HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-03 CorrespondenceItem Number: 6.a.
i
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
September 3, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Chris Schoon: Thanks for implementing Trap Nueter Return in I C!!!
Eleanor Price: TNR Program - Thank you
Ashley Platz
From: chrisjschoon@gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2019 12:00 PM
To: Council
Subject: Thanks for implementing Trap Neuter Return in IC!!
Well done, Councillors!
Chris Schoon
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chrisjschoonC@Rmail.com
www.christianschoon.com
@cischoon
Zenn Scarlett on Facebook
Ashley Platz
From: Eleanor Price <priceele@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2019 7:29 PM
To: Council
Subject: TNR program - Thank you
Dear City Council,
Thank you for passing legislation to allow trap -neuter -return programs to operate in Iowa City. Our community cats
deserve to live long, healthy lives, even if they can't live in homes. TNR prevents the spread of rabies, and allows these
cats to live without the stress of constant pregnancy. TNR was already happening in our community, but it really helps us
to have the support of Iowa City. My roommate and I have trapped and neutered six cats in our area, and only two were
too feral to be rehomed. The other four are now living in happy homes. Without TNR, we wouldn't be able to identify
which cats would be happy in homes --and without TNR, the two females we released could have had life-threatening
pregnancies and numerous kittens. TNR doesn't just save lives, it also prevents suffering. I'm so grateful that Iowa City
acknowledges the role of TNR in a maintaining small, healthy population of community cats. Thank you for supporting
our community cats and their carers.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Price
Item Number: 6.b.
i
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
September 3, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Feather Lacy: Styrofoam Downtown, Who is Responsible [Staff Response]
Ashley Platz
From: Geoff Fruin
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2019 9:14 PM
To: flacy@pobox.com; Bruce Teague; Jim Throgmorton; John Thomas; Mazahir Salih; Council; Pauline
Taylor; Rockne Cole; Susan Mims
Subject: RE: Styrofoam Downtown, Who is Responsible
Hello Ms. Lacy,
Thank you for the email. City staff is aware of the issue and is working to address it with the contractor rehabbing the
exterior of the Ecumenical Towers building on Washington Street.
Best,
Geoff Fruin
City Manager
From: Feather Lacy (Personal) <flacy@pobox.com>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2019 4:36 PM
To: Bruce Teague <Bruce-Teague@iowa-city.org>; Jim Throgmorton <Jim-Throgmorton@iowa-city.org>; John Thomas
<John-Thomas@iowa-city.org>; Mazahir Salih <Mazahir-Salih@iowa-city.org>; Council <Council@iowa-city.org>; Pauline
Taylor <Pauline-Taylor@iowa-city.org>; Rockne Cole <Rockne-Cole@iowa-city.org>; Susan Mims <Susan-Mims@iowa-
city.org>; Geoff Fruin <Geoff-Fruin@iowa-city.org>
Subject: Styrofoam Downtown, Who is Responsible
Dear Iowa City Councilors and City Manager,
Thursday, August 22, 2019, 1 was sitting with friends outside at the Java House at about 11 a.m. when we noticed small
white particles landing in our drinks and on our table and clothes. We were probably breathing them. Then today,
Monday, August 26 (see photo below) I saw many pieces and even some chunks of Styrofoam on the steps and in the
garden area of the Senior Center. Where did it originate? One of the construction projects in downtown Iowa City needs
to be held accountable. No person or company should be allowed to poison the people, streets and gardens of Iowa
City. Below is a photo of the garden area near the bicycle rack at the Senior Center.
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Item Number: 6.c.
i
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
September 3, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Patricia Ryan: trees
Fred Meyer: Increase Budget for Trees
Linda Quinn: Put tree into your budget
Ashley Platz
From: Patricia Ryan <patriciaryan1652@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 10:57 AM
To: Council
Subject: trees
City Council Members,
As a resident of Iowa City, I would like to encourage you to include in the budget adequate money for replacing all trees
that have been removed in recent years, and adding some more. This is a critical part of our response to the climate
crisis and one that is relatively easy to implement.
Thank you, Pat Ryan
Ashley Platz
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Dear city council members:
Fred Meyer <f.meyer@mchsi.com>
Wednesday, August 28, 2019 8:05 AM
Council
Increase Budget for Trees
Please allocate additional funding to replant trees in our community.
An endless number of studies show the many benefits of trees: they mitigate climate change, save energy through shade
and wind breaking, induce calming emotions and lower violence, increase property values, attract tourists, improve
water quality, reduce air pollution... and the list goes on. When it comes to getting a good return on investment,
planting more trees in our community is a fantastic deal.
Thanks so much for all that you do to create an abundant community.
Fred Meyer
112 Parsons Ave, Iowa City
319-358-7665
Ashley Platz
From: Linda Quinn <quinnhenry@msn.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2019 11:27 AM
To: Council
Subject: Put trees into your budget
Hello Good Councilors,
Trees, trees and more trees! Can you kindly consider budgeting for accelerated tree planting? To replace not
only the ash trees, but also for the many other benefits that trees afford us, including combating climate
change. I'm sure the city foresters can attest to benefits of native tree species; they attract more birds and
insects and are especially suited for our region. Plus natives are low maintenance.
I live in the Washington Hills area and the very best thing about my neighborhood is the mature trees- oaks,
pines, maples among others. The trees provide shade, beauty and emotional well-being that just cannot be
found in newer housing developments. Trees give us an important sense of nature right in the midst of so
many people.
Please invest in more trees. Keep our proud place on the list of Tree City USA.
Sincerely,
Linda Quinn, 2949 Creighton St Iowa City
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
-A �- (0c
Ashley Platz
From: MARY Kirkpatrick <PATCHWORKMARYJ@msn.com> Late Handouts Distributed
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2019 9:04 PM
To: Council
Subject: Please make planting trees an Iowa City priority g _ 50
Dear Iowa City Council members, (Date)
I encourage the city council to make planting trees a priority for the upcoming
year. Our community has lost many trees over the last few years and it is important to
replace them.
The fires in the Amazon are a reminder of how valuable and necessary trees are to the
health of our planet. Trees contribute to the environment by providing oxygen,
improving air quality, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting people and
wildlife in so many ways. Planting trees is vital to our efforts to reverse the devastating
effects of climate change.
Thank you so much for all you are doing to make our community vibrant and resilient!
Mary Kirkpatrick
431 Elmridge Avenue
Iowa City
319 430-0861
I
Item Number: 6.d.
i
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
September 3, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Email From Mary Hoyer: Iowa City Declares Climate Crisis
Mary Hoyer: Letter to Editor
Ashley Platz
From: Mary Hoyer <mfessary@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2019 5:43 PM
To: iowacityclimateadvocates@gmail.com; Council
Cc: zsmith@press-citizen.com
Subject: FW: "Iowa City Declares Climate Crisis"
Attachments: IowaCity.docx
FYI — and I would like an answer about what energy codes will be demanded for this project. Here are the
newest: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/zero-energy-ready-homes
The red flag when I was reading about Forest View was that manufactured homes are part of the project. Energy
efficiency requires that the inside be separated, as much as possible, from the outside. How can you do this with
modular housing? I recently attended a Green Building conference and was at a talk where modular housing was
discussed; the presenter was John Straube: https://uwaterloo.ca/civil-environmental-engineering/profile/efstraub.
A session that I did not attend, but may be a model is about Quebec City's Eco -
Village: http://nesea.org/session/guebec-citys-eco-district-low-energy-affordable-sustainable-and-cost-effective.
From: Mary Hoyer [mailto:mfessary@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2019 5:24 PM
To: 'zsmith@press-citizen.com'
Subject: "Iowa City Declares Climate Crisis"
I read these two articles — both written by you, and really started wondering. I don't know if you take letters to the
editor, or if this is just for you, but it is a question that is important.
Best Regards, Mary Hoyer
Virus -free. www.avast.com
To the Editor, Iowa Press -Citizen
When I was in Iowa City recently, I ran across an issue of the Press -Citizen. I was delighted to
read that that Iowa City Council has declared a climate crisis. This is a remarkable
recognition of a reality that most people are avoiding. We are not 10 or 20 or 30 years
away from a crisis, we are already in it — as the roller -coaster ride of this year's weather
illustrates only too well. In fact, t is really frightening to imagine what our world will be
like in 2030 or 2050 or whatever years various city, state, and country's governments are
setting as their goals for clean energy.
Like the City Council, I do believe that we can turn this around, but am wondering how much
the Council is going to follow through.
On the first page of the newspaper there was an article about the Forest View project that
the City is supporting. So I ask: What energy standards they requiring for these homes?
Will they follow the Iowa Energy Code, or go even further and comply with the DOE Zero
Energy Ready Homes standards? Will they install clean energy sources so that the
development is in fact net -zero?
Some may argue that meeting these requirements will add too much to the cost. First of all,
these units are meant to be affordable, which should mean the total cost of owning the
home. "Affordable" homes should include the overhead costs of utilities needed to live in
those homes.
More importantly, as a society we have to make a choice: Do we want to get serious and pay
the price now for net zero ready homes (about 10% more, according to the latest studies),
or cut costs and pay a much higher price in the future for ignoring this acknowledged
crisis: The costs of unbelievable storms, floods, droughts, forest fires, not to mention the
economic devastation, and ensuing unrest, that this is already causing many countries —
including our own.
I sincerely hope that the City Council is applying its declaration to the Forest View project
and applaud their leadership if they are.
Sincerely,
Mary Hoyer, Salem, Iowa
Item Number: 6.e.
i
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
September 3, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Emily Klinefelter: Sustainability -renewable energy
Ashley Platz
From: Emily Klinefelter <emilyklinefelter@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 24, 2019 9:15 AM
To: Council
Subject: Sustainability-renewalable energy
Dear Iowa City Council,
First off, thank you for your commitment to addressing our current climate catastrophe. I commend your work with
solar panels, transportation, and recycling and waste reduction. However, this plan does not go far enough. To actually
address the climate catastrophe we're currently facing, our goal should be 100% renewable energy for our entire city.
Maybe we first start with the goal of 100% renewable energy for all municipal buildings, including our schools, and then
look to invest in producing enough renewable energy to power all of Iowa City's commercial and residential properties.
know this is a huge undertaking, but we must do this. Please check this out:
https://www.sierraclub.org/ready-for-100/commitments
https://www.huffoost.com/entry/american-cities-powered-by-renewable-energy n 59ea2cbee4b0958c4681d32a
I have a suspicion that there are some legal limitations surrounding our utility agreement with MidAmerican Energy, but
anything can be done if you have the drive and ingenuity.
Thank you for your time.
Emily Klinefelter
Item Number: 6.f.
®4 CITY OF IOWA CITY
u►
�� COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
September 3, 2019
Establishment of parking prohibitions on Grissel Place.
Prepared By: Sarah Walz; Acting Sr. Transportation Planner
Reviewed By: Kent Ralston; Transportation Planner
Tracy Hightshoe, Director, Neighborhood and Development Services
Fiscal Impact: No impact.
Recommendations: Staff: Approval
Commission: N/A
Attachments: Letter from Shimek Principal
Executive Summary:
As directed by Title 9; Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of
the following action:
Pursuant to Section 9-4-1A (10); Install "No Parking Any Time" signs along the west side of
Grissel Place and install "No Parking 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM on School Days" signs along the east
side of Grissel Place.
Background /Analysis:
This action is being taken because Grissel Place has a pavement width of 25 feet and the
principal of Shimek Elementary has identified traffic issues related to on -street parking.
The parking prohibitions are to ensure that school traffic moves safely and efficiently to and from
Whiting Avenue along Grissel Place. Grissel Place is a 200 foot long street that provides the only
vehicle access to Shimek Elementary. School enrollment has increased this acedemic year and
significant new traffic to and from the school site is anticipated.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Correpsondence from Shimek School Principal
Sarah Walz
From:
Chris Pisarik <pisarik.chris@iowacityschools.org>
Sent:
Monday, August 26, 2019 9:31 AM
To:
Sarah Walz
Cc:
Ben Grimm
Subject:
Shimek Elementary School Request Regarding Grissel Place
Bear Ms. Walz,
My name is Chris Pisarik and I am the principal at Shimek Elementary School here in Iowa City. As you know from our
communication, my hope is that the City Council will consider supporting a plan that helps allow us to have a more safe
and efficient drop-off and pick-up procedure here at our school. If it would help the council to better understand our
perspective and needs from the school's vantage point, I would ask that you please consider sharing the following
message with them:
Dear Iowa City Council Members,
First, thank you so very much for making time to read about the Shimek school community's concerns regarding Grissel
Place. I would also like to thank Sarah Walz, who has been wonderful in making time to communicate and consider our
request through a critical lens. I'm sure this council has plenty of things on its agenda and certainly appreciate you
making time for our community.
On behalf of the Shimek Elementary School community, I would humbly ask that the Iowa City Council please consider
adding no parking signage to the east side of Grissel Place, during two critical times of the day or simply during school
hours, in order to alleviate potential struggles in this area. Currently, there are two times of every school day that make
it challenging and frequently unsafe for students and families coming and going to and from Shimek. Given that Grissel
Place is the only egress in and out of our property, things can get challenging from a logistics standpoint from about
7:30-8:15am and 2:30-3:15pm on M, T, W & F and then 7:30-8:15am and 1:30-2:15pm on Th.
Adding to our need for this change has been an increase in our student population and the addition of the Iowa City
Home School Assistance Program (ICHSAP) building on our site. I think it's fair to write that the addition of the ICHSAP
on our site, the increasing student population at Shimek and the increasing percentage of parents bringing children to
school in private vehicles are all coming to a head this year.
During the aforementioned times, it has been evident that we need traffic to be able to flow both directions; when that
is unable to occur things come to a halt. The school team has worked with families to significantly change our drop-off
and pick-up procedures. We have tried to put multiple new measures in place in hopes of increasing safety and
efficiency, including increasing the number of staff and safety patrol students supporting the new procedures. We have
also been very explicit about these new procedures in our communication to parents, providing them with written
documents and a video we've posted on the main page of our school's website.
With this additional support, if a parent or guardian is parked along Grissel Place, it is easier for us to come directly to
that individual to ask for their assistance in moving their vehicle to one of our designated locations. To assist in
addressing many of our concerns and to help with these new procedures, the school district has increased our on-site
parking capacity and is in the process of adding signage and painting to label various things such as a bus lane, drop-
off/pick-up lane and staff parking. Hopefully, our neighbors will also see the benefits of this during events such as Open
House or the School Carnival - times when we should have the capacity to park many more vehicles on site and off of
streets such as Whiting.
Despite all of these efforts, if there is,-, vehicle that is parked along either side of Grissel Place and we don't know who
the vehicle belongs to or cannot make contact with them, it can make moving a large number of students and families in
and out of our site very challenging. Currently, there is signage on the west side of Grissel Place that restricts parking on
that side of the street to times outside of the 8:OOam-4:OOpm time frame M -F. If the council would please consider
supporting our proposal to post similar signage on the east side of the street, where there are currently two residents'
homes, I know it would help tremendously.
If there is anything that the city is able to do to assist with this, know that we would be extremely grateful. Thank you
again for your time and consideration and if you have any questions, concerns or requests of our school please feel free
to reach out to me here at Shimek or to our facilities management team with the school district.
Thank you and gave .; good evening!
Most Sincerely,
Chris Pisarik
Principal, Shimek Elementary School
Ms. Walz, thank you again for your time and help with this process. We truly appreciate it! Have a wonderful day.
Most sincerely,
Chris Pisarik
Principal, Shimek Elementary School
Embracing and Inspiring Excellence.
1400 Grissel Place
Iowa City, IA 52245
319-688-1160
www.iowacityschools.org/ShimekES
Item Number:
CITY OE IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
September 3, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Emily Klinefelter: Sustainability-renewalable energy
Ashley Platz
From: Emily Klinefelter <emilyklinefelter@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 24, 2019 9:15 AM
To: Council
Subject: Sustainability-renewalable energy
Dear Iowa City Council,
First off, thank you for your commitment to addressing our current climate catastrophe. I commend your work with
solar panels, transportation, and recycling and waste reduction. However, this plan does not go far enough. To actually
address the climate catastrophe we're currently facing, our goal should be 100% renewable energy for our entire city.
Maybe we first start with the goal of 100% renewable energy for all municipal buildings, including our schools, and then
look to invest in producing enough renewable energy to power all of Iowa City's commercial and residential properties.
know this is a huge undertaking, but we must do this. Please check this out:
https://www.sierraclub.org/ready-for-100/commitments
https://www.huffoost.com/entry/american-cities-powered-by-renewable-energy n 59ea2cbee4b0958c4681d32a
I have a suspicion that there are some legal limitations surrounding our utility agreement with MidAmerican Energy, but
anything can be done if you have the drive and ingenuity.
Thank you for your time.
Emily Klinefelter