HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-06 Correspondence�� ®4 CITY O F IOWA CITY 3g(1)
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MEMORANDUM
Date: August 26, 2011
To: City Clerk
From: Kristopher Ackerson, Acting Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for September 6th, 2011 City Council meeting; Installation of NO PARKING
ANYTIME signs on the south side of Iowa Avenue
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 (10); Install NO PARKING ANYTIME signs on the south side of Iowa
Avenue to prohibit vehicles from blocking the curbside sidewalk at 911 Iowa Avenue.
Comment:
This action is being taken to ensure sidewalk access for motorists parking on the 900 -block of
Iowa Avenue. This action is consistent with similar existing parking prohibitions on the 900 -block
of Iowa Avenue.
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M E M 0 RA N D U M
Date: August 18th, 2011
To: City Clerk
From: Darian Nagle -Gamm, Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for September 6th, 2011 City Council meeting; Installation of NO PARKING 8
AM — 5 PM signs on B'jaysville Lane, east of Dubuque Street, at locations where
parking is currently allowed.
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 (10); Install NO PARKING 8 AM — 5 PM signs on B'jaysville
Lane, east of Dubuque Street, at locations where parking is currently allowed.
Comment:
This action is being taken in an effort to reduce long -term storage and commuter parking on
B'jaysville Lane.
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MEMORANDUM ® ��
Date: August 23, 2011
To: Tom Markus
From: Ron Knoche, City Engineer.
Re: Final Acceptance of Public Improvements
The following are costs associated with the Capital Improvement Projects being
presented for acceptance at the September 6th Council meeting:
1) McCollister Blvd. PCC Pavement and McCollister Blvd. Bridge Project
Contractor: Peterson Contractors, Inc.
❖ Project Estimated Cost: $ 6,500,000.00
❖ Project Bid Received: $ 6,033,593.60
❖ Project Actual Cost: $ 6,001,378.62
1) 2010 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project
Contractor: Municipal Pipe Tool Co.
❖ Project Estimated Cost: $ 177,000.00
❖ Project Bid Received: $ 102,192.25
❖ Project Actual Cost: $ 123,660.50
1) 2011 Water Main Directional Boring Project
Contractor.
❖ Project Estimated Cost: $ 56,900.00
❖ Project Bid Received: $ 36,975.60
❖ Project Actual Cost: $ 42,249.00
1) Sandusky Storm Sewer Improvements Project
Contractor. Bockenstedt Excavating
❖ Project Estimated Cost: $ 490,000.00
❖ Project Bid Received: $ 491,460.20
❖ Project Actual Cost: $ 528,530.29
cc: Rick Fosse
3g(4)
Marian Karr
From: Aric K. Asplund <aric.asplund @g mail. com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2011 7:58 AM
To: Council
Subject: Red Light Camera
City Council -
Its funny how you cite pedestrian safety yet nobody holds anyone accountable to shoveling their sidewalks. If
you were really concerned about the safety of pedestrians you would enforce laws already in place to protect us.
Sounds like another way for the city to tax its citizens.
Once again, the Iowa City council is completely out of touch with reality.
Aric Asplund
914 E Bloomington St
3g(5)
1885 Geode Street
fi Marion, IA 52302 -5662
August 2, 2011
Mayor and City Council 2011 AU°J -3 Ph' 3:
Iowa City City Hall C! T Y C L h' F`gt
410 East Washington Street 10 'N'A C I T ` ,
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Att'n: City Clerk (for Council Distribution)
Subject: Legality of Traffic Cameras / Unequal Enforcement
It is my understanding the City of Iowa City is considering the installation of traffic cameras to
automatically issue citations to registered owners of vehicles that violate laws pertaining to speed
and /or stop. I urge the City Council to abandon such intent, as current law providing such
surveillance has an outstanding issue with legality. The issue is not whether camera surveillance
is possible, (as the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled), but rather the manner in which it is
undertaken, which is pending different court challenge. Specifically, traffic cameras that only
record the rear license plate of a vehicle in order to issue a citation violate the equal protection
clause of law, as not all vehicles that travel Iowa roadways are treated equally.
This is because those with an apportioned registration are only issued one license plate for
display on the front of their vehicle Without a rear- facinfz plate they will never be cited for a
violation (when only rear plates are photographed).
Apportioned registrations typically apply to semi - trucks but may also include any /all vehicles in
the fleet. Granted, a trailer hauled behind a semi should have a separate registered license plate.
However, that raises issues with who will receive a camera issued citation, as it is not unusual for
independent truckers to pull a trailer owned by someone else. In addition, semis don't always
have a trailer behind them.
Regardless, the emphasis is that apportioned registrations "may also include any /all vehicles in
the fleet ". For example, I have an independent trucker friend who has included his pickup truck,
(note: just a standard / typical pickup), as part of his "fleet ", together with his semi. Because his
pickup legally displays just a single license plate on the front, with no registered license at all on
the rear, he will never be issued a citation for violation by a traffic camera (such as those utilized
in Cedar Rapids).
To validate this, I e- mailed inquiry to the Iowa Department of Transportation. Following is copy
of the reply:
From: "Mary Guillaume [DOT]" <Mary.Guillaume @dot.iowa.gov>
To: Gary Hughes
Cc: "Karen Smith [DOT]" <Karen. Smith@dot. iowa.gov>, "MCS MotorCarrier [DOT]"
<omcs @dot.iowa.gov>
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 10:11:23 AM
Subject: Traffic Law - Question
Good Morning,
According to the International Registration Plan (IRP) we are required to issue at least one plate per
Apportionable vehicle to be displayed on the front of the vehicle (See official commentary from the IRP).
110 ONE REGISTRATION PLATE
It is the purpose of the Plan to implement the concept of one registration Plate for one Vehicle.
Official Commentary
This Section is not intended to prevent a member from issuing two matching Plates for an Apportionable
Vehicle and requiring those Plates to be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle. Rather, the
Section presents as one of the foundations of the Plan the concept that an Apportionable Vehicle
registered under the Plan need not display a registration credential other than that issued by its Base
Jurisdiction.
Iowa is incompliance when issuing only one plate to be displayed on the front to a truck or truck - tractor
registered through the International Registration Plan (IRP). I have also attached a letter we send to
carriers who request documentation that we issue only one plate to be displayed.
If there is anything else I can do for you, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Mary Guillaume
Administrative Assistant II
Office of Motor Carrier
Iowa Department of Transportation
PO BOX 10382, Des Moines, IA 50309
Ph: 515-237-3258 Fax: 515 - 237 -3252
Please note I have attached copy of referenced letter provided by the Iowa DOT, that truckers
may use to substantiate they are legally registered for road use with just a single license plate
displayed on the front of their vehicle ... again, whether semi or any other vehicle of their fleet
that shares an apportioned registration.
This finding of unequal protection will certainly be applied to challenge the law that, under
conventional application of precedence, will result in it being over -turned as unconstitutional on
the basis of it being unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious.
Again, I urge the City Council to either abandon traffic cameras or pursue opinion of legality
from the State Attorney General.
Surveillance suppresses freedom.
Sincerely,
Gary A. Hughes
tcqftIowa Department of Transportation
Office of Motor Carrier Services Ph: 515- 237 -3268
P.O. Box 10382, Des Moines, IA 50306 -0382 Fax: 515- 237 -3225
E -mail: omcs(a-_)dot.iowa.gov
Web site: iowadot.gov /mvd /omcs
February 23, 2011
To Whom It May Concern:
Iowa only issues one plate to a truck or truck - tractor registered through the
International Registration Plan (IRP).
If you have any questions regarding the display of this plate, please call
515- 237 -3268.
Sincerely,
,A-.
Tina Hargis, Director
Office of Motor Carrier Services
Motor Vehicle Division
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Marian Karr 1 3g(6
From: Garry Klein <garryklein @gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 8:22 AM
To: Council
Subject: Planning for a vibrant future
This correspondence will become a public record.
I hope that each council member will consider carefully this article recently printed in Little Village. If history
has taught us anything in Iowa City and /or Johnson County, be careful whom you choose to partner with. We
want to continue building a thriving, vibrant community and, like any strategic planning process, it is good
to ask questions like is the consultant qualified?
Best regards,
Garry Klein
628 2nd Ave.
Iowa City, IA 52245
Your Town Now: Here's Looking at You, John Millar
By Bob Burton • Jul 29th, 2011 • Category: In the Ma g, Your Town Now
Back in March, I mentioned a presentation given by John Millar of Divaris Real Estate in Virginia Beach, VA.
A press release indicated that Millar had been invited by a "coalition of businesses, developers, community
members, The University of Iowa and the City of Iowa City," on account of his being "an expert on the
development of mixed -use college town centers."
laince then, the city and university have hired Millar at $55,000 as a consultant. From the council's
hiccuping official minutes: Millar "has developed a highly specific analysis tool for use in communities with
special populations of universities, military installations and government functions. The analysis goes beyond
the typical demographics found in the US Census each area studied [sic] and factors in, for college towns the
hometown demographics of students [sic] populations, visiting populations and the staff and faculty populations
within the community."
Daft councilman Terry Dickens was predictably behind the move. UI Business Manager George Hollins
enthused incoherently about the matter: "So when the opportunity came for John Millar to do some
demographic studies," he told The Daily Iowan on May 13, "we thought it would increase a product that both of
us can use."
Every sentence quoted above smelled funny to me. So I thought it wise to look into Millar's qualifications.
Millar's February presentation is available at icgov.org (search "Hidden College Town Economies "). Some
spoilers: The University of Illinois has been relocated to a place called "Urban- Champaign." Concord, NH is
also listed as a college town, despite its eminence as a state capital and the fact that only the University of New
Hampshire School of Law and the New Hampshire Technical Institute contribute significantly to the college-
aged population there. The rest — including Millar's recommendation of "Sports Bar" as an important tenant —I'll
leave you to judge for yourself.
The chill comes when you look for a "mixed -use college town center" developed by Millar.
You won't find one.
Millar's resume on Divaris' website already promotes his involvement with Iowa City: In a section titled
"Projects John has worked on include," he links to a Cedar Rapids Gazette article reporting the city council's
vote to approve his hire. The same section includes several links to press releases commissioned by Divaris
itself and limply branded "Divaris Commercial Real Estate Review." Among these is his sole claim to expertise
in developing mixed -use retail areas in college towns: The Town Center at Toftrees, in State College, PA.
The Town Center is part of the Toftrees Planned Community, or Toftrees West, depending on which report you
read. As of this writing, ground hasn't yet broken on the broader project, let alone on Millar's purported
brainchild, but you wouldn't know that from Divaris' website, which lists the Town Center as a case study. And
whose Real Estate Review features this Millar - enhanced gush: "State College Town Center at Toftrees is on
target to open in August 2009 in time for Penn State's fall semester, followed by the Christmas season, ensuring
that our retailers will have a highly successful start. It's the optimum time to open!"
The other entries in Millar's portfolio as of this writing include signing Anthropologie to a lease in a Virginia
mall and his involvement in "Big Changes for Biltmore Mall." The Biltmore Mall, in Asheville, NC, was
managed until 2008 by Millar's old firm of Jones Lang LaSalle; Divaris is now its property manager. The mall
is dying; deadmalls.com's review from April 24, 2011 observes that "One by one, most of the big -name stores
have closed, and many of them sit vacant.... Since the last update on this site, even the `Hospice Treasures'
store has closed, which is really not a good sign."
Millar's overweening claims echo those of his employer. Divaris developed the St. Charles Town
Centre... which, again, doesn't exist. The city council voted it down on May 9, 2010, but not before stand -up
citizen Jim Mizgalski wrote to the city asking "Why does Divaris and [fellow developer] Shodeen show the
Towne Centre project on their website when the zoning hasn't been approved? What do they know that we do
not know ?"
Divaris does manage several malls, most of them in or near the resort town of Virginia Beach, and not all of
them successful. Saddest of all might be the Springfield Mall in Springfield, Virginia. Divaris' site misplaces it
ten miles away in Fairfax.
Divaris got involved with Springfield Mall after Vornado Realty Trust bought it in 2006. A few years and a lot
of talk later, nothing of practical value seems to have come from Divaris' claim that it "consulted with Vornado
Realty Trust on an upgrade, remerchandising and expansion program to add a mixed -use component in the
Washington, DC suburb for Springfield Mall."
As the mall deteriorated, its value shrank against the loan Vornado had taken out to buy the property in the first
place. So, in 2010, Vornado defaulted. A year later, it bought back the loan, netting $45 million in the bargain.
Some people short stocks — Vornado apparently shorted a whole town.
Divaris got paid for its consultancy on Springfield Mall. So, too, will John Millar get paid. If we're hiring him
to tell us who's here and to look vaguely like Tom Davis, that's great. That's a lousy use of 55 grand, and I'll
bet dollars to donuts that FasTrac, the terrific mentoring program dropped by City High last year, could've put
that money to much better use.
And maybe, just maybe, we know goddamned well who we are and who we want to be. Maybe we've got
enough good ideas and elbow grease, enough smarts and enough gumption, to build a local economy more
FUBU than FUBAR.
If that strikes a chord with you, run for city council, or start a business of your own.
At the very least, look skeptically at a council eager to spend our money on sizzle over steak. Many of them
have never run businesses, or run them well. Our taxes shouldn't buy them a sense of confidence. That's the
essence of any con game.
Marian Karr 3g(7)
From: Katee Lynch <katee.b.lynch @gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2011 10:34 AM
To: Council
Subject: Unidentified City Parks
Attachments: Waterworks2.jpg
As a college student, I am doing a bit of traveling around Iowa, my home state, during my summer break. I
have noticed a difference in city park direction and identification signage when I am in other cities compared to
Iowa City. I think Iowa City could improve in how they inform citizens and residents of the location of its
parks.
When in Dubuque, Coralville, Davenport, and other cities, I have noticed there are consistent signs that direct
me to and identify their parks. These are very helpful to me as a visitor and I am sure to the residents of these
cities. Through directional and other signage, I have seen the beautiful city arboretum and rose gardens in
Dubuque, and the rose garden and demonstration vegetable gardens in Davenport. It is amazing what these
cities have accomplished through the efforts of volunteers working in conjunction with parks staff.
On the other hand, I am very surprised that, for example, in Iowa City Waterworks Park, which might be as
much as 10 or 15 years old (not sure), there is absolutely no identifying signage telling people what it is. Since
it is almost out of town, I imagine many might think it a county park. I have attached a picture showing the un-
signed parking lot. Likewise, for Hickory Hill Park, east entrance off of First Avenue, there is no identifying
information. I did not travel further, but I imagine there are other examples of unmarked parks in Iowa City.
I imagine most people find out by word of mouth, but I don't think this is an effective way to inform residents
and visitors of your amenities. Signage also conveys a "branding" and promotion of the city that you are
missing out on. The signage might also convey through symbols the amenities that are available in the
respective park. Perhaps your staff might want to make visits to Davenport and Dubuque to see how it is done
in those communities.
Please put yourself in the shoes of visitors and new residents, who are just getting to know their community or
just have a few minutes passing through. In this era of "stay- cations ", people are looking for opportunities to
discover recreation areas without driving far. I imagine it is difficult for city staff, many of whom have worked
for several decades here, to put themselves in the place of a newcomer, but perhaps the perspective of the new
city manager who just moved to Iowa City can help in that regard.
Thank you for your time.
Katee Lynch
it
Marian Karr
From: Kurt Kimmerling <kurtkimmerling @msn.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2011 5:15 PM
To: Council
Cc: mecrawford @aol.com; 'Terri Miller Chait'; 'Sally Cline'; David Purdy; Tom Markus
Subject: Letter to Iowa City Council
Attachments: Letter to City Council.pdf
This correspondence will become a public record.
Please see the attached document.
33 Trevose Place
Iowa City IA 52245
August 3, 2011
Member of City Council
City of Iowa City
410 E Washington Street
Iowa City Al 52240
Delivered via email to council s @iow o- city.oru
Reference: Taft Speedway /No Name Road Flood Mitigation Study
Dear City Council:
I want to pass on my thanks to City Council for the near unanimous vote of approval to
commence the Taft Speedway /No Name Road flood mitigation study. I attended the Tuesday
evening council session and after listening to and studying the various positions of the three
communities — namely Taft Speedway, Parkview Terrace and Idyllwild —my opinion is the study
is the only way to finally determine how future flooding can be mitigated in the area.
As a member of the Idyllwild Owners' Association, my comments concerning the various issues
brought up by Taft Speedway and Parkview Terrace representatives follow:
1. Reaffirm that Idyllwild is in no way turning into a rental community as described by the
Taft Speedway Group. We have temporarily allowed rentals for a period of time, until
Year 2016, as a way for our older residents to sell their property and relieve themselves
of reconstruction.
2. Point out Idyllwild has restored our property to pre -flood conditions. Only one property
remains unoccupied but is being maintained at Association expense. A description by
others that our community is turning into an undergraduate college rental community
or the condition of the property is somehow poor is completely untrue. I invite any of
you to walk our property; I know you'll find it to be one of the best communities in Iowa
City.
3. Speak to the type and style of flood mitigation. The Parkview and Taft Groups like to
describe any mitigation technique as an earthen levee. To my knowledge, no mitigation
method has been determined. That's what the study is for.
4. Question the concern for the aesthetics of mitigation method. How can aesthetics be
questioned until one knows the mitigation method?
5. Address the concern for fiscal responsibility. Federal, State and City governments spent
a great deal of money buying and removing homes in Parkview Terrace and Taft
Speedway neighborhoods. I'm not aware of any of these residents pleading for fiscal
responsibility when those expenditures were happening and continue to happen. Why is
spending money to protect Idyllwild not a similarly wise investment? Are we somehow
less of a community because our properties are not single family homes?
6. Concern about poor engineering. While the science of predicting future weather
conditions and possible flooding is still in its infancy, the engineering design and
construction of flood mitigation systems is actually quite good. Consider the levees in
Clinton, Dubuque and Muscatine, all have an excellent track record for protecting their
communities from Mississippi flood waters with no failures.
7. The concern for upstream flooding in Parkview Terrace due to flood mitigation. Only the
study can predict what may happen, how can anyone know right now? Why no concern
from Parkview and Taft Speedway communities for upstream mitigation? Because the
levees are unseen and in Coralville?
8. The Taft Speedway group likes to point out Idyllwild has a plan for future flood
protection. In fact, we do. We commissioned MMS Engineering to do a study of
protecting against a so called 100 and 500 year flood. While it is possible to protect
against the 100 year condition using traditional sandbagging methods, the 500 year
flood would require about 500,000 sandbags to be filled and placed around our 23
building. This is something that would be nearly impossible to do under even the best of
conditions. It would require hundreds of people a couple of weeks to complete! We
couldn't muster the help and if we could, we certainly wouldn't have the time to put
them in place.
All of Idyllwild's 92 properties were impacted by floodwaters and had to be rebuilt. This
required a great deal of energy, time and large amounts of our personal wealth. The result is a
community in better than pre -flood conditions both in physical structure and strength in
character. We are stronger because of what we've been through and are sure you will see this
strength as the process of securing some sort of flood mitigation moves forward.
Our Taft Speedway and Parkview Terrace neighbors like to portray us as some sort of modern
day "condominium carpetbaggers" invading their idyllic riverside community. Nothing can be
further from the truth; we very much appreciate where we live and plan to remain involved in
Iowa City community for a very long time.
Again, thanks for your positive vote on proceeding with the flood mitigation study.
Sincerely,
Kurt Kimmerling
CC: Idyllwild Board of Directors via email
David Purdy via email to david -purdy @iowa- city.org
Tom Marcus via email to tom- markus @iowa- city.org
Marian Karr
From: Kurt Kimmerling <kurtkimmerling @msn.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 6:42 PM
To: Council
Cc: David Purdy; Tom Markus; Jason Reichart
Subject: Taft Speedway Flood Mitigation and Idyllwild Condominiums Association
Attachments: Leter on Taft Speedway Flood Mitigation.pdf
Please t see the attached signed documents for your review.
Best regards —
Kurt Kimmerling
Member of City Council
City of Iowa City
410 E Washington Street
Iowa City Al 52240
Delivered via email to council @iowa -cirv. org
Reference: Taft Speedway /No Name Road Flood Mitigation
Dear City Council:
33 Trevose Place
Iowa City IA 52245
August 22, 2011
Please find attached to this letter an executive summary of a Flood Emergency Plan commissioned by
the Idyllwild Condominiums Owners Association. MMS Consultants prepared the Plan in June 2010.1
submit this in a further effort to reaffirm the need for some sort of flood mitigation structure to protect
Idyllwild.
I think you'll find the document self - explanatory. The significant points are:
1. It's impossible to protect Idyllwild against river flooding at greater than a so- called 100 year
flood using traditional temporary mitigation methods like sandbagging. There is simply not
enough time to fill and place the necessary sandbags.
2. In addition to river flooding, Idyllwild is also exposed to a significant flood event from rainfall
and runoff due to 82 acres of the Peninsula neighborhood being developed to our north and
east. Runoff from this watershed flows through the Idyllwild property and into our retention
ponds.
After reading the document, I think you'll find Idyllwild probably shouldn't have been approved for
construction as a condominium development and merits consideration for protection.
1. Our building construction doesn't allow raising them out of harm's way like a single family home
can.
2. It's impossible to protect through temporary sandbagging.
3. Individual owners cannot be "bought out" after a flood because the development is
incorporated as one large entity under the declaration which defines our Association.
We are as is said "between a rock and a hard place."
Sincerely,
Kurt Kimmerling
CC: Idyllwild Board of Directors via email
David Purdy via email to david- purdy@iowa- city.org
Tom Marcus via email to tom- markus @iowa -cit .or
Jason Reichart via email toJoson-reichart@iowo-city.org
Idyllwild Condominium Owners Association
Flood Mitigation and Emergency Response Plan
The Idyllwild Condominium Owners Association encompasses 21 acres of land along the Iowa
River just two miles from downtown Iowa City. There are currently 92 properties on the site
housing approximately 200 persons. Property values in Year 2008 were assessed at US$23
million.
In June of year 2010 the Association contracted with MMS Consultants of Iowa City to develop
a flood mitigation and emergency response plan to protect both ourselves and our property
from future flooding events. The process allowed the Association to make an objective decision
about its future against the backdrop of flood events of various risk levels as defined by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Association is threatened by two sources of flooding; an intense rainfall event in the local
drainage shed and a flood occurring along the Iowa River. Because these two sources are
significantly different they require separate mitigation efforts.
In an intense rainfall event, water runoff from about 81 acres of property north and west of
Idyllwild plus 21 acres of Association property is drained through our property. Intense rainfall
events are impossible to predict and certainly difficult to mitigate because there would be little
time to use traditional mitigation methods like constructing sandbag walls.
Flooding from the Iowa River impacts Idyllwild significantly prior to a 100 year flood which is
called Flood Risk Level A in our plan. At Level A, the water surface elevation is 651.1 feet above
sea level at Idyllwild's western boundary. While all Idyllwild buildings are above 651.1 foot
mark, our streets are typically at 650 feet making them impassable during flood events less
than Level A.
The typical method proposed for mitigating Iowa River flood events is through the use of
sandbag walls constructed around Idyllwild's 23 buildings. The estimated number of sandbags
required at various Flood Risk Levels as well as sanitary sewer and storm sewer plugs and roof
downspout bypasses follows:
Page 1 of 3
Idyllwild Condominium Owners Association
Flood Risk
Sandbags
Sanitary
Sewer Plugs
Sanitary
Sewer
Service Plugs
Storm Sewer
Plugs
Roof
Downspout
Bypass
A
11,500
0
5
0
50
B
78,620
3
18
3
101
C
166,970
5
23
5
111
D
334,970
5
23
5
111
E
523,510
5
23
5
111
Please note: This chart doesn't include the necessary pumps required to empty water out of
sandbagged areas.
Even under the best of circumstances, any effort to insure temporary protection against
flooding, other than Risk Level A, is in our estimation impossible for Idyllwild to carry out
physically or monetarily. We simply do not have the resources. In 2008, our community filled
and placed approximately 350,000 sandbags, which were ultimately too few to protect us.
Additionally, we relied heavily upon the kindness, equipment and manpower of the members of
the Parkview Evangelical Church, who may not be our neighbor for many more years.
our proposals for mitigating the two flooding scenarios are:
1. To mitigate a locally intense rainfall event, we propose that the City revise the
watershed management system by constructing a bypass around Idyllwild's property.
This could be accomplished by installing a 48 -inch drainage pipe along No Name Road
from our property's northwest corner, where the 82 acres of watershed runoff is
collected, to the Iowa River.
2. In addition, we are asking that the City replace the 48 -inch pipe which connects our
retention ponds to the Iowa River with a 12 inch pipe that has a shut off valve thereby
providing a means to cut off the river from our property during river flood events.
3. For the effective protection of Idyllwild in a large scale flood event, we are asking the
City to prepare an area around the eastern, southern and western sides of Idyllwild for
deployment of a temporary flood barrier system. We feel inflatable bladders may be a
good solution, though the City may know of equally effective barrier systems.
4. Finally, we request that the City assist us in purchasing the necessary sewer plugs and
water pumps necessary for protecting Idyllwild against a minimum Risk Level C flood.
Page 2 of 3
Idyllwild Condominium Owners Association
The Association provides Iowa City with the benefits of a unique owner occupied housing
opportunity close to downtown and the University. Year 2008 property taxes paid by our
owners generated nearly $400,000 in revenue to local governments. Unfortunately the flood of
2008 has endangered the make -up of the Association. We feel our long -term viability is highly
dependent on implementing a plan for future flood mitigation. In its absence, it will be very
difficult to maintain the property as it was designed.
Page 3 of 3
Marian Karr
From:
Dale Helling
Sent:
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 4:30 PM
To:
'Judith Pfohl'
Cc:
Council
Subject:
RE: noise ordinance
Dear Judy,
3q(9
Thank you for your recent email to Council regarding the band in Hubbard Park. It will be received by Council as an item
on the consent agenda of their September 6, 2011, regular meeting. I was able to get some information that I will share
with you.
The event was held on University property and the City does not have jurisdiction over those activities. The City did not
issue a permit for the event nor would we have the authority to do so. I suspect there was a permitting process within
the University but I'm not aware of how that works. A number of complaints regarding the volume of the music were
received by the Joint Emergency Communications Center and Iowa City Police. These were all forwarded to the UI Police
who had officers policing Hubbard Park during the event. If you should wish to further pursue this matter through
University channels, you may want to contact UI Police directly to initiate that process.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Sincerely,
Dale Helling
Dale E. Helling
Assistant City Manager
(319) 356 -5013
dale-hellinq@iowa-city.org
From: Judith Pfohl [mailto:judypfohl @gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 11:11 PM
To: Council
Subject: noise ordinance
Dear Iowa City Council,
I live on Abbey Lane, off of Mormon Trek, near Rohret Road. On Saturday, August 20, 2011, we could hear
through closed windows and with air conditioning on, the microphone encouragements and music from the
Hubbard Park concert. The pulsing drum beat was particularly annoing. At l 1pm I called the city police who
referred me to UI security. They said there was a permit until after midnight for the concert.
What are the noise levels for our local noise ordinance? Surely, the students attending, and people for blocks,
must have had hearing loss from the noise level. When there is a UI football game we occasionally hear the
crowd after a touchdown and barely hear city fireworks, but this is much worse. How can the city enforce any
noise level for neighborhoods if this volumn for concerts is permitted? Please reconsider your permit
regulations.
Judy Kohl
2229 Abbey Lane
Iowa City
319 - 351 -1684
From: Matt Hayek
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 10:49 AM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: EKO FLOOD SYSTEM - a TRAFT SPEEDWAY ALTERNATVE SOLUTION
From: Heinz Munz [heinz @ekofloodusa.com]
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 12:54 PM
To: Matt Hayek
Subject: EKO FLOOD SYSTEM - a TRAFF SPEEDWAY ALTERNATVE SOLUTION
: Matt Hayek, Mayor
City Council Members
Regenia Bailey
Terry Dickens
Mike Wright
Ross Wilburn
Connie Chapman
Susan Mims
Rick Fosse, Public Works Director
City of Iowa City, Iowa
We have read the news of your decision to use Community Development Block Grant
Funds "to study the impacts of and explore and review all alternatives to provide flood
protection in the Taft Speedway area ".
It seems that since a 10 foot levee would solve the problem but create others. Our low
knee wall and with removable barrier on top might be an interesting doable alternative. We
realize that a competitor has a removable barrier installation in your community, however
we feel there are many advantages to ours in terms of speed and simplicity of setup and
take down, plus the knee wall gives you the first four feet or so of protection as well as
provides openings for public access wherever such would be an advantage for the public.
Our website www.ekofloodusa.com carries much more detailed information. We would
appreciate the opportunity to get our concepts to the team evaluating the alternatives.
Thank you for your time and courtesy of a reply, feel free to call or email.
Heinz and Wayne
Heinz Munz
President, Eko Flood Systems USA, LLC.
3185 South Beaverslide Drive
P.O. Box 7475, Jackson, Wyoming 83002
heinzkekofloodusa.com
307 - 739 -2538
Wayne Flittner
Marketing Director
waynekekofloodusa.com
307 - 733 -8982
1
DIN European standards which are commensurate and extend the Corps of Engineers
protocols.
Heinz Munz
President, Eko Flood Systems USA, LLC.
3185 South Beaverslide Drive
P.O. Box 7475, Jackson, Wyoming 83002
heinzna ekofloodusa.com
307 - 739 -2538
Wayne Flittner
Marketing Director
waynekekofloodusa.com
307 - 733 -8982
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Marian Karr - ' 3g(11
From:
Chris O'Brien
Sent:
Monday, August 29, 20114:04 PM
To:
'Britt Till'
Cc:
Mark Rummel; Council
Subject:
RE: Daily Iowan,
Hi Brittany,
I have responded to your questions below. Please let myself or Mark Rummel know if you have additional questions.
Chris O'Brien
Director
Transportation Services
City of Iowa City
(319)356 -5156
Chris-obrien@iowa-city.org
Mark Rummel
Associate Director
Transportation Services
City of Iowa City
(319)356 -5097
Mark- rummel @iowa- city.or6
From:
Britt Till <brittany.till @gmail.com>
Sent:
Monday, August 29, 20112:17 PM
To:
Council
Subject:
Daily Iowan.
I'm Brittany Till with the Daily Iowan, I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about the new meter
enforcement. If you could answer these to the best of your knowledge and get back to me before 5, that would
be great!
How big of a problem has meeter feeding become ? - This issue has been ongoing and has generated complaints
from some businesses downtown.
Is this a new problem or has it been happening for awhile ? - This is not a new issue, but rather an ongoing
concern over time.
Are there tickets being issued for this now ? - No, enforcement will begin on September 1. Warning citations
will be issued for a time period before fines will be issued.
Who has this been affecting the most ? - There are multiple entities affected by this issue. The availability of
meter stalls is impacted when meter feeding takes place. This impacts people wishing to park downtown &
downtown businesses.
Was this spurred by complaints ? - Yes, we received complaints from some downtown retailers regarding long
i
term meter feeding that was preventing customers from being able to access their business.
Thanks,
Brittany
Marian Karr ; 3q(12
From: Mick Payne <mapayne26 @yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2011 3:35 PM
To: Council
Subject: Iowa City Magic Bus
Councilors,
want to express my extreme disappointment in the city councils failure to compromise on the new tailgating regulations
and make an exception for the Magic Bus. The Magic Bus has been an Iowa City tailgating institution since well before
any of you were elected to the city council. Unfortunately, it has become yet another fatality in your crusade against
alcohol.
I was particularly dismayed by Mayor Matt Hayek's recent comments to the media that he was sympathetic to the Magic
Bus but that if you make an exception for one group you have to make an exception for everyone. Mr. Mayor, are you
afraid that the Big Ass Turkey Leg guy or Game Day Iowa are going to start slinging beer? My guess is most of the
vendors on Melrose Ave aren't going to change their for profit status so they can serve alcohol on a street where it is
illegal to consume it anyways. The city could easily grant the Magic Bus an exemption under any number of conditions:
longevity, live music, charitable organization, space requirements, etc. It doesn't take too much creativity to come up with
a solution that would extend the life of one of Iowa football's finest tailgating traditions.
For years the Magic Bus has demonstrated that they know how to run a well organized and responsible tailgate (albeit a
little wild but that is how we Iowa football fans like our tailgates). There are plenty of port -o -johns and trash cans, which is
more than I can say for most University tailgate lots where you wait up to 45 minutes to use the port-o -john. Throw in
some live, usually local, music and you have a recipe for one of the best game day environments in the country. It's
unfortunate that the city council again has to put their nose in our business and tell us that they know what is best for us.
Are some regulations surrounding the vending on Melrose Ave needed and even beneficial? Certainly, but wasn't the
intent of the new regulations to strike a compromise between Melrose residents and Iowa football fans who want to see
their football Saturday traditions preserved? Sadly, it seems the Magic Bus is the only tradition being left in the dust
because they brought beer to the party.
This is yet another reason to vote against any councilors running for reelection this fall.
Thank you for your time.
Mick Payne
Marian Karr
From: Doug Boothroy
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 11:03 AM
To: 'Pete Anderson'; Matt Hayek; Council
Subject: RE: City Recomendations For Parking on Football Gameday
Pete,
My name is Doug Boothroy, Director of Housing and Inspection services and I would like to provide some background
information concerning the recent adoption of new temporary use provisions for game day commercial uses, the impact
on the Magic Bus and tailgating.
The Melrose Ave. across from Kinnick Stadium is zoned single family residential and commercial sales /activity as well as
alcohol sales has been illegal but not actively enforced. Recent commercial activities (fall football season 2010) of the
"Stadium Club" (i.e., commercial use with alcohol sales, illegal commercial parking, and other zoning violations) has
required the City to review game day activities. As you may be aware, Council at its' July 5th meeting enacted new
Temporary Use regulations that legalize game day commercial uses along Melrose Ave. but did not "open the door" to
allowing alcohol sales. In addition, the Council did not consider amending the existing liquor licensing requirement that
prohibits liquor licensed establishment within 100 feet of a residential use. The Melrose Ave area is all
residential. Tailgating is considered an informal, social game day gathering that is non - commercial and would
continue. The Magic Bus is not allowed because it is a nonprofit commercial use that provides alcohol.
In April, before the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Magic Bus did request an "exception" for their use. The
Commission and Staff looked into providing an "exception" that would not "open the door" and provide the "road map"
to others who wish to sell alcohol along Melrose on game day. Staff and the Commission could not come up with a
workable "exception" provision. As part of the code adoption process (P &Z and Council) the Magic Bus organization was
encouraged to propose code language that would allow the Magic Bus to be a legally enforceable "exception" but they
also have not developed workable language. A representative from the Magic Bus has informed me that they continue
to work on the "exception" language.
The ordinance has accomplished the following:
1. Legalizes commercial vending along Melrose Ave on football game day.
2. Clarifies Tailgating and tailgate parking as allowed non - commercial activity on football game days.
3. Ensures safety for all through enforcement of life safety standards (recommended by fire, police, and building
inspections) in the review and approval of the game day vending permits.
4. Limits commercial game day activity to the Melrose Ave. street frontage protecting the Melrose Ave
neighborhood from further commercial intrusion into their neighborhood.
5. Ensures game day commercial activity remains a temporary commercial game day activity.
6. Prohibits the establishment of commercial uses selling alcohol. This helps to protect the existing commercial
vendors and the existing game day environment.
In addition to the above, as a result of the ordinance discussions, the City, UI, Melrose Ave neighborhood have come
together to develop a coordinated plan to improve trash clean up in the Melrose Ave neighborhood area. 7G
Distributing from Cedar Rapids is donating 50 new blue trash containers that the City will place in the neighborhood to
make it easier for football fans to dispose of their trash. Also, The University has agreed to provide additional port -a-
johns along the north side of Melrose Ave to help address the issue concerning public urination.
Concerning your question about tailgating in City parking facilities, I'm not aware of any City parking facilities near the
football stadium. I do know some fans park downtown and walk over to the game. I'm not in charge of the City's
parking systems but I doubt that the City would open its downtown parking facilities for tailgating as these facilities are
to serve the downtown businesses and hotels.
I hope this explanation is helpful. You may call me @351.5121 if you have additional questions
From: Pete Anderson [mailto:pdanders @yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 5:04 PM
To: Matt Hayek; Council; Doug Boothroy
Subject: City Recomendations For Parking on Football Gameday
Will the city please address this ordinace and what it is improving for the people of Iowa City and the 70+ thousand who
come to iowa city for Hawkeye football?
http: / /www press citizen com /article/ 20110831 /OPINIONO2/ 108310301 /Magic- ordinance - makes - bus - disappear
Everybody seems to be in the dark on the city's goal. If you want to outlaw tailgating, just say it and move on. wishy
washy statements like'we need to stop others' or'we didn't intend to single out the magic bus' is just hard to
believe. Who are ther others? Who else does this ordinance effect?
If you want to ban tailgating, fine, just say so. If you don't like Hawkeye football say so. If you want the University to
shutdown say so. Ifyou want Kinnick moved out of the city say so.
One another note, does the city allow tailgating in any of it's public parking facilies? With the closure of the bus,
construction on campus, parking is even more limited this year. People have fewer places to go and I wanted the city's
recommendations on tailgating spots. If Iowa City parking is off limits, I may be forced to buy a spot on Melrose and
tailgate on private property. Private property without sufficent facilities. I thought this was the exact thing the city was
avoiding. Crowding Melrose. What am I missing?
I see the Library is looking to get a liquor license. Maybe we can tailgate there
Say you Saturday
Regards,
Pete Anderson and 70,000 Hawkeye fans
From: Pete Anderson <pdanders @yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 3:43 PM
To: Doug Boothroy; Council; Matt Hayek
Subject: Magic Bus
Mayor,
With all due respect, why can't the Magic Bus be grandfathered to continue operation? Does Iowa City not
grandfather groups, companies, and organizations? How many other groups are asking to hold tailgates with
the money going to charity? I do not understand the slippery slope argument made in today's Press - Citizen.
Are you comparing the Stadium Club venture to the Magic Bus? Aren't these apples to oranges comparisions?
Or are you saying the leaders of the Magic bus are lying that they give their profits to charity?
Ultimately, people are going to tailgate whether there is a Magic Bus or not! Isn't it better to have tailgates in
an organized place then scattered through the neighborhoods of Iowa City?
What benefits are there closing the Magic Bus? All you're doing is sending 500 -1500 people to different
places to tailgate. These places will have fewer or no faculties. This will only increase some of the exact
issues you are trying to stop (littering, public urination, etc).
This is a sad day for Iowa City, Hawkeye Tailgating, and most importantly the charities the Magic Bus supports.
Regards,
Peter Anderson
Marion, IA
http://www.Press-citizen.com/article/20110823/NEWS01 /1 08230328/Time-runs-out-for-Magic
Bus?odyssev=tabltopnewsltextl Frontpage
Marian Karr
From: Pete Anderson <pdanders @yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 5:04 PM
To: Matt Hayek; Council; Doug Boothroy
Subject: City Recomendations For Parking on Football Gameday
Will the city please address this ordinace and what it is improving for the people of Iowa City and the 70+ thousand who
come to iowa city for Hawkeye football?
http: / /www press citizen com /article/ 20110831 /0PINIONO2/ 108310301 /Magic- ordinance - makes - bus - disappear
Everybody seems to be in the dark on the city's goal. If you want to outlaw tailgating, just say it and move on. wishy
washy statements like'we need to stop others' or'we didn't intend to single out the magic bus' is just hard to
believe. Who are ther others? Who else does this ordinance effect?
If you want to ban tailgating, fine, just say so. If you don't like Hawkeye football say so. If you want the University to
shutdown say so. Ifyou want Kinnick moved out of the city say so.
One another note, does the city allow tailgating in any of it's public parking facilies? With the closure of the bus,
construction on campus, parking is even more limited this year. People have fewer places to go and I wanted the city's
recommendations on tailgating spots. If Iowa City parking is off limits, I may be forced to buy a spot on Melrose and
tailgate on private property. Private property without sufficent facilities. I thought this was the exact thing the city was
avoiding. Crowding Melrose. What am I missing?
I see the Library is looking to get a liquor license. Maybe we can tailgate there
Say you Saturday
Regards,
Pete Anderson and 70,000 Hawkeye fans
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From: Mel Schlachter <mschlachter @trinityic.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 2:06 PM
To: Council
Cc: 'Alecia Williams'; 'Bill Lovin'; Doug Williams; Ghoneim, Shams; Jeff Portman; John McKinstry
Subject: 9/11 Tenth Anniversary Observance
This correspondence will become a public record.
Dear Friends,
As I discussed with Matt on the phone, the Consultation of Religious Communities is holding a tenth
anniversary observance of the 9/11 tragedy on Sunday, September 11th for the Iowa City - Coralville area. It will
begin at 6:30pm. We request your presence, and we invite Matt to give a greeting of a couple minutes length
for the occasion.
Plans are to hold the speaking part (no long speeches) at the Riverside Shakespeare stage, then make a "Slow
Walk for Peace" with candles around a goodly portion of City Park. This is very much like what CRC did for
the first anniversary observance nine years ago. Our themes for the occasion are understanding and
reconciliation as well as remembrance. Perhaps more of us than one would suppose are connected to someone
who lost someone on that day. Others from our community helped out in the aftermath.
We are working (with some success) in gathering a diverse mixture of individuals, public officials and
organizations to participate, along with our congregations. We sincerely hope you will be there, too.
Blessings,
(The Rev.) Mel Schlachter
President, CRC
Marian Karr 3q(16
From: Payne, Michelle L <MLPayne @midamerican.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 4:48 PM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: MidAmerican Energy Empower U meetings
Attachments: Empower U Save the Date.pdf
Importance: High
Marian —could you please distribute to anyone who might be interested in attending this
meeting? Formal invitations will also be sent. Just wanted to let everyone know about the
meetings well in advance.
Thanks!
Michelle
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 31, 2011
To: City of Iowa City
From: Michelle Payne
Re: MidAmerican Energy Empower U Meetings
MidAmerican Energy is hosting the third annual MidAmerican Energy Empower U meetings.
The meetings continue our "educational" opportunities for select stakeholders, elected officials
and key accounts to discuss issues affecting our customers and communities including generation,
potential rate changes in 2012. The table topics will be hosted by MidAmerican's executive
leadership team and will include generation, environment, regulatory, community relations and
economic development, customer satisfaction, energy efficiency, operations and communications.
1. The meetings are scheduled and are as listed:
October 4 - Waterloo – Hawkeye Community College
October 6 -
Cedar Rapids – Hotel Kirkwood at Kirkwood College
October 7 -
Bettendorf – Waterfront Convention Center
October 11 -
Sioux City – Sioux City Convention Center
October 12 -
Ankeny – FFA Enrichment Center
October 21 -
Council Bluffs – Mid - America Center
2. All of the meetings are from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
3. Lunch will be provided for all of the meetings.
4. A website has been built in order for attendees to register online as well as information about
the meetings, etc. The website is www .midamericanenergvempoweru.com.
Please let me know if you need any additional information.
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