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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-02 Correspondencer CITY O F IOWA CITY 3g(1) E D u M M MO RAN Date: July 14th, 2011 To: City Clerk From: Darian Nagle -Gamm, Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for August 2 "d, 2011 City Council meeting; Installation of (1) HANDICAP PARKING space on the north side of Normandy Drive, adjacent to the 701 Normandy Drive property. 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); Install of (1) HANDICAP PARKING space on the north side of Normandy Drive, adjacent to the 701 Normandy Drive property. Comment: This action is being taken to supply an on- street handicap parking space for a resident living at this address. The resident has a permanent DOT issued handicap parking permit. r -- CITY OF IOWA CITY ��..r ®did 3g�2) MEMORANDUM Date: July 21, 2011 To: Tom Markus, City Manager From: Ronald R. Knoche, City Engineer Re: Competitive Quotation Results 2011 SUMMER SIDEWALK REPAIR PROJECT Competitive quotations for the 2011 Summer Sidewalk Repair Project were opened on July 7, 2011 and the following quotes were received: Feldman Concrete Dyersville, IA $ 21,153.60 S & M Concrete Cedar Rapids, IA $ 21,856.00 LJ Stevens & Co. Solon, IA $ 21,893.44 All American Concrete West Liberty, IA $ 23,127.04 Engineer's Estimate $ 25,048.00 Public Works and Engineering recommended and the City Manager awarded the contract to Feldman Concrete of Dyersville, Iowa. The project will be funded with Road Use tax proceeds. From: Cathy Spaulding < cspaulding @MuskogeePhoenix.com> Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 8:08 PM To: Council Subject: Bridges Out of Poverty I am a reporter for the Muskogee Phoenix, a newspaper covering Muskogee, near Tulsa. Our town is considering using the Bridges Out of Poverty program to help our residents improve their status. I read that Iowa City Housing Authority considered adopting the Bridges Out of Poverty program in 2007. I saw the reference in an old Blog from 2007. For the story I am writing, I have these questions: Did you adopt the program? If not, why not? If so, What happened? How many people got involved? How did it work? Success rate? Is there anyone in Iowa City who went through this program I can talk to? I will work on the article Friday and through July 6. Any input you can offer will be much appreciated. Thank you for your help. Cathy Spaulding (918) 781 -3941 cspauldinga muskogeephoenix.com Marian Karr From: Steven Rackis Sent: Friday, July 01, 2011 9:56 AM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: Bridges Out of Poverty Here is my response! From: Steven Rackis Sent: Friday, July 01, 20118:50 AM To: 'cspaulding @muskogeephoenix.com' Subject: Bridges Out of Poverty I am the Housing Administrator for the Iowa City Housing Authority. Not sure what you mean by saying 'adopted "? I had 2 staff members who went to training to become certified presenters. They conducted several sessions with citizens in partnership with other community service providers. They also conducted training with 3 City Departments: Transit, Parks & Recreation, and the Library. We are not doing anything with Bridges now, as both staff members pursued other employment opportunities. The sessions with City staff were well received and we actually conducted 2 sessions for the Library after the management staff attended a session with the other City Departments. So, in short, we conducted workshops as a service to the City of Iowa City and other Community Service providers. 319 - 887 -6065 1 From: jazb <jazbl058 @inabc.net> Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2011 9:26 PM To: Council Subject: RE: this happens all day every day This was returned as undeliverable from the council address so I am sending it again Mr. Helling, It is obvious to me that you are in contact with Shelter House as 3 days after this was sent ALL cars were gone from the west side of Waterfront.. Most are completely gone some are now parked in the parking lot which as I stated was over 1/2 empty most of the time. This tells me that their street parking was a point they were trying to make to us in the neighborhood. This does not endear them to us. It was far to coincidental to be anything but. As far as calling the police I reference a call my husband made about the congregating down there... he was told by the dispatcher when he called in that it was not illegal and she would not send anyone. So, really, what would you like us to do. The option you gave us is not real. We have tried that as we have been told that before. All of us in the area, Hacap, Friendly Farm, Hilltop management, and Hilltop residents are all talking to each other and sharing these communications. Don't pretend that you are trying to make a solution. You are not. It is anything for the greater good of the shelter and no one cares about the children and families who have lived in this area many many years. Sincerely, Joyce Barker - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Dale Helling [mailto :Dale- Helling @iowa- city.orgj Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 20114:46 PM To: 'jazbl058 @inabc.net' Cc: Council; Eleanor M. Dilkes; Darian Nagle -Gamm; Andy Rocca; Sam Hargadine Subject: RE: this happens all day every day Dear Ms. Barker, Thank you for your recent email messages to Council regarding parking issues on Waterfront Drive. Perhaps I can provide helpful information in the form of an update. As I'm sure you are aware, City traffic engineering staff has reviewed the situation to determine if further control measures are warranted based on uniform traffic standards. Beyond the removal last year of parking from the east side of Waterfront Drive south of Southgate Avenue, they have concluded that road width, traffic volume, visibility, etc. are adequate for traffic movement in that area without imposing additional parking prohibitions or other restrictions. Further, while vehicles are frequently parked on the west side of Waterfront Drive, these have not often been found to be improperly parked or in violation of the "street storage" (parked over 48 hours without being moved) regulation. Police officers have observed people sleeping in these vehicles from time to time but there is no law prohibiting that. Further, no violations of the zoning code have been identified. The police have been directed to monitor the current situation involving vehicles parking along Waterfront Drive in the evenings with occupants congregating in the area with car doors open, etc. If you or your neighbors observe instances where the street is being blocked or traffic is encumbered, the police should like to be notified immediately, if possible, so they can respond in a timely fashion. We remain in contact with Shelter House administration as well in the interest of seeking workable resolution to problems that may arise. Regards, Dale Helling Assistant City Manager - - - -- Original Message---- - From: jazbl058 @inabc.net [mailto:jazbl058 @inabc.net] Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 20118:09 AM To: Council; Eleanor M. Dilkes; Darian Nagle -Gamm; Andy Rocca Subject: this happens all day every day This is what we have all day every day along the stretch, now extending beyond our drive up the hill towards Friendly Farm. But is this taken into account on your width of road? Normally if there was a car comming people shut the door or get out of the way.... I can tell you on a daily basis that the stretch from HACAP's drive to Southgate on Waterfront... they DO NOT! They look at the cars trying to give way to each other and go back to what they were doing... with the door hanging wide open... All the while the parking lot at Shelter house is at least 1/2 empty. This tells us they are NOT trying to be good neighbors. They are trying to say we are here and YOU have to live with it... All we are asking for since you CAN NOT legislate good character is to give us an accessable road. Please consider and impliment no parking on the west side of Waterfront! This is even more poinient to me as my husband just spent time in the hospital for chest pains. Thank You Joyce Barker 2018 Waterfront Dr Iowa City Marian Karr 13g(5) From: Dale Helling Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 10:11 PM To: 'Beining, Robin M' Cc: Council Subject: RE: Permits for Distribution of Business Handbills Dear Ms. Beining, Thank you for your recent email to the City Council regarding the distribution of handbills. Council members will formally receive your message as official correspondence as part of the consent agenda for an upcoming regular council meeting. The damage done to your car is regrettable and I'm sure very frustrating that no one came forth to admit to the damage. You are correct that the City does not currently prohibit or otherwise regulate the distribution of handbills, including placement on parked vehicles. Council has in the past considered that possibility but elected not to pursue it further. As I'm sure you are aware, there would be potentially complicated First Amendment issues to be addressed in attempting to enact an ordinance to prohibit or limit this activity. If Council should wish to revisit this issue, they will advise staff to schedule the matter for future discussion and seek input from the City Attorney. I hope this information is helpful. Sincerely, Dale Helling Dale E. Helling Assistant City Manager (319) 356 -5013 dale- helling @iowo -city, org From: Beining, Robin M [ mailto:robin - beining @uiowa.edu] Sent: Friday, July 08, 20113:32 PM To: Council Subject: Permits for Distribution of Business Handbills From: Robin Beining 1274 Dolen PI. Iowa City, IA 52246 (319)930 -2341 robin - beining @uiowa.edu RE: Permits for Distribution of Business Handbills Dear Council Members, On Wednesday, July 6th, 2011, I parked my vehicle on E. Washington St. in Iowa City. While I was away from my car an Iowa City business, TMOne (1925 Boyrum St.), posted a handbill on my car, advertising their hiring of telephone account managers. The same day that this handbill was posted on my car, a dent was made on the right side of my hood, near where the handbill was placed on my windshield. My car is relatively new and in pristine condition. I had hand - washed my car the previous day and I am certain the dent was not on my car when I washed it. Unfortunately, due to the location of the dent on a ridge, the repair cost has been estimated to be $720 by Billion Auto of Iowa City. The person estimating the cost of the work believes that the dent was caused by someone leaning over my car (as to place the handbill on my windshield) and possibly wearing a large belt buckle or cell - phone. I tried to directly contact someone in charge at TMOne and my phone call was unreturned. I then attempted to resolve the issue with TMOne, in person. TMOne refuses to acknowledge any responsibility for the damage to my car and unfortunately, I have little recourse. However, it disturbs me that not only am I left with a damaged vehicle and $720 repair bill, but that businesses can (and do regularly) freely post unsolicited handbills on hundreds of cars in the downtown Iowa City area. Not only has this practice damaged my property, but it also results in littering of property when handbills are improperly placed, rained on, blown away, discarded, etc. I am extremely frustrated and dismayed. Reviewing of the Iowa City ordinance on handbills and fliers outlines the need for permits to post on public property, utility poles, etc., but makes no mention of posting on personal cars. I would like to encourage the Iowa City council to consider an ordinance requiring permits for posting business handbills on cars, as it is commonly required in other communities. Until then, I will be paying for the damages to my car and will make an extra effort to avoid patronizing ANY Iowa City business that posts unsolicited handbills on my parked vehicle. I sincerely appreciated your consideration. Robin Beining, M.S. 2011 Doctoral Candidate, Interdisciplinary Studies The University of Iowa From: Meredith Stensland <meredith- 23 @hotmail.com> Sent: Friday, July 08, 2011 2:20 PM To: Council Subject: goals /priorities Iowa City Council members, My name is Meredith Stensland, and I am a student at Wartburg College. I am doing a report on the power structures of Iowa City. My questions to you include: -What are your reasons for seeking control? -As members of the council, what are your priorities or goals of your work? -What would you like to accomplish while on the council? -How do you exercise your authority? In other words, as council members, how do you exercise your power? Thank you very much, and I look forward to hearing back from you. Meredith Stensland *PS If you would rather respond to these questions via telephone, you can call me at 515 - 681 -0459 Marian Karr From: Karen Jennings Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 9:34 AM To: 'amanda.skinner39 @ gmail.com' Cc: Adam Bentley; Marian Karr; Dale Helling; *City Council Subject: FW: Nepotism /Cronyism Policy Reply Ms. Skinner, The City's Nepotism policy is included in our Personnel Policies document. I have copied it below. TF i. Employment of Relatives Generally, no person shall be hired, promoted or transferred to a department of the City or to a division thereof when, as a result, the employee would routinely be directly or indirectly supervising or receiving direct or indirect supervision from a member of the employee's immediate family. For the purpose of this section members of the immediate family are defined as: employee's spouse, domestic partner or partner by cohabitation, children, mother, father, son -in -law, daughter -in -law, mother -in -law, father -in -law, brother, sister, brother -in -law, sister -in -law, grandparents and grandchildren, step- children and step - parents. When any of the above relationships is created by marriage, domestic partnership or cohabitation following employment, reasonable efforts will be made to find an acceptable alternative, or to eliminate the situation by transfer or reassignment of one of the employees. Affected employees will first be given the option of deciding which employee will transfer or be reassigned. If no indication is given, seniority will be the governing factor and the least senior employee will be subject to transfer, reassignment, or termination. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information. Thank you, Karen Jennings Karen Jennings Personnel Administrator City of Iowa City (319) 356 -5025 (319) 356 -5027 FAX mailto karen- ienninas(Nowa- citv.org Please consider the environment and do not print this email unless absolutely necessary. From: Dale Helling Sent: Monday, July 11, 20119:28 AM To: Karen Jennings Cc: Adam Bentley; Marian Karr Subject: FW: Nepotism /Cronyism Policy Reply Karen: Please forward a copy of our nepotism policy to Ms. Skinner. Thanks. From: Amanda Skinner [mailto:amanda.skinner39 @gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, July 10, 20112:24 PM To: Council Subject: Nepotism /Cronyism Policy Reply I read with interest a question posed to the council in its 7 -5 -11 agenda regarding its nepotism policy, in particular whether relationships other than familial and /or cohabitating relationships were covered by the city's policy. I believe Mr. Chaisson asked for a copy of the city's policy in his email. I could not see council's reply to this inquiry, but did see a note added that the "policy was sent" to Mr. Chaisson. This issue interests me as well, so I was disappointed that I could not see the council's response and thus do not know whether the city's policy contains this language presently and /or if there are intentions to update the policy to include consensual relationships or other types of cronyism. I went online to the city's website and could not find it with a basic search. Could I bother you to re- attach the policy to this email so I can also examine it? In my Industrial Psychology studies this is an area of current discussion, as it is being observed that it is often the "behind the scenes" relationships which cause more disruption to workplace morale than those relationships which are legally sanctioned and thus more widely known and managed by the organization. Thank for your time and service. Amanda Skinner Marian Karr 3g(8 From: Jennifer Jordan Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 4:13 PM To: 'jeffrey.kress @gmail.com' Cc: Council; Tom Markus; Rick Fosse Subject: RE: Plastic Bag ban Attachments: plastic bag recommendations June 09.pdf Hello Mr. Kress, Thanks for your email to City Council regarding a plastic bag ban. I researched the issue two years ago, prepared the attached memo and presented to City Council. I have not followed the trends in other communities since that time but we have worked on increasing litter clean -ups and done extensive public education through ECO Iowa City that specifically included waste reduction targeted at plastic bags. City Carton Recycling has also added a bin for recycling plastic bags at their location on Benton Street and worked with the local grocers to promote their collection programs. I'd be happy to do re- examine the issue if directed by the City Manager and Council. Sincerely, Jen Jordan Recycling Coordinator Iowa City Landfill & Recycling Center 3900 Hebl Avenue SW Iowa City, IA 52246 319 - 887 -6160 Jennifer- lordanPiowa- city.org www.icgov.org/environment From: Jeffrey Kress < jeffrey. kress@ gmail. com <mailto:jeffrey.kress @gmail.com>> Date: July 11, 201112:26:09 PM CDT To: < council @iowa- city.org <mailto:council @iowa- city.org>> Subject: Plastic Bag ban City Council Members, I would like to see plastic bags banned in Iowa City. There are a multitude of reasons for this. 1. it loads landfills 2. they are non - renewable resources (made of polyurethane, a composite created from such non - renewable components as natural gas and crude oil) 3. they are harmful to animals (approximately 100,000 sea animals die each year from plastic bags) 4. they are harmful to children (choking hazard) Also, Dubuque recently voted to phase out 90% of plastic bags by 2014. This is one reason they are on the list as "Smarter Cities" by the Natural Resources Defenses Council. When I shop, I bring an old plastic bag or cloth bag to shop. Most of the time I have to tell cashiers this while they start to bag my groceries or goods with plastic bag by HABIT. It's time we, Iowa City, start to make a name for ourself environmentally and ban plastic bags. A little effort goes a long way. We need to be conscious of our actions. To receive a new plastic bag (sometimes numerous bags) every time we shop leads to above problems. I also kayak the local rivers and inevitably find plastic bags stuck on tree branches, etc. it's ugly, I wonder if wildlife will be affected, and I remove them when I can. Make a statement and ban plastic bags in Iowa City. Thank you, Jeffrey Kress r ~ ,� CITY OF IOWA CITY 9 AN MEMORANDUM CITY OF IOWA CITY Date: June 24, 2009 To: Rick Fosse, Director of Public Works From: Jen Jordan, Recycling Coordinator Re: Plastic grocery bag follow -up City Council directed staff to report back in June regarding plastic grocery bags to determine if a ban was necessary. Based on conversations with grocers, recyclers and state -wide non - profit organizations, as well as the trends surrounding this topic, it is staff's opinion that a ban is not needed at this time. Instead, continued education, partnerships and litter abatement will enhance the trends of reduced plastic bag use, increased recycling and more organized litter pick -up events. Positive trends Over the past six months, staff has discussed plastic bag use, recycling and bans with grocers, recycles and the executive directors of Keep Iowa Beautiful and the Iowa Recycling Association. The trends that they have seen in the past year are encouraging. 1. Reduced plastic grocery bag use. The sales and use of totes is increasing across the state. While it is difficult for stores to track exact numbers on plastic grocery bag use, Hy -Vee estimates that they have seen an estimated five to ten percent decrease in plastic bag use over the past year. Fareway and Wal -Mart speculate that the number of plastic bags they use has decreased since they have seen an increase in the number of totes sold and used. Some local stores have taken the initiative to charge for bags. For instance, Aldi Food Stores have been charging $0.10 for heavy -duty plastic bags for many years. Customers bring their own totes, bags or boxes for groceries and the manager of the Iowa City Aldi Food Stores stated that they see customers reusing the Aldi -brand plastic bags repeatedly until they are worn past reuse. In addition, the New Pioneer Co -op began charging customers $0.05 per bag on Earth Day 2009. All proceeds are being donated to the Crisis Center. 2. Increase in plastic bag recycling rates. Informal surveys and observations indicate that all or almost all local grocery stores offer plastic bag recycling. According to Mike Smith, Hy -Vee's Director of Real Estate and Sustainability, Hy -Vee saw a 25% increase in plastic bag recycling across the state in FY08. City Carton Recycling offers plastic bag recycling at their drop -off facility and works with local stores to take the plastic bags the retailers collect through their plastic bag recycling programs. An increase in plastic bag recycling locally mirrors a national trend; Waste News recently reported that plastic bag and film recycling reached an all time high in 2006 and continues to increase. In April 2009, the four major bag manufacturers in the US announced a goal of using 40% recycled content by 2015. This will significantly increase the demand for plastic bag recycling and reduce the consumption of natural gas in bag making. July 23, 2009 Page 2 Next steps While the trends discussed above are encouraging, ongoing efforts will be necessary. Public education will be important, as will working with local grocers to support and inform the public about their programs. 1. Public education. City and ECICOG staff includes education about reuse, including totes, in all outreach programs offered to local schools, civic groups and public libraries in the corridor. On average, the education programs reach about 3,000 students and residents per year. Keep Iowa Beautiful (KIB) received a Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Alternative Program grant to study the views of the public across the state regarding this topic. Based on this information, the public does not feel that they are well- informed about recycling or what programs stores have in place. KIB plans to work with the Iowa Grocers Association on a campaign to provide a common message to the public about recycling grocery bags, such as common signage in store parking lots to remind shoppers to take their totes into the store and education for store employees to encourage shoppers to purchase totes and remind shoppers to use them. Locally, staff will work with local retailers and City Carton Recycling to advertise locations of plastic bag recycling drop -offs. A stronger reuse message will be incorporated into outreach and advertising, such as newspaper ads and outreach at local events. 2. Litter abatement. While Johnson County is not an affiliate of Keep Iowa Beautiful, we have a strong volunteer litter collection system. • The Adopt -a- Highway program covers Highways 218, 1 and 6, as well as Interstate 80 and 380. Most sections in Johnson County have been adopted and are picked up at least twice annually. • The Stormwater Utility organizes numerous creek clean -ups annually and has extended that in 2009 to Iowa River clean -ups. • The Aerohawks Flying Club has four clean -ups on IWV Road annually in a partnership with the landfill. • The landfill plans to initiate an annual fall clean -up of Highway 218 in 2009. Summary Staff does not feel that a ban is needed at this time. Expanded education programs and partnerships with local retailers will encourage more residents to use totes and recycle their plastic bags. Additional litter clean -up activities will help residents see the problems that bags pose in the environment and further encourage them to use totes and recycle their plastic bags. With these initiatives, the use of plastic bags is likely to continue its downward trend. The purchase and use of totes as well as plastic bag recycling is likely to increase as we have seen over the past year. Marian Karr 3g(9 From: Pete Anderson <pdanders @yahoo.com> Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 12:42 PM To: Doug Boothroy Cc: Council; Matt Hayek Subject: Melrose Concerns on Football Gameday Hello Mr Boothroy, I don't know if you remember but we exchanged emails last year during the Magic Bus location and permit issues. I'm am not a Iowa city Resident but I am graduate of the University of Iowa, Season ticket holder for Football and Basketball since 92, and a life long Hawkeye fan. I return to Iowa city about 40 times a year. I just had a question on the latest concerns about Melrose Vendors and various issues caused in the Melrose neighborhood by football game traffic. I'm confused why the Melrose vendors and the Magic Bus appears to be taking all the blame for the issues in the Melrose neighborhood. When the actual problem is the lack of parking around Kinnick Stadium and non - supervised tailgates in the area. In my observations people do buy food on Melrose before Football games and then walk back in the residential areas of Iowa city to ditch their garbage. Most people I know park, walk to Melrose, get food, and proceed around the stadium or directly to the games. If vendors were selling alot of food after the games as people headed back to their cars, I could see the Melrose vendors being a bigger concern but from my observations the vendors are shutdown by the time the game is over. So the amount of trash in the neighborhood due to Melrose vendors is small in my opinion. I'm not sure the vendors are the problem. This leads us to the Magic bus who appears to be favorite scapegoat off all things bad about Football Tailgating. Was there any actual data that showed that garbage, drunkenness, illegal behavior increased since the Magic Bus moved last year? I'm just puzzle that people get upset if it is too close to the stadium and now people are upset it is far away(and there is more foot traffic in the neighborhood). City regulations aside (which have been ignored on gamedays for decades) can the city just decide if they want tailgating in Iowa City or not? The year to year dance is as annoying to fans as it must be to you and the council. Once and for all can the city just decide one way or the other whether they want alumni, fans, and students to return and celebrate Iowa Football in Iowa City or not? Let's not kid ourselves. The problem isn't Melrose Vendors or the Magic Bus. The problem is Iowa Football. You can shutown the Magic Bus or make vendors have permits but the problem will remain. There is not enough parking around Kinnick so people are forced to the residential areas. If the Melrose association wants the tailgators out of their neighborhood not only do you have to ban the Magic bus but you must also enforce parking ordinances in these neighborhoods. Is it legal for a residence to sell their lawn for public parking 7 times a year? How many of the people complaining about the Vendor's and Magic Bus are also selling parking places on their lawns and allowing unsupervised tailgating on private property? One could argue it's the residence that rent out their lawns to tailgaters are the real problem. If you must shutdown the Bus, crack down on Vendors, please also go after the Melrose residents who are allowing what I believe is illegal parking. Then we will see a true comparisons of the people who are OK with having a football stadium in their neighborhood or not. I'm guessing the pendulum will swing the other way if the city starts requiring permits for each resident who wishes to sell their lawns as parking places. I say the city should embrace Hawkeye Football and welcome fans or shutdown ALL illegal actives including residential /lawn parking. Whether this is the year there is no magic Bus in Iowa City or not, when the time comes, wonder who will take the blame for 70,000 coming into town for a day trashing the area around Kinnick when there is no Magic Bus. At one time it disgusted me the thought of Kinnick Stadium being moved but now I would almost welcome it. Until the stadium is moved there is nothing the city can do with many of the problems. If the city gathered data over the last year showing the Magic Bus increased problems in the area, by all means shut it down but don't forgot all the unsupervised tailgates in the residential areas around Kinnick. In over a decade of going to the magic bus, I have always seen people carded, told to leave there beverage of choice when leaving for the game. What I haven't seen is drunken idiots walking across the area trashing area, vomiting, or urinating on residential property. There are plenty of facilities at the Magic Bus so there is no reason to do this. Again I ask, is it the Magic Bus patrons causing the problems or all the house parties /tailgates. I will admit we leave the bus earlier then most to get to the game but the crowd doesn't seem out of control as portrayed. I read a comment on the Press Citizen that said maybe it's time to give the Magic Bus up. Sadly, I am close to agreeing but all you'll be doing is sending people someplace else to tailgate. That may be in Iowa City or it may be Coralville. As Iowa City cracks down on the tailgating there is a perception that Coralville is now the place to be. Two years ago we began spending all pre - basketball games dinners in CV now. Is football tailgating next? Thanks for you time. Pete Anderson Marion, la University of Iowa Class of 1997 College of Engineering Go Hawks! a LLJ U. e� N I c� �r c:a A j V • ` �� .� 3g(10) O •y (0) 0-0 MO O � C/) O c00 =Q CL cts Q .0 ,0 c� ca a E mm •— cU 0 tm cu m N 0 i Q z.. O A j V • ` �� .� 3g(10) O AI 111�2 1p pl-I (I Jl Ll E L k6� oz 0 m cu Ilk Uj arc Air Race Classic ARC Executive Board: President: Marolyn Wilson Whitesboro, NY Vice President: Keri Wright Lakeland, TN Treasurer: Trish Minard Cheney, KS Secretary: Terry Carbonell Alva, FL Directors: Jo Alcorn Winter Haven, FL Dottie Anderson Bluffton, OH Lara Gaerte Fort Wayne, IN Gretchen Jahn Denver, CO Maureen Kenney Caliente, CA Carolyn Van Newkirk York, PA Denise Waters New York, NY Assistant Directors: Caroline Baldwin Marie Janus Heidi LaPine Ruth Maestre Karen Redman Robin Turner Bev Weintraub Theresa White Dustin Wilcox Mary Wunder Laurie Zaleski AIR RACE CLASSIC, INC. www.airraceclassic.org July 12, 2011 Matt Hayek City of Iowa City 410 E Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Matt, On behalf of the Air Race Classic Board of Directors, we express our sincere gratitude for your contributions in making the 2011 Air Race Classic a memorable experience. Organizing a transcontinental air race is an enormous undertaking which could not be possible without contributions of time, money, support materials and expertise from individuals like you. We appreciate your efforts and your generosity. Together, we generated publicity to a wide audience; sending a positive message for general aviation, and women, in particular. This 82nd Anniversary race was quite remarkable as we had eleven university teams; three teams flying the race as a fund raising event for various charitable organizations; and one team commemorating the contributions of a famous African American aviatrix. As we bring the 2011 race year to a close, we look forward to the 2012 Air Race Classic from Lake Havasu, AZ to Batavia, OH and welcome your continued support of this fine racing tradition. With kind regards, JoAnne Alcorn, Director Air Race Classic, Inc. 21530 Pearl Street — Alva, FL 33920 Phone: 239 - 633 -0077 — Fax: 863 - 674 -0130 �.i `sii w CIE - ,sic, I;-1C. is a 50,i (c)(3) organization. Your tax da?ciUCLMl Com;ibutions e. a `!c''ICoime. N O X-- On behalf of the Air Race Classic Board of Directors, we express our sincere gratitude for your contributions in making the 2011 Air Race Classic a memorable experience. Organizing a transcontinental air race is an enormous undertaking which could not be possible without contributions of time, money, support materials and expertise from individuals like you. We appreciate your efforts and your generosity. Together, we generated publicity to a wide audience; sending a positive message for general aviation, and women, in particular. This 82nd Anniversary race was quite remarkable as we had eleven university teams; three teams flying the race as a fund raising event for various charitable organizations; and one team commemorating the contributions of a famous African American aviatrix. As we bring the 2011 race year to a close, we look forward to the 2012 Air Race Classic from Lake Havasu, AZ to Batavia, OH and welcome your continued support of this fine racing tradition. With kind regards, JoAnne Alcorn, Director Air Race Classic, Inc. 21530 Pearl Street — Alva, FL 33920 Phone: 239 - 633 -0077 — Fax: 863 - 674 -0130 �.i `sii w CIE - ,sic, I;-1C. is a 50,i (c)(3) organization. Your tax da?ciUCLMl Com;ibutions e. a `!c''ICoime. (�Iossic 1'/ (ako, "fOunaer fDomen') would lf�e to %u_r Jer .evress our pthae f'orgaurgenerous aenotfon otf' om,e time, personal sup ort, anc� nancial resources to Air Race Classic tAe n(911 Obtr Noce �lasstc. Your contdutions die ea masse our exRerience untforgetta6le. c tncerel , Marsg fOunaer, e[lot Nose Crown, co Rilot N O : <,�a 4 " E.J� Marian Karr 3g(11 From: Dale Helling Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 5:23 PM To: 'Andrew Duffy' Cc: Tom Markus; Adam Bentley; Council Subject: RE: Mephedrone openly sold Dear Andrew, Thank you for your email to the City Council expressing your concern about the sale of Mephedrone in Iowa City. Council will formally receive your message as official correspondence as an item on the consent agenda for its next regular meeting. I asked the police chief to look into this matter and we were pleased to learn that while mephedrone is currently a legal substance to posess and sell in Iowa, it is named in House File 510, passed by the legislature and awaiting the Governor's signature, as a Schedule I Controlled Substance which will make it an illegal substance to manufacture, possess, use, etc. in the State of Iowa. Perhaps by the time you are reading this the bill will be signed. If not, hopefully soon. I hope you find this information helpful. You may wish to convey your encouragement to the Governor's office that he sign HF 510 with the mephedrone prohibition included. Regards, Dale Helling Dale E. Helling Assistant City Manager (319) 356 -5013 dale- hellingPiowa -city. org From: Andrew Duffy [mailto:armyandy86 @gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 1:54 AM To: Council Subject: Mephedrone openly sold I am writing because I am alarmed at the public sale of the world known club drug "mephedrone ". This deadly drug is sold out of the cash registered in stores such as the "End Zone" in Iowa City for $50 a powder gram. I hardly believe anyone buys that this is sold as "plant food" or bath salt, especially when it is often packaged in a small plastic bag covered in images of machine guns and marijuana leaves. This is a deadly drug that had already seen bans in several countries and several U.S. states. Even when asked the owner describes the "magic" brand plant food as legal cocaine and ecstasy mixed. Concerned, A.R. Duffy Marian Karr From: Bender, Kelly S <kelly- bender @uiowa.edu> Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 8:34 AM To: Council Cc: Rocklin, Thomas R Subject: Partnership for Alcohol Safety Recommendations Attachments: PAS Recommendations for 21 Ordinance Exception Certificate. docx Dear Council Members, 3902) Attached please find a memo from the Partnership for Alcohol Safety (PAS) outlining four recommendations for strengthening the requirements for obtaining and renewing a 21 Ordinance food related exception certificate. The diverse membership of the PAS, in addition to downtown bar and restaurant owners who are not members of the PAS, have agreed that the attached recommendations are necessary to decrease underage access to alcohol in establishments with an exception certificate. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. We appreciate your consideration. Kelly Bender Coordinator of Campus Community Harm Reduction Initiatives The University of Iowa 249 IMU 319- 353 -0102 Kelly- benderguiowa. edu Partnership The Partnership for Alcohol Safety exists to identify and advocate for strategies that reduce high -risk drinking and promote a vibrant downtown TO: Iowa City City Council FROM: The Partnership for Alcohol Safety RE: Recommendations for changes to 21 DATE: July 15, 2011 Ordinance Exception Certificate requirements Below are four recommendations submitted by the Partnership for Alcohol Safety (PAS) to the Iowa City City Council for consideration regarding their adoption into the so called 21 Ordinance. The intention of the following recommendations is to strengthen the 21 Ordinance in order to decrease underage access to alcohol in establishments with a food related exception certificate. The following recommendations were approved unanimously by PAS members on July 13, 2011 with two members abstaining. PAS members in attendance for the vote include the following: Susan Assouline (UI) Doug Beardsley (JCPH) Kelly Bender (UI) Katya Boltanova (MECCA) Denise Brotherton (ICPD)- abstained Shelly Campo (Ul) Brittany Caplain (UISG) Leah Cohen (Bo James) Stacey Cyphert (UI) George Eire (Takanami, Formosa) Patti Fields (ICCSD School Board) Brian Flynn (Joe's, Donnelly's, Blackstone) Chuck Green ( UIDPS) Matt Hayek (City of IC)- abstained Dale Helling (City of Iowa City) Elliot Higgins (UISG) Janet Lyness (County Attorney) Marc Moen (Moen Group) Jim Mondanaro (Giovanni's, Saloon, Joseph's) Steve Parrott (UI) Greg Pelc (UI Med Student) Tim McDougall (Source Media) Shannon Pogones (ABD) Mark Pries (Pastor) Tom Rocklin (UI) Jim Swaim (UAY) Michael Takacs (UIHC -ER). Additional input and support for the recommendations was provided by: Jim Bell (Deadwood), Todd Barnes (Sports Column), Jeff Maynes (Union Bar). Recommendation #1: .50 PAULA ratio requirement Businesses with a food related exception certificate must maintain a PAULA ratio of .50 or below, using ICPD and UIDPS combined enforcement data, in order to be eligible to receive (or renewed) an exception certificate. The PAULA ratio should be reviewed frequently (recommend reviews every 3 -6 months) so businesses having issues with minors gaining access to alcohol can be addressed quickly. Recommendation #2: Revocation of Exception Certificate Exception certificates may be revoked for good cause. Good cause for revocation includes: Where a business maintains a PAULA ratio above .50 after more than one review period. Recommendation 43: Exception Certificate with sale of business A)If a business (bar /restaurant) for sale currently has an exception certificate, the new business taking over can receive an automatic 6 month probationary exception certificate if they can demonstrate that their primary business purpose is not the sale of alcohol. At the end of the 6 Partners IP The Partnership for Alcohol Safety exists to identify and advocate for strategies that reduce high -risk drinking and promote a vibrant downtown month period, the business must continue to meet 50% food sales and PAULA ratio (.50) requirements in order to maintain their exception certificate. B) If the business for sale does not currently have an exception certificate, the new business would not start out with an automatic exception certificate. Instead, they can apply for an exception certificate after 6 months of business. At that time they must meet 50% food sales and .50 PAULA ratio requirements. Recommendation #4: Review of business records to verify 50% sales from food. The City of Iowa City will, as a standard practice for all exception certificate applications and renewals, thoroughly review business records used to verify that 50% or more of gross sales are from the sale of goods and services other than alcoholic beverages. A standard review of business records will include state and federal tax records, receipts from vendors for goods purchased, and audits. Please feel free to contact us for further information regarding these recommendations. Thank you for your time and consideration. Contact Information: Kelly Bender UI Coordinator of Campus Community Harm Reduction Initiatives Kelly- benderguiowa. edu 319- 353 -0102 F lakwig-0, July 15, 2011 The Honorable Matthew Hayek Mayor of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Sir: 3 13) It is with the deepest regret that we must close our Roberts dairy plant operations located at 1109 N. Dodge Street, in Iowa City 52245. The actual date of closure is July 15, 2011. The company has notified the Iowa Workforce Development and the State Dislocated Worker Unit. This closure will affect 47 employees at the plant and in the office. The company will maintain a distribution operation in the area and will continue to employ 30 employees as drivers and support personnel. The company will be providing severance benefits for those affected and will be working with the Dislocated Worker Unit to assist employees during the transition. The closure is a result of lower volumes and the need to consolidate operations to reduce costs. The production from the Iowa City plant will be moved to operations in Dubuque, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska. The company will continue to have over 250 employees in the State of Iowa. We find this action most regrettable for our employees and we will do what we can to reduce their hardship and offer other opportunities where possible. Although our operations will be downsized we will continue to maintain a presence and appreciate the continued support of the community and our employees. Sincerely, , Gary A gg u Chief Operating Officer Hiland and Roberts Dairy Company PRAIRIE FARMS DAIRY, INC. General Offices: 1100 Broadway, Carlinville, IL 62626 phone 217- 854 -2547 fax 217 - 854 -8468 prairiefarms.com ;tE n c._ - 4. sue -=f C- cn U� PRAIRIE FARMS DAIRY, INC. General Offices: 1100 Broadway, Carlinville, IL 62626 phone 217- 854 -2547 fax 217 - 854 -8468 prairiefarms.com Marian Karr ; 3g(14 From: Rick Fosse Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 4:21 PM To: 'kcolangelo @mchsi.com' Cc: Tom Markus; Council; Marian Karr; Ron Knoche; John Yapp; Dale Helling Subject: FW: possible extension of Foster /Bjaysville Road to the east Dear Kay: Thank you for your e -mail about the possible extension of Foster Road from Dubuque Street to Prairie Du Chien Road. I agree that this project has many good things going for it. The reason it is not in the City's five year capital program is primarily due to the lack of funds. It is competing with a number of other good projects that, in the end, received a higher priority in the budget process. If the land abutting the Foster Road right -of -way develops, portions of the street could be constructed by the developer as part of their project. However, unless a very large scale development occurs it probably will not complete the connection between Dubuque Street and Prairie Du Chien Road. The City Council will be reviewing the five year capital program and adopting a new budget after the first of the year. The City Council appreciates public input on this process, so thank you for your e -mail. If you have anything to add, you might consider sending it in December so it will be fresh on everyone's mind for the budget process. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, Rick Fosse Public Works Director - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Kay Colangelo [mailto:kcolangelo @mchsi.comj Sent: Monday, July 25, 20118:13 AM To: Council Subject: possible extension of Foster /Bjaysville Road to the east This correspondence will become a public record. We have long hoped for Bjaysville Rd. to be completed through to the north end of Prairie du Chien Rd. At present, there is no entrance to the north end of Prairie du Chien Rd. except via Linder Rd. on the north side of interstate 80. In fact, there is only one planned, smooth entrance to Prairie du Chien Rd. from downtown Iowa City and that is on its far south side (via Governor St. to Dodge St. at Roberts Dairy). The route many of us take is the narrow, residential Kimble Rd. because there is no other route from the north side of downtown to Prairie du Chien Rd. Iowa City, due to the river and railroad tracks, can be a difficult town to maneuver around. So when there is seeming easy access to connect one road to another, we think the City Council should consider this potential. To connect Prairie du Chien Rd. to north Dubuque St. via Bjaysville Rd.: * would be "greener" because less gas would be used for those of us needing this connection (the term "going around your finger to get to your thumb" comes to mind) * would open up a significant number of homes to public transportation (the last bus stop on Prairie du Chien Rd. is on Caroline Ct. which leaves residents in a large area of Iowa City too far to walk to a bus stop) * would keep a significant amount of traffic off the narrow, residential Kimble Rd. which is also on one of Iowa City's steepest grades and can be dangerously icy in winter Thank you so much for your attention to this matter, Kay and Nicholas Colangelo From: cliff pirnat <cpirnat @mchsi.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 10:20 AM To: Council Subject: crandic bridge gate officials are contemplating a gate for flood waters at the Crandic Bridge which will only help Coralville. And then a levee on Taft speed way.. First of all lets start thinking of people down river from Iowa City, less water here means more for someone else. Remove the dam at Burlington street and lower the river 7 feet. The city concern ought to be the Rocky Shore Drive, which in a few years will be washed away by the river. Has any one looked at how close the river is to the road lately? Some person suggested an alternative to a levee and that is flood insurance. If the U.S. government can mandate health insurance why not a city mandating flood insurance. cliff pirnat 705 manor dr iowa city,ia Marian Karr From: Marcia Bollinger Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 5:05 PM To: Council Cc: Jim Hayes Subject: FW: On behalf of James P. Hayes Attachments: Ltr to City Council July 27.pdf From: Dawn Malloy [mailto:dmalloy @hlplc.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 20113:52 PM To: Marcia Bollinger Subject: On behalf of James P. Hayes I am attaching a letter from James Hayes Dawn Malloy Legal Assistant Hayes Lorenzen Lawyers 125 S. Dubuque St., STE 580 Iowa City, IA 52240 Phone: (319) 887 -3688 Fax: (319) 887 -3687 1 3g(16) Hayes Lorenzen Lawyers PL James P. Hayes Karen A. Lorenzen* Reed R McManigal Julie L. Pullcrabelc, of counsel July 27, 2011 City Council of Iowa City 410 E Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Members of the Council: On July 22, 2011, Marcia Bollinger, Neighborhood Service Coordinator, was good enough to send the Courts Street neighbors a letter informing us about your Monday, August 1, 2011, work session, where traffic calming will be discussed. We appreciate the effort of the Council, and on behalf of our Court Street neighbors, I would like to reiterate our concerns about traffic problems occurring on Court Street between Summit Street and Muscatine Avenue. We have asked at various times that the council consider alternatives for slowing the traffic and for quieting our section of street so as to maintain the family atmosphere of our historical neighborhood, including the reasonable restriction of.commercial truck traffic; lowering and enforcing the speed limit; removing the turn lanes at Muscatine Ave; returning Court Street to its original brick surface; and initiating quieting devices such as speed bumps, chicanes, turn - abouts and two -sided parking. We. are in support of the suggestion that the maximum threshold of 3, 000 vehicles per day for traffic calming be reconsidered so that the streets in the city with higher counts, including our stretch of Court Street, could pursue traffic calming installations and measures. Suite 580 Plaza Centre One 125 S. Dubuque Street Iowa City IA 52240 -5678 Phone: 319 887 3688 Pax: 319 887 3687 jhayes @hlplc.com klorenzen @blplc.com rmcmanigai @hlplc.com jpuUuabek @hlplc.com *rllro adwitted in Rov7da We respectfully request that the City Council take the action that is necessary to provide traffic calming on our street. With kindest regards, Very truly yo s, ames P. Hayes July 28, 2011 All Members, City Council City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 RE: Brown Street Traffic Calming ' 7 X Dear Mayor Hayek and Honorable Council Members, " _ e) Last summer, residents on Brown Street between Dodge Street and Dubuque Street, out of concern for our safety and neighborhood quality of life, petitioned JCCOG (now MPOJC) to study the need for traffic calming. In November 2010, a traffic study analyzed daily traffic volumes and speeds. The study collected eastbound and westbound traffic data at two locations. It found that an average of 633 to 683 vehicles per day travelled at 85th percentile speeds between 23.6 and 28.6 mph. Based on that data, and MPOJC's interpretation of Brown Street as a collector street rather than a local residential street, MPOJC determined that we did not qualify for traffic calming. City Council received a copy of MPOJC's letter to Brown Street residents to that effect in the Council's December 23, 2010 information packet. Traffic Calming and Neighborhood Cut- though Traffic MPOJC's traffic calming brochure states: "Traffic calming is the practice of managing speeds and /or volumes on residential streets using one or more approaches: increased police enforcement, driver education, or physical changes to the roadway. Each of these approaches has its appropriate application and can help reduce speeds and /or unwanted cut - through traffic on neighborhood streets" (emphasis added). Brown Street residents have long observed that Brown Street experiences cut - through traffic (i.e., traffic that neither has its origin nor destination in the Northside neighborhood). Cut - through traffic on Brown Street results primarily from traffic between Dodge /Governor (State Highway 1) and Dubuque Street /Park Road. By using Brown Street rather than Church Street, an arterial two blocks south of Brown Street, drivers shorten the travel distance. Other factors that may contribute to the cut - through pattern, especially during morning commute hours, include traffic backups at Dodge /Church and Church /Dubuque, which delay right turns at both locations. Ronalds Street does not experience a similar cut - through pattern due to poor sight lines at Ronalds /Dubuque. Ronalds Street also has two stop signs (at Johnson and Gilbert), while Brown Street has one (at Van Buren). Brown Street residents believe the traffic data collected by MPOJC supports our observations. The attached graphic analysis of the data collected at the east end of Brown Street by Charles Stanier, a Brown Street resident, highlights the 1) peak traffic patterns, which reflect westbound morning commute traffic and eastbound evening commute traffic; and 2) the preponderance of cut - through westbound traffic occurring throughout the day, except during evening commute hours. While the traffic counts alone qualify Brown Street for traffic calming, the traffic speeds should also be noted. The data collected for westbound traffic at Johnson Street indicates 26.5% of all vehicles exceeded the 25mph speed limit. At Gilbert Street, 16.1% of all westbound vehicles exceeded the 25mph speed limit. At both locations, vehicles traveled at speeds far exceeding 35mph. Brown Street residents experience two sets of driving behaviors: the respectful, slower speeds of Northside residents, and the generally higher speeds of cut - through drivers. It is important to stress that Brown Street residents are not requesting that the cut - through traffic be diverted. Our goal is to calm cut - through traffic with traffic calming devices. In the interest of cost efficiency, we have also proposed to the City that the traffic calming measures could be incorporated when Brown Street's brick paving is reconstructed. Collectors vs Local Residential Streets Another aspect of MPOJC's traffic calming program that merits attention is the question of street classification. To qualify for traffic calming, local streets have a lower traffic volume threshold (500 cars /day) than collectors N D C" RE: Brown Street Traffic Calming ' 7 X Dear Mayor Hayek and Honorable Council Members, " _ e) Last summer, residents on Brown Street between Dodge Street and Dubuque Street, out of concern for our safety and neighborhood quality of life, petitioned JCCOG (now MPOJC) to study the need for traffic calming. In November 2010, a traffic study analyzed daily traffic volumes and speeds. The study collected eastbound and westbound traffic data at two locations. It found that an average of 633 to 683 vehicles per day travelled at 85th percentile speeds between 23.6 and 28.6 mph. Based on that data, and MPOJC's interpretation of Brown Street as a collector street rather than a local residential street, MPOJC determined that we did not qualify for traffic calming. City Council received a copy of MPOJC's letter to Brown Street residents to that effect in the Council's December 23, 2010 information packet. Traffic Calming and Neighborhood Cut- though Traffic MPOJC's traffic calming brochure states: "Traffic calming is the practice of managing speeds and /or volumes on residential streets using one or more approaches: increased police enforcement, driver education, or physical changes to the roadway. Each of these approaches has its appropriate application and can help reduce speeds and /or unwanted cut - through traffic on neighborhood streets" (emphasis added). Brown Street residents have long observed that Brown Street experiences cut - through traffic (i.e., traffic that neither has its origin nor destination in the Northside neighborhood). Cut - through traffic on Brown Street results primarily from traffic between Dodge /Governor (State Highway 1) and Dubuque Street /Park Road. By using Brown Street rather than Church Street, an arterial two blocks south of Brown Street, drivers shorten the travel distance. Other factors that may contribute to the cut - through pattern, especially during morning commute hours, include traffic backups at Dodge /Church and Church /Dubuque, which delay right turns at both locations. Ronalds Street does not experience a similar cut - through pattern due to poor sight lines at Ronalds /Dubuque. Ronalds Street also has two stop signs (at Johnson and Gilbert), while Brown Street has one (at Van Buren). Brown Street residents believe the traffic data collected by MPOJC supports our observations. The attached graphic analysis of the data collected at the east end of Brown Street by Charles Stanier, a Brown Street resident, highlights the 1) peak traffic patterns, which reflect westbound morning commute traffic and eastbound evening commute traffic; and 2) the preponderance of cut - through westbound traffic occurring throughout the day, except during evening commute hours. While the traffic counts alone qualify Brown Street for traffic calming, the traffic speeds should also be noted. The data collected for westbound traffic at Johnson Street indicates 26.5% of all vehicles exceeded the 25mph speed limit. At Gilbert Street, 16.1% of all westbound vehicles exceeded the 25mph speed limit. At both locations, vehicles traveled at speeds far exceeding 35mph. Brown Street residents experience two sets of driving behaviors: the respectful, slower speeds of Northside residents, and the generally higher speeds of cut - through drivers. It is important to stress that Brown Street residents are not requesting that the cut - through traffic be diverted. Our goal is to calm cut - through traffic with traffic calming devices. In the interest of cost efficiency, we have also proposed to the City that the traffic calming measures could be incorporated when Brown Street's brick paving is reconstructed. Collectors vs Local Residential Streets Another aspect of MPOJC's traffic calming program that merits attention is the question of street classification. To qualify for traffic calming, local streets have a lower traffic volume threshold (500 cars /day) than collectors (1000 cars /day). Thus, street classification can be the determining factor in whether a street qualifies for traffic calming. As mentioned at the beginning of the letter, it was MPOJC's interpretation of Brown Street as a collector that provided the basis for denying our petition for traffic calming. This interpretation, it should be noted, was inconsistent with their earlier correspondence with Brown Street residents. On two separate occasions in August 2010, they stated that as a local neighborhood street, Brown Street must have a minimum of 500 cars per day to qualify for traffic calming. It was only on receipt of the MPOJC letter in December 2010 that we learned Brown Street had been reinterpreted as a collector street. MPOJC made no mention in the letter of the reclassification. When asked about the change in classification, MPOJC said at the time that their previous correspondences were "inaccurate ". They stated "Brown Street should be considered a collector street because it is the first east - west connection for all southbound traffic entering Iowa City from the major arterial streets of Dubuque and Dodge. It also acts as the first east -west connector that provides access to Gilbert Street, also an arterial ". According to the 2008 Central District Plan Gilbert Street ceases to be an arterial north of Jefferson Street, and thus is not an arterial where it meets Brown Street. In their July 22, 2011 Memorandum to the City Manager, MPOJC staff modified the factors for classifying Brown Street as a collector: Brown Street connects three arterial streets, including Dodge, Governor and Dubuque Streets Brown Street collects traffic from several street extensions to the north, including N. Linn St. and Bella Vista Place, N. Van Buren Street, N. Gilbert Street and N. Johnson St., and also collects traffic from the Dewey St. and N. Summit St. neighborhood There are several multi - family properties on the north side of Brown Street, from which traffic is collected onto Brown Street. As already noted, the traffic data indicates 1) a westbound morning commute pattern /eastbound evening commute pattern; and 2) a preponderance of westbound traffic throughout the day, except during the evening commute. Of the above factors, the only one relevant in explaining the existing traffic patterns is that Brown St. connects Dodge /Governor with Dubuque. Despite MPOJC's persistence in designating Brown Street's as a collector, the neighborhood maintains that the term "collector" has been inappropriately applied. As its name suggests, a collector street is "intended to carry neighborhood traffic from local residential streets to arterial streets serving the neighborhood" (Iowa City Comprehensive Plan). In that sense, collectors serve as the intermediary between local streets and arterials. The hierarchical street pattern of arterial, collector, and local street is common to most subdivisiqu, E! developments, including those in Iowa City. = C) c_. C`y Brown Street, the northernmost east /west street in Iowa City's original 1839 platting, w er signed intended to serve as a collector for local residential traffic in the Northside neighborhoodc�e lAWa Cite Central District Plan notes, � 5 The majority of the Central District is designed with a grid -like, interconnected st Crnetwbrk. Tea benefit of this type of street network is that there are multiple routes to anyone 10 aftn, VZhich " ""�' disperses traffic and provides for more direct routes to destinations. The ease of it 6vemec = and lower traffic volumes in a grid street network make it efficient and comfortable for walkirigg6nd bicycling. Unfortunately, the dispersing effect of the grid has been altered by concentrated traffic flow neither originating in nor destined for the Northside neighborhood. As the pattern of traffic data collected by MPOJC shows, Brown Street has over 600 cars /day primarily due to a preponderance of westbound cut - through traffic between Dodge /Governor Streets (State Highway 1) and Dubuque Street throughout most of the day. The recent MPOJC memo attempts to minimize the percentage of cut - through traffic to the overall count by only counting one - hour of commute traffic in the morning and evening. Conclusion After its initial classification in August 2010 of Brown Street as a local street, MPOJC now maintains that Brown Street is a collector street. As such, Brown Street's traffic counts do not qualify it for traffic calming measures. Brown Street residents maintain that, despite the dispersing effect of the Northside's street grid, Brown Street has more than twice the average daily traffic of Ronalds Street for one simple reason: cut - through traffic, predominantly in a westbound direction, between Dodge /Governor Streets and Dubuque Street. The average daily traffic on Brown Street exceeds the 500 vehicles required on a local street to qualify for traffic calming. Regardless of Brown Street's classification, Brown Street residents have from the beginning of this process proposed to the City that the implementation of traffic calming measures should be coordinated with the reconstruction of the brick paving so that they can be done at a minimal cost. As a capital improvement project, Council can approve any redesign that would calm traffic. Since the brick reconstruction may not occur for many years, the residents would like the City to explore and field test interim traffic measures. One such measure would be adding another stop sign. In previous discussions with City staff, we have been told that stop signs do not calm traffic, and that installing stop signs at too frequent an interval can result in unintended consequences. We naturally assumed the pattern of stop signs in the Northside, especially in the east /west direction, would show a consistent interval. In fact, the interval is not consistent. Brown Street is the only Northside east /west street with one stop sign. We propose that Brown St. have two stop signs, which is the number of stop signs on Ronalds Street. The first would be a two -way stop sign at N. Johnson. This location would reduce vehicle speeds on the block nearest Dodge Street, where they are highest, establishing a slower speed for the rest of the street. Currently, vehicles encounter their first and only stop sign at N. Van Buren, which is two blocks (750 -feet) west of Dodge Street. The second stop sign would either remain at N. Van Buren or be relocated at N. Gilbert, two blocks west of N. Johnson. Finally, as a separate but related issue, we support the concept of developing a traffic calming /streetscape concept for the Northside neighborhood. This approach could prove to be more neighborhood enhancing, as well as engaging the entire community in the discussion of design opportunities. As suggested for Brown Street, the proposed improvements could be implemented when a street is scheduled for repaving, thus minimizing costs and the disruption caused by construction. Yours truly, Residents of Brown Street 606.. cc: Tom Markus, City Manager attachment ca S C_ ZA 6vtz_ cy- Sin wsr� e d Graphing of the traffic sensor data charles.stanier @gmail.com Point A observed by Stanier since this is his morning bus stop Point B observed by Stanier when he rides bike to work and gets stopped at this light. The majority of cars turn from westbound Church onto northbound Dubuque. The west to east cut through is less appealing from Park Rd. or from Church St. N O n.-e, N "0 i � L O CO r ✓ k RC 3 as z 0 z 0 3 R 3 • 0 N rL'•r, or HopnY 10,1 Fair Brt alley RonaWs SI Ronalds SI z m z 1 C4Y`.rclerp B � alley d y Church St _ Chuma St Z 2 pii U N e Point A observed by Stanier since this is his morning bus stop Point B observed by Stanier when he rides bike to work and gets stopped at this light. The majority of cars turn from westbound Church onto northbound Dubuque. The west to east cut through is less appealing from Park Rd. or from Church St. Tues Wed Thur Fri A Iust to west peaks 7 -8 AM West to east Peaks at 5 -6 PM -80 -60 40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 Vehicles per hour on Brown St. Average of the 3 day sample mt to east (away from Uniy st to west (toward Uniy -50 40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 Imbalance of vehicles per hour (e.g. 10 means 10 more eastbound than westbound; -10 means 10 more westbound than eastbound) ning drivers cutting ugh on Brown ead of Church ast (away from Uniy est (toward Uniy Some afternoon cut - through but perhaps offset by general neighborhood traffic and less appealing cut from Univ eastbound on Brown due to required crossing of Dodge and left turn onto Governor ?? N O C:) f. 3 m ning drivers cutting ugh on Brown ead of Church ast (away from Uniy est (toward Uniy Some afternoon cut - through but perhaps offset by general neighborhood traffic and less appealing cut from Univ eastbound on Brown due to required crossing of Dodge and left turn onto Governor ?? • Waiting for the bus at the corner of Dodge and Brown in the morning clearly shows the cut - through behavior. • 95% or more of the traffic continue down Dodge to Church or beyond, but a small fraction turn and cut - through on Brown. • Watching them from the corner of Brown and Johnson it is clear they are very familiar with the road, as they know where the potholes are and swerve around them at 25+ mph. • Observing the corner of Dubuque and Church (on Stanier's bike route to Univ.) in the morning shows a related pattern. 90% of the cars approaching this intersection take a right to go North on Dubuque. N l� '�J Marian Karr From: Corinne <corinnestanley @me.com> Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 9:35 AM To: Council Subject: traffic cameras in Iowa City What is really behind the insistence of our community employees and representatives to install traffic cameras? According to today's article (Friday, July 29th) the "alarming" data of 1.6 to 1.7 % red light runners is impressive enough to create Big Brother cameras. How about this perspective: Over 98 % of Iowa City drivers obey our traffic lights. I would say that is extremely impressive . I wonder how many cities can claim this amazing feat? And Hargadine's statement of, Its one thing to look at the crash date, but another thing to look at how prevalent disobeying the traffic laws is." remains obscure. What does this mean, Chief Hargadine? Is less than two percent considered prevalent? What is the PRESENT crash data anyway? The article quotes years 2007 -2009. How about this: it is about money. Catching people pushing the pedal on cameras is a way to generate lots of money, especially if the fine is comparable to the $75 dollars Cedar Rapids inflicts on drivers. Indeed, it sounds very altruistic to recommend that the funds be used for "public safety budgets and meth lab clean- ups. " - -a nice touch to the heart -felt concern of our police chief - -but what is a recommendation, anyway? I sincerely hope that people read this article as closely as I did, and contact the city council immediately. Do we want to become known ( as Cedar Rapids now is) as a city bent on fining drivers through secret means? We are only just now defining ourselves as "The City of Literature." If this idea gets passed in the council, we may as well add, "The City of Surveillance" to our claim. Corinne Stanley 521 Church Street #6 Iowa City, IA 52245 (319)- 887 -6875 I have submitted this letter because I believe that citizens of the city are being mislead by statistics and statements. I oppose the idea of surveillance through cameras, and I resent today's article in the Press - Citizen being written so as to confuse and mislead the public. I am asking you as council members to respect my wishes to not go forward on this very controversial matter. Surely we can monitor traffic without cameras in Iowa City. Does Coralville resort to these measures? I think not. Corinne Stanley � i ! Marian Karr From: Marie Green <mgreen190 @yahoo.com> Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 11:01 AM To: Council Subject: Sorry, didn't have name on last email Vote no on the cameras downtown... listen to the people. Marie Green mgreenl 90gyahoo.com