Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-05 CorrespondenceLollKellie Fruehling 3f(1) From: Devin Redmond <devinredmond@hotmail.com> Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 8:48 AM To: parksandrecreation; Council Subject: thank you Good morning, I hope this finds you well. I wanted to say thank you for providing the opportunity for neighborhood kids to attend the IC Parks and Recreation K-6 Summer Playground Drop -In Program. My family feels lucky that funding was secured for it to happen during the summer of 2017, and we do hope it can continue. My daughter very much enjoyed playing with her friends at North Market Square Park site. Thanks for your work. Devin Redmond (If this email should go to a more specific person at IC Rec, can you please forward it to them? Thanks!) 3f(2) Kellie Fruehling From: dennis kowalski <mayflyd@yahoo.com> Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2017 12:15 PM To: Council Subject: Artpark 1978 Attachments: kowalski002 (1)jpg; kowalski003 jpg; kowalski001 (3)jpg; kowalski005 jpg; kowalski006jpg; kowalski004 (1) jpg i � � � f �r t �' � � _ 1 .. �' 1 . �, 1•- .., j�� i. _, �- ,, . � �. 'n • �„' �, • � {. � �� � �. �i � ` 'L` ` X •a. � � 1`j't��. �%;.i� � ;arc ���i4. ;', .r A ,q %�Y�'..; ;'i' .t.. z r '� i 1 �� J 1 f IstrA R • 1iJ Ju I .. AI V_tft�� •` � ._ !- 3t..,r .. =I -'�iL� �.=A'� �• },� • r '"7..i ,�. v • IIw . is •,'. !{ 1 { 1 • Y _ 13� _•k ""fir t—:-,�4 ,i� f� i� ¢� ' 1 N m M= Kellie Fruehling From: dennis kowalski <mayflyd@yahoo.com> Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2017 3:11 PM To: Council Subject: public art and architecture Dear Council, You may wonder why I have sent you photos. The piece going up in Blackhawk Park is a welcome relief from the drivel of the usual public sculpture, however the smug pretentiousness of Iowa and Iowa City both in relation to the arts has always bothered me since moving here. The concepts behind the Blackhawk piece were prevalent especially during the seventies. Dealing with architecture as a social space, essentially non functional and with public participation and involvement. In the art world as such, these concepts have evolved and moved on. The current piece being up dated by an accessibility ramp. Perhaps, I should wait until completion for final judgement, but I think that I get the idea and intend to enjoy the participation rather than just a decorative object. By the way I like the bike rack across the street in spite of some local lefty protestations. I hook my bike up quite frequently and enjoy watching the kids invent different ways to use the rack. Bravo! The city is better than it was when I moved here fifteen years ago. Cheers, Dennis Kowalski Iowa City 09-05-17 Kellie Fruehling 3f(3) From: Carol deProsse <lonetreefox@mac.com> Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2017 7:29 AM To: Council Subject: Explosion of larch beetles in warming climate is transforming Minn. forests - StarTribune.com I hope you read Caroline Dieterle's and my column about trees. Here's a threat we did not know about at the time of writing. hhU •//www startribune com/as-climate-warms-an-exploding-larch-beetle-population-is-transforming- minnesota-s-forests/aa0o..n2g/ Explosion of larch beetles in Warming climate is transforming Minn. forests - StarTribune... Page 1 of 3 LOCAL As climate warms, an exploding larch beetle population is transforming Minnesota's forests ",1=p phim Msrcplly(Wp;//:xYwat bum.corn/jowphina- rcottyA0tiC M/)Star Tribune AUGUan]. 2017-3O3AY Eastern larch beetles, tiny burrowing bugs native to Minnesota, are exploding in number across the state's northern forest and have killed or damaged about a third of the state's tamarack tees —one of the first clear signs of a rapidly changing climate. With earlier springs and warmer winters, there's nothing to stop the bug's relentless march across Minnesota, leaving state foresters helpless in the face of an onslaught that seems destined to eradicate the graceful deciduous pine admired for its striking deep gold color in the fall. "It's a fantastic example of climate change in action," said Brian Aukema, a University of Minnesota professor who studies larch beetles and other forest insects. "chat insect is telling us that tamarack no longer belongs here." The tamarack assault is the first, but not likely the last, infestation driven by climatic changes that eventually could help convert Minnesota's boreal forest to hardwood, scrub and eventually savanna, forest scientists say. A second insect threat looming is the mountain pine bark beetle, which has managed to jump the Rockies from its native region west of the mountains thanks to warmer winters and is eating its way toward Minnesota via the jack pines in Canada. And the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect from Asia, is expected to accelerate its destruction of the ubiquitous shade trees in Minnesota and elsewhere across the North as average winter temperatures climb m the coming decades. "Mere are a lot of things that could come here if our winters warm up," said Lee Frelich, a professor of forest ecology at the U who studies the impact of climate change. But the larch beetle shows how a homegrown pest can quickly evolve into a major threat with a relatively minor shift in climate. Foresters in Minnesota and elsewhere in the pine forests around the Great lakes have long seen it as a benign lest that remained in balance with the natural systems around it. Wasps were an effective predator, and frigid winters kept its numbers in check Sometimes the bug would take out stands of mature larch trees, but the outbreak would quickly fi=le. But starting in 2001, foresters observing the vast tamarack bogs of northern Koochiching and Lake of the Woods counties in Minnesota noticed outbreaks that got started — and just kept going. Now, more than a quarter -million acres scattered across the state —an area as large as Anoka County — are filled with dead and dying tamarack trees. "We've never recorded an outbreak like this before," said Brian Schwingle, a forest health specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. "It's unprecedented." 'I was shocked' (hapljatmedla.etednbme.wWfnegeWms-15025&097833923 jpg) JOSEPHINE"APCO]TY. STAR TRIBUNE Troy Holcombe, a forester with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. looked for tamarack trees damaged by larch beetles. The � ]MeMR[ErnwlMa]WRba:R fu1�::1wA M,M 3rNi111] r.ak ems. RAYMOND GRUMNEY III Graphic: Infestation driven by climate change http://www.startribune.comlas-climate-warms-an-exploding-larch-beetle-population-is-tra... 8/14/2017 Explosion of larch beetles in warming climate is transforming Minn. forests - StarTribune... Page 2 of 3 In 7010 Aukema arrived at the U after years studying pine bark beetles in British Columbia as they destroyed a section of forest the size of Minnesota. He was asked by DNR foresters to take a look at larch beetles. "I was shocked by the mortality in Minnesota," he said. One of his graduate students, Fraser McKee, began spending a lot of time sloshing through tamarack bogs in northern Minnesota tracking the life cycle of the tiny beetles. Scientists thought they understood the entomology well. The adult beetles spend winter under the bark of a tamarack tree or beneath the snow at its base. In April they emerge and fly to new host trees, tunneling through their bark The females send a scent to attract males, and together they build galleries of tunnels and niches for eggs, girdling the time and destroying its circulatory system in the process. Then they do it again, and some do it a third time in a single summer. But the broods of offspring don't fly. They stay where they are and hunker down for the next winter. Those that survive the subzero temperatures emerge as reproducing adults the following spring. In short, they produce one generation per year. Or they used to. A few decades ago, that part of Minnesota saw winter temperatures plummet to 35 below eight or nine times a year. But since 2000, that's only happened twice, said Kenny Blumenfeld, a senior clunatologist with the Minnesota State Climate Office. Minnesota now has more frequent warm spells in winter and earlier springs, and average summer temperatures are increasing about one-tenth of a degree per decade, he said. Average winter temperatures are rising 10 times faster than that, he said, and even faster in the state's northern reaches. "It's the kind of change that's hard for natural systems to keep up with," Blumenfeld said. 'They can fly:' During the unusually hot, dry summer of 2012, McKee tracked beetles on about 150 trees in Lake of the Woods County and began to notice something unusual. Trees were under attack at a time when the beetles were not supposed to be flying. Not only that, but the beetles were the reddish brown color of young adults and carried a remarkable amount of fat for an insect that supposedly had survived a northern Minnesota winter. He brought some back to his lab and that fall started growing a second generation by replicating summer temperatures and light. One day he opened the glass container and the insects flew up toward the lab's fluorescent lights. It was, Aukema said, a eureka moment. It proved, he said, that "they reproduce without going through winter — and they can fly," he said. McKee theorizes that some of the bugs born early in the summer now get a temperature cue that flips a genetic switch and makes them into reproducing adults. In addition, more of them are surviving the warmer winters. -1- figuring �l(hnp✓/stmedmgarbibme.mm/images/]5025SZ/02_100: Aukema is now figuring out just exactly what those temperature points MARC ROBERTS, u S. FOREST SERVICE are, but the mystery of Minnesota's larch beetles has largely been solved. A 2007 aerial view of widespread damage in tamaracks from an outbreak of larch beetle near "They grow at an exponential rate," said Jessica Hartshorn, a forest Big Falls in northern Minnesota. The bugs, http://www.startribune.com/as-climate-warms-an-exploding-larch-beetle-population-is-tra... 8/14/2017 Explosion of larch beetles in warming climate is transforming Minn. forests - StarTribune... Page 3 of 3 health specialist with the DNR. A stronger commercial market for tamarack wood would help the tree survive, foresters said. Stands at risk of an infestation could be logged, stopping the beetle's spread while encouraging new growth. Tamarack was once a precious commodity; the mature trees had perfectly straight trunks that, in the mid- to late 1800s, were ideal for the growing country's railroad ties and telephone poles. Now their progeny are mature, covering 7 percent of the state's 15.7 million acres of timberland. But less than 50,000 cords are sold each year in Minnesota, compared to 1.5 million cords of aspen. Harder to harvest 'We are dealing with more acres than the market can absorb;' said Kristen Bergstrand, DNR's forest marketing coordinator. The primary reason, she said, is that tamaracks have to be harvested in winter because they grow in soggy bogs and peatlands that are impossible for loggers to navigate in the summer. And even winter access is getting more difficult as winters warn and ground beneath the snow is less likely to be frozen solid, she said. Similar larch beetle infestations have attacked Canada and the southern edge of the boreal forest around the Great Lakes. Foresters said they don't know what will happen in the tamarack bogs once the trees disappear. The water table could rise because the trees are no longer there to soak it up, and shrubs will likely move in to replace them 'Tor me that's the unanswered abyss,' said Hartshom.'Tut it seems like the bellwether for what were headed into." losephine.marcotty@startribune.com 612-673-7394 marwtty The eastern larch beetle 15.7M Acres of timberland in Minnesota MIA Acres of tamarack in Minnesota 283K Acres damaged or killed by the beetles http://www.startribune.comlas-climate-warms-an-exploding-larch-beetle-population-is-tra... 8/14/2017 From: MARY 1 BRAVERMAN <jbraverman4734@msn.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2017 12:21 PM To: Council Subject: Dogs in the Ped Mall downtown Dear Council Members, My name is Joey Braverman and I am a resident of Iowa City. As such, I frequent the downtown area. I have noticed a number of dog owners using the raised gardens as areas to allow their dogs to go to the bathroom. It is not only unsightly, but is hard on the gardens and is unsanitary. Would it be possible for the city to deter these pet owners by placing signs in the gardens themselves? I know there is a designated area some where but from what I've observed, it's not being used. Thank you for taking the time to read my email. Sincerely, Joey Braverman Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S9 6. F-09-05-17 3f(5) Kellie Fruehling From: Mark Rummel Sent: Monday, August 21, 2017 2:19 PM To: judypfohl@gmail.com' Cc: Council; Marcia Bollinger; Geoff Fruin Subject: RE: Iowa City bus schedule errors Hello Ms. Pfohl, Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience at the previous Abbey Lane bus stop. Upon review of the situation, the stop was relocated to Mormon Trek Blvd and Abbey Ln however the paper schedule and website were not adjusted accordingly. I changed the website schedule to highlight this stop is no longer serviced and we are printing new paper schedules this week. Thank you for bringing this to our attention and if you have any further questions or comments regarding this matter please feel free to discuss it with me. Sincerely, Mark Rummel Transportation Services Acting Director City of Iowa City Mark -rum mel@iowa-citv.org 319.356.5097 From: Judith Kohl [mailto:iudvpfohl@gmail.coml Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2017 11:51 AM To: Council <Council@iowa-citv.org> Cc: Marcia Bollinger <Marcia-Bollinger@iowa-city.org>; Editor Press -Citizen Editor <opinion@press-citizen.com>; Editor Daily -Iowan <daily-iowan(@uiowa.edu> Subject: Iowa City bus schedule errors We are starting a new school year with many new people in town including some who want to ride the buses. A new neighbor waited at the corner of Abbey and Cae for a bus that has not turned onto Abbey for many YEARS. I have pointed this problem out before to various departments. Please correct or delete the information attached found at: hUs://www.icgov.org/busSchedules then choose the PlaenView route httn://www8.iowa-city.org/weblink/0/doc/1481934/Electronic.aspx Note that Abbey and Cae is still listed as a stop. Judy Kohl Ty'n Cae Neighborhood President 2229 Abbey Ln 319-351-1684 09-05-17 3f(6) Kellie Fruehling From: Martha Kirby <mcs.kirby@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2017 12:04 PM To: Council Cc: Bob Kirby Subject: Forest View Development and Water Issues Attachments: July 12, 2014.jpg; June 30, 2014jpg; culvert.jpg; Water flow to 400 Foster Rd.pdf; 1.19.16.3.jpg; 1.19.16jpg Good Morning, My husband and I attended the council meeting last Tuesday and spoke briefly in favor of the amendment to the comprehensive plan. We were not able to stay until the Council vote, but did watch the conclusion of the agenda item on TV and were pleased both with the outcome of the vote and the thoughtful comments made by council members. In particular, Rockne Cole's comments on the importance of ongoing discussion regarding water runoff mitigation in the area resonated with us. Mr. Cole invited the public to engage in continued conversation about this issue with the Council and given that nearly 60 acres in the area drains our property at 400 Foster Rd, Bob and I look forward to participating in these discussions and hope to be included in meetings with the City and the developers on the issue. With respect to current City guidelines for storm water runoff and retention, we strongly encourage the Council and city staff to consider using this unique development as an opportunity to review and possibly update current policies. If I understand correctly, the Forest View development team is interested in incorporating current best practices in storm water runoff, which include retention on site. Bob and I experience the consequences of the City's current storm water policies with each heavy rain event. When the large apartment and condo buildings were built in Mackinaw Village, they drained all run-off from roofs and parking areas to a ravine which then drains directly and unimpeded onto our property, flooding our valley. As a result, there are now times that we are unable to use or maintain the north end of our property because of the marsh -like conditions. We did communicate our concerns to a city staff member, the mayor, and our district representative in the email below, but Marcia Bollinger was the only member of city government to respond --she checked in to see if we received any response. Additionally, we have not been contacted by the City staff to participate in any of the most recent discussions about possible solutions to the continued flooding in the area, though we anticipate any plans will impact our property. I've been a resident of Iowa City most of my life and have often lamented that we are a community whose rhetoric is not typically matched by meaningful action. Bob and I are impressed with the efforts of the development team, the Cole family, and our neighbors in Forest View for their innovative and thoughtful approach to this project. Ed Cole and HBK Engineering have been transparent and proactive in their communication with us throughout the process. We would appreciate that same level of interaction with the City of Iowa City as this project progresses. Sincerely, Martha and Bob Kirby Forwarded message From: Martha Kirby <mcs.kirby@gmail.com> Date: Tue, Jan 19, 2016 at 11:44 AM Subject: Water Flow from Foster Rd to Idyllwild To: jason-reichart@iowacity.org Cc: john-thomas@iowa-city.org, jim-lhrogmorton@iowa-city.org, marcia-bollinger@iowacity.org, Bob Kirby <bob-kirby@uiowa.edu> Jason, My name is Martha Kirby and we met last spring regarding the Idyllwild Stormwater Drainage Diversion Study—my husband and I live at 400 Foster Rd on a chunk of land that drains a great deal of the land to the north and west of us. I've attached a couple of pictures we shared with you last spring of the flooding occurring on our property during heavy rain events. We woke this morning to find that our land had had a large flow of water through it overnight—see attached pictures. You may or may not have already heard from Idyllwild—there is now frozen water surrounding at least one of their buildings. I made a few calls to City departments and understand that there was a blown fire hydrant somewhere between 580-602 Foster Rd that was the cause of the flooding. Two things occur to me: This may be a good time for the engineers to clearly see the way in which the water flows from the developments uphill from us, down through our valley, and into Idyllwild. The flow patterns through our property are clearly visible this morning and the ground is frozen, making the entire valley accessible—our valley is now typically a marsh from spring through fall. Though I did not have time this morning to walk to the northwest edge of our property, I expect that the majority of the water that caused the flooding last night was channeled through the culvert that opens unobstructed onto our property at the point I've indicated on the assessor's map attached. If one follows the path westward, the entire apartment complex on Algonquin (and others in the area) appears to be drained directly to a short ravine, through the culvert, onto our property, and into Idyllwild. I don't know what the City plans with regards to next steps in your stormwater diversion study, but it is clear that the development to the west of us has resulted in significant and unimpeded additional stormwater flow through our property and in to the Idyllwild stormwater retention ponds. I've copied my district's council representative John Thomas, Mayor Thorgmorton, and Marcia Bollinger on this email. I encourage the City to take a careful look at the amount of developed land now draining unimpeded into our valley at 400 Foster Rd and how this impacts the Idyllwild Stormwater Drainage Study. Bob and 1 welcome the opportunity to work with the City to find solutions to this issue, particularly as more development is planned to the north of us. Sincerely, Bob and Martha Kirby 400 Foster Rd 541-5997 W .1 4. p ,} 40 Page 1 of 1 „[.D WA ed htip://maps.camavisioncom/map/iowacityia?BBOX=10191395.673727,5113071.587186,... 1/19/2016 wfe. d.. -r-. V6 -kv ra u; ,'f t .,, 4-o veil -,4- .a , CrN Louts Place cc,.L °cin d-v.. ,js ac rd� F1 kr-e- be4� S -boa fv s l e. �c1 25+- n L 5 k�- iood j-' `jv O led ver//� e U IJ, htip://maps.camavisioncom/map/iowacityia?BBOX=10191395.673727,5113071.587186,... 1/19/2016 IN h-. I I m; wk 4- L't, J ►. s Cyy { �,10� • :1 1� I 09-05-17 3f(7) Kellie Fruehling Lm From: Prochnow, Jordan <jordan-prochnow@uiowa.edu> Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2017 1:17 PM To: Council Subject: Daily Iowan article Good afternoon, My name is Jordan Prochnow, and I am a metro news reporter for The Daily Iowan. I am currently working on an article about author David Daley and his reading this Wednesday at Prairie Lights. His recent novel details the REDMAP program and how several Republican operatives have attempted to implement this program to redistrict voting during elections, and I was hoping to speak with someone from the city council about their thoughts on both the REDMAP program and Mr. Daley's novel. I would love to meet in person or speak on the phone sometime in the next few days, please let me know what works best! Thank you in advance for your time! Best, Jordan Prochnow 09-05-17 3f(8) Kellie Fruehling From: Geoff Fruin Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2017 9:10 AM To: 'Amber Jackson-Elwer'; Council Subject: RE: URGENT! Lemme Crossing Guard! Attachments: ALR Memo 7.17 signed.pdf Amber I appreciate you reaching out to express concern and frustration about our decision to relocate a crossing guard from the Washington / Dartmouth intersection. Over the last many years, the City has struggled to maintain staffing for our crossing guard program. As a result, our Police Officers and Community Service Officers have had to backfill locations at an increasing rate. This has diminished our ability to provide the more traditional police services that the City is responsible for throughout the entire community. With the opening of the new Hoover (Longfellow) school on American Legion Road, we assessed our current crossing guard locations and the needs throughout the community. Ultimately we determined it was appropriate to shift a crossing guard to a new location. The Washington/Dartmouth location was selected for a number of reasons, including intersection design, traffic speeds and proximity to the school (in case the District wanted to provide crossing assistance). This decision was communicated formally to the ICCSD in July though the attached memo (see last four paragraphs on second page). We did not receive any feedback from the District on this change. As the new school year begins we will continue to monitor all crossing locations. As we have done in the past, we will always be mindful of opportunities to shift locations to best utilize the resources that we can deploy toward the program. I am happy to talk further if you have questions or want additional clarification. I understand this is a frustrating situation for you and other parents and neighbors. Please know we are doing what we canto provide crossing assistance at the most critical locations throughout the community. Sincerely, Geoff Fruin City Manager I City of Iowa City P: 319.356.5013 Web I Facebook (Twitter From: Amber Jackson-Elwer[mailto:ajacksonelwer@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2017 9:21 PM To: Council Subject: URGENT! Lemme Crossing Guard! It has come to my attention that the city has eliminated the crossing guard stationed right out front of Lemme Elementary School. This is a terrible decision! Probably 100 kids cross the street at this location every day - and the traffic at drop off and pick-up is very busy and unpredictable! PLEASE restore this crossing guard immediately before one of our children gets HURT OR WORSE! -Amber Jackson-Elwer 319-499-8026 3022 Stanford Avenue Iowa City, IA 52245 July 17, 2017 Superintendent Steve Murley Iowa City Community School District 1725 N. Dodge Street Iowa City, IA 52245 Dear Steve: CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City. Iowa 52240-1926 (3 19) 356-5000 (3 19) 356-5009 FAX W W W.Icgov.org Per your request, I am sending this letter to provide some background on the City's plans to improve American Legion Road and modify traffic speeds to provide a safer environment for those attending and visiting the new Hoover Elementary School. The City continues to appreciate the collaborative planning efforts from your office. Additionally, we have greatly appreciated the efforts of Assistant Superintendent Amy Kortemeyer and Longfellow Principal Chris P)sarik to facilitate discussions and disseminate information to the Longfellow community. American Legion Road Improvements In mid -2013, the ICCSD purchased property for two new elementary school sites in Iowa City. The District and City worked together to Identify the parcels that we both felt served the community best. Prior to the land being acquired, the City did not have any intention to move forward with utility and roadway Improvements to Sycamore Street or American Legion Road. However, after the District acquired the property we agreed to move forward with changes to our Capital Improvement Plan that would facilitate such upgrades in an expeditious manner. The most pressing need for improvements was on Sycamore Street, both because of the targeted opening date of that school and because of the lack of utillties and road condition. In addition to lacking access to critical utilities, Sycamore was a chip seal roadway that could not accommodate the traffic that would be generated by an elementary school. The City immediately pursued design work, executed a 28E agreement with the District, and began construction In early 2015 — lass than two years after the property was acquired. This timeframe was extremely aggressive for any project of this nature, especially considering it was not in our plan just two years prior to completion. The total project cost for this improvement was $3,104,513 with the District contributing $395,698 for improvements directly related to the school site. The following year In 2016, the City completed a comprehensive landscaping project to further enhance the Sycamore Street corridor. The American Legion Road situation is much different than Sycamore Street. American Legion Road Is structurally able to carry significant traffic loads. While it is a rural section of roadway, it is constructed with concrete and asphalt overlay. The section of roadway that needs to be improved is also significantly larger and requires reconstruction of a major intersection (Scott / American Legion) and consideration of a grade separated crossing (pedestrian underpass) near the school itself. The scope of this project is significantly different than the Sycamore Street project and the current estimated cost is approaching $9,000,000. The complexities of the American Legion Road project have also required multi-year design efforts and securing of outside funding. At the same time we began construction on Sycamore (spring 2015), the City was successful in attracting $2.24 million from the federal government through the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the American Legion Road Project The School District Is a non-voting member of the MPO and was present for those discussions. Those funds were specifically awarded for the year 2020. Earlier this year the MPO awarded an additional $1.36 million in federal funds for this project Since that initial federal funding award in early 2015, the City's plan has been to complete design work In 2019 and construct the Improvements beginning In 2020. While we Will complete the design work in 2019, it is important to emphasize that planning for this Improvement started just months July 17, 2017 Page 2 after the District acquired the property, when the City first hired Foth Engineering & Environment in 2014 to complete preliminary design concepts. Since that time we have advanced our work and have now completed the functional design phase (approximately 30% of the final design). Again, the multi-year design effort Illustrates the high level of complexities with a project of this size and Impact compared to other roadway Improvements such as Sycamore Street. Planning for 2017 Hoover Elementary School Opening As originally planned, the City is preparing to lower the overall speed limit on American Legion Road from 45mph to 35mph from east of Taft Avenue to Scott Boulevard. In addition, we will add the same school speed zone restriction that is used throughout the community to slow traffic to 20mph during school hours. New digital signage with radar speed displays will also call attention to vehicular speeds and be very visible to motorists. Our Police Department will have an active presence on American Legion Road for at least a couple of weeks after school starts, perhaps longer based on their traffic observations. As we have communicated in past years, we are not able to expand our crossing guard program. We currently struggle to maintain our existing program due to high staff turnover and absence rates for these positions. Each year we spend considerable resources to cover crossing guard absences with Community Service Officers and Patrol Officers. This coverage takes away from other critical services being performed by these staff members. We simply do not have the ability to expand the program without a significant increased Impact on our traditional policing services. However, the City Is amenable to shifting an existing crossing guard to the new Hoover Elementary School site. Upon preliminary evaluation of our current guard locations, we feel that the likely best candidate to move would be from the comer of Dartmouttmashington - adjacent to Lemme Elementary School. Of the existing crossing guard locations, this is the only location that is fully stop controlled with an 'all -way' stop. The remaining locations either have no traffic control at all, or are at arterial street intersections controlled by a traffic signal that have higher traffic volumes and speeds. Both Washington and Dartmouth have reasonably good sight distance for motorists and pedestrians. Also, in the event that the District would like to backfill the crossing guard, the Intersection is directly adjacent to the school (which is not the case with most crossing guard locations). As always, we would welcome your insight and input on this issue. Long-term, the City is also willing to transfer the crossing guard program to the District and assist with the financial costs of such program during the transition period. If you have ideas on how we could collaborate to better use our collective resources to provide enhanced pedestrian routes to schools, we are open to those discussions as well. Again, I would like to thank you and your team for the positive engagement and collaborative approach to siting schools in our community and further planning for the necessary infrastructure upgrades. We look forward to a successful opening of the new Hoover Elementary School and pledge to continue to work with you on both short-term and long-term improvements that are needed around the school site. Sincerely, Geoff Fruin City Manager 09-05-17 3f(9) Kellie Fruehling From: jatkins400@aol.com Sent: Monday, August 28, 2017 6:35 PM To: Council Subject: Deer population Dear Council members, I would like to share my concerns with you regarding the increased deer population as of late. I live on the east side and have witnessed over the years the rise and fall of the deer numbers. Many years ago our numbers were high enough to consider a humane removal of many deer and a subsequent second harvesting of their population as well. This year has been ridiculous with not only individual Mother's with their twins but roaming of very large herds during the day. Two separate neighbors counted 12 and 17 deer respectively in their yards. While I know there is some concern about what we plant, i.e. flowers, hostas, etc. they are also found to eat your foundation plantings and trees. I am also sure there are accident reports which add to the property damage as well. I implore you to consider, after over 15 years, that this problem again exists. I also hope you will consider the end result that harvesting these animals could result in additional meat being donated to an ever burdened Food Bank. Two birds, one stone! Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely Judy Atkins Sent from my U.S.Cellular® Smartphone Kellie Fruehling From: Rebecca Bergus <rbergus@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2017 1:40 PM To: Council Subject: Deer I live south of Court Street and east of 7th Ave. We are not very near to Hickory Hill Park. However, I have seen deer in our yard and on our street on multiple occasions this summer. Since deer are traveling so far from the parks, I assume that the population of deer must be very large. This is not a good thing for the deer or my outdoor plants. I have lived in this house for nearly 30 years. Until last year I had seen only only. Is the city planning to reduce this population? I think it is time. Rebecca Bergus 418 Wales St. Iowa City, IA 52245 September 5, 2017 TO: Iowa City Council Members FROM: Tony J. Wobeter et al Late Handouts Distributed q 511-7 (Date) RE: A Petition about the Northeast Iowa City Neighborhood Deer Problem Dear Council Members, 43F'(9) I represent many Iowa City Northeast home owners who are concerned about the problems of an overpopulation of deer in the Northeast side of Iowa City. Together we present our signed Petition for your timely consideration and action of addressing the hazards and problematic issues of an overpopulation of deer. We, who signed this Petition, implore you to appropriately consider the fact that it has been over 14 years since the last humane deer removal program. After a serious review of the problems that this Petition lists, first agree there is an overpopulation problem and secondly consider the need for the Iowa City Council to take appropriate action to address this problem. We thank you for your consideration. Sincerely yours, W0 Tony leter Date: July 2017 TO: The Iowa City Counsel FROM: Iowa City Citizens from Bluffwood Neighborhood (Northeast Iowa City) Attn: Animal Complaint - A Neighborhood Deer Problem Since the last "Deer Remove" program which was about 14 years ago there has been a significant increase of in the Deer density has increased significantly with daily encounters of deer in the neighborhood. The deer are remarkable, graceful, and interesting animals. However, they are causing a hazard and are more than a nuisance for Iowa City Citizens and visitors to the North East side of Iowa City. Problems reported: * Daily sighting of deer running through the neighborhood and yards * The sighting of seven Bucks at one time in the neighborhood * Two sighting of Seventeen Deer in two different neighbor yards * Vehicle - Deer near collisions while driving down the 1s� Ave and Bluffwood Circle streets. * Inability of Citizens to plant and harvest garden products without building a twelve foot fence. * Inability of Citizens to beautify their yards by plants of flowers in their yards without the plants being eating . , P. * Problem of Devastation of certain shrubs * Dissemination of Flower beds in spite of various applications of: potions of Deer off, sprays, and granular repellants We request another "Deer Removal program" for The Northeast Neighborhood and Bluffwood Circle. Thank you for your consideration of our request for taking action to substantially reduce the population of deer. Signature: * flit. Vln u�.Dr►� s Address c� 6 d -S of a tnv�loar� e; "`xl' Z (p O Q U (u`�u.9 eocP C2, ez L '5-f rr '' a100,6 zkL"" �LQM6 (:� ; C'cle Signature: Address: * * CcxcLyo -be6raev-e, PUo`i ►WL4P- Wciod C1r * Krls+n -De(Arix Q -J2 260q 13(uS�Wooc'C"r Sal �7 i-1 ? SS e i31v�F�a CT¢ *�o�s � * / UIL' W000R A54 E lip * 25i�1 S -W A -4 -ti X10 � we nn crb5 Signature: * .4.7.. zz..4 z-.- Address: -70 R31 7r�.QrucL rfa,'l 1 008' ro 1 2 i '�-w AC LL 30/J� gid %5 Signature: 7- Address: 3f�q� Kellie Fruehling From: Liz Ford Sent: Friday, September 01, 2017 1:16 PM le Handouts Distributed To: rbergus@gmail.com'; Geoff Fruin; Simon Andrew; Ashley Monroe Cc: Council Subject: urban deer in Iowa City (Date) Dear Ms. Bergus, I was forwarded an inquiry regarding the urban deer population and I am responding with what I know. This time of year complaints about urban deer go up. The deer are moving around more, getting ready for fall and winter, and are usually eating people's plants or veggie gardens. There is a good article about deterring deer published in This Old House, I've included the link to it below. When deer become a nuisance, this article offers some good suggestions: https://www.thisold house.com/idea s/20 -ways -to -keep -dee r -o ut-your-yard My department's concern is public safety, so we are looking at the number of vehicle accidents caused by deer, each year, to see if there is a trend one way or another. Few accidents occur in the neighborhoods (perhaps because people are driving slower in residential neighborhoods) and more happen near the interstate (where people are driving faster and have less time to slow down). I speak to the folks at the DNR pretty regularly about wildlife issues. They also hear directly from citizens and keep track of problems and issues that would affect public safety. At this time they maintain that the overall deer population in the Iowa City area is not growing as much as it is moving and they all seem to be in the areas near Hickory Hill park. An official count has not been possible in recent years due to the lack of snow in the winter. If we determine that a public safety concern is present, the City would consider a population reduction program with approval and guidance from the DNR. I hope this answers your questions. Please let me know if you have other animal concerns or if there is anything else I can help you with. Best Regards, Liz Liz Ford Animal Services Supervisor Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center 3910 Napoleon Lane, Iowa City, IA 52240 Office: 319/356-5295 Online: www.icanimalcenter.ore AUG 29,2017 TO: the following,All menbers of the Iowa City,City Council persons Especially YOU. In response to the words of UI Ass.vice President for Public Safety Scott Becker, What a "CROCK" In his effort to be "politically correct ,he mike toasted his words so as not to hurt the people really responsible for the crimes that occurred. The Government effort to build a "SLUM" in Iowa City and elsewhere. Nothing but Felony's, Convicts of all type's mostly out of the Big cities like "Chicago, L.A. Some of who I met on "Skid -Row" while working to pay my child support in Iowa. None of these people "Black's I am referring to that have NO working skills other than sweeping and mopping and cleaning toilets. Just like "WE" were doing before the 1960's riot's which 1 was part of. But with the doors opening for opportunity to do "Better 1 became a Construction worker and then a "UNION CARPENTER" And after Trade School In California Local # 409 1 made it to Fo rema n," BOSS" many many obstacles place in my way that made it harder than if I was white. But back to the shootings in Iowa City. These "Black'S that are doing it have a long -long history a killing each other. Like the (5) year old that ask as me for a "BARBIE DOLL" and "GUN" while we were homeless.and now there all here in Iowa City continuing the life style that there use to. If I were Mayor or the Chief of Police I would "Close the Shelter at 429 -South - Gate ave In Iowa City Refuse any more Low Income except for IOWAN'S let the other states do the same give the Police Stronger laws to protect the public and THEM SELVES. Being nice to these people will not work, just look at the Big Cities. Send them back where thay came from. I use to feel safe in Iowa City now I don't. You can afford to live here "GO -HOME.. (213 -840 -2960 -cell) BOKASSA,Union Trade School Carpenter P.O. Box 1905,lowa City,lowa.52244 09 -0s -t 7 3410) .n p"1 N st D CD UJ {. ONCJ V e r - N 09 -0s -t 7 3410)