HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-19 CorrespondenceCITY OF IOWA CITY Ui
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so MEMORANDUM
Date: April 12, 2011
To: City Manager
From: Kristopher Ackerson, Acting Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for April 19th, 2011 City Council meeting: Installation of (1) HANDICAP
PARKING space in front of 300 West Side Drive
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council
of the following action.
Action:
Pursuant to Section 9- 1- 3A(14) of the City Code, a sign indicating HANDICAP PARKING will be
installed in front of 300 West Side Drive.
Comment:
This action is being taken to accommodate a disabled resident at this address.
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Pat Harney, Chairperson
Terrence Neuzil
Janelle Rettig
Sally Stutsman
Rod Sullivan
March 31, 2011
Mayor Matt Hayek
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Mayor Hayek:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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In 2004, Johnson County entered into a contract with the City of Iowa City and the Iowa City
Library Board of Trustees. This contract provides that rural residents can enjoy the use of the
Iowa City Library and Johnson County would pay a proportionate share of the tax askings for the
Library's operating budget. Johnson County entered into similar contracts with the cities of
Coralville, North Liberty, Solon and Tiffin.
The Board of Supervisors believes that the system has worked well. Rural residents are able to
use the excellent public libraries in Johnson County and the budgeting process has been
stabilized for the libraries and the County. It is reasonable, however, after seven years to revisit
the terms of the contract to ensure that the provisions adequately address current realities.
The Board is interested in reviewing the library contracts and perhaps ,proposing some .
amendments prior to beginning the process of preparing the FY 2013 budget. While the Board
does not anticipate terminating the contract, Section II of the contract provides:
DURATION AND TERMINATION
The term of this Agreement shall commence July 1, 2004 fiscal Year 2005) for a period of one (1) year,
and shall be renewed automatically for succeeding terms of one year each ) "Contract Year'), unless
written notice to the contrary is given no later than April P by Johnson County, the Iowa City Public
Library, or Iowa City. Such notice may be given by personal delivery to the Iowa City Mayor or Johnson
County Chair, or by regular mail to said officials. Unless terminated as provided herein or as provided by
law, "Contract Year" shall run concurrently with the appropriate budgetary fiscal year for .Iowa City and
Johnson County, as provided by law.
913 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET, SUITE 201 ♦ IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 -4207 ♦ PHONE: (319) 356 -6000 ♦ FAX: (319) 356 -6036
Mayor Matt Hayek
March 31, 2011
Page 2
Therefore, in order to ensure that the County's interests are protected and the parties may engage
in a full review of the contract, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives written notice, pursuant to
the provisions quoted above, of its intention to "terminate" the existing library contract. Again,
this notice is accompanied by an expectation that a revised agreement will be reached prior to the
time we both begin working on our FY2013 budgets.
The Board will begin reviewing the library contracts in April and certainly will involve city
officials and library directors in the process. The Board of Supervisors appreciates and supports
the work of local libraries and we hope that this process can prove beneficial to all parties.
Sincerely
Pat Harney
Chairperson
cc: Tom Markus, City Manager
Susan Craig, Iowa City Public Library
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Marian Karr
From: Dale Helling
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 2:29 PM
To: 'Henderson, Lily W'
Cc: Council
Subject: RE:
Dear Ms. Henderson,
Thank you for your recent email to the City Council regarding your concerns about the after -hours fines for minors in
alcohol venues. Council has received your message as part of the consent agenda for its April 19 regular meeting.
You may be interested in knowing that at its last work session on April 4`h, in response to this same issue raised by the UI
Student Government Council Representative, Council instructed the City Attorney to draft an amendment to the City
Code revising these fines to $300 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense, and $625 for a third or subsequent
offense. This will allow for a lesser fine for a situation such as you describe while maintaining the higher fine for repeat
or habitual violators.
In answer to your question regarding what is done with the fine money, it goes into the City's general operating budget,
of which about 22% ($11 million) is spent for police department operations. Though a relatively small amount, the
revenue from fines does help in diverting some of the cost of policing the community from the average tax payer to
those who violate the laws. Of course all fines are meant to act as a deterrent to future violations and thus must be in an
amount greater than the average person is willing to routinely pay. Hopefully the revised graduated fine schedule will
help reduce the burden on one -time offenders while still deterring those who might otherwise regard multiple fines as
"affordable ".
Thank you for your interest and for sharing your concerns. I hope you will find this information helpful.
Sincerely,
Dale Helling
Dale E. Helling
Assistant City Manager
(319)356 -5013
dale- helling iowa- city.org
From: Henderson, Lily W [mailto :lily- henderson @uiowa.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 20119:09 PM
To: Council
Subject:
Sorry,
I am resending this message for any of the Councilors who did not receive it the first time.
From: Henderson, Lily W
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 20119:05 PM
To: matt-hayek @iowa - city.org; regenia - bailey @iowa - city.org; mike- wright @iowa - city.org; susan -mims @iowa - city.org;
ross- wilburn @iowa - city.org; connie- champion @iowa - city.org; terry- dickens @iowa - city.org
Subject: Student Concern
Dear City Counsilors,
Last Thursday, during Mission Creek Festival, my roommate went to see the group Das Racist perform. She paid $12 to
get into the concert, and being 20 years old, was supposed to leave by midnight before Das Racist even got on stage.
Losing track of time, the clock hit 12:03, and sure enough a police officer approached her. No drinks in her hand, no
drinks in her system, but she received a $735 fine for being in the bar after midnight.
This blows my mind. What kind of student has money to pay this heafty fine? We already pay an extreme amount of
money to attend college. We are eager to learn and enjoy our time at the University, but 3 minutes late and the fun's
over?
Since when does it make sense to have a drinking fine be less expensive than a presence in a bar fine?
I am a journalism student and last week I listened to Mayor Hayek rave about music and the Mission Creek Festival. He
suggested that we all go if we get the chance. Next time my roommate or I want to go to a concert at a bar, fear of
being fined or having to leave before seeing our favorite performer will fill our minds rather than being able to relax and
have a good time. This is sad to me and I would imagine it would be to you too.
Today I read an article in the Daily Iowan that mentions a possible decrease in the underage -in -bar ticket. I appreciate
this topic being taken seriously and reasonably thought of.
Out of curiousity, where does all of this fine money go?
I understand that there needs to be rules, but they are getting excessive.
Please make this city fun again.
Thanks for listening,
Lily Henderson
Marian Karr
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Hi Steve and Tina,
Dale Helling
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 1:31 PM
'Steve'
Council
RE: Grass Length and Weed Rules.
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Thanks for your recent communication to the City Council regarding grass length and weed rules. Council will officially
receive your correspondence as part of the consent agenda for an upcoming Council meeting. I do have some
information to share that you will hopefully find encouraging.
Staff has been researching what other cities allow for grass length in their abatement ordinances and it does appear that
14 inches is long by comparison. Staff is further considering making a recommendation to Council to amend our
ordinance, likely to a length more consistent with that of neighboring communities. I will advise you at such time as a
recommendation is presented to Council. Your input is very much appreciated.
Regards,
Dale
Dale E. Helling
Assistant City Manager
City of Iowa City, Iowa
(319)356 -5013
dale-hellinq(@iowo-city.org
cc. Doug Boothroy, Director, Dept. of Housing and Inspection Services
From: Steve [mailto:sgaegerl @mchsi.com]
Sent: Monday, April 04, 20119:27 AM
To: Council
Subject: Grass Length and Weed Rules.
Dear Council Members,
We live on Rochester Avenue and a couple of yards in our area take away from the beauty of our neighborhood every
summer. The reasons for this are that one house does not cut the grass very often. The current 14 inch grass rule is
really unreasonable. It should be somewhat less before someone is required to cut the grass. 8 or 10 inches is a better
length for a requirement. Take out a ruler and imagine what a 14 inch depth is. There will be complaints that yards can
grow quite long while people are away on vacations. If you have enough money to go on vacation, spend a few more
bucks and have someone cut the grass while you areaway. Most people wouldn't have to cut grass while they areaway
anyway. The other thing that takes away from the beauty is the perception of some people that prairie flowers are
beautiful. When the whole yard is covered and the blooms are late, the yard looks like a weed patch most of the
summer. The long grass and "weeds" are an invitation for rodents. We do not want that. There are several houses in
the neighborhood that are for sale. Yes, markets are bad, but a neighbor with an overgrown yard is not helping the
situation. Please consider updating the ordinance to make Iowa City a better place to have a home.
Thank you,
Steve and Tina Jaeger
ROBERT G. DOSTAL 326 DOUGLASS ST. IOWA CITY IA 52246
DATE: 26 March 2011
THRU: Mayor, City of Iowa City
TO: Iowa City Council
SUBJECT: Traffic Cameras
Dear Councilors:
Please see enclosed.
Very truly yours,
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Investigate other
modes of transport
Johnson County Auditor
Tom Slockett said, "I will
never drive drunk again." He
needn't humble himself
before me. If I wore the jack-
boots, there would be only
one motoring law: Don't do
anything stupid — like
falling asleep at a stop light
or holding up traffic while
waiting for a left turn.
If the cops see a guy act-
ing stupid, they take him
before thejudge. If the judge
agrees that he was stupid, he
walks. Anti- substance prud-
ery is not the moral way to
enhance public safety.
Transportation moderniza-
tion would do the trick
High speed rail, magnetic
levitation, personal rapid
transit and other devices are
waiting to whisk the young,
old, disabled and pre -
embalmed to their destina-
tions without banging into
something or depending on
foreign oil. Stop acting stu-
pid, citizens.
Investigate these modes.
Robert G. Dostal
Iowa City
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Marian Karr
From: Regenia Bailey <bailey @avalon.net>
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 6:15 PM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: Red Light Cameras
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: James Burke [ mailto:jburke.biz @imonmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 20119:16 PM
To: matt -hayek @iowa - city.org; ross- wilburn @iowa - city.org; susan -mims @iowa - city.org
Cc: regenia - bailey @iowa - city.org; mike- wright @iowa - city.org
Subject: Red Light Cameras
Council members,
Although not a resident of Iowa City, I visit the city from Cedar Rapids occasionally. I know the city is considering
whether or not to implement red -light cameras. I provide the following for you to consider. For the record, I have never
been cited by any automated system like the red -light cameras, nor do I expect that to change anytime soon.
I prefer governments that work FOR the people, rather than against them.
When Cedar Rapids considered such cameras, I spoke before the council about how their city's traffic lights weren't
timed well. On more than one occasion, by following the speed limit on my way to work, encountered 7 out of 8 lights
red, and the only one that wasn't was the first one, which was about 2 seconds from turning red (it was yellow). Most
cities time their lights, allowing smooth traffic flow. This saves residents, visitors, businesses relying on transportation,
and government vehicles savings in time and fuel. The US DOT found that for every $1 spent timing lights, up to $40
were saved. We have roads that haven't been assessed for proper timing in over 20 years, when some major roads were
minor roads near the edge of town.
When lights are timed properly, anyone speeding through them will quickly hit red lights, rather than smoothly passing
through green light after green light. In addition, if you run one red light, you can be certain the next light will also be
red. You can serve the people by ensuring smooth traffic flow that creates a natural incentive to abide with the laws.
Although people should follow the law, even if every light turns red on them, you can reduce the temptation to break
the law by timing lights or finding other reasons why people might violate these laws. Instead, Cedar Rapids chose to
punish drivers for driving at speeds in excess of 10 -15 mph over the posted limits, despite engineering the traffic lights
to promote driving that fast, since that's the speed the lights are timed at.
I also told them about the time my brother received a citation from such a system far from here. The citation included a
photo of the offending vehicle, plus it included the vehicle description matching the license plate. When he received the
citation in the mail, he promptly circled the photo of the black van and the description of his white car - -the error was
literally as clear as black & white. Since implementation, Cedar Rapids periodically runs into cases where someone puts
plates of the prior owner back onto a car and runs up several citations; people have challenged the application of school
zone speed limits; and other challenges.
Cities like Minneapolis used red -light cameras for a while. But it only took one person to successfully challenge the
law /system to have a court rule the system couldn't be used. In addition, since it wasn't lawful for them to cite the one
person, they were ordered to pay back everyone previously cited. The system cost them money to install in the first
place.
But after a few years of receiving revenue and spending it as it came in, they suddenly faced a financial crisis as they had
to pay several year's worth out and scrap the system.
The Iowa Legislature considered placing limits on the dollar amount of any penalty issued from these systems. It didn't
pass into law, but I'm sure future efforts will lead to further consideration. There were concerns in Cedar Rapids when
this was being considered, since the company doing almost all the work had a contract to receive $30 for each ticket
paid. Having only $50 per ticket, meant the company would receive more than the city.
Granted, the city claimed the system was for safety, not revenue. However, as Cedar Rapids regularly ranks #1 and is
almost always in the top 10 safest places to drive, and this was considered while the city faced financial troubles, it was
suspicious. The outrage at receiving less money, despite most safety measure costing money also makes residents know
what was really going on.
Although some studies show traffic accidents decline with these cameras, many studies show an increase in accidents.
That mix suggests to me that there is something else that improves safety, since there doesn't seem to be a correlation
to the cameras' presence. These cameras bother people, even those like me who follow the law and thus never receive
a citation from the system.
I urge you to find positive alternatives to serve the people you represent.
At the end of the Cedar Rapids city council meeting, a few of the council members used the time they were given to
thank me for my comments. Whereas most people went there to complain about one thing or another, I offered
alternatives to address not only the issue the cameras sought to solve, but other issues that the cameras couldn't solve,
but triggered people to violate the law after daily frustrations with a bad traffic system. Please look for alternatives
before buying into a system being peddled quickly across the region like a fad. Maybe your city can show what can be
done to serve people rather than merely punish them.
Thanks,
Jim Burke
Cedar Rapids, IA
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CITY OF IOWA CITVI
MEMORANDUM
Date:
April 14, 2011
To:
Tom Markus, City Manager
From:
Michael Moran, Parks & Recreation Director
Re:
Scott Park Trail
Introduction: The City of Iowa City received a Federal Trail Grant to construct a trail
from Scott Blvd. through Scott Park into the Windsor Ridge Neighborhood. Matching
funds were approved by the City through the CIP program.
History /Background: MMS Consultants were hired to design, develop and oversee the
trail construction for this project. During the layout of the trail by the consultants and
before the Parks and Recreation Department could have a neighborhood meeting to
discuss what the project was, several neighbors voiced concerns with the City and City
Council about the routing of the trail and proximity to their backyards. Two
neighborhood meetings were held to discuss the project, listen to their concerns and
come up with a plan that was satisfactory to all involved.
Discussion of Solution: The attached document shows the location of several options
for the trail construction. All of these options met the department's requirements of
connecting with pre- existing trail outlets and to ensure the continual usage of the trail
system as we have been establishing it throughout the community. The two options
most generally accepted by the department and the neighbors was alignment B and D
(Blue and Orange). The costs of both trails fall within the budget constraints of the
project and would not cause any overruns. The estimated construction costs are
included in the attachment. The budget for the project is $580,000. We can further
reduce the difference of Option D by $3,660 to make the additional cost over Option B
$9,131.10.
Recommendations: The Parks and Recreation Department will be constructing option
D for this project. This will allow no trees to be cut down during construction, allow
both contacts to the existing trail connections to be made and will come under budget
for the entire project. The neighborhood has also agreed with this choice. I have
attached a drawing of the trail alignment options, budget sheet and you have previously
received a copy of the neighborhood email supporting this option.
If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact me.
CC: Park and Recreation Commission
Alan and Sara Cross
Colleen Rapp
Preliminary Cost Estimates for Trail Options 3/23/2011
Court Hill Trail - Phase 3 (Scott Park) project # 6563002
MMS Consultants, Inc
MainTrail: Scott Blvd.to Sta. 19 +81.91
SUBTOTAL $132,731.70
Length = 1940'
Scott Blvd. Sidewalk
SUBTOTAL $33,801.00
Length = 719'
Trail Spur: Sta. 2 +88.55 to Dog Park
SUBTOTAL $79,801.20
Length = 371'
Trail Spur: Sta. 19 +81.91 to Court St.
SUBTOTAL $23,269.20
Length = 376'
Main Trail: Scott Blvd. Pedestrian Refuge Island $27,210.30
SUBTOTAL
TRAIL TOTAL @ Sta. 19+81.91 $296,813.40
Main Trail: Sta. 19 +81.91 to East End - Option B (South)
SUBTOTAL $155,315.70
Length = 1164'
TRAIL TOTAL $452,129.10
Main Trail: Sta. 19 +81.91 to East End - Option C (Middle)
SUBTOTAL $209,102.40
Length = 1220'
TRAIL TOTAL $505,915.80
Additional Cost over Option B $53,786.70
Main Trail: Sta. 19 +81.91 to East End - Option D (North)
SUBTOTAL $168,106.80
Length = 1446'
TRAIL TOTAL $464,920.20
Additional Cost over Option B $12,791.10
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Dear Iowa City City Council Members,
FILE
Thank you for your time. We understand Mr. Moran will be recommending you ap� d4e"R 1 AM 9: 35
option D for the trail's alignment and all of us directly impacted have reached consensus CITY
(attachment 1) and we too hope that you will support option D. io ���A Y C E l
We are thankful the City has scaled back on the amount of pavement laid and bridges that
will be constructed in the area. Originally, the trail was budgeted to cost $780,000 and
now, by scaling things back, the trail is estimated to cost $465,000 by using Option D.
So, this is a savings of approximately $315,000.
We feel Option D serves the community best as the Windsor Ridge neighborhood will
have wonderful accessibility on the path running north and south on the west end of
Cumberland Lane and another one a mere nine lots over further east on Cumberland
Lane. While the residents living in the multi- housing units and further east and north of
Court Street will have convenient and visible accessibility by a path on the north side of
the creek. I believe these residents would use the Court Street sidewalk and not the path if
it were on the south side, because it wouldn't be visible to them nor would it be
convenient to cross south over the creek only to cross again to the north of the creek to
get to Scott Park, the dog park, downtown or Hy -Vee. Also, the greatest distance between
a path and a parallel running sidewalk would be created if the path were laid on the north
side of the creek. The area continues to develop to the north and east and so a path on the
north side of the creek would continue to serve more and more people.
We feel there is a far greater risk for the cost to increase with Option B once in the design
and construction phase. There are many variables that could increase the cost as the City
would have to deal with drainage issues such as putting in a swale and tiling system,
cutting down and replanting trees, laying path that is weaving in and out of trees and
filling in the creek bed and stabilizing it. Costs could also increase during construction
because of the tight areas that equipment would need to maneuver through and one could
run the risk of damaging homeowner's property such as sod, irrigations systems, invisible
fences, thus smaller and more expensive equipment would need to be used which would
also prove to be more time consuming. However, construction on the north side seems
more straight - forward, you are simply laying down path so the risk is not great for hidden
costs as you wouldn't have all these unknown variables. The large equipment could also
be staged in the parking area for the City nursery and this large equipment used would
speed up the construction phase.
We have not seen a line -by -line estimate, so we are not sure what is included in the
estimate for Option B. The piece of path that currently dead ends is in great need of
repair, if it were to be used. The drainage on the path is not sufficient as you can see by
the rust spots in attachment 2. Also, part of it will have to be removed regardless as it is
currently aligned to go on Livingston's property, as is shown in attachment 3 by the path
running into the flag. You can also see in this picture how all of our homes drain and
slope toward where the path for Option B would be laid, so we would have drainage
issues the entire length of the path on the south side. We were told a tiling and
swale /ditch system would be the solution and no one - homeowner or path user -is excited
about a ditch and standing water near our yards and the health hazards of attracting
mosquitoes. Thirdly, we aren't sure if the creek bed would be filled in to make the 20'
distance shown on MMS' map from our lot line to the path or if the path would be
squeezed in between the 12' space between our lot line and the creek. Filling in the creek
bed and stabilizing it would most definitely increase the cost of Option B. However, if
the plans are to squeeze it in the 12' area, this is not consistent with any other City Trail
that we have seen in any neighborhood. There is always a buffer between lots and trails,
see attachment 4. (Attachment 5 shows a red box placed 30' from our lot line, which
according to NMS' map is where the farthest edge of the trail would lay.)
Therefore, although there is roughly a $12,700 difference in the estimates for Option B
and D, these are estimates and are not bids. We understand when creating estimates in the
planning stage there is a contingency of 20 -25% and for the reasons already listed, we
believe Option B would be at a greater risk for increasing once in the design and
construction phase. If Option B were to increase a mere 3% in the design or constustion °
phase that would put the cost over Option D. °
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Also, the north side of the creek was not at risk for flooding in 2008 and the path aA =
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be 50' -75' away from the creek, whereas it would be only 5' away from the creek o*-f
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south side. According to FEMA's information on Johnson County's Property Inforri�n
Viewer, which is attachment 6, constructing on the south side of the creek would liTyi4het.0
greatest impact to the FEMA floodway. (The hatched area on the map is FEMA's w
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floodway.)
By putting the path on the north side, snow melt would also be enhanced and other on-
going maintenance issues would be reduced. The snow would melt best on a trail north of
the creek because winter winds prevail from the north and northwest and the trees -line
would act as a snow fence depositing snow drifts on the south side of the creek. (See
diagram on attachment 7.) Also, with the south side options, trees would need to be
continuously cut back and pavement would need to be replaced more often since it would
lay on the roots of trees. Erosion from the water to the path and creek bed would also
cause major maintenance issues on the south side.
According to the Natural Resources Conservation Study each of the three alternatives has
the same soil type (430 - Ackmore Silt Loam). See attachment 8.
We were told there was an oversight or a mistake with the way our lots were zoned,
which is apparent in that the "dead end path" is aligned to run onto the Livingston
property. The amount of City property tapers as you go west and therefore squeezing a
path in a 12' area behind our lot line, for instance, is inconsistent with other City Trails in
neighborhoods. Attachment 9 shows the wide -open space on the north side that would
allow for movement in laying the path.
There is a lot of wildlife in the area such as fox, deer, turkey, bald eagles flying above
and possibly Indiana bats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Indiana bats on
the endangered list and we understand this area is a prime habitat for this species and that
removal of trees would impact any population that may be present. The least amount of
disruptions and changes we can make to the woods, the better chances that all wildlife
will remain.
Option D enhances and preserves the area's natural beauty, green -space and trees. This is
not only important to those directly impacted by the trail, but many other Windsor Ridge
and Iowa City residents. The trees that would be taken down for a south side path along
the creek bed, are most definitely the tallest trees and those replanted would not be nearly
as tall for decades to come. We have been told there are a lot of dead trees in the woods,
but nature has a natural way of dying and and creating re- growth and I believe we are
better stewards if we let nature run its course and if we can use what is already there.
Attachment 10 shows the trees with leaves on.
Finally, we were told that a south side trail would be sunnier. Most people are using the
trails during the warmest months of the year, so I think they would prefer a north side
trail so that it would provide more shade and rest areas and picnicking areas. I think it
would also be more aesthetically pleasing to the user to walk, picnic and rest amongst a
tree -lined creek and the nursery's trees, than adjacent to someone's backyard on the south
side where they would be dodging baseballs, soccer balls and a swing -set possibly V
away from the path.
Thank you for taking the time to read our comments and we sincerely hope you will
support option D.
Sincerely,
Alan and Sara Cross
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Mr. Moran and Council Members,
Thank you for allowing us to have a voice. All the homeowners who are directly
impacted by the Court Hill Trail Extension in Windsor Ridge, have reached a consensus
and would like the trail to be located on the north side of the creek - Option D. We hope
that you will support option D as well.
Here are a list of the homeowners:
Mary and Jerry Nixon
4234 Cumberland Lane
Liz and Joel Lee
4258 Cumberland Lane
Sara and Alan Cross
4270 Cumberland Lane
Colleen and Jim Rapp
4314 Cumberland Lane
Chris and Chris Rutt
4326 Cumberland Lane
Kathy Gaulke and Lori Livingston
4338 Cumberland Lane
Mei Zheng
4350 Cumberland Lane
Holly and Kevin Bailey
4362 Cumberland Lane
Deborah and John Chudzik
4374 Cumberland Lane
Dawn and Jeff Hays
4400 Cumberland Lane
A list of other Windsor Ridge Residents who are not directly impacted but would also
like the path to follow Option D, can be provided if necessary.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Sara Cross
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24
41'39'31
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Soil Map— Johnson County, Iowa
(Windsor Ridge Trail)
N
v Map Scale: 1:4,180 if printed on A size (8.5" x 11 ") sheet.
co
N Meters
n 0 50 100 200 300
Feet
0 200 400 800 1.200
USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
4/5/2011
Page 1 of 3
41 °39'31"
41 ° 39' 12"
MAP LEGEND
Area of Interest (AOI)
Area of Interest (AOI)
Soils
Soil Map Units
Special
Point Features
Blowout
®
Borrow Pit
-- .
Clay Spot
*
Closed Depression
Gravel Pit
„
Gravelly Spot
Landfill
Lava Flow
Marsh or swamp
Mine or Quarry
Q
Miscellaneous Water
Perennial Water
Rock Outcrop
+
Saline Spot
Sandy Spot
Severely Eroded Spot
}
Sinkhole
Slide or Slip
0
Sodic Spot
Spoil Area
Stony Spot
Soil Map— Johnson County, Iowa
(Windsor Ridge Trail)
;h Very Stony Spot
lif Wet Spot
a Other
Special Line Features
Gully
Short Steep Slope
.. Other
Political Features
O Cities
Water Features
Oceans
Streams and Canals
Transportation
+++ Rails
Interstate Highways
US Routes
Major Roads
Local Roads
MAP INFORMATION
Map Scale: 1:4,180 if printed on A size (8.5' X 11 ") sheet.
The soil surveys that comprise your AOI were mapped at 1:15,840
Please rely on the bar scale on each map sheet for accurate map
measurements.
Source of Map: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey URL: http : / /websoilsurvey.nres.usda.gov
Coordinate System: UTM Zone 15N NAD83
This product is generated from the USDA -NRCS certified data as of
the version date(s) listed below.
Soil Survey Area: Johnson County, Iowa
Survey Area Data: Version 12, Aug 3, 2009
Date(s) aerial images were photographed: 9/20/2006
The orthophoto or other base map on which the soil lines were
compiled and digitized probably differs from the background
imagery displayed on these maps. As a result, some minor shifting
of map unit boundaries may be evident.
[ -SDe Natural Resources Web Soil Survey 4/5/2011
Conservation Service National Cooperative Soil Survey Page 2 of 3
Soil Map— Johnson County, Iowa
Map Unit Legend
Windsor Ridge Trail
Johnson County, Iowa (IA103)
Map Unit Symbol
Map Unit Name
Acres in AOI
Percent of AOI
11B
Colo -Ely complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes
7.0
12.5%
120C
Tama silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes
0.5
0.8%
120C2
Tama silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
1.2
2.1%
120D2
Tama silt loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
12.6
22.4%
162C2
Downs silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
0.7
1.2%
162D2
Downs silt loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes,
moderately eroded
1.7
3.1%
430
Ackmore silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes
32.4
57.8%
Totals for Area of Interest
66.0
100.0%
I SDA Natural Resources Web Soil Survey 4/5/2011
i Conservation Service National Cooperative Soil Survey Page 3 of 3
-
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:;
Marian Karr
From:
Colleen Rapp <colleenrapp @msn.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:42 AM
To:
Council; Tom Markus; John Yapp; Jeff Davidson
Subject:
Court Hill Trail Extension
Attachments:
backyard.jpg; option d.jpg
I am writing to bring to your attention a topic that will be discussed at the City Council's working session on April 18 - the
Court Hill Trail Extension.
As a brief background, the city has received a grant to extend the trail system to connect with Scott Park and the
neighborhoods to the east. The trail will be placed on city owned property that runs between Court Street and
Cumberland Lane. As a resident of Cumberland Lane, I have a big interested in where exactly the trail will be placed. In
February, residents of Cumberland Lane met with Mike Moran, Terry Robinson, Kris Ackerson, and MMS Consultants to
hear their plans for the trail and we were able to offer suggestions. Then on March 24, we were presented with three
options for the trail and were provided a map of the various options (attached). Our understanding is that Mike Moran
will present this to the City Council at the meeting on April 18. It is our understanding that Options B and D both fall
within the budget, while
Option C comes in above cost
I want you to know that the residents of Cumberland Lane, who are the people most impacted by this trail, are in
unanimous support of Option D. Option B squeezes the trail between people's yards and the creek, whereas Option D
runs north of the creek and offers a more scenic view of the tree farm and park, rather than of back yards and houses.
Additionally, having the trail on the north side of the creek (Option D) provides greater accessibility for the multi - family
homes and neighborhoods north of Court Street. Connectivity for the Windsor Ridge neighborhood would be
maintained by the current north /south trail in the middle of Cumberland Lane, and a second connection point will be on
the west end of Cumberland Lane, from the bridge planned to be built to cross the creek and join up with the new trail
in Scott Park.
Another reason we support Option D is because it doesn't require removing trees and vegetation along the creek. We
all enjoy the natural, un- groomed view that we currently have. (See attached picture) We are concerned that a trail on
the south side (B) would collect all of the drainage from the slope in the yards of the houses on Cumberland Lane. This
already happens where the trail exists behind houses on Cumberland Lane.
When we questioned MMS about this, they suggested that a "ditch" of some sort be added on the south side to collect
the run -off water and keep it off the trail. I am not excited about a ditch behind my house that would be a breeding
ground for mosquitos and West Nile virus. I also wouldn't want to walk, jog, or bike along a trail that has an unattractive
ditch running along the side of it. Is the cost of this ditch /drainage mitigation effort included in the cost of the south
side proposal?
I'm sure you have received a lot of correspondence on this issue. I would like to invite you to come look at the area and
see the different options. I would be happy to meet with you and walk the area in discussion- I think it is important that
someone on the council be familiar with the area, as seeing it in person is quite different than viewing it on a map. I'm
sure you would agree that placing the trail on the north side of the creek (Option D) is a win -win for everyone
concerned.
Thanks for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Colleen Rapp
U �°
:Iqk
41
r
r3r7)
® CITY OF IOWA
MEMORANDUM ��
Date: April 7, 2011
To: Tom Markus, City Manager
From: Ronald R. Knoche, City Engineer
Re: Competitive Quotation Results
CDBG Asbestos Abatement — Contract #5
Competitive quotations for the CDBG Asbestos Abatement — Contract #5 Project were
opened on March 22, 2011 and the following quotes were received:
Active Thermal Concepts
Hiawatha, IA
$ 65,820.00
Lindstrom Environmental
Cedar Rapids, IA
$ 90,500.00
Iowa — Illinois Taylor Insulation
Davenport, IA
$ 96,040.00
Affordable Hazards Removal
Monticello, IA
$ 100,164.00
Abatement Specialties
Cedar Rapids, IA
$ 116,856.00
Engineer's Estimate
$ 72,500.00
Public Works and Engineering
recommended and the
City Manager awarded the
contract to Active Thermal Concepts of Hiawatha, Iowa.
The project will be funded with
CDBG funds.
Asbestos Abatement — 645 McCollister Blvd.
Competitive quotations for the Asbestos Abatement — 645 McCollister Blvd. Project were
opened on March 22, 2011 and the following quotes were received:
Active Thermal Concepts Hiawatha, IA $ 5,200.00
Iowa — Illinois Taylor Insulation Davenport, IA $ 7,960.00
Lindstrom Environmental Cedar Rapids, IA $ 15,400.00
Abatement Specialties Cedar Rapids, IA $ 11,904.00
Engineer's Estimate $ 15,800.00
Public Works and Engineering recommended and the City Manager awarded the
contract to Active Thermal Concepts of Hiawatha, Iowa. The project will be funded with
General Obligation bond proceeds.
April 7, 2011
Page 2
2011 Water Main Directional Boring Project
Competitive quotations for the 2011 Water Main Directional Boring Project were opened
on April 7, 2011 and the following quotes were received:
Advanced Electrical Services
Iowa City, IA
$ 36,975.60
Volkens, Inc,
Dyersville, IA
$ 37,320.00
Precision Underground Utilities
Cambridge, IA
$ 38,760.00
Lynch Plumbing
West Branch, IA
$ 40,296.00
MP Nexlevel
Maple Lake, MN
$ 43,170.00
Overland Contractors
Swisher, IA
$ 45,180.00
Terrell Construction
Monticello, IA
$ 48,120.00
EBI Drilling
Duluth, MN
$ 56,100.00
Ellingson Drainage
West Concord, MN
$ 72,045.00
GM Contracting
Lake Crystal, MN
$ 82,985.63
Ground Effects Directional Boring
Saginaw, MN
$ 86,680.00
Engineer's Estimate $ 56,900.00
Public Works and Engineering recommended and the City Manager awarded the
contract to Advanced Electrical Services of Iowa City, Iowa, The project will be funded
with Water revenues.
M38
Dear Iowa City, City Council, inf orm you
We know that you are busy but we wanted to Y
ab out a probl em. That problem is unemployment in the U.S.A.
Here are some f acts we think that you should know about.
Y
o
Unem p t ment can cause, poverty, hunger, homelessness,
ch eap labor, and last but not least child labor. Some other
facts th at we think you should know about include: the
numb er o f people unemployed is the U.S.A is, 13.7 million in
February of 2011. If every American spends $63 -$68 more a
y ear on American made products, that generates 200,000 new
jobs f or that year.
Some things that cause unemployment in the U.S. are,
outsourcing which includes, U.S.A. Factories moving to poor
countries for cheap labor, including child labor. Over
population is another cause. Prejudice, race, religion, are
tra i gic causes as well. Some policies aren't strong enough or
ernf orced enough to support unemployment.
Agencies that help with unemployment is, APCAC ( Asia -
Pexcif ic- Council of American Chambers of Commerce), Iowa
Work Force Development, and finally Employment and Training
Administration.
We e ho that you took this into consideration to what we
have said. Please also consider a buy local ordinance fiar our
city. Just think of the purchasing power Iowa Ci b
Y Y04#1 y
can make a big difference!
Thank you for your consideration, , -Z
Tea McBride, Tisa Plotner, Bry
annn Elder Tj
Akk all 1h graders from North Central Junior High
M849 Augusta Cir-cle
North Ubq -ty, =A U317
Marian Karr
From: Matthew J. Hayek <mhayek @hhbmlaw.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 11:06 AM
To: Jean Walker
Cc: Doug Boothroy; Tom Markus; Marian Karr
Subject: RE: Vendors on Melrose Avenue
Jean,
Thank you for the email. I will review the documents in advance of tonight's meeting. Please confer with our
city clerk re the process for communicating to council during public comment time.
Last night the idea of using university property did come up. We have directed staff to involve the university as
the Melrose discussion goes forward. The neighborhood will absolutely have an opportunity to be part of the
P &Z process and again when it comes back to the council.
Regards,
Matt Hayek
Matthew J. Hayek
Hayek, Brown, Moreland & Smith, L.L.P.
120 East Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 -3924
319.337.9606 telephone
319.338.7376 facsimile
Email: mhayekghhbmlaw.com
Website: www.hhbmlaw.com
From: Jean Walker [mailto:walkersic @yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 10:45 AM
To: Matthew J. Hayek
Cc: Jean Walker
Subject: Vendors on Melrose Avenue
Matt,
Just to let you know that I will be bringing up the alternate location(s) for the vendors at tonight's meeting and
would appreciate if you could review the documents I sent to you yesterday afternoon.
I was disappointed that the alternatives did not come up and feel that the Council is moving ahead too fast on
this topic without sufficient knowledge and without sufficient input from the neighbors.
Thanks,
Jean Walker
1
Marian Karr
From: Helgerson, Ryan S <ryan- helgerson @uiowa.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 1:40 PM
To: Council
Subject: Melrose Vendors (correction)
I mistyped and was quoting the Gazette not the Daily Iowan. Sorry for my mistake.
Ryan Helgerson
3
Marian Karr
From: Helgerson, Ryan S <ryan- helgerson @uiowa.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 11:14 AM
To: Council
Subject: Melrose Vendors
Dear Council- members,
1 (9)
��s
I think this whole thing is simply absurd. However, it doesn't surprise me. Anything to make a buck or two. My biggest
concern with your proposed "regulation" of the Melrose vendors is the double standard that you just created; I
understand that these people are running "businesses" and that is illegal in a residential zone, but my questions is what
about all of the people who live in these houses (the same people who brought this up mind you) who charge people to
park in their yards /driveways on game day? That too is a "business" isn't it? I think the answer to that question is very
obvious. So if you are to truly follow through with your regulation then it would probably be appropriate that you also
regulate them. Quoting from the Daily Iowan article today (4/19/11), "Other officials, though, want to take a harsher
stand against the vendors, pointing out that running a business in a residential zone is illegal." This article then goes on
to quote councilman Wright, This has been ratcheting up over the last few years. I think we've seen plenty of evidence
of that," council member Mike Wright said. "I don't favor an outright ban, but I think we do need to step in and do
something to tighten some controls on the vendors. "' So Mr. Wright, are you going to also step in and tighten controls on
the other "businesses" being ran on Melrose Avenue during football games? Although I doubt it, I really hope that you
will enforce this new "regulation" on not only the vendors, but also these people, who are doing the exactsame thing as
the vendors. Thank you all for your time and have a great day.
Sincerely,
Ryan Helgerson
Marian Karr /' l
From: jazbl058 @inabc.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:46 AM
To: Council
Subject: I know this was discussed last night but wanted to add this point of view
According to the Assesors web site: On average in the Melrose neighborhood only 1/3 of the homeowners owned
BEFORE 2000.
Of the 1/3 that lived there before 2000 the oldest purchase date I can find is 1986
So I believe there was tailgating in 1986 and before.... so how stupid were these people to buy in that area if they were
sensitive to it.
I don't believe you move into a neighborhood like that and expect to tell others how to live...
"according to the State Historical Society of Iowa. Jean Walker, a representative for the Melrose Neighborhood
Association, asked the commission to put the house on the list of historic landmarks out of concern for its future
because it was on the market"
"Sean Malone said he and his wife found out about the historic landmark request in a letter from the city April 7"
This proves to me that she is just a busy body because of what she did to the people who own Irving Webbers old
house... I say she need so move.
You can't tell your neighbors how to live.
You would not want others telling you how to live or what your life should be?
Joyce Barker
2018 Waterfront Dr. #128
Iowa City, IA
52240
Marian Karr
From: Boeckenstedt <iande @iowatelecom.net>
Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2011 12:41 PM
To: Council
Subject: Fw: Melrose Vendors
- - - -- Original Message - - - --
From: Boeckenstedt
To: council- (o)-iowa- city.org
Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2011 12:38 PM
Subject: Melrose Vendors
Please let the vendors on Melrose on Gamedays remain as is. The University and it's Gameday atmosphere is part of
what Iowa City life is. Don't ruin it.
Marian Karr
From: Roy Browning <roybrowning5 @aol.com>
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 3:23 PM
To: Council
Subject: Vendors
Just paid property taxes sending a check to government for income taxes. NOW find out can't make money on Melrose.
On football sat. Because 5 people complain. On Facebook u people are getting laughter at. Been in Iowa City for to long.
Thanks for the memories as taxes to high u love to destroy business. People. Good by iowa city as I need to sell my
business.
,I.
IJ
Marian Karr
From: Joel C <jhawk80 @hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 7:19 PM
To: Council
Subject: vendors on Melrose
Dear City Council,
I previously lived in Iowa City for 22 years and have really enjoyed Football Saturdays. Little by little, the City has gone
down hill and so has the tailgating and entire culture of Iowa City. The vendors on Melrose are an important part of the
football Saturday culture and they also generate a ton of revenue for local businesses and the city. It is beyond ridiculous
to consider shutting these local vendors/ businesses down for the sake of the Melrose Neighborhood Association. This
would be yet another attack on the culture of Iowa City and would be a terrible idea. Please feel free to email me to
discuss further. Thanks for your Consideration.
Joel Conner
Marian Karr
From: Bill Delehant <bill.delehant1 @gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 5:14 PM
To: Council
Subject: From Iowa City resident John Delehant
City councilors,
I live at 1124 Oakcrest, which is less than half a mile from Kinnick Stadium. As a resident of the neighborhood
surrounding Kinnick, I implore you not to take away the vendors on Melrose Ave. Each game weekend, I open
my apartment to friends from Chicago (and from New York and LA for the 09 Michigan and '10 0 S game,
respectively) and family from Council Bluffs and Omaha. It gets a little cramped, but we all enjoy it because the
weekend is all about the Hawkeye game. Hawk fans that we are, the game itself can be watched on TV. We
LOVE the gameday experience. The same experience that wasn't broken but was "fixed" with negative results
last season (see the countless emails the University received after the Eastern Illinois game). The game day
experience that includes a "big ass turkey leg" between the Magic Bus and kickoff, and that includes a double
cheese burger for cheap after the game for the walk downtown. My friends and family have also purchased
tshirts, sweatshirts, and panchos when the weather dictated at stands across the street from Kinnick, which
added to the economy of Iowa City and the neighborhood. These stands serve a purpose and add to the general
festive atmosphere that seems to be increasingly under attack of late. Kinnick Stadium didn't sneak up on
anyone. It's been there for over 80 years. People living in this neighborhood know that. What would be
something to see would be for the City Council to pass legislation that people can't buy a home and then change
their mind about their neighborhood. Please don't cave to these ridiculous demands. Keep Iowa gamedays great
for generations to come!
John Delehant
BA, University of Iowa, Class of 2007
BS, University of Iowa, Class of 2010
1124 Oakcrest #4
Iowa City, IA, 52246
Marian Karr
From: Jane Downer <jbdowner @mchsi.com>
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 11:35 AM
To: Council
Subject: Melrose Avenue
Since the City of Iowa City gets tremendous economic benefit from visitors to the University of Iowa,
particularly during football season, I would urge you to take this into consideration when looking at the Melrose
Avenue issue. Taking steps to control any problems such as the issue with the gas line last year and the trash
issue seem reasonable but shutting down the vendors and destroying the atmosphere would be a mistake. I
would suggest that 90 percent plus of the people in the Melrose Avenue neighborhood bought their homes after
Kinnick Stadium was there and many probably after the vendor tradition was established. Thank you for your
consideration.
Jane Downer, 2029 Rochester Avenue, Iowa City. 319 - 338 -1493.
This correspondence will become a public record.
31�y�
Marian Karr
From: Mark Fuller <fullerm @gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 4:55 AM
Subject: University of Iowa Gameday Experience
Dear Councilperson,
I am deeply distressed that the Council is looking at the banning of the temporary tent businesses on Melrose
Avenue. A couple years ago, I was listening to ESPN Radio on a Football Saturday when they pronounced that
the University of Iowa had the best gameday experience in the country. They specifically mentioned the
Melrose area with the vendors, including all of the food, apparel, and other items. Please do not let this die. It
is too important for all of us.
Thank you,
Mark Fuller
Marian Karr
From: James Gilroy <glroy @myway.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 6:17 PM
To: Council
Subject: Stop Ruining Iowa City!
Council Members:
As a native Iowan, proud former resident of Iowa City, and Industrial Engineering graduate from the University of Iowa I
am extremely disappointed and frustrated with the approach you have all taken in regards to the student and visitor
experience in Iowa City.
I won't expand too much on your previous endeavors involving the legal age for bar entry and the new'crackdown' in
regards to tailgating. However, I'm sure all of you are already seeing the repercussions for those ordinances:
Tax revenues from downtown are down roughly 30% Disorderly House Violations have increased Downtown "buzz, life
and energy" has decreased substantially, its embarrassing to bring visitors with me to Iowa City now. Sorry, but it's
'lame,' although I'm starting to feel like that was the goal
Now, I'm hearing rumblings of removing the street vendors from Melrose on gamedays ?! Are you all crazy? This is
absurd! You all continue to disappoint me, you should be ashamed of yourselves. STOP biting the hand that feeds you,
Iowa City is a college town - stop over regulating students, visitors (now vendors). I'm positive you all don't see it, but
you're ruining a great thing - the tailgating atmosphere at Iowa is a huge selling point to prospective students & visitors
along with the previous downtown scene, which you all have successfully destroyed. I promise you, if this somehow
goes through and vendors are no longer allowed on Melrose - I WILL NOT ever visit Iowa City again - Gameday or not. I
know you don't care, but it saddens me to say it, a city I used to be so proud of. Not anymore, thanks to all of you and
your'anti -fun' campaign. Keep up the good work!
With Massive Disappointment,
James Gilroy
Industrial Engineering - Class of 2006
Marian Karr
From: Nate Green <ngreen @mcbeestrategic.com>
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 10:34 AM
To: Council
Subject: Gameday Vendors
Please do the right thing and allow vendors to operate along Melrose Ave. on game days as they have for the past 8
decades. Iowa City has a huge draw on football weekends and a big part of that is the fun tailgating atmosphere, and
tasty food vendors in close proximity to the stadium. As a native Iowa Citian and current resident of Washington, DC,
football is one of the main draws for coming back and spending lots of money on activities in the city. Please do not
legislate away what has been a great Iowa City tradition for generations.
Thanks,
Nate Green, Esq.
NATE GREEN, ESQ MCBEE STRATEGIC
T 202.234.1224 M 202.641.0577
455 Massachusetts Ave., NW, 12th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20001
www.mcbeestrategic.com
SAVE PAPER - Only print e-mail if necessary
Marian Karr
From: Sean Halbmaier <sean.halbmaier @gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2011 10:21 AM
To: Council
Subject: Vendors on Melrose Avenue
Hello,
I just want to voice my opinion on the recent topic of vendors on Melrose Avenue during Gameday Saturdays outside of
Kinnick Stadium. This recommendation you are trying to make is absolutely ridiculous. I am a University of Iowa Alum
who no longer lives in Iowa City I but make it back regularly for football games. You all have had a pretty successful
history of ruining what Iowa City is all about. Your tailgating crackdown last season, 21 bar age, etc. and now this.
By not allowing vendors to set up shop on Melrose will kill their business. If you won't allow them to make money, then I
want you to start enforcing all the houses that sell parking in their yards for gamedays also because I'm sure they aren't
licensed to do that. Don't let them make an extra $500 dollars each Saturday if you aren't going to let our vendors sell
products that make our gameday as special as it is. Why would you want to kill gameday traditions that that U of Iowa is
all about. (Big Ass Turkey Legs, etc).
I will promise you this, I will never attend another sporting event in Iowa City if you actually pass this to completely ruin
the gameday atmosphere. Which translates into me not spending a penny in your town!
Sean Halbmaier
Marian Karr
From: Bill Heldt < bheldt @cedarrapidstruckcenter.com>
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 9:01 AM
To: Council
Subject: MELROSE Vendors
Quit trying to change Foot Ball Tradition for the Hawks. Vendors are part of what makes it great to go to the game.
Bill Heldt
Olin, Iowa
Marian Karr
From: Steve Kosbau <kosbau @me.com>
Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2011 4:16 PM
To: Council
Subject: Melrose Avenue Vendors
Dear Council Members:
During the fall, I am an every- home -game visitor to Iowa City from the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area. I have four season
tickets for Iowa football and dependably use all of the seats. To you, this means that my guests and I spend aggressively
on food, lodging and all that goes with proving to my guests that Iowa City really is different and better than other Big
Ten towns.
Part of the mystique of Iowa City is the game day atmosphere, some of which is created by the vendors along Melrose
Avenue. To remove them would be to eliminate part of Iowa City's game day charm. They have been part of the
Hawkeye football tradition for decades and should remain so.
If it is your goal to sterilize the Iowa football experience, I am sure that you can achieve it. However, many people, like
me and my guests, will begin to lose our enthusiasm for what has been a fantastic part of our lives. Ultimately, fans' loss
of game day enjoyment will result in your loss of revenue, because many like me will vote against your choices with our
wallets. I won't travel to Iowa City for less- than - special experience.
I hope that you will preserve the Melrose Avenue vendors -- a great Iowa City tradition -- which almost certainly pre-
dates any present -day NIMBY's. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Steve Kosbau
Northville, Michigan
This correspondence will become a public record.
Marian Karr
From:
ImAHawkeye @aol.com
Sent:
Thursday, April 14, 2011 4:08 PM
To:
Council
Subject:
Melrose Street Vendors
Dear Council Members:
I am a graduate of The University of Iowa.
Although I live in Tennessee, I do make the trip back to Iowa City twice a year for football games.
"The Melrose Experience" is a major factor in these annual trips.
Simply put, if the food vendors on Melrose Avenue are banned, I'll stay home and watch the games on the Big Ten
Network. I can boil a hot dog and pop open a can of Coke at my house for about $1.25.
In other words:
No 4 nights at The Marriott $800.00
No refilling my gas tank twice in Iowa City $100.00
No evening meals (8) in Iowa City restaurants $400.00
No post game Airliner and Joe's Place $100.00
No miscellaneous purchases at Iowa Book & Supply and other downtown stores
Game Day on Melrose Avenue is a tradition we need to preserve, not destroy. I hope you agree.
Alan Koufer
Nashville, TN
L
Marian Karr
From: Kremer, Kevin M <kevin- kremer @uiowa.edu>
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 4:40 PM
To: Council
Subject: Vendor Permits for Hawkeye Football Games
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to plead with you not to take away a part of the rich tradition that is University of Iowa Football. I have
lived in Iowa City for the past 6 years and have been coming to Hawkeye sporting events since I was barely able to
walk. If you were to ban the vendors that people coming from around the country expect to see you would not be
providing a more enjoyable tailgating experience to fans of the Hawkeyes but killing a tradition that has been around for
my entire lifetime and I am sure much longer. Hawkeye tailgating is something that is known throughout the country
and it is something that the University of Iowa and the city of Iowa City should be proud of. We have the best college
football fans in the world and, as fans, we are there every fall Saturday going through the highs and lows with the team
on the field. A large part of this atmosphere is tailgating and taking away the vendors would be criminal at best. By
taking away something that is a staple to the Iowa City community, one has to wonder where does it end? Is the next
step to ban tailgating that is not restrained to University property? I urge you to consider the many ramifications that
this ruling may have on the community and as a reflection of the University. The University of Iowa is the lifeblood of
this town and by removing a staple of the atmosphere that makes Hawkeye game day so special, it seems like the city
council no longer has the University or its fans interests at heart.
Sincerely,
Kevin M Kremer
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.
1 "
Marian Karr
From: Mike Wright
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 8:41 AM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: Banning Vendors
From: Ana Ziegler [ziegier.ana @gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 2:38 PM
To: IowaCityCouncil @iowa - city.org
Subject: Banning Vendors
Dear Iowa City Council,
As a University of Iowa alum and current Iowa City resident, I think it is a mistake to take the vendors away
from Melrose Avenue on football game days. The vendors are a rich tradition of pride amongst us Hawkeye
fans and give a chance to "show off' what Iowa football is about to the visiting teams. There are bigger
problems that should be accounted for before the vendors should even be put into consideration. For example,
the over crowded local high schools. The problems with the Section 8 housing on the south side of
town. Maybe even timing the lights along Burlington Street so that the drive from east to west is not so "stop
and go ". Please, consider what is at stake when you think about taking away the vendors on Gameday. Thank
you for your time.
Ana Loes
1
Marian Karr
From: Bradley.Meyer@trab.afcent.af.mil
Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2011 12:36 AM
To: Council
Subject: Melrose Vendors
City Council,
I implore you to stand behind and support the unique game day experience that currently exists at Kinnick Stadium and
on Melrose Avenue. Please reason critically before making rash decisions. The current environment has been a part of
the game day experience for 20 plus years now. Why the sudden concern? What gathering in large numbers doesn't
produce litter (i.e. presidential inaugurations, concerts, high school football games below the bleachers, etc...)? I
certainly would hate to see the law enforcement walk around writing citations as this would create a toxic environment.
I certainly am not condoning littering, but there are always going to be those who litter even if there is a trash bin every
6 feet. I suggest a simple solution such as having the vendors pay for the clean up along Melrose after the game. More
regulation, or enforcement thereof will just lead to fewer people willing to put up with the new environment, and lost
revenue for the city. Please sweat the big stuff, and certainly litter can be managed without moving the "Big Ass" turkey
legs stand and others that add to such a memorable experience.
I am relocating to Iowa and have already applied for season tickets this year. I'm hoping the current game day
experience is honored and not further tampered with. Thank you for your time.
Bradley R. Meyer, Capt, USAF, MC
380th EMDS, Det. 1 (Middle East)
Family Physician
Marian Karr
From: Chad <cmuszy @cedarrapidstruckcenter.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 9:43 PM
To: Council
Subject: Shutting down melrose vendors
Dear council member,
Please do not agree to shut down the vendors on Melrose —I bring my kids to some of the games and part of the big day
is getting some food from the vendors and shopping for Iowa gear.
Making the gameday experience stale by chipping away the traditions will be a sad day for our state, our beloved school,
and most fans.
Chad Muszynski
Iowa Alum 1997
J (1)
Marian Karr
From:
Brad Phillips <Brad.Phillips @fbfs.com>
Sent:
Thursday, April 14, 2011 4:57 PM
To:
Council
Subject:
Melrose Avenue Game Day Vendors
Dear Iowa City Council Members,
recently read an article in the Press - Citizen regarding the committee of municipal staff proposing that the city begin
enforcing zoning regulations along Melrose Avenue on Iowa football game days. I was stunned to read this was even
being considered. I grew up in Iowa City, only recently moving to Des Moines for a career opportunity. Some of my
fondest memories as a child are attending Iowa football games as a kid with my dad and the (Gary) Watts family. Very
few of those memories are from the actual game, most of them are from the atmosphere surrounding Kinnick during game
days, an atmosphere being threatened with this proposal.
I stayed in Iowa City for college and even for a few years after college, in part because of that very same excitement and
atmosphere that Iowa City offered. I now travel to Iowa City for every home game and spend hundreds of dollars (if not
thousands throughout the season) in the community just to relive those experiences. I also hope someday to bring my
kids to Kinnick for games, just as my dad did for me, so they can experience what it is like to attend an event we are lucky
to have in our backyard. This proposal threatens all of that.
In this day in age athletics venues are competing with TV for an audience. It is much easier to watch a football game on
TV. There is no traffic, no travel, no ticket prices. TV offers instant - replays, the comfort of enjoying it in your home if you
choose, and the relatively inexpensive cost of watching the game. The only thing it doesn't offer is the atmosphere and
excitement of attending the game in person, again, something being threatened with this proposal.
As a student at the University and now a member of the University of Iowa's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
Alumni Board I constantly heard /hear of the University's and the state of Iowa's challenge in keeping students in Iowa City
after graduation. There has always been an issue of retention and not educating students and them shipping them off to
Chicago. I feel strongly that a lot of these new measures passed by the city council (21+ in bars, cracking down on
drinking at football games, and now this vendor proposal) are hurting that retention of young professionals in the
area. Iowa City needs to offer fun events for younger generations just as the bigger cities do. Iowa football is one of the
best events you can have, and this proposal (among others already passed) will ruin it. I have college friends of mine
from Chicago that travel TO Iowa City for games at least 2 -3 times a year, there is no other event that they travel here for.
In summary, it's not broke, don't "fix" it. Those vendors are not doing any harm, they are adding value to the University
and the city.
I respectfully urge you not to act on this proposal. Please leave the game day atmosphere as it is so future generations
can continue to enjoy the same thing I was able to enjoy when I was growing up.
Respectfully,
Brad Phillips
The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and
protected from disclosure. If you are
not the intended recipient of this message, you are hereby notified that any
dissemination, distribution, or copying of this
communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error,
please notify us immediately by
replying to the message, and please delete it from your computer.
Marian Karr
From: Jermaine Ramsey <jermaine_52776 @yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2011 3:34 AM
To: Council
Subject: compromise
This correspondence will become a public record.
My name is Jermaine Ramsey.
There is no way the council does not know that Tracy Barkalow realty etc.. owns most if not all of the
properties that vendors do business on.
Instead of taking money away from vendors who have to spend a minimum of $500 per Saturday to rent the
spot they use, why don't you punish Barkalow(because thats what it seems you are doing) by moving the
vendors across the street on the just off of the sidewalk.
You can still grandfather the vendors in if they've been there the specified amount of time.
You should regulate it, but know that every vendor already knows and does get inspected by the health dept
that morning. A representative comes out and makes sure all vendors are up to specs before they can serve
food.
This is like shutting down a lemonade stand because they don't have a permit.
You are not seeing that there are real people out there trying to make a living and in this economy how can you
be so heartless?
Regulate it, make everyone get temp use permits and make them renew every year.
The only fees they will pay will be to the city and you can help improve our local economy.
But don't be evil and charge an ungodly amount, keep it reasonable
You could even block melrose off between the bridge and hawkins and line the place with trash cans.
Thank you for your time,
Jermaine Ramsey
C -
Marian Karr
From:
Shea Rentschler Wolfe <shealynr @yahoo.com>
Sent:
Sunday, April 17, 2011 9:06 AM
To:
Council
Cc:
gary-barta @uiowa.edu
Subject:
Vendors on Game Days
Dear Iowa City Council,
As a University of Iowa alum and an Iowa Hawkeye season ticket holder, I was dismayed to hear that a
proposal prohibiting vendors on Melrose Avenue was up for debate. The ambiance that an Iowa Hawkeye game
day provides cannot be found anywhere else in the Big Ten, and the vendors on Melrose Avenue are truly a part
of that experience. I understand the need for some regulations regarding the pre -game experience, however
stopping these businesses from providing their goods to game -goers is not the answer. There will always be
some unruly folks, but you're going to have those people present regardless of whether or not you ban vendors
on Melrose Avenue. The people you will be punishing are the alumni, children, and families that visit Iowa City
for the seven game days each year, and spend their hard -earned money in Iowa City and at Kinnick Stadium.
As a homeowner, I understand the desire for clean yards, however the Melrose residents initiating this
debate chose to live near the stadium and knew what that entailed - large crowds milling past your house, noise,
etc... and again banning Melrose Avenue vendors will not stop game days from occuring. Unless you remove
the university, hospital, and stadium from Iowa City altogether, which it appears the CIty Council would like to
do, then crowds will descend upon Iowa City each fall.
If the City Council and the univeriity continue to vote on measures disintegrating the Iowa City and game day
experience, then people like myself will stop buying season tickets and stop saving up to spend money in Iowa
City on those gameday weekends.
Sincerely,
Shealyn Rentschler Wolfe
Class of '01
Marian Karr
From: Stephen Rhodes <srhodes6969 @yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2011 7:23 PM
To: Council
Subject: Iowa games midway
This correspondence will become a public record.
One of my favorite things about traveling to Iowa City for game is the midway. It is what college football is all
about. Please vote to keep it. Thank you
Stephen Rhodes
Quad Cities
Marian Karr
From: Mike Wright
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 8:26 AM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: proposed game day vendor restriction
U
From: Sara Riley [sarar @trif.com]
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 5:53 PM
To: Matt Hayek; Ross Wilburn; Regenia Bailey; Susan Mims; Mike Wright
Subject: proposed game day vendor restriction
Dear Mayor Hayek and Iowa City Council members:
Please forward this e-mail to Council members Champion and Dickens, as their e-mail is not on the city's website. I've
been attending Iowa football games at Kinnick since 1965, when my dad took me to my first game on my 6th
birthday. As a mother, attorney, and member of society I realize Iowa football is not the most important thing on earth,
however like thousands of Iowans I derive enormous pleasure cheering on the Hawks at Kinnick.
As a Cedar Rapidian I can't vow to never vote for any of you again if you move forward with the staff recommendation
to ban temporary commercial activity on Melrose Ave, as a such a threat would empty. However I urge the Council to
reject the staff recommendation. Contrary to comments on message boards the Council's adoption of the ban will not
affect game attendance at Kinnick. During the 20 years Iowa went without a winning football season game day
attendance at Kinnick averaged 50,000 fans. Although just because fans will continue to flock to Kinnick, doesn't mean
the proposed ban is right, or that it will be revenue neutral for the Iowa City area economy.
I felt last year's tailgate restrictions were over kill, and frankly an abdication of the University's responsibilities. Instead
of enforcing existing laws to minimize the problems caused by drunken idiots, the University responded with measures
punishing all tailgaters, even though the vast majority weren't causing problems. Prior to Iowa's opening game I didn't
think the University's new rules would affect me. I don't drink alcohol and at most I tailgate with friends or family
members once or twice a year before the game, and only once or twice in the last four decades have I spent more than
10 minutes at a postgame tailgate. I normally leave Cedar Rapids an hour and a half before kickoff avoiding virtually all 1-
380 game day traffic. Except when the Hawkeyes play at night, I almost always took my children, and their friends or
cousins, out to eat at the Wig & Pen, or another Iowa City area restaurant before heading back to Cedar Rapids. In
addition to enjoying a meal with my children, traffic wasn't bad on my return to Cedar Rapids. Traffic from fans who
leave immediately after the game had essentially cleared and the tailgaters were still at the stadium.
My children (and their friends) wanted to eat at the Outback after Iowa's season opener. Not realizing the effect Iowa's
new policy would have on post game traffic, I took them to the Outback at Coral Ridge instead of the one in Cedar
Rapids. Unfortunately by the time we left the restaurant the roads were jammed with postgame tailgaters. It was the
worst non - weather, non accident related traffic conditions I have ever encountered on 1 -380. It made rush hour traffic
in Chicago seem enjoyable. After the home opener I vowed to leave for Cedar Rapids immediately after the game, and
postpone any post game meals or shopping until I was back in Cedar Rapids. I did break the vow after the Iowa
Wisconsin game. My oldest son, Patrick, is a junior at Iowa. After every game Patrick would ask me to take him out to
eat in Iowa City, instead I would give him money to buy dinner. I finally relented after the Iowa Wisconsin game (10/23),
and took the group to a Mexican restaurant on Gilbert. After talking to my sister about traffic on 1 -80 and 1 -380 1
decided to try Highway 1. Traffic volume on HWY 1 wasn't bad, but it isn't a particularly safe highway, so after the
Wisconsin game I again decided to immediately return to Cedar Rapids after the game to avoid the worst of the post
game day traffic.
I'm sure I'm not the only fan who has stopped patronizing Iowa City area restaurants and retailer after the game in order
to avoid the crush of traffic caused by the tailgating restrictions. Just as my (and others) decision to stop patronizing area
businesses after the game was an unintended consequence of the tailgating restrictions, there will be unintended
consequences to the proposed Melrose vendor ban. Preventing the sale of a Hawkeye T -shirt before or after the game
isn't likely to result in additional purchasers of Hawkeye apparel in Iowa City. Prohibiting the sale of Chuck Ford's "Bigass
turkey legs", or sales by other food vendors won't result in more fans patronizing Iowa City area restaurants. While it
may seem counter intuitive I suspect Iowa City game day restaurant and retail sales will actually decrease. Just as I avoid
Johnson county businesses after Iowa games to avoid the worst of the postgame traffic, many Iowa fans will
intentionally avoid patronizing Iowa City retailers on game day as a means of expressing their frustration with the
University Administration, and city leaders.
I suspect the City Council does not know how it is perceived by Iowa alumni, parents of Iowa students, and other Iowa
fans who live outside of Iowa City. It's true those of us who live outside of Iowa City aren't your constituents, and the
Council is under no obligation to value our opinions or concerns, or give them any weight in the decision making process,
even though your decision effects our enjoyment of home football games. Even though I haven't had one of Mr. Ford's
turkey legs in years, after having a turkey leg at Disney World last month I was looking forward to having one before a
game or two this fall. Non -Iowa City residents attending Iowa games contribute substantially to the local economy, and
whether we have a right to have our concerns weighted on game day issues, most fans believe our opinions and
concerns should be given weight and considered in the decision making process. The more fan's feel the University and
local government not only doesn't appreciate them, but is actually hostile to them, the less most fans want to support
Iowa City businesses. Even if only 10% of the Iowa fans who routinely spend money at Iowa City on game day stopped
doing so, this would have a big impact on local businesses.
I understand the frustration of Ms. Walker and other homeowners on Melrose, however I'm sure if I went on -line to
determine the purchase dates of the homes along Melrose near Kinnick, I would find the overwhelming number of
homes were purchased long after the city began allowing game day vendors to operate on city right away. I would have
greater sympathy for these home owners if most of them did not make considerable money off Iowa fans (which I bet
few if any report this income to the IRS) by turning their yards in to game day parking lots. Not only did most home
owners purchase their home long after vendors began selling on Melrose, and most Melrose homeowners contribute to
the congestion by turning their home into parking lots, but the proposed ban will have little or no effect in ameliorating
the neighbors' complaints.
Ms. Walker complained that neighbors "are sick of the trash and congestion on Melrose" and that "it's heartbreakingly
depressing to have our neighborhood turned into a disgusting mess on football game day." However unless the
residents of Melrose stop turning their property into parking lots not a single one of their complaints will be solved. Over
the years I've purchased Hawkeye apparel from Melrose vendors, these apparel vendors are not contributing to game
day trash, I've purchased food from vendors, and unlike the people who rent spaces for game day tailgates on residents
property, the vendors aren't serving alcohol, and they have sufficient trash receptacles for their customers to dispose of
their trash.
I urge the City Council to reject the staff's recommendation. However if the Council decides to approve the vendor ban it
will be exposed to liability if it does not also ban Melrose property owners from charging people to park on their
property. While I would agree with Mr. Boothray that a home owner who holds a tailgate on his /her property among
his /her friends, and does not charge his /her friends to park on his /her property is engaged in an informal activity and
not engaging in commerce. However, the minute a homeowner charges for parking on their property they are engaging
in a commercial activity. It is possible Mr. Boothray is unaware of the amount of income most Melrose homeowners are
generating by charging for parking on their property during home football games, or how many property owners
purchased a rental property on Melrose because of its parking /tailgating income producing potential. In order to reserve
a spot at one Melrose location you must pay for the entire season in advance, and you are also charged for any space
you use for tailgating that could be used to park a car. Last year it cost 350 for each reserved spot.
Most Iowa fan's who park and tailgate in Melrose "lots /backyards" give away their University parking permit, preferring
the privacy the private residences provide. Melrose property owners turn a blind eye to underage drinking, and other
unlawful activities that occurs in their backward on game day, because of the large income they are generating. Not only
is this activity commerce, but until it is banned not a single compliant Ms. Walker expressed to the Gazette will be
improved.
Sara Riley
Tom Riley Law Firm, P.L.C.
4040 First Avenue NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Phone: (319) 363 -4040
Fax: (319) 363 -9789
E -mail: sarar @trif.com
Tom Riley
Law Firm
c•izps tirr:cc mtrlt�c:s
This 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, and then please delete it. Thank you.
Marian Karr
From: Mike Rodriguez <mrodriguez @kbtransportation.com>
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:17 PM
To: Council
Subject: Fw: Doug Kills Melrose Ave... what a guy....
- - - -- Original Message - - - --
From: Mike Rodriquez
To: doug- boothrov(d)iowa- city.org ; matt- hayek(c)iowa- city.org ; regenia- bailey(a)iowa- city.org : ross- wilburn(a)-iowa- city.org
charles- green(cD-uiowa.edu ; Iowa City City Manager; DES -News, Letters; Des Moines Register ; Gary Barta A.D. U of I ;
President Sally Mason
Cc: Harty, Pat; tom.shatel(a)-owh.com ; skeeler(a)dmreg.com ; Whitey GOHAWKS ; Perry Go Hawks Sibenaller ; Mike
Flanagan ; Ken GoHawksKen GoHawks Gengler ; Andrew Hawk in Lames; Brett Snooze; Trevor Go Hawks Shanahan; Lance
GoHawks Teut ; Tomgohawks home Stanek
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:15 PM
Subject: Doug Kills Melrose Ave... what a guy....
Dear Doug The Kill- Joy.........
I'm hearing you want to stomp out the last bastion of carnival atmosphere in Iowa City. I suppose you kick
handicap children too ?? You crush poor old dogs with your SUV if they don't amble out of your way quick
enough? I suppose you shoot song birds from your back porch because their'pitch' surpasses the
legal decimal levels. Douglas by chance do you have red hair and wear horn -rim glasses?
So you want to shut down all the GameDay vendors on Melrose Ave in Iowa City ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? As Dean
Wermer said, "son, fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life."
Doug ole boy........ Do the folks complaining understand that 'GameDay' ADDS to the value of their
homes ?? Location, location, location. Some of the folks complaining rent their yards to people like me. As you
well know Douglas cash is king when it comes to tailgating. The owners of these yards don't take AMEX, Visa let
a lone a personal check. CASH. Cash money. Some of these same complainers take that cash and stuff in their
pockets. I'm JUST SURE they keep track of every nickel from each car, van, or truck that rolls onto their
property.
"Yep, honey, that's 32 vehicles at $40 a pop. Record that for a cool $1280 for today's game. Honey we have six
more home games."
Since we have complainers or kill-joys like yourself it's time to get the IRS involved. I believe it's time to post
agents up and down the street to count vehicles on private property. What do you think about that
Douglas ? ? ? ? ?? That should really take the fun out of Iowa City on GameDay. Is that what you want Douglas?
Douglas it might be wise to leave this issue alone before some upset vendor shoves one of those Big Ass Turkey
Drumsticks where the sun don't shine.
Michael Rodriguez
Sioux City, IA
712 251 7294
Recently, I read an article in the Gazette, titled: Iowa City May Ban Game -Day Vendors Outside
Kinnick. The article appeared online on April 14, 20115:45PM and was written by Gregg Hennigan. I
additionally confirmed the appearance of the item on the Regular Work Session for the City of Iowa City
City Council dated April 18, 20115:30PM. Because no minutes have been generated to the date of this
letter, I can't cite discussion.
I do quite frankly understand and acknowledge the concerns of the Melrose Neighborhood
Association. Their argument that they are sick of the trash and congestion is acknowledged. My
response to that, however, is when those home owners purchased their properties, they had to have
known, or should have had the understanding of, the fact that Kinnick Stadium was at their front porch.
Furthermore, property acquisition is not made without due research and acceptance of certain
environmental factors of the area to which one is buying property in. Therefore, to argue that
congestion is a burden unfortunately shows that the purchasers of those properties either originally
were okay with the existing congestion, or did not fairly conduct area research prior to closing.
With all due respect to the property owners within the Melrose Neighborhood Association, I do
not feel that banning vendors on game days is the solution to their complaints. I am surprised that in
times of Economic hardship, the Council would even consider removing this viable form of cash revenue
from vendors in the first place. The vendors are mom and pop food and game day gear businesses that
are simply providing a service (a proven successful service as the crowds in front of the vendors has
shown) to those patrons looking for those services in return. The Council on the contrary should be
looking for ways to promote economic prosperity among Eastern Iowa vendors, NOT taking more away.
Instead, the Council should focus on how to control the problem. Instead of banning vendors,
the Council should consider other alternatives such as increased CSO patrols ticketing litterers,
increasing the littering fines, and continuing to monitor for open containers on the street. This by itself
would change the actions of tailgaters who would most certainly feel a Policing presence and will ticket
for littering. Additionally, increase the presence of and ease of access to trash receptacles.
The congestion will be there no matter what. With the lack of parking surrounding Kinnick, what
other form of transportation is there aside from walking? We have all enjoyed a beautiful Saturday
morning, sun in the sky, walking with close friends on the way to a football game. The crowds will not
disappear with the disappearance of the vendors. If the congestion is truly a bothersome issue, Kinnick
should be relocated. Or the homeowners should move to the East side of town.
This issue should be one in which the vendors, homeowners, and the City should work together
to come to a fair conclusion. I ask that the Council and City Manager's Officer reconsider their
recommendation and consideration of banning game day vendors and instead consider the options I
propose of CSO officers ticketing violators in order to keep the street clean. Iowa City is not only a
wonderful community, but a great College atmosphere. Those of us who have graduated from there still
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Dear Honorable Council Members of the City of Iowa City:
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Recently, I read an article in the Gazette, titled: Iowa City May Ban Game -Day Vendors Outside
Kinnick. The article appeared online on April 14, 20115:45PM and was written by Gregg Hennigan. I
additionally confirmed the appearance of the item on the Regular Work Session for the City of Iowa City
City Council dated April 18, 20115:30PM. Because no minutes have been generated to the date of this
letter, I can't cite discussion.
I do quite frankly understand and acknowledge the concerns of the Melrose Neighborhood
Association. Their argument that they are sick of the trash and congestion is acknowledged. My
response to that, however, is when those home owners purchased their properties, they had to have
known, or should have had the understanding of, the fact that Kinnick Stadium was at their front porch.
Furthermore, property acquisition is not made without due research and acceptance of certain
environmental factors of the area to which one is buying property in. Therefore, to argue that
congestion is a burden unfortunately shows that the purchasers of those properties either originally
were okay with the existing congestion, or did not fairly conduct area research prior to closing.
With all due respect to the property owners within the Melrose Neighborhood Association, I do
not feel that banning vendors on game days is the solution to their complaints. I am surprised that in
times of Economic hardship, the Council would even consider removing this viable form of cash revenue
from vendors in the first place. The vendors are mom and pop food and game day gear businesses that
are simply providing a service (a proven successful service as the crowds in front of the vendors has
shown) to those patrons looking for those services in return. The Council on the contrary should be
looking for ways to promote economic prosperity among Eastern Iowa vendors, NOT taking more away.
Instead, the Council should focus on how to control the problem. Instead of banning vendors,
the Council should consider other alternatives such as increased CSO patrols ticketing litterers,
increasing the littering fines, and continuing to monitor for open containers on the street. This by itself
would change the actions of tailgaters who would most certainly feel a Policing presence and will ticket
for littering. Additionally, increase the presence of and ease of access to trash receptacles.
The congestion will be there no matter what. With the lack of parking surrounding Kinnick, what
other form of transportation is there aside from walking? We have all enjoyed a beautiful Saturday
morning, sun in the sky, walking with close friends on the way to a football game. The crowds will not
disappear with the disappearance of the vendors. If the congestion is truly a bothersome issue, Kinnick
should be relocated. Or the homeowners should move to the East side of town.
This issue should be one in which the vendors, homeowners, and the City should work together
to come to a fair conclusion. I ask that the Council and City Manager's Officer reconsider their
recommendation and consideration of banning game day vendors and instead consider the options I
propose of CSO officers ticketing violators in order to keep the street clean. Iowa City is not only a
wonderful community, but a great College atmosphere. Those of us who have graduated from there still
consider Iowa City home and feel nostalgic every time we return to visit or for a game. Although we may
not be voting residents of Iowa City, our hearts and passion still exists in the town we called home for
four plus years, and still in our hearts consider home. The 21- Ordinance went through, and I am not
happy about that but I am sure you are all sick of that issue. Please don't let another nonsensical
recommendation go through that would only hurt businesses more than the Council already has. I ask
that the Interest Groups, Council, and Administration work together and solve this without banning
vendors. Chuck Ford was quoted in the article as saying, "'They need to set down some solid ground
rules," said Ford, of Iowa City. "I don't have a problem with the solid rules, but just enforce them and
make sure everybody follows them. "' Plus, consider the potential income from ticketing litterers. Add
that line item to the Police Department Budget and let's move on to other business.
Respectfully submitted,
i
Robert E. Sabo
Former University of Iowa Student and Former Iowa City Resident
Cc: Mayor Hayek, City Manager Tom Markus, Finance Director Kevin O'Malley, Police Chief Samuel Hargadine,
University of Iowa President Sally Mason
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From: Richard & Jean Sternberg <dickanjean @iowatelecom.net>
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 5:59 PM
To: Council
Subject: MELROSE
This correspondence will become a public record.
Hello. My name is Dick Sternberg. I am a resident of Roland, Iowa, which you probably know is 12 miles north of Ames
and Iowa State University. I have been a Hawkeye fan for the past 50 years since growing up in Eastern Iowa. Living in
Central Iowa now and near Iowa State University, I have opportunity to attend ISU football games. I cannot hardly
express to you the big difference in game -time atmosphere there is between a Hawkeye game and a Cyclone game. In
Ames, you still see the usual pre -game drinking among both students and individual tailgaters. However, there is
NOTHING going on- or to
eat- outside the stadium for the average fan to experience; that is unless you are a big time Cyclone donor or a dues -
paying member of "Monsanto "! Its really no fun.
I am a season ticket holder to Iowa football games. Yes, I too am sometimes dismayed by the number of especially
young people drinking at 10:45 AM on a Saturday morning. However, eliminating the food and souvenier shops south of
the stadium will do little if anything to reduce that. The game day ambiance at Kinnick Stadium is SO much better than
at Jack Trice. I have to also be selfishly honest. I love hearing, "Turkey legs. Big ass turkey legs," on my way to the
Stadium. And I love Yolanda's pork on a stick!
I sincerely hope you as the City Council can work something out that will allow these vendors to continue contributing to
the fall Saturday Hawkeye tradition.
Thanks for reading this....
Sincerely,
Dick Sternberg
PS. And I also hope it is not The University of Iowa Athletic Department behind this in order to eliminate food and
sourvenier sales competition!
Marian Karr
From: bruce77@comcast.net
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 3:12 PM
To: Council
Subject: Fwd: melrose vendors
- - - -- Forwarded Message - - - --
From: bruce77 @comcast.net
To: Council- @iowa- city.org
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 3:08:17 PM
Subject: melrose vendors
Dear City Council,
As an avid Hawkeye fan, alum and 35 year ticket holder, I hope you will not close the vendors on
Melrose. I understand homeowner's concerns but 6 or 7 days a year should be acceptable for some
trash when 70,000 + fans are enjoying their day and pumping $$s into the Iowa City coffers. Can't
the vendors assist in the clean up either by hand or monitarily? The vendors are part of the fun of
game day and I would hate to see them gone.
There is going to be a lot of trash and clean up with or without the vendors ... make them "pony up" if
necessary. Please don't take away part of the fun on game day.
Thank you.
Bruce Strother
Barrington, IL
Y
Marian Karr
From: Thomann, Mitchell A <mitchell- thomann @uiowa.edu>
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 4:01 PM
To: Council
Subject: Game Day Vendors
City Council,
Banning game -day vendors would be the most idiotic decision that this terrible council has ever made. There are few
events in this town that draw in large groups of people, and Iowa football game days are one of them. Why do you
continue to try to ruin the best part of Iowa City, that happens only seven weekends a year? A huge reason people
attend games, especially people who are only marginal sports fans, is because of the atmosphere on game day. Getting
rid of the vendors, which serve great food, will only continue to dilute our tailgate, so that is no longer distinguishable
from places such as Ames. When that happens, you will have fewer and fewer people traveling far to spend their hard -
earned dollars in Iowa City. Do none of you have any business sense at all? It is sad that you continue to try to
homogenize this great city to make it like every other boring town in Iowa. Unbelievable and unacceptable!!
Mitch Thomann
The University of Iowa
College of Public Health
Department of Biostatistics
240OF UCC
Marian Karr
From: Jean Walker <walkersic @yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 4:11 PM
To: mhayek @hhbmlaw.com; Marian Karr; Mike Wright; Susan Mims; Ross Wilburn
Cc: Jean Walker
Subject: Vending on Melrose Avenue - comments from Jean Walker
Attachments: Melrose Ave 9am #2 1 0_1 1_09.jpg; ATT00001.htm; Melrose Ave gam #3 10_11_09.jpg;
ATT00002.htm; 102_7034.jpg; ATT00003.htm; 102_7037.jpg; ATT00004.htm; 102_7038.jpg;
ATT00005.htm; 102_7043.jpg; ATT00006.htm; 102_7044.jpg; ATT00007.htm; 102_7045.jpg;
ATT00008.htm; Vend ingCouncilWorkSession 1 1_04-18.docx; ATT00009.htm; Melrose
Vendors V2.pdf; ATT00010.htm; MelroseVending11_03- 24.docx; ATT00011.htm
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VENDING ON MELROSE AVENUE DURING FOOTBALL GAMES
04/18/11
Comments submitted by Jean Walker, Melrose Neighborhood Association Representative
THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT AGAINST HAVING VENDORS ON FOOTBALL GAME DAYS,
(provided they are regulated to avoid the problems currently associated with them). However we are very
strongly opposed to having the vendors in our historic Neighborhood and particularly in their current position
where the main arterial street that is Melrose Avenue is turned into a sidewalk, and emergency vehicles have great
difficulty passing through.
A NEW LOCATION THAT SHOULD PLEASE MOST OF THE PEOPLE AND ENTITIES AFFECTED:
We have therefore come up with a new location that should please most of the people and entities affected:
The ideal location for the vendors is in the UI parking lot next to Kinnick Stadium. A UI official has indicated that
that is not possible at this time because the UI has a contract with a couple of vendors which excludes other vendors
on UI Athletics property. This contract expires in 2016. So, unless the contract is modified before then, the vendors
would have to wait until then to be accommodated in that area.
In the meantime, the neighborhood has found a couple of other win -win locations that could be used until the
parking lot is available. Probably the best one is along Hawkins Drive right across from Kinnick Stadium
along Parking Ramp 2, where there is a 15 foot grassy area and a wide sidewalk backed by a grassy slope. (See
attached map and photos -if available.)
Advantages of this location:
1. It avoids the congestion across Melrose Avenue, thus allowing emergency vehicles a clearer path.
2. It makes the job of police, fire and ambulance workers a lot easier.
3. It is just around the corner from the current location, but still just across the street from Kinnick Stadium.
4. It gives greater protection for the historic Melrose Neighborhood. The favored location does not involve any
residences.
5. It gives the UI an opportunity to take responsibility for some of the activities generated by their football games,
and the City would not have to spend the money and people resources to police the area and enforce any regulations.
6. The UI has stated in the past that it supports historic preservation and also that it wants to have good relations
with its neighbors. By taking care of this problem, they will achieve both goals.
7. It stops the inflation of property prices in the Neighborhood that is based on speculation of monetary gain from
commercial vending. Inflated prices would make home purchases in the Neighborhood out of reach for most people.
8. It removes some of the trash concerns generated by vending activity, including the perception that it is okay to
trash the Neighborhood.
9. There might be some congestion of Hawkins Drive (though less because the vending area there is more open than
the current one). Also, Hawkins Drive is not a main arterial of Iowa City, or one that leads directly to the UIHC
Emergency Room, as opposed to Melrose Avenue. That section of Hawkins Drive could be closed to all but official
traffic during the vending period. Note that access to the hospital entrance is still available from both ends of
Hawkins Drive.
WHY COMMERCIAL VENDING SHOULD NOT BE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MELROSE AVENUE:
-- WE SHOULD NOT EVEN BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION. VENDING ON MELROSE AVENUE IS ILLEGAL.
THE MELROSE NEIGHBORHOOD IS ZONED RESIDENTIAL. IF THE CITY HAD BEEN DOING ITS JOB, WE
WOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.
-- The City has not enforced this regulation through the years and has let it get out of hand. It has become much
worse over the years. Instead of contemplating allowing the vending to continue, the City should apologize to the
Neighborhood and enforce the ban on vending. Now is the City's chance to make up for their years of neglect in
not enforcing that regulation.
-- The vendors should be glad they have not been fined for their illegal activity.
-- If the City allows commercial vending on Melrose Avenue, it is simply rewarding the illegal activity of the
vendors, while undermining the very hard work that the Neighborhood has put in concerning historic
preservation - a slap in the face indeed. The City failed to protect our neighborhood and instead dealt it a double
injury - instead of prosecuting the vendors, the city allowed them and then did not even control them.
-- The City has, in various of its documents, stated that the Melrose Neighborhood is fragile and needs to be
protected. Allowing the vending to continue goes against those statements and would be detrimental to the fragile
historic Neighborhood. We ask the City to follow -up what it has said about protecting the neighborhood with what it
will do, i.e., ban vending in the Neighborhood.
-- What is the City's view of our neighborhood - a quiet residential neighborhood (for which it is zoned) or a place
where one has commerce - not even orderly commerce but commerce that trashes the neighborhood?
-- If the City allows this vending to continue, it means that the City is anti - preservation (in contrast to what it has
said in the past in various documents) and condones these negative activities. Does the City want vendors to make
money or does it want to preserve a neighborhood?
-- Allowing vending affects how people think of the neighborhood and negates our huge effort to establish a historic
district nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.
-- Instead of seeing how the City can facilitate this commerce with all its downside, the City should be seeing how it
can protect the neighborhood. We've suffered years of this abuse. Don't "reward" us with allowing it to continue.
-- I doubt that the Council members would like people to come into their (historic) neighborhood and set up stands
and let people stand in the middle of the street and toss trash that could injure /kill your pets? And then the City says
"Okay, it's illegal but, never mind, it's fun and the people coming from all over town want it ".
-- Are you for civility and protecting neighborhoods, especially fragile historic neighborhoods, when the rare
opportunity arises for improvement, or are you for standing by, throwing your hands in the air and saying "we can't
do anything" and let mob rule rule? Is anyone brave enough to stand up and protect us? Iowa City could be a model
for others. Alternatively, there must be other cities with football stadiums that do it a lot better (and would not
tolerate our situation). Perhaps the City could look for better models. University Heights is already a better model,
both in not allowing commercial vending on Melrose Avenue and controlling the littering and trash.
-- Trashing our neighborhood is unacceptable behavior.
-- Football game days are in essence intense abuse of our neighborhood 7 or 8 days a year (not counting the partying
the day prior to the games). How much abuse should to be tolerated? Isn't once too much? Would you tolerate
abuse elsewhere? Abuse of our neighborhood has got to stop and enforcing the law against this illegal commercial
vending, with its accompanying trash and congestion etc., is a start.
-- Commercial vending for football games could be the thin edge of the wedge as regards such vending on other
occasions.
-- The situation is getting worse. There are now at least 25 commercial vendors, the overwhelming number coming
from outside the neighborhood and some even from out of the State. It is not a "mom and pop" endeavor. These
people probably are not thinking of it as a neighborhood and are unlikely to care about its preservation. To them it is
just a piece of commercial real estate, a place to plunder for monetary gain. Vendors coming from Wisconsin - do
they care about the neighborhood? How many vendors are owner - occupiers? These vendors should not be telling
the neighborhood what we should accept.
-- It's heartbreakingly depressing to have our neighborhood turned into a disgusting mess and to drive down
Melrose Avenue after a game and see our beautiful historic neighborhood trashed. But it's not just a trash concern.
It's about congestion, destruction, and total disrespect of our neighborhood.
-- This is a once -in -a lifetime opportunity - please don't blow it. It's a "knife- edge" decision. It is in your power to
choose good for this neighborhood. Once the genie is out of the bottle....
-- Finally, the UI, whose event has generated this problem and which should have a vast amount of
intellectual power at its disposal (including a Department of Urban and Regional Planning), should be
coming up with a location to host the vendors that does not include the fragile historic Melrose
Neighborhood.
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COMMERCIAL VENDING ON MELROSE AVENUE ON FOOTBALL GAME DAYS
Statement from the Executive Committee of the Melrose Neighborhood Association
March 24, 2011
Concerning commercial vending on Melrose Avenue on football game days, the Melrose Neighborhood
Association's Executive Committee requests that Iowa City officials uphold the law and that this illegal
activity be stopped. The Melrose Neighborhood, which includes a historic district nominated to the National
Register of Historic Places, is a fragile neighborhood that needs to be preserved (as stated in various Iowa
City documents).
Currently, the people who congregate around the vendors' stands, and who walk down Melrose Avenue
eating food purchased at those stands, appear to feel free to discard trash and uneaten food at will along
and on the properties on the Avenue. There appears to be a herd mentality that shows an utter disrespect
for the neighborhood, a disrespect that one would hope people would not exhibit in their own
neighborhoods. For too long, this behavior has been allowed to occur unchecked.
This vending on Melrose Avenue is an invasion of the neighborhood, which is zoned RS5 (residential), and
it affects its character adversely. It is destructive in that it creates a huge mess on the street and on the
adjacent properties, and though in recent years a better effort has been made to clean up (most of) that
mess in a somewhat timely manner, it still encourages disrespectful behavior and generates lingering harm
to the properties in terms of tents, carpets, and people destroying the lawns.
Few, if any, vendors have supplied trash containers for the by- products of their sales with the result that
trash is strewn on the street, sidewalks, and properties. Of particular concern are the turkey bones and the
shish kabob sticks that pose a threat to the lives of neighborhood pets and wildlife. Carelessly discarded
broken -off wooden shish kabob sticks with remnants of food attached have been found and are a life -
threatening hazard.
In addition, extreme congestion of the street occurs because people are attracted to the stands from the
stadium on the other side of the street and people tend to congregate around the vendors' stands.
The neighborhood's request to have this illegal activity stopped is corroborated by the fact that University
Heights upholds a ban on commercial vending in their city.
Commercial vending on football game days occurs due to the University of Iowa's football games. We
therefore believe that if commercial vending is to continue in the vicinity of the stadium, the University
should take responsibility for any such activity so that it does not impinge on, and adversely affect, the
Neighborhood.
We would propose that any such vending could occur in an area of the stadium parking lot. In addition to
eliminating the trash and the destruction of the Neighborhood, such a placement of the vendors should
greatly diminish the congestion on Melrose Avenue near the stadium. We have heard of various instances,
due to this congestion, when people could not reach the adjacent UI Hospitals and Clinics in a timely
manner in an emergency or when people have had problems getting to work at the UIHC.
Most importantly, diminished congestion would facilitate the access of fire trucks, ambulances (particularly
going to the UIHC), police vehicles, and any other emergency vehicles to the area. Reduction of this
congestion on Melrose Avenue, which is one of the main arterial streets of Iowa City, is thus a safety
concern.
For all of the above reasons, we request that the illegal vending on Melrose Avenue be stopped
Marian Karr
From: Marc Wolfe <marcwolfe @hotmail.com>
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 7:52 AM
To: Council
Subject: Vendors outside Kinnick Stadium
Dear Council:
I was disappointed to hear about the debate to deny permits for vendors outside Kinnick Stadium this fall. It is truly a
great tradition that should not be eliminated. Iowa City is a great town. I loved living there for the 4 years I was in
college and as a season ticket holder I love coming back often every fall from the Chicago area. I beam with pride when
I talk about my alma matter and about Iowa City. For those who have never been, I talk about what an amazing college
town it is both in terms of culture and college experience. The vendors on 7 days a year outside Kinnick Stadium are a
part of that culture, as much as musicians in the Ped Mall or Prairie Lights.
There are "bad apples" on game days, just like anywhere, but why punish the thousands of good people that come to
Iowa City on game days to spend their hard earned money and carry on traditions from generation to generation. I know
game days bring in millions of dollars to the Iowa City/Coralville area, and I cannot understand why you would want to
create a non - welcoming business environment. I have no problem with stepped up enforcement by police, but let the
good, majority of fans, continue to enjoy the traditions they have helped built. Being in Iowa City, you may not realize
what a special thing you have going there. Every place is not like Iowa or Iowa City, and changes created due to a few
small problems can alter the atmosphere permanently. Below is an article from the Chicago Tribune that I think is a good
reference.
http://articies.chicaciotribune.com/2008-11-15/news/0811140443 1 hawkeye -bici- ten - football - football -fans
Respectfully,
Marc Wolfe
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Marian Karr
From: Duncan Woodward <duncan.woodward @g mail .Com>
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 8:47 AM
To: Council; Doug Boothroy; gary- barta @uiowa.edu
Subject: Melrose Vendors
Doug,
I think you need to seriously reconsider thoughts of banning vendors on Melrose Avenue for Hawkeye football
games. Looking at the reasons cited for considering this, I see very little to justify this action. Siting zoning
really makes no sense. We're talking about several blocks immediately adjacent to a large hospital and a 70,000
seat football stadium. Calling this a quiet residential neighborhood really ignores the true nature of that location
and borders on the absurd.
Considering neighborhood complaints, I fail to understand how anyone could purchase a home there and not
realize how that area is transformed on gameday. Kinnick stadium has been there how long? .... 70 years or
more? It's not like this is a new tradition that changed the nature of that area over the recent past. Only
someone who bought their home there before Kinnick was built really has a legitimate complaint. This is
similar to people who build next to a freeway or in the approach lanes to a busy airport and have the audacity to
complain about the noise and demand the city put noise abatement solutions in place.
In addition, it seems that Iowa City is trying quench enthusiasm for Hawkeye football. I've been attending Iowa
football games since the 70's when my dad drove us to Iowa City from Dubuque as a small child. Back then the
Hawkeyes were not very good, yet the stadium was always full. Iowa has a reputation for filling Kinnick
Stadium win, lose or draw. Why do fans go to the games when the team isn't that great? Are they masochists
who love to watch their team lose? Of course not. They go because the atmosphere, the block party that happens
is so much fun. It turns a simple football game into a social event that crosses generations and brings people
together in a day long bonding eperience. It's part of the city and one of the reasons I attended the Univerity of
Iowa and still live here now. Take that away and you've taken yet another step in killing not only Hawkeye
football, but the city of Iowa City.
Too difficult to have an exception? How hard is it to allow vendors on Melrose, between this address and that
address on the days when there are home football games? I'd imagine any lawyer could draft something in an
hour or two. What's that at the typical rate? $500 tops. Too hard to enforce? How absurd. Sell a damn permit
if you must and make the vendors display it. A 10 minute walk down several blocks of Melrose to survey for
permits is too hard? It seems you don't want to work very hard if that's too difficult. What happened to the
midwest work ethic? Make the changes absolutely necessary and keep the magic going. Or take the easy route
and take another step towards erasing what makes Iowa City unique.
Remember this: the view of the game is typically better from the couch with a 50" high definition TV, instant
replay, a cold beer, and short bathroom lines. People go to the game for the atmosphere. Take that away and
they will stay home, along with the million dollars spent in the Iowa City area every football Saturday.
I sincerely hope you took the time to read this entire email, as I think there are real and negative repurcussions
to this proposal.
Sincerely,
Duncan Woodward
14 Lindemann Dr.
Iowa City, IA 52245
319 - 338 -3354
Melrose Avenue Vendors
Iowa City City Council Meeting, April 19, 2011
Comments by Jean Walker, Melrose Avenue Neighborhood Representative
I want to make it very clear:
The Melrose Avenue Neighborhood is not opposed to the vendors. Yes it would be
crazy to ban them. The problem is their location.
We have come up with several alternate locations that address many of the issues
brought up by the City Staff and the Neighborhood.
Bottom line: we feel that the Council is moving ahead too fast on this topic without
sufficient knowledge (for example of the alternatives) and without sufficient input from
the neighbors. So we are asking for time for further discussion by the Council and
further public input. Let's not rush this through, but let's get it right - take time to look at
the alternate locations.
Because time is pressing, we suggest that the vendors remaining where they are for the
next year or two, with temporary use permit regulations in place, with the understanding
that an earnest effort is made, with cooperation of the City, the University of Iowa, and
the Neighborhood, to find an alternate location that is outside of the historic Melrose
Neighborhood.
City staff has stated that the highest priority is protecting the neighborhood, and moving
the vendors to an alternate location close to the Stadium would help do that.
So now is the time to come together to make this a win - win - win -win situation for the
City, the fans, the neighbors, and the vendors.
Putting all other considerations aside, we respectfully request that you to answer this
question:
If a nearby alternate location was found for the vendors outside the Melrose
Neighborhood, is there any reason why it should not be used?
(Presentation of alternate locations.)
I have already submitted to the Council a document that lists the many positive aspects
of these alternate locations and summarizes the reasons that vending should not be on
the south side of Melrose Avenue.
Responses to comments made by City Council members:
The UI needs to be involved. I was shocked that the statement would be made that "the
UI wouldn't allow vendors on their property" — without even asking them. Just because
people don't do what they should do, should they be allowed to avoid their
responsibility? At other events in the City, the entity is held responsible for activities
associated with its event. The UI should not be an exception. Some of the vendors
have expressed the opinion that the UI should put up sufficient trash cans and
portapotties so that those issues are not a problem.
The notion that the UI is a good neighbor is a broad generalization — each topic needs
to be assessed separately to see if that applies. The UI has not been a good neighbor
in several instances as regards football games and the Melrose Neighborhood.
For example, it took two years of persistent emails for the U to supply portapotties to
alleviate the urinating, throwing up, and defecating on Lucon Drive and nearby areas.
Response came only when the parents of toddlers at one of the daycare centers
learned that people were defecating behind that center and wrote to the Ul.
Subsequently 5 portapotties were supplied by the UI and lines of as many as 20 people
waiting to use them were observed.
If the UI was a good neighbor they would step forward, show concern for the
Neighborhood, and offer to help, rather than wait in the background and have the City,
neighbors, fans, and vendors solve their problems. They even have a Department of
Urban and Regional Planning that should be a great help in this matter.
It is not surprising that the City received many emails etc. from people against banning
the vendors. There are hundreds of thousands of fans and much fewer neighbors.
We are sick of the phrase to the effect that neighbors knew the Stadium was there and
that it would involve commotion. Many of us have lived here for decades and football
game days are very different (in a negative way) from when we moved in, in large part
because neither the City nor the U has aff intervened to stop various illegal activities.
(Side note: This neighborhood was first established in the 1850s, well before the
stadium was built.)
Selling parking spaces and selling turkey legs is not the same. The vendors attract
large crowds of people.
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Map for current and alternative vending areas
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Grassy area along Ramp 2
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Grassy area along Ramp 2
1.
Plaza in front of Kinnick Stadium
Current location of Vendors
Current location of vendors
Melrose Ave. 9:00 AM - 10/11/09
Melrose Ave. 9:00 AM - 10/11/09
�6-
The City Council of Iowa City
presents this
Certificate of /appreciation
t.
to
� i ins
Effiot
For his dedicated service as the ?University of Iowa Student Government (vISG) student Liaison
to the City Council of Iowa City to better identify issues of common concern to students
and the Cit • and for his commitment to improve communication
between 2UISG and the City for the 2010 -2011 academic year.
Presented this 19th day of 4pri(2011
Thankyou!
k._;i
AAA.
Wayor, City of Iowa City