The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2011-03-22 Correspondence3f(1) Marian Karr From: Regenia Bailey <bailey@avalon.net> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2011 11:21 PM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: alien sanctuary From: Adam Meyer [mailto:ajmeye@gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2011 11:15 PM To: ross-Wilburn@iowa-city.org; regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; susan-mims@iowa-city.org; mike-Wright@iowa-city.org Subject: alien sanctuary Dear council members; I saw tonight an article detailing the city council proposition of changing the laws for the city to create a sanctuary for illegal aliens so they can not be reported as such. I want to let you know this is wrong. It is a violation of the rights of the citizens of Iowa City (which I was for over four years). To further my point, look at Title 8 Section 1325 of the US Federal code. Illegally entering or attempting to enter the country is a U.S. Federal crime. Iowa City does not have the jurisdiction to supercede federal code. By intentionally creating an safe haven for illegal immigrants, the city council would be aiding and abetting in a U.S. federal crime and would be subjected to punishment themselves. Here is an excerpt from the US Code: "Any person who ...encourages or induces an illegal alien to ...reside ... knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such ...residence is ... in violation of law, shall be punished as provided ...for each illegal alien in respect to whom such a violation occurs ...fined under title 18 ... imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. " -Section 274 felonies under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, INA 274A(a)(1)(A) If the city council carries through on their proposal to create a sanctuary for illegal aliens in Iowa City, they will be in violation. If 500 illegal aliens are protected under this proposal, each city council member would be subject to hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and many years in prison. In fact, conspiring to harbor illegals is also a crime and could be punished if a lawsuit were to be filed. Due to all this irrefutable information, I ask you to please do not create a sanctuary for illegal aliens. Thank you for your time and please make a wise decision. Adam Meyer Strawberry Point, IA U of Iowa grad 2006 Marian Karr From: Samuel Massey <sam.massey@firstpresiowacity.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 10:15 PM To: Council Subject: Letters to the Editor Attachments: Letter to Editor Sanctuary City City Council 030111 DRAFT FOUR.docx; Shooting fish in a barrel.docx Dear members of the City Council, the Chief of Police and the City Attorney. The peace of the Lord be with you. I am writing to make you aware of the letter to the editor submitted by me on behalf of the Sanctuary City Committee, and one written separately by my 12 year old after he attended Monday night's city council meeting and what he heard from some of you disturbed him. Both letters are attached. Although I am not writing in my official capacity as pastor, I felt it appropriate to share my address with you in case a response to me, to my son or to the Sanctuary City Committee is deemed appropriate by you. Sincerely, Samuel R. D. Massey, Pastor First Presbyterian Church Iowa City, IA 52245 (319)351-2660 sam.massey@firstpresiowacity.or~ March 1, 2011 Dear Editor, We write in praise of our Iowa City City Council. We observed them, on the evening of February 28, 2011, taking an appropriately measured approach to designating our community as a sanctuary. 50 years after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, it is fitting to recall his charge for us to take action "... not because it is easy, but because it is hard." The Sanctuary City Committee placed a proposal before the Iowa City Human Rights Commission and City Council because it is the right thing to do, however difficult. We believe that too much of our modern culture espouses conviction without courage. Too many public figures, at no personal risk, take positions that bring others hardship for their own political advantage. Such posturing forfeits justice and cultivates cynicism. We note gratefully that our city council members appear to be made of sterner stuff. Decisions they make arise from due consideration of local concerns as well as the salient precepts of state and federal government. They are unwilling to ignore the voices of the faith community or the suppressed voices of those who are honest and understandably fearful. It is too tempting to cavalierly write-off the latter group as "illegals." The majority of our council members reflect a deeper conscience. They are well aware that necessary national political change often begins locally. Our City Attorney raised valid questions, deepening community reflection and dialogue. She mentioned correctly that any policy considered by council should take into account a variety of city services. We praise our Chief of Police. He brought to council's attention that immigrant interactions with police exist on many levels which are mutually and routinely beneficial. The Sanctuary City Committee opposes harboring the truly criminal. To the contrary, the committee advocates for a policy that encourages a respectful immigrant population to interact positively with police and other authorities in order to protect people and property. Our police would benefit from a policy that clearly expresses support for our Chief's refreshingly common-sense approach. We salute council members who admit they don't perceive the need for a sanctuary policy. Present circumstances encourage our unregistered guests to hide from view. Consequently, their perspectives may remain unfamiliar to us. Some council members may not realize that their silence on this issue can serve to perpetuate misunderstandings. If we are not Arizona, Marshalltown, or Postville, we need to say so. We commend the councils' caution. Its members do not wish to confuse vulnerable immigrants and the community as a whole with a convoluted policy. Nevertheless, we underline this fact respectfully: The February 28`h council meeting demonstrated that the ignorance and confusion ofwell-meaning people characterize our current practice and (lack of) policy already. We request courteously an action that brings clarity out of chaos. The Sanctuary City movement is looking for a clear articulation of policy that can help our community become more law-biding, financially prosperous, healthy, and welcoming for everyone making positive cultural and economic contributions. We believe that the present confusion needlessly escalates misunderstanding and fear. We observe that our immigrant population sees our present confusion more clearly than the rest of us. We conclude that all of us will benefit from council's own firm expression of conscience. We welcome serious deliberations by the Human Rights Commission and City Council towards shaping a policy position on the meaning of sanctuary for Iowa City. We thank council members who will persist until what is best and right is achieved for all our residents. Such demonstrations of conviction and courage, too rare in our society, deserve the support of all people of good conscience and good will who love democracy. Sincerely, Sam Massey, on behalf of the Sanctuary City Committee Shootin fish in a barrel g BY DJ Massey Dear Editor, I'm D.J. Massey from Iowa City, Iowa. I go to Longfellow elementary and I am in 6tn grade. I am an adopted immigrant from China. The whole illegal immigration thing to me is so ... I can't really tell you how I feel. All I know is that I don't feel right about what we are doing with this situation. What I wouldn't do is just send illegal immigrates back right away. If they didn't do a crime of any sort they shouldn't be sent back. If they did they must be sent back A.S.A.P. If they are hard workers and they pay our taxes we should give them a chance. let's let them live in the U.S. for maybe five years. Let them study about our country and work and all that. Then we will give them a test about our country and then if they get 80% right they can choose for themselves if they want to stay or go. If you put many fish in a barrel and you try to shoot just one of them, the bullet will kill all the fish because of the shock wave. If you fish in a lake with a rod for just one fish, you don't hurt all the other fish. We shouldn't treat all illegal immigrants as if they had committed a crime. Sincerely, D.J. Massey Marian Karr From: Marian Karr Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 3:17 PM To: `mdf719@mchsi.com' Cc: Council Subject: RE: kcci news brief of 3/3/11 Thank you for your email regarding "sanctuary city" designation. All materials distributed to the City Council are available on our City website. The memo from City Atty. Dilkes is item # IP3 in the February 24 information packet on page 11 http•1/www is og v org/default/apps/council/packets.asp A transcription of the discussion occurring on Monday, February 28 can be located at: http•//www icg_ov org/default/apps/council/a~endas.asp Please let me know if you have any difficulties in accessing the files. Marian K. Karr, MMC City Clerk _ _ _ __ _ From: dee [mailto:mdf719@mchsi.com] Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 10:39 AM To: Council Subject: kcci news brief of 3/3/11 I would like more information about what I read on the kcci news site 3/3/11 re: making Iowa city a "sanctuary city" really? not prosecute those who have broken federal laws by entering this country illegally? when do I get the chance to pick and chose which law to break? and pay no consequence? are you going to deal all citizens of Iowa city a get out of federal jail free card? or just those here without documentation? reverse discrimination is still discrimination. Marian Karr From: dee <mdf719@mchsi.com> Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 1:24 PM To: Marian Karr Subject: Re: kcci news brief of 3/3/11 sorry! d. miller, aspen ct, is -----Original Message ----- From: Marian Karr To: 'dee' Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 11:03 AM Subject: RE: kcci news brief of 3/3/11 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, MMC City of Iowa City 319-356-5041 (Phone) 319-356-5497 (FAX) Population 62,380 From: dee [mailto:mdf719@mchsi.com] Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 10:39 AM To: Council Subject: kcci news brief of 3/3/11 I would like more information about what I read on the kcci news site 3/3/11 re: making Iowa city a "sanctuary city" really? not prosecute those who have broken federal laws by entering this country illegally? when do I get the chance to pick and chose which law to break? and pay no consequence? are you going to deal afl citizens of Iowa city a get out of federal jail free card? or just those here without documentation? reverse discrimination is still discrimination. Marian Karr From: JOHN STIEGELMEYER <jstiegel@dishmail.net> Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 11:23 AM To: Council Subject: sanctuary??? John R. Stiegelmeyer 1903 56th St Vinton, Iowa 52349 March 1, 2011 319-472-5048 To: The City Council and the Mayor of Iowa City, Iowa Gentlemen and Ladies: As you can see from my address I am not a resident of your city. I am, however, a resident of the State of Iowa and, of course, of the United States of America. I fear that what you are doing in making Iowa City a "sanctuary city" is encouraging people and business owners to break Federal Law. In recent years in my town we have seen three sets of business owners arrested and tried for hiring illegal aliens. Two of these "sets" are serving time in the Federal system. The third has been sentenced and I am not sure if he is incarcerated at this time. As you are aware, or should be aware, there is no parole in the Federal Prison system. The terms these people are serving, I believe, is at least eight years. One of these individuals was a citizen of another country before coming here legally years ago. Very likely he will be deported after serving his sentence. As I understand it, he will very likely face charges in his home country for desertion. The penalty for deserting that army is very severe. These people will be listed as Convicted Felons for life. They will lose their right to vote and to own firearms, a high price to pay for being crossways with Federal Law. If it is illegal to hire illegals -- how then are they to earn a living? Are the citizens of your city willing to pay taxes for their upkeep? Are the Churches who support this idea willing to put money where their mouth is? I suspect some will say they are, but for how long --- for the life of the individual? Too often the businesses that hire illegals pay them below standard and some do not provide safe working conditions. Who can they complain to without fearing deportation? This is just not right. But, the Congress has not done their job here. By doing nothing they have forced States and Individuals to act. Defiance of the Federal Government is not something to be taken lightly. We have gang members, druggies, and other undesirables in the mix of illegals. Most I suspect are here because of the promise that America offers -- that of freedom and the pursuit of happiness (in this case industry) [as is meant in the beginning sentences of the Declaration of Independence --- we are the only country/government that believes and states in its founding documents that these basic rights come from God and not man. But, this does not mean we should have open borders. We must have laws and means of enforcing them to protect society from the lawless. I have a relative that works in your city. She has worried that the influx of the "welfare" crowd has caused, in some cases, for the city to become more "third world" as she describes it. I fail to see how allowing illegals to have "sanctuary" makes your city better. Some months ago, shortly after the election I had occasion to visit Scheels All Sports at the Coralville Ridge Mall. Hand gun ammo was almost non existent. Brass is in short supply and certain calibers are hard to keep in stock. The Rep I talked to also stated that gun sales were up 20% over one year ago. He told me that they had a pallet of .223 ammo ($15,000 worth) that was sold in three days. What are the people gearing up for? Are they hoarding? Are they afraid of the possible actions of the new President? Not enough info to tell. But, the story that really shocked was one he told of a U I Professor - a liberal who voted for Obama - who now felt the need for a home defense weapon. Is crime up 17% in your city?? If true why? What part of the citizenship is responsible for this increase? Part of the answer may be told by law enforcement officials when they are worried that information will not be forth coming from illegals if they are afraid their status will be found out. Please think this deal through. I can see all kinds of unforeseen consequences. Please do not put your business people in the position of breaking Federal Law! Thank you for your time. Sincerely, John R. Stiegelmeyer Marian Karr From: Sarah Swisher <seiusarah@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 9:13 PM To: Council Subject: Sanctuary City Dear Friends: Thank you so much for your discussion last night related to the potential of a Sanctuary City Resolution for Iowa City. You all offered thoughtful insight and have informed our SCC very much. By the way, the Sanctuary City Committee was born two years ago from a study group of the CRC but is not limited to the affiliates of the CRC. I was a founding member of the group, long before I thought about running for school board, I hope that you all understand that I am not representing any ICCSD Board views in any capacity when I work with the SCC. I have one frustration to offer. I find your website very hard to work with (it may not be the website!) and I think I will go to the City Clerk for some help. I can't locate the memo from the City Attorney, for example. I did have a good conversation today with Bruce Nestor, a former Iowa City son and student who you may know is an immigration attorney in Minneapolis, a sanctuary city. He will help us a bit with understanding Federal language challenges. My sense is that the whole SCC looks forward to future discussions and that we are invigorated by Monday's meeting. I am very sorry if you had to experience hateful phone calls, that is never easy and it can be very hard to remove racist language from the replay tapes in one's head. Thank you again---as Eleanor Roosevelt reminded us over 50 years ago, human rights begin at home in small spaces. Working together I have no doubt that we can reduce the fear that is pervasive in our Latino community and find policy language that works for all. With admiration, Sarah Swisher Member SCC 3f(2) Marian Karr From: Caroline Dieterle <caroline-dieterle@uiowa.edu> Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 6:06 PM To: Mike Moran Cc: Council Subject: Scott Park/Windsor Ridge train development Mike and Council: The plans for the trail put forward by the neighbors appear to me to be eminently sensible. I have looked at the maps with the City's proposed route and the neighbors' suggested alternates on it. Eliminating trees anywhere -when so many are being lost to invasive diseases (Emerald Ash Borer, oak blight, maple wilt, etc.) seems foolish indeed. Trees are key to the fight against global warming as well as being aesthetically pleasing. Along a creek, their roots help prevent erosion. Putting extra bridges over the creek and removing some of the flora that absorb water and prevent erosion into the creek seem like mistakes we should avoid. Additionally, in these days of penny pinching due to the economic downturn and consequent revenue shortfalls, it is especially counter-productive to spend money for the sake of spending it, "to use it up". Please adopt one of the neighbors' alternate plans for the trail. -Caroline Dieterle 727 Walnut St. Iowa City Marian Karr From: Regenia Bailey <bailey@avalon.net> Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2011 12:34 PM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: FY 2012 Budget Attachments: Scott Park Trail City Proposal.pdf; Annual trail maintenance.pdf; Proposed route #1.pdf; Proposed route #2.pdf; Unfunded trail and park projects.pdf; WRtrailmeetingnotice.pdf From: Alan and Sara Cross [mailto:crosser87@mchsi.com] Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2011 12:18 PM To: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org Subject: FY 2012 Budget Dear Council Member Bailey, My name is Sara Cross; I live in Windsor Ridge and also wish the FY 2012 budget put more emphasis on public safety. It is truly a shame that Windsor Ridge could be connected to Scott Park Trail at a reduced cost and the money saved on this project alone, could probably pay the $147,500 it would cost for the two public safety positions that are being eliminated. In the meeting notice written by Mike Moran, he states $416,159 of this trail project will be funded through a federal trails grant (federal tax dollars) and $364,000 of the project will come from the City's Capital Improvement Budget (local tax dollars). We don't feel local or federal tax money should be unnecessarily spent/used up, simply because it is available. We feel local and federal money saved on this project could be used to continue building trails elsewhere. (See unfunded trail and park projects attachment.) And more importantly, money saved could be put to use in a time when we are eliminating a firefighter and police officer. (See attachment for the meeting notice.) 1 have reattached the City's proposed trail alignment and highlighted areas of concern. Not only do a number of us Iowa City residents feel this trail could be connected at a reduced cost, but that it could be done without taking down trees. I have also attached two routes that we hope the City will consider in order to save trees, construction and maintenance costs while still enhancing the overall path connectivity between Windsor Ridge and Scott Park. With proposed route #1, there would be approximately 1,400 feet less of path laid, two less bridges constructed and 0 trees taken down by incorporating the existing 8' wide path on Court Street that already connects to the Windsor Ridge Path system. This saves the City money not only in construction costs but roughly $2,600 a year in maintenance costs while enhancing the overall path connectivity and maintaining the area's natural beauty and wildlife habitat. This trail alignment also reduces the redundancy in having three paths and the sidewalk on both sides of Cumberland Lane all running parallel within 200 yards of one another and saves at least 150 trees. (Page 106 of the I.C. Parks and Recreation and Trail Master Plan and Final Report dated Nov. 2008 says that it costs $10,000 per mile per year for path maintenance.) Proposed route #2 is the most direct route to Scott Park and the need to construct one bridge and approximately 100 feet of path is eliminated. With this route, construction and maintenance costs would be significantly reduced while trees and wildlife habitat are saved. (With this alignment, there would be redundancy in having two paths and a sidewalk on both sides of Cumberland Lane all running parallel within 200 yards of one another. However, this option would at least save trees and money and allow for the most direct route to the park.) With so many viable options, we hope the City's proposed trail will be revised in order to save trees, save tax dollars, and better maintain the natural features and beauty of the area. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Sara Cross 4270 Cumberland Lane --~ p~ ~~~-i-~~i ilk ^,I) ~'~~J"'; ~~ - F-, F9 !-.f ~__ f-~ ~ ~a i~ 4~ -!` ~ ,. ~+, ~~ ly _~~ ~~ '.~ __ ~ ~ ~ ' H A Ivl R O C ~ '~ w V ~ ~~ r.v sue. - ' t ~~ ~~~I d ,i ~~ ,,-~ _~ C -% I ~ ~~ Scott r Park ~ ~ ~ R'O•F o FA:~ ~o~ _~.r -_-- ~••••~ ~~r ~O .j 1 7 l 'I I I U I I I ~ r I \ I I I I I ~ If ~ I • /~ ~~••~ / ~~ ~~~~ ~`. rs ~1~~ TO BE DEDICATED TO ~ ~~ '` N'EIGH6oRH°°° OPEN Scott Park Development and Trail project: `~'~. r f'' .~~ SPACE REQUIREMENT ~j,~'` - ~ ~ ~~ f + 6,. ~~~'`~ ~ ~ Project budget is $1.03 million, o ~` <~' ~~` ~.'~, . 1 r` ~ ~,' ~ Approximately 1 .mile of concrete paths ,~ ~ ~ ~ ; , j ~~~' I There would be 5 concrete paths running ~~ parallel within 200 yards of each other ~~ °~ ~ which are numbered above /~ I• ;r-'•' >`~ ~~' Q: Approximately 150 trees will be cuf down .• ,~~ ~ I ../• ~-*~;• ~% in green shaded areas above to make I PROPOSED ~,,,-.~; ; N ~. ..room far the paths RIDGE 7 I~~~ _ ' I ~ Note: I , I r,-,__ _ I . R1ta s j; 2406 Planimetrics ~ ~ Ranch ~~I! ~I~, ~ `' iq; -'~, a' Dog I ; PROPOSED TRAILS ~~ ~ \ s Park STAGE ONE 0 saos.a ~F ~ ~G~j ' \ , I~; STAGE TWO 0 iii.e~F ~ ~~ V STAGE THREE ~ ass ~F i ~ C~ \ ~ p~,, STAGE FOUR 0 zszs~r- I~ N~ Q~ ~ ~,,,~,, ,~, ~ ~' STAGE FIVE 0 sai.s ~F I D wCA S T\-~ w_. °I I~ •® .~ -~--~~ ~: ~~ ?, Peninsula Park development $300,000 CIP $2,500 General Fund Recreation center $225,000 CIP N/A N/A improvements Sand Lake Recreation $5,900,000 CIP, Grants, $50,000 General Fund Area Donations Waterworks Prairie $115,000 CIP, Donations $1,000 General Fund Park Hospice Memorial Wetherby Park $200,000 CIP, CDBG, N.O.S., $5,000 General Fund splashpad Grants, Donations Total 2009-2012 CIP $11,340,500 {in 2008 dollars) Replace upper playgrounds at City $750,000 Parl<with a Destination/ Adventure Playground Construct Planned Trail $g 000 000 Projects Implement Creekside $300,000 Park Master Plan Add restrooms to one $150,000 east side park Add two small shelters $30,000 to multi-use trails Addition of twa N/A maintenance workers Sand Prairie $260,000 development Scott Parl< development $450,000 Total 2013-2016 CIP $9940,000 {in 2008 dollars] CIP, Partnerships, Sponsorships, Grants CIP, Partnerships, Grants CIP CIP CIP, Grants N/A CIP, Grants CIP $10,000 General Fund $10,000/mile per General Fund year N/A N/A $5,000 General Fund $2,000 General Fund $76,000 General Fund $5,000 General Fund $2,500 General Fund 106 Proposed Route # 1 This trail alignment also reduces the redundancy in having two paths and the sidewalk on both sides of Gumberland Lane all running parallel within 200 yards of one another (Page 106 of the Final Report on I.G. Parks and Recreation and Trail Master Plan and Final Report dated Nov. 2008 says that it costs $10,000 per mile per year for path maintenance. With proposed route #1, there would be roughly 1,400 feet less of path laid, two less bridges constructed and 0 trees taken down by incarparating the existing path an Caurt Street that already connects to the Windsor Ridge Path system. This saves khe City maney not only in construction costs but roughly $2,600 a year in maintenance costs while enhancing the overall path connectivity and maintaining the area`s natural beauty and wildlife habitat. Proposed Route # 2 -- ~T_ .__ .--- (With this alignment, there would be redundancy in having two paths and a sidewalk on both sides of Cumberland Lane all running parallel within 200 yards of one another, as is the case with the City's trail proposal. However, this option would at least save trees and money.) With proposed route #2, the need to construct one bridge and approximately 100 feet of path is eliminated while reducing the number of trees that would be removed. With this route, construction and maintenance costs would be significantly reduced while trees and wildlife habitat are saved. City of Iowa City Capital Improvements Program Unfunded Projects 29 S GILBERT ST Reconstruction from Benton Street to Stevens Drive. This $3,278,000 IMPROVEMENTS project does not include improvements to the Gilbert St. 1 Highway 6 intersection. 30 SOUTH ARTERIAL AND Construction of a south arterial street and bridge over the $15,069,000 BRIDGE, US218 TO Iowa River, connecting from Old Hwy 218/US 218 GILBERT STREET interchange on the west side of the Iowa River to Gilbert StreetlSycamore 'L' intersection 31 SYCAMORE-CITY LIMITS TO Reconstruct Sycamore to arterial standards from City limits $2,141,000 'L' to the Sycamore L. Storm sewer, sidewalk improvements and bike lanes are included. 32 SYCAMORE-HWY 6 TO This project involves additional lanes to improve capacity. $1,475,000 DEFOREST 33 TAFT AVENUE Herbert Hoover Hwy to 420th Street. $16,400,000 3 -Transportation Services 34 ROCK ISLAND RAILROAD Preparation of Old Rock Island Railroad Depot for Amtrak $5,072,000 DEPOT RESTORATION service, including platform construction, lighting, utilities, passenger informations display, ticketing kiosks, canopy, warming shelter, signage, parking, and accessibility improvements. 35 U SMASH 'EM DEMOLITION Demolition of the U-Smash'm bulding; securing adjacent $208,000 foundations; and restoration of the area to grass. This does not include demolition of the Wilson's building. (A water pipe will need to be relocated before demolition can occur. ) 4 - Ped & Bike Trails 36 CITY PARK TRAIL This project calls for the replacement of the old section of $301,000 IMPROVEMENTS trail in the southeast portion of the park and relocating it closer to the river. Another part of the project is to expand the trail system by constructing a new section of trail near the bottom of the wooded hill south of the Boys' Baseball fields. 37 CITY PARK TRAIL LIGHTING Install pedestrian lighting on the trail system in City Park. $240,000 38 HWY 1 SIDEWALK 1 TRAIL Construct a 10 foot wide sidewalk along IA Hwy 1 between $639,000 Sunset Street and Mormon Trek Boulevard. 39 HWY 6 TRAIL - Extend existing trail along Hwy 6 between Broadway to $2,440,000 BROADWAY/SYCAMORE Sycamore Street. 40 HWY 6 TRAIL -SYCAMORE Extend existing trail along Hwy 6 between Sycamore Street $1,749,000 TO LAKESIDE and Lakeside Drive. C - 65 City of Iowa City Capital Improvements Program Unfunded Projects 41 IA RIVER TRAIL - BENTON Relocate a portion of Iowa River Corridor Trail between $121,000 STIHWY 6 Benton Street and Clinton Street approximately 1,500 feet. Project would relocate this portion of the trail from a high truck traffic location in front of City Carton to along the river in back of City Carton. 42 IA RIVER TRAIL- Continue the River Trail project from Benton St., along the $2,186,000 BENTONlSTURGIS west bank, through Sturgis Ferry Park, and construct a pedestrianlbicycle bridge over the Iowa River to connect with the existing trail on the east bank, near Napoleon Park. 43 IRC-ELKS PROPERTY Construction of a trail along the Iowa River Corridor (IRC} $874,000 on the south side of the Elks property. 44 LINN ST PED Installation of pedestrian and streetscape improvements in $370,000 IMPROVEMENTS walkway next to Van Allen Hall between Iowa Avenue and Jefferson Street. 45 N DISTRICT NATURE TRAIL Construct a trail along Williams pipeline easement from $328,000 Bristol Drive to Dubuque Street. 46 RIVERSIDE DRIVE PED Construction of a pedestrian tunnel through the railroad $874,000 TUNNEL embankment to provide a pedestrian route on the west side of Riverside Drive south of Myrtle Avenue. 47 SAND LAKE TRAIL {Behind Develop awalking/biking trail around Sand Lake {behind $437,000 Hills Bank) Hills Bank} to tie in with existing Iowa River Trail and the Highway 6 Trail. 48 SHIMEK SCHOOL J FOSTR Construct a trail north of Shimek School to future Foster $76,000 RD EXT TRAIL Road. 49 SIDEWALK-OLD 218 Construct a 10 foot wide sidewalk along S. Riverside Drive $656,000 {Old 218} between US Hwy 6 and the future extension of Mormon Trek Boulevard. 50 WILLOW CREEK TRAIL - Construct a trail from Willow Creek Drive, under Highway $820,000 PHASE III One, around perimeter of airport, to connect with Iowa River Corridor {IRC) Trail. 51 WILLOW CREEK TRAIL- Connect Willow Creek Trail from its current west terminus $2,652,000 WEST via a tunnel under Highway 218, to connect with the trail in Hunters Run Park and further west. 5 -Wastewater 52 NORTH BRANCH DAM This project extends easterly along Ralston Creek from the $3,639,000 TRUNK SEWER North Branch Dam to Scott Boulevard. 53 NORTHEAST TRUNK Reconstruction of an under-sized sewer through the $4,921,000 SEWER northeast neighborhoods. c - ss City of Iowa City Capital Improvements Program Unfunded Projects 54 NORTH WASTEWATER Demolish and remove all the NWWTP facility and prepare $17,000,000 PLANT DECOMMISSIONING site for parkland or redevelopment. 55 ROHRET SOUTH SEWER This project would extend the 30" sanitary sewer along $1,093,000 Abbey Lane from Burry Drive to the west side of Highway 218. This project will allow development within the watershed of Highway 218. 56 SCOTT BLVD TRUNK This project will extend the Scott Boulevard Trunk Sewer $1,311,000 SEWER - IAIS/WINDSOR from the north side of the Iowa Interstate Railroad at the RIDGE Scott Six Industrial Park to the lift station currently serving the Windsor Ridge Subdivision. 6 -Water 57 TAFTICOURT GROUND Construction of a one million gallon buried potable water $1,366,000 STORAGE RESERVOIR storage reservoir including pumping facilities. Land Acquisition was in FY02, FY03. 7 - Stormwater 58 CARSON LAKE REGIONAL Construction of a regional storm water management facility $1,093,000 STORMWATR on the middle branch of Willow Creek immediately west of Highway 218. This facility will serve development west of Highway 218 and south of Rohret Road. Rohret South Sewer project is a prerequisite. 59 IOWA AVENUE CULVERT This project will repair a box culvert that carries Ralston $328,000 REPAIRS Creek under Iowa Avenue. 60 N BRANCH BASIN Aerial mapping done for the update to the flood plain maps $127,000 EXCAVATION revealed that sedimentation has consumed a portion of the capacity of the facility. This basin is located in Hickory Hill Park. 61 OLYMPIC COURT Stormsewer retrofit to relieve localized flooding from $437,000 STORMWATER stormwater runoff. 62 SUNSET ST STORM SEWER The area just north and south of Kineton Green, east of $415,000 Sunset, has experienced back yard flooding and drainage problems. 8 -Parks & Recreation 63 DESTINATION/ADVENTURE Replace playground equipment in upper City Park with a $773,000 PLAYGROUND "destination/adventure playground" as recommended in the Parks & Rec Master Plan. 64 MESQUAKIE PARK This project will cover the entire old landfill with soil for $1,639,000 safety purposes in order to open up the green space for passiveJsemi-passive public use. 65 OUTDOOR ICE RINK J Construct outdoor ice rink suitable for figure skating or $1,500,000 SKATE PARK hockey. During warm weather rink could be used as skate park. C - 67 City of Iowa City Capital Improvements Program Unfunded Projects 66 PARK SHELTER Replace Creekside and Happy Hollow ShelterlRestroom $175,000 IMPROVEMENTS buildings. 67 PENINSULA PARK ENTRY Construct a sidewalk adjacent to the entry road in to $103,000 SIDEWALK Peninsula Park to reduce safety concerns with pedestrians utilizing the same narrow road utilized by motor vehicles. 68 REC CENTER EXPANSION Expand the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center; $5,464,000 likely expansion would be to the east over the existing parking lot which would allow for an expanded gymnasium as well as additional space for racquetball, arts and crafts, community meetings and other activities. 69 RECREATION !AQUATIC As recommended in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, $1,854,000 CENTER construct a major new Recreation & Aquatic Center, probably in the western part of Iowa City. 70 REDEVELOP CREEKSIDE Renovate Creekside Park as recommended in the Parks & $309,000 PARK Receation Master Plan. 71 SAND PRAIRIE Take steps to clear, re-seed and perform low impact $273,000 ENHANCEMENT & development on the 38 acre sand prairie and adjacent PRESERVATION McCollister property acquired in 2004105. The primary objective is to re-introduce sand prairie grasses in this area and construct a nature trail and small parking area. 72 SCANLON ELEVATED Construct an elevated runninglwalking track in the Scanlon $880,000 RUNNINGIWALKING TRACK Gym facility 73 SOCCER PARK POND Construct a pond at Kickers Soccer Park to accommodate $338,000 a field irrigation system. 74 QUEST SIDE PARK Acquire and develop land for a major new park in the west $1,700,000 part of the city, as recommended in the Parks & Recreation Master Plan. 9 -Other Projects 75 CEMETERY MAUSOLEUM Construction of a mausoleum. $382,000 76 CHAUNCEY SWAN This project involves the reuse of components of the old $121,000 FOUNTAIN City plaza fountain. 77 POLICE EVIDENCE Construction of a permanent evidence storage facility, $876,000 STORAGE FACILITY 78 FIBER OPTIC SYSTEM This project connects outlying City buildings onto the fiber $382,000 optic backbone, greatly increasing data transmission capacity. 79 FIRE STATION #1 Relocate and expand /modernize Central Fire Station #1 $10,927,000 RELOCATION C - 68 crrY o~ rower cr~r~r January 31, 2011 Dear Windsor Ridge resident - The City of Iowa City has recently received communication from residents of Windsor Ridge regarding the proposed Scott Park Trail Phase Three project. The project is being funded through a federal trails grant of $416,159 and matching funds of $363,841 funded through the City's Capital Improvement budget. The project is proposed to occur over two years. There will be completed on the storm water retention basin during the first year, July 2011 -June 2012 and the trail project will occur the following year, July 2012 -June 2013. The attached map to this email provides some general locations for the trail and priority phases. It is likely that two to three of the stages may be completed in the second year and will be determined when final designs and estimated project costs are determined. In order to provide the opportunity for dialogue and input, a neighborhood meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday February 9, 2011 at 7pm in Meeting Room B of the Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St. We will have members of staff and the consultants present in order to answer your questions, take feedback and give you information about the project. If you have any additional questions or concerns prior to this meeting, or cannot attend and would like to provide in put, please feel free to contact me at Mike-Moran(a~iowa-city.orq or at 319-356-5104. Thanks again for your feedback and we look forward to meeting with the neighborhood next week. Sincerely, Michael Moran CPRP Director Parks and Recreation 220 S. Gilbert St. Iowa City, IA 52240 319-356-5104 220 S. Gilbert Street • Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1632 • (319) 356-5100 • FAX (319) 356-5487 3f 3 Marian Karr From: McAlister, Glenn S [mailto:glenn-mcalister@uiowa.edu] Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 12:52 PM To: Council Subject: Why are property taxes so high in.IC ???? Why are property taxes in Iowa City so high? My neighbors and friends on the bus ask each other this question all the time but no one really has an answer. Do you have a logical way to explain why Coralville and other surrounding cities taxes are so much less than ours? Why does Iowa City have the highest property tax rate in Iowa? If you have an explanation or a FAQ link I would appreciate it. Thanks Glenn S. McAlister This correspondence will become a public record. Notice: This UI Health Care e-mail (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic '~ Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521, is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error, then delete it. Thank you. Notice: This UI Health Care e-mail (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act; 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521, is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error, then delete it. Thank you. Notice: This UI Health Care e-mail (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521, is confidential and maybe legally privileged..If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error, then delete it. Thank you. Marian Karr From: Kevin O'Malley Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2011 12:34 PM To: 'glenn-mcalister@uiowa.edu' Cc: *City Council Subject: RE: Why are property taxes so high in IC ???? Dear Mr. McAlister, I want to thank you for your question and interest in property tax rates in Iowa City and how we compare to other cities. I have been requested to respond to your inquiry and I will endeavor to share what I know on this question. As you are aware the City of Iowa City property tax rate is higher than neighboring cities in Johnson County however all cities do not provide the same services or level of services to its citizenry. Each city attempts to distinguish itself from its neighbor but there are certain commonalities such as police and fire services, parks and recreation, libraries, streets, and utilities. However cities are different due to population size, area, natural features, and citizen expectations. One way to view the difference is in the way communities utilize the allowable tax levies available. Below is a comparison of Iowa City and Coralville tax levy rates. Tax Levy Iowa City Coralville Difference Regular 8.10 8.10 0 Transit .95 0 .95 Tort Liability .35 .58 (.23) Library .27 0 .27 Employee .Benefits 3.52 2.73 .79 Debt Service 4.65 2.12 2.53 Total Levies 17.84 13.53 4.31 I will attempt to provide an explanation for the Iowa City tax levies however I cannot explain why Coralville's tax levies are composed. • Both cities operate transit systems however Iowa City's provides over three times the service area which requires additional capital and operating expenses. • The Tort Liability levy pays for the cost of insuring the cities for liability, property, and workers' compensation insurance. Iowa City has decided to self-insure for most claims and that should produce a lower cost of risk. o Both cities have city libraries however Iowa City's public library is proximate to U of I and Kirkwood students. The 27 cent Library levy was voted in by the citizens of Iowa City. ® The Employee Benefits levy pays for the cost of health insurance and pensions for police and fire employees, and other general fund employees. Also, Iowa City has been a Chapter 411 city (city over 8,000) for many decades and has liability for police and fire employees who have been disabled on the job and must pay for all medical costs. As you may Know, Iowa City has fulltime professional firefighters whereas Coralville utilizes a mostly volunteer fire department. Pension costs have increased 25% for our police and fire employees. o Both cities utilize the Debt Service levy to pay for bonds issued to build roads, bridges, airport runways, parks, equipping police, building and equipping fire stations. The total property valuations are one of the determinants in how large the Debt Service levy becomes and Iowa City has approximately 2 billion dollars of exempt property, $1.8 billion being the University of Iowa. As I alluded to earlier, each city provides similar and differing services, for example, Iowa City is the only city in Johnson County to operate a professional fulltime fire department, and own and operate a municipal airport and a landfill. This brief explanation is not the total answer for why Iowa City's property tax rate is different than Coralville's but it sheds a light on some facets that each community is providing the services that its citizens are willing to pay for. Fortunately Iowa City does not have the highest property tax rate in Iowa. If you have further questions please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Kevin Kevin O'Malley Director of Finance City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 kevin-o'mal ley@ iowa-city.o rg 319.356.5053 fax 319.341.4008 From: McAlister, Glenn S [mailto:glenn-mcalister@uiowa.edu] . Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 9:23 AM To: Kelly Hayworth Subject: FW: Why are property taxes so high in IC ???? Hi Kelly, do you have anything to add to this and can you confirm Kevin's figures? Thanks Glenn ..~...., . __ _.__ ,...wwM..___ _.~___._ From: Kelly Hayworth [mailto:khayworth@ci.coralville.ia.us] Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 3:20 PM To: McAlister, Glenn S Subject: RE: Why are property taxes so high in IC ???? I believe that Kevin's figures are accurate. I believe the two largest differences in tax rates would be the Police and Fire Pension costs which we do not have. Our Police and Fire members are on IPERS and Social Security which is significantly less than the system they have which is mandated by state law. The fire operational costs of having a full time department is also significant. Staffing levels are another difference but less so than the previous two items. Kelly From: McAlister, Glenn S [mailto:glenn-mcalister@uiowa.edu] Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2011 12:51 PM To: Kevin O'Malley Subject: FW: Why are property taxes so high in IC ???? I thought it only fair to let you see the whole thread. Thanks for responding. I distributed and continue to distribute your email to friends and neighbors who also think Iowa City property taxes are out of control. It's very frustrating to pay so much more than adjacent and surrounding communities. I guess the solution is to move out of Iowa City. Thanks Glenn Marian Karr From: Regenia Bailey <bailey@avalon.net> Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 6:19 PM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: DON'T RAISE PROPERTY TAXES -AGAIN! -----Original Message----- From: Hendley [mailto:hendley@q.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 5:21 AM To: regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org Subject: DON'T RAISE PROPERTY TAXES -AGAIN! You're raising property taxes again? Oh my god. You are trying to make it impossible to continue living in this city. Stop feeding off those of us who can't move our property to escape the taxes. Cut services. Cut services. Cut services. Do a better job of management and stop simply returning to the property tax trough again and again. Pete Hendley Iowa City, Iowa 3f 4 Marian Karr From: p_puppy@mchsi.com Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 6:26 PM Ta; Council Subject: Farmers Market Importance: High Again the DTA wants to take what is and has been the best award winning market around and uproot it. As a vendor we have heard so many comments on this market and never any mention, "oh I wish the market was downtown so we can shop and have lunch." It is only 2 block to go downtown. That is their choice. Most the customers we have come and get what they need or want and leave. They take their produce and bakery and are gone. If they want to go downtown, they will. If they don't they won't. Yes, it does get crowded at times, but I have never heard people say, Gosh we wish they would move the market down town so it isn't crowded." Comments I have heard from many tell us this is the best market in area. Don't' change it. What is big need for a change? Other markets are held outside because they do not have facilities to offer to be inside and protected shaded well located market. They would love to have this facility offered to them for a market. What has DTA offered to the people to come downtown during the market? I have not seen flyer or offers or anything to encourage mass movement to downtown. I can tell you that even with being in the ramp during rains, storms, or snow, our business is less. Being outside without cover would be next to nothing. Vegetables and flowers are very perishable. If not sold, throwing away product is very hard on the vendors. Would the Downtown Business's want to throw their products out only after having spent many hours the day gathering and cleaning and preparing for the market? That is what is being proposed. Do you know on Friday nights, we may only sleep 2 hours or not at all, before it is time to come and set up for a Saturday market? Football days, we know to not bring inasmuch product as the patrons just do not come. The activities the market offer s in the park is outstanding. If the DTA wants a market, ask vendors to see if they are willing to come on Sundays for a trial. Maybe a Friday night, downtown open air? Maybe open it to vendors to the South behind the Recreation Center. Top floors of the ramp would be closer than the parking offered by DTA. Tammy has tried hard to make the market a better place, now she is going to have to deal with the stress of vendor's anger and trying to please the city manager. Come on give us and her break, let the market go on as it has. Put a vote to the venders; No vendors -No market. Thanks 31 years a vendor. Ed and Pauline Greazel 1 Marian Karr From: Carolyn Zaiser <onesmallfamily@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2011 1:34 PM To: Council Subject: "No" to the proposed Farmer's Market move Dear Iowa City Council Members: For 13 years I have attended nearly every week's Farmer's Market, spending approximately $20-$40 each week. Please do no move Farmer's Market to "downtown". If this does occur I know I will not attend as regularly as I have in the past. Additionally, there are numerous reasons not to make this move including the following: • Additional cost and inconvenience to vendors including having to purchase a tent for bad weather. We are sure to lose a number of vendors in the move, just when Farmer's Market is really growing. • Iowa weather is very unpredictable and the cover the current location provides is ideal for windy and rainy day- of which there are many. Customers don't want to carry their purchases AND umbrellas. • The current location offers parking more convenient than any in "downtow. • Pandering to the downtown business owners at the expense of small Farmer's Markets vendors is a poor move for political purposes only. I can guarantee that if the move is made I will avoid shopping at the current downtown stores, as I know this is where the pressure is originating. • Farmer's Market is already "downtown". • The beautiful green space of the little park is ideal for families, music, etc. and will be sorely lacking in the proposed location. Iowa City has it's problems, with much needing addressed. However this is not one of them. At least keep the things that work well the same, and instead focus on the Iowa City issues that really need your attention. Respectfully, Carolyn Zaiser 509 Westside Drive Iowa City 3f 5 Marian Karr From: Brenda Nations Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2011 4:46 PM To: 'umashakti1 @yahoo.com' Cc: "City Council; Kathryn Johansen; Rick Fosse; Tom Markus; Jennifer Jordan Subject: RE: Going out to eat this weekend?? Ms. Renz: In addition to Jennifer Jordan's comments, I'd like to add that there is a national certification for green restaurants and information can be found at this website: http://d i negree n.com/restaurants/sta nda rds.asp It has a very comprehensive range of points to qualify not only recycling and food composting but also energy efficiency, local food, and water conservation. Some cities around the country also have green business certifications, and as you've mentioned, post stickers about their certification in their windows to promote their efforts. I worked with a U of I business class to research what it would take to get a program going in Iowa City and it was decided it is best if a 3rd party grant this type of certification. We have been interested in finding someone to work with us on it -- I think would be great to get a program like this started in the area. As a citizen I believe the best thing you can do is let these businesses know that programs like this exist and if they are interested they can get recognition from national programs like the one above. To be nationally recognized as a green restaurant would be a good incentive for a restaurant owner. The City would be happy to assist with their questions about recycling, food composting, energy efficiency, and any other issues regarding sustainability. If you have any further questions feel free to contact me. Thank you for your interest in this, Brenda Brenda Nations Environmental Coordinator City of Iowa City 4366 Napoleon St. SE Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Phone: (319) 887-6161 Fax: (319) 356-5172 brenda-nations@iowa-city.org www.icgov.org/environment -----Original Message----- From:Jennifer Jordan Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 12:19 PM To: 'umashaktil@yahoo.com' Cc: *City Council; Kathryn Johansen; Rick Fosse; Tom Markus; Brenda Nations Subject: RE: Going out to eat this weekend?? Hello Ms. Renz, Thank you for your email. Restaurants and grocery stores are commercial entities; as such, the City cannot provide them trash or recycling services per Iowa City code. They must hire private waste/recycling haulers, such as Hawkeye Waste, Waste Management or Johnson County Refuse, Inc., to provide and service their trash and recycling containers. Many restaurants and grocery stores choose to hire at least cardboard recycling services in addition to trash services as they see the financial and environmental value in recycling. The City does not sell recycling bins for businesses; if they are interested in providing recycling for their customers, they would have to purchase the bins and hire the service (or have their staff take the recycling to adrop-off site). One new program that targets restaurants and grocery stores that the City is working on a food scrap collection program. Currently we have two entities utilizing this program and hope to have a dozen or so by the end of the year. The food waste is picked up by a private hauler and taken to the Landfill's commercial compost facility, where it is mixed with yard waste and composted; the compost is then sold to the public for $10 per ton. As a citizen, I think the most important thing you can do is let the businesses you utilize know what you would like to see them do to maintain your business. If they are already doing it, let them know you appreciate it and that's why you continue to patronize them. I believe the City's Environmental Coordinator, Brenda Nations, has researched what other communities have done to promote businesses that are trying to be more environmentally friendly, sometimes through the City and sometimes through the area's chamber of commerce. I'll defer to heron this...she is copied on this email. Please let me know if you have further questions. Sincerely, Jen Jordan Recycling Coordinator Iowa City Landfill & Recycling Center 3900 Hebl Avenue SW Iowa City, IA 52246 319-887-6160 Jennifer-Jordan@iowa-city.org www.icgov.org/environment -----Original Message----- From: Kathryn Johansen Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 8:17 AM To: Jennifer Jordan Subject: FW: Going out to eat this weekend?? Hello Jen, Would you respond to Ms. Renz and cc City Council on your reply? Thank you, Kathi -----Original Message----- From: Rachel Renz [mailto:umashaktil@yahoo.com] Sent: Saturday, March 05, 20119:22 AM To: Council Subject: Going out to eat this weekend?? This correspondence will become a public record. Good morning Council members, Any way that restaurants and food distributors of Iowa City can be held more responsible to recycle and given incentive to do so? Currently I believe the only major item that the city takes is cardboard. I understand it is unrealistic to have something similar to the curbside bins for each establishment, yet all the materials other then cardboard that could be recycled and aren't out of inconvenience to the owner/staff is a considerable amount. Some restaurants have taken the responsibility of recycling into their own hands. Could their be city stickers that are made and posted stating that they recycle? I have noticed a couple of places, like the Public Library and New Pioneer Co-op in Coralville, that have public recycling containers available near entrances. Are these for sale to all businesses? By making recycling a priority in the food industry it can create more awareness for the consumer to be less wasteful and seek out/support those restaurants and such, that do the same. Would love to hear your feedback and suggestions on what I can do as a citizen to help create this awareness and possible change. My idea so far: go to restaurants and just ask them if they recycle, why or why not, tell them the benefits (esp. for their business, if any other than promoting conscious consumerism and a cleaner environment) and then give them info. on how they can recycle at the lowest cost. Would need more help and info. from you, though, to make that happen:) Thank you for your time! Rachel Renz Sent from my iPad 3 3f 6 Marian Karr From: Case, Rhonda <Rhonda.Case@pearson.com> Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 8:37 AM To: Sam Hargadine Cc: ~*City~Cogncil;"Kathryn Johansen Subject: RE: The problem with traffic cameras -~o what it means to young driver is that it's no problem if you get a camera ticket -just pay the fine, Mom or Dad. But if caught by a police officer they lose their license. Let's call it what it is - it's a double standard and that's the way the young drivers will see it. Thank you for listening. Sincerely, 'Rhonda Case Marian Karr From: Sam Hargadine Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 3:51 PM To: Rhonda.Case@pearson.com Cc: *City Council; Kathryn Johansen Subject: FW: The problem with traffic cameras Dear Ms. Case, The Council has yet to review staff reports or consider the options regarding the utilization of traffic cameras. Your emai was forwarded to me to respond to your questions. You are correct that the bill or ticket goes to the registered owner of the vehicle. It is actually a civil imposed fine. It is not a traffic citation that is forwarded to the DOT which eventually could have driver's license implications. It's not intended to have the same fine or license implication that a summons from a police officer issues. Red Light/Speed cameras are an alternative solution utilized to reduce the number of crashes caused by running a red light or excessive speed. The Council will take up the issue in the near future and until then it's a concept that's being researched by City staff. Regards, SAL~tUIe~ ~. ~NU2e Chief of Police Iowa City Police Department 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240-1826 From: Case, Rhonda [mailto:Rhonda.Case@pearson.com] Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 12:49 PM To: Council Subject: The problem with traffic cameras As I understand it, if a camera catches a car speeding or running a red light the owner of the car gets the ticket. But what if the owner is not the one driving? There are several rules regarding having NO violations while driving with a permit or intermediate license. http~//www iowadot qov/mvd/ods/gdl.htm Police stopping someone with a restricted license will give the proper person a ticket, but if it's up to the camera these teens will not be given the ticket and thus not subject to the DOT rules. So how will this be prevented? Rhonda Case 4920 vincent Ave SE Iowa City 319 331-5510 Rhonda Case CQA Quality Process Auditor Quality & Continuous Improvement Assessment & Information 319 354-9200 x 21-6328 Rhonda CaseC~.pearson.com "Well behaved women seldom make history" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich 3 -~ (c~ } Marian Karr From: Zach Hanson <zchnson@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, March 21, 2011 3:19 PM To: Council Subject: Red Light Cameras and Quick Question Hello, My name is Zach Hanson and I am writing to express my concern over the recent proposals of Red-Light Cameras in Iowa City. However, before I begin that discussion, I have a simple question in which I have been unable to find an answer to: Will the elevation of Dubuque street be funded entirely through the ARRA and City funds or will property owners nearby be charged for a special assessment? Red Light Cameras were declared unconstitutional and an invasion of privacy by our neighbors to the north in Minnesota. I don't see why we should set any other standard here in Iowa City. With cameras, Cedar Rapids has become even less attractive than before to the business and residential communities alike. It can be quickly proven through a google search that any revenue initially collected is and will be quickly diminished by the third-party vendor charging for the service. If the council were to take a vote of residents (the residents that they are representing), this measure would instantly drop dead in its tracks and I encourage such a vote whenever possible. Don't let narrow statistics shown to you by the police chief (the man who will be receiving the additional revenue generated) instantly change your mind. There are studies that will prove just the opposite of what he has told you if you do a little research. In fact, a study done by the University of California San Diego (where red-light cameras are quite literally everywhere), proved that while the number of fatal accidents decreased by 2 (which is probably a cause to new safety features in cars), minor accidents increased almost ten fold from 273 to 2,531. The study indicates that people nervous about getting a ticket would slam on their brakes surprising the car behind into a fender bender. While I am greatly opposed to the cameras, I do understand the good intentions of the police chief and the council in considering them. If approved, I would prefer to see any money generated funneled into infrastructure or towards a decrease in water fees. There are many roads in our city that need attention (Park Road Especially!). A few alternate ideas to the red-light cameras that have been proven, without doubt, to lower accidents are as follows: (Feel free to contact the transportation engineering professors at the University of Iowa to verify) -Extending the "All Red" sequence of a traffic signal (The portion of a signal cycle in which all lights are red) -Extending the yellow times to 3-4 seconds -Adding Right Turn Lanes where there are none Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. I thank you in advance for your response. -Zach Hanson This correspondence will become a public record. Fax -Ryan Denke PLLC (13193565497) 07:37 03/22/11GMT-08 Pg 01-01 ~„~„ E 1876 W. Benton St. Iowa City, IA 52246 201 I MAR 22 AM 9~ ~~ Mar 22, 2011 Dear Iowa City City Councji(~ ~6T~ ~'~$~,~ 3-~(~~ I was shocked and surprised to see that Iowa City is the latest city council and police department to be wined, dined, and dazzled by photo enforcement vendors in an attempt to get the city to contract for their services. The first thing you should know is that the character of the companies you are dealing with, and an article came out just today should give you a feel for their ethics: http•//thenewspaper com/news/34/3434.asp as well as websites like FireRedflex.com. The second thing you should realize is that YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED to make traffic engineering decisions. If the city has dangerous traffic areas, then PLEASE hire a comprehensive traffic engineering study by an INDEPENDENT firm to evaluate the TRUE CAUSE of accidents and ALL solutions. If the study recommends increased enforcement, then please evaluate cameras as a *possible* solution, but please evaluate ALL solutions. A recent article on the subject states: "Understanding root causes of red light running crashes (e.g., intentional versus unintentional infractions, driving under the influence, or traffic signal or intersection defects) is necessary to advance remedies that are specific to the problem," the report stated. "In contrast, red light camera advocates presume red light running crashes occur from willful red light running." (http//www thenewspaper.com/news/34/3413.asp) How does the city know that the red light crashes are the result of WILLFUL red light running? Please do not trust the words of companies who just want to sell their services and equipment. Finally, you should know that photo enforcement is wildly UNPOPULAR and can likely lead to the end of your term in office. These companies will tell you that their carefully-engineered surveys show that photo enforcement iswell-supported, but the truth is that there have been 15 elections nationwide regarding photo enforcement and photo enforcement has been voted down EVERY TIME. The ballot box is the only poll that matters. Please educate yourself on this subject before you commit to revenue raising at the expense of the citizens and visitors of Iowa City. If you have any questions please email ryan.denke(a,cox.net. Thank you, Ryan Denke Marian Karr From: bluffwood@mchsi.com Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 1:57 PM To: Council Subject: Red-Light Cameras Dear Iowa City Councilors: have two questions that I'd like to be included in the discussion regarding the use of red-light cameras in Iowa City. We've all been in the situation where the traffic light turns yellow as we are close to the intersection. The driver must decide in an instant if it is feasible and safe to stop at the white stopping line. Sometimes it's not physically possible to stop in time so the driver must continue through the intersection. Sometimes you can stop but risk causing achain- reaction collision with other vehicles that are following too closely, so the driver elects to continue through the intersection on the yellow-turning-red light. 1) Can and will the length of yellow lights be adjusted so there is sufficient time for a driver to clear the intersection before the red light appears when the driver determines it is not practical to stop? Having short yellow lights is always a bad idea and especially so at intersections with red-light cameras. It would invite more rear-end collisions as cars suddenly stop to avoid red-light tickets. 2) Do we have intersections where the lights are briefly red in all directions during light changes? If so, will the cameras take pictures beginning when the yellow light turns red or when the previously-red light turns green? I would hope it would be when the red light turns green. Ultimately, this is related to question #1. Mark Smellie 2580 Bluffwood Lane Iowa City 3 -~- (6 ) Marian Karr From: John Yapp Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 4:40 PM To: 'bluffwood@mchsi.com' Cc: Sam Hargadine; Tom Markus; Marian Karr Subject: FW: Red-Light Cameras Hello Mark Smellie -your email was forwarded to me for a response. Good questions. 1) Regarding yellow lights, yes they are timed according traffic approach speed and deceleration rate, to allow motorists to see the yellow light, and depending on their location in proximity to the intersection, have enough reaction time to decide to proceed through the intersection or to safely come to a stop before entering the intersection. In other words, the higher the speed, the longer the yellow light phase is. 2) Yes, signalized intersections have a short all-red 'clearance phase' as an additional buffer before the next green phase. Iowa City has not yet made the decision to implement camera-based enforcement, but communities which have implemented red-light-running cameras typically have the cameras capture an image of a vehicle entering an intersection after the light has turned red at the end of the yellow light phase. Regards, John Yapp, Transportation Planner From: bluffwood@mchsi.com [mailto:bluffwood@mchsi.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 1:57 PM To: Council Subject: Red-Light Cameras Dear Iowa City Councilors: I have two questions that I'd like to be included in the discussion regarding the use of red-light cameras in Iowa City. We've all been in the situation where the traffic light turns yellow as we are close to the intersection. The driver must decide in an instant if it is feasible and safe to stop at the white stopping line. Sometimes it's not physically possible to stop in time so the driver must continue through the intersection. Sometimes you can stop but risk causing achain- reaction collision with other vehicles that are following too closely, so the driver elects to continue through the intersection on the yellow-turning-red light. 1) Can and will the length of yellow lights be adjusted so there is sufficient time for a driver to clear the intersection before the red light appears when the driver determines it is not practical to stop? Having short yellow lights is always a bad idea and especially so at intersections with red-light cameras. It would invite more rear-end collisions as cars suddenly stop to avoid red-light tickets. 2) Do we have intersections where the lights are briefly red in all directions during light changes? If so, will the cameras take pictures beginning when the yellow light turns red or when the previously-red light turns green? I would hope it would be when the red light turns green. Ultimately, this is related to question #1. Mark Smellie 2580 Bluffwood Lane Iowa City Fax -Ryan Denke PLLC (13193565497) 07:37 03/22/11 G MT-08 Pg 01-01 ~,,,, ~ ~` 1876 W. Benton St. Iowa City, IA 52246 ~~+~ ~~~ ~G ~~~ ~: ~~ Mar 22, 2011 C1~`~' CL~.~~i Dear Iowa City City Counc~l~~`t~ y16r:! ~`~~',~e 3~'~~~ I was shocked and surprised to see that Iowa City is the latest city council and police department to be wined, dined, and dazzled by photo enforcement vendors in an attempt to get the city to contract for their services. The first thing you should know is that the character of the companies you are dealing with, and an article came out just today should give you a feel for their ethics: http•//thenewspaper com/news/34/3434.asp as well as websites like FireRedflex.com. The second thing you should realize is that YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED to make traffic engineering decisions. If the city has dangerous traffic areas, then PLEASE hire a comprehensive traffic engineering study by an INDEPENDENT firm to evaluate the TRUE CAUSE of accidents and ALL solutions. If the study recommends increased enforcement, then please evaluate cameras as a *possible* solution, but please evaluate ALL solutions. A recent article on the subject states: "Understanding root causes of red light running crashes (e. g., intentional versus unintentional infractions, driving under the influence, or traffic signal or intersection defects) is necessary to advance remedies that are specific to the problem," the report stated. "In contrast, red light camera advocates presume red light running crashes occur from willful red light running." (http~//www thenewspaper com/news/34/3413.asp) How does the city know that the red light crashes are the result of WILLFUL red light running? Please do not trust the words of companies who just want to sell their services and equipment. Finally, you should know that photo enforcement is wildly UNPOPULAR and can likely lead to the end of your term in office. These companies will tell you that their carefully-engineered surveys show that photo enforcement iswell-supported, but the truth is that there have been 15 elections nationwide regarding photo enforcement and photo enforcement has been voted down EVERY TIME. The ballot box is the only poll that matters. Please educate yourself on this subject before you commit to revenue raising at the expense of the citizens and visitors of Iowa City. If you have any questions please email ryan.denke(a,cox.net. Thank you, Ryan Denke 3f 7 Marian Karr From: Mary Gantz <margantz@yahoo.com> Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 1:58 PM To: Council Subject: the Taft Speedway flood levee To the members of the City of Iowa City Council: It has come to the attention of the property owners in Idyllwild that due to a heavy influx of mail from the 9 residences along the Iowa River to Senator Charles Grassley, Senator Grassley has asked that the decision to construct the Taft Speedway flood levee be reexamined. Bruce and I hope that your original Council decision 7-0 to proceed with planning and construction of that levee will continue to prevail. Not only are we interested in recovering as much of our property value as is possible, Out it seems the tax base relative to the loss of value of our Idyllwild property is important for the City of Iowa City. In addition, insuring access to the Peninsula neighborhood during flooding is very important. Please do not let the voices of 9 property owners who have already rejected the chance of a FEMA buyout prevail, over those 92 property owners in Idyllwild who did not get that chance at a buyout. They are willing to continue to take their chances with the Iowa River. We are not willing to take such a gamble. Thank you. Bruce and Mary Gantz Marian Karr From: Janet Lessner <jelessner@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 7:55 AM To: Council Subject: The Taft Speedway Levee To the City Council: I understand that the National HUD Disaster Recovery Office has asked the City of Iowa City to gather more information regarding the effects of the Taft Speedway Levee on residents living on Taft Speedway. I wish to comment on the issue. There's little doubt that the nine remaining residents of Taft Speedway will fight hard to prevent the levee from being built, and they have every right to do so. They have lived at the water's edge for many years, and they are committed to their river related lifestyles, including the real and continuing threat of floods. It has ever been thus for these families. They have lived with the threat or the reality of floods from their very first days there. And clearly, since they have rejected the FEMA offer to purchase their homes for more than fair market value, they have chosen to continue to live with that threat knowing that there are no practical steps that can be taken to decrease their obvious and continuing vulnerability. Not so with the residents of Idyllwild. Almost to a person, the threat of a flood was remote, if not inconceivable. When my sister and I purchased a condo there for our elderly mother, we were assured that Idyllwild was well beyond reach of the river, and the devastating flood of'94 was offered as reassuring evidence of that. The City Council of Iowa City was also convinced that the chances of flooding were remote, as can be seen in the record of its deliberations concerning the approval of development of the Idyllwild community. Unlike the residents of Taft Speedway, the residents of Idyllwild did not choose to live dangerously. In hindsight, it might be said that Idyllwild residents were unrealistic and likely unwise, but putting oneself in harm's way unwittingly is different from doing so knowingly. Taft Speedway residents know that their only hope for reducing the impact of the next flood is to make sure the flood waters are allowed to engulf the adjoining property, namely the Idyllwild community. So to protect the interests of nine families, 92 families would suffer. This equation is unbalanced. The levee needs to be built to protect the welfare of the many rather than be rejected to protect the welfare of the few. Sincerely, Janet E. Lessner 10 Spring Valley Dr. NE Iowa City 3f 8 Mr. Jacob Ohrt 1520 Dover Street Iowa City, IA 52240 The Honorable Matt Hayek 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor Hayek, I am writing to you to propose a solution to the problems of underage drinking in Iowa City. I agree with the intentions of the 21-Only Ordinance and I think that it is a good start to addressing the problem of underage drinking. I believe that there are additional actions that can be taken. Before I get into that, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jacob Ohrt and I am a Junior at Iowa City High School. I am taking a State and Local Government class and we are working on a civics project. The project intends to involve us in our community by making us aware of the things going on in the community and by expressing our concerns. What I am proposing is, to provide non-alcoholic entertainment for people to engage in while downtown. The first step would be to develop and send out a survey for this group of people to fill out, to find out what activities they would be interested in doing. I do understand, once the results were tabulated, that the city council would have to agree upon what to actually allow the people to be able to do. Once the council agrees upon which activities are acceptable, they would need to search for business people willing to host these activities. The city council, however, may have to provide the businesses with tax incentives and advertising to help get the word out about the new activities. In conclusion, I believe that the plan to provide underage people with non-alcoholic activities to engage in would help slow the rate of underage drinking and all the problems revolving around it. I also believe that these new business-sponsored activities would help to bring in revenue to the city to help make up for any revenue lost due to the closing of some of the bars downtown. I hope you feel the same way that I do, and that my letter encourages you to pursue this proposed solution. Thank you for your consideration. N Since ely, 0 .~ c-' ~'' n'~ N Jacob T. Ohrt e`rr~-~ -~ ~'' N 01 3f 9 Marian Karr From: Krecr@aol.com Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 10:06 AM To: Council Cc: president@uiowa.edu Subject: Methane Gas Project/UI This correspondence will become a public record. Dear Mayor Hayek and Council members, I am a resident of Cedar Rapids who read the Gazette front page article on February 28, 2011 about Iowa City selling the captured methane gas to the UI. Has it occurred to the Council to give the gas away to the University instead of trying to make a buck? This is a great opportunity to do something nice. You were throwing it away by burning it off. Now, someone comes in and says that they could use it. Give it to them please. The money they pay for it has to come from somewhere. I certainly haven't read any articles about tuition costs spiraling downwards. You should be grateful that a place like the UI can use it. If MidAmerican Energy came to you and said that they want to get the gas for free so they can sell it, then yes, charge them for it.That makes sense. But for a state university to come up with a plan to be able to use the waste product that would otherwise be burned off and be charged for the gas, come on, do the right thing and give it to them. The PR for the city for giving the gas to the University should far outweigh any monetary gains. Sincerely, Ken Eaton Cedar Rapids, IA 3f 10 Marian Karr From: Jim Urban <jwurban@mchsi.com> Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 7:40 PM To: Council; board@iccsd.k12.ia.us Cc: Devin Mehaffey Subject: Out Sourcing of ICCSD Food Service I am writing to you as a member of the Food Services of the Iowa City Community School District. Recently, it has been disclosed to us that the Schools Superintendent, Mr. Murley, is considering out-sourcing the Iowa City Schools meal program. This means that there will be no local control of this very essential service that we members of the ICCSD Food Service we provide. I would like to point out that the majority of the employees are parents and grandparents of schools enrolled in Iowa City schools. Furthermore, the food service department is the only ICCSD department that is operated in the black thanks to the many efforts of the Food Service Director, Diane Duncan-Goldsmith. I request that you become a supporter of our local Iowa City Food Service employees and seek first answers to why this is even being considered as an option. Our Iowa City students deserves to maintain local control of the food services, how those foods are prepared, as well as, producing a profit for the district rather than become just another expense for which a check has to be written. Furthermore, do we know that a company is not just submitting a low bid to take over the food services and then will raise the price in the next year? Jim Urban Food Service Associate 1423 W. Benton Street Iowa City, Ia 52246 319-3 51-0046 3f 11 Marian Karr From: DThornton9@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 7:41 AM To: Council Subject: This is a bad idea. Mayor and City Council, This is a bad idea. Just where do you think the city is going to find the money to subsidize this? Another local option sales tax? Permanently? Or even higher property taxes? Or another fee on our trash bill? Water bill? Let those who use the service, pay for it If the 100s of 1000s you think will use it, do -then the cost each should only increase by oh, $4.00 per ticket. If they don't, then the cost will be closer to an additional $40.00 per ticket. So just keep taking money from the students. As each Iowa undergraduate graduate has an average of almost $30,000 in student loan debt anyway -they won't notice another $250/year, on top of the regular ticket price, to go home. ($40/ticket, 6 trips home/year.) And what happens when that required subsidize increases to $800,000/year, or a million? Regular citizens can't afford more tax increases, for a money losing, boondoggle project. Thank you. Deborah Thornton Iowa City "The city council in Iowa City has decided to tell the state that the city would look for local funding for Amtrak service to Chicago. The city didn't commit to spending its own money yet, however. Iowa City officials joined officials from the Quad Cities, Des Moines and Dubuque last week to discuss the federal plan with officials from the Iowa Department of Transportation, Amtrak and Illinois. Iowa City was told Monday that it would need to find $300,000 to $400,000 a year for its contribution. The federal government is providing $230 million to establish service between Iowa City and Chicago by 2015. Gov. Terry Branstad has expressed reservations about the state's estimated $3 million share of annual operating costs." 3~-~11~ Marian Karr From: Tom Markus Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 8:42 AM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: Passenger Rail Business Plan Please copy this email to council for tonights meeting From: White, Cheryl [DOT] [mailto:Cheryl.White@dot.iowa.govJ Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 8:28 AM To: 'dbulat@bistateonline.org'; 'doug.elliott@ecicog.org'; 'mayor@grinnelliowa.gov'; 'mwymore@region6planning.org'; 'tashby@dmampo.org'; 'ccoleman@dm.bbb.org'; 'ted.ohmart@wdm-ia.com'; 'angels.connolly@polkcountyiowa.gov'; 'mfreemire@bettendorf.org'; 'mayorgluba@ci.davenport.ia.us'; 'tsunderbruch@scottcountyiowa.com'; 'bbarnhill@ci.davenport.ia.us'; 'ctm@ci.davenport.ia.us'; 'shohenadel@bettendorf.org'; 'Icminard@q.com'; 'admin@scottcountyiowa.com'; 'gmccullough@bistateonline.org'; 'tbarney@quadcitieschamber.com'; 'prumler@quadcitychamber.com'; 'j.pomeranz@cedar-rapids.org'; 'Darrin.gage@linncounty.org'; 'A.Lindenlaub@cedar-rapids.org'; 'c.butterfield@cedar-rapids.org'; 'jfausett@ci.coralville.ia.us'; 'pharney@co.johnson.ia.us'; 'matt-hayek@iowa- city.org'; 'khayworth@ci.coralville.ia.us'; 'tom-markus@iowa-city.org'; 'john-yapp@iowa-city.org'; 'Brad- Neumann@iowa-city.org'; 'nancy@iowacityarea.com'; 'rneades@iowacityarea.com'; 'Joshua@iowacitycoralville.org'; 'linda.langston@linncounty.org' Cc: Anderson, Stuart [DOT]; Nicholson, Tamara [DOT]; Baird, Elizabeth [DOT] Subject: Passenger Rail Business Plan Yesterday afternoon Stu Anderson, Tammy Nicholson and I met with Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds, and other Governor's Office key staff to discuss the DOT's business plan for covering the operating costs for new passenger rail service in Iowa. The business plan documents the local/state partnership for providing costs over aten-year period from beginning of service in FY 2016 through FY 2025. In addition, the plan identifies actions that will also be considered to increase revenues and/or lower operating costs between now and the initiation of service. The Governor is now reviewing the plan, discussing it with other stakeholders and will get back to us soon with his decision. I want to thank each of you for all of your efforts related to this business plan. We could not have done it without you- eitherthe development of the funding methodology or the financial commitments that were made to the plan. I want each of you to have a copy of the business plan that we presented to the Governor and that he is considering. You may access it at www.iowadot.ROV/iowarail/passenger/highspeedintercity.htm. For the Iowa City to Quad Cities to Chicago service, you will see both a Business Plan Highlights document, which is a summary of the key discussion points, and a Business Plan, which provides full project background. For the Dubuque to Chicago service,. there Ss a Business Plan document. Let me know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Nancy J. Richardson Director Iowa Department of Transportation 3f 12 Marian Karr From: Roberts, Cindy <cindy-roberts@uiowa.edu> Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 8:00 PM To: Council Subject: Affordable Housing model-thank you from Cindy Roberts Dear Mayor Hayek and City Council members, I wanted to extend my appreciation to all of you for your support of the affordable housing model that was presented to you in February. This model represents a tremendous amount of work by City staff. It lays out a thorough and thoughtful approach for future planning. I sincerely wish you the best as city staff continue providing education to our community about this plan. Education is a key element in this process. If there is something that the Grant Wood Neighborhood Association can help in those efforts, please let me know. In appreciation, Cindy Roberts "Serving Our Neighborhood N Making a Difference" Grant Wood Neighborhood Association/GWNA Iowa City, IA 3f 13 ,'"='c') ;'soy,; SD 1 l~;c~%cI~ ! 3, 20! ! ~:~neE cc-cv~~2 ~ ~•~ a~t,~i.~,.~u2-~, c~ou a.~oc.f~ c ra~f?f.~~ f°'e~tiuc~~~ ~-o~z oc>> f ,.y. ~ .~ c C';~' ..Ji'~is. -~,ee:r.~ 100: ~~~o/J/~./(.UG n 0 r. v.+"i.P.. ~LOi ,~ r f ~ Q,C,I~Z~,:~ c~ /' %f-~ Uv'".. t:;e2~f ~? 'JO Lii:'r •:/<...~:.^ ~.t~ -..G~'G /~ ..P~~~/1 n ,~-`~:E-G/~~: COS2~,Cr.(i±. dr ~v ~ cl"OU GfL~ 2r~~.J1c~ii,C;~;. .,,,, o C? .~.. ~~ ~ "~€ ~J ti"~ -~ --~ t'a v't ~"" t-^ ~~ ~ cj ~ -~. ;-- l,puirt, ~~ ~l.P_/ULL~~ `j. 1`'r00/LG, c,Gi:UCa'/~2iL D<,'r ._~DiIUG^;.j? ,;?~v~P.4, .- ~, <.~~u~ .:-~ o o2e ,~"o%C SG i