldn't park
there without a ticket? Is it against the law to park there and walk on the trail? We are
from out of town. Who cares if the Hawkeye's are playing or not! If, whoever wrote the
ticket would have come by during the course of the game, he / she would have noticed
our vehicle was gone.
Hope you city spends the money wisely for something that was a trap set aside to collect
money from innocent people. I will NOT support your city again!
Hope your officer made his / her quota for the day. It stinks.
I should get an attorney and fight it, but will forgo that do to the amount of money
involved. I would like an explanation.
Maybe the Mayor and / or council can give me an explanation. I'm certain the person
reading this will not unless it gets in the right hand.
Unhappy,
~~r
Marvin & Nancy Boldt
109 Levering St.
Traer, IA 50675
CC: Mayor
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From: WalkerCL04@aol.com
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 1044 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org; Steve-Atkins@iowa-city.org
Cc: david-gould@uiowaedu
Subject: Very Poor Minutes provided by the Senior Center Commission
To the whole City Council and the City Manager:
I have brought this subject to your attention before and there has been no improvement. I want
to give you another example of why the minutes of the Senior Center Commission meetings
needs your review.
On March 21, I told one new member of the Senior Center Commission (David Gould)
about some errors in the draft minutes of the February meeting which I had seen attached in a
city council agenda. Today I checked the approved Feb. Senior Center Commission minutes
and the noted changes were not made, not even the most obvious error about the listing of
one staff person (Julie Seal) being present whQ_was NCtT at to? meeting. Maybe the
commission members do not bother to read the minutes of the meetings before they approve
them.
For another example of the inaccurate Feb. minutes, during the meeting I had made the
suggestion that there was a need for snacks to be sold in the Gift Shop. The staff made
excuses against that idea saying that there is a big problem with mice in the building. The
excUSeS against havj!1g snacks are just as important as the suggestion for selling packaged
snacks. How else can we know why the staff won't do things?
Another distortion in the February minutes is the part about the cost of the May visit by Dr.
Cohen. I questioned what the visit would cost the senior center. Linda answered and
admitted the cost that the senior center would pay. Yet the senior center cost, that she
alone had authorized, is not reported in the minutes. Also some of the other details about Dr.
Cohen was not spoken at the commission meeting.
Now its possible that David Gould did not see my email about the problems with the minutes
before he left for the meeting. But he was at the Feb. meeting and it appears that he approved
the minutes like the rest who approved them. Something is breaking down somewhere and the
problem needs to be faced and corrected.
It is more difficult for older seniors to attend that late afternoon meeting time that the
Commission has selected. Seniors should be able to read the minutes of the Commission
meeting to find out what went on -- not just a sterilized censored incomplete narrative about
the meeting.
Below I have added a copy of my message to David Gould about the minutes and his note
saying that he planned to attend the Commission meeting. I also provided the quick link to the
approved Feb. minutes.
I ask for a written reply to this message from the city council, either by email or by regular mail.
3/24/2006
Page 2 of3
Charlotte Walker
320 S. Dubuque Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
see below for the message sent to David Gould
Fo/yvarcJEldfo,1es~age: ..
Subj: Re: The Sunday card games at the senior center - exclusive use of the building
Date: 3/21/200610:36:07 AM Central Standard Time
From: WalkerCL04
To: david-QouJd@uiowa.edu
'BCC: SeniorsOnGuard
Thanks for your reply and for offering to get an answer for me on the Sunday cards question I
asked that Linda will not anSWl'lf. You may have already heard that the TV tape of the March
6th AARP Senior Center forum meeting edited out some controversial questions and answers.
The part about the Sunday GaIQ games was removed from the tape. Also the Qart about
changLngtheDam_e of the senior ~eDter was removed.
I hope you will take time to look over the minutes of that last Senior Center Commission
meeting. There are errors and creative script which do not reflect what was said. The minutes
should tell what happened at the meeting.
For example, Julie Seal was 09t at the meeting. Also, the part about Dr Cohen is not what was
said at the meeting. The minutes should reflect the cost, which Linda said after being
asked during the meeting, that the senior center has agreed to pay. The total cost for Dr.
Cohen's appearances in Iowa City was not even mentioned at the meeting. I'm sure you can
see other distortions in the minutes.
Creative narrative descriptions that add to or delete from what was said at the meeting should
not be allowed to take the place of meeting minutes. I wonder who writes those minutes
anyway? Even if Michelle writes them, Linda should be reviewing what she writes and
therefore she must be approving poor minutes.
I have some hope that you will be a very good Senior Center Commission member.
Charlotte Walker
In a message dated 3/21/2006 10:05:15 AM Central Standard Time, david-gould@uiowa.edu
writes:
Dear Charlotte,
Thank you for your note. I plan on attending the Commission Meeting this afternoon and will ask Linda
your question.
Have a great Tuesday.
Dave Gould
Click here; http://WWW.iCgov.org/boardminute/1136.pdf
3/2412006
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To: Mayor Ross Wilburn and Members of the City Council !OW.',' r::'. \' 'c" ,."
From: Anne Hesse, President; Janet Maas, Treasurer; and the Project GimEN 1',)1'//\
Steering Committee
Re: Project GREEN's commitment to the public green spaces in Iowa City
Project GREEN's major public landscaping project in 2006, the $90,000 landscaping
of the final segment of North Dubuque Street entryway to Iowa City, will build upon and
tie together the two previous landscapes implemented between 2000 and 2004, creating a
pleasant and welcoming natural parkway approach to the centra] community. The
implementation of this landscape plan is in progress, with completion anticipated by July
30 of this summer of2006.
Landscape Architect Laura Hawks ofRDG Design hired by Project GREEN consulted
with the City Engineering, Public Works and Forestry divisions as she developed a low-
maintenance landscape which includes native trees and shrubs providing four-season
interest and adaptability to the varying ecosystems along this corridor. She also applied
for grants assisting in the completion of this project. MidArnerican Energy contributed
$20,000 through its 'Trees Please!" tree-planting program. The Iowa Department of
Transportation contributed an additional $4,000 through its 'Keep Iowa Beautiful'
program to assist with the landscape costs of this project.
The implemented landscape design will integrate and soften the hardscape and
infrastructure constructed under the oversight of the city's Engineering Division
completed in the Fall of2005. The area includes the right-of-way along both the east and
west sides of North Dubuque Street from Taft Speedway to approximately 500 feet north
of the Foster Road and Dubuque Street intersection.
Since the initial implementation of the North Dubuque Street landscape design in
]978 by Project GREEN co-founder, Gretchen Harshbarger, through the completion of
this project this summer, Project GREEN will have landscaped and refurbished this major
entryway to Iowa City at six different times, investing over $257,000 on this entryway
alone.
Project GREEN Funds for the 2006-07 year will be allocated for these projects:
North Dubuque Street Entryway Project, final phase
$90.000
Continuing Maintenance for Melrose Avenue medians,
North Dubuque Street Entryway, Highway 6 Bypass and
the Iowa Avenue medians
40,000
GREEN Grants for Schools
36,000
CYa~ ~
Second Sunday Garden Forums and Public Education
9,000
New projects and programs
75,000
HISTORY OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS
By the end of July 2006, Project GREEN will have invested over $1.5 million in local
public landscaping projects and has promoted environmental awareness in the greater
metropolitan area. Projects and programs from 1968 through 2006 have included the
following:
$195,826 for professional landscape designs for the Iowa City Community School
District school properties and matched funds to parent organizations for plant materials
on school grounds at every school to implement their landscape designs.
$1,204,174 to complete over 30 new major city public landscaping projects and
provide continued ongoing maintenance for many of the projects.
$68,500 to promote horticultural education and environmental awareness through
Garden Forums, Garden tours and the bi-annual Newsletter.
At a time in history in which people value the cultural and environmental amenities of
their communities, Project GREEN has enhanced the greater Iowa City area for
community residents and visitors alike.
In addition, it is estimated that Project GREEN volunteers have invested over 202,860
hours in beauti fying and maintaining environmental improvements since 1968. At
minimum wage, those hours translate into the equivalent of $1 ,044,729 contributed to the
community. Many additional hours have been spent in conceptualizing, building
partnerships and planning for the projects which have greatly improved the quality of life
and the enjoyment of our community.
Project GREEN encourages area corporation, small businesses and individuals to
consider the impact that Project GREEN has made upon this community as we continue
to enhance our community's appearance and environment.
Q
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From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Garry and Betsy Klein [the3rdiowa@mchsi.com]
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 545 AM
counci I@iowa-city.org
marian-karr@iowa-city.org; steve-atkins@iowa-city.org
Aid to Agency hearing
Dear Mayor Wilburn and Council members,
I was dismayed to learn that aid to agencies for FY07 had been passed in your 3/21/06
meeting. I had been tracking this item and had been looking for it to come up and had
not seen it in a information packet on
3/16 until after the fact. My understanding was that it was coming forward later in March.
For a council that claims to promote transparency in government, this is a failure to
inform the public of an important appropriation. I was not able to determine by looking on
the city webfiche documents how funding was divided, where is this information available?
Sincerely,
Garry Klein
1
Marian Karr
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From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Susan Craig [SCRAIG@icpl.org]
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 2:27 PM
suzan ne. wh ite@consultant.com
council@iowa-cityorg; Dale Helling; Kathryn Johansen; Marian_Karr@iowa-city.org
Mary Changes her Clothes
Dear Ms. White,
The staff at the Iowa City Public Library tried to locate a copy of the book, Mary Charlges
her Clothes for you that was for sale, but it appears to be one of those hard-ta-find
titles. You do have another option if you would like your daughter to share the book with
her daughter. You can ask your library or she can ask her library to request the i~em
through interlibrary loan. There are at least 28 libraries in the United States that own
Mary Changes her Clothes in WorldCat, a huge online catalog of libraries holdings. Tr18
information from WorldCat is copied below so that you or your daughter can share wiLh yo~~
library.
Another option for you to obtain the book would be to contact a used book dealer and have
them put the title out as a search for you. We did notice that one sold on E-Bay seveLal
months ago for $100.
Best of luck in borrowing or finding this special book to pass on to another generation.
Current database: WorldCat Total Libraries: 28 WorldCat
Title: Mary changes her clothes Author: Simmons, Ell.1.e Libraries wit~: Item: "[Jlary changes
her clothes... .T'( Record for Item I Get This Item)
Location Library Code
IA
IA
IA
CO
DC
FL
GA
IL
IL
IL
IN
IN
IN
KS
MI
MI
MO
MS
NC
NJ
NY
OH
OK
OR
PA
PA
TN
VA
BURLINGTON PUB LIBR 3UP
CEDAR RAPIDS PUB LIBR IWR
UNIV OF IOWA LIBR NUl
PATHFINDER REG LIBR SERV SYST DMP
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LNN
UNIV OF S FLORIDA, MEDIA CTR FHU
GWINNETT CNTY PUB SCH, MEDIA SERV GGS
DIXON PUB LIBR JY3
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIV JNA
NORTHWESTERN UNIV INU
ALLEN CNTY PUB LIBR IMF
INDIANA SCH FOR THE DEAF LIBR XUX
SYRACUSE-TURKEY CREEK TOWNSHIP PUB LIBR
WICHITA PUB SCH USD #259 KWS
SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN LIBR COOP EXM
WARREN PUB LIBR ZB8
GENTRY CNTY LIBR MU2
JACKSON/HINDS LIBR SYST MJP
COLUMBUS CNTY PUB LIBR HQF
MORRIS CNTY LIBR NWM
FINGER LAKES LIBR SYST VYG
CLEVELAND PUB LIBR CLE
TULSA CITY-CNTY LIBR TUL
UNIV OF OREGON LIBR ORU
HARCUM COL LIBR PAE
WEST CHESTER UNIV QWC
NASHVILLE PUB LIBR TNN
JAMES MADISON UNIV VMC
XSL
Title: Mary changes her clothes.
Author(s): Simmons, Ellie.
Publication: [New York] D. McKay Co.
Year: 1960
1
Description: 1 v. (unpaged) illus. 25 em.
Language: English
Standard No: LCCN: 60-6284
Class Descriptors: LC: PZ7. S5918
Material Type: Fiction (fic); Juvenile (no specific ages) (jau)
Document Type: Book
Entry: 19810720
Update: 19940120
Accession No: OCLC: 7599998
Database: WorldCat
Susan Craig
Library Director
Iowa City Public Library
123 S. Linn St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 356-5241
2
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Suzanne White [suzanne.white@austin.utexas.edu]
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 9: 15 AM
council@iowa-city.org
Ellie Simmons - Mary Changes Her Clothes
Hello,
My name and contact information is
Suzanne White
698 Hill Country Trail
Wimberley, TX 78676
suzanne.white@consultant.com
I'm writing to see if any of you on the council may be able to give me some suggestions of
how I could locate a children's book by author Ellie Simmons: Mary Changes Her Clothes.
When I did a web search for the author and title, I fc)und Ellie is included on your Iowa
Avenue Literary Walk.
This book was my oldest daughter Anissa's favorite book for years. Although it didn't
occur to me to get her her own copy 30 years ago, she checked it out (and in) the Fort
Bend County Library over and over -- and over -- again. Now that she has her own
daughter, 1 1/2 year old Harper Elizabeth, I'd love to give her a copy of this now out-of-
print volume for her birthday to share with her book-loving child.
I know this is really a far-fetched attempt to find this out-of-print book, but I just had
to try!
Thanks so much,
Suzanne
1