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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-14 Correspondence11-14-py _~r -` F IOWA CITY--4e'= ~ CITY O ~_...® ~ ~: "°i~i~lr~' ~ M EMS Date: December 10, 2009 To: City Clerk From: Darian Nagle-Gamm, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for December 14th, 2009 City Council meeting; Installation of NO PARKING ANYTIME EXCEPT SATURDAY EVENING AND SUNDAY MORNING signs on the north side of Lower West Branch Road SE, the north side of St. Patrick Drive, the west side of Brentwood Drive, the south side of York Place, and the east side of Broadmoor Lane. As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 36 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 EXCEPT SATURDAY EVENING AND SUNDAY MORNING signs on the north side of Lower West Branch Road SE, the north side of St. Patrick Drive, the west side of Brentwood Drive, the south side of York Place, and the east side of Broadmoor Lane. This action is consistent with parking accommodations for other church locations in Iowa City. Comment: This action is being taken to provide overflow parking for St. Patrick Church's services on Sunday mornings. O N 4 O tt~ ~~ ~'''--d O ~ .~. "-~ ~n - r =gym ~• ~ ~ ~~ z cx~ ~ ~"" ,~ 0 4e(2) Marian Karr From: Regenia Bailey [bailey@avalon.net] Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 10:36 AM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: Parks Commission meeting on disability rights at IC swimming pools, Wed., Dec. 9, 5pm Attachments: Parks Commission Statement.pdf From: Edward Miner [mailto:disability.rights.iowacity@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 9:51 PM To: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; amy-Correia@iowa-city.org; matt-hayek@iowa-city.org; ross-wilburn@iowa- city.org; Connie-champion@iowa-city.org; mike-o'donnell@iowa-city.org Subject: Parks Commission meeting on disability rights at IC swimming pools, Wed., Dec. 9, 5pm Dear friends: For some years, many of our families have benefited from an unofficial policy under which the Iowa City Parks Department would issue a generic, discounted pass for the respite workers or aides that take our special needs relatives and friends to the Iowa City swimming pools. This was something that the late Terry Trueblood, former Parks Department director, instructed his staff to do because he felt it was the right thing to do. He understood very well that many special needs individuals require the support of another individual to access the public swimming pools, and as a matter of principle he made this as financially easy for special needs families as he felt he could. The current Parks department director has now suspended this policy, and full-rate use fees must now be paid for the respite workers whose presence is necessary for many of our special needs loved ones to access the Iowa City swimming pools. In researching this issue, however, I have found that many municipalities DO NOT CHARGE ANY FEE for the aides or attendants that accompany a disabled person to a public swimming pool, on the interpretation that this effectively charges the disabled person TWICE to use the public facility -- and is thereby discriminatory and a violation of Title II of the American with Disabilities Act. At a meeting of the Iowa City Parks & Recreation Commission on Wed., Dec. 9, Spm, at the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center in Iowa City, I will present a proposal to waive use fees for any aide or attendant whose presence is necessary in order for a disabled citizen to use the Iowa City pools. Please find the attached letter to the Parks Commission which lays out the rationale for this request. You and others who are interested in the role that the Iowa City swimming pools will play in the future quality of life of our special needs loved ones are invited to attend this important Parks Commission meeting to let your voice be heard. If you have any questions or comments about the proposal or its background, please contact me (Edward Miner) at disability rights iowacity~a gmail.com, or leave a voicemail at (319)358-7842. Sincerely, Edward A. Miner 12/3/2009 2249 Bancroft Dr. Iowa City, IA 52240 Phone: (319)358-7842 December 1, 2009 To: Iowa City Parks & Recreation Commission Re: Proposal to waive swimming pool use fees for aides of disabled persons Dear Commissioners: I write to the Parks Commission to propose its official adoption of a new policy that would waive use fees for aides or attendants that accompany disabled persons to Iowa City swimming facilities so that the disabled persons may access the facilities. This would be an extension of an unofficial policy the Parks Department maintained for some years under the visionary leadership of Terry Trueblood. That unofficial policy I know has benefited many, many disabled citizens of Iowa City, of all ages and backgrounds -and which I believe existed in the first place because it is consistent with the values and priorities of the Iowa City community and its public institutions. Beyond being the right thing to do, however, it is my contention here that the proposed extension and regularization of the former, unofficial policy is necessary to bring the City of Iowa City into compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA II-3.6100 states: "A public entity must reasonably modify its policies, practices, or procedures to avoid discrimination. If the public entity can demonstrate, however, that the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of its service, program, or activity, it is not required to make the modification". The modification that I hereby request the Parks Commission to make is to waive the swimming pool use fee for aides or attendants, whose services disabled persons obtain through any number of (voluntary, contractual) arrangements and whose assistance is necessary for disabled persons to make use of the public swimming pools. Not waiving the use fee for aides or attendants will impose a burden on disabled citizens that is not imposed on others -effectively charging the disabled citizen twice whereas all other users are charged only once. Acommon-sense interpretation of this burden is that it discriminates against disabled citizens - a violation of the ADA which the Parks Commission is required to address. The Parks and Recreation Department would not be required to modify its policy to avoid discrimination only if it were to create an "undue burden", defined by Title II regulation issued July 26, 1991 by the US Department of Justice (see below) as: (1) an economic burden; (2) an administrative burden; or (3) a fundamental change in the nature of the program. Upon careful consideration, I think that the Commission will see that none of these exceptions apply to the proposed modification of policy. Aides and attendants do not accompany their disabled clients for their own recreational purposes; their only, narrowly circumscribed role is to make it possible for the disabled client to access and use the swimming facility. Under this policy, the City of Iowa City (1) would be losing no revenue for recreational use of the pools; (2) would be suffering no administrative burden that did not already exist under the unofficial policy of the Trueblood administration; and (3) would require no change whatsoever in the nature of the program. In speaking with the Great Plains ADA Technical Assistance Center about this issue, the question was raised as to whether any swimming pool use fees imposed upon aides or attendants might amount to a surcharge. Surcharges are expressly prohibited in ADA II-3.5400, which states: "Although compliance may result in some additional cost, a public entity may not place a surcharge only on particular individuals with disabilities or groups of individuals with disabilities to cover those expenses". In this context, of course, my contention is that any charge placed on an aide or attendant is effectively a charge placed upon their disabled client, as the ordinary expectation under either voluntary or contractual arrangements would be that the disabled client would pay such costs on behalf of their aide or attendant. The current Parks Department director has notified me that the City Attorney's office finds no violation of the ADA in his suspension of his predecessor's unofficial policy -and inane-mail dated November 2, 2009, urged me to contact Sara Greenwood Hektoen with any questions about the finding. On November 30, 2009, I did just that -spoke with Mrs. Hektoen by phone and asked her to articulate to me the basis of her finding -and was told that it would be inappropriate for her to do so. Without the benefit of the City Attorney's reasoning, I am not in a position at this time to tell you how I think they might have misinterpreted ADA rules. Perhaps Mrs. Hektoen or her colleagues will be more forthcoming with members of the Parks Commission should they wish her to address them on the issue. Although I have sought to clarify the choices available to you in this matter within the framework of the ADA, it is not my intention to solely direct the Commission's attention to aspects of legal exposure. The real focus here should be on what best serves the interests of social justice in Iowa City, taking into account our traditions as a community whose public institutions think beyond the legal bottom line to how they can substantively promote diversity and inclusivity. The ADA functions, historically and in the present, as an important tool for thinking through what must be done to achieve these goals. I thank that Commission for its consideration of this proposal, and look forward to discussing it with you. Sin rely, Edward A. Miner ADA TITLE II TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE MANUAL AT http~//www ada Gov/taman2.htm1#II-3.5400 II-3.5400 Surcharges. Although compliance may result in some additional cost, a public entity may not place a surcharge only on particular individuals with disabilities or groups of individuals with disabilities to cover these expenses. ILLUSTRATION: A community college provides interpreter services to deaf students, removes a limited number of architectural barriers, and relocates inaccessible courses and activities to more accessible locations. The college cannot place a surcharge on either an individual. student with a disability (such as a deaf student who benefited from interpreter services) or on groups of students with disabilities (such as students with mobility impairments who benefited from barrier removal). It may, however, adjust its tuition or fees for all students. II-3.6000 Reasonable modifications II-3.6100 General. A public entity must reasonably modify its policies, practices, or procedures to avoid discrimination. If the public entity can demonstrate, however, that the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of its service, program, or activity, it is not required to make the modification. ILLUSTRATION 1: A municipal zoning ordinance requires aset-back of 12 feet from the curb in the central business district. In order to install a ramp to the front entrance of a pharmacy, the owner must encroach on the set-back by three feet. Granting a variance in the zoning requirement may be a reasonable modification of town policy. ILLUSTRATION 2: A county general relief program provides emergency food, shelter, and cash grants to individuals who can demonstrate their eligibility. The application process, however, is extremely lengthy and complex. When many individuals with mental disabilities apply for benefits, they are unable to complete the application process successfully. As a result, they are effectively denied benefits to which they are otherwise entitled. In this case, the county has an obligation to make reasonable modifications to its application process to ensure that otherwise eligible individuals are not denied needed benefits. Modifications to the relief program might include simplifying the application process or providing applicants who have mental disabilities with individualized assistance to complete the process. ILLUSTRATION 3: A county ordinance prohibits the use of golf carts on public highways. An individual with a mobility impairment uses a golf cart as a mobility device. Allowing use of the golf cart as a mobility device on the shoulders of public highways where pedestrians are permitted, in limited circumstances that do not involve a significant risk to the health or safety of others, is a reasonable modification of the county policy. FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER ON ACCESSIBILITY AT http•//www ncaonline.org/index.php?mode/742 UNDUE BURDEN The Title II regulation issued July 26, 1991 by the U.S. Department of Justice identifies three elements of undue burden: economic burden, administrative burden, and fundamental alteration in the nature of the program. ECONOMIC BURDEN If an accommodation would cost much and benefit few, it need not be made. But this is to be narrowly interpreted. The cost of the accommodation is to be compared to the entire budget of the entity, not just the division or program. Therefore, a city parks and recreation department program accommodation would have the cost compared to the entire operating budget of the city. In Barrington Park District, discussed earlier, the cost of the one-to-one staff for 10 hours a week for 20 weeks was around $2,000. The DOI agreed it was not an economic burden. In another decision (Pocantico Hills, New York), the U.S. Department of Education said a $1,300 cost (less than 1 % of budget) for an additional employee in a summer camp program was not an economic burden. Economic burden alone will not apply in the vast majority of accommodations. ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN If it is too difficult to find the expertise to make the necessary accommodation, it need not be made. An example is the use of a sign language interpreter. It is possible that in rural settings, where sign language interpreters are likely to be few and far between, a sport and recreation provider may not be able to secure an interpreter at the time and place necessary. If so, it shall provide other effective accommodations, such as a notetaker, or a script of oral instruction. There is no clear guidance on how hard the entity must try to find, in this example, a sign language interpreter. Again, this provision is to be narrowly interpreted. FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN THE NATURE OF THE ACTIVITY When the accommodation fundamentally changes the nature of the program, it need not be made. The sport of sand volleyball is an example. A player in a wheelchair cannot maneuver in the sand. But, the sand can be paved to allow a player who uses a wheelchair to play volleyball. But then it becomes volleyball, not sand volleyball. Paving the court is not required. Other accommodations though maybe effective. One example is lowering the net and requiring all players to play sit-volleyball. Hint: public entities, if denying an accommodation because it is an undue burden, must make a memo to file that describes the request, why it was denied, and options considered. December 9, 2009 i- ~~G~ 20D9 DEC -9 AK l I ~ 33 Ci~'Y CLERK Dear Mayor Bailey and MembepQ~~ ~~X©ty Council, Partnering for a better `Ee(3 Downtown Association of Iowa City The Downtown Association (DTA) Board of Directors unanimously voted to send you this letter. The City of Iowa City's Summer of the Arts is the umbrella organization for a variety of arts and cultural events, which are widely recognized for providing free, family friendly, events. These events include the Iowa Arts Festival, Iowa City Jazz Festival, Friday Night Concert Series, Free Movie Series and Sand in the City. These events are the premier collection of cultural events in the area. They add greatly to the vibrancy of downtown Iowa City and bring over 100,000 attendees, many of whom are from out of town. Summer of the Arts has an annual budget of $350,000 with one full time employee, one part time employee and a few interns. Its existence is possible because of hundreds of volunteers and the financial support of the City along with other generous supporters and contributors. The return realized by the City on this investment is impressive. It is estimated (using the reliable 2007 research study, Arts & Economic Prosperity IIl) that the total impact of the Summer of the Arts events to the area is $2,194,000.00 and that these events: • create over 60 full time equivalent jobs; ~ pay income to local residents of $1,018,962; • provide revenue to local government of $110,626; and • provide revenue to State Government of $144,257. We realize that the City Council must make certain budget cuts. While at first blush the Arts may be thought of as a place to cut, the reality is that now, more than ever, the Arts need the support of the City. The City's continued funding of Summer of the Arts at the current level is not only justified, but is economically prudent, given the return on this investment. It is also critical for the City to continue to provide support for activities whose primary focus is not alcohol consumption. Summer of the Arts cannot continue to provide the current level of quality events if funding from the City is reduced in any significant amount. A reduction in funding would require Summer of the Arts to consider cutting back or scaling back the festivals and events. Even scaling back the events would have a significant negative impact. A large number of attendees travel to Iowa City for the events and would not be willing to do that if the events and festivals are scaled back. 325 E. Washington Street • Suite 100 • Iowa City, IA • 52240 • 354-0863 • dtaiowacity@gmail.com Summer of the Arts staff, its numerous volunteers and donors, are committed to do their part including the hard work, marketing and fund development required to continue bringing the highest quality events and festivals to Iowa City. The City's financial support is critical to the continued success of Summer of the Arts. The DTA urges the City Council to continue supporting Summer of the Arts at its current level. Thank you for your continued support of downtown, which is the heart of the City. Respectfully submitted, Leah Cohen, President, DTA On behalf of the DTA Board of Directors co ~ o --~ ~~ ~-~ ~ r ~~ a~ ~. _ ~ ~ .. w w 325 E. Washington Street • Suite 100 • Iowa Ciry, IA • 52240 • 354-0863 • dtaiowaciry@gmail.com Marian Karr From: Mark Ginsberg [mark@mcginsberg.com) Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 2:50 PM To: Council Cc: SotA Subject: Summer of the Arts This correspondence will become a public record. Councilors: Arts and culture-related industries, also known as 3creative industries,' provide direct economic benefits to states and communities: They create jobs, attract investments, generate tax revenues, and stimulate local economies through tourism and consumer purchases. These industries also provide an array of other benefits, such as infusing other industries with creative insight for their products and services and preparing workers to participate in the contemporary workforce. In addition, because they enhance quality of life, the arts and culture are an important complement to community development, enriching local amenities and attracting young professionals to an area. Community leaders as well as private citizens recognize the importance of the creative sector to their state and local economies and ability to compete in the global marketplace. A number of factors underscore the connection between economic competitiveness and creativity. For example: • Creative and new media industries are growing in number and playing increasingly prominent economic and social roles (ie: recording studies, film production, podcasting and global webcasts) . Companies) decisions about where to locate their businesses often are influenced by factors such as the ready availability of a creative workforce and the quality of life to employees; Arts and culture can play a major role in community development and redevelopment by creating new jobs as well as fostering an environment and amenities that attract young workers; and • Tourism centered on arts and culture can contribute to state and local economic growth by providing a diversified and sustainable means for creating jobs and attracting revenue. For these reasons and many more, Summer of the Arts (providing our community with free world class festivals and entertainment) deserves an ongoing investment by our council at least at the current level of $60,000 per fiscal year. By continuing your investment in Summer of the Arts and incorporating arts and culture into your economic development plans, Iowa City continues to reap numerous benefits- economic, social, civic and cultural-that help generate a more stable, creative workforce; new tourism; and a more livable Iowa City. Thank you, Mark Ginsberg M.C. Ginsberg, Inc. 110 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 4e 4 Marian Karr From: WalkerCL04@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 11:04 AM To: Council Cc: tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us Subject: Senior Center Commission appointment -- county representative To the City Council and the Acting City Manager: Re: Senior Center Commission member: Sarah Maiers (At-Large) 1/1/2007 12/31/2009 On December 31, 2009, the term for Senior Center Commission member Sarah Maiers expires. Though the city council allowed the appointment of the county position on the Senior Center Commission to be made by only by the members of the commission, I hope that you will seriously reconsider that bad decision. When you relinquished that appointment decision, you allowed Senior Center Commission Chairman Jay Honahan to add Sarah Maiers. Sarah who, besides being an officer at US Bank, she is also listed as an attorney in the Honohan law firm. htt~//p_v_.iew.find law.com/view/2271401 1 That close business relationship gives the potential for Mr. Honohan to have extra weight on that commission. It is very unlikely that the other members of the commission will end that close alliance at the next Commission meeting when Sarah's reappointment could be on the agenda. That position should not be controlled by the few people on that commission. This close business relationship between Jay Honohan and Sarah Maiers could influence the very serious Senior Center Gift Fund decision that will be made at the December commission meeting. You have to keep in mind that as few as three people on that commission can pass a resolution if some members are absent. That important financial Gift Fund matter deserves close attention from the Iowa City financial and legal staff too. Mr. Honohan is proposing some very controversial changes regarding gifts made to the Senior Center. Please at least consider reviewing the bad decision that the City Council made about how the appointment is made for the county representative on the Senior Center Commission. Charlotte Walker Member of the Senior Center Commission 12/1/2009 Page 1 of 2 Marian Karr From: Eve Casserly [Casserly@mchsi.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 11:11 AM To: WalkerCL04@aol.com; Council Cc: tneuzil@co.johnson.ia.us Subject: Re: Senior Center Commission appointment -- county representative As a once upon a time former county BOS appointee to the Iowa City Senior Commission, I support the position taken in this letter written by Senior Center Commission Member Charlotte Walker to the Iowa City Council and City Manager. Eve Casserly Coralville At 12:03 PM 12/1/2009 -0500, WalkerCL04@aol.com wrote: To the City Council and the Acting City Manager: Re: Senior Center Commission member: Sarah Maiers (At-Large) 1/1/2007 12/31/2009 On December 31, 2009, the term for Senior Center Commission member Sarah Maiers expires. Though the city council allowed the appointment of the county position on the Senior Center Commission to be made by only by the members of the commission, I hope that you will seriously reconsider that bad decision. When you relinquished that appointment decision, you allowed Senior Center Commission Chairman Jay Honahan to add Sarah Maiers. Sarah who, besides being an officer at US Bank, she is also listed as an attorney in the Honohan law firm. htt~_/~view.find Iaw.com/view/2271401 1 That close business relationship gives the potential for Mr. Honohan to have extra weight on that commission. It is very unlikely that the other members of the commission will end that close alliance at the next Commission meeting when Sarah's reappointment could be on the agenda. That position should not be controlled by the few people on that commission. This close business relationship between Jay Honohan and Sarah Maiers could influence the very serious Senior Center Gift Fund decision that will be made at the December commission meeting. You have to keep in mind that as few as three people on that commission can pass a resolution if some members are absent. That important financial Gift Fund matter deserves close attention from the Iowa City financial and legal staff too. Mr. Honohan is proposing some very controversial changes regarding gifts made to the Senior Center. 12/ 1 /2009 Page 2 of 2 Please at least consider reviewing the bad decision that the City Council made about how the appointment is made for the county representative on the Senior Center Commission. Charlotte Walker Member of the Senior Center Commission 12/1/2009 4e 5 Marian Karr From: John Darnauer [johndarnauer@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 6:24 AM To: Council Subject: Mayor Selection Broadcast Greetings to the Council: As a newcomer to Iowa City, I am interested in its local government. Our book/discussion club was discussing the mayoral selection process coming up shortly. Most of us come from elsewhere and unfamiliar with the process in which citizens don't elect the mayor. We would like to see the process broadcast on the cable channel so we can discuss later. I just wanted to write and confirm that the meeting will be taped for broadcast to the citizens. Thanks so much and best wishes. John Darnauer Iowa City 12/3/2009 12-14-09 Daily Iowan: Article and Editorial about Alcohol 4@ ~ Marian Karr From: Donald G. Thompson [dthompson@bradleyriley.com] Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 11:11 AM To: Council Subject: Daily Iowan: Article and Editorial about Alcohol Dear City Council Members: I'm sure others have contacted you about the excellent article Danny Valentine wrote in The Daily Iowan that was published today. There is also a thoughtful editorial on the same subject. I believe the editorial boards' suggestion that the focus of law enforcement be on public intoxication rather than PAULA is worth considering. I've never understood how the ped mall could be crowded with seriously intoxicated people who have been drinking in the downtown bars. It's illegal to serve an intoxicated person in a bar and public intoxication is a crime. If law enforcement and could enforce these two laws and the holders of liquor licenses lost their licenses for serving intoxicated patrons, I believe we'd make substantial gains in controlling binge drinking at the downtown bars. If law enforcement could enforce the law so that bar owners rarely served an intoxicated patron, we'd have fewer bars downtown. With the level of intoxication that is evident at these establishments, it's seems obvious that the profits of some are driven by the ability to serve intoxicated patrons. I know that all of you are concerned about this issue. The University of Iowa is obviously concerned as well. Thank you for your efforts. I hope you will consider an approach focused on enforcing laws relating to public intoxication and bars serving intoxicated patrons. Donald G. Thompson Attorney BRADLEY & RILEY PC ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS Office Address One South Gilbert Street . Iowa City, Iowa 52240-3914 Phone: (319) 358-5568 Fax: (319) 358-5560 Mailing Address 2007 First Avenue SE PO Box 2804 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406-2804 VCard I Email I LinkedIn I www.bradleyriley.com Please consider the enviro~une~~t t~efore Pr~infing this email. Notice: Since email messages sent between you and Bradley 8 Riley PC and its employees are transmitted over the Internet, Bradley & Riley PC cannot assure that such messages are secure. You should be careful in transmitting information to Bradley & Riley PC that you consider confidential. If you are uncomfortable with such risks, you may decide not to use a-mail to communicate with Bradley & Riley PC. This message is covered by the 12/7/2009 4e 7 ATTENTION: CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS As a matter of public record the new Northside Historic District has as its southern border the alley one-half block north of East Bloomington Street. The signage indicating the southern border of the new Northside Historic District on North Linn Street was correctly placed this summer at the alley one-half block north of Bloomington. Also earlier this past summer the signage indicating the southern border of the new Northside Historic District was placed on north Gilbert Street appropriately one-half block north of Bloomington at the alley. However, sometime in late August 2009 the signage indicating the southern edge of the new Northside Historic District on north Gilbert Street was erroneously moved approximately one- halfblock south, close to the intersection of Bloomington and North Gilbert. We the undersigned owners of commercial property along North Gilbert are urging the City Council to immediately instruct the City staff to move the signage indicating the southern border of the new Northside Historic District on North Gilbert Street back one-half block north to the alley where it should appropriately be placed. Sincerely, John Log (Russ' N 305 N. G ~~ ie Service) St. ~~ Pat Fisher 315 N. Gilbert St. 311 N. Gilbert St. John Kammermeyer, M.D. (Iowa City Allergy & Asthma Clinic) 404 E Bloomington St. o ra 0 ~° ~~' D ~ ° c~-~ "~"~ .~ c'7 -t =ica ~ "~ ~.... =urn ~ ~~ N ~ _ City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: December 10, 2009 To: City Council From: Christina Kuecker, Associate Planner(` RE: Historic District Signs In late July and early August, new signs marking Iowa City's Historic and Conservation Districts were installed. Planning Staff provided the maps of the districts with the instruction that the signs should be placed as close to the district entrances as possible. In most cases, the signs are located on the boundary lines, but this was not possible in all locations. The Street Department used their judgment to position the signs where the sign would not inhibit site distance, would not interfere with existing signs, and would be not disturb existing utilities, while still being as close to the district boundary as possible. To save the expense of installing new signposts the Street Department uses existing signposts where possible. The Northside Historic District was adopted by Council in May and signs were put in place in July/August. Prior to this, no signs marked the Northside Historic District. The Gilbert Street location referred to by Dr. Kammermeyer, Mr. Fisher, and Mr. Logan is the closest available existing signpost available before the entry of the Northside Historic District. 4e 8 Marian Karr From: dennis kowalski [mayflyd@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 10:31 AM To: Council Subject: taxes Dear Council, I admit that I don't know the intricacies of the city budget, however since moving here in 2002, many house have been built, meaning more tax revenue, which I suspect would help cover the extra needed firemen. Regarding more police.This of course is in retrospect and does not solve the current problem, but reflects the lack of planning of current and past councils. First, a bar town was let happen by what I perceive as a milk toast mentality, requiring more police for the drunk and disorderly. Second, without an apparent strategy and the same milk toast mentality, a ghetto was created causing increased crime and requiring more police. Since I've moved here I have taken the Greyhound back and forth from Chicago on many occasions and progressively saw what was happening. Perhaps you guys should try the Greyhound sometime. One at a time though for full effect. I think it's time for the fuzzy activists, both here and in Chicago to get real. It's a tough world out there. They, the activists usually burn out in a few years and then the regular citizens a left to deal with the consequences. Recently, while visiting a friend in Portage Park, Chicago, which since I've known it in the 60's has been a good solid working class neighborhood. The neighborhood is changing, Hispanic gangs are moving in- House values are dropping and taxes are going up, while Mayor Daley, creates a shopping mall and tourist attraction for the affluent, that live and visit within a mile of the lake. But, that's another story. And that's what it's all about. My friend is stuck. Cheers! Dennis Kowalski 1932 Hafor Dr. 12/8/2009 (~~ POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD A Board of the City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 (319)356-5041 December 11, 2009 Mayor Regenia Bailey 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor and Council Members: At the December 11, 2009 meeting, the PCRB voted in open session to request a 45-day extension regarding the reporting deadline for the Public Report according to the City Code for PCRB Complaint #09-04 for the following reasons: • Due to timelines, and scheduling • Public Report presently due December 17, 2009 45-day Extension request -Report would be due on February 1, 2010 The Board appreciates your prompt consideration of this matter. Sincerely, ~o~~.~ K~ Donald King, Chair Police Citizens Review Board cc: City Attorney i -~, ~ POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD A Board of the City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 (319)356-5041 December 11, 2009 Mayor Regenia Bailey 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor and Council Members: At the December 11, 2009 meeting, the PCRB voted in open session to request a 60-day extension regarding the reporting deadline for the Public Report according to the City Code for PCRB Complaint #09-05 for the following reasons: • Due to timelines, and scheduling • Public Report presently due January 8, 2010 60-day Extension request -Report would be due on March 9, 2010 The Board appreciates your prompt consideration of this matter. Sincerely, ,ter Oncc.l..~~ )~~ Donald King, Chair Police Citizens Review Board cc: City Attorney