HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-03 Correspondence09 -03 -13
Marian Karr 3f(1)
From: Jennifer Jordan
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 1:44 PM
To: McClellan, Bailee J
Cc: Council; Rick Fosse; Jeff Davidson; Rodney Walls
Subject: RE: Food Scrap Collection
Hi Bailee,
Thanks for your email. I share your enthusiasm for food scrap composting! One thing I didn't mention when we emailed
recently is that the City is in the process of asking for bids for proposals for comprehensive solid waste management
services. Here's the project description:
Pursuant to the Code of Iowa, the City of Iowa City will be receiving sealed proposals for solid waste
management - related services which must include at a minimum: (a) the long -term alternative for receiving and
transferring up to 100% of the waste currently disposed at the City's Landfill, (b) providing, in part, Intermediate
Processing Services for recyclables removal as part of a long -term alternative based on the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources' Solid Waste Management hierarchy; and (c) the transfer of non- recyclables to a third -party
private waste -to- energy conversion facility that is not located at the landfill site.
Here is the link to the full request for proposals if you're interested:
http: / /www.iceov.ore /default/ apps/ equipment /commodities.asp ?commid =950
A potential project could include the large -scale use of organics, possibly for something other than composting (i.e.,
energy). Such a project could result in significant waste reduction for not only organics, but for many or all recyclable
materials currently being landfilled.
However, if no proposals are received or accepted, curbside collection of organics would be a great way for us to make
inroads on the amount of material being landfilled and it will definitely be something we research further at that time.
As you start the MURP program this fall, please feel free to send information such as about the Dubuque program. It's
really helpful to see what other communities are doing and to hear what Iowa City residents support.
Thanks!
Jen
JewKi ferJordaw
Recycling Coordinator
City of Iowa City
319- 887 -6160
Jennifer- Jordan0iowa- city.ora
Upcoming environmental events:
www.icqov.o[g/esrc
From: McClellan, Bailee J [mailto :bailee- mcclellan @uiowa.edu]
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 12:50 PM
To: Council
Subject: Food Scrap Collection
To the Iowa City City Council:
Dubuque, Iowa has recently implemented a program to collect food scraps and compostable materials with their
regular yard waste collection. Please see more details at this website:
http://www.ciWafdubugue.orci/index.6spx?NID=483. I believe this is something that Iowa City should also
explore as the collection of food scraps minimizes waste in our landfills and allows for a sustainable alternative in
the form of compost.
The following facts were provided by Jennifer Jordan from the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center that
support the implementation of a food scrap collection program:
- The commercial composting facility at the landfill can accept up to 10 tons per day of food waste
organics - -we're only at about 25% capacity.
- About 25% of what the landfill takes could be composted.
- Many of the 15,000 residents with curbside collection do not have the space, desire or knowledge to
compost at home but would likely consider putting at least some of their kitchen scraps in with their
yard waste.
- The yard waste trucks already run daily routes for all but about 6 weeks of the year. These
trucks /routes can be more efficiently used by adding more material for composting.
- It will cost the Refuse Division less to take the organics to the landfill that it currently costs to take the
material as refuse.
- The Landfill is trying to increase the amount of organics they receive to increase the compost supply.
I hope that the Council will consider following Dubuque's lead to implement similar sustainability initiatives.
Thank you,
BCW6& MCC1eUa w
Intern, Iowa City Urban Planning Division
M.U.R.P. Candidate, 2015
The University of Iowa
bailee- mcclellan@uiowa.edu
(815)821 -3904
Marian Karr
3f(2)
From: Tim Leist <tdlco @yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 4:20 PM
To: Council
Subject: City park beach?
I have noticed that the eastern most lower city park area has a lot of sand that silted in during the last flood. Just
a thought that a great recreational opportunity may have "floated" our way. If the area can be cleared of the
sand, and placed along the area between the East parking lot and the river, as well as just south, a nice beach
could be formed providing an area for residents and students alike. The sand is finer in texture than what is
available at surrounding "beach" areas, and would be more comfortable and inviting for sun bathing and
volleyball.
Having lived along Florida's west coast and thoroughly enjoyed the softer sand, the river seems to have
provided a more comfortable and closer venue than the Corp of Engineer's reservoir.
Thanks for the ability to put forth ideas,
Tim Leist
Resident since 1985
Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android
Marian Karr
From: Mike Moran
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 3:42 PM
To: 'tdlco @yahoo.com'
Cc: Tom Markus; Marian Karr; Geoff Fruin; Adam Bentley; Council
Subject: City Park
Hi Tim,
I have been asked to respond to your email of August 25, 2013 to the Iowa City, City Council. We have been asked
several times about leaving the sand in the park for recreational use by the public. We will be exploring this idea to see
if it is feasible to maintain along the river and the long term effects with the fluctuation that comes with the control of
water flow through the Coralville Reservoir. We will be removing sand on the west side of the roadway and tilling up the
land for replanting sometime this fall when the weather cooperates. The sand on the east side of the roadway will be
staying put for now until we have discussions with the Corp of Engineers and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
After that time we will make a determination about the longevity of the sand. We appreciate your comments and will
certainly let you know what we decide in future months.
Michael Moran CPRP
Director
Parks and Recreation
220 S. Gilbert St.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319 - 356 -5100
Marian Karr 3f(3)
From:
Tom Markus
Sent:
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 10:23 AM
To:
Marian Karr
Subject:
FW: Dumpster Enclosure on Maiden Lane
Answer for the agenda
From: Tim Hennes
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 8:09 AM
To: '30centbike @gmail.com'
Cc: Tom Markus; Doug Boothroy; Rick Fosse; Ron Knoche
Subject: Dumpster Enclosure on Maiden Lane
Steve,
The dumpster enclosure behind the Vine was approved by the City through a Temporary Use of Public Right -
of -Way Agreement.
The remodeling of 529 S. Gilbert St. (The Vine Building), includes 12 new efficiency dwelling units, which
will increase the amount of solid waste generated in this area. There are already problems with the collection of
solid waste and food waste at the end of Maiden Lane alley — debris and grease spill out of their containers and
into Ralston Creek, and make the area unsightly. The additional dwelling units provided staff with an
opportunity to address issues the previous dumpster location created.
Several options were discussed prior to selecting the permitted dumpster location, including allowing the
dumpsters and grease container to remain at the end of Maiden Lane, and requiring that they be within an
enclosure. This option was not selected because we were concerned that the new residential tenants would not
walk to the end of the alley to dispose of their garbage properly, and it would not eliminate the grease trail
created when restaurant waste is dragged from The Vine to the dumpsters. Another option was to eliminate a
parking space on the west side of Maiden Lane and allow the dumpster enclosure to be built in its place. This
option was not selected because we didn't want to eliminate a parking space where so many restaurants are
clustered together and there is already limited parking.
The existing sidewalk on the east side is not fully accessible to all pedestrians, including those with
disabilities: it is obstructed by a fire escape;. it is not flat for the entire length; and there are several doors
exiting onto it along with vehicle access to one of the buildings. When the development of 320 Prentiss is
complete, on or before November 1, 2013, there will be a five -foot wide continuous pedestrian sidewalk on the
west side of Maiden Lane that will be accessible to persons with disabilities.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Tim Hennes
Senior Building Inspector I City of Iowa City, IA
319.356.5122 1 tim- hennes@iowa- city.ora
From: 30th Century Bicycle [mailto:30centbike @ gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 9:34 AM
To: Council
Subject: Fwd:
Good morning, as I was riding my bike to work this morning I was surprised to see this new addition to the
sidewalk behind the Vine on Maiden Ln. My question is, how can this be legal? A busy sidewalk now has a
concrete wall blocking it to protect a dumpster? I realize there is a sidewalk on the other side of Maiden Ln, but
is it reasonable to expect people to cross Maiden to walk down the sidewalk only to recross the street to reach
Old Capital or Orchard Green or the apartments at the north end of this short block? I don't think so. I welcome
your response.
Steve Goetzelman
30th Century Bicycle
(319)248 -1288
http: / /30thceptgg.wordpress.com/
Marian Karr 3f(4)
From: Jason Hagedorn <jasondhagedorn @g mail. com>
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 12:10 AM
To: Council
Subject: Fwd: Gateway Project - Community Member's Perspective
Attachments: Gateway Project.pdf
---- - - - - -- Forwarded message ---- - - - - --
From: Jason Hagedorn <jasondha eg dornggmail.com>
Date: Thu, Aug 29, 2013 at 12:08 AM
Subject: Gateway Project - Community Member's Perspective
To: rick- dobyns e,iowa -ci , .org, jim -thro orton o,iowa- city.org, matt- hgyek(2iowa -ci , .org, susan-
mims&a Iowa- city.org, terry- dickens(2iowa- city.org, michelle- pavne@iowa- city.org, connie-championgiowa-
cily.org
Please see the attached .pdf file for my input on this important project.
Thank you for your service,
-Jason Hagedorn
To: rick- dobyns @iowa - city.org
jim-throgmorton@iowa-city.org
matt-hayek @iowa - city.org
susan -mims @iowa - city.org
terry- dickens @iowa - city.org
michelle -payne @iowa - city.org
connie- champion @iowa - city.org
August 28, 2013
RE: Gateway Project — Community Member's Input
Dear Council Members-
My name is Jason Hagedorn and I live at 211 Richards Street, Iowa City, IA 52246.
I'm writing to you today regarding the Iowa City Gateway Project. While I did not fully
participate earlier in the planning process, I am now spending considerable time learning about
the issues and opportunities related to the project. I would like to share with you my current
perspective.
The chosen solution for the Gateway project should achieve the following mandates, at a
reasonable cost to taxpayers:
• The current level of flooding on Dubuque Street is unacceptable. We must execute a
project to mitigate the flooding impacts we have been experiencing.
• We must identify the Dubuque Street entrance as our city's front door — a scenic gateway
to our city. This entrance must welcome residents and visitors, and articulate the character
of our city.
Given a presumption that flood mitigation has many potential solutions, there are two significant
considerations when thinking through the execution of this project.
1) Do not overbuild. It is tempting to engineer a "maximum solution ". However, I feel strongly
that we must "right- size" the solution. In comparison to a maximum solution, a right -sized
solution:
• could blend both permanent and temporary flood barriers, such as the aluminum barriers
around U. of Iowa's Art West building, or the HESCO barriers around Mayflower
Residence Hall
• will inherently be less costly
• will provide the community with the least amount of construction interruption
• will minimize impact to adjacent personal property
• will optimize the balance between the above two mandates; function
and aesthetics
2) Do not widen the project scope to also include traffic capacity increases. This is a flood
mitigation project that must preserve and enhance the corridor's scenic character. Any traffic
impacts should be limited to improving traffic safety for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. In
contrast, widening Dubuque Street and Park Road will increase traffic capacity and increase
vehicle speeds resulting in decreased safety.
• Specific traffic capacity execution elements that are of concern are:
— widening Dubuque Street and /or Park Road
— adding more lanes of through traffic to Dubuque Street
— adding more turning lanes to Dubuque Street (towards any of the intersecting streets)
— adding more through lanes to the Park Road Bridge
— adding turning lanes to Park Road (towards any intersection streets or destinations)
• This important city gateway already inadequately transitions from a high -speed interstate
highway to low -speed multi -modal residential streets in the center of Iowa City.
Increasing traffic capacity will deliver two negative results:
— more capacity will bring more cars, so traffic congestion will only increase
— more importantly, introducing more capacity in the vicinity of residential and
recreational uses increases the safety risks. The current lack of a proper transition
from interstate highway to 25 -mph streets needs to be improved, not made worse by
adding traffic lanes, making lanes wider - encouraging higher traffic speeds.
Finally, I urge you and our city planners to do the hard work required to find a sensible solution to
this problem and opportunity. Please do not choose the path of least resistance. Do not allow
momentum to lead us to bolt a "Maximum Solution" onto the front of our city. If we do, we will
have chosen:
• A massive structure that will rarely flood (good)
• An unattractive front entrance to our city, including unrecoverable damage to our public
spaces and river bluffs (bad)
• Unnecessary and unrecoverable destruction of private property (bad)
• The most expensive solution (bad)
• The longest community disruption (bad)
• An abrupt aesthetic shift from the Interstate Highway and major off ramp, to inner city
without a welcoming transition (bad)
• An abrupt traffic flow shift from high volume to residential or inner city, without a safe
transition (bad)
Personally, I am excited about the opportunity to do great things with this project. We have the
opportunity to solve our flooding problem and at the same time make great improvements to the
front door to our city. I can envision the result being a source of great pride. Please demand
from your teams the work required to develop sophisticated thinking and sensible balancing of all
of this project's requirements.
Thank you,
-Jason Hagedorn
r
CITY OF IOWA CITY 31(5)
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MEMORANDUM M"i6li
Date: August 20th, 2013
To: City Clerk
From: Darian Nagle -Gamm, Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for September 3`d, 2013 City Council meeting; Installation of YIELD sign for
westbound traffic at the intersection of Phoenix Drive and Lake Shore Drive.
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council
of the following action:
Action:
Pursuant to Section 9 -1 -3A (5); Install a YIELD sign for westbound traffic at the intersection of
Phoenix Drive and Lake Shore Drive.
Comment:
This action is being taken to clarify the right -of -way at the intersection of two neighborhood
collector streets.
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MEMORANDUM
Date: August 20th, 2013
To: City Clerk
From: Darian Nagle -Gamm, Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for September 3rd, 2013 City Council meeting; Installation of NO PARKING ANY
TIME signs on east and north sides of the 600 — 800 blocks of Tipperary Road.
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 ANY TIME signs on the 600 — 800 blocks
of Tipperary Road.
Comment:
The City received a petition from a group of households on Tipperary Road requesting that
parking be prohibited on one side of the road to reduce traffic congestion. A formal survey of all
adjacent households indicates that 58% are in favor of removing parking on the east and north
sides of the road between Donegal Court and Shannon Drive. The survey response rate was
54 %.
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