HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-02 Correspondencei
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
April 2, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Jerry Moore: City buses
Item Number: 9.a.
Jerry Moore
320 S. Dubuque St. Apt. 11 I
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-35,11-3741
LIAR 0 7 2019
City Cork
Iowa City, Iowa
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CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
April 2, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Karen Eakes Murphy: Parking
Item Number: 9.b.
Kellie Fruehlin
From: karen eakes murphy <keakes319@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, March 08, 2019 7:14 AM
To: Council
Subject: Parking
I didn't know who to contact. I live on giblin Dr since it's an older development the street is narrow. And
most the houses here are now rentals. One house has 6 cars ,1 per person living there. So the street and
culdesac. Is often full. The garbage trucks,snow plows etc have a hard time getting around. I would hate to
have an emergency happen. A fire truck wouldn't get in.
I was wondering if the parking could be 're evaluated. One spot ,cars park in have been ticketed. But they
continue to park there.
Thank you
Item Number: 9.c.
i
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
April 2, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
James Schoenfelder: Poet Laureate of Iowa City
March 2, 2019
City Council of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
MAR 082019
City Clerk
Iowa City, Iowa
Since Iowa City is a UNESCO City of Literature and a designated City of the Book I believe it
would be appropriate for the City to appoint a Poet Laureate for the City of Iowa City. I have
attached a brief statement as to how that could be done. The appointment would be for a
limited amount of time, perhaps two years, for each appointment. Each Poet Laureate would
be appointed by a selection committee following a designated application process.
Please let me know if you believe I could be of assistance in this matter.
Sincerely;
t
InmPc 1 rr nanfr
4841 Southchase Court
Iowa City, IA. 52245
MAR 0 S 1019
POET LAUREATE OF IOWA CITY City Clark
Iowa City, Iowa.
By
James L. Schoenfelder
Since Iowa City has been named a UNESCO City of Literature and designated City of the Book it
seems only reasonable that Iowa City should have its own Poet Laureate. I would suggest the
City Council establish a Poet Laureate Selection Committee consisting of seven members each
serving for two years. One member could be from the University of Iowa Writers Workshop
poetry section. One member a bookstore owner or designated bookstore staff. Another
member being associated with a local commercial book publisher. One member working with
the English department of the Iowa City Community School District. One member a city council
member or designated city staff person. Another member associated with the Iowa City Public
Library. A final member being a local citizen appointed at large.
The Poet Laureate selected by this committee would serve a two year term and have the
following responsibilities:
Be a resident of Iowa City or the immediate Corridor Area for the duration of the term.
Have a reviewable body of work consisting of at least twenty poems prior to appointment.
Create at least ten poems per year about Iowa City during appointed term.
Create an additional two poems per year for special City occasions or functions.
In support of the Poet Laureate the City would:
Help publish a book (on- demand or a -book) of the above poems at terms end.
Provide two public occasions per year for a presentation and reading of the poet's work.
Provide appropriate publicity for poet and their work for Iowa City during term.
The above of course is only a suggestion as to how the Poet Laureate of Iowa City position could
function; alterations to the above or other models could be adopted. The key is to periodically
appoint a Poet Laureate to write and publish poetry specific to Iowa City.
Awl Q-
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
April 2, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Jerry Moore: issues
Item Number: 9.d.
Jerry Moore
320 S. Dubuque St. Apt. I 1 I
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-351-3742
20/y
MAR 11 2019
City; Clerk
Iowa City. Iowa
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Item Number: 9.e.
Awl Q-
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
April 2, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Gary and Marcy Wolf: Iowa City Deer Population
Bob Thompson: Deer discussion at March 12 work session
Lori Kendrick: Deer Management
Kellie Fruehling
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Dear City Council Members:
Gary & Marcy Wolf <gmwolfl@gmail.com>
Monday, March 18, 2019 8:56 AM
Council
Geoff Fruin
Iowa City Deer Population
The deer population in Iowa City is exploding. In addition to inflicting significant property damage, their feces carry a
number of diseases. We cannot even let our grandchildren play in our yard. Additionally, failure to control the deer
means they are starving. We are asking you to take action and resolve this issue.
Some of you have placed the blame on the Natural Resources Commission (NRC). We disagree.
In the past, Iowa City controlled the deer population using sharpshooters. However, for the past ten years, our city
leaders have chosen to ignore the problem. This is not the fault of the NRC.
We have contacted each member of the NRC. None of the members that voted against sharpshooting have said they
would not reconsider their vote to allow sharpshooting. They are simply waiting for Iowa City to reapply with a good
plan that provides long-term deer population control. So far, they have heard nothing.
We strongly encourage you to provide a plan to the NRC as soon as possible. This is not only the responsible thing to do,
it is incumbent on you to keep our city safe.
Please advise us and Iowa City citizens how you plan to move forward on this issue.
Sincerely,
Gary and Marcy Wolf
Virus -free. www.avq.com
Kellie Fruehling
From: Bob Thompson <thompbobson@mchsi.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 9:24 AM
To: Council
Cc: Bill Campbell
Subject: Deer discussion at March 12 work session
Dear Council members, et al:
I watched the video of the March 12 work session, the part in which the deer issue was discussed. When I looked at the
info packet prior to the meeting, it appeared that staff had worked out a possible resolution with the Natural Resources
Commission; then on March 12, two Council members made it clear that they will not support this, putting the solution
in jeopardy. Did someone mumble something about wanting more input from the public?
I suspected that some degree of misunderstanding or lack of appropriate knowledge might be threatening to impede a
good decision about this. When I researched the deer issue three months ago, I started with a look at the relevant Iowa
Code and Administrative Rules. The fact that the NRC favors public hunting was mentioned at the March 12 meeting;
however, some councilors made statements leading me to suspect that some may not be fully aware of the extent to
which public hunting as Iowa's primary means of deer management is long established and thoroughly codified.
Substantial limits to local discretion are the norm, well defined, and should be expected. It's also possible that the
Council is aware of this, and some simply don't respect it.
Local control is extremely limited in matters concerning wild animal populations. The State claims total ownership and
absolute control of all wildlife, with some exceptions, in 481A.2. This law was passed in the early 20th century, after an
1896 Supreme Court ruling granting ownership of all wildlife to the state governments. The NRC has absolute power
over what the City Council can do about this. Administrative Rules Chapter 571.105 spells out how the DNR and NRC
deal with "Deer Population Management Zones." In all of Chapter 105 the only mentioned strategy for special deer
management zones is public hunting for Iowa residents only, licensed through the DNR, with options for tailored
requirements imposed by the local jurisdiction's management plan, subject to NRC approval.
105.5, "Urban Deer Management Zones", mentions that the NRC "may approve other methods of deer removal in urban
areas," which looks like an afterthought, and gives no indication of what "other methods" might be. It's quite clear that
the NRC's stated preference and written rules overwhelmingly emphasize population control by means of special public
hunts. Promoting and maintaining hunting opportunities is clearly a major part of their mission, and virtually the only
means used for deer population management in Iowa. The words "may approve" means that the NRC is free to reject
any other method for any reason. It appears that Iowa City is the only urban deer management zone that has not relied
solely on public hunting for culling deer.
This explicit mandate, to manage deer populations by public hunting, is why Councilor Cole's statement ("I'm
outraged..." at about 1:15 in the video) rang strangely in my ears. Cole apparently sees this as some sort of capricious,
nefarious theft of the Council's power to solve the problem by "a lobby" (namely "sport hunting"); expressing it in a way
that led me to believe that he sees hunters as a bunch of dirtbags. At best he seemed unaware that the state's use of
public hunting for deer management is a longstanding and explicitly codified norm, and that Iowa City is "an outlier and
'Ione ranger"' in refusing to allow public hunts. Municipalities have no right of local control over matters concerning
wildlife unless granted by the State.
Mr. Cole, if you were unaware that public hunting is the way deer management is accomplished in Iowa, I suggest that it
might be more productive if you acquired some knowledge of the situation before you insult Iowa residents and a state
commission you really need to get along with. If you were aware of this and yet felt that you had to contribute to the
drama by insulting the NRC and hunters, you have no excuse. I haven't hunted since I was young, but I hail from rural
Iowa, and I found this offensive. We'd all be up to our necks in deer dung if not for hunters.
Cole faults the State for "a situation where we cannot address a peril..." I strenuously object to any attempt by City
officials to claim that they "cannot address" this, or to place the blame for this anywhere other than City Hall --though
the blame for past mistakes cannot be placed on most of our current decision -makers, unless they were involved in the
decision to halt the entire deer management program for so many years. As DNR depradation biologist Greg Harris aptly
stated, "I use Iowa City as an example of how not to manage your deer." I think that's a fair
statement; doing nothing for nearly a decade until you have a crisis is not "management." It's not unlike failing to notice
critical structural deterioration until the building is falling down.
I agree that sharpshooting is more humane and expedient (and expensive) than bow hunting, but state management of
special public hunts in Deer Management Zones (municipal and otherwise) is the way Iowa has been controlling deer in
these areas since it became a problem. This is how it's been done since 1990, and these are the cards you've been dealt.
I've been tracking media and local public discussion on this issue, and for some reason I've found no mention of another
lethal alternative allowed by state law; I'll get into that below.
At about 1:11 in the video, Councilor Mims stated that she attended the deer forum, and "every single one" of the "40
plus" people who attended the forum were against bow hunting; she quickly revised this by clarifying that 2 people were
for bow hunting, but "98-99% of the people (at the forum) do not want bow hunting." This contention might have been
the impetus for Cole's expression of outrage, and the basis for the emerging theme that the Council feels "trapped" by
the NRC. After all, if the public expresses near unanimous condemnation of bow hunting, you would probably want to
respect that. Mims' assertion was not challenged by anyone.
I watched the video of that forum last year, and had quite a different recollection; human memory being the flawed
thing that it is, a fact check was in order. I watched the public comments again, and devised a way to count the stated
opinions. 28 people spoke at the forum. Of course forum participants' actual views were a lot more nuanced than Mims'
characterization. I had to use eight different categories to express what all the various individuals advocated, drawing a
graph with 8 columns and 28 rows, checking the appropriate category for each individual. Some individuals weren't so
easy to categorize; a few listed multiple suggestions or a hierarchy of preferences, others advocated nothing specific at
all. If I felt that it was necessary, such nuances were noted in the individual's row.
Two individuals specifically advocated bow hunting, and one advocated both bow hunting and sharpshooting. Two
individuals specifically advocated against bow hunting. These five were the only participants who mentioned bow
hunting at all. Since the two who were against bow hunting also advocated nonlethal means, they were tallied in that
category for the summary below. The two who advocated only bow hunting were added to the tally of those advocating
some kind of cull, as were three individuals who specifically advocated only sharpshooting. The individual who
advocated both sharpshooting and bow hunting was counted with those advocating culling.
The totals:
Advocates of culling deer: 12
Advocates of nonlethal methods:10 --this includes one individual whose first preference was to do
nothing
Concerned about the problem, but no mention of preferred action: 4
Concerned, advocate for doing "something": 2
Not counted were the 50+ people from the Bluffwood neighborhood who signed a petition presented by commenter #2,
asking for a "reduction in the deer population." One person from Manville Heights claimed to speak for a number of her
neighbors, stating that they would gladly pay to have their deer killed. There were 3 people counted as advocating for
nonlethal control who suggested birth control/sterilization or asked about the feasibility of it, and one who advocated
sharpshooting who wondered about it as well. Also perhaps worth noting: The tree farmer who stated that he killed 48
deer on his property last year was the only one who got a (small) round of applause.
A few minutes earlier in the March 12 meeting Mims made another claim: "I don't think we had a single person come in
front of us that had an appetite for bow hunting" --apparently referring to members of the public speaking at formal
Council meetings. I went to the City's archives and searched all Council documents for 2018 and 2019. Results for the
words "bow," "hunt," or "hunting" returned few results in the transcriptions: only 2 members of the public used those
words, on Oct 2 2018. 1 believe both were members of Iowa City Deer Friends. The search returned no results in
transcriptions from 2019. However, Mims' statement is technically correct: No person who spoke in front of the Council
expressed an appetite for bow hunting --and only two people even spoke those words. The search did turn up at least two
in favor of bow hunting who wrote to council, however. More letters were opposed to bow hunting than favored it, but
there were not that many, and most if not all were obviously a coordinated effort by Iowa City Deer Friends; for
example, they apparently intended to launch an anti -bow hunting blitzkrieg prior to one meeting but only managed to
get five people to write.
It's possible that the City's search engine could have missed some documents containing those search terms. I did
experience a failure with the archive search engine once: It failed to return identical results for the exact same search of
the same directories performed on different days. Therefore it may well be buggy and unreliable. However, I think we
can conclude with great confidence that you do NOT have a mandate from the public to reject the use of bow hunting. If
you don't believe me, go through the evidence yourself.
This issue is far too important to too many people for the solution to be derailed by such a fabrication, whether
deliberate or not. I'm not calling it a lie yet. I've read enough psychology to realize that this is likely the result of a
convenient but unconscious distortion of memory. It will become a very serious issue if the Council ignores my
refutation and continues using this as a justification for snubbing the plan worked out with the NRC.
One of our species' most crippling cognitive flaws is the ease with which our minds distort reality. People routinely,
stubbornly believe things that are easily demonstrated to be untrue, and persuade others by unconsciously fabricating
stories that support their biases. It's much easier than the hard work required to sift out and process reliable facts, then
use them to make sound rational decisions. People are far more likely to believe what they wish is true, and it's so much
fun to be stupid together. A narrative was rapidly constructed around this wildly inaccurate information, something
along the lines of "We can't defy the will of the people, virtually all of them hate bow hunting. It's an outrage... etc." It
fits with City Hall's ongoing culture war narrative: "The State of Iowa is persecuting us because we're Enlightened
Progressives" or whatever. We often shouldn't trust what our brains are telling us. The darn things are addicted to self
deception, riddled with cognitive biases, and steeped in cultural dumpster juice.
I do appreciate that you apparently respect the hypothesis that government derives legitimacy from consent of the
governed, which is why opportunities for public input are offered, sometimes even taken seriously. However, if that is
true, it must also be true that a government derives illegitimacy from claiming that consent exists when it clearly does
not. Unconscious, selective memory distortion is a common affliction, but this is a pretty striking example.
It might be worth asking why the appearance of consensus is so important that it needs to be fabricated, and how it can
be accurately divined from public input processes that are very sparsely utilized by the public. How can forum
participants or people who speak at your meetings possibly provide accurate metrics to gauge "the will of the people"?
The best you could honestly say about voluntary, negligibly represented, unscientific public input is something along the
lines of "We gave them a chance to speak up," or "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." Truth be known, most of the
public is only dimly aware that you exist, and they have no idea what you are doing, ever. Look at the typical local
election turnout. It's important to acknowledge and respect the public's stated views, but there are limits to the extent
that public opinion should influence public policy on some issues. Much of the public routinely oversimplifies complex
3
problems and lacks the time and background to process the information necessary to solve them effectively. Everyone
believes that their answers are the best ones, and they can't all be correct about this.
I'm going to emphasize again that an attempt to deflect blame onto the State for the deer problem will not go
unchallenged. It's not as if there were never any clues that the sharpshooting plan might be rejected. Liz Ford's letter of
Feb 15 2018 states that "The DNR has not been favorable to the sharp shooting approach." Sue Dulek's timeline from
the same packet stated (2000-2009) "...members of the NRC often comment during the meetings that they want the City
to allow recreational bow hunting..." --and now some are shocked and outraged that the NRC has the audacity to
require of Iowa City what they require of every other municipality in the state. It seems that some Council members are
having difficulty accepting that Iowa City municipal government is subordinate to state law. Of course there are hurt
feelings from the ongoing culture war with those gosh darned Republicans in Des Moines who occasionally pass laws
against us. Let's not forget that we live in Iowa. Our little uber-liberal ivory tower is the aberration, not the entire rest of
the state. People hunt. Hunting is the primary tool used in wildlife management. The NRC owns this issue. Deal with it.
Mayor Throgmorton asked why a public hunt is necessary the year after sharpshooting if the initial cull were to achieve
the target population level. Mr. Fruin aptly answered that it is a safe assumption that the population will continue to
increase. That this question was asked may (or may not) be indicative of a lack of appreciation for the necessity of
wildlife population management, which is important to understand. If people in charge aren't cognizant of the need for
continuous monitoring and management of a potentially pestilent population, it could result in a situation precisely like
we have now. A frequent objection to lethal population control is that the killing never stops. Unfortunately, that is
necessarily the case. Without continuous management, population stability is unlikely.
Though modern ecologists have mostly abandoned the "balance of nature" myth as it was thought to apply to wild
populations, it is still plays a large role in forming the public's beliefs about the natural world, and exerts a major
influence on assumptions about natural resource management:
This interpretation of nature may be so strongly filtered by our cultural interpretation and idealization of
balance, that we tend to produce conclusions not in keeping with our observations of nature.
Assumptions of human centrality may be sufficiently strong to bend the usually clear lens supplied by
science in this case. Although the theme of balance in nature has been formally criticized in ecology for
over 65 years (since Frederick Clements and Henry Gleason focused the argument in the 1920s) the core
of the science did not change until about 25 years ago. Since that time, a dynamic approach that pays no
special attention to equilibrium processes has taken center stage in ecological theorizing.
Most species compensate for their inherently perilous existence by producing far too many offspring. If enough of these
offspring somehow avoid dying before they can reproduce, the species will eventually become pestilent, then strip the
land of the resources they and other species require, fight over scarce resources, and get sick and die like flies, horribly.
With the exception of environments where a substantial and sustained amount of predation (and/or "management")
exists, deer overpopulation will happen, and is detrimental to nearly everything. This is why we have "wildlife
management." "Management" means constant monitoring and killing appropriate numbers. It's better than doing
nothing because Nature is not a "mother" and is as indifferent as a stone to endless chaos and pointless suffering.
Proper management is a substantial improvement.
The State sees management as best accomplished through licensed public hunting; I can't think of a more practical
alternative. Imagine the size of the mercenary army needed if the entire state relied on sharpshooting to control deer,
rather than licensed hunting. The rejection of your application is not a capricious refusal to grant your preferred plan, it
is a rejection of your refusal to submit to long established procedure.
What is there to lose by having public hunts? This issue already has something for virtually everyone to get upset about.
It's worth noting that 571.105 doesn't rule out the use of any weapons that are allowed for regular hunting seasons:
105.3(3) Permitted weapons. Only weapons permitted during the general deer seasons may be used. The
commission may limit the use of specific weapons in some deer management zones and seasons on a
case-by-case basis to improve the safety of hunters and the surrounding area.
I haven't found any mention, in government or media publications pertaining to the Iowa City issue, of special public
hunts with firearms in Deer Management Zones. The DNR's list of Deer Management Zones for the 2018-2019 season
show that special hunts with firearms are currently conducted in perimeter zones around 8 municipalities; for example,
here's the DMZ map of Ames, showing the bow hunting zone in town, and firearms in outlying areas surrounding the
town, presumably in or near the city limits. Other communities with perimeter firearms hunts are Marshalltown, Iowa
Falls, Coralville, Cedar Rapids, Amana Colonies, Elkader, and Harper's Ferry. If there are howls of righteous outrage over
this, I haven't heard any.
A number of precautions would be in order, e.g., rigorous training requirements and vetting of applicants, firing only
from designated points with a foolproof backdrop that safely absorbs a missed or overpenetrated shot, such as a steep
embankment. The slower, shorter -range shotgun/straight wall magnum handgun cartridges and black powder guns are
the middle ground between quick one-shot kills from professional sharpshooting, and slow ones from an amateur bow
hunt. Hunting with these weapons usually involves aiming for the "kill zone" in the chest cavity. Sometimes animals can
still run short distances even when the heart and lungs are destroyed, but a properly placed shot will result in a quick
death, and easy recovery of the animal. These guns are capable of adequate to excellent accuracy in the hands of a
trained marksman. The much larger, slower projectiles lose velocity over shorter distances and generally aren't capable
of lethality outside of 200-300 yards; effective ranges for reliable kills are much shorter than that. Shots should not be
taken if the distance exceeds the effective range of the cartridge. Concerns about lead contamination should be
eliminated with the use of lead free projectiles.
In my opinion, properly controlled firearms hunts in perimeter zones would make a comprehensive deer management
plan much more effective, and rationally defensible; the overpopulation problem is so bad, you can't afford to be that
picky about choice of solutions. If the main objection to bow hunting lies in concern for the suffering of the animals, it
alleviates that concern considerably. Some people have a visceral hatred of weapons and hunters. It's not within the
scope of this correspondence to show how irrational that is. Use of firearms around the perimeter of the city is not
uncommon; on this end of Church Street, we often hear gunfire in the distance.
Our yard is on the front lines of the escalating urbanization of displaced wildlife, and we are painfully aware of what
happens when nothing is done about deer. In the late 90s the Council's state of indecision lasted for years as the
problem escalated. Reviewing the timeline, it took 2 years from the time the City noticed it had a deer problem (1996)
until it had a contract with the USDA for sharpshooting (1998), which was halted by four animal rights groups'
obstructionist lawsuit (1999). Four years later (2000) White Buffalo began sharpshooting. After a decade of that,
numbers were estimated to be at a tolerable level (2010). Here's something else from the timeline that's worth
repeating: "(2000 to 2009)... Deer Committee and then the Deer Task Force recommend to City Council two deer
management plans, a long-term plan and an annual plan. The long-term plan requires Council to review it annually and
also approve an annual plan ... the long term and annual plans call for educating the public and taking steps to minimize
deer/vehicle accidents." So there was a long term plan; I found it, and it did not read "Do nothing for nearly a decade."
That Task Force did a very thorough and excellent job on their reports. Why would elected officials appoint such groups
to study problems at great length, then ignore them? Did they assume that the deer wouldn't continue to replicate? We
sure could use a permanent and serious commitment to the development of wildlife management strategies. In recent
years, there has been a rapid escalation of new species adapting to the Iowa City environment.
As those years of inaction in the 1990s dragged on and on, our yard was devastated. I quickly learned not to walk around
in the dark without a flashlight, when I was nearly trampled by a stampeding herd of deer. Two sick does took up
residence on our block 24/7, mostly in our backyard. They were so lethargic they wouldn't even move out of my way
until I was a couple of yards from them, close enough to smell their rotting flesh, and see every gory detail of their
horrible condition; dead eyes, bones sticking out, hair falling off in chunks. As Dr. DeNicola and former Animal Services
Supervisor Ford stated, if nothing is done, the spread of disease through the herd is inevitable.
Doing nothing about this problem will cause far more suffering, for both the animals and the people affected, than
public hunting ever could.
Bob Thompson
Church Street, Iowa City
Kellie Fruehling
From: Lori Kendrick <kendricklori@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2019 11:33 AM
To: Jim Throgmorton
Cc: Council
Subject: Deer Management
Attachments: IC sterilization map 10 Dec 2018 jpg
Dear Honorable Mayor Throgmorton,
Thank you for your continued support of sharpshooting as a preferred method for Iowa City deer management control.
The following is information I recently emailed to NRC Chairperson, Margo Underwood, explaining Iowa City Deer
Friends' stand on this controversial topic.
"Dear Commissioner,
"A Review of Iowa's Deer Management Program," submitted to the governor and general assembly in 2009 by the Deer Study
Advisory Committee states that the DNR "should work with Iowa's communities to develop deer control programs and strategies
for Iowa's urban and suburban areas that are compatible with the local community. In these urban and suburban areas the
DNR encourages local city and county officials to appoint a task force of citizens from the community to examine the issues and
develop recommendations for a deer management program that is supported by local citizens."
Iowa City's appointed Deer Management Committee held a Public Forum on August 14, 2018 in which residents voiced their
opinions. 13 Iowa City residents advocated for the city to slow down and consider non -lethal management options. 11 residents
voiced complaints about deer browsing their landscaping, 1 rural tree farmer promoted killing the deer because he "has no love
for them," and 3 bow hunters requested opening the management zone to archery killing.
Tony Wobeter presented a petition with 46 mainly Bluffwood residents' signatures, saying deer are a nuisance. Dawn Frary
presented a petition in which 587 people who, through their signature, oppose killing deer in Iowa City, and ask for non -lethal,
long-term, sustainable methods of management, such as sterilization, improved signage in deer crossing areas, creation of more
natural green space/wildlife habitat, wildlife crossings, and public outreach and education.
During the forum, concerns voiced in favor of culling the deer herd focused on complaints involving deer browsing and vehicle
deer accidents.
Please consider past public statements by DNR staff and community officials, as well as additional findings from documented
study results that confirm recreational hunting doesn't always succeed in accomplishing desired reduction goals, or alleviate
urban deer issues.
Following several years of urban bow hunts in Muscatine, when twice as many deer were taken than the previous year, but the
herd grew by more than a third, DNR depredation biologist, Greg Harris, said he didn't have an explanation for the unexpected
growth. "We kind of heard the same thing from Cedar Rapids last year," he said. (Jennifer Myer, Muscatine Journal)
When Bettendorf resident, Jeanne Elliott, and her neighbors documented the deer population growing out of control and
destroying vegetation despite bow hunts since 2009, DNR's Harris said, "We are doing our best to work within the constraints
and laws we have." Harris has since given Elliott other options, such as building a fence. (Devan Patel, Quad -City Times)
Since 1999 the City of Coralville has hosted an archery -only deer management hunt opportunity. The purpose of this hunt is to
limit the deer population within city limits, and lower the number of vehicle crashes. However, between 2015 and 2017, deer -
vehicle accidents in Coralville increased from 30 to 39.
Rock Island Deputy Police Chief, Jason Foy, who manages the annual Rock Island Forest Preserve District's controlled bow
hunt, says, "The program has not yet made a dent in deer -vehicle accident totals." (Jack Cullen, Quad -City Times)
An ISU Project Report: "An Assessment of Traffic Safety in Urban Deer Herd Management Zones in Iowa," states, "A few
countermeasures, such as wildlife crossings and deer fencing, have proven effective, but some countermeasures (including herd
management) require more research to evaluate their effectiveness. The effectiveness of special herd management hunts in
urban areas cannot be fully assessed based solely on their effect on traffic safety."
In an October, 2017 KTVO interview regarding deer -vehicle accidents, DNR's Greg Harris said, "Deer population isn't the only
factor to consider. There are two more causes that affect the number of crashes. The second one would be the speed of travel,
and the third is the number of vehicles on the road."
Johnson County Sheriff, Brad Kunkel recently stated, "Two factors combine to boost the chances that motorists may encounter
these animals during this time of the year: mating season and hunting season." (Kat Russell, The Gazette)
In 2009, 45% of deer/vehicle-deer strikes occurred on Highway 218 and Interstate 80, where town boundaries prevent adequate
management activities to occur. In addition, 9% of the deer -vehicle strikes in town occur proximate to Highway 6 and Hawkins
Road, where Hope House (University of Iowa) residents are feeding deer. (Exibit A, 2010 Iowa City Deer Management Report,
by White Buffalo)
A recent talking point during deer management discussions is the need to implement management strategies to prevent the
spread of Chronic Wasting Disease.
A Center for Disease Control study raises concern that CWD may pose a threat to people. The study conclusion states the
importance of preventing human exposure to CWD. A negative test result does not guarantee that an individual animal is not
infected with CWD. Therefore, the CDC recommends that hunters have all deer tested before eating the meat.
Quality Deer Management Association states that the majority of CWD-positive deer killed by hunters appear to be healthy.
In areas where CWD is a definite threat, the DNR is rescinding current antler -points restrictions (APR) that are geared towards
trophy hunting bigger racks. The dilemma with APR is that deer testing positive for chronic wasting disease are younger on
average. Yet, in Exibit A: "A Summary Report: 2010 Management Program" prepared for Iowa City by White Buffalo, it is noted
that "if the state sees value in protecting males, I recommend that the general City-wide permit be made active by 1 December
so males can be avoided."
The discovery of CWD in the Wisconsin deer herd in February 2002 was treated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources as if it was a fire. Rapid action led to abandoning stakeholder concerns while human dimensions expertise and
research was largely ignored, and opportunities to learn from innovations were missed. Eight years after implementation it was
concluded that the findings call into question the use of recreational hunting as a viable tool for bringing about deer population
reductions for disease management.
In a Feb. 26, 2019 KCCI article, Dale Garner, Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Bureau, confirmed that Chronic
Wasting Disease is spreading fast in Iowa. "It's a disease you can't get rid of," Garner said. "There's no cure so far. As long as
you have deer on the landscape and it continues to spread from animal to animal, you'll probably have more."
In 2013 Louisiana state health inspectors destroyed 1,600 pounds of donated hunted deer meat due to potential serious health
th reats.
Following the Iowa City DNR February 27, 2019 hunting update town hall meeting, the topic of testing culled Iowa City deer for
CWD prior to distribution of the meat to the local food bank was discussed. DNR officials stated that testing all deer prior to
distribution was cost prohibitive. It was further stated by DNR officials that Iowa City deer would most likely be processed using
the same equipment on which other deer are processed, thereby raising the issue of cross contamination.
Hunting for the homeless becomes an ethical issue when the donation poses a serious health threat to the food insecure
population the program targets.
In Exibit A: "A Summary Report: 2010 Management Program" prepared for Iowa City by White Buffalo, prior to the first
sharpshooting cull in 1999, aerial deer counts by DNR Wildlife Depradation Biologist, Greg Harris, showed 318 deer. During the
years of culling, the counts were as follows: 2001/351 deer, 2003/563 deer, 2005/416 deer, 2007/604 deer, 2008/302 deer. This
exhibit shows culling is ineffective in providing long-term results.
During the Iowa City Deer Management Public Forum, when asked about sterilization, DeNicola stated that he has had
"tremendous success" with sterilization projects. Referring to Iowa City, he stated that he "was not against a sterilization project,
and would not dismiss non -lethal methods of deer management.
Unlike hunting, sterilization is a permanent solution that requires only one treatment over the lifetime of the deer.
Sterilized deer do not go into heat, therefore are not chased by bucks during rut, effectively reducing deer vehicle collisions
Less browsing is noted in sterilized deer, as they don't have the caloric requirements of almost 7 months of pregnancy and 3
months of nursing fawns. Sterilized deer also act as infertile placeholders who help keep out new deer while consuming much
less.
Correspondence with an IDNR Research Biometrician about the possibility of implementing a White-tailed Deer sterilization
program for population control in the Iowa City deer management zone provided the following information regarding the legality
of a sterilization project. "I reviewed Iowa code to determine if this technique is legally allowed for population control within deer
management zones. According to Chapter 105 of the Iowa Administrative Code, this method could be an allowed
technique within urban deer management zones, but is subject to approval by the Iowa DNR Natural Resource Commission."
An organized group of citizens (including State Director of Humane Society United States, 3 scientists, 2 attorneys, a wildlife
educator, 2 University of Iowa professors, a former Cedar Rapids Deer Task Force committee member (now Iowa City resident)
and a former Iowa City Mayor) seeks to pursue a combination sharpshooting/ sterilization project, as well as provide non -lethal
deer management community education.
This group will apply combined professional and personal experience, including law, research, mediation, credibility with public
officials, and access to volunteers in related disciplines to build community involvement, obtain necessary approvals, and raise
funds to offset the cost of a sterilization project.
Iowa City is a community of pragmatic, thoughtful, energized individuals who, when given correct information, can move things
in a productive direction.
Community education combined with non -lethal deer management to include deer sterilization is a permanent and ethical
solution. Implementing a sharpshooter/sterilization project addresses short-term and long-term population goals, decreases
vehicle deer accidents, decreases browsing issues, and alleviates prolonged suffering caused by disease and starvation due to
overcrowding.
All dialogue and input concerning these proposed goals for Iowa City's Deer Management program is greatly appreciated
Thank you,
Lori Kendrick"
I've also attached a map prepared by Tony DeNicola of White
Buffalo detailing Iowa City areas possibly conducive for
asterilization project.
Iowa City Deer Friends continue their desire to partner with Iowa
City Council Members and Tony DeNicola in implementing a
combination sharpshooter -sterilization plan that satisfies Iowa City
resident's deer reduction goals.
In addition, with the blessing of council members, we are prepared
to conduct a public education campaign to encourage deer
resistant landscape plantings, and discourage recreational deer
feeding by residents.
I hope to hear back from you and/or the City Council concerning
this offer.
3
Thank you,
Lori Kendrick
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Item Number: 91.
i
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
April 2, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Amy Foraker: Ongoing sewage back up [Staff response included]
Julie Voparil
From: Kellie Fruehling
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2019 1:31 PM
To: Julie Voparil
Subject: Fwd: Ongoing sewage back up on Ash Street and Lower Muscatine Road
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Ron Knoche <Ron-KnochePiowa-city.orp,>
Date: March 15, 2019 at 11:39:06 AM HST
To: "'amylof330hotmail.com"' <amy0of33@hotmail.com>
Cc: Council <Council@iowa-city.ore>, Melissa Miller <Melissa-Miller@iowa-city.org>
Subject: RE: Ongoing sewage back up on Ash Street and Lower Muscatine Road
Ms. Foraker:
I am responding to your March 12 email to Council. I want to specifically address the March 11 sanitary sewer
backup you experienced. The maintenance you mention witnessing was a response to a reported backup in
your area. Upon the investigation into the backup, the Wastewater crew discovered the backup was caused by
material from the sanitary sewer liner. This material blocked the pipe which caused the backup. The
Wastewater Division is taking two actions. The first is staff will perform inspections of this line twice per
month to make sure no more material causes a blockage. The second is staff will change the configuration of
the system at the downstream manhole where the material was collecting and causing the backup. If you have
not already, please reach out to Melissa Miller to make a claim. She can be reached at (319)356-5065 or
melissa-millergiowa-city.org.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Ron
Ronald R. Knoche, PE, ENV SP
Public Works Director
City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa
Email: ron-knoche@iowa-citv.ore
Phone: (319) 356-5138
Cell: (319) 430-3625
From: Amy Foraker [mailto:amv4of33@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 11:13 AM
To: Council <Council@iowa-city.org>
Subject: Ongoing sewage back up on Ash Street and Lower Muscatine Road
This issue concerns those in the Ash Street/Lower Muscatine Road areas. June 9th of last year there was
a sewage backup into houses in this area. We have lived here for going on 13 years. We have NEVER had
issues until the reconstruction of Lower Muscatine Road. Prior to the June 9th backup the city had done
maintenance on the sewer system via the manhole at Ash Street/Lower Muscatine. We had two weeks
before spent hundreds mitigating our lines from our property out to the street and replacing our sump
pump. The City sent Sery Pro out which took them a week to clean up our basement. Then they stated it
was not their fault due to the heavy rains around that time. It took them 4 months to let us know this.
The first insurance claim we have ever put on our house insurance and $20,000 later, we just completed
all the renovations and almost replaced everything as of two weeks ago.
Yesterday afternoon, the city was out doing maintenance on that manhole. An hour or so later I walked into
the basement to get some dinner prep from my new deep freezer. Guess what? Complete sewage back up
again! There was no rain this time or even excessive run off, our sump pump was not even running. I
saw Sery Pro at at least two other neighbors residences shortly thereafter and spoke with next door
neighbor who stated he also had backup AGAIN...
Contractor came this morning and after inspection stated that it would all need redone. I would like to have
some sort of action for the city to address this issue. I cannot afford to remodel every time this happens.
Just FYI our contractor also works for the city and did some renovations through a city program on our
main floor a year ago, the city has a lien on our property for this work. You would think there would be a
vested interest in our property value? This cannot continue.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Amy J. Foraker
1502 Lower Muscatine Road
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-512-5531
AW1I Q-
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
April 2, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Carol deProsse: New York Times Article
Item Number: 9.g.
Kellie Fruehling
From: Carol deProsse <lonetreefox@mac.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2019 6:10 PM
To: Geoff Fruin; Council
Subject: More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your Thursday Evening Briefing The New York
Times
I hope the City has this possibility under serious consideration
https: //protect -us. mimecast. com/s/QTIkC82gLrtQoP8snZpgM?domain=nytimes. com
More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - The New York... Page 1 of 11
Zhic N1'ettr Voxk giitteo
More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your
Thursday Evening Briefing
By Melina Delkic and Elijah Walker
March 21, 2019
(Want to get this briefing by email? Here's the sign-up.)
Good evening. Here's the latest.
Ma3�� ,
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11idCwllitr htE.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1. The record-breaking floods that have left Nebraska and other Midwestern states
reeling may be just a preview.
https://www.nytimes. coml2O l 9/03/21 /briefing/more-floods-trump-lupita-nyongo.html 3/26/2019
More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - The New York... Page 2 of 11
From now until May, 25 states are at risk of serious flooding from heavy rains and
melting snow, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Some
13 million people could be exposed to major flooding, and many, many more to moderate
flooding. Above, a map of the affected regions.
Scientists have said that increasing rainfall is a predictable consequence of climate
change.
We also found the man overseeing a network of Missouri River dams for the Army Corps
of Engineers that has been overwhelmed since last week's bomb cyclone. "It was not
designed to handle this," he said.
ANN-
Baz Ratner/Reuters
2. News from Washington:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/21 /briefing/more-floods-trump-lupita-nyongo.html 3/26/2019
More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - The New York... Page 3 of 11
In an abrupt shift on a decades -long policy, President Trump said the U.S. should
recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, pictured above, one of the world's
most disputed territories. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long pressed
for the move, thanked Mr. Trump on Twitter.
The president also signed an executive order directing federal agencies to link grants
and other funds to how colleges and universities enforce free speech rights, a cause
c6lebre for conservatives who argue that their voices have been silenced.
And we learned that Mr. Trump is planning to invite Robert Kraft, the New England
Patriots owner entangled in a prostitution sting, to his celebration of the team's Super
Bowl victory at the White House.
Ruth Fremson/The New York Times
3. The doomed Boeing jets in Ethiopia and Indonesia lacked safety features in their
https://www.nytimes.com/2O l9/03/21 /briefing/more-floods-trump-lupita-nyongo.html 3/26/2019
More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - The New York... Page 4 of 11
cockpits that could have warned them of sensor malfunctions.
One reason: Boeing charged extra for them.
Now, the company is making one such feature standard as part of a fix to get its 737 Max
planes, one of which is pictured above, in the air again.
Separately, the families of the Indonesia crash victims told us Lion Air pressured them to
sign away their rights to sue in order to receive government -mandated compensation.
Adam Dean for The New York Times
4. New Zealand's gun control advocates and police groups praised the decision by Prime
Minister Jacinda Ardern to ban military -style semiautomatic weapons, high-capacity
magazines and certain parts that allow weapons to be modified.
https://www.nytimes.coml20l9/03/2l /briefing/more-floods-trump-lupita-nyongo.html 3/26/2019
More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - The New York... Page 5 of 11
The measure, aimed at the weaponry a gunman used to kill 50 people at two mosques, is
expected to sail through Parliament. Above, a makeshift memorial for the victims in
Christchurch.
Two people who shared the gunman's live video of the killings have been charged, and
many more could face charges under laws against disseminating or even possessing
material depicting extreme violence and terrorism or inciting racial disharmony.
We also looked at the major differences between America's and New Zealand's National
Rifle Associations.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
5. Don't blame me, blame Parliament.
That, our London reporter writes, was Prime Minister Theresa May's "astonishing"
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/21 /briefing/more-floods-trump-lupita-nyongo.html 3/26/2019
More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - The New York... Page 6 of 11
central message to Britain on Wednesday night.
"So far, Parliament has done everything possible to avoid making a choice," she said of
the very lawmakers whose votes she needs to pass her twice -rejected plan. Above, Mrs.
May arriving in Brussels to meet with E.U. leaders today.
Mrs. May and E.U. negotiators haggled deep into the Brussels night over the conditions
the bloc wants in exchange for an extension of the Brexit process past its current
deadline of March 29.
Corinna Kern for The New York Times
6. Cybermercenaries are bringing digital espionage services to the private market.
https://www.nytimes.coml20 l 9/03/21 /briefing/more-floods-trump-lupita-nyongo.html 3/26/2019
More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - The New York... Page 7 of 11
Small countries, corporations and even wealthy individuals can seize on sophisticated
surveillance tools that were once the preserve of major powers like the U.S. and Russia.
Some have targeted activists and journalists, according to a monthslong Times
examination.
NSO, pictured above in Herzliya, Israel, and a competitor, the Emirati firm DarkMatter,
exemplify the proliferation of privatized spying.
Matt Furman/Forbes Collection/Corbis, via Getty Images
7. A leader in Jewish philanthropy stands accused of a pattern of sexual harassment.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/2 I /briefing/more-floods-trump-lupita-nyongo.html 3/26/2019
More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - The New York... Page 8 of l l
Six women who spoke to The Times and ProPublica, and another woman who filed a
lawsuit, say that over decades, Michael Steinhardt, pictured above, requested sex and
sexual favors and commented on their fertility and their bodies. Interviews with dozens
of people depict a man whose behavior went largely unchecked because of his status and
wealth.
Mr. Steinhardt, 78, a retired hedge fund founder and lifelong New Yorker who was a co-
founder of Birthright Israel, said in a statement that provocative comments "were part of
my schtick since before I had a penny to my name, and I unequivocally meant them in
jest. I fully understand why they were inappropriate. I am sorry."
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
8. Sixteen games. It's Day 1 of the N.C.A.A. men's basketball tournament.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/2 I /briefing/more-floods-trump-lupita-nyongo.html 3/26/2019
More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - The New York... Page 9 of 11
Gonzaga (the school Jimmy Kimmel has been teasing) is the only No.1 seed scheduled
to play tonight. Opening the night session in Salt Lake City, the Zags face Fairleigh
Dickinson, which won a First Four game on Tuesday. The other three top seeds — Duke,
Virginia and North Carolina — all play Friday.
We have scores and live analysis of who wins, who loses and who broke your bracket.
Above, a New Mexico State Aggies player after his team lost to the Auburn Tigers.
Day 1 for the women's tournament is Friday, and with four No. l seeds and three No. 2
seeds that are strong contenders, the tournament appears to be more open than in the
past.
Roger Kisby for The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/21 /briefing/more-floods-trump-lupita-nyongo.html 3/26/2019
More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - The New Yo... Page 10 of 11
9. Lupita Nyong'o's first appearance in a feature film was in "12 Years a Slave" in 2013,
which made her the seventh black woman and first black African to win an Oscar for
acting.
Now, with her acclaimed role in Jordan Peele's highly anticipated new horror movie,
"Us," she is rewriting a Hollywood playbook for stars at her level, our pop culture
reporter writes. Above, Ms. Nyong'o posing for a portrait this month.
Our reviewer says that Ms. Nyong'o is "dazzling" in "Us" and that the film itself is "a
daring fun -until -it's -not shocker" that's even more ambitious than "Get Out."
Holly Andres for The New York Times
10. Finally, a cross-country train tour.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/21 /briefing/more-floods-trump-lupita-nyongo.html 3/26/2019
More Floods, Trump, Lupita Nyong'o: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - The New Yo... Page 11 of 11
Ride along with our writer as she takes Amtrak from New York City to Los Angeles.
Along the way she meets a prophet, encounters thousands of miles of panoramic
splendor, and eats food "on a par with the fourth -best airplane meal you could ever
imagine."
Have an adventurous night.
Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p.m. Eastern.
And don't miss Your Morning Briefing. Sign up here to get it by email in the Australian,
Asian, European or American morning.
Want to catch up on past briefings? You can browse them here.
What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes.com.
https://www.nytimes.coml20l 9/03 /21 /briefing/more-floods-trump-lupita-nyongo.html 3/26/2019
Item Number: 9.h.
i
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
April 2, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Jacob Canny (x3): Renters Rights in Iowa City
Kellie Fruehling
From: Canny, Jacob A <jacob-canny@uiowa.edu>
Sent: Saturday, March 23, 2019 11:50 AM
To: Council
Subject: Renters Rights in Iowa City
I would like to see renters rights improved here. I think it is insane that a landlord can start showing my
apartment with over six months left on the lease. This is taking up large amounts of my time and forcing me to
miss work and classes. Their should be a limited amount of time for showing the house and the house should
not be getting shown six months before a lease is up this is crazy.
Get Outlook for iOS
Kellie Fruehling
From: Canny, Jacob A <jacob-canny@uiowa.edu>
Sent: Saturday, March 23, 2019 11:53 AM
To: Council
Subject: Renters Rights in Iowa City
I would like to see renters rights improved here. I think it is insane that a landlord can start showing my
apartment with over six months left on the lease. This is taking up large amounts of my time and forcing me to
miss work and classes. Their should be a limited amount of time for showing the house and the house should
not be getting shown six months before a lease is up this is crazy. - Jacob Canny
Get Outlook for iOS
Kellie Fruehling
From: Canny, Jacob A <jacob-canny@uiowa.edu>
Sent: Saturday, March 23, 201912:37 PM
To: Council
Subject: Renters Rights In Iowa City
I would also like the city to consider implementing a policy allowing renters to file civil suit if a landlord allows
there pets to run away. Our landlord has given a very broad amount of time they might show up to show the
house and currently we would be expected to keep the cat in a cage the entire time. This burden should be on
the landlord and not force the inhuman treatment of an animal. Pets are considered property and if a landlord
loses that property it should be the case for civil suit, also the pet does have rights and shouldn't be confined
for long periods of time regularly because the landlord is showing the house constantly - Jacob Canny
Get Outlook for iOS
i
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
April 2, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Kathy Gout: Road Diet
Item Number: 91
Kellie Fruehling
From: Kathy Grout <kgrout1950@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2019 12:32 PM
To: Council
Subject: "ROAD DIET"
So more bike trails?? I also enjoy riding bikes, there is already a perfectly good sidewalk that they can ride their bikes
on.
never see that many pedestrians on it anyway.
Why do pedestrians get hit? Are they not paying attention to the lights?
The reason for rear end collisions is NOT PAYING ATTENTION!!! Isn't that the drivers fault?
As you can tell I totally believe this is an unreasonable way to spend the cities money.
Please take the tax payers suggestions & think this over carefully.
Thank you
Kathy Grout
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Item Number: 9.j.
i
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
April 2, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Julia DeSpain: Loud Vehicles/Motorcycles [Staff response included]
Kellie Fruehling
From: Jody Matherly
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2019 1:12 PM
To: 'despainjulia@gmail.com'
Cc: Council
Subject: FW: Loud Vehicles/Motorcycles
Julia,
Thank you for contacting us regarding these issues. I have notified our officers to monitor these areas and the University
of Iowa DPS has been informed as well. Careless operation of motorcycles is a violation of Iowa law and will be
addressed through additional enforcement efforts. While the entire downtown is well marked with signs prohibiting
bicycles on the sidewalks, we will direct our public information officer to utilize social media to better inform everyone.
Our staff often stops bicycle violators to correct the problem and have issued citations on occasion. We will continue to
do that to ensure a safe downtown. Lastly, I want to emphasize that we appreciate you informing us of these repeated
violations. Our best resource is community members such as you that help identify issues so they can be quickly
addressed.
Respectfully,
Jody f- 9fatherfy
Chief of Police
Iowa City, Iowa
Fair o- 319-356-5271
Responshm
professional
From: Julia DeSpain [mailto:despainiulia gmail.coml
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2019 11:16 AM
To: Council <Council@iowa-city.org>
Subject: Loud Vehicles/Motorcycles
Hello,
This email is going to sound very gripey, so I apologize in advance. However, there are just a few issues that have started
to bother me a bit this year and I was wondering if there was anything that the council might be able to do about some
of them.
Loud Exhaust Pipes/Revving of Motorcycles: I was wondering if the city had an ordinance against loud exhaust
pipes/revving of motorcycles. It didn't used to be much of an issue. However, this past year, it seems like a lot of
motorcycle riders are using Clinton Street and Burlington Streets as their own personal race track. Unfortunately, the
noise of loud exhaust pipes and the constant revving of motorcycles seems to be almost constant. It might bother me a
bit more than most because I work on Clinton Street but it really does seem like its an all day issue, particularly when
students are in session at the university.
Bicycles on Sidewalks: I know that downtown folks aren't supposed to ride bicycles on sidewalks or in the PedMall but it
definitely doesn't seem like this is well-known. Or, if it is, it is just ignored. Usually it is just a mild annoyance for folks
who walk but since there was so much construction downtown this past year (and plans to be again this) it got to be
more than an annoyance. There was barely enough room to walk on the sidewalk in some areas, let alone share the
space with bicyclists. Is there anything the city might do to spread awareness more? Or work with the police and
university administrations on both this and the loud revving issue?
If not, that is more than fine. I know in the broad spectrum of things, these are both minor issues. It is just that Iowa City
is a walkable city, but both of these issues make walking/enjoying downtown more difficult.
Best,
Julia
Item Number: 9.k.
i
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
April 2, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Sharon DeGraw: NMSP east entrance/Mann car line
Kellie Fruehling
From: Sharon DeGraw <sharondegraw@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 2:45 PM
To: Council
Subject: re: NMSP east entrance/Mann car line
Dear Iowa City City Council members,
I am forwarding a letter that comes from residents who live in the Northside Neighborhood of Iowa City. It
concerns the proposed Mann Elementary School drop off and pick up location that boarders North Market
Square Park. Please find our individual names and addresses on the attached letter. We hope the City can work
with the Iowa City Community School District in considering this suggestion to avoid having the car line in the
curved portion of the road.
Thank you
Sincerely,
Sharon DeGraw
Northside Neighborhood Newsletter Coordinator
March 25, 2019
Dear Iowa City City Council and Iowa City Community School District School Board,
As residents living near Horace Mann Elementary School and North Market Square Park,
we are blessed to have these beautiful, historic facilities so close by. We are especially
looking forward to the grand re -opening of Horace Mann later this summer.
The school renovation is an excellent example of close co-operation between the Iowa City
Community School District and the City of Iowa City. Mann Elementary School stands out as
the most urban elementary school in the district. Meeting its various programmatic needs on a
small site that presses up against a century -old neighborhood is challenging, requiring deliberate
negotiation and skillful design. Thank you for taking the time and investment to do this project
thoughtfully.
A significant goal of the school renovation is ensuring the school site and its related activities
(for example, bus and student pick-up and drop-off zones) integrate with North Market Square
Park and the surrounding streets.
We are most concerned with the current design of the pick-up and drop-off zone on Fairchild
Street.We believe the functionality of the pick-up/drop-off zone can be improved and better
balanced with the need to maintain the functionality and character of the entry to North Market
Square Park. The attached drawing conceptually lays out an alternative approach to this important
interface between Fairchild Street and access to both the school and the park.
We urge the City Council and the School Board to consider this improvement on the current
design. Such improvements could reduce the scope of demolition work and re -construction,
thus allowing the project to proceed without additional cost or delay.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
NAME ADDRESS PHONE
Sue Futrell and Will Jennings 31 1 Fairchild Street 319-337-7770
Erin Landsee 621 North lohnson Street
Diane Spielbauer and Charlie Williams 833 North Johnson Street
Cole and Michael Feiss 603 Brown Street
James Ponto 618 Brown Street
Sarah Clark 509 Brown Street 319-594-1683
Nick Miller and Brittni Scruggs 726 North Van Buren Street
Susan Shullaw 718 North Johnson Street 319-351-2606
Diana Harris and John Brandon 523 Brown Street 319-338-4859
page I of 3
NAME ADDRESS PHONE
Matthew Lage 900 North Johnson Street 319-512-3945
Linda McGuire and Anne Burnside 610 and 618 Ronalds Street
Thomas Agran and Allison Gnade 512 North Van Buren Street
John Ranson 715 North lohnson Street
Dave & Lysa Moore 425 Davenport Street
Sharon DeGraw and Thomas Lally 519 Brown Street 319-936-0021
Ed Romano 524 Church Street
page 2 of 3
Mann Elementary School and North Market Square Park
Drop-off & Pick-up at Fairchild Street and East Park Entrance
The goal of this project is to accommodate student pick-up and drop-off, while maintaining the functionality
and character of the park's east entrance.
NORTH Mann Elementary School
MARKET
SQUARE
PARK
FAIRCHILD STREET
FIGURE I
Existing conditions before construction of pick-up
& drop-off area on Fairchild Street
Dotted line indicates park property line
NORTH Mann Elementary School
MARKET r
SQUARE IF
PARK
FAIRCHILD STREET
I ' r'
FIGURE 2
Proposed six stall pick-up & drop-off area
• Long car line functions well at first but becomes
difficult to manage as unloading and loading
times vary.
• Parking in the curve of the road is challenging.
• There are unnecessary driving hazards as a
result of having drivers focus on turning while
monitoring cars pulling into and exiting parking
stalls placed in the curve.
NORTH Mann Elementary School _
MARKET
SQUARE
PARK
FAIRCHILD STREET
- I
FIGURE 3
Proposed 3 + 3 stall pick-up & drop-off area
• Reduces the concentration of vehicles in one single
area by creating two areas for pick-up & drop-off.
• Children can wait on the Mann school sidewalk or
at the threshold of the school and park.
• Reduces scope of work and could result in cost
saving.
page 3 of 3
Item Number: 9.1.
i
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
April 2, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Mary Gravitt - Replace or Pave over bricks at Linn & Burlington and fix potholes
Kellie Fruehling
From: Geoff Fruin
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 8:52 PM
To: Mary Gravitt; Council
Subject: RE: REPLACE OR PAVE OVER BRINGS AT LINN & BURLINGTON & FIX POTHOLES
Hi Mary,
We will check out the Linn/Burlington intersection and determine what repairs may be needed. Also, our staff is
actively working on potholes throughout the entire community. More permanent repairs will be made later this spring
after the asphalt production begins again.
Our first round of bus shelters have been received. We are working on assembly and placement this spring. We will
also have a second round of installs this summer or fall.
Thanks for emailing,
Geoff Fruin
City Manager
From: Mary Gravitt <gravittmary@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 6:09 PM
To: Council <Council@iowa-city.org>
Subject: REPLACE OR PAVE OVER BRINGS AT LINN & BURLINGTON & FIX POTHOLES
Please have the bricks that abut the sidewalk at Linn and Burlington Street re -cemented
in place or removed and replaced by concrete. The bricks have sunk so that they create
a gap therefore a foot hazard that will trip passengers getting off the buses. These
bricks were placed on Burlington more for decoration, than for safety and have not been
maintained as such,
POTHOLES
Please fill in some of the potholes on the bus lines. Some holes are so deep until they
are proving a hazard not only to the buses themselves, but also to drivers and
passengers. Injuries to drivers will in turn lead to Workman's Compensation and other
justified sick-outs; thus costing the City of Iowa City in compensation.
1
I know that winter is not over and snow may be back as spring storms, but it is better to
make pothole repairs in a timely manner.
Finally, I am looking forward to bus shelters that City Council has promised. And I still
want a Civil Engineer to see if a traffic cut-off is feasible for the bus stops (and future
bus shelters) on First Avenue in front of the Come and Go and the HyVee bus stops to
insure that traffic flows smoothly.
Thank you,
Mary Gravitt
2714 Wayne Avenue #6
Iowa City, IA 52240
319.341.6230
i
Submitted by Allison Jaynes
1 ID
'�"R THE HUMANE SOCIETY
`�cIY-Nk• OF THE UNITED STATES
1255 23rd Street,NW
Suite 450
Washington,DC 20037 04/02/2019
P 202-452-1100
F 202-778-6132
humanesociety.org Iowa City City Council
410 E Washington St
Iowa City,IA 52240
Eric L.Bernthal,Esq.
Chair of the Board
Charles A.Laue
Vice Chair
Dear Council,
Marsha R.Perelman
Vice Chair
Last year,I addressed the council and urged you to develop a long-term conflict mitigation
Jason Weiss
Viceplan as part of the city's attempt to manage its deer population.Today,I ask you to do the
Chair
same thing.
Kathleen M.Linehan,Esq.
Board Treasurer
Deer are our wild neighbors,forced by habitat loss into the spaces where humans now live.
Kitty Block Thesegentle herd animals are loved by many,but the disappearance of wild lands has led
Acting President and CEO and g
Chief International Officer them into increasing conflicts with humans;they're often killed when they wander onto
G.Thomas Waite Ill roads(endangering human lives too)and they drive gardeners to distraction with their
Treasurer nibbling ways.They're often targeted for mass kills to reduce their numbers,but these are
Chief Financial Officer and ineffective and unnecessary.There are ways to peacefully coexist with deer.
Acting Chief Operating Officer
Katherine L.Karl Tolerance is needed when figuring out the best solution for your particular deer problems.
General Counsel and Some damage is bound to happen where there are deer,but you can minimize the damage.
Chief Legal Officer Under mild browsing conditions,a good repellent may be all that's needed.Under heavy
Michaelen Barsness browsing conditions,you may need to limit your plants to the more deer-resistant varieties
Controller and and use deer-proof fencing around your garden.
Deputy Treasurer
Johanie V.Parra I shared our"Deer Conflict Management&Coexistence Plan"with the council last year,but I
Secretary would again ask that the council review it. It is only 40 pages in length,and outlines ways that
DIRECTORS communities like Iowa City can work-again,in a long-term way-to develop plans to
mitigate conflicts with deer.
Jeffrey J.Arciniaco
Susan Atherton
Eric L.Bernthal,Esq. You can find that guide,along with other resources on the topic,online at
Georgina Bloomberg humanesociety.org/resources/deer garden.
J.Elizabeth Bradham
Jerry Cesak If you have any questions about our guide(or anything else),I welcome the opportunity to
Anita W.Coupe,Esq. have discussions on this topic with the city.
Neil B.Fang,Esq.,CPA
Caren M.Fleit Sincerely,
Spencer B.Haber
Cathy Kangas
Paula A.Kislak,D.V.M. �;J
Charles A.Laue ' /
Kathleen M.Linehan,Esq. ,f
John Mackey FILED
Mary I.Max
C.Thomas McMillen Preston Moore
Judy Ney Iowa State Director APR 0 2 2019
Sharon Lee Patrick The Humane Society of the United States
Marsha R.Perelman pmoore@humanesociety.org City Clerk
Jonathan M.Ratner P 240-753-9427 IOWA City, Iowa
Thomas J.Sabatino,Jr.
Walter J.Stewart,Esq.
Jason Weiss
David O.Wiebers,M.D.
Submitted by Allison Jaynes (D
No Bowhunting !
111/4!
111111111/ --.
. Support
pp
, Non-lethal Methods
"okit,
it t Y ,f' ..
# D 41 %.rte-i, ,
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rt, y
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Deterrence and long-term solutions are key!
www.ICDeerFriends.org
FILED
APR 0 2 2019
City Clerk
Iowa City, Iowa