HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-23 CorrespondenceState of the City Address
Mayor Matt Hayek
February 23, 2015
Good evening. As Mayor, it is my distinct honor to present the
2015 State of the City Address.
would like to recognize my fellow city council members and
acknowledge their dedication to our community. Mayor Pro Tem Susan
Mims and council members Kingsley Botchway, Terry Dickens, Rick
Dobyns, Michelle Payne, and Jim Throgmorton: thank you for your
service and your leadership.
I would also like to recognize the hundreds of City employees who
serve our customers — the people and businesses of Iowa City — every
day, all year long. You do very important work and we thank you.
2014 was a year of planning and of positioning our operation for
smart growth in the years to come. Despite a sluggish national
economy and cuts in funding from the State, our community thrives
and our economy remains strong. Our unemployment rate remains
among the lowest in the country and Iowa City continues to enjoy
national and international recognition for its exceptional quality of life.
The next few years represent an exciting time, with the completion of
numerous important projects that will enhance property value and help
fund the many services and programs that our community demands.
Economic development requires careful strategy, and it should be
both environmentally and financially sustainable. With respect to the
environment, we continue to encourage energy efficient buildings and
green utilities including solar and geothermal. We secured state
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funding to begin the development of a flood resilient riverfront park,
stabilize creek and river banks, and establish an urban wetland in
Riverfront Crossings. This project will provide a wonderful
neighborhood amenity and spur revitalization of the area. It will also
help us manage the quality of the water that runs from the city into our
waterways. To be sure, the flooding over the last two years highlights
the need for flood mitigation and for green space along the river.
The revitalization of Riverfront Crossings will complement
aesthetic and infrastructure improvements planned for our downtown.
The library playground resurfacing, our popular first hour free ramp
parking, the new lighting in the Northside Marketplace, and our
customer -oriented ambassador program all represent steps toward a
more diverse, vibrant, and inviting downtown.
In the years to come you will see significant projects on Washington
Street, Dubuque Street, and City Plaza. These will include underground
utility improvements, visual enhancements and the creation of more
useable sidewalk and cafe space.
To be sure, the City's focus goes well beyond the immediate
downtown. For example, projects at the Iowa City Marketplace
(formerly known as Sycamore Mall) and the First Avenue retail corridor
will improve bicycle and pedestrian routes and enhance the overall
look. Traffic flow will improve when a railroad overpass is constructed
on First Avenue. And Mercer Park's playground we see expanded
equipment and amenities.
We continue to redevelop the Towncrest area. New commercial
buildings, a new apartment building, fagade improvements, and
streetscape projects mark the first steps toward the revitalization of
this neighborhood.
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The Highway 6 and Highway 1 corridors are getting facelifts.
Highway 1 just received a new trail extension, and a second phase is
coming soon.
Riverside Drive will soon have a pedestrian tunnel through the railroad
embankment that will improve pedestrian safety. City facilities at the
corner of Riverside and Highway 6 are being relocated, and this will
open up an important site for commercial development.
On the west side, the intersection of Mormon Trek Boulevard and
Benton Street will soon have an additional turn lane, improvements are
planned at Willow Creek and Kiwanis parks, and the redevelopment of
Hawkeye Court Apartments continues. On the south side, growth is
strong around the new Alexander Elementary and the Terry Trueblood
Recreation Area. And on the north side, considerable change is
underway on both sides of Dodge Street from Prairie du Chien Road all
the way up to Northgate Drive.
While any community would consider itself fortunate to enjoy this
much progress, even more is on the way. The University of Iowa's new
school of music building is under construction at the corner of
Burlington and Clinton streets, and the University announced a
preferred developer for the new art museum across the street. To the
south on Clinton, the new MidwestOne Bank building is underway and
will be joined by a new parking ramp and townhome project. These
and other buildings will connect downtown with the impressive
momentum we see in Riverfront Crossings.
The economic growth I have described is important and we
should feel a sense of pride, especially in comparison to the stagnation
felt in places throughout Iowa. But it is not the only measurement of
3
Iowa City's health. The fact is our community faces real challenges that
we must address.
As in countless cities across the nation, Iowa City is no stranger to
socioeconomic division. Last year's events, from Ferguson to Staten
Island, placed the issues of social and economic inequality at the
forefront of our national discourse.
Here locally, a conversation on these issues is underway. In the
months to come you will see City Hall expand its engagement with the
community, especially with historically disconnected populations.
Many of the issues are tough to discuss, let alone solve. But as a
community we are stronger when we listen to and engage with each
other.
The good news is that few local governments enjoy a stronger
commitment to transparency and community outreach than ours. For
example, we have the only Citizens Police Review Board in the entire
state, and it provides an important means of evaluating the interaction
of our police officers with the public they serve. While Iowa City has
had a CPRB for 17 years now, civilian oversight of the police has not
spread to other jurisdictions in our area. We think it would benefit
other cities in Johnson County in addition to the county and university
public safety agencies.
Unlike most communities, our police department maintains a
partnership with experts from St. Ambrose University to assess racial
proportionality in traffic stops. The goal is to review police operations
on an independent, data -driven basis and to promote the equitable
treatment of all residents and visitors.
4
Socioeconomic imbalance between schools and the availability of
affordable housing are related issues, and are the focus of considerable
attention in the community. The support of healthy neighborhoods is
one of the City Council's strategic goals, and one that we take very
seriously. We regard socioeconomic diversity as a clear indicator of
neighborhood strength.
While some would have you believe that socioeconomic imbalance in
certain locations in Iowa City was planned or zoned into existence, the
mix of neighborhoods is affected by many factors — including the age of
the housing stock, proximity to amenities and jobs, development costs,
and available sites.
One of the most important factors is where new schools are built.
School siting decisions can have as much of an impact on neighborhood
development and redevelopment as any public policy decision. Our
school district can choose sites with the potential to develop into
diverse neighborhoods and can insist that the cities and neighborhoods
that benefit from new schools make this happen through zoning and
land use policies. To be sure, zoning in newly -developing areas where
new schools are sited will not significantly or quickly improve current
socioeconomic imbalances in our school system. The reason is that
zoning has little effect on existing neighborhoods whose housing stock
is already in place.
The fact is, the socioeconomic imbalance in our school district
needs attention and needs it now. The school district recently
rescinded its diversity policy, and until a meaningful replacement is
implemented there will not be progress toward equity.
This conversation must happen throughout the district and not just
within Iowa City. Last fall, when the school district asked the cities that
it serves to address housing issues, Iowa City responded without delay
5
and has already taken concrete steps in support of the district. Yet we
cannot go it alone, and the focus cannot be solely on Iowa City. The
entire district must be involved. We need communitywide
participation to effectively address the problem of imbalance. Housing
markets do not start or end at city borders. The metropolitan area
represents a single market and the school district represents nearly all
of it. There are no easy answers to the issues the school district faces
and I applaud its willingness to tackle them. But social inequality and
affordable housing are problems that cannot be solved with a single
policy choice within a single jurisdiction. We must commit to work on
these problems together.
Despite our challenges, this community is blessed by incredible
amenities and services, and what's more, it is growing. Iowa City is
consistently ranked as one of the healthiest, most educated, and most
livable cities in the country. More and more people come here to live,
visit, work, and play because of this quality of life.
Our population growth means more homes and more businesses,
all of which contribute taxes that fund the services we all expect. This
will matter even more over the next decade as we brace for upwards of
$50 million in lost revenue as a result of the state property tax
legislation of 2013. Raising taxes and fees by $50 million is not an
option, nor can we cut $50 million in expenditures and still keep our
parks and other facilities open. Inevitably we will cut services some and
we will increase revenue some. But continued economic growth within
our community will ease the pain.
Fortunately, the City is taking steps right now to meet the
challenge of property tax reform and to make us less vulnerable to
future revenue declines. Our City budget now contains an emergency
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fund designed to smooth out the effects of property tax reform by
helping us make long-term, strategic decisions about services and avoid
sudden cuts in services or personnel. This deliberate financial planning
has characterized City budgets in recent years and will continue
indefinitely. It is a conservative approach and has earned Iowa City the
absolute highest credit rating from Moody's. In fact we are one of only
two cities in Iowa, and 178 cities nationally, to hold this distinction.
We know we will face increasingly difficult budget decisions in the years
to come. It would be irresponsible to not prepare for this. We are
determined to ensure that our operations are financially sustainable no
matter what happens.
Iowa City is an incredible place. We have great schools, strong
neighborhoods, a booming economy, and a world-famous arts and
culture scene. We are resurgent, we are making smart investments,
and we are positioning the community to not only survive the
challenges that cities throughout Iowa will face, but indeed to thrive
and to set the bar. I am excited about our future.
On behalf of the City Council and City staff, I thank the community
for its engagement, for its collaboration, and for its support. Thank
you.
FA
02-234
W(1)
Marian Karr
From: Laurie Nash <empowerQcempowerment.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2015 3:24 PM
To: Council
Subject: Save the Date April 11
Attachments: WOYCsavethedate 2015 02.04.15.pdf
Members of the City Council of Iowa City,
We hope you will be able to attend the legislative breakfast that is hosted as part of Johnson County's
Celebration of the Young Child. This year's breakfast will be at 9:00 am on Saturday, April 11. The breakfast
is held at the Iowa Children's Museum and is sponsored by Senator Bob Dvorsky.
The Celebration of the Young Child includes local events that are held in conjunction with the annual Week of
the Young Child, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
This year we are honored to host Jeff Weld, Executive Director of the Iowa STEM Advisory Council, to share
information about development of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) skills in early
childhood. Early childhood and preschool education has taken the forefront of a lot of the conversations about
community livability, economic development, and preparing children for school success. This should be a very
interesting introduction to a larger discussion about how our community supports its youngest citizens.
I hope to see you all in April!
Laurie
Laurie Nash
Johnson County Empowerment/Early Childhood Iowa Area
855 S. Dubuque Street, Suite 202B
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-339-6179 (p)
319-688-5711 (f)
www.jcelnpowerment.org
www.facebook.com/JohnsonCoup!yEmpowerment
Celebration of the Young Child
Legislative Breakfast: A Community
Conversation About Early Childhood
and STEM
Guest Speaker: Jeff Weld, Iowa STEM Advisory Council, Executive Director
Research shows that high-quality early learning improves later abilities and also builds
behavior traits necessary for success, especially in STEM jobs, such as perseverance,
problem -solving, and patience. Today's preschoolers are Iowa's future!
Week of them
Young Child
Sponsored by Senator Bob Dvorsky
April 11, 2015
9:00 - 9:45 A.M.
The Iowa Children's
Museum
Hosted by: Iowa City Chapter of The IAEYC,
Q Community Coordinated Child Care,
University of Iowa Delta Center, Iowa
Chapter of The American Academy of
Pediatrics, Johnson County Empowerment/
ECA, Iowa City and Coralville Public
Libraries, The Iowa Children's Museum,
Children's Center for Therapy, United Way of
Johnson and Washington Counties, CPPC, and
Child Care Resource & Referral.
3f(2)
Marian Karr
From: iowalive@q.com
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2015 12:50 PM
To: nntrimbleray@gmail.com
Cc: 'ANDY DOMINIC'; BETH MALICKI; CHUCK PETERS; Coraville Mayor; GRASSLEY; stephen-
berry@iowawatch.org; james.lynch@gazettecommunications.com; JAN MICKELSON;
KATHIE OBRADOVICH--REGISTER; LYLE MULLER--IOWA WATCH; Council;
CouncilmanHart@mediacombb.net; Carolyn.cole@vgm.com; tomlindcitycouncil@gmail.com;
IShicks@dmreg.com; anash@registermedia.com; rgreen@dmreg.com; roxlaird@dmreg.com;
bsmith@dmreg.com; ckauffman@dmreg.com; 'ART STAED'; 'brian schoenjahn'; 'CINDY
WINCKLER'; 'CURT HANSON'; 'DAN KELLY'; 'DARYL BEAL'; 'DAVID JOHNNSON';
'DENNIS COHOON'; 'FRANK WOOD'; 'JERRY BEHN'; 'JOEL FRY'; 'JULIAN GARRETT;
'Kevin Koester'; 'kraig.paulsen'; 'LIZ MATHIS'; 'MARK LOFGREN'; 'MARY JO WILHELM';
'MEGAN HESS'; 'Nancy Boettger'; 'Peter Cownie'; 'QUENTIN STANERSON'; 'RITA HART;
'ROBY SMITH'; 'RUTHANN GAINES'; 'SANDY SALMON'; 'STEVE SODDERS'; 'TEDD
GASSMAN'; 'TODD BOWMAN'; 'WALT ROGERS'; DAVID SWENSON--ISU ECONOMIST;
Gov. TERRY BRANSTAD; JENNIFER HEMMINGSEN
Subject: SELF PROCLAIMED'CONSERVATIVETOUTS LIBERAL TAX AND SPEND!!
Greetings, Ann Trimble -Ray, Vice President of (Liberal Tax and Spend) Opportunities at Heartland Marketing
Group, and all—
In your 480 word guest column in today's 2-9-15 Cedar Rapids Gazette, you wrote these 10 words, "As a
conservative, I abhor waste, fraud and tax increases." But then you went on to write 470 words pushing
for a 50% increase in the gas tax—and you said nothing more about waste and fraud, as if it doesn't exist
in state government.
AND IN YOUR LIBERAL, TAX AND SPEND RUSH TO RAISE THE GAS TAX, YOU SAID
NOTHING ABOUT THIS!!
HOW MUCH FUEL TAX DO SUCH BIG RIGS TEARING UP IOWA'S ROADS & BRIDGES
PAY?? NOT VERY MUCH, IF ANY!! HOW COME??
1
Despite your shallow `conservative' claims, your guest column placed you solidly in the ranks of tax and
spend liberals—who like you did, merely argue about which tax to raise, not which fat and waste to
reallocate to get useful results!!!
Ann, would you please study the following websites and then write a column condemning waste, fraud and a
gas tax increase—as if you actually are a conservative? You can use Iowalive's numbers to show folks you
know what you are talking about. They are unrefuted numbers. Do you claim to have better numbers? If so,
please provide them for all to see. J
Take 1% Fat From Iowa's Budget To Fix Roads & Bridges
AWARENESS --IOWA'S STATE SPENDING INCREASED $10.6 BILLION IN 15 YEARS
Here is an example of what you will find on the above website.
$56.571 BILLION WASTED SINCE 2000
TOTAL
)ropriations by Subcommittee APPROPRIATIONS 2000- AVG.
2015 THEN -YEAR $ OPERATING EFFICIENCY
MILLIONS
$38,703 34%
V
;es $17,747 24%
$14,154 25%
$9,063 44%
tion $1,138 22%
$568 11%
!sources $595 28%
lure, & Capitals $46 40%
% OF THE ABOVE APPROPRIATIONS ARE TOTAL $82,013 AVERAGE 31 %
WASTED
Operating Efficiency Derivation Methods are as Described on: http://www.iowalive.net/deriveopeff.htm
Anyone claiming to have better numbers than those herein is asked to provide them, and how they derived
them.
Finally, while you were questioning and quoting him, why didn't you ask Iowa State University Associate
Scientist in Economics, David Swenson, how much waste there is in state government? Have him give
you his best estimate. Such a renowned and quotable economist should have some idea of how much
waste there is in state government, as it sure as heck affects the state's economy!!! Don't you agree, Ann
and David?
Sincerely,
Iowalive A growing network of volunteer citizens and professionals for improving Iowa
191 This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
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11
Marian Karr
From:
tcaplan@mchsi.com
Sent:
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 4:09 PM
To:
Council
Cc:
tcaplan
Subject:
Preservation Study
Dear Members of the Iowa City Council,
M
Before making decisions about zoning and preservation of historic buildings, I encourage you to examine a study
conducted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in May of 2014. The study is entitled "Older, Smaller, Better:
Measuring how the character of buildings & blocks influences urban vitality". A summary of the report follows:
"All across America, blocks of older, smaller buildings are quietly contributing to robust local economies and distinctive
livable communities. Buildings of diverse vintage and small scale provide flexible, affordable space for entrepreneurs
launching new businesses and serve as attractive settings for new restaurants and locally owned shops. They offer
diverse housing choices that attract younger residents and create human -scaled places for walking, shopping, and social
interaction. These modest, often -overlooked buildings are irreplaceable assets for America's new urban age. This study
demonstrates the unique and valuable role that older, smaller buildings play in the development of sustainable cities.
Based upon statistical analysis of the built fabric of three major American cities, this research finds that established
neighborhoods with a mix of older, smaller buildings perform better than districts with larger, newer structures when
tested against a range of economic, social, and environmental outcome measures."
The preceding summary was copied from the National Trust's study website. To see the full report, go to:
http://www.preservationnation.org/information-center/sustainable-communities/green-
lab/oldersmallerbetter/report/NTHP PGL OlderSmallerBetter ExecSummarv.pdf
I hope you'll take the time to review this important research and let it possibly help you in making future decisions about
Iowa City's approach to historic preservation.
Thank you,
Terri Caplan, Iowa City
3f(6)
Marian Karr
From: Scott & Ros <hamlin101@centurylink.net>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2015 5:55 PM
To: Council
Subject: Colonial Lanes
Honorable Council,
I want to address the issue with Colonial Lanes that arose this weekend with a punishment you feel is pertinent
to what they did wrong. They failed two undercover stings and you in turn have taken away their exemption
status. I disagree with this punishment and will tell you why.
First of all it is a bowling alley that sells alcohol, it is not a bar with a bowling alley inside of it. It was one of a
few places in the City of Iowa City that our young people could go to on a Friday or Saturday night. That is not
possible anymore for fear of getting a $300 to $625 fine (per the sign at the bowling alley). Who are you trying
to punish here? They bowling alley or the kids of Iowa City. I have heard that the bowling alley also takes no
responsibility if a person under 21 is caught in the bowling alley. Once again, who are you trying to
punish? Our child bowls competitively and her and her team mates often went to the bowling alley to
practice. Now if she wants to get some games in, it appears she has to drive all the way up to Cedar Rapids to
practice. Once again, who is the ones being punished here. Also with this scenario you have increased her
chance of something going wrong on the trip such as a breakdown or an accident. I hope for her sake and
yours that latter does not happen.
The council put no thought into this so called punishment to the bowling alley. This is straight out of the Town
of Beaumont. We have to protect our youth. In your rush to judgment, you forgot the bowling alley is a place
for families to go and a place for young people to hang out. Do you want to punish the bowling alley? Make
them close down the bar at 10 PM. No more alcohol sales after 10 PM. Allow the youth of Iowa City a place to
go on a weekend night without fear of getting an ungodly fine. If you want to keep this idiotic punishment,
then you best have the bar, I mean bowling alley, hire a bouncer to check ID's of people entering the
establishment so there is no mistakes made by an unsuspecting person under the age of 21.
This is a real simple fix, and I expect you to make it happen. You seven people need to use a little common
sense every now and then. I also want a response to this email, I don't expect it to fall on deaf ears.
Thank you
Scott Hamlin
This correspondence will become a public record.
Marian Karr
From: Eric Goers
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 9:14 AM
To: 'hamlin101 @centurylink.net'
Cc: Marian Karr; Eleanor M. Dilkes; Tom Markus
Subject: Colonial Lanes
Mr. Hamlin,
Thank you for your letter. As I'm sure you're aware, Iowa City has been working to reduce underage and binge
drinking for decades. During the last decade, there were times when it appeared we were losing that battle, to
the detriment of us all. This lead to renewed efforts on the part of the City to reduce those and accompanying
behaviors. After trying a number of alternatives with minimal success, it became clear that an under 21
ordinance was necessary.
In order to foster live entertainment, protect establishments that sold alcohol but were not primarily in the
alcohol business (such as restaurants and bowling alleys), and to allow for alcohol -free events, a number of
exceptions were written into the under 21 ordinance for qualifying businesses. Parents could also accompany
their children into any of the establishments at any time. In order to ensure that the exceptions did not swallow
the rule, businesses which were granted exception certificates had to demonstrate that they could be effective in
keeping alcohol out of the hands of underage patrons. If the Police Department had cause to believe a business
was not effective in preventing underage drinking, Council gave them authority to revoke the exception
certificate. One cause for revocation explicitly listed in the law is the sale of alcohol to minors more than once
within 5 years. Council considered a shorter window (2 years), but decided to go with 5 years. Colonial Lanes
sold to minors twice in less than 3 months, so their exception certificate was revoked.
The City appreciates that Colonial Lanes is not a den for underage drinking. However, the City must be
consistent in enforcing the law. Colonial Lanes is not the first establishment to lose their exception certificate.
In fact, several other establishments have already lost theirs. In response, two establishments gave up their
liquor licenses so they could host customers of any age at any time of day or night. Colonial Lanes could do the
same if they so choose. If they do not choose to do so, you can accompany your daughter any time. Of course,
she can also bowl until 10 p.m. without a parent or guardian present. Notices must be posted at every entrance
informing patrons of the restrictions of the ordinance, so they are not caught by surprise.
Although they took no remedial steps after the first sale to a minor, Colonial Lanes did so after the 2nd sale, so
we expect no further sales to minors. Consequently, we hope your daughter and her friends continue to enjoy
bowling there.
Eric Goers
Assistant City Attorney
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-356-5030
319-356-5008 Fax
eric-goers@iowa-city.or�
► r ,
'cm�11r 's
CITY OF IOWA CITY
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826
(3 19) 356-5000
(319) 356-5009 FAX
www.icgov.org
LATE HANDOUTS
Information submitted between distribution of packet on Thursday and close of business
on Friday.
Consent Calendar:
Setting Public Hearings
ITEM 3e(9) UNIVERCITY SALE, 429 RONALDS — See resolution
Correspondence 1
ITEM 3f(6): See additional correspondence
ITEM 3f(12): See revised memorandum
Marian Karr
From: Scott & Ros <hamlin101@centurylink.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 6:23 PM
To: Eric Goers
Cc: Marian Karr; Eleanor M. Dilkes; Tom Markus; Council
Subject: RE: Colonial Lanes
Mr. Goers,
Thank you for your response, but I did not address my comments to you. I addressed them to the council, and it
is from the council I expect a response from. Now I will address some points you made in your email.
I am not questioning the under 21 ordinance. I came from a place where you had to be 21 to enter a bar
period.
If you revoke an exception from a restaurant, there is another restaurant to go to, not that a lot of people
eat after l OPM
Once again, the name of the establishment is Colonial Lanes, Not Colonial Bar and Bowling.
I understand I can accompany my daughter to the bowling alley, but I shouldn't have to. It's a bowling
alley.
Not once did you address who you are attempting to punish by removing the exception because the fact is
your punishing every high school kid and every young adult under the age of 21. Not the bowling alley.
Notices are posted, but will not grab a person's attention entering the bowling alley. A night club still has
someone checking ID's. This is nothing but a money grab by the city for fines.
Of course my daughter could bowl after 10 PM without an adult or guardian if alcohol sales were
suspended at 10 PM.
What the City has done by doing this is taken away a local hangout for young adults and high school kids on a
weekend. They are now limited to movie theaters and some ones house. You know where I am going with
this. Even though the City says it is not a problem, with less and less places for people under 21 to go, then
house parties will become an option. .
Those are my points, now I will wait for a response from each and every one of the council. I do not expect a
response from any other city official. This City has a lot of other issues that the City Manager and City
Attorney need to address.
I want to address the issue with Colonial Lanes that arose this weekend with a punishment you feel is pertinent
to what they did wrong. They failed two undercover stings and you in turn have taken away their exemption
status. I disagree with this punishment and will tell you why.
First of all it is a bowling alley that sells alcohol, it is not a bar with a bowling alley inside of it. It was one of a
few places in the City of Iowa City that our young people could go to on a Friday or Saturday night. That is not
possible anymore for fear of getting a $300 to $625 fine (per the sign at the bowling alley). Who are you trying
to punish here? They bowling alley or the kids of Iowa City. I have heard that the bowling alley also takes no
responsibility if a person under 21 is caught in the bowling alley. Once again, who are you trying to punish?
Our child bowls competitively and her and her team mates often went to the bowling alley to practice. Now if
she wants to get some games in, it appears she has to drive all the way up to Cedar Rapids to practice. Once
again, who is the ones being punished here. Also with this scenario you have increased her chance of something
going wrong on the trip such as a breakdown or an accident. I hope for her sake and yours that latter does not
happen.
The council put no thought into this so called punishment to the bowling alley. This is straight out of the Town
of Beaumont. We have to protect our youth. In your rush to judgment, you forgot the bowling alley is a place
for families to go and a place for young people to hang out. Do you want to punish the bowling alley? Make
them close down the bar at 10 PM. No more alcohol sales after 10 PM. Allow the youth of Iowa City a place to
go on a weekend night without fear of getting an ungodly fine. If you want to keep this idiotic punishment, then
you best have the bar, I mean bowling alley, hire a bouncer to check ID's of people entering the establishment
so there is no mistakes made by an unsuspecting person under the age of 21.
This is a real simple fix, and I expect you to make it happen. You seven people need to use a little common
sense every now and then. I also want a response to this email, I don't expect it to fall on deaf ears.
Thank you
Scott Hamlin
This correspondence will become a public record.
4
3f 7
Marian Karr
From:
Marian Karr
Sent:
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 2:50 PM
To:
'Harry Olmstead'
Cc:
Council
Subject:
RE: Taxi Ordinance
Good Afternoon Harry,
Thank you for your comments regarding the City's new ordinance for taxicab drivers and businesses. I want to
assure you that the City will continue to require, as they have in previous years, each owner and driver provide
a certified state of Iowa criminal history and certified state of Iowa driver's record as part of their
application. After the application is reviewed and approved by the Police Chief or designee, authorization to
operate a business or drive a taxicab will be granted. Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Marian
From: Harry Olmstead [mailto:Harry03@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2015 6:22 AM
To: Council
Subject: Taxi Ordinance
I read that the Iowa City Council passed an ordinance for taxi cab companies that requires the drivers of taxi
cabs to obtain a identification card. I realize that an identification card doesn't necessarily insure safety of the
passenger, but it's a good start, I applaud you on passing this ordinance, but nothing has been said about
doing background checks on cab drivers to obtain an identification card. I realized that there would be a cost
involved and I suggest that this cost be passed on to the drivers. I believe that background checks can be done
by the Johnson County Sheriff's Department. I sincerely hope that you consider this concern and act on it.
Kind Regard,
Harry Olmstead
1951 Hannah Jo CT
Iowa City, IA 52240obtain
Marian Karr
From: Chad Dyson
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 10:57 AM
To: 'edgar-monzon@uiowa.edu'
Cc: parksandrecreation; "Council Members; Tom Markus; Geoff Fruin; Simon Andrew; Marian
Karr; Mike Moran
Subject: RE: Robert E Lee rules and behavior
Dear Mr. Lopez,
Thank you for bringing this issue to us. We have been reviewing this issue for some time and will be implementing the
following changes to our rules and operations at the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center to ensure that there is
more gym space available for all users. Effective immediately during open play times the curtain will be closed and full
court basketball will be limited to the north court when demand is low. We will have staff stationed in the gym to
monitor the language, usage, and enforce the rules. Again thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. Are top
priority should be to make our facilities safe and welcoming to all and we are always looking to improve on this when we
can. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should any of these issues continue or new ones arise.
Sincerely,
Chad Dyson, CPRP
Superintendent of Recreation
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Dept.
319-356-5100
www.icgov.org
KS
Grow Health Communities-
From:
ommun ties -From: Edgar Lopez [mailto:edgar-monzon@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 10:11 PM
To: pa rksa nd recreation; Matt Hayek; Susan Mims; Terry Dickens; Kingsley Botchway; Rick Dobyns;
jthrogmo@yahoo.com; Michelle Payne
Subject: Robert E Lee rules and behavior
Hi, my name is Edgar Lopez. I have some concerns regarding how the rules are enforced at the Robert E. Lee
Rec Center. We go to the Robert E. Lee Rec Center all the time and we have been kicked off the basketball
courts by people playing full court basketball. This has happened 90% of the time. There has been times where
we were the first on the court, we take up enough space for one basket and we end up having to leave due to
people playing full court. The people playing don't care that there were people playing before they were there.
What are the rules of playing full court basketball? Do they not have to rent the full court in order to use it or
are people just supposed to leave the court if a group is using the full court?. They also don't watch out for
people in the their way. They have almost ran over my 8 year old and they didn't care that he was walking on
the court what would happen if he got hurt?. There is also a lot of foul language used on the courts. They don't
respect that it's a family place, a place where there are kids around and the staff do nothing about this behavior.
I believe as a city building that promotes recreational activities for families it should not have this type of
behavior nor allow it.
Thank you.
Edgar Lopez
319-359-0826
4 wc,str This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
W (m www.avast.com
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EMAIL IS SENT TO PROVIDE THE COUNCIL WITH TIME -SENSITIVE
INFORMATION. TO AVOID AN UNINTENDED "MEETING" IN VIOLATION OF THE IOWA OPEN
MEETINGS ACT, PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY TO ALL." IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, PLEASE CALL
THE CITY MANAGERS OFFICE AT (319) 356-5010.
02-23-15
3f(9)
Marian Karr
From: John Crane <john@jtcrane.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 2:28 PM
To: Council
Subject: Iowa City needs a fire department training facility
Dear Honorable City Council Members,
The continued growth and transformation of the Riverfront Crossings district is exciting to see. A new park,
walking trails and future residential and commercial development will revitalize an underutilized area of Iowa
City. Unfortunately, Iowa City Fire Department has been a casualty of this redevelopment. In December, the
fire department was forced to vacate its training facility which was located on South Clinton St. adjacent to the
old north wastewater treatment plant. The old training facility had indoor classroom space, equipment storage
and enough outdoor space for any number of critical training exercises. The facility was also used by many
other groups including University of Iowa medical students and the State of Iowa Fire Safety Training Bureau.
Since vacating the training center, the fire department's training equipment is scattered among the city's four
fire stations and a small storage facility, which is located outside of city limits. Additionally, in order to take
advantage of the amenities that a fire training facility provides, the city will risk increased response times, and
decreased city coverage while paying overtime so that on duty ICFD crews can travel to a facility in an adjacent
city to train.
I think you will agree that a well trained, adequately staffed, professional fire department is essential for a
world-class city such as ours. We have known of the training facility's demise for years, but yet a new facility
has not been budgeted. I am writing to ask you to consider funding a new fire department training facility
sooner rather than later.
John Crane
Iowa City Association of Professional Firefighters
P �� 0 CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 4, 2015
To: City Clerk
From: Sarah Walz, Acting Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for February 23, 2015 City Council meeting; Installation of NO PARKING ANY
TIME signs on the north side of Eagle View Drive and Grace 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 (10); Install NO PARKING ANY TIME signs
on the north side of Eagle View Drive and Grace Drive.
Comment:
This action is being taken to prohibit on -street parking on the north side of these streets. On -
street parking congestion was limiting City service vehicle access on these roads. This action
was requested by the Public Works Department.
02-23-15
--ter - CITY OF IOWA CITY 3f(l
.W. -W '
Ow aaammMEM0RANDUM
Date: February 13, 2015
To: City Clerk
From: Darian Nagle-Gamm; Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for February 23, 2015 City Council meeting — Installation of (1) DISABLED
PARKING space in front of 1407 Broadway Street.
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council
of the following action:
Action:
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A (14); Install (1) DISABLED PARKING space in front of 1407
Broadway Street.
Comment:
This action is being taken to supply an on -street parking space for the resident who has a
permanent physical disability.
CITY OF IOWA CITY
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826
(3 19) 356-5000
(319) 356-5009 FAX
www.icgov.org
LATE HANDOUTS
Information submitted between distribution of packet on Thursday and close of business
on Friday.
Consent Calendar:
Setting Public Hearings
ITEM 3e(9) UNIVERCITY SALE, 429 RONALDS — See resolution
Correspondence
ITEM 3f(6): See additional correspondence
ITEM 3f(12): See revised memorandum
N.MA,r®���
CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 201h, 2015
REVISED
To: City Clerk
From: Darian Nagle-Gamm, Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for the February 23rd, 2015 City Council meeting; Installation of metered parking
spaces and establishment of parking meter terms for the following locations: (7) spaces
on the south side of the 200 block of East Court Street, (3) spaces on the south side of
the 300 block of East Court Street, (9) spaces on the east side of the 500 block of South
Linn Street, (5) spaces on the south side of the 300 block of East Harrison Street, and
(6) spaces on the south side of the 200 block of East Prentiss Street. Establish NO
PARKING 2 AM — 6 AM parking prohibition for metered parking at these locations.
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 (17, 10), Establish (7) metered parking spaces on the south side of
the 200 block of East Court Street: CO201 E, CO203E, CO205E, CO207E, CO209E, CO21 E,
CO213E; Establish (3) metered parking spaces on the south side of the 300 block of East Court
Street: CO301 E, CO303E, CO305E; Establish (9) metered parking spaces on east side of the
500 block of South Linn Street: L500S, L502S, L504S, L506S, L508S, L510S, L512S, L514S,
L516S; Establish (5) metered parking spaces on the south side of the 300 block of East
Harrison Street: H301 E, H303E, H305E, H307E, H309E; Establish (6) metered parking spaces
on the south side of the 200 block of East Prentiss Street: P201 E, P203E, P205E, P207E,
P209E, P211 E. These meters will each have a 2 -hour term at the rate of $0.75 per hour. Install
NO PARKING 2 AM — 6 AM signs at locations of new metered parking banks.
Comment:
This action is being taken at the request of the Transportation Services division to provide
additional short-term on -street metered parking in the Riverfront Crossings District.
02-23-1
CITY OF IOWA CITY 3f(12)
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 13th, 2015
To: City Clerk
From: Darian Nagle -Gam Traffic Engineering Planner
Re: Item for the February `d, 2015 City Council meeting; Installati of metered parking
spaces and establishmen of parking meter terms for the followi locations: (7) spaces
on the south side of the 2 block of East Court Street, (3) s ces on the south side of
the 300 block of East Court eet, (9) spaces on the east si of the 500 block of South
Linn Street, (5) spaces on the outh side of the 300 block f East Harrison Street, and
(6) spaces on the south side o he 200 block of East P entiss Street. Establish NO
PARKING 2 AM — 6 AM parking p hibition for metered rking at these locations.
As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B f the City Cod , this is to advise the City Council
of the following action.
Action:
Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A (17, 10), Establish (7) tered parking spaces on the south side of
the 200 block of East Court Street: CO201 E, C 03 CO205E, CO207E, CO209E, CO21 E,
CO213E; Establish (3) metered parking space on the outh side of the 300 block of East Court
Street: CO301 E, CO303E, CO305E; Establi (9) mete d parking spaces on east side of the
500 block of South Linn Street: L500S, L5 S, L504S, L 06S, L508S, L51 OS, L512S, L514S,
L516S; Establish (5) metered parking s aces on the so th side of the 300 block of East
Harrison Street: H501 E, H503E, H505 , H507E, H509E; Es blish (6) metered parking spaces
on the south side of the 200 block o East Prentiss Street: 201 E, P203E, P205E, P207E,
P209E, P211 E. These meters will e h have a 2 -hour term at th rate of $0.75 per hour. Install
NO PARKING 2 AM — 6 AM signs locations of new metered pa ing banks.
Comment:
This action is being taken jdt the request of the Transportation Se ces division to provide
additional short-term on-str et metered parking in the Riverfront CrossinO District.
I P
Iowa City and University ®moi Iowa City and University Heights
Heights Corporate residents only
Corporate residents only
CITY OF IOWA CITY
Transit Division Disabled Bus Pass Program
Authorization for Release of Information
I authorize my physician, _ , to release information
to the City of Iowa City regarding my disability which may qualify me to receive a bus pass entitling me to ride Iowa
City Transit for free during off-peak hours. I understand that the City of Iowa City will keep this information
confidential and that it will only be used to determine my eligibility for an Iowa City Transit disability pass.
Applicant's N
Phone Number
All questions must be answered to be considered com
FOR PHYSICIAN USE ONLY:
Please answer the following questions regarding your patient, named above, to enable the City to determine eligibility for a
Transit pass.
1. Disability is defined by law as a physical or mental condition of a person which constitutes a substantial handicap. A person
with a positive HIV test result is also deemed to be disabled. According to this definition, is your patient disabled?
Yes_ No
2. If you answered yes, is the disability permanent or temporary? Permanent Temporary If temporary,
what is the expected duration of the disability?
Physician's name Phone number
Physician's address _
Physician's signature Date
Office stamp here or attach business card:
If you have any questions regarding this form, please call 319.356-5151 option 2. Please mail or deliver form to Transportation
Services 335 E Iowa Avenue Iowa City, IA 52240.
Physician's statement must be filled out and professional verification attached to be considered a complete form.
�,tq
Be a liaison for your
creative community to
The ArtiFactory.
Support us and help in other ways.
Interested in helping with programs?
Teaching?
Contact us: gailery@artsiowacitY.org
or register online:
http://theartifactory.org/wp/get-involved/volunteer/
Arts Iowa City Board:
Dan Cummins
Patricia Knox
Pete Kollasch
Nick Lindsley
Chucho Loria
Susan McGuire
Jennifer Ott
Jan Palmer
Louise Rauh
Yasmine Rezai
Amy Weber
Beppie Weiss
Fiber
Ceramics
Wood
Performance
Culinary
Glass
Metal
Photography
and?
Painting
Be a liaison for your
creative community to
The ArtiFactory.
Support us and help in other ways.
Interested in helping with programs?
Teaching?
Contact us: gailery@artsiowacitY.org
or register online:
http://theartifactory.org/wp/get-involved/volunteer/
Arts Iowa City Board:
Dan Cummins
Patricia Knox
Pete Kollasch
Nick Lindsley
Chucho Loria
Susan McGuire
Jennifer Ott
Jan Palmer
Louise Rauh
Yasmine Rezai
Amy Weber
Beppie Weiss
tF�
I' vi rLILORY
M A K E S O M E T H I N G O F 1 T
A place for community.
Iowa City is at a critical point in development.
Together we can help shape the emerging Iowa
City into a major cultural center in the Midwest.
The ingredients are already here: creative people,
a university with a strong studio arts program, a
vibrant downtown, a thirst for artisanal activity,
and the opportunity for re -development in the
Riverfront Crossings District.
There is a need for a multi -disciplinary community
art center in Iowa City. A place where many people
can come together to share expertise, learn to any
level of mastery, share equipment, discover
like-minded people, have a glass of wine or a cup of
coffee, be exposed to, and collect art.
Our extensive research strongly
supports this belief.
The City Comprehensive Plan for 2030 identifies
the arts as a crucial and desirable component of
development. There are wonderful things happen-
ing in and around the downtown area.
The ArtiFactory will be a place to support and
enhance what is already happening, to offer what is
not available elsewhere, and can become a unifying
focal point for the arts in downtown Iowa City.
A Center for the Arts
The ArtiFactory is the vision of Arts Iowa City, a
registered 501(c)(3), and one of Iowa City's oldest
Become involved.
You tell us how. Aim high.
Share your dreams of
an ideal art center.