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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-23 CorrespondenceIOWA COALITION AGAINST THE SHADOW April 22, 2013 Iowa City Hall Clerk of Court 410 E Washington St Iowa City, IA 52240. Re: REZ13- 00009: Denial of Application for a rezoning from Public (P -1) zone to Central Business Support (CB -5) zone for approximately 0.38 - acres of property located at the northeast corner of Gilbert and College Streets. Applicants: Jon Fogarty, Mark McCallum, and Rockne Cole Dear Clerk: On April 18, 2013, the Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission recommended (5- 2) denial of our application to rezone from P -1 to CB -5. We appeal that denial to the Iowa City Council. Please set this matter in for hearing in front of the Iowa City Council for public hearing on our application for to rezone this parcel from P -1 to CB- 5. Thank you. ly, T ole Sc\ sj Rockne Cole Marian Karr 5f(1) From: Mommato6 @aol.com Sent: Friday, April 05, 2013 1:51 PM To: Council Subject: Status of 1st Ave. railroad crossing This correspondence will become a public record. As my subject line states - - - -- This has been a concern of mine for many years. The Council has published drawings of the intended design a few times; but it seems there have always been more pressing issues to be addressed. In my opinion, this crossing with the railroad is an "accident waiting to happen" perhaps even a fatality. After reading in the paper this morning (April 4th) of the intended assistance of more than 13million dollars for the Chauncy Square building, I decided my voice should be heard. Why should we as taxpayers help an 'already millionaire' finance his pipe - dream? He should be paying for this himself if this is what he wants to do with this parcel of land. I'm sure you can find many more appropriate places to spend our money. I would like to see an article and artist's rendition in the paper once again for the railroad crossing on First Avenue along with the projected cost to the taxpayers. Having been on the "back burner" for many years already, I am sure the cost has spiraled many times over. Thank you for listening. Irene Klinzman 275 Paddock Cr. Iowa City, Iowa 5f(2) To the Iowa City Council Members, My name is Jackson Koellner and I am a supporter of The University of Iowa Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter. I am writing in regards to the Iowa City Steps Program. Introduced in 2011, this program was set in place to provide adequate housing for lower income families in the Iowa City area. Specifically, one goal of the University chapter is to push for inclusionary zoning, thus reserving a percentage of homes already dedicated to this program to minority families. I ask the council to consider adding this important initiative to the program. By doing this you would not only bring news families to our area, but also promote diversity in the community. Furthermore, this will ensure that students obtain a proper and well - rounded education in a good schooling system. Iowa City is a great place to get a new start and has been ranked nationally as a top place to live in addition to having been honored for having some of the best public schools in the nation. I believe it is in the city's best interests to open a new door for these families and give them a home to be proud of. By fulfilling this request the already great community of Iowa City will only become a better one. Sincerely, P i� Jackson Koellner FILED APR - g 2013 City Clerk Iowa City, Iowa 0 +)10 C/' coon C-d blnive,/151�y 'n YO ;-L--Iq IM a 5 cd -�O L �Aql- tvq5 -pqI&J? eqlnal-,I� 4 qnal kd 54"("4 Aq boqd-�soal Ca,17 04? 15e T W 1712 / TOC-,4 Cl y �qe S �y AV'j �X1J7 Ol- e1W M t9A� Pa,17 11v A be locezled In, .4,/// �O cqq5e 4-Aflv, 7M le Uh t ?4ed I Ile -M47-5(!? _._c k/ qn io beee,-.�ckvls. c- O'W'W cl n an - ;r Hqmq - co,,7 '12 le 4o 1Pj1 �-1510117 _4jyj - //7 d § �-I� c- f �U��) FILED APR - 8 2013 City Clerk Iowa City, Iowa. Dear Iowa City Council members, My name is Brett Polan. I am a student at the University of Iowa. I was recently informed about Iowa City Steps Program. I am in full support of bringing housing to lower class families. People with homes don't know how fortunate they are to have a good roof over their heads. Giving people in need a chance to a good home will have a big impact on their lives. Even though a new home is not going to guarantee a rise out of poverty, it can still give them a foundation to build a better life for themselves. I think the best way to go about this is using this as a "hand -up" versus a "hand- out ". Instead of just giving out the home, there could be some sort of installment plan set up. Such options could be as simple as small payments for their home that won't stress the family financially. Or have one or two members of the household find jobs or prove that they are trying to find a job. I think a plan like that will gain even more popularity since it won't seem like a "give away ". When more people can have access to improve their lives, communities can become stronger and better places to live. Thank you for your time and consideration, FILEL APR - g 2013 City Clerk Iowa City, Iowa Dear Jackson Koellner, Scott Boulter and Brett Polan: Thank you for contacting us about Iowa City's CITY STEPS document. CITY STEPS is the City's Consolidated Plan for Housing, Jobs and Services for Low - Income Residents. This plan identifies the City's priorities for the federal dollars the City receives through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). The Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) and the City Council annually review funding priorities under the CITY STEPS plan in September and October. The City has a long history of financially supporting Habitat for Humanity with CDBG and HOME funds. We will pass on your comments to HCDC in September when we begin reviewing funding priorities in CITY STEPS. Many of your comments are in favor of inclusionary zoning. The 2008 Affordable Housing Study that is referenced in CITY STEPS does support inclusionary zoning; however, it would take legislative action on the part of the City Council to adopt such an ordinance. Should you have any questions, please contact me at 319.356.5244 or at tracy- hightshoe @iowa - city.org. Sincerely, I Tracy Hights! toe Community Development Planner Cc: Marian Karr =t6Z ®4 'IR CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 April 8, 2013 (319) 356 -5000 (319) 356 -5009 FAX www.icgov.org University of Iowa Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter 260 IMU, SOOS II 125 N. Madison St. Iowa City, IA 52242 Dear Jackson Koellner, Scott Boulter and Brett Polan: Thank you for contacting us about Iowa City's CITY STEPS document. CITY STEPS is the City's Consolidated Plan for Housing, Jobs and Services for Low - Income Residents. This plan identifies the City's priorities for the federal dollars the City receives through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). The Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) and the City Council annually review funding priorities under the CITY STEPS plan in September and October. The City has a long history of financially supporting Habitat for Humanity with CDBG and HOME funds. We will pass on your comments to HCDC in September when we begin reviewing funding priorities in CITY STEPS. Many of your comments are in favor of inclusionary zoning. The 2008 Affordable Housing Study that is referenced in CITY STEPS does support inclusionary zoning; however, it would take legislative action on the part of the City Council to adopt such an ordinance. Should you have any questions, please contact me at 319.356.5244 or at tracy- hightshoe @iowa - city.org. Sincerely, I Tracy Hights! toe Community Development Planner Cc: Marian Karr April 12, 2013 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Janelle Rettig, Chairperson Terrence Neuzil John Etheredge Rod Sullivan Pat Harney City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 P-x%4 ' Dear Mayor yek and members of the Iowa City Council: mmnTrTr- 5f(3) On behalf of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, I am writing to express our appreciation to the City of Iowa City and, in particular, the Iowa City Fire Department, for your response to the fire at our Secondary Roads facility on March 26, 2013. We know that your personnel were on the scene within minutes of the call and remained on scene throughout the night. We appreciate the professionalism and diligent service of your department. Multiple other jurisdictions provided mutual aid. We are grateful that area departments work together so well during times of crisis. The County continues to assess the damage so that we are able to make decisions on how best to move forward in light of the loss of multiple vehicles and substantial facility damage. While we will have to invest substantial financial resources to address the damage, we are primarily grateful that no one was injured in this incident. Thank you again for the assistance provided to Johnson County during this fire. Sincerely, Janelle Rettig Chairperson cc: Iowa City Fire Chief, Andy Rocca 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET, SUITE 201 ♦ IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240 -4207 ♦ PHONE: (319) 356 -6000 ♦ FAX: (319) 356 -6036 Marian Karr 5f(4) From: Nancy Beyer <naneb93 @hotmail.com> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 11:28 PM To: Council; Mike Moran Subject: Park View Terrace To Whom It May Concern: I will attempt to be brief. I am repeating those concerns mentioned at the informal meeting last Wednesday, 4/3/13. I am completely baffled and disappointed to read of a possible road to be built through City Park into Park View Terrace. My concerns are as follows: First and foremost, City Park is a PARK. Though it may temporarily serve as a detour, I fail to understand the reason to increase the speed of traffic through the park, if indeed, this is one of the justifications for the road. As mentioned in the meeting, young children learn to ride bikes through the park, parents walk their toddlers, elderly citizens enjoy a peaceful stroll, not to mention innumerable pet owners and fund - raising groups that sponsor trips through the park. All of these individuals would be placed at greater risk of accident or injury with a road permanently traversing the length of the park, potentially with vehicles traveling at higher speeds. The PARK celebrated its 100th birthday! This was made possible by protecting the land, not devoting progressively more land to pavement. Last year, discussion focused on expanding the "park" into Park View Terrace by constructing playground equipment or structures. Are we now suggesting that we lure families into this area boasting of more environmental education and recreation only to subject them to further risk of injury given increased traffic through the area? And how would such a road be maintained? Currently, the roads of our neighborhood are among the last to be plowed. This new proposition would only produce more road, requiring more maintenance, costing more dollars, at at a most unfortunate time, considering the many projects in competition for funding. In case people haven't been in City Park in the spring, much of it is under water. This was the year of a drought, and still, large areas of the park were under water. In more typical years, the water levels will expand even further into the park. Such conditions do not favor development of a road, which actually leads to further flooding and erosion. The river banks are already eroding, and the river is already approaching the relatively newly paved walkway in City Park. AGAIN, this is the time to consider optimal use of the land to PREVENT further flooding through proper land management. I dread to think of young or inexperienced drivers erroneously estimating water depth as they excitedly accelerate to drive through standing water. As another reminder, some of this land has been designated the "Iowa River Corridor ". I understood that such a designation indicated it was particularly friendly to bike - riders and pedestrians. Our community has been sadly remiss in its attention to these populations. While some Iowa communities enjoy the designation of "bicycle communities" and the associated revenue produced, Iowa City is still often considered indifferent at best, if not hostile to these vulnerable groups. This development thankfully avoided casualties during the floods of 1993 and 2006. The proposition currently under consideration jeopardizes our good fortune. Furthermore, it presents a stark contrast to the i progressive conceptualization that was posited last year in an effort to rehabilitate the area, not to mention its loyal community. Thank you for your time and attention. Nancy Beyer 04 -23 -13 Marian Karr 5f(5) From: Kurt Kimmerling <kurtkimmerling @msn.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 12:44 PM To: Council Cc: Tom Markus Subject: Idyllwild Storm -Water Flood Mitigation We are writing to reaffirm our need for flood mitigation from storm -water that flows through Idyllwild's property on its way to the Iowa River. This issue was addressed by the Council after its vote to reject the other Idyllwild flood mitigation in November 2012. The photographs demonstrate the problem. During rain events, the storm water basin at the northeast corner of our property overflows and endangers homes. The basin collects storm -water from Foster Road west of Idyllwild and the stream that runs southeast from the Peninsula neighborhood. The basin then drains into Idyllwild's ponds and then finally to the river. It should be noted the basin is located on the City easement at the corner of No Name Road and Foster Roads. Storm -water basin overflowing— Foster Road in background Basin collects water from Foster Road storm - sewers and a stream flowing southwest out of the Peninsula Neighborhood Another Photograph — Stream runs under Foster Road in background The basin is approximately five -feet deep and twenty -feet in diameter Storm -water flowing through Idyllwild Street As requested in our December 5, 2012 letter to City Council we ask that you: 1. Redirect rainwater from the Foster Road storm sewers that currently flows through Idyllwild's property. Over the years Foster Road has been widened and paved, the additional hard surfaces has increased water flow into our retention ponds. In extreme rainfall events, the surge of water overwhelms our north pond and water flows over its sides onto streets. 2. Redirect rainwater runoff from the 83 acres north and west of us that currently flows into the northwest corner of Idyllwild. As pointed out in our MMS Consulting Flood Emergency Plan, flood water from this area during extreme rainfall events is as big a risk as that originating from the river. We had hoped the City would have made some progress on the Council's commitment to researching mitigation of runoff north and west of Idyllwild. To -date, nothing has been communicated to Idyllwild on the effort. Future development of these areas will only exacerbate the problem. Unless significant efforts are made by the City to mitigate storm -water flooding, Idyllwild's only recourse will be to stop further development in these areas through the Planning and Zoning Board or some sort of legal action to stop construction of building, roads and other hard -scape that only increases storm -water generation. Sincerely, Idyllwild Condominiums Owners' Association Sally Cline Board President 33 Trevose Place Iowa City This correspondence will become a public record. Marian Karr From: Amy Charles <amycharles1 @gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2013 10:20 AM To: Council Subject: trash can ordinance Hi, all. scC6� I understand the desire to keep things looking reasonable; I can tell you, though, that what's proposed just doesn't work at my house without a dose of City funding. I don't have a paved area at the side of my house; for three seasons I can put the can next to a large shrub at the side of my house, where it'll look more noticeable and ugly than where it is now (and where it'll fall over in the wind), but once it snows I can't put it there, nor do I have paving leading back to my backyard fence. I don't happen to have a 3 -car garage and don't have room for a City wheelie in what I've got. I'm a below- median- income single mom, and I think if you wanted my bin screened off, you'd have to grant me funding to remove shrubbery and build some sort of fenced area, or to put a little gate or something in the stairs leading to my front door, so I could store the bin underneath. Why don't you just make an ordinance saying you have to remove the bin from the curb and can't have garbage visible from the street at any time? Who's generating that much garbage, anyway? We almost never fill the wheelie bin, but then we also recycle and compost. Maybe you should focus on ensuring that people do those things. Thanks, Amy Charles 1346 Shannon Dr Marian Karr ') From: Cathy and Joel Wilcox <wilcoxfam4 @lycos.com> Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2013 7:35 PM To: Council Subject: Vote No for where trash containers can be placed Dear Iowa City Council Members: I am contacting you to vote no for any of the recommendation about where residents can place their trash containers.. After hearing about this proposed ordinance, I have been paying close attention to where the trash bins are placed when I drive around town.There are some residential areas where the bins are visible from the street, but stored close to the side of the homes. It seems obvious that the location is there for ease for the homeowner to dispose of their trash as well as move the bin to the curb for pick up. It is not unsightly at all. I can understand why the Northside Neighborhood is requesting the ordinance because of the large proportion of rental units that are in that neighborhood. However, I don't think that the request from one neighborhood should dictate an ordinance that would have city wide effect. What is the main issue, is it that the bins our visible from the street, or is it the overflow trash in the front yard? Rather than create a city wide ordinance, neighborhood associations should find other means to get the word out to those in their own neighborhoods that are creating the problem. I have driven past homes where residents have front yards that may appear unsightly, but not because of trash bins or trash. The front yards are strewn with one or more of the following: children's toys, lawn and garden equipment, lawn and garden furniture, outdoor grills, as well as lawn and garden ornaments. Some of the items are not in the best shape. I suppose some could consider this "trashy ". If there is an ordinance that dictates where trash containers can be placed, then this encourages others who will want to have the city dictating what is acceptable for homeowner's front yards. Please vote to do nothing. Thank you. Sincerely, Cathy Wilcox, 119 Taft Speedway St. Iowa City, IA 52245 Dear Council, I appreciate your efforts to clean up the appearance of neighborhoods in Iowa City. The Wetherby neighborhood was one of the first to receive the new style trashcans back in 2002. The first thing I noticed was that there were many more cans being left in front of the rental units than before. I complained to housing inspection and Council but was told repeatedly that it was too hard to enforce. I place mine in the garage and require my tenants to do the same. We have no problem doing this. I have it as an item on my House Rules sheet that the tenants must sign off on when they sign their lease. Almost every unit in our neighborhood has a garage and they are all the same size. My recommendation about this ordinance is try to consider some language to place the containers out of view, such as in a garage, as a first resort and behind the front building line as the next most desirable. Next, don't make an ordinance that you can't or won't enforce. That would be useless. It's funny in this town that the only way most things get enforced is because someone, or a lot of someone's, have complained. If you are serious about this change then enforce it. I know it will certainly change the look of my neighborhood and would be much appreciated. Sincerely, Jerry Hansen sll-�� (� � These are the streets that I walk or drive down on a daily basis. I'm joined by thousands of other cars on Market and Jefferson. Never did I think I would be asking the city council to discuss trash receptacles, but their presence in the Iowa City I experience has brought me to that point. All the pictures I have included are rental properties. Their owners and tenants speak of their rights but are silent about their responsibilities to the neighborhood. The older residents in our neighborhood don't store their garbage cans in front of their house, even though for them as they lose their mobility it might be easier. They don't because they take pride in their property and neighborhood. The sanitation department works with people who have mobility problems. Since the first article about garbage cans appeared a landlord moved his garbage cans from the front of his two duplexes on Market I didn't take pictures of all the garbage cans stored on the side of the house. I included two pictures of garbage cans on the side where the landlord attempted to screen them. They are the stared pictures. I don't want to be a garbage can Nazi, I just want a neighborhood that looks like the people who live in it care about it.. l t yo i A 1 i or�- 11 moll!I' L: I — e c 0 N t e G P r 0 7 J �v m W i 7 !� ,Q Im )�r o 6 I N a w I S v iP m j rz El -.• Fill 11 11 III • IIJ -I n ZZ v I � N 1 "- P � Y � u � I i r P� - .•.ill. -a: >I _ II �.: =:roLJ ° ° P �~ b Auuuuu X h I u � ° u O8 H N -Pi L._ O u •� o � I e a^° u W 3 O W CD ^1` W T1 - .•.ill. -a: >I _ II �.: =:roLJ ° ° P �~ b Auuuuu X h I u � ° u O8 H N -Pi L._ O u •� o � I e a^° u W 3 O W CD ^1` W 5---l; 4.) Marian Karr From: Tom Markus Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 11:16 AM To: Marian Karr Subject: FW: Garbage can placement You may want to share with council in your last send out. From: Doug Boothroy Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 11:04 AM To: Geoff Fruin Cc: Tom Markus Subject: FW: Garbage can placement fyi From: Gayle Bray [mailto:gaylebbray @gmail.com] Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 10:52 AM To: Doug Boothroy Subject: Garbage can placement Dear Mr. Boothroy: I strongly support your proposal to address through city ordinance the issue of where waste receptacles can be stored when not at the curb for pickup. In the last few years, my street, Jema Ct, has been plagued by the same problem described as occurring in the Northside neighborhood. Jema Ct is a high- density neighborhood with a mixture of rental and owner - occupied properties. Not long ago, a few residents began storing their receptacles in front of their garages instead of taking them inside. Seeing others do this has led to an epidemic of garbage receptacles sitting out all week - -the "new normal." I did speak to one young homeowner with a constantly exposed garbage receptacle who said he had no idea what city regulations were regarding garbage cans. He assumed that whatever the neighbors were doing must be OK; that is clearly what so many residents assume. The city's current approach to dealing with a similar issue -- garbage cans sitting at the curb for days at a time - -has been very effective on Jema Ct. A sticker is placed on the can reminding residents of the ordinance requiring them to remove their garbage cans in a timely way. Some of us Jema Ct residents have occasionally asked the city to tag too - long -at- the -curb cans, and it always solves the problem. Gentle verbal reminders to our neighbors have also sometimes been used, but they are so much more effective when we can cite a city ordinance that requires the behavior we are requesting. Now, please give us a similar mechanism for getting residents to store their garbage cans out of sight. An ordinance that requires this would not be punitive if fines didn't kick in until violations were repeated. Your willingness to tackle this problem is appreciated. Please let the City Council know that the problem is more widespread than the Press - Citizen article suggests. Gayle Bray April 22, 2013 City Council (all members) City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 J' j RE: A brief tour of residential solid waste container storage habits Dear Council members: What sort of image does Iowa City want to project to first -time visitors, prospective students, job candidates hoping to relocate here, and returning alumni? What view should greet them as they enter town on Dubuque or Dodge Streets? Should it be something like this? (These three photos were taken on the 400 block of Dubuque Street between Fairchild and Davenport Streets.) Not only do you have the cumulative impact of multiple properties within one block displaying poor waste container storage habits, there is also the impact of having multiple waste containers at each residence. This house is located nearby, on the corner of Fairchild at Dubuque. North Gilbert Street - one block from Riverside Theater and the businesses of Northside Marketplace. North Gilbert Street Overflowing containers on North Linn Street, one block north of Northside Marketplace. Contrary to what you may hear from some residents, this proposed ordinance change is not a case of government overreach. Some type of language change is needed so residents in neighborhoods suffering from a multitude of waste containers permanently stored in plain view of the public right -away can remedy the situation. While it would not be unreasonable in many neighborhoods to speak directly to the errant neighbor, in our central neighborhoods, the sheer number of households made up of numerous unrelated persons makes that impracticable. Add to that the fact that most of these households turn over with new tenants each year makes personal notification an impossible task. Sincerely, Sarah Clark 509 Brown Street Iowa City, IA S�S: � -1 Marian Karr From: JJWHITE <jjwhite499 @yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 6:06 PM To: Council Subject: Fw: The proposed "tunnel" to drain "run off' water north of Foster Road ATTENTION: Iowa City Council. FYI - -- On Fri, 11130/12, JJWHITE <iiwhite499CaD_yahoo.com> wrote From: JJWHITE <00white4990_yahoo.com> Subject: The proposed "tunnel" to drain "run off' water north of Foster Road To: "Rick Fosse" <Rick- FosseCcD_iowa- city.orq> Date: Friday, November 30, 2012, 11:32 AM Rick, Regarding the proposed "tunnel" to drain "run off' water north of Foster Road: I would first like to see the City engineers and consultants take a hard look at increasing the size of existing culverts /tubes /pipes that cross under Foster Road near the No Name Road intersection. Also, IF it is determined that the outlet pipe /tunnel from the two Idyllwild holding ponds to the Iowa River (through the former Miller property) is too small then increase the size of the outlet pipe /tunnel as well. My concern is that with all the levees being built up stream and all the pumping stations being built up stream, the Iowa River will experience a tremendous increase in water volume and flow in the future. I would prefer the City not increase this flow West of the Taft Speedway homes. Therefore, improving the current method /procedure of dealing with "run off' north of Foster Road seems preferable. The City Manager, Tuesday evening, seemed to imply that raising Foster Road was the next option so I assume what I suggest could be done at the same time. I still do not see a need for a Taft Speedway and Dubuque Street intersection. This would be a major cost saving measure for the Gateway Project. An abandoned Taft Speedway Street south of Parkview Church would greatly inhance the appearance and aesthetics of the Church, the wooded area south of the church, the Iowa Boat House etc., etc. I know we could play the "what if there was an accident game" at Dubuque and Foster Road, Dubuque and Ridge Road, Dubuque and Kimball Road, Dubuque and Brown Street, Dubuque and Ronald's Street, Dubuque and Church Street, the 1 -80 Dubuque Street exit, 1 -80 Dodge Street exit, etc., etc. For all we know there could be "an accident" in front of the central firehouse doors.... Laura Drive and the Ed Cole property present a second and a third access to the west end of the peninsula. It is my understanding that access to the Ed Cole project will be north of the Dubuque Street/Foster Road intersection. I am sure the Mid - America service area under their power lines that parallel 1 -80 could be used in case of an emergency as well. In summary, I think my above suggestions would represent tremendous cost saving measures to the City, James J. White 121 Taft Speedway St. Iowa City, Iowa 52245 319- 321 -1643 ss Oj Marian Karr From: Katie Roche < rochekat@g mail. com> Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 4:51 PM To: Council Subject: The Creekside Neighborhood - ongoing flooding issue Dear City Council, As you know the Creekside Neighborhood flooded badly on April 17, 2013. After the flood of May 3, 2012 we thought this was just a one time event. Though we've seen Creekside Park flood many times, it has never threatened our home, but again last week (like the event in May) 6th Ave and F St. were rivers. Creekside Park had white water rapids running over it's bridge and a neighbors house was surrounded by water and they had to evacuate with their two little girls, again. This time when the creek broke its banks and the water table rose, our sump pump was overwhelmed and it overflowed. I stood there helplessly as my makeshift damns were breached and the water flowed into the finished part of basement. Since last Wednesday, we have had to remove everything from that level of our house to deal with the damage. We will have to remove basement floors, possibly even walls and can not use this entire floor of our house. This floor was the play room for our two children, our home office, and our media room. We essentially lost half of our house to this flood event. We've owned our home at 1733 F Street since 2005 and since have grown out of our home. We need to move into a house that is a better fit for our growing family, but we feel trapped by the growing bad reputation of our neighborhood as a swamp. Who wants to buy a house in a neighborhood that floods? Who wants those kind of worries when buying or owning a home? A few of neighbors were lied to by realtors about the how badly and often Ralston Creek floods, so they may have some recourse, but what about us? We are "outside" the flood plain and our house had never taken water, until recently. At this point, we are ready to take a loss and find someone who is willing to buy our house, a house that sits in a neighborhood that floods severely, that the City of Iowa City presently has no plans to fix. I worked in real estate for years and that is the toughest sales pitch I've ever had to navigate. Do you know anyone who wants to invest in a property, in a neighborhood that floods? No one expected Ralston Creek to be a problem after it was fixed about 30 years ago. Many of our neighbors have lived on F street for 40 years have said they've never seen anything like what has happened recently. Decades have passed since the Ralston Creek flood issue has been looked at or adjusted in a big way and I think most people agree that weather patterns are changing and storms are becoming more extreme. I don't know if the Creekside Neighborhood, at least those of us close to the creek, will survive these floods without your help. Some could lose everything and some, like us, are just stuck due to inaction in a house that is slowly losing value and draining our resources. Like many of our neighbors we are not wealthy people. While we do not officially qualify as low income, we barely scrape it together each month. We are hard working people- I work in the arts and my husband works advocating for disabled people- but we don't make a lot of money. We live really simply and we have zero savings to address what is becoming an ongoing flood issue. Please, take the time to look at this issue and work with City staff to mitigate or fix this problem. Please encourage City staff to do more than encourage us to buy flood insurance. Flood insurance is not peace of mind. The only thing that will give us peace of mind is knowing that our tax dollars are being used to fix this problem. Thank you for your time. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide you with. Sincerely, Katie Roche 1733 F Street Iowa City, IA 52240 rochekatggmail.com 319 -541 -4317 S_ S� (% _� Marian Karr From: Aleksey Gurtovoy (Vote No on New Jail) <team @votenojusticecenter. org> Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2013 1:41 AM To: Council; Matt Hayek; Susan Mims; Terry Dickens; Rick Dobyns; Michelle Payne; Jim Throgmorton; connie- champion @iowa - city.org Cc: team @votenojusticecenter.org Subject: Invitation to a Public Forum on Alternatives to a Bigger Jail Attachments: Public forum on jail alternatives. pdf Dear City Council members, We'd like to officially invite you to a public educational forum on Alternatives to a Bigger Jail that will be held on Tuesday, April 23, at Plaza Room, Hotel Vetro, Iowa City, 7:30 p.m. The forum speakers will address ways to stabilize and reduce local incarceration rates, the problem of disproportionate minority contact, architectural alternatives to the current proposal, and ways to provide courtroom space and educational facilities without a large expansion of jail cells. Please see attached PDF for the full program. This will be a great opportunity to have an open- minded exploration of the issues surrounding the upcoming May 7th special election, and we hope to see you there! Aleksey Gurtovoy, Jeff Cox Vote No on New Jail Alternatives to a Bigger Jail: A Public Forum Tuesday, April 23, 7:30pm Hotel Vetro, Plaza Room Speakers Bob Thompson: Stabilizing Jail Population Growth Jeff Cox: Yes We Can .... Control Local Arrest Rates. The War on Drugs and Racial Disparities Ruedi Kuenzli: What Should We Do With the Current Jail? Nicholas Johnson: Getting to Yes With a Detached Criminal Justice Center Caroline Dieterle: Jail Beds for Victimless Crimes For more information, contact Aleksey Gurtovoy at team nvotenoiusticecenter.oro or Jeff Cox at ieffcox@inavia.net. ART COLLINS AMERICAN GOTHIC MARILYNNE ROBINSON MASTER OF FINE ARTS E.F. LINDQUIST CURSIVE HANDWRITING JOHN & JILL PARHAM PRINTMAKING RUSSELL STOVER MICROWAVE OVEN M.H. COLLINS EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION SCOTT DUNCAN SELF - DRIVING TRACTORS .TAMES VAN ALLEN ALL THE KING'S MEN PAUL ENGLE RUGGED COMPUTERS DR. RY WAHLS RADIOS ON THE MOON DAN GABLE SLAUGHTERHOUSE -FIVE GEORGE GALLUP THE WRITERS' WORKSHOP VIRGINIA MYERS VIRTUAL SOLDIERS GRANT WOOD QUAKER OATS ASHTON KUTCHER THE IOWA WALTZ WRIGHT BROTHERS ORGANIC PIES IGNACIO PONSETI GPS AND WIFI PAUL CONRAD ACTION NEWS STEVE SHRIVER BEEF JERKY STRAW MAURICIO LASANSKY EDUCATIONAL TESTING G WE CREATE HERE j Iowa's Kcreative corridor ADD TO THE LIST & LEARN MORE CREATIVECORRIDOR.CO The Creative Corridor Project An ever - thriving region, with residents building innovative organizations, participating in vibrant communities and exuding so much pride that we're known around the world. Connect, celebrate and support all those who dream big, push boundaries, and create here. Unleash the talent in our people, connect them across generations, sectors, geographies and silos, and inspire everyone with the great stories of game- changing ideas and inventions created here. Imagination Collaboration Creativity Innovation Original work Genuine Transparent Inclusive Welcoming Authentic One region creating, living, building together and being a globally known magnet for creative people, families and commerce. Led by the Regional Branding Task Force and Seed Here Studio, The Creative Corridor Project is produced by a great collaboration of over 1500 individuals and 50 organizations and counting. If we do this work well and meaningfully connect the half - million creative people who live, love and build here, collaboratively leveraging our resources and celebrating the great works created here, we will all benefit along with our individual communities and companies from the increased vibrancy and stronger global reputation that comes with continuously expanding our creative capacity and genuinely sharing our pride for this place. CREATIVE CORRIDOR DIGEST A weekly curated email of the most exciting innovation news and events in the region. It's the best way to get and stay connected to our growing creative community. bJH ERE. creativecorridor.co /digest CREATIVE CORRIDOR STORIES An ever - growing pool of media profiles of our region's game- changing creatives and innovators. These portraits, written articles and videos are available to explore and inspire. Organizations are invited to use them under a creative commons license in their own communication pieces. NriERE creativecorridor.co /stories CREATIVE WEEK 2013 Creative Week is a weeklong region -wide celebration October 19 -26, 2013 highlighting innovation and great works from around the area: from art, technology, and industry to performance, storytelling, and thought leadership. Event Categories Create:Arts, Culinary, Culture, Entertainment and Performance Build: Inventions, Industry and Manufacturing Connect: Tribe-Finding and Multi- Generational Engagement Share: Stories of Creativity, Literature and Media Learn: Research, Medicine, Skills -Based Training Innovate: Startup, Entrepreneurial, Innovative Companies & Creative Small Businesses WHEN & WHERE creativecorridor .co /creativeweek THE WE CREATE HERE CAMPAIGN A pride campaign of adaptable stickers, window clings, web buttons, t- shirts and more collateral materials to empower everyone to show their pride in our region and support more innovation and creativity here. WHERE. creativecorridor .co /wecreatehere ABOUT THE REGION Iowa's Creative Corridor is home to a half million creative residents, covering 4400 square miles including Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties. �• Iowa's (creative N corridor Center Point / Vinton Hiawatha • Marion Anamosa Cedar Rapids • Belle Plaine / Lisbon Marengo Ir Solon •\��� • .y Amara ColoniesTiein •North iberty • West Branch :1 • • Coralville� Williamsburg Iowa City • Kalona IOWA r.-1 o l CONT, Amanda Styron Project Leader Email: amanda@seedhere.org Phone: (319) 400 -7782 • Tipton WE CREATE HERE • lowals (creative corridor Quad / Cities corndor this poster was generously printed for you by: TRUARTO COLOR GRAPHICS A Division of Economy Advertising Co. WE CREATE 1'hjDj9- IF R 0 • iowa's (creative corridor CREATIVECORRIDOR.CO