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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-17 CorrespondenceFrom: Conley, Madison <madison-conley@uiowa.edu> Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2017 7:10 PM To: Council Subject: Single -use Plastic Bag Issue City Council, My name is Madison Conley, and I am working on a project for my Introduction to Sustainability course. My group has decided to choose single -use plastic bags as a sustainability issue going on Iowa City. We would like to hear your thoughts on the matter. If you could fill out this survey that we have created that would be greatly appreciated. Questionnaire How important is this issue to you in relation to other problems in Iowa City and why? How willing are you to promote a change? What do you think will come of plastic bag usage in the future? From: Mark McCallum <BurfordHouse@outlook.com> Sent: Monday, October 02, 2017 9:03 AM To: Council Cc: Mark McCallum Subject: Fw: Parking Improvement District Attachments: Parking Improvement District fol.doc From: Mark McCallum <BurfordHouse@outlook.com> Sent: Monday, October 2, 2017 8:34 AM To: Mark McCallum Subject: Parking Improvement District College Green Parking Improvement District Proposal For your consideration at Council Work Session Mark McCallum 113 South Johnson Street Cell 1-319-430-1461 Parking Improvement District for College Green Park An innovative proposal to manage the local parking inventory, generate revenue, reduce carbon footprint and finance community improvements. Typical parking conditions in The College Green Park. 1. In 600 block of College and Washington Street where parking is allowed on both sides of the street there is little turnover on the street. Parking enforcement rule of moving your car every 24 hours is not enforced. Little or no parking is available for park users during the day or evening hours. The streets function basically as a parking storage lot for students. 2. In 100 block of Johnson Street where odd/even is enforced. Parking is generally available at between 5-7p.m in the evening. By 10 p.m. parking is full on the side parking is allowed for the next day. Any remaining spaces are taken up by commuters by 8 a.m. for the entire day. Little or no parking is available park use during the day. Some park use parking is available after S p.m. because parking is allowed on both sides of the street. 3. There is currently no designated "Handicapped "accessible parking located near the park. 4. During Peak usage time during the year. (First 2 weeks of classes, football weekends, farmers market, other downtown events) both sides of the 100 block of Johnson Street is occupied even though there is a fine for being on the wrong side of the street. A new parking paradigm has emerged that emphasizes management and market solutions to address local parking problems. What are some of these management solutions? Establishing a Parking Improvement District, with metered parking along the curbside of the park with Permit only parking for residents of the area along the residential curbsides of the park. Metered parking along the park will allow park users and persons with disabilities better access to the park. Permit only for resident parking along the residential curbs will allow better access for residents of the neighborhood. Regulating time intervals and pricing curb spaces at a level that discourages meter feeding and all day parking. What is a Parking Improvement District? Parking improvement districts are a tool that help a community manage the metered parking inventory. And, generate revenues to support local improvement programs and services. Revenues generated by the district could be used for capitol improvements to the park or programs to encourage alternative forms of transportation such bikes or our bus transit system. How does a Parking Improvement District manage parking? Parking experts recommend that charging the "right price " will lead to an 85% occupancy rate. The "right price "should be high enough to lead to a shift I meter usage, transportation modes and destinations. An initial meter rate for the College Green parking district should mirror image the rates at the Chauncey Swan parking ramp one block away. Rate increases should be considered when occupancy in the district exceeds 85%. This will assure that at any given time a certain number of spaces remain open. Pricing for a residential parking permit should at least cover the staff cost for operating the program. After that, they should be offered at a lower price than what it would cost per month in a city ramp or private parking lot. Market values for parking spaces in this neighborhood range from $50-$90.00 per month. A suggested starting point might be $30.00 per month? Are there any Parking Improvement Districts in existence? Yes, Parking Improvement Districts are utilized in several cites throughout the country including San Diego California, Pasadena California, Portland Oregon and Austin Texas. Communities have used meter revenues to support: Parking facilities and improvements Improved access and circulation Pedestrian mobility and safety Marketing materials promoting alternative modes of transportation Sanitation services Beautification programs Carbon Footprint reduction goals Conclusion Parking improvement districts can help neighborhoods address parking issues. Parking improvement districts can help generate new revenue for the City and local neighborhoods. Parking improvement districts can create an equitable source of revenue for community improvements. Parking improvement districts can help a city encourage alternative forms of transportation. The College Green Parking Improvement District could be a model for other potential districts on the north side. From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: To: The Iowa City Council rdorzweiler@juno.com Wednesday, October 04, 2017 9:19 PM Council Marcia Bollinger Re: Follow up to Meet and Greet The Neighborhood Council members would like than Mayor Throgmorton and Councilor Thomas for participating in the second annual City Council Meet and Greet held last week at City Park. I believe all of us feel that it is a great opportunity for neighborhood representatives to learn a bit about how councilors feel about certain topics and also a chance for neighborhoods to share their interests and concerns. Talking through various topics (including the items listed below) allows us the opportunity to share our interests and concerns with council members and allows us to learn a bit more about each council person. We also want to thank Marcia Bollinger for making all the arraignments for a beautiful night in City Park. The main topics discussed were the following: Neighborhood Open Space Needs - a member who lives near downtown feels that as the population downtown gets more dense, more open space and parks were promised and are needed. Trail Development and merging the trail master plan with the parks master plan. One area of focus is Hickory Hill Park where trails are soon to be worked on. We hope they can include a very limited hard surface trail to encourage bikeability for those avoiding the Rochester/Ist Ave hills and some limited trail for wheelchairs. Public Safety needs - the idea that times seem to becoming more dangerous and expanding our police force before we see Iowa City become a more dangerous place to live. Jim did point out that we have "overstaffed?" two officers when several excellent candidates turned up in the hiring pool that helped the city meet minority goals. Tax increment Financing - discussion of the most recent TIF approved and the rationale. Taft Speedway safety concerns - again an area trying to merge goals of bikers, walkers, and cars. Staff were requested to meet with neighbors to see what options are available to limit cars on Taft. Proposed changes to housing/rental permits - the city is looking at ways to keep neighborhoods from getting over -crowded so both renters and house owners can respect each other. The state has recently limited what options are available. Noise/barking dog enforcement - why does the noise ordinance require more then one household to complain about barking dogs? Does the ordinance need to be updated? Again, thank you for taking the time to attend the Meet and Greet. Whenever I attend such a forum I have my main issue in mind. Then I am reminded how many issues the council must juggle. Thank you for your service and for listening to the Neighborhood Council. Dick Dorzweiler, Bluffwood Neighborhood For the Iowa City Neighborhood Council 26 Stunning Photos of Abandoned Castles Around the World travelfacts. info From: Feather Lacy (Personal) <flacy@pobox.com> Sent: Monday, October 09, 2017 11:08 AM To: Jim Throgmorton; John Thomas; Kingsley Botchway; Council; Pauline Taylor; Rockne Cole; Susan Mims; Terry Dickens; Geoff Fruin; 'Mazahir Salih'; 'Ryan Hall' Cc: flacy@pobox.com Subject: Please Ban Wood Burning or Why Your Neighbors Smoke is Killing You Attachments: Iowa-City-Burn-Ordinance-2017-10-06.doc "As a society, we made a choice that people must not be exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke against their will. Given what we now know, it is time to extend this attitude to wood smoke." — Doctors and Scientists Against Wood Smoke Pollution https://woodsmokepollution.orp/ I meant to present this information while the City Council was debating banning tobacco smoke and electronic cigarettes in the city parks. The smoke that we Iowa Citizens are forced to breath from late spring until early fall from wood fires is much more constant and toxic than the little tobacco smoke that we might be exposed to while visiting our parks. I strongly urge you to ban wood fires in Iowa City. Why did you ban leaf burning some years ago? Why now are you concerned about tobacco smoke? Whatever the health reasons — wood fires are worse. Given the small size of many lots in Iowa City and the close proximity to neighbors there is the constant smell of smoke in our neighborhoods. Many afternoons and evenings this summer my family and I were unable to enjoy the outdoors in our own back yard or even open our windows for the cool night air because of the toxic wood smoke in the air. In addition, many people who have wood files apparently have never even read the burn ordinance and are in violation. (The Iowa City burn ordinance is attached for reference.) They leave their fires burning overnight, leave them unattended, burn too close to structures and/or combustible material and burn tree trimmings and yard waste. The current ordinance is neighbor against neighbor ordinance. (Do you really want to phone the police when your neighbor's fire violates the city ordinance?) Many articles have been published about the toxic health effects of wood smoke. I have included a few excerpts below with these titles: Why Your Neighbors Smoke is Killing You Wood Smoke vs. Cigarette Smoke Wood Smoke and Your Health Study: Wildfires release toxic brew of pollution That Cozy Fire Could Be Hazardous to Your Health Iowa Ban Wood Smoke City Bons Wood -burning Fireplaces in New Homes Movement to Ban Fireplaces Sweeping Across America Wood Smoke and Your Health — Environmental Protection Agency Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment Doctors and Scientists Against Wood Smoke Pollution Thanks for your time, Feather Lacy flacv@pobox.com P.S. October 7, 2017 the smoke from the neighbors' chimneys has started. 1. http://www.familiesforcleanair.ora/why-your-neighbors-wood-is-killing-vou/ Why Your Neighbors Smoke is Killing You "In many locations, wood burning is the largest contributor to wintertime particulate pollution (PM2.5). An important new study from scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health demonstrates just how harmful this pollution is to human health... The results both confirm and extend previous research that shows a strong relationship between particulate pollution, adverse health effects, and increased mortality..." 2. - http://www.familiesforcleanair.org/health/health4/ Wood Smoke vs. Cigarette Smoke "People who would never dream of smoking a cigarette choose to burn wood. Yet wood smoke contains many of the same toxic and carcinogenic substances as cigarette smoke, including benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, and dibenz(a,h)anthracene... And wood smoke produces far more particulate pollution than cigarette smoke does... Other EPA estimates suggest that a single fireplace operating for an hour and burning 10 pounds of wood will generate 4,300 times more carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons than 30 cigarettes." 3. - https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/wood-smoke-and-your-health Wood Smoke and Your Health "Smoke forms when wood or other organic matter burns. The smoke from wood burning is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles (also called particle pollution, particulate matter, or PM). These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. In addition to particle pollution, wood smoke contains several toxic harmful air pollutants including: benzene, formaldhyde, acrolein and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)." 4. — Iowa City Press Citizen, USA Today Section, June 16, 2017 Study: Wildfires release toxic brew of pollution "—wildfires... also release a toxic brew of hazardous pollution, a new study finds. That pollution, often in the form of microscopic specks known as aerosols, is "a hazard to human health, particularly to the lungs and heart," said study lead author Greg Huey from the Georgia Institute of Technology... Wildfires belch out methanol, benzene, ozone precursors and other noxious emissions, scientists said..."" 5. hgps://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/12/that-cozy-fire-could-be-hazardous-to-your-health/ That Cory Fire Could Be Hazardous to Your Health Numerous scientific studies report potentially serious adverse health effects when you breathe in smoke from wood fires in your home fireplace. That's because smoke from these fires contains small particles that can get into your eyes and respiratory system. The result can be burning eyes, a runny nose and illnesses such as bronchitis. Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest health problems, because they can get deep into the lungs, and some may even get into the bloodstream. Among these particles are "fine particles," which are smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. These fine particles can affect your lungs, says allergist and immunologist Sheila Armogida, MD. Wood smoke also can contain several toxic substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein and methane, Dr. Armogida says. 6. Iowa Ban Wood Smoke hgps://www.facebook.com/Iowa-Ban-Wood-Smoke-147859755253518/ "Iowa needs to ban wood smoke in the ALL RESIDENTIAL communities. This includes outdoor wood burning fire pits, fireplaces, fire bowls, chimeneas, or any similar device that produces smoke for longer than 1 hour. NO exemptions for smoking food for 5 hours. When homes are so close to each other in a residential setting, there is no way to escape it. If you are banning smokers for the toxicity of second hand smoke, these are no different in effecting our children who play outside." 7. City Bans Wood -burning Fireplaces in New Homes http://www.hearthandhome.com/news/2017-09-25/city bans wood- burning_fireplaces in new homes.html (From Del Mar, California. This a good article – but it would not let me copy.) 8. Movement to Ban Fireplaces Sweeping Across America hU://www.offthega-idnews.com/current-events/movement-to-ban-fireplaces-sweeping-across-north- america/ "Wood smoke is an extremely toxic, public health hazard," Brian Moench, the president of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment; told The Deseret News. Moench's group has petitioned Utah's Air Quality Board to ban wood burning in Salt Lake City and other urban areas of Utah." 9. Wood Smoke and Your Health- Environmental Protection Agency httys://www.ei)a.gov/bumwise/wood-smoke-and-your-health "Short-term exposures to particles (hours or days) can aggravate lung disease, causing asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and may also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Long-term exposures (months or years) have been associated with problems such as reduced lung function and the development of chronic bronchitis—and even premature death. Some studies also suggest that long-term PM 2.5 exposures may be linked to cancer and to harmful developmental and reproductive effects, such as infant mortality and low birth weight." 10. Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment hLtp://www.Whe.org/?s=wood+smoke "The evidence is clear. The warm ambiance and sweet smell that emanates from that fireplace during those cold winter days has a sinister side. It's causing sickness to your family and your neighbors." 11. Doctors and Scientists Against Wood Smoke Pollution https://woodsmokepollution.org/ "When wood is burned, even in newer certified wood stoves, it creates localized particulate pollution hot spots and releases surprisingly high levels of harmful toxins such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene and dioxins into our environment. Wood smoke shares many of the same toxic chemical compounds as tobacco smoke, but evidence suggests it may be even more harmful." httys://www.icgov.orelcity-eovernmenVdepartments-and-divisionslftre-departmenttresources-and- documents Open burning Iowa City Code Section 6-6-1: Open burning prohibited No person shall ignite, cause to be ignited, permit to be ignited, allow or maintain any open fire. (1978 Code §24-170) Iowa City Code Section 6-6-2: Exceptions 1. Open burning of the following types may be permitted, in compliance with fire department guidelines, with a valid open burning permit from the fire marshal: 1. Ceremonial Or Controlled Bonfires: Ceremonial or controlled bonfires may be permitted. 2. Disaster Rubbish: The open burning of rubbish, including landscape waste, may be permitted for the duration of the disaster in cases where an officially declared emergency exists. 3. Prescribed Agricultural Burns: The open burning of fields may be permitted, if necessary for the maintenance of native prairie grass. "Fields," for the purpose of this chapter, means an open land area more than fifty feet (50) from a building or wooded areas. 4. Training Fires: Fires set for the purpose of bona fide instruction and training of public, institutional, or industrial employees in the methods of firefighting. 5. Flare Stacks: Open burning or flaring of waste gas may be permitted. 2. Open burning for campfires and outdoor cooking is permitted without a burning permit if performed in an approved container constructed of steel, brick, or masonry. (1978 Code §24-171; amd. 1994 Code) 3. Open burning in portable, outdoor fireplaces is permitted. (Ord. 02-4034, 8-20-2002) Iowa City Code Section 6-6-3: Penalties Any violation of this chapter shall be considered a simple misdemeanor or municipal infraction as provided for in Title 1, Chapter 4 of city code. (1994 Code) Fire pit regulations Open burning for campfires and outdoor cooking is permitted without any burning permit if performed in an approved container constructed of steel, brick, or masonry. (1978 Code §24-171; amd. 1994 Code) Open burning in portable, outdoor fireplaces is permitted. (Ord. 02-4034, 8-20-2002) International Fire Code (2015)—Locally Adopted Amendments 307.1.1 Prohibited Burning Burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions, or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous, shall be prohibited. 307.1.2 Hours of Operation A person shall not maintain any outdoor burning from 11 PM to 7 AM, unless permitted and approved by the fire code official. 307.3 Extinguishment Authority The fire code official is authorized to order the extinguishment by the responsible person, or the fire department, of any burning that creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation. More information For clarity, a "fine pit" includes below -ground pits, freestanding fireplaces, and portable devices intended to contain and control outdoor fires. All belowground fire pits shall be at least four inches in depth and shall be surrounded on the outside, aboveground, by a non-combustible material such as steel, brick, or masonry. The fire pit cannot exceed three feet in diameter, nor may the fire pile exceed two feet in height. Fire pits may be used in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and these regulations: Only natural firewood/commercial logs may be burned. Burning of lumber, pallets, scrap wood, tree trimmings, leaves, yard waste, paper, cardboard, garbage and similar items is not permitted. All fire pits must be located away from any structure or combustible material. o Belowground fire pits and freestanding fireplaces must be located a minimum of 25 feet away from any structure or combustible material. Portable fire pits must be located a minimum of 15 feet away from any structure or combustible material. The fire must be constantly attended and supervised until the fire has been completely extinguished. A portable fire extinguisher or other approved extinguishing equipment, such as a garden hose, must be readily available. From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Dear Council Members: Clay Claussen <clayclaussen@gmail.com> Monday, October 09, 2017 6:43 PM Council Juli Seydell Johnson; Geoff Fruin Parks & Recreation Commission Appointment My term expires at the end of this year and I would very much like to continue for another term. I have had the privilege and honor to have served as Chair for the past seven years and have been involved in the planning of the current and future services and facilities for our fellow citizens. The department has a lot of irons in the fire and I will appreciate your consideration to continue to provide the very best support and guidance I can. Best regards, Cloy Clayton M Claussen 27 Green Mountain Drive Iowa City, IA 52245-3812 Cell: 319-331-9911 Home: 319-351-HAWK(4295) clayclaussen@Rmai l.com From: David Tiffany <davtif@aol.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 11:17 AM To: Council Subject: Deer overpopulation It is far past time to cull the herd here in Iowa City. Dave Tiffany 2644 Hillside Drive Kellie Fruehlin From: David Tiffany <davtif@aol.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 11:16 AM To: Council Subject: Oh, Deer: Four -Legged Foes Put Iowa Drivers Fourth In Nation For Likelihood Of Large - Animal Collisions Oh, Deer: Four -Legged Foes Put Iowa Drivers Fourth In Nation For Likelihood Of Large -Animal Collisions October through December are the likeliest times to hit a deer and the average cost of those insurance claims is on the rise. https://Patch.com/iowa/des-moines/oh-deer-four-legged-foes-put-iowa-drivers-fourth-nation-Iikelihood- large-animal From: Ron Knoche Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2017 11:10 AM To: ' Rick_kaster@ya hoo.com' Cc: Council; Jason Havel Subject: Iowa City Welcome Sign Mr. Kaster: Thank you for your correspondence with Council regarding a Welcome Sign at Highway 6 and Hawkins Drive. A sign in this location would be a challenge from a permitting standpoint as this area is controlled by the DOT. We would also need to coordinate with the DOT and the University of Iowa. We meet with the DOT quarterly and the University every other month. We will discuss the concept at our next meeting. Thanks, Ron Ronald R. Knoche, PE Public Works Director City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa Email: ron-knoche@iowa-citY.org Phone: (319) 356-5138 Cell: (319) 430-3625 Fax: (319) 356-5007 `-'►�"` CITY OF IOWA CITY UNESCO CITY OF UTWTURE Website: www.icgov.org `7 BE GREEN - Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. October 7, 2017 City Council City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear City Council members: I have an idea for a welcome sign that could be placed at the intersection of U.S. Highway 6 & Hawkins Drive. It could welcome visitors approaching from the west. The sign could be placed in the grassy triangle there (see print-out). I think it would be a nice touch for people coming into Iowa City from this direction. Thanks for your consideration. RXar, Rick Kaster 1532 McKinley Place Iowa City, IA 52246 rick_kaster@yahoo.com c-� �rri -� .rv� FILED 21111 OCT 10 I'll 1: 1,n CITY CLERK lu CIT .�rrt r •;?a v . dM01 30 alLIS213AlNn 3Hi is hl/J t!/Il0/ 0131U0m) 10(7/2017 Google Maps Google Maps 5,ja- 1 oC-CA 1 oo- https://w .google.com/mapst@41.6658865,-91.5583506,85m/data=!3ml!le3 1/1 -cam R o https://w .google.com/mapst@41.6658865,-91.5583506,85m/data=!3ml!le3 1/1 'r 1 CITY OF IOWA C 16-17-17 I -r� COUNCIL ACTION REPO 5f(8) October 17, 2017 Install (2) "Yield" signs on the northeast and southwest corners of the Tulane Avenue/Tulane Court and Oberlin Street intersection. Prepared By: Karl Mueller; Transportation Planning Intern Reviewed By: Kent Ralston, Transportation Planner Darian Nagle-Gamm, Senior Transportation Engineering Planner Tracy Hightshoe; Interim Neighborhood and Development Services Director Fiscal Impact: No impact Recommendations: Staff: Approval Commission: N/A Attachments: None Executive Summary: As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 36 of the City Code, this is to advise City Council of the following action. Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A (5); Install (2) "Yield" signs on the northeast and southwest corners of the Tulane AvenuefTulane Court and Oberlin Street intersection. This action is being taken to assign the right-of-way for drivers at an uncontrolled four-way intersection. 1 r � `mRft `t CITY OF IOWA CI7-17 COUNCIL ACTION REPO 5f(9) October 17, 2017 Install (1) "No Parking Corner To Here" sign on the southwest corner of the north intersection of Sunset Street and Arbury Drive. Prepared By: Karl Mueller, Transportation Planning Intern Reviewed By: Darian Nagle-Gamm, Senior Transportation Engineering Planner Kent Ralston, Transportation Planner Tracy Hightshoe, Interim Neighborhood and Development Services Director Fiscal Impact: No impact Recommendations: Staff: Approval Commission: N/A Attachments: None Executive Summary: As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise City Council of the following action. Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A (10); Install (1) "No Parking Corner To Here" sign on the southwest corner of the north intersection of Sunset Street and Arbury Drive. This action is being taken to improve visibility for motorists exiting Arbury Drive onto Sunset Street.