HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-16 Correspondencer
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Date: November 16th, 2010
To: City Clerk
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From: Darian Nagle-Gamm, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for the November 16th, 2010 City Council meeting; Installation of two bus stop signs
for northbound the southeast corner of the ntersect on oftS ott (Boulevard and Freedom
stop located on
Court.
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 so thboun)d traffic) and remove bu estop to ated on5t a south B st corner of
both northbound and
the intersection of Scott Boulevard and Freedom Court.
Comment:
This action is being taken at the request of the Transportation Services department.
~:,_„®~ CITY OF IOWA CITY 4e(2)
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Date: November 16`h, 2010
To: City Clerk
From: Darian Nagle-Gamm, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for th a esvand establishOmenClof parking metelr germsaontlthe 800 bltocktof South
parking sp
Clinton Street
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 (17), Establish four additional parking meters, CL810S, CL812S,
CL814S, and CL816S on the east side of the 800 block of South Clinton Street. These meters
will each have a 2-hour term at the rate of $0.50 per hour.
Comment:
This action is being taken to provide on-street metered parking for customers of the new
Johnson County Administration building on the 800 block of South Clinton Street. This action is
being taken at the request of the Parking Division.
4e 3
Marian Karr
From: Date Helling
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 5:45 PM
To: 'C1jewell@aol.com'
Cc: Council
Subject: RE: I need a reply, please!
Dear Ms. Jewell,
Thank you for your recent email messages to the City Council regarding property tax relief
and low income real estate tax credits. Council has received your messages of September 9
and 11 and October 7. Your most recent email will be forwarded to Council and received as
official correspondence on the consent agenda of an upcoming regular Council meeting. A
copy of this response will also be included.
Please allow me to provide some information that I hope you will find beneficial. I'm
sorry it took this long to get a response to you. However, I did want to be sure I was
able to obtain accurate information before responding.
From your early messages it appears that your mother has applied for and receives an
Elderly Tax Credit (about $200 in 2007) that she applied for through the County
Treasurer's office and which has been approved by the Iowa Department of Revenue. It is my
understanding that there are varying levels of credits that can be obtained through this
program on a sliding scale based on the applicant's income and other assets.
I have also learned that a low income tax payer can apply for a suspension of their
property taxes to be paid later at such time as the real estate in question is sold or
transfers ownership. This benefit may be applied for through the Department of Human
Services. Eligibility for this program is also based on both income and the presence of
other assets.
Finally, one can apply for a property tax abatement which must ultimately be approved by
the County Board of Supervisors. Once again, not only income but also the existence of
other financial assets are both taken into account.
Please be advised that these programs are governed by State law. The City Council has no
authority to grant property tax credits or exemptions pursuant to any of these programs.
You may wish to inquire further about your mother's eligibility for either the suspension
or abatement program. It appears that any other relief would have to come about as a
result of action either by the appropriate State administering agency or by the State
legislature.
I realize this doesn't necessarily offer a solution to your mother's specific situation,
but I hope you find the information helpful.
Sincerely,
Dale Helling
Interim City Manager
cc. City Council
--Original Message-----
From: Cljewell@aol.com [mailto:Cljewell@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2010 9:32 AM
To: Council
Subject: I need a reply, please!
1
I sent 3 emails, requesting that the council consider a higher low-income real estate tax
credit. I caught most of your 10/26 meeting and didn't see this on the agenda. What is
going on with you folks??? Please call me.
Number is below.
Cynthia Jewell
cljewell@aol.com
319/354-2357</HTML>
2401 Hwy 6 E
Marian Karr
From: Borchardt, Tim [TBorchardt@iacna.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 7:57 AM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: RE: 2401 Hwy 6 E
Sorry Marian !
Tim Borchardt
52 Regal In
Iowa City
From: Marian Karr [mailto:Marian-Karr@iowa-city.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 7:51 AM
To: Borchardt, Tim
Subject: RE: 2401 Hwy 6 E
7 1-7 ti-7 U
4e 4
Thank you for your correspondence. Council has established a policy that they do not accept
correspondence that does not include the full name of the sender. I am unable to distribute this
correspondence without that information. Please resubmit with a full name.
Marian K. Karr, CMC/MMC
City of Iowa City
319-356-5041 (Phone)
319-356-5497 (FAX)
Population 62,380
From: Borchardt, Tim [mailto:TBorchardt@iacna.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 5:48 AM
To: Council
Subject: 2401 Hwy 6 E
This correspondence will become a public record.
When will the council do something about this complex?
According to criminal complaints, Iowa City Police were called to Dolphin Lake Point Enclave,
2401 Highway 6, at 9:40 p.m. Monday. Security officers at the complex reported loud noise and
a fight going on inside apartment 2806, police said.
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10/27/2010
Hayes Lorenzen Lawyers
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James P. Hayes
Karen A. Lorenzen*
October 22, 2010
City Council
City of Iowa City
410 E Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Members of the Council:
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The Court Street group of neighbors who have been concerned about
traffic problems on our section of Court Street, met Sunday afternoon,
September 26, 2010, at my house. The file at the Civic Center
documents our efforts to obtain relief over the course of several years.
The general attitude was frustration and unhappiness as we reviewed
the enclosed memo of June 22, 2009, from Kent Ralston to the Council.
We do not understand why periodic traffic enforcement on our portion
of Court Street has seemingly ceased, and why the embargo on truck
traffic, currently at 16 ton, cannot be made more stringent. On page 2
of Mr. Ralston's memo, lines 3 and 4, he states, "Further reducing truck
traffic on Court Street may also have the undesired effect of increasing
truck traffic on adjacent residential streets. We are puzzled as to why
the City would choose to concentrate semi trucks and other large
vehicles on Court Street alone, rather than spreading the amount
evenly on "adjacent residential streets"?
Several neighbors at the Sunday meeting wondered about the
utilization of speed bumps such as have been installed on Kimball
Road? Also; we continue to urge that at least a portion of Court Street
be repaved with the existent underlying bricks.
Suite 580
Plaza Centre One
125 S. Dubuque Street
Iowa City, IA 52240-5678
Phone: 319 887 3688
Fax: 319 887 3687
jhayes@hlplc.com
klorenzen@hlplc.com
* Alro admitted isz Florida
Page 2
October 22, 2010
It is our understanding that the Council will meet informally this fall to
discuss brick streets among other things. I'm sure that a number of the
neighbors would like to be present for that council work session. I'd
appreciate being made aware of the date for such session, and I will
notify the neighbors.
We thank you for your interest, and with kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely,
James P. Hayes
JPH/cag
Enclosure
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Date: June 22, 2009 ~ ,. , _
To: City Council
ton JCCOG Assistant Transportation Planner. .. - -
_ _ From:- ----- Kent Rals_ . ~-- - .. _..--- --~- - ~- - -- -
Re: 'Neighborhood petition regarding Court Street traffic concerns
in February 2409, CoudcSumm St eetttexpress ngdongo ng conceornssegard ngdt affic speeds
Muscatine Avenue an
and volumes in their neighborhood. Council re~aeS eand careless traifficf in her Ineighborh od.
regarding. concerns about "increasingly heavy,
to response,. Council agreed to implement the following actions: .
An ordinance was approved to embargo large trucks on East Court Street between
Muscatine Avenue and Summit Street.
The Police Department was directed to conduct periodic traffic enforcement on this
portion of Court Street.
Despite these efforts, residents rc ions: 1c Conduca any updatedctraffichand a c dent study, 2)
requested the following additional a )
Lower the. existing truck embargo from 16 tons 'to 5 tans, and 3} Repave a portion of Court
Street with brick.
Following is an assessment of the stated requests.
Conduct an updated traffic and accident std
Traffic counts were reco ded May 6-8; 2009 and compared to similar counts recorded May 10-
12, 2006.Westbound 85 percentile speeds (uphill) decreased approximately 2 moximatelN 32
recorded at 30 mph. Eastboundo8ded on thiseportiondsof Court Street gate typipal for collector
mph.85 percentile speeds re
streets in Iowa City; approximately 5 mph over the speed limit. Overall average traffic volumes
on Court Street have increased slightly since 2005 and collision data shows 4 collisions from
2006-2008; this is not a high collision rate for a collector street.
The ~ Iowa City Police Dep dlrectedhbs Coutlc It Captagn tMatt Johnson fnd cted~o us that from
portion of Court Street as y strolled 54 times- During that time Police wrote 17
April 29 -May 8, 2009 the area was p
violations and issued 19 warnings.
Lower the existin truck embar o from 16 tons to 5 tons
Traffic counts recorded S rn 6 Streeo hasdifncreased since counts wereorecosded ti bMay of
Muscatine Avenue and
2006; smaller trucks (u rof 1u1419n truck tgraffic odm 2005 2006 fol owing the establ shment of the
increase comes after a b
existing truck embargo. eed totbe psi ed w6th considerableetraffccenforcement torhavesthe
by residents, it would n
desired effect. The limit may also be problematic since many smaller medium duty truc s
(FedEx, UPS, Landscaping trucks etc.) would easily exceed the 5 ton limit, and would not be
June 22, 2009
Page 2
able to effectively service the neighbofiood. Providing a special exception to these types of
vehicles and not others, as suggested by the neighborhood, would be difficult to implement and
questionable from ~a legal standpoint. Further reducing truck traffic on Court. Street may also
have the undesired affec# of increasing truck traffic on adjacent residential streets.
Repave a portion of Court Street with brick
Court Street between Muscatine Avenue and Summit Street is currently asphalt with a brick
_ _~t~~-b.~~.,_.Ihe._r~1la~st. t4 .reclaim. th.~ bzi_ck p~~r_s .acid reizave._a.Il.Qr_.a._portion_of .the _stc~et_wi#h
brick, from a transportation engineering perspective, is not the preferred alternative to reduce
traffic speeds in the area. Repaving Court Street with brick may be aesthetically pleasing but
would not likely calm traffic. The merits of resurfacing streets with brick in residential areas
should.be carefully considered as traffic on this type of paving creates considerab{y more noise
and vibration than concrete or asphalt paving. Based on the Church Street project, the
Engineering Department has provided aball-park cost estimate of $1.1 million to repave this
portion of Court Street with brick.
lt. appears that increased police enforcement has had an impact on vehicle speeds as was
intended (see attached maps).The existing truck embargo seems to have abated additional
large truck traffic after being implemented in 2005..However, since that time the number of
smaller trucks, not affected by the embargo, has increased.
This portion of Court Street meets all but one criterion to qualify for traffic calming in the City's
adopted Traffic Calming Program. The Program indicates that traffic calming should not be
implemented in corridors exceeding 3,000 vehicles per day; in 2009, this portion of Court Street
carried approximately 3,800 vehicles per day. Should the Council wish to relax the criterion for
the maximum number of vehicles per day, the neighborhood could petition for traffic calming
measures. We caution Council against relaxing this standard for Court Street for several
reasons: 1) traffic speeds on Court Street are not excessive compared to similar streets, 2)
traffic may be diverted to adjacent neighborhood streets, such as Center Street and Sheridan
Avenue, and 3) traffic calming, if not used properly, can frustrate motorists leading to unsafe
and irrational behavior.
Please let me know if there is a majority of the Council that wishes to proceed with any of the
initiatives requested by the residents of Court Street.
cc: Helling
Davidson
Yapp
Fosse
Knoche
Johnson
Jim Hayes F_,~
Jccogtp/rnemos/courtsl.doc
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410 E. Washington Street i ;;~ '. , . a ~; ( ', , -_ _ :v
Iowa City, Iowa 52240 ~ ~ ~;t
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Reduction of Traffic ~
Dear Council:
Begiru-ing im 2005 the residents of Court Street between Muscatine~and Summit submitted a
petitioxk requesting review of alternatx've measures that could be takea- to slovv~ th~± traffic on
Court S.kt'eet. •Since that time; the City. has enacted an embargo on iaige trucks and coriduct~d
periodic traffic enforcement on this portion of the street. Despite these actions, traffic continues
to b e a ,problem on this street.
We would like to address the nei.ghbarhood problem again and see if it can resolve the situation
by taking the following steps:
1. Conduct an updated traffic and accident survey. The most recent data is from 2006-
2007. Since that time, the major project on Highway 1 or Dodge Street has been
completed and large trucks should be diverted to Scott Boulevazd.
2, Lower the tonnage limit for the.street to 5 tons and set up traffic enforcement:
The curient 16 ton unlit is still an open invitation to large trucks to use the street as a
pass through. Special exceptions can be made foI CJPS, FED EX and other daily delivery
services as well as moving companies. However, beverage distributors, building
materials/lumber yard trucks, tractor trailers and other delivery trucks'should be.
notified in writing of the embargo on the street and the consequences of noncompliance.
3. Conduct a study to determine fhe timeline and costs to ~eciairn fire brick patters and
reconstruct the street Reclaiming the brick street is wlittt the neighborhood wants and
falls right into line with tl1e City's historic preservatiozt plan which states, "Re-eiCamine
city policy regarding brick streets to assure proteet~n and funding:afe iri place for
conserving and restoring significant areas both inside end outside of k~istoric and
conservation districts:'
We believe the Church Street project demonstrates the benefits of using brick paving for traffic
control. Furthermore, we believe that the Church Street project, Iowa Avenue brick paving
project a_nd all future reclamation projects will demonstra#e that brick streets provide along-
lasting and cost-efficient road surface. Brick streets are one way to improve the infrastructure.
Court Street presents the perfect opportunity for the City of Iowa City to study/ demonstrate a
reclamation of a brick street by removing asphalt from one-third to one-half of a block between
Summit and Muscatine Streets. ' We believe that this project will be embraced by the people of
Iowa City as it reflects the community's concern with Green Awareness and recycling.
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Marian Karr
From: Joel Wilcox [jfwilcox@gmail.com)
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 10:19 PM
To: Council
Cc: Jeff Davidson; Marcia Bollinger
Subject: Taft Speedway/Idyllwild flood mitigation project
Dear Iowa City Council:
Congratulations on the successful proposals which have brought funds into the community
for flood mitigation efforts. My wife, Cathy, and I are neighborhood coordinators for the
Peninsula neighborhood, which in addition to the named area, includes Idyllwild and the
Taft Speedway St homes. Our family has a foot on both sides of Taft Speedway because we
live on the Taft Speedway side while my mother, Betty Jo Wilcox, lives in Idyllwild. With
vested interests in a solution that is best for the entire neighborhood, we look forward
to participating in planning for a solution that will both protect Idyllwild and preserve
the beauty that draws people to both sides of Taft Speedway to live. We hope that you
will call on us and all of our neighbors to participate in discussion. We are all deeply
invested in the outcome.
We were heartened to learn in discussion with Jeff Davidson, Director of Planning and City
Development, that all options are on the table because the original proposal was
disappointing to many of us in proposing only an earthen levee. We know that other
options were considered that would be less invasive and life-changing to us and to the
environs, and one of those options has been adopted by the University of Iowa for its
flood protection strategy, namely, Hesco barriers. I hope that since all options are on
the table you will consider adopting a neutral phrase for the project, like "flood
mitigation project" instead of a name that lumps the project in with the other levee
projects or creates the impression that an earthen levee is the only, or even the default,
option.
We look forward with great interest to learning about communication and planning for this
project and thank you in advance for the opportunity to participate.
Yours respectfully,
Joel Wilcox
119 Taft Speedway St.
4e 7
Marian Karr
From: denise swartzendruber [ddruber@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 2:10 PM
To: Council
Subject: Tammara Meester
To counsil of Iowa City;
I'm writng in behalf of Pet Central Station and Tammara Meester alllegations. I've
been there on numerous occasions and she is been falsely accused of all of the
above. She goes way above and beyond to save any adoptable dog or cat that
has come from my shelter in Burlington, IA. She gives them vet care that we
cannot give and I truly believe she is being forced out of the field of work that she
is so compassionate with. If, we had more of Tammara in this world animals
would be placed in loving homes, rather than more statistics of how many
animals are euthanized and not even given a chance. I'm begging you to
reconsider and do more investigating on how much time she spends with vets
and the money she spends on vet care.
The last thing she does is neglect or is cruel to any animal unlike a Misha
Goodman that is a very poor example for Iowa City Animal control.
Thank you for your time,
Denise Swartzendruber
10/27/2010
4e 8
Marian Karr
From: Rick Fosse
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 1:36 PM
To: bradley Jones@uiowa.edu
Cc: Council; Ron Knoche
Subject: Scott Boulevard
Mr. Jones:
We are pleased to hear that you are enjoying the new asphalt on Scott Boulevard. That project was
designed to extend the pavement life and provide relief to the neighborhood from the noise of traffic
thumping over the deteriorating joints. Thanks for letting us know that it made a noticeable difference
You are correct that Taft Avenue will be the next north-south arterial street constructed on the east edge
of Iowa City; however we do not expect it to be constructed in the near future. The project is not currently
in our 5-year Capital Program. The actual schedule will depend on the rate of development along the
corridor. Once started, it may still take a number of years to complete. For example, it took 10 years to
complete a series of three projects to construct Scott Boulevard from Hwy 6 to Rochester Avenue. Also,
please keep in mind that after Taft Avenue is complete, Scott Boulevard will still carry a number of trucks
from the BDI and Scott Six industrial parks.
Again, thanks for letting us know you like the new asphalt. Please let me know if you have any additional
questions.
Rick Fosse
Public Works Director
From: Jones, Bradley [mailto:bradley-Jones@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2010 12:13 PM
To: Council
Cc: Ron Knoche
Subject:
Hello!
My name is Brad Jones and I live at 88 Heron Circle. My property backs up to Scott Blvd near Rochester
Ave. The city recently resurfaced Scott Blvd with asphalt which I wanted to acknowledge and thank for
the huge difference that it has made in the reduction of noise pollution that was being generated by
passing semi-trucks and cars. It has made a great difference in our quality of fife when outside (and even
inside)! I have also heard rumors that it won't be long until Taft Avenue becomes the new Truck Route for
trucking traffic into Iowa City and I was wondering if that is scheduled and, if so, how soon that might
occur. I believe that would continue to increase our enjoyment of our neighborhood, greatly lessen truck
noise that we often hear in the early hours of the morning as well as late at night, and increase the safety
of those traveling on or near Scott Blvd.
Thanks for your attention.
Brad Jones
88 Heron Circle
Iowa City, Iowa 52245
11/1/2010
11-16-10
4e 9
First Christian Church
(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
900 Lincolnshire Place • Coralville, Iowa 52241-3615 70~~Nfl~ _g PM ~: ~4.
Office Phone: (319) 337-4181 • Fax: (319) 354-3255
Nov a s ~o~a
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Ross Wilburn ~ ~ ~`"~ ~;
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Ross,
I'm writing as the current President of the Consultation of Religious Communities of
Johnson County to personally thank you for your support of putting the Sanctuary City
Ordinance on the Council's agenda. Thank you again, also, for meeting with
representatives of the Sanctuary City Steering Committee prior to the Council work
session. Many people, I believe, will misunderstand a Sanctuary City Ordinance as an
attempt to hinder law enforcement rather than as the freeing of law enforcement to
concentrate our resources to maximize safety and security in our community, so I believe
we have some community education to do. I also expect that the ordinance the Council
will eventually draft will have broad and deep support.
Gratefully, / r ~ ~
'd~4~i~r~~~G2~-~i`~ti /
o n McKinstry
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Schueler, Kerry E [kerry-schueler@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 6:53 AM
To: Council
Subject: meeting agenda for tomorrow
Dear Council Members,
I recently heard that you would be considering the issue of making Iowa City a santuary city. When
taking on this issue, I hope you will realize the financial implications of this if it ever comes to pass. I
lived in San Diego for 20 years and witnessed first hand what happens. First, maternity wards at
hospitals were forced to close their doors. Is our city and state prepared to take on the extra burden of
providing free medical care? When a mother shows up at a hospital and is in labor, doctors are required
to provide treatment regardless of whether they will be paid or not.
Second, can our school system accomadate hundreds of students more? Do we have a significant
surplus at ICCSD? I hope so, because more teachers will be needed. Teachers will need to take spanish
classes. These students will be on the free and reduced lunch program, I'm guessing, since we'll be a
sanctuary city.
Why exactly do you think this would be a good idea? California is bankrupt for these very reasons. 25%
of their population is illegal. The state could not absorb the financial burden. That is what we would be
facing here in Iowa City.
Lastly, how can you consider making a conscious decision to break the law? It is not lawful to harbor
illegal aliens.
Regards
Kerry Schueler, Concerned Citizen
10/27/2010
Marian Karr
From: Schueler, Kerry E [kerry-schueler@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 8:30 AM
To: Council
Subject: Sanctuary City
Dear Council Members,
I am writing in regards to an item that you are addressing at your next meeting. This is
the issue of allowing Iowa City to become a sanctuary city. I have already expressed some
of my concerns via e-mail. I cannot stress enough what a burden this would be to our
school system. As it is, we cannot keep up with the rate of growth we have experienced in
recent years. We are in desperate need of a third high school, yet we cannot afford that.
Parents are required to pay textbook rental fees, buy copy paper, and pay extra fees for
elective courses. I moved from California and saw first hand the impact that sanctuary
cities have on schools. Many children of illegal immigrants are legal citizens and
therefore can attend public schools, yet their parents do not support the schools
sufficiently with tax dollars. California schools do not have formal physical education,
art, or music teachers. When we moved from San Diego five years ago, they had begun to
fire the librarians due to lack of funds. The libraries were going to be run by parent
volunteers and PTO members. Many of the children entering school could not speak english.
Therefore significant money was required to be spent to train elementary education teacher
to speak spanish more fluently. All of these things would strain our school district and
reduce the quality of education of our children. Many physical education,
music librarians, and art teachers would eventually find themselves unemployed.
I hope you will research the impact of this issue thoroughly. Apparently you have not
done that yet, or it would not be on your agenda in the first place.
Regards,
Kerry Schueler
SANCTUARY CITY?? Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Smothers, Elizabeth [liz-smothers@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 3:12 PM
To: Council
Subject: SANCTUARY CITY??
Are you people for real? Is the Iowa City City Council actually paid to consider not
following the law by adopting a loophole for illegal immigrants so they can remain here
illegally and without prosecution? You want to consider making Iowa City a Sanctuary
City? Why not? We offer gangs and common thugs a place to live that other cities in
nearby states will not tolerate. We give panhandlers old parking meters so people can
give them money to live because having to actually work for a living would be such a
drag for them.
I think that if Iowa City becomes a Sanctuary City, we better consider allowing sanctuary
for gangs loops, we do that already). Let's just let everyone out of jail and have them
live in Iowa City because Iowa City will provide a sanctuary for them.
Who comes up with these ideas? Are you high? It simply blows my mind that you
spend your time thinking of all these idiot ideas when you could AND SHOULD actually
be doing something PRODUCTIVE.
Sanctuary City. Oh my God. What will you come up with next?
Liz Smothers
2376 Jordan Creek Road NE
Solon, IA 52333
This correspondence will become a public record.
10/26/2010
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Carolyn walker [nuwalker99@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 11:56 AM
To: Council
Subject: sanctuary city
Council members, I just heard on the news that the Iowa City council is considering making
Iowa City a sanctuary city. Please think long and hard on this matter. I work daily with illegal
immigrants, and while they are for the most part nice people, they are non the less illegal, and
they drain our resources like no other. I feel sorry for their plight, but the tax money that it costs
to support them is incredible. I see them draining millions of health care dollars that not only
cost the tax payers, but takes that very government assistance away from the citizens. Our tax
base is already extremely high. I am extremely concerned with this thought of making this a
sanctuary city. To me this is asking for trouble and setting the city up for increased difficulties.
Thanks. C Walker
10/26/2010
4e 10
Marian Karr
From: Regenia Bailey [bailey@avalon.net]
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 6:35 PM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: Thank You
From: DeJong, Gabriel L [mailto:gabriel-dejong@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 12:27 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Cc: matt-hayek@iowa-city.org; ross-Wilburn@iowa-city.org; regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; susan-
mims@iowa-city.org; mike-Wright@iowa-city.org; Connie-champion@iowa-city.org; terry-dickens@iowa-
city.org
Subject: Thank You
Members of the Iowa City City Council,
This email may be different intone than others the council has surely been receiving regarding the 21-
onlyordinance. My name is Gabe DeJong, I am a 20-year-old University of Iowa student, and I voted
"no" yesterday-to retain the ordinance.
After perusing a Facebook group decrying the outcome of last night's vote, in which each council
member's address was published alongside an entreaty to vandalize it, I felt compelled to speak to you.
I want to thank you for what you have done, and - in light of the often-caustic outcry from my fellow
students - to assure you that at least one student appreciates the efforts of the council.
I have felt personally embarrassed at the conduct I have witnessed in the downtown area. To me, the
pervasive drinking culture, public displays of extreme intoxication, fistfights, and the ubiquitous sight of
a drunken individual being poured into a taxi amounted to a scar on the face of an otherwise
outstanding city. I believe that now the downtown area can grow as a center of arts and culture, in the
same vein as Boulder, Colorado's Pearl Street, and supplant the role of a mere haven for alcohol
consumption.
Although I seem to be in the vocal minority among students, I would like the council members to know
that I support their actions.
Gabe DeJong
11 /4/2010
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: RhysBJones@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 6:08 PM
To: Council
Subject: Congratulations on the Referendum Success
City Council;
I would like to congratulate and thank Matt Hayek and the Iowa City Council (with one exception) on
their strong stance and leadership in defeating the under 21 referendum yesterday. It will go a long
way in improving Iowa City and the perception and reality of the University of Iowa and student
population.
My wife, as a business owner in downtown Iowa City (Domby), and I have been strong proponents of
the defeat of the under 21 referendum and have been outraged at the stance taken by the other side.
Her business for years has been negatively affected by the violence and public safety problems created
by the Iowa City bar crowd.
Thank you once again for working so hard to improve the environment of one of the greatest cities in
the country.
Sincerely,
Rhys B. Jones
Valerie Chittick
708 McLean St.
Iowa City, IA 54426
11 /4/2010
4494 Taft Ave. SE Lot C28 ZOI O NOY -9 AM i I ~ 33
Iowa City, IA 52240
Oct. 18, 2010
Iowa City City Council
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, IA
Dear Council Members:
NOV _ 9 201(1
My name is Misael Martinez and I am currently a student as Iowa City High Schogl, During the
past few weeks my State and Local government class and I have been doirig research on different
underage drinking related topics. My topic is underage drinking and Vandalism. I have discovered that
these are two issues that go hand in hand. In fact studies show that eleven percent of college student
drinkers report that they have damaged property while under the influence of alcohol. This is very
troubling information and I am very glad that you are looking into the issue of alcohol abuse on college
campus.
I am hoping that you will continue your fight to maintain the 21 Only Ordinances. I know that there
is a lot of opposition to the ordinance. However, there is also a lot of support for the ordinance. I think that
there would be even more if people understood the connection between vandalism and underage
drinking. I had an interview with Ross Wilburn and I know that he is committed to passing this ordinance
just like the many others who support it including U of I President Sally Mason. Therefore the action that I
would like to take place would be the passing of the twenty one only ordinances. If the twenty one
ordinances were to pass there would be a decrease of underage drinking and vandalism which would
lower the cost of damaged property and other unwiseful actions. With the ordinance passing the local
communities could also put in effect other actions that would help lessen underage drinking and
vandalism too including neighborhood watch groups.
Thank you for reading my letter and considering these solutions to further helping our society. I
can be contacted at my email martinez121093(a~aol.com or you can reach me by sending a letter back.
Thank again for taking the time to read this letter and hope to hear back from you.
Sincerely,
Misael Martinez
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Kevin McVey [kevin.c.mcvey@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 10:08 AM
To: Council
Subject: Question
Hey Iowa City City Council, any job openings in your office? Because I just lost mine thanks to
your ordinance and the vote yesterday. It would be much appreciated because I'm not sure you
know how expensive it is to go to this school, close to 30,000 dollars a year if you didn't. You
all did a horrible job with this, and my guess is I won't get a response back because you could
care less if I lost my job. But then again it is probably nice to have the power to enact something
that cuts so many jobs, but not your own isn't it? Must feel good to have that power. I hope you
can all sleep at night knowing that I can't afford to go here anymore. Once again, explain what
exactly the point of this ordinance was, did we do something so terrible to make you want to
destroy the jobs of thousands of students? Again I know I won't get a response, but that is
because you could care less about the student population. Hope you all have a pleasant life,
because my college life (both academically and socially) has just been ruined.
Kevin McVey
Undergraduate Student at The University of Iowa
11/3/2010
~~ r j
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CITY OF IOWA CITY 4e 11
MEMORANDUM
Date: November 8th, 2010
To: City Council
From: John Yapp, JCCOG Transportation Planner ~J l~
Re: Summit Street / Kirkwood Avenue Intersection
At your October 25th, 2010 informal meeting you discussed the traffic control established for
Kirkwood Avenue between Dodge Street and Summit Street, specifically at the Kirkwood
Avenue /Summit Street intersection. As discussed, the JCCOG Transportation Planning
Division will conduct a traffic and pedestrian study of this corridor.
The intent of the study will be to:
1. Determine if there are adequate gaps in the traffic stream for pedestrians to safely cross
Kirkwood Avenue at uncontrolled intersections in this corridor (this is called a gap study);
2. To determine the most common pedestrian crossing locations of Kirkwood Avenue in
this corridor;
3. To determine compliance rates with existing stop signs at the Kirkwood Avenue /Dodge
Street, Kirkwood Avenue / Keokuk Street (all-way stops), and Kirkwood Avenue /
Summit Street (one stop sign for southbound traffic) intersections;
4. To determine compliance with the posted speed limit in the corridor
Weather-depending, we hope to begin collecting data this fall with completion in Spring 2011. It
is important we collect pedestrian data in fair weather. We will discuss the results of the data
collection with the Transit, Police, and Engineering Departments before forwarding the results
and any recommendations to you.
Let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Cc: Police Department
Public Works/Engineering Department
Transportation Services Department
Planning Department
ban Le Clnu~
Wit\iam ~tr~~"O`r\
Jccog adm/mem/kirkwoodsumm it-study110810.doc
528 Clark Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
November 8, 2010
,. .
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/2'0,3~^KT
~1~U _ S 2010
('ity '!::~ G:
Matt. Hayek, Mayor
Regenia Bailey, Connie Champion, Terry Dickens, Susan Mims, Ross Wilburn, Mike Wright
Iowa City City Council
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Mayor and Councilors:
When I wrote you on October 28 about the dangers facing pedestrians who try to cross Kirkwood
Avenue at Summit Street, I did not know that Mr. William Eginton had just written you about the same
problem. (It is Mr. Eginton's letter and not, as I had supposed, an earlier letter from me that John Yapp
mentions in his October 14 memo to you.) Last week I spoke with Mr. Eginton and learned that two
years ago his wife was hit and nearly killed by a car at that intersection.
I have learned that your reaction to Mr. Eginton's letter was to decide to do nothing. You cannot
imagine how frustrating it is to get, this kind of response on a problem of urgent local concern.
Why do you run a bus system if you won't make it safe for people to get to the bus stop?
Again I ask that you have the police monitor speeds of cars, especially those inbound. They should do
this without alerting drivers to the fact that they are being monitored. Speed trailers showing drivers
how fast they are going will NOT accurately indicate how fast cars go when the monitors are not there.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
I '~ C
~~
Dan Lechay
ti
cc: John Yapp, Dale Helling, Jeff Davidson, Rick Fosse, Ron Knoche, Marcia Bollinger, Darian Nagle-
Gamm, Mr. W. Eginton~ ~ `~ e~, ~q ~ ~ P ~~ ~. ~~
528 Clark Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
October 28, 2010
Matt Hayek, Mayor
Regenia Bailey, Connie Champion,
Iowa City City Council
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Mayor and Councilors:
~,
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..
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_.. <--.
.- - e.. ...~..f .. ._ i-...r.-Y
Terry Dickens, Susan Mims, Ross Wilburn, IvI~'ike W4ri;~ht `- --'
_ _
- ~'~ '~ i ,
You will have received a memo from Mr. John Yapp with an attached earlier letter from me
requesting the City to make it safe for pedestrians to cross Kirkwood Avenue at Summit Street.
As you consider Mr. Yapp's memo please also consider the following:
First, I am not asking (as Mr. Yapp states) for all-way stop signs at the Summit/Kirkwood
intersection. I do ask that you put Pedestrian Crossing signs and marked crosswalks at the
intersection.
Second, I acknowledge that the JCCOG survey found that not many people try to cross there. I
suggest that more people would cross if it were not so obviously dangerous to do so.
Third, there is an inbound bus stop on Kirkwood Avenue at the corner of Summit Street. Anyone
coming from the south side of Kirkwood needs to cross the street to get the bus. If the Citv
wants to support the buss stem, obviousl~vou need to make it safe for pedestrians to eg t to
buss o
(I might also point out that a few years ago the city spent hundreds of thousands of extra dollars
to make the new Summit Street bridge attractive to pedestrians. But because of the barrier
presented by Kirkwood Avenue, the bridge gets less pedestrian use than it might. For walkers, it
is pretty much a "bridge to nowhere." Make Kirkwood Avenue pedestrian-friendly and there will
be more foot traffic throughout the neighborhood.)
Finally, I don't see that the number of people trying to cross a street should be the deciding
factor in whether to put up signs to make it safe. More important is how fast the cars are going.
Last week I was almost hit by a car that actually accelerated when the driver saw me enter the
street. He was going about 40 miles an hour, I estimate, and missed me by a couple of feet.
-2-
I urge you to have the police check the speed of cars on Kirkwood as they pass the Summit
Street intersection. I believe they will find most cars going ten or fifteen miles over the limit. I
think you will then agree that calming actions are needed.
Thank you for looking into this matter.
Sincerely,
~~~
Dan Lechay
ph. 339-0528
-~~-~c~
cc.:iDale Hellmg, Jeff Davidson, Rick Fosse, Ron Knoche, Marcia Bollinger, Darla Nagle-Gamin
4e 12
Marian Karr
From: Carole Seydel [clopey1 @gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 2:00 PM
To: Council
Subject: Iowa River levee
Just a note that Lyle and I are now living at 125 Taft Speedway in our new handicap
accessible home. I thought that the idea of the government putting us in the river way was
just not the way things worked in the Untied States of America. I have several concerns.
what is our means of egress? What if we need and ambulance? How can I have access to my
home off a 10 foot road? How can we be evacuated in case of a flood?
Property ownership with rights for over 100 years evidently does not register with the
planning and engineering departments Do not the
9 families that have homes along Taft Speedway have any rights? The City needs to correct
two bad zoning decisions the Idyllwild and Peninsula Developments. The City was warned to
avoid building in the flood zone. They went against their own ordinances chose not to heed
the warning and issued the permits. We who have always been there know you live with the
river. You cannot make the river live as you wish.
At one time the aim of the planning and zoning was to beautify the entrances to Iowa
City. Is building an Olympic size swimming pool around the Idyllwild condos a new way to
beautify the entrance to Iowa City. If you were to put barred wire on top of the wall it
would resemble a correctional facility. How do you think the Idyllwild residents would
feel with their beautiful view of the river gone and replaced by a 10 foot concrete wall
enclosure. All the residents of The Taft Neighborhood lose The Condos lose ascetically
the Taft families lose in accessibility.
This is not the first time that I questioned this project. I appeared at the Council
meeting when this project was first proposed .
I fought the development in the 1990's and now again.No one has ever listened, Will this
be business as usual or will you really pay attention. Carol Seydel
1
4e 13
Marian Karr
From: Sam Hargadine
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 1:52 PM
To: 'Scott Dragoo'
Cc: Dale Helling; *City Council
Subject: RE: Community Policing
Mr. Dragoo:
We have a number of partnerships and community policing initiatives underway and I would encourage
you to have interested clients ask us direct. We are also presently enrolling for the Citizens' Police
Academy. This is a 10 week course designed to inform citizens about the job and role police have in this
community.
A fundamental component to Community Policing is getting to know who your beat officer is. The link
below is a map of Iowa City and will direct you to who your beat officer is depending on the time of day.
http://www. icgov.org/defau It/?id=1320
You mentioned the Press Citizen doing an article on our Community Policing efforts. Once a year the
Press Citizen does an in depth analysis of the crime in Iowa City broken down by neighborhoods. We
supply the data for this report and have almost daily contact on a variety of issues with the Press Citizen,
Gazette, Register and Daily Iowan not to mention the television stations. The actions of the ICPD are in
the press on average a couple of times per week. The Press Citizen has also sponsored the
http://www.ICCRIME.orq web site in years past which speaks of their partnering collaboration with us.
If you have a deeper desire to learn about Community Policing I teach a 16 week course called
Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving at Kirkwood Community College. This course goes
over the different initiatives throughout this nation and World. Different cities call it different things and
what works in one community might not in another. At a micro level what works in one neighborhood
might not work in another.
Hopefully this addresses some of your concerns.
SamueP E. 3Eavu~adiae
Chief of Police
Iowa City Police Department
410 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240-1826
From: Scott Dragoo [mailto:mystic_fool@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2010 3:39 PM
To: Sam Hargadine; Matt Hayek; Ross Wilburn; Regenia Bailey; Susan Mims; Connie-champion@iowa-
city.org; terry-dickens@iowa-city.org; Mike Wright
Subject: Community Policing
Hello distinguished Sirs and Madams of Iowa City,
I am sending you a brief email, in response to a report I saw of a morning robbery on Iowa Cities South-
East side. I am curious about Iowa Cities efforts at Community Policing, as defined by the US
Department of Justice: http://www.cops.usdoi.gov/RIC/ResourceDetail.aspx?RID=513
I am a member of the HCDC and am also a Program Director for a Social Outreach Services, here in Iowa
City. As of recently, I have had many people who live in the Broadway area ask me if Community
Policing efforts might be increased, as the current perception is that there are little to no Community
11/8/2010
Page 2 of 2
Policing efforts present in their area. I have also talked with other members of our community who think no
Community Policing is occurring on the SE side. I have been unable to assure them if Community Policing was
done, or to what degree it may be happening and would like to remedy my response with knowledge.
I would be very pleased to hear of the ICPD's Community Policing efforts, but would be more pleased if the city
might promote their efforts for the community to witness. An article in the Press-Citizen might be an excellent
start.
I do not wish to take up any more of your time and any response should be at your leisure.
Thank you for your valuable time,
Scott C. Dragoo
Social Outreach Services
ph. 319-855-8172
11/8/2010
4e 14
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~ , ~ i : _ ~ ~~; ~~ ~.
'~` ~ ~'~
Mayor Matt Hayek & Council
410 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Mayor Hayek & Council,
1354 Curtis Bridge Rd. NE
Swisher, IA 52338
Oct. 12, 2010
We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation
for the Community Event Funding grant of $400.00
given to the Iowa City Community String Orchestra on
July 6, 2010. This generous support allows us to
present two concerts per year to the Iowa City
community. We also present a concert for children in
June, during the Iowa Arts Festival.
ICCSO is anon-profit 501(c)(3) organization as defined by the IRS.
Contributions are tax deductible under Section 170 of the Code. With
respect to your donation, we acknowledge that you have not received any
consideration for your gift in either cash or kind.
On behalf of the orchestra members and conductor, please accept our
grateful appreciation for your gift.
Sincerely,
Janice Horak
ICCSO Treasurer
IOWA CITY COMMUNITY STRING ORCHESTRA
WWW.ICCOMMUNrf'YSTRINGORCHESTRA.COM
Gelebrafing 31 Ye$r$
4e 15
Marian Karr
From: iccccommittee@democracydefender.net
Sent: Sunday, October 24, 2010 11:13 AM
To: Council
Cc: iowacitycitizenscommunitycommittee@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Increased MegaBus Problems In Iowa City
FROM: Iowa City Citizens Community Committee iccccommittee@democracydefender.net
Post Office Box 2146
Iowa City, Iowa 52244
Mr. Libris Fidelis - founder
TO: Iowa City Council council@iowa-city.org
TO:iowacitycitizenscommunitycommittee@yahoogroups.com
This problem has already been addressed to Iowa City Council before. But the problem with
illegal parking in Capitol House private property parking spaces is getting much worse, in
addition to the noise and trash problem, as well as the destruction of Capitol House
Apartment landscaping and grass along the sidewalk, and the removal and theft of Capitol
House Apartment no-parking signs, illegal parking both by taxi-cabs and by private
vehicles in the street at South Dubuque Street.
Now Capitol House Apartments have had people somehow obtaining visitor parking passes from
inside Capitol House, and then using them in their windshields and on their dashboards to
falsely indicate that they are parking in the Capitl House Apartment parking lot for
visiting tenants at Capitol House, and then they get luggage out of their cars and go to
the MegaBus stop which is inappropritately located alongside the Capitol House Apartment
building, which blocks not only the Capitol House Apartment property parking slots, but as
well the entrance of Capitol House Apartment parking lot to and from as well as in the
street itself for as much as a half of an hour or more.
Within the apartment private property parking area, cars not only line the red-zoned
curbing inside the parking area within the private property, and fill the parking lot
visitor spaces of the apartment, but they also clog the street driveway entrance on South
Dubuque Street, sometimes parking or standing with three cars abreast at one time! They
block the driveway access to and from the street as well as clog the street in both
directions!
Buses by Windstar, Coach USA and other companies park right behind the MegaBuses, with
their curbside rear wheels sometimes as much as four feet out from the curb, due to the
street alignment, or, these buses also block part or all of Capitol House Apartment
driveway and protrude out into the northbound driving lane of the street, depending if
there are two or three buses at the South Dubuque stop alongside the apartment building,
or, if there are taxi-cabs illegally parked at the MegaBus stop curb ahead of the MegaBus.
Every time a police car has been seen driving by, they have observed the situation but
never have stopped to issue citations for illegal parking and for multiple-parking
vehicles side-by-side at curbside, nor for parking on and across the sidewalk of the
apartment driveway entrance, which is also illegal.
When approached, the drivers in the private property areas always act innocently naive and
ignorant of any problem, saying they are just there to drop off their friend for only a
few seconds, and then they sit there or park there for tens of minutes, with the only
concern they have being that they need to illegally park because they want to park on
Capitol House private property to get their relatives to or from MegaBus, and that they
did not realize they wre parking at red curbs and in front of our red-curbed fire hydrant
or parking in private parking spaces in private property parking lots, even with the few
remaining signs that indicate parking is only for visitors to Capitol House Apartments.
The disappearance of private property signs both inside fenced parking area and the open
private property parking area in front of the apartment have only occurred after MegaBus
began using the street-side curb alongside the apartment as a stopping station.
Apparently, nobody at City Hall or in the Police Department cares or knows how to handle
this problem. And it is going to entail someone getting off their dead butt and doing
something about this serious problem, rather than ignore it because ignoring the situation
encourages commerce.
First, this is a major violation of private property rights and an infringement of public
vehicular right of way in the streets. This is not a public parking area either in the
street or in the private apartment parking lots. And taxi cabs parked in the bus zone
which is clearly marked that such non-bus parking is prohibited is an open act of
defiance.
Space is limited enough as it is on South Dubuque Street even without the MegaBus.
Second, it is a health and safety issue, as parking at the apartment private property red
curbs as well as at the apartment private property red curb where the fire hydrant is
located, plus blocking ingress and egress from Capitol House Apartment parking lot
facility prevents emergency vehicles from freely responding to calls at the apartment.
Being a Housing and Urban Development low-income apartment facility, there are elderly
tenants who occasionally hail the services of Johnson County Ambulance Service, and such
calls bring a police car and a fire truck in addition to the ambulance, two of which are
very large vehicles.
This is an issue that needs to be addressed by Iowa City Council, because the City is the
one who authorized a totally inappropriate bus stop on such a narrow street beside a
residential apartment building, which authorization was for commercial inter-city and
inter-state buses which in essence turns the residential apartment area into an industrial
zone.
The City is the one who caused the disruption of the peace and the violation of private
property rights by encouraging a high-public-activity site where orignally a peaceful
residential and light cafe service commercial area once existed.
This issue also needs to be addressed by the Iowa City Police Department, both for its
officers not enforcing existing traffic laws when such violations are so obvious, but also
for not policing the times when MegaBus arrives in our city. It is a known problem that
causes multiple traffic violations, and that deliberate disregard by police officers is a
major insult to our residents.
This is a problem that qualifies as an official problem, and it must be addressed due to
the abuses and legal violations and encouraged safety hazards that occur due to Iowa
City's irresponsible and inconsiderate act to allow a commercial bus stop at a residential
apartment building. Iowa City needs a true, genuine transportation center where the
current simultaneous arrival or presence of as many as six buses at one time now occurs.
Sincerely, Mr. Libris Fidelis
founder - ICCCCommittee
2