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2020-03-24 Correspondence
INCITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org March 24, 2020 ATTACHMENTS: Item Number: 8.a. Description Sara Barron, Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition: South District Form -Based Code Kellie Fruehling From: Sara@jcaffordablehousing.org Sent: Friday, March 6, 2020 12:13 PM To: Council; Geoff Fruin; Anne Russett; Tracy Hightshoe Subject: Response to Form -Based Code proposal Attachments: 20.03.06 Memo to City of Iowa City re Form -Based Code.docx A Dear Council and Staff, Attached, please find a memo from the Affordable Housing Coalition regarding the proposed South District Form -Based Code. Take care, Sara APC JOHNSON COUNTY Affordable Housing Coalition Sara Barron I she/her/hers Executive Director www.icaffordablehousing.org www.facebook.com/ocaffordablehousing *please note my new email address, sara@jcaffordablehousing.org JOHNSON COUNTY Affordable Housing Coalition March 6, 2020 TO: FROM: RE: Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition 308 E. Burlington Street, PMB 121 Iowa City, Iowa 52240 jcaffordablehousing@gmail.com www.facebook.com/jcaffordablehousing Iowa City City Council and Staff Sara Barron, Executive Director, Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition South District Form -Based Code On Friday, December 13, the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition welcomed city planner Anne Russett to our Affordable Homeownership Committee meeting. Ms. Russett gave a presentation to our group of developers and housing advocates about the city's plans for a form -based code in the South District. We are very grateful for the time she took to walk us through the details of the plan and her thoughtful responses to our questions. We offer the following for your consideration and action: • Foremost, the Coalition believes that because housing affordability has been and must continue to be a city priority, the form -based code should reflect specific strategies and measurable objectives for achieving greater housing affordability. Simply providing a market-driven option to build homes with a smaller footprint is not a specific enough strategy to make housing more affordable. Relying on the existing annexation provision for affordable units is not sufficient. All design requirements and zoning proposed must be carefully evaluated through the lens of affordability. If the form -based code is intended to be a model for expansion throughout Iowa City, it is shortsighted—if not negligent—to propose a model that does not address affordability in a more integrated, outcome -driven way. • We recommend that a by -right waiver of some subset of form requirements be available to developers who agree to build units that will sell or rent at a predetermined level of affordability. This compromise releases builders from design elements that drive up development costs in exchange for affordable development. • Overall, we are disappointed to see a proposal of this magnitude, with this type of long-term influence over the character and development of our community, that does not reflect the city's values of affordability, sustainability, and accessibility. Further, our interactions with the consultants from Opticos have not demonstrated to us that they share an understanding of and commitment to these values. The Affordable Housing Coalition is committed to finding solutions for these concerns. We would be glad to consult with the City and other stakeholders to shape the form -based code into the final product that the City and its residents deserve. Item Number: 8.b. INCITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org March 24, 2020 ATTACHMENTS: Description Tom Carsner: Comment on UI Power Plant Permit Renewal Becky Hall: Concern for U of I Coal Plant Del Holland: Title V Operating Permit for University of Iowa Kellie Fruehling From: Tom Carsner <carsner@mchsi.com> Sent: Friday, March 6, 2020 10:17 PM To: Council Subject: Comment on UI Power Plant Permit Renewal To the Iowa City City Council: I urge the City Council to send a comment before March 14, 2020 to the Iowa DNR asking for the denial of the permit renewal of the UI Power Plant. The UI Power Plant emits a variety of pollutants from burning coal and natural gas that unnecessarily harms the health of Iowa City residents. There are multiple clean energy sources available to the UI that would not emit these pollutants nor carbon or methane. I applaud the City Council for increasing its carbon emission goals to meet those of the IPCC. The UI Power Plant is the greatest emitter of carbon and methane in our city. Iowa City government should take a stand against this permit renewal to protect the health of its citizens. Yes, it steps on toes, but the health of our planet is at stake and we should act locally to help globally. Tom Carsner 1627 College Court Place Iowa City, Iowa 52245 I have added below a link to more information about this issue and a copy of my letter to the Iowa DNR on the Power Plant Permit renewal. https: //protect-us.mimecast.com/s/J8f3CJ61wki7pRKuVkCkX?domain=littlevillagemag. com To Chris Kjellmark: The DNR should deny the UI Power Plant permit renewal due to the toxic emissions that will harm the health of Iowa City residents and the unnecessary carbon emissions it will add to the Earth's atmosphere. In 2oo6 I was part of a group of city residents asking the UI to stop burning coal at the plant due to its toxic emissions and because there were cleaner alternative fuels available to create energy. This group was not the first to ask this of the UI, and since 20o6 there have been other groups requesting this, to no avail, of the UI. The DNR should deny this permit renewal because the toxins it will emit are harmful to human health, even if they fit within prescribed standards. Coal and natural gas production create a long list of pollutants and other harms to the environment long before they reach the power plant for burning. The permit renewal should also be denied because in 2020 there are clean energy alternatives available to the UI that would eliminate the need to emit these toxins from coal and natural gas. Solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectricity (since it is on the Iowa River) all present viable alternatives to coal and natural gas that the UI should be required to use instead of five more years of emitting carbon, methane, and all the other toxins. The DNR has the role of protecting the health of Iowa citizens. I request that it do its job by denying the UI Power Plant permit renewal. Tom Carsner 1627 College Court Place Iowa City, Iowa 52245 carsner@mchsi.com March 6, 2020 carsner@mchsi.com 319-338-9335 Iowa City,Iowa 52245 This email is from an external source. Kellie Fruehling From: Becky Hall <beckyha112012@gmaii.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2020 12:31 PM To: Bruce Teague; Council Subject: Concern for U of I Coal Plant AI RI!$ Dear Iowa City Council and Mayor Bruce Teague, I call upon you to make a Public Statement concerning the University of Iowa Coal Burning Plant and their plan to burn coal for 5 more years as they transition off. 5 more years is too long to wait, they have the technology to move to clean energies now! The chart below is evidence of the need for change. Please support this move with a statement on behalf of the city and its residents. Thank you, Becky Hall Native Iowa City resident for 72 years Iowa Department of Natural Resources Draft Title V Operating Permit Fact Sheet This document has been prepared to fulfill the public participation requirements of 40 CFR Part 70 and 567 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 22.107(6). 40 CFR Part 70 contains operating permit regulations pursuant to Title V of the Clean Air Act. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) finds that: University of Iowa, located at 105 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242 has applied to renew their Title V Operating Permit. The designated responsible official of this facility is Rodney P. Lehnertz. University of Iowa is a College/University. This facility consists of 163 emission units with potential emissions of. Pollutant Abbreviation Potential Emissions Tons per Year Particulate Matter <_ 2.5 m PM2.5 85.90 Particulate Matter <_ 10 m PMio 97.72 Particulate Matter PM 111.51 Sulfur Dioxide 502 1602.97 Nitrogen Oxides NOX 751.84 Volatile Organic Compounds VOC 172.75 Carbon Monoxide CO 444.73 Lead Lead 0.52 Hazardous Air Pollutants o t HAP 165.17 0) May include the following: Please refer to the Title V application. Ashley Platz From: Del Holland <delholland@aol.com> Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2020 10:05 PM To: Council Subject: Title V Operating Permit for University of Iowa AA RIK Mayor Teague and City Councilors, I have just written the following letter to Chris Kjellmark of the Iowa DNR; Chris for the IDNR, I have grave concerns about the pollutant levels being offered to be permitted by the University of Iowa. While I greatly appreciate the University's efforts to burn oat hulls and grasses, the continued burning of coal or so called "natural gas" is unacceptable in this time of climate emergency. We can not continue to allow this sullying of our Commons which is having such severe consequences, in terms for hotter temperatures, woodland fires, more, more severe weather events with the consequent flooding, physical damage and loss of human lives, to say nothing of the impact of the rest of the biota and our oceans. What I have spoken of above is the impact of the CO2 pollution. Of course, there are many other air pollutants that are projected to be produced. A concern is that not only are these harmful materials being dumped into our air, but there is no adequate information gathered or taken into consideration about the many other local polluters in the area who are also adding their wastes into our air. The impact of these is not just cumulative, but in some cases greatly increased by synergies between toxins. The University should not be allowed this permit to continue much as usual when there are alternatives which would allow a much swifter transition from fossil fuel use and a great reduction in the dumping of waste into our air and landfills. I would strongly encourage the DNR to deny this permit and tell the University to more quickly clean up it's act and quite putting tons of toxins in our air. I would strongly encourage you to make a public statement to the University and the State on the behalf of the council and of the health of the residents of the city of Iowa City. This power plant is largest polluter in the City and should be acting as a model to the state and its students in its practices. Del Holland 107 Prairie Hill Lane Iowa City, IA, 52246 319-594-2957 Item Number: 8.c. CITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org March 24, 2020 ATTACHMENTS: Description Laurie Crawford: Deer - Co -exist, don't kill Zac Wedemeyer: Iowa City Bow Hunt for Deer [Staff response included] Kellie Fruehling From: laurie crawford <lauriecrawforc1517@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, March 7, 2020 3:56 PM To: Council Subject: Deer - Co -exist, don't Kill AK Dear Mayor Teague and City Council Members: The number of sharp shooting incidents is nothing compared to what the City and citizens will experience if you proceed with plans to bow hunt deer in the city limits. Controversy surrounding sharp shooting of deer was predictable. Finding gun shot deer is horrific, unexpected and inexcusable. Close monitoring of the bait and kill process was promised. I am disappointed killing is occurring in parks. You may recall one successful method of managing deer/human conflict is to set aside green areas such as parks, and areas near water sources, to encourage deer to live, eat and find shelter in those areas. Killing deer in those "safe" areas will drive deer back into neighborhoods and increase complaints from intolerants. Humans have developed spaces historically inhabited by wildlife. Wildlife will continue to come to those areas for food and shelter. It's in their DNA. I am dismayed by any killing of deer. The issue is not numbers, but tolerance through co -existence. Killing one deer won't keep others from eating plants. The only permanent and effective population control is through nature (availability of food/weather) and, if humans must intervene, sterilization. Iowa City Deer Friends has suggested many non -lethal measures that are working in other communities. Please implement the non -lethal strategies repeatedly recommended by Iowa City Deer Friends in lieu of killing programs. I wonder how long it will be until the University of Iowa is impacted by this archaic approach to wildlife conflict. We, as an educated and progressive City, are better than this. We are not like other Iowa cities and should not be acting like them. Respectfully, Laurie Crawford, JD Iowa City, IA Kellie Fruehling From: Geoff Fruin Sent: Monday, March 9, 2020 1:31 PM To: 'Zachary Wedemeyer'; Council Cc: Bill Campbell Subject: RE: Iowa City Bow Hunt for Deer Mr. Wedemeyer, Thank you for your email regarding our deer management plan. The Iowa City Police Department is currently reviewing urban bow hunt programs in other Iowa communities and consulting with the Department of Natural Resources. Once we formulate a plan for a bow hunt we will present that publicly. At that time, you and others will be provided an opportunity to weigh in with your thoughts. Feel free to check back later this spring/summer for an update. Thank you again for reaching out. Geoff Fruin City Manager From: Zachary Wedemeyer [mailto:zacwedemeyer@yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, March 8, 2020 11:52 AM To: Council <Council@iowa-city.org> Subject: Iowa City Bow Hunt for Deer ASI Hello Iowa City Council Members, I'm writing to request more information about the upcoming in -town bow hunt for deer. Please let me know who to contact for the when, where, and how. I also want to express my support for the bowhunting plan, and encourage you to consider extending it beyond four years. I think it should be part of the on-going deer management plan. Unless there are drastic changes to our environment, deer overpopulation problems are not going to disappear in four years. I think that carefully controlled public hunting for deer is a safe and economical population management method. I would argue that it is also a more natural control method than things like birth control or the construction of deer -resistant infrastructure. It also provides a healthy, local, and sustainable food source for Iowa City residents. In my experience, archery hunters as a group are conscientious and careful. Because of this, and because their hunting tools are very short range, the chances of an accidental shooting are almost non-existent. Contrary to widespread misconceptions, archery hunting is very effective when practiced properly, and results in quick, humane death of shot deer. Although there is the possibility that a wounded deer will stray away from the hunting area and cause problems in both safety and public perception, the implementation of skills testing requirements for eligible hunters will reduce this occurrence. It seems there is a sharp and sometimes angry divide between those for and against an in -town Iowa City bow hunt. It's often caricatured as rightwing nut job wildlife killers vs. leftwing PETA tree -hugger elites. I have roots in both sides of this divide (and fundamental disagreements with both sides), and I think I could help facilitate understanding and cooperation between the pro and against groups, and help people see the commonalities they share --general love of nature and a desire for a healthy deer population, among others. How can I best help? Come to a city council meeting when the topic is on the schedule? Letter to the editor? Something else? Thank you for the work you all do for our community, Zac Wedemeyer www.TaprootNatureE2 pe ence.org 319.325.0695 Item Number: 8.d. INCITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org March 24, 2020 ATTACHMENTS: Description Eric Mueller: Iowa City Parking Garages [Staff response included] Kellie Fruehling From: Mark Rummel Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 10:46 PM To: epmueller@hotmail.com Cc: Council; Darian Nagle-Gamm Subject: RE: Iowa City Parking Garages Mr. Mueller, I was able to discover the cause of the equipment malfunctions during your visit. Unfortunately your experience at the entrance and the pay -on -foot machine were due to a computer that failed. The entrance lane communicates with the pay -on -foot near Clinton Street which uses a PC to communicate to our back end database. When this PC went down it caused the Capitol Street entrance and the walk-up machine on Clinton St to enter an out -of -order mode. We have been able to redirect the entrance to a different computer however the pay -on -foot will remain out of order until we our new PC arrives. I am sorry your visit was not convenient. We have plans to replace some aging equipment in the near future to improve customer experiences. Our staff tries to address issues as soon as possible and hope your next visit is much smoother. Thanks, Mark Rummel From: Mark Rummel Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 6:15 AM To:'epmueller@hotmail.com' <epmueller@hotmail.com> Subject: RE: Iowa City Parking Garages Hello Mr. Mueller, I am sorry you had an unpleasant experience in our parking facility. The Capitol Street Parking Ramp is a City of Iowa City owned structure. The door handle on the third floor was repaired on Sunday. Our maintenance staff perform janitorial duties and inspections daily, so this damage most likely occurred Saturday night. I will investigate the equipment failures you listed below and provide an update later today. Mark Rummel Transportation Services City of Iowa City 319-356-5097 From: Eric Mueller [mailto:epmueller@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, March 9, 2020 8:55 AM To: Council <Council@iowa-city.ore>; parking-office@uiowa.edu Subject: Iowa City Parking Garages I don't know if the parking garages in Iowa City are run by the city of Iowa City, the University, or are privately owner but they are a mess. We came down to Iowa City from Cedar Rapids this weekend for lunch and some shopping in the ped mall area and parked in the garage on Capitol Street. When entering from Capitol St, we noticed a car in front of us was attempting to back up into the street. After letting them out we found out why when we came to the gate entrance and noticed an out of order sign. Unfortunately there wasn't a call button or intercom so we also had to back up into the street and drove around and entered from the Clinton St entrance instead. After returning to the garage, we attempted to pay at the pay station along Clinton St. Once again we came across another out of order sign so just took the ticket with us. After climbing the stairs back to our car, we came to the door on the third floor of the garage only to find the handle on the door missing so we couldn't open the door to get to the floor our car was on. The parking garages are one of the first things visitors to Iowa City see and in the state they are in, the impression people get is that Iowa City is becoming a run down city which the city is not taking pride in anymore. Eric Item Number: 8.e. INCITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org March 24, 2020 ATTACHMENTS: Description David Rhodes: street cleaning [Staff response included] Kellie Fruehling From: Geoff Fruin Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2020 7:34 AM To: 'David Rhodes'; Tania Drinkwater; Council Subject: RE: street cleaning Mr. Rhodes, Thank you for sharing your concern. The sidewalk cleaning is a partnership between the City of Iowa City and the Iowa City Downtown District. The District coordinates the scheduling of the service. I will pass along your email to them so they can take that into consideration when planning future cleanings. My apologies for the disruption and thank you again for taking the time to let us know. Geoff Fruin City Manager From: David Rhodes [mailto:drhodes137@yahoo.co.uk] Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2020 12:15 AM To: Tania Drinkwater <taniadrinkwater@westwindsrealestate.com>; Council <Council@iowa-city.org> Subject: street cleaning RIX To whom it may concern, I am a resident of 7 S Linn St, a residential block in downtown area. Tonight (March 11) and previously on Monday night, we have a guy jet washing the side walk. He has started work tonight at 11.20pm. On Monday it was a similar time and he took 4hours, ending at around 3.30am. In fact on Monday it rained all day so the side walk was pretty clean already. If you want cleaner I suggest a stiff brush. Apart from being completely pointless, this activity is loud. No one in this block facing onto S Linn St will get any sleep until he finishes. I actually went down to ask the workman who had scheduled this work at this time of night. He's a good guy doing his job. He didn't know who scheduled it but guessed it was city council. Hence this email. I suggest to you that scheduling this work at night time shows a disregard for the residents of your city. This block houses may US and foreign students - hopefully they have completed their exams. I suggest further that you reconsider your scheduling in future in order to avoid creating an oppressive environment. Yours David Rhodes 7 S Linn St #606 INCITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org March 24, 2020 ATTACHMENTS: Item Number: 8.f. Description Rasmus Schlutter: Eviction Moratorium and Rent Regulation to Prevent the Spread of COVI D- 19 Austin Wu - New Student group responding to community needs during the COVI D-19 pandemic - Iowa City Erranders I owa City Tenants Union (I CTU): Letter to City Council Regarding Eviction Moratorium Brook Dearborn Huston: Social Distancing Now will Save Lives Ashley Platz From: Rasmus Schlutter <rasmus.schlutter@yale.edu> Sent: Friday, March 13, 2020 3:50 PM To: Council Subject: Eviction Moratorium and Rent Regulation to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 A1 FIISInl Dear Members of the Iowa City City Council, I hope that this email finds you all well during these difficult times. I imagine you have a great deal to think about and to do, and so I will keep my letter as brief as possible. I appreciate the time you take to read this and all the great leadership and service you already provide our city. It is from this shared love of our community that I write to ask you to consider implementing the strongest possible restrictions on eviction and rent increases for the coming months. My name is Rasmus Peter Lillios Schlutter. I grew up in Iowa City, graduating from City High in 2017, and am now a junior at Yale University studying urban studies. I write as someone whose research and professional interests lie at the intersection of racial justice, health, and housing, but more importantly, as someone who worries deeply for the effects of this crisis on my friends and neighbors who are housing insecure or face difficulties paying rent. As many other cities have moved to do, a moratorium on evictions would provide a concrete step to maintaining housing access and neighborhood stability across the Iowa City area. Already, members of our community are facing unexpected unemployment and increased financial insecurity related to concerns of COVID-19. These conditions lead to a higher risk of evictions; this is a risk that we cannot afford. Medical evidence and social documentation has reached a critical consensus on the severe and far-reaching damage of evictions, especially for working class communities who already face barriers to affordable care and equitable labor conditions. Even under the best of circumstances, evictions are devastating to individuals and families alike, with children's health outcomes suffering the secondary and tertiary effects from the resulting housing and social instability. Evictions are also strongly linked to increases in emergency room utilization. In this crisis, a preventative eviction moratorium and rent regulation would be a critical step toward reducing the stress on our emergency room systems and ensuring that as many hospital beds remain available as possible. During pandemics such as COVID-19, the precarity produced by evictions is only exacerbated, with ramifications far beyond an individual home or family. An eviction moratorium, especially accompanied by a cap on rent increases, will both support working class residents and the health of our entire community. It will secure housing access—the fundamental foundation for sustainable health and well-being—facilitate social distancing through guaranteeing a stable home to self -quarantine within, and help provide the dignity and community we all need during uncertain and unclear times. If you have not begun to do so already, I urge you with all my heart to consider adopting eviction restrictions and strong rent regulations to support the health and livelihood of our community. Thank you for your time, for all your work that you do, and for all the work that is to come. Sincerely, Rasmus Ashley Platz From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: I RISK Hello there everyone, Wu, Austin <austin-wu@uiowa.edu> Monday, March 16, 2020 10:37 AM Council Longenecker, Ryan J; Lakadat, Colin J New student group responding to community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic Iowa City Erranders I am writing to inform all of you of a new student -led group that is being formed by students online, called the Iowa City Erranders. They have this message that is being distributed to other community organizations: "The Iowa City Errand-ers is a recently organized group of students, parents, working people, and strangers ready to respond to the unique needs of the community as a result of [COVID-19]. The group initially formed with the purpose to deliver food and run errands for individuals who are most at risk from [COVID-19]. Shortly after launching, over 250 people signed up to help. Given the overwhelming interest, we've expanded our scope to assist the Iowa City community at large in a grassroots fashion. Rather than recreating the wheel, our hope is to connect with local organizations and learn what their needs are at this time and determine how we can help. We are open to anything. Whether it's volunteering, gathering supplies, running errands, or sharing information, we are ready to mobilize a large number of people. Our number one priority is maintaining the health and safety of the Iowa City community. We will be in communication with personnel from the College of Public Health, Johnson County Public Health, and other local experts to make sure we are taking all the necessary steps to do just that. If your organization could use some extra hands, please consider us an option at this time. If you know of communities or individuals who could use some assistance, please consider connecting them with us. If it would be helpful, [we would be] happy to talk more about what we are hoping to do either via email or through phone. We look forward to serving our neighbors." Their Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/lowaCityErranders/, and a sign-up page can be found at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/lFAIPQLSf46oJIBCivwSRE4ivfnMAr7KPY2GnCLKOBNUB8Pu5rC5Hu2A/viewform. If anyone has additional questions please feel free to reach out. Thanks, Austin Wu (he/him/his) BA Public Health I University of Iowa '20 City Liaison I UI Student Government austin-wu(@uiowa.edu Ashley Platz From: IowaCity Tenant<iowacitytenantsunion@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 12:12 PM To: Council Cc: matt.drabek@gmail.com Subject: Letter to City Council Regarding Eviction Moratorium Attachments: Iowa City Tenants Union Letter to City Council.docx ARID Dear City Council, Please find attached a letter to the City Council encouraging the City to adopt a moratorium on eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic, signed by members of the Iowa City Tenants Union and members of the public health community in Iowa City and Johnson County. Best wishes, Matt Drabek Secretary -Treasurer and Board Member, Iowa City Tenants Union Iowa City Tenants Union (ICTU) iowacitytenantsunionggmail.com www.facebook.com/lowaCitvTenantsUnion Dear City Council, We are writing to you as members of the Iowa City Tenants Union (ICTU) to encourage you to adopt a moratorium on non-payment of rent notices and evictions in Iowa City during the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic. Due to illness, closures, and the current economic downturn we believe this is crucial to protecting Iowa City residents. There has already been a precedence set for actions such as this during the COVID-19 outbreak: legislative or executive actions on this issue are currently underway in Los Angeles, Miami, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Monica, Seattle, the state legislature in Newyork, and other places'. There are two main reasons we are encouraging you to adopt such a measure. First, there is a risk of increased eviction from the economic impacts of the disease, such as loss of employment due to work closures and reductions. An increased rate of eviction would put severe strain both on families and on city services. The trauma of an eviction on top of the trauma of job loss is challenging at any time, but it is especially challenging now. From both a human needs and policy perspective, the city is likely to face many challenges in the coming weeks and months. Adding to that the need to find services for those suffering from eviction and homelessness is a challenge the city can avoid by adopting an eviction moratorium. The second — more commonly overlooked — reason is related to public health. The eviction process has many moving parts. Often, a tenant will receive a physical notice from the landlord, attend a court hearing, meet with the landlord and/or police officers, convince family and friends to help them move or hire movers, speak with landlords or representatives of non-profit agencies about replacement housing, convince family and friends to help them move into replacement housing, and other actions. Each of these steps involves increased contact with other people and increased risk of contracting and/or spreading COVID-19. This is without mentioning the increased risk of disease and other hardships people face when unhoused, especially people who are immunocompromised, elderly, and/or disabled. Enabling people to remain in their homes and thereby avoid these steps is better for tenants, better for city and courthouse staff, better for non-profit agencies, and better for the broader community. It would be ideal to enact a moratorium that lasts until the end of the worst of the pandemic, which could run through June or later. But we believe a 60 -day moratorium — or even a 30 -day moratorium — is necessary to protect Iowa City residents and avoid undue strain on the City's resources. Signed, Matt Drabek, ICTU Board Member Austin Wu, Department of Health Management and Policy, ICTU Member, City Liaison for UISG Laura Widman, ICTU Member and Legal Liaison Derick Delloro, ICTU Board Member 1 See, e.g., https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/03/14/city-of-santa-monica-issues-temporary-moratorium- on-evictions-for-non-payment-of-rent-bv-residential-tenants-i m pacted-by-the-novel-coronavirus-covid-19; https://komonews.com/news/coronavirus/seattle-to-issue-emergency-moratorium-on-evictions-due-to-covid-19; https://www.sftu.org/2020/03/13/moratori um-on-evictions-related-to-covid-19-pandemic/; https://www.forbes.com/sites/dimawillia ms/2020/03/14/cities-and-counties-halt-evictions-to-fight-the- coronavirus/#7092d67814b8 Allison Tippe, ICTU Member Sabrielle Stutts, ICTU Member Preston Clopton, ICTU Member Zoe Swinton, ICTU Member Julie Armstrong, ICTU Member Kenneth Elliott, ICTU Member Laura Kerr, ICTU Member Mitchell Griffin, ICTU Member Oliver LaFave, ICTU Board Member Alison Clark, ICTU Board Member Andrea Truitt, ICTU Member Latisha McDaniel Grife, ICTU Board Member Cristobal McKinney, ICTU Member Noah Bultema, ICTU Member Amanda Nichols, ICTU Member Kathleen May, Department of Community of Behavioral Health Abigail Lee, Department of Community of Behavioral Health Ian Buchta, Department of Epidemiology Hailey Boudreau, Department of Community of Behavioral Health Eliza Daly, Department of Community of Behavioral Health Madeline Kemp, Department of Community of Behavioral Health Daniel Corry, Department of Epidemiology Emily Houston, Department of Health Management and Policy Luke Sampson, Department of Epidemiology Eric Ortiz, Department of Community of Behavioral Health Emma Nelson, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Stevland Sonnier, Department of Health Management and Policy Juan Gudino, Department of Epidemiology Ashley Platz From: B.E. Dearborn Huston <bedearborn@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2020 9:33 PM To: Council Subject: Social Distancing Now will Save Lives Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Completed RISK Hi there. I'm Brooke Dearborn Huston, a homeowner here in government to be more stern in it's action against COVID-19 school closures now, not later. Iowa City. I want to BEG the Iowa City We need city mandated social distancing and This article shows with great clarity the effect social distancing can have on a community's infection. Slowing the spread is imperative to our healthcare system. It will save lives! https:/Iwww.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ Thank you for your service to our community and thank you for your time. -Brooke Dearborn Huston 429 N Governor St Iowa City, IA 52245 3/18/2020 Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to "flatten the curve" - Washington Post I.Jhe Washington Post Health Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to "flatten the curve" By Harry Stevens March 14, 2020 PLEASE NOTE The Washington Post is providing this story for free so that all readers have access to this important information about the coronavirus. For more free stories, sign up for our daily Coronavirus Updates newsletter. After the first case of covid-ig, the disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus, was announced in the United States, reports of further infections trickled in slowly. Two months later, that trickle has turned into a steady current. [Lea este articulo en espanol I Leggi in Italiano tall Ji"JI L& 6-9"l 1 Lire en f-angais] https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020tworld/corona-simulator/ 1 i1 3/18/2020 Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to "flatten the curve" - Washington Post 2,000 cases in the U.S. 1,000 0 Jan. 22 Feb. 1 Feb. 15 Hover to explore the number of cases over time. March 1 ■ 2,179 cases i March 13 This so-called exponential curve --A has experts worried. If the number of cases were to continue to double every three days, there would be about a hundred million cases in the United States by May. [Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All stories linked within the newsletter are free to access.] That is math, not prophecy. The spread can be slowed, public health professionals say, if people practice "social distancing" by avoiding public spaces and generally limiting their movement. Still, without any measures to slow it down, covid-19 will continue to spread exponentially for months. To understand why, it is instructive to simulate the spread of a fake disease through a population. We will call our fake disease simulitis. It spreads even more easily than covid-i9: whenever a healthy person comes into contact with a sick person, the healthy person becomes sick, too. https:/hvww.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ 2/11 3/18/2020 Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to "flatten the curve" - Washington Post In a population of just five people, it did not take long for everyone to catch simulitis. In real life, of course, people eventually recover. A recovered person can neither transmit simulitis to a healthy person nor become sick again after coming in contact with a sick person. Let's see what happens when simulitis spreads in a town of 200 people. We will start everyone in town at a random position, moving at a random angle, and we will make one person sick. Notice how the slope of the red curve, which represents the number of sick people, rises rapidly as the disease spreads and then tapers off as people recover. Count Change over time Recovered 0 Healthy 199 Sick haps://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ 3/11 3/18/2020 Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to "flatten the curve" - Washington Post E; Our simulation town is small — about the size of Whittier, Alaska — so simulitis was able to spread quickly across the entire population. In a country like the United States, with its 330 million people, the curve could steepen for a long time before it started to slow. [Mapping the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. and worldwide] When it comes to the real covid-19, we would prefer to slow the spread of the virus before it infects a large portion of the U.S. population. To slow simulitis, let's try to create a I I forced quarantine, such as the one the Chinese government imposed on Hubei province, covid-19's ground zero. Count Change over time Recovered 0 Healthy 199 Sick 1 https:/iwww.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020tworld/corona-simulator/ 4/11 3/18/2020 a Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to "flatten the curve" - Washington Post 1 W K Whoops! As health experts would expect, it proved impossible to completely seal off the sick population from the healthy. Leana Wen, the former health commissioner for the city of Baltimore, explained the impracticalities of forced quarantines to The Washington Post in January. "Many people work in the city and live in neighboring counties, and vice versa," Wen said. "Would people be separated from their families? How would every road be blocked? How would supplies reach residents?" As Lawrence O. Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University, put it: "The truth is those kinds of lockdowns are very rare and never effective." Fortunately, there are other ways to slow an outbreak. Above all, health officials have encouraged people to avoid public gatherings, to stay home more often and to keep their distance from others. If people are less mobile https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ 5111 3/18/2020 Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to "flatten the curve" - Washington Post and interact with each other less, the virus has fewer opportunities to spread. Some people will still go out. Maybe they cannot stay home because of their work or other obligations, or maybe they simply refuse to heed public health warnings. Those people are not only more likely to get sick themselves, they are more likely to spread simulitis, too. Let's see what happens when a quarter of our population continues to move around while the other three quarters adopt a strategy of what health experts call "social distancing." Count Change over time Recovered 0 Healthy 199 Sick More social distancing keeps even more people healthy, and people can be nudged away from public places by removing their allure. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/20201world/corona-simulator/ 6/11 3/18/2020 Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to "flatten the curve" - Washington Post "We control the desire to be in public spaces by closing down public spaces. Italy is closing all of its restaurants. China is closing everything, and we are closing things now, too," said Drew Harris, a population health researcher and assistant professor at The Thomas Jefferson University College of Public Health. "Reducing the opportunities for gathering helps folks social distance." To simulate more social distancing, instead of allowing a quarter of the population to move, we will see what happens when we let just one of every eight people move. Count Change over time Recovered 0 Healthy 199 Sick 1 • OF • ► i i � i i '� i •i � i ■ i i i * * i ■ i i ■� ■ i i ii • ■ i i *■ i �' �• • 4 ■ The four simulations you just watched — a free-for-all, an attempted quarantine, moderate social distancing and extensive social distancing — were random. That means the results of each one were unique to your httpsJ/www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ 7111 3/18/2020 Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to "flatten the curve" - Washington Post reading of this article; if you scroll up and rerun the simulations, or if you revisit this page later, your results will change. Even with different results, moderate social distancing will usually outperform the attempted quarantine, and extensive social distancing usually works best of all. Below is a comparison of your results. Simulitis is not covid-19, and these simulations vastly oversimplify the complexity of real life. Yet just as simulitis spread through the networks of bouncing balls on your screen, covid-19 is spreading through our human networks — through our countries, our towns, our workplaces, our families. And, like a ball bouncing across the screen, a single person's behavior can cause ripple effects that touch faraway people. [What you need to know about coronavirus] In one crucial respect, though, these simulations are nothing like reality: Unlike simulitis, covid-19 can kill. Though the fatality rate is not precisely known, it is clear that the elderly members of our community are most at risk of dying from covid-19. "If you want this to be more realistic," Harris said after seeing a preview of this story, "some of the dots should disappear." Related stories Coronavirus live updates How to prepare for the coronavirus in the U.S. How the coronavirus tanked the markets Millions of tweets peddled conspiracy theories about coronavirus in other countries, an unpublished U.S. report says httpsl/www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ 8/11 3/18/2020 Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to `flatten the curve" - Washington Post How epidemics like covid-19 end (and how to end them faster) Harry Stevens Harry Stevens joined The Washington Post as a graphics reporter in 2019. About this story The data for the chart at the top of this story showing the number of reported cases in the United States was collected by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering and is available for download on GitHub. The likely number of actual cases in the U.S. is likely far higher because of problems with the coronavirus test and because many cases are so mild that those infected do not visit a doctor or hospital. V I u in 04 2.3k Comments Support the work of our journalists with a subscription to The Post. All Access Get one year for $29 Subscribe Premium Get one year for $39 Subscribe View more offers I Already a subscriber? Sign in More stories How epidemics like covid-19 end (and how to end them faster) https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ g/1+, 3/18/2020 Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to `flatten the curve" - Washington Post Countries around the world are working to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Here's how masks and quarantines fight the virus. Mapping the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. and worldwide Since the coronavirus outbreak began in China, new cases have been confirmed in more than 100 countries, with thousands of cases reported in South Korea, Italy and Iran and hundreds in the United States. Most Read 1 Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to 'flatten the curve' 2 How epidemics like covid-19 end (and how to end them faster) 3 Por que brotes como el del coronavirus crecen exponencialmente y como 'aplanar la cu rva' 4 How the CIA used Crypto AG encryption devices to spy on countries for decades 5 Chevy Chase is 74, sober and ready to work. The problem? Nobody wants to work with him. Infected 111111h1h.- -� E im on https_//www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ 10111 3/18/2020 Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to "flatten the curve" - Washington Post Follow Post Graphics V Twitter 9)Facebook t Tumblr Terms of use Policies and Standards Digital Products Terms of Sale Print Products Terms of Sale Terms of Service Policies and Standards Privacy Policy Submissions and Discussion Policy RSS Terms of Service Ad Choices https.//www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/wodd/corona-simulator/ 11/11 Ashlev Platz From: Eleanor M. Dilkes Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2020 1:54 PM To: 'IowaCity Tenant'; Council Cc: matt.drabek@gmail.com Late Handouts Distributed Subject: RE: Letter to City Council Regarding Eviction Moratorium Mr. Drabek, Thanks for your letter. Zv (Date) The City of Iowa City does not have the legal authority to place a moratorium on evictions. However, the Iowa Supreme Court has ordered that all eviction proceedings set to commence before May 4 be continued to a date no earlier than May 4 or held by phone as directed by the court, except in cases where the tenant poses a clear and present danger. We have been told by the Johnson County clerk of Court that no eviction actions will be scheduled until after May 4 unless there is an imminent threat. If the Clerk receives an eviction alleging imminent threat the request will be directed to a judge for consideration. Eleanor M. Dilkes City Attorney IOWA CITY i--1714-ti-ca-61 iYOF [ITE4ATURE 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 319-356-5030 Eleanor-dilkes@iowa-city.org wwmicoov.ora From: IowaCity Tenant<iowacitytenantsunion @gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 12:12 PM To: Council <Council@iowa-city.org> Cc: matt.drabek@gmail.com Subject: Letter to City Council Regarding Eviction Moratorium t RISK Dear City Council, Please find attached a letter to the City Council encouraging the City to adopt a moratorium on eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic, signed by members of the Iowa City Tenants Union and members of the public health community in Iowa City and Johnson County. Best wishes, Matt Drabek Secretary -Treasurer and Board Member, Iowa City Tenants Union Iowa City Tenants Union (ICTU) iowacitytenantsunion@gmail.com www.facebook.com/lowaCitvTenantsUnion Ashley Platz From: Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition <sara@jcaffordablehousing.org> Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2020 1:47 PM To: Council Subject: What we know about local housing resources right now Late Handouts Distributed t (Date) News and Updates from the Johnson County Affordable Is this email not displaying correctly? Housing Coalition! View it in your browser. JOHNSON COUNTY Affordable Housing Coalition COVID-19 highlights the need for a strong social safety net. And even more, the need for policies, practices, and programs that eliminate social and economic disparities. We are focused, short-term, on advocacy and action that will help to protect housing- and food -insecure residents of Johnson County. We'll be planning in coordination with local agencies for the weeks to come. Long-term, this crisis reminds us of the critical importance of everyone having a safe, stable, and economically sustainable place to call home. Below, please find a summary of housing news so far. We'll share more information as it becomes available. If you have specific questions about housing resources during this time, please contact Sara at sara@jcaffordablehousing.org. Shelter for People Who are Homeless From Shelter House: The entire community must take the most serious measures now to ensure this public health crisis is resolved. For Shelter House, that means we have increased our services to ensure the near hundred men, women, and children we shelter each night have a safe place to be during the day and evenings. It also means that we continue to ensure the hundreds of people we housed in the last year have access to the supports they need to retain their housing through this crisis and not return to emergency shelter. Our incredibly dedicated staff are doing what they can to help the most vulnerable in our community. We recognize that keeping our emergency shelter facilities operational in times of crisis is crucial to the health and well being of our entire community; we take that responsibility seriously, and will be doing our best. We need your continued support and engagement. Please take a moment to read more about our COVID-19 response and support our mission, which will become even more critical in the weeks and months ahead here: hftps://sheiterhouseiowa.salsalabs.org/3162020? Utilities From MidAmerican Energy: To support customers experiencing financial hardship or isolation as a result of the pandemic threat, MidAmerican has temporarily suspended all disconnections for non-payment. The company will work with customers who are impacted economically by COVID-19 by waiving deposits and fees for late payments and providing payment plans as needed. MidAmerican encourages any customer facing hardship to call us at 888- 427-5632. We will make every effort to work with customers experiencing financial difficulties. Evictions From Iowa Legal Aid (highlight added): The Iowa Supreme Court issued an order on March 17, 2020, that allows courts to continue most eviction hearings until May 4, 2020, if the judge chooses to do that. Judges may also choose to have hearings by telephone instead. Right now, the following counties across Iowa have postponed most eviction hearings for at least one month or more, unless the eviction is brought because the tenant is alleged to be a clear and present danger. ■ Allamakee • Benton • Black Hawk • Buchanan • Buena Vista ■ Cherokee • Chickasaw • Clay • Clayton • Crawford • Delaware • Dickinson • Dubuque • Emmet • Fayette • Grundy • Howard • Ida • Iowa • Johnson • Jones • Kossuth • Linn • Lyon • Monona • O'Brien 3 • Osceola • Palo Alto • Plymouth • Polk • Pottawattamie • Scott • Sioux • Tama • Woodbury If you live in a county not on this list, you can file a motion to continue in your case. We are currently advising that people raise the heightened risk of harm if they are evicted, not only to themselves but to the community at large, and reference paragraph 14 of the March 17 2020 Supervisory Order of the Iowa Supreme Court. It is important to remember that the eviction moratorium does not mean that you do not have to pay rent, or that your landlords cannot file an eviction. It just means that the courts have "hit the pause button" and you cannot be removed from your home for a month or more, depending on the county, even if an eviction is filed. After the moratorium is over, evictions that were already filed will continue as before. We are somewhat concerned that landlords will try to force tenants to leave without a court order, through lock -outs, utilty shut -offs, or even physical force. This is called "self-help eviction," and it is illegal in Iowa. Tenants who are subject to illegal self-help eviction can get an "injunction" from the court, ordering the landlord to stop trying to remove them without a court order. In these cases, a tenant may also be able to obtain money damages, costs, and attorney fees. Foreclosures From Iowa Legal Aid: Some federal agencies have stopped foreclosures for certain federally connected mortgages at this time, while other have not. Here is a run- down of which agencies have issued some kind of relief: 4 FHA. HUD has issued a 60 day moratorium for foreclosures of FHA mortgages, and has directed servicers to use special programs to work with borrowers affected by the COVID 19 crisis. You can tell whether a loan is guaranteed by FHA by looking at the mortgage document - it will say in several places that it is covered by FHA. • Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac. Loans guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are also subject to a 60 day foreclosure moratorium. You can see if your loan is guaranteed by either of these by using an online lookup tool. • VA loans. The VA is not stopping foreclosures at this time, but encourages servicers to use existing programs to help borrowers in need. • USDA Direct loans. At this time, USDA single family direct loans (i.e. people who pay their mortgage bill to USDA) are subject to a 60 day foreclosure moratorium (see FAQ section at link). • USDA guaranteed loans. There is no guidance currently issued about USDA RHS guaranteed loans (i.e. USDA guarantees the loan, but you pay your mortgage bill to the bank). Again, like evictions, foreclosure moratoriums do not alone free you from the requirement to pay your mortgage payment - it only stops the foreclosure for a short period of time. You need to work out arrangements with your mortgage servicer. Many federally connected programs are required to work with borrowers generally, so you should ask about what programs they have available to help you postpone or reduce your payment during this time. Language Interpretation From the Iowa International Center: As with many organizations, the Iowa International Center continues to monitor the federal and state government's response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). During this unprecedented time, we understand how challenging it may be for those providing housing services to keep tenants abreast of developments, closures, and changes needed to keep our communities functioning and safe for all. 5 We would like to make sure that you're aware that Iowa International Center's Housing Hotline is still available as a free, 24/7 resource to provide language interpretation. You can find additional information about this resource, including who can use the hotline, how to use the service and which languages are provided at htti)s:Hiowainternationalcenter.oEg/local-resources/housing- interpretation/ Unemployment Insurance From Iowa Legal Aid: In addition to people who normally qualify for unemployment, Iowa has started a new program for people who are unemployed due to the COVID 19 virus. This program will have relaxed requirements for eligibility. In addition, given the volume of new applications, it is very likely that employer appeals of unemployment will be delayed for a significant period of time. Unfortunately, at this time, it appears that people who owe prior overpayments of unemployment insurance will have a 50% to 100% reduction in benefits to pay back those overpayments. Additionally, you may have received a letter in fall 2019 that your federal tax refund will be offset to pay an overpayment -- perhaps even a very old overpayment -- that is alleged to be fraud. If this happens, you may have appeal rights with Iowa Workforce Development. Copyright © 2020 Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition, All rights reserved. mailehilrinp You are receiving this email because you signed up at an event or meeting. Our mailing address is: Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition 308 E. Burlington St. PMB 121 Iowa City, IA 52240 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list I update subscription preferences I view email in browser —*9, - ' Kellie Fruehlina Late Handouts Distributed From: Michael Berg <michael.bergl l20@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 5:21 PM 3 " � To: kelly.tshibaka@alaska.gov; John. Merrill@sos.alabama.go�Date) genera l_info@sos.arkansas.gov; osit@sos.arkansas.gov; stateinfo@state.ca.gov; administration@sos.state.co.us; denise.merrill@ct.gov; shannon.wegele@ct.gov; corp@delaware.gov; SecretaryofState@dos.myflorida.com; AdministrativeServices@dos.myflorida.com; soscontact@sos.ga.gov; oah@dcca.hawaii.gov, dcca@dcca.hawaii.gov; ntaa@sos.idaho.gov; business@sos.idaho.gov, mayorsoffice@aurora-il.org; letterforthemayor@cityofchicago.org; mayorfadness@fishers.in.us; PSD@nyemaster.com; Council; dalvey@wycokck.org; chelsee.newkirk@opkansas.org; arlene.wilson@georgetownky.gov; btraugott@versaillesky.com; mayor@brla.gov; adrian.perkins@shreveportla.gov; ksnyder@portlandmaine.gov; info@watenrille-me.gov; mayor1 @waterville-me.gov; mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us; sssmith@annapolis.gov; mayorbuckley@annapolis.gov, mayor@boston.gov; mayor@salem.com; cschopieray@a2gov.org; lansing.mayor@lansingmi.gov, info@duluthmn.gov, knorton@rochestermn.gov, rhonda.pownell@ci.northfield.mn.us; holufemi@jacksonms.gov; calumumba@jacksonms.gov, mayor@como.gov, jbowlin@cityofwildwood.com; council@ci.billings.mt.us; jmuhifeld@cityofwhitefish.org; hotline@cityofomaha.org; mayor@lincoln.ne.gov; cgoodman@lasvegasnevada.gov; mgiles@cityoflovelock.com; mayor@rnanchesternh.gov; CityCouncil-All@dover.nh.gov; 4311 newark@ci.newark.nj.us; mayorsoffice@trentonnj.org; ymanale@trentonnj.org; ghull@rrnm.gov, mayor@santafenm.gov; mayor@albanyny.gov; Mayor@syrgov.net; mayor@charlottenc.gov; Steve.Schewel@durhamnc.gov; 311 @columbus.gov; mayor@toledo.oh.gov; mayor@okc.gov, webmaster@brokenarrowok.gov; mayor@midwestcityok.org; mayorwheeler@portlandoregon.gov; chloe@portlandoregon.gov; city.council@corvallisoregon.gov; mayor@harrisburgpa.gov; james.kenney@phila.gov; npollock@providenceri.gov; tagonia@providenceri.gov; mshumate@providenceri.gov; baldellihunt@woonsocketri.org; mail@masc.sc; bbarber@cogsc.com; tecklenburgj@charleston-sc.gov; beverson@cityofmitchell.org; scaron@watertownsd.us; fabian.bedne@nashville.gov;john.cooper@nashville.gov; mayor@chattanooga.gov; mayor@houstontx.gov, sterry@celina-tx.gov; Mayor@uctx.gov; mayor@slcgov.com; tstaggs@rivertonutah.gov; mayor@vernalcity.org; mayor@burlingtonvt.gov; klott@winooskivt.gov, hcolston@winooskivt.gov; jduncan@winooskivt.gov; alafayette@winooskivt.gov, mmyers@winooskivt.gov; mayorsoffice@nnva.gov; Mayor@manassasva.gov; psebesky@manassasva.gov;jenny.durkan@seattle.gov, Greg.Wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us; mayorsoffice@cityofcharleston.org; gelliott@wheelingwv.gov; bdelbert@wheelingwv.gov; mayor@ci.superior.wi.us; sreilly@waukesha-wi.gov; mayor@milwaukee.gov, mayor@cheyennecity.org; efountain@cheyennecity.org; jschilling@wyomuni.org; checchi@wyomuni.org Subject: Appeal to all 50 States (COVID-19 - Expert Data Engineer) A RI X Hello mayors and representatives from each state (I picked based on first available emails I'll be honest), If you would please read the following and forward it to your respective governor (as there are not public emails for Governors) - this is a HIGHLY infectious/deadly disease. Unless we do something globally (and do it immediately), a LOT more lives will be lost. Please read my appeal and contact me if you have further questions. Hello Governors of all states, I know none of you outside of Arizona know me, but I am an expert data engineer for General Motors. I have made direct appeals to Mary Barra along with JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon. After my direct appeals, they both enacted global WFH policies. The reason they did this is they understood the severity of the virus based on my videos and explanation along with appropriate vetting of my knowledge. The death rate is not what should be focused on, as the death rate is "relatively low" at 3.4%. The severity rate, however, is at 20%. This severity rate, along with the incubation being anywhere from 1- 14+ days, will overrun every single state's hospitals in a matter of weeks if we do not do something immediately on a global scale. I am directly appealing to all of you to work together, and do it now. It is my hope and direct appeal to shut down every non essential activity in each state. If this can be done and enacted appropriately (with forced WFH policies in each state) then not only can we slow the spread of the virus to keep each state's healthcare reasonable... but we can also then re -allocate our resources to the states that will be needing it. I understand over the next week Washington, New York, and California will be in dire need of as many supplies as they can get. If each state immediately shuts down, then there should be reasonable amounts of supplies and healthcare workers to assist each state. I understand we all have our differences, I get we all have different political beliefs... but we all need to be in this together to save as MANY American and human lives as we possibly can. Please contact the CEOs directly if you need to vet me, but I am appealing to all of you desperately to listen and believe in my knowledge based on the facts available. Thank you for reading, and I hope we can all continue working together to continue saving human lives. Regards, Michael Berg (480)444-9493 https://www.Iinkedin.com/in/michael-berg-aa154450 Virus -free. www.avast.com Wi Kellie Fruehling From: Eleanor M. Dilkes Late Handouts Distributed Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2020 11:28 AM To: 'Craig Owsley' Cc: nancy@downtowniowacity.com; Geoff Fruin; Council Subject: RE: Rent postponement (Date) Mr. Owsley, The City does not have the legal authority to compel landlords to forgo rent. I do not know what, if any, conversations are occurring privately but you may want to touch base with the Downtown District. Take care, Eleanor Eleanor M. Dilkes City Attorney = 10WA CITY A UNES[O [!TY OF LJ TERATURE 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 319-356-5030 Eleanor-dilkes@iowa-city.org www.icgov.ora 000 From: Craig Owsley <craig@englert.org> Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 5:52 PM To: Council <Council@iowa-city.org> Subject: Rent postponement I RISK Has there been any talks of having IC landlords absolve tenets from April (possibly more) rent? Craig Owsley Englert Box Office This way to the egress... I __,tR_e Kellie Fruehlina From: Eleanor M. Dilkes Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2020 11:43 AM To: 'Matthew Blackwell'; Laura Bergus3� �— ,CD Cc: Susan Mims; Mazahir Salih; Pauline Taylor; Bruce Teague- �p hn Thomas; Janice Weiner; Council (llate) Subject: RE: Apartment showings during Covid-19 emergency Dr. Blackwell, Thank you for your email and the suggestion on an alternative to an in-person showing. We have had at least one other tenant share the same concern. While Iowa city does not have the legal authority to compel landlords to not do in- person showings, our neighborhood services staff has communication with the landlords regularly and the City is making various communications daily as we address the COVID-19 crisis. I will make note of the concern and discuss it with staff. In the meantime, we have advised that if a tenant cannot reach an understanding with their landlord about how to do showings during this time that the tenant should contact an attorney. Thanks, Eleanor M. Dilkes City Attorney ' 1LWA CITY A uxssco Corr of errcieirutc 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 319-356-5030 Eleanor-dilkes@iowa-city.org wwwknov.ora rf 10 @ ink. From: Matthew Blackwell <matthew.r.blackwell@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 9:50 AM To: Laura Bergus <Laura-Bergus@iowa-city.org> Cc: Susan Mims <Susan-Mims@iowa-city.org>; Mazahir Salih <Mazahir-Salih@iowa-city.org>; Pauline Taylor <Pauline - Taylor@ iowa-city.org>; Bruce Teague <Bruce-Teague@iowa-city.org>; John Thomas <John-Thomas@iowa-city.org>; Janice Weiner <Janice-Weiner@iowa-city.org>; Council <Council@iowa-city.org> Subject: Apartment showings during Covid-19 emergency AK Dear council members, In the past couple of weeks, my wife and I have gotten two requests from our landlords at Apartments at Iowa that we show our apartment to prospective tenants. This seems counterproductive to the goals of the current Covid-19 self - quarantine recommendations put forth by the CDC and the City of Iowa City. We fear that having groups of people enter one another's private apartments, as is surely happening throughout the city, will further increase the risk of infection by needlessly putting self -quarantined individuals in close contact with others. I would appreciate it if the city council could communicate to the property management companies and to the public at large that showings should be temporarily cancelled. Other measures can take their place; for instance, we have sent Apartments at Iowa a short walk- through video of our apartment as a way around these showings. Thank you for your time and consideration, Dr. Matthew Blackwell University of Iowa Kellie Fruehlina From: Jennifer Marsh <jmarshorama@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2020 6:53 PM To: dkoch@co johnson.ia.us; sups@co johnson.ia.us; Coun it 9�ate Handouts Distributed Subject: Fwd: Failure to quarantine and contain COVID 19 3-�3—;�C) (Date) Johnson County Supervisors, Iowa City Council, Please issue a shelter in place directive and close all businesses. The mayor of Des Moines has already done so with far fewer cases detected. You will have no leadership from the Governor or the Iowa Department of Public Health. Too many people still have not grasped that literally everyone needs to assume they have Covid 19 and self quarantine to stop the virus. Community spread is everywhere. Asymptomatic transmission is well documented. Lockdown is required. There was no attempt at containment in the United States, Iowa, or Johnson County. We are relying entirely on mitigation because of lack of resources and political will. There is no place you need to go, no person you need to see, and no money you need to make that is worth risking the death of your loved ones and medical workers. Jennifer Marsh 507 Meadow Street Iowa City, IA 52245 ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Jennifer Marsh <imarshorama@gmail.com> Date: Tue, Mar 17, 2020 at 9:45 PM Subject: Failure to quarantine and contain COVID 19 To: <dkoch@co.iohnson.ia.us>, <sups@co.iohnson.ia.us> Director Koch, Your response to community spread of COVID 19 is unacceptable and dangerous. You need to advise all potential contacts of confirmed and presumptive cases to quarantine NOW. Trace known contacts. Name names. Contain and stop this virus or you will be responsible for the health outcomes of your residents. Linn County did the right thing. Don Morrison did the right thing. You cannot fail again. The contacts of the confirmed cases from the Egyptian cruise were not quarantined either. In the words of Governor PritzKer re: the Federal response, get your shit together. Jennifer Marsh 507 Meadow Street Iowa City, IA 52245 Pressed to clarify why he felt individuals at the Iowa City venues are at equal risk as anyone else, Koch answered by saying someone would have to be within six feet of an infected individual to be at risk. "I don't know exactly the set up in each one of those venues where the DJ was, but again, the majority of those people likely never came within six feet of that individual," Koch said. Koch also said officials didn't feel it was necessary to share the names of the affected businesses with the public. "There is some sensitivity we have had, historically, in public health when releasing business names," Koch said. "If we have a food -borne illness outbreak, for instance, we are not going to release that business name for obvious reasons. We are very sensitive to that information. httos://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/2020/03/17/iowa-city-d I-tested-positive-covid-19-over- weekend/5071465002/?fbclid=lwAR25tvE3190MdZTCDe-yt6D8LMm018sBHroK1i FB Ehunt7H-ZOMOgxeAd1g 319-855-3083 319-855-3083 Kellie Fruehling From: Rob <rob@iowainvestmentgroup.com> Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2020 2:19 PM To: Council Late Handouts Distributed Subject: Iowa Students -20 _ '-a D-0 (Date) RISK Do you not find it odd that the Mayor is dribbling stay at home recommendations out the side of his mouth; while the University of Iowa is asking students (some of whom have just returned from the beaches of all over the place) to travel to Iowa City to clean out their dorms? Somebody is absolutely tone deaf. Rob Robert K Myers, Investment Representative Iowa Investment Group, LC 8204 N Canfield Road Dunkerton, IA 50626 319.274.4061 (Phone) 319.240.3330 (Mobile) 319.220.0119 (Text) 888.287.0629 (Toll Free) 319.822.3625 (Fax) Iowa investmentgroup.com Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Iowa Investment Group, LC and Securities America, Inc. are unaffiliated. Trading instructions sent via e-mail may not be honored. Please contact my office at 319.274.4061 (local), 888.287.0629 (toll free), or Securities America, Inc. at 888.747.6111 for all buy/sell orders. Please be advised that communications regarding trades in your account are for informational purposes only. You should continue to rely on confirmations and statements received from the custodian(s) of your assets. The text of this communication is confidential and use by any person who is not the intended recipient is prohibited. Any person who receives this communication in error is requested to immediately destroy the text of this communication without copying or further dissemination. Your cooperation is appreciated. Kellie Fruehlina From: michael halbousi <he1michae1838@gmai1.com> Late Handouts Distributed Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 5:48 PM Subject: Very important 3_ -1,4 _-�LO & (Date) Kindly be informed that in Iowa we need the state government or at least the cities authorities to sprinkle disinfecting chemicals in streets just like other countries (Egypt, India, Russia, Philippines, China, South Korea, Venezuela, Qatar, United Arab Emirates) did to protect people from COVID-19. Let Iowa be the first state that does that. If you cannot help please forward this message to whoever you think can help.Human life is highly precious. Thank you very much. Best regards 1 Kellie Fruehling From: Sent: To: Subject: ZL Dear City Council: Susan, Dan Shaw <freedanshaw@gmail.com> Tuesday, March 24, 2020 12:20 PM Council Iowa City Coronavirus outbreak Late Handouts Distributed 3 -ate( -0-0 (Date) I understand that Bruce Teague and you other local leaders are considering a lockdown order for Iowa City. Please do it! The numbers below help us understand just how incredibly dangerous and explosive the outbreak in Iowa City is. Please help us lock down Iowa City with a shelter -in-place order. The sooner you do it, the more lives we can save. Here's why: The heart of the danger in Iowa City can be seen in even a very rudimentary math model of how Coronavirus spreads and its rate of growth in the number of infections (its epidemiology). The reason our risk here is so great, is because we have had such an insanely long period of unchecked, spreading exponential growth since it first arrived in Iowa City with the 21 Cruisers on March 3. 22 days and counting. The "true" count of infections reliably doubles about every three days on the upswing of the virus's growth curve. So you can plot a rough chart of actual infections, even just based on only the positive cases we know about here that were not contained effectively (JCPH missed the Cruisers' contagiousness prior to symptoms and didn't understand the long-lasting surface transfer life of the virus in hard surfaces). For now, ignore the potential for "su pe rsp readers" (like an infected DJ traveling around town doing kareoke gigs), and there are of course other disease vectors in town from domestic travel, besides the 21 cruisers). But just take the 15 positive cruisers and 1 other unrelated—these are just the confirmed, known positives starting in IC on March 3, who were moving around March 3-7, spreading infection before they even knew to get tested. Then double every three days to conservatively estimate growth in Iowa City: Mar 3-16 Mar 6-32 Marg -64 Mar 12 -128 ("close schools please!") Mar 15 - 256 Mar 18 - 512 Mar 21-1032 Mar 24 - 2064 So the thing driving the urgency here in Iowa City is the sheer number of days of uncontained, unmeasured spread that we've experienced since the outbreak started. Plus the increased travel exposure of everyone coming back from spring break this past weekend. Could be through the roof before we ever see it hit the hospitals or start actually testing for it. #IowaCityLockdown Dan Shaw 319-4nn-4395 Sent from my iPhone INCITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org March 24, 2020 ATTACHMENTS: Description Carol deProsse: Downtown bar Item Number: 8.g. Ashley Platz From: Carol deProsse <lonetreefox@mac.com> Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2020 5:31 PM To: Geoff Fruin; Council Subject: Downtown bar A bar on Clinton between Washington and Capitol has a sign up, "A shot a day keeps corona virus away." This can cost people their health and maybe their lives. Someone (police, JC Health Department, other) needs to get that taken down ASAP. This email is from an external source. INCITY OE IOWA CITY www.icgov.org March 24, 2020 ATTACHMENTS: Description Marla Bailey: Iowa City public Library Item Number: 8.h. Ashley Platz From: Marla Bailey <marlabailey55@icloud.com> Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2020 11:09 AM To: Council Subject: Iowa City public Library Action needs to be taken now to close ICPL for a period of time because of The Corvid19 virus. Why hasn't this been done? Who is dragging their feet? Sincerely, Corbin Bailey Sent from my iPad This email is from an external source. March 24, 2020 ATTACHMENTS: Item Number: 81 Description Austin Wu: Letter from U1 SG regarding the potential development at 12 E. Court St Ashley Platz From: Wu, Austin <austin-wu@uiowa.edu> Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 12:48 AM To: Council Cc: Longenecker, Ryan J; Lakadat, Colin J Subject: Letter from UISG regarding the potential development at 12 E. Court St. Attachments: UISG_12ectst_letter.pdf A Hello there, Attached is a letter from UISG more formally stating our position on the potential development at 12 E. Court St., and affordable housing for students more generally. Thanks, Austin Wu (he/him/his) BA Public Health I University of Iowa '20 City Liaison i UI Student Government austin-wu@uiowa.edu 17 March 2020 Iowa City Council 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear City Council, We are sending this letter to more formally state the current position of the University of Iowa Student Government regarding housing for students, the development at 12 E. Court St., and the perennial issue of housing affordability. The UI Student Government welcomes the densification and increase in housing supply this development could bring to a highly walkable part of Iowa City in the Riverfront Crossings District. We also welcome the addition of more than $9 million into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. However, we remain skeptical of the ability for the development to adequately meet the primary need of its intended student -predominant residents —.an affordable place to live. Proposed features of the building, such as a plethora of amenities also available at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center — already paid for by students via fees and tuition — less than a block away, point to high average rents for the foreseeable future, at a time when a significant portion of students at the University of Iowa would qualify as cost -burdened, per HUD guidelines. The similarities of this proposed development to RISE at Riverfront Crossings, including its height, location, as well as its upscale aesthetic and amenities, have not been lost on many observers. During the formal meeting on Tuesday, 18 February, it was stated by a councilor that such comparisons were not cause for concern, as they did not consider RISE at Riverfront Crossings to be `luxury housing'. This could not be further from the truth. Regardless of the actual quality of the building's interior fittings, RISE is advertised as premium housing, and priced as such as well. Glances at their website show words and phrases such as `premium', `premier', `high-end', `refined', `chic', and `luxury living space'. Amenities advertised include quartz countertops, 50+ inch TVs, lounges, a sauna, gaming arcade, and more. For most young people on limited incomes, this is luxury. This is all reflected in the cost of living at RISE: without utilities, RISE is by far the most expensive housing option listed in UISG's 2019-2020 Renters' Guide, with an average rent of $965 per person; $344.90 more than the average rent of $620.10. The difference between the two is greater than the average rent at the least expensive listed site on the Guide, Van Buren Village. We strongly urge the Iowa City Council to take an active approach to the interior design of the buildings at 12 E. Court St. wherever possible, and to seek ways to curb unnecessary expenses by the developer wherever possible. Trends increasingly common in new construction, such as en -suite restrooms for each bed, floor -to -ceiling windows, square footages in the range of 600-700 per person, as well as in -unit washing and drying machines, all add cost and consume additional resources without any clear indication that tenants desire these additions or are willing to pay premium prices for these amenities. The fact that Iowa City Tags behind' other college towns in the provision of high-end student housing should not be cause for concern, and in fact should almost be celebrated. These developments inteYsift, wealth -based inequities among students and are not conducive environments for studying. Experiences in other college towns have shown that the proliferation of large-scale high-end student housing developments has the capacity to increase median market-based rents, drive lower-income students further away from campus, and intensify de facto income -based housing segregation. Not all housing supply is built equally, nor does it serve all residents of the City equally either. There is also cause for concern regarding the previous conduct of the developer in question. Management companies currently operated by this developer consistently rank below average in the 2020 Renter's Guide in terms of quality, services provided, and overall satisfaction. A consistent perception exists among students that this developer has a tendency to neglect their properties and fail to return security deposits, which has continued to happen years after a class-action lawsuit found them guilt,? of doing so. Such perceptions are borne out by comments in this year's Renters' Guide survey, some of which are included as an appendix to this letter. The University of Iowa Student Government does not stand in opposition to the construction of this development writ large. We recognize the contributions this development can make to the City's goals of promoting a strong local economy, a walkable urban core, and social justice via affordable housing. However, we remain concerned that as new developments continue to come online and older units are demolished, replaced, phased out, or are otherwise removed from the rental market over time, that the supply of naturally occurring market -rate affordable housing will continue to be squeezed. At the moment, we do not believe it would be prudent for most students to compete with other residents for an even more limited supply of income -restricted units. We are cognizant of the privilege exercised by many students, and the more immediate pressing need for housing for other communities in the City, including families, children, and full-time workers (fully recognizing that many non-traditional students might fit any one of these molds). Rather, it is the position of UISG that the provision of affordable housing for students would best be met by a stable and expanding supply of naturally occurring, market -rate affordable housing, usually at the small or medium scale. In its present form, the development at 12 E. Court Street fails to provide that. Sincerely, Austin Wu, City Liaison Ryan Longenecker, Deputy City Liaison Appendix: 2019-2020 Renters' Guide Comments Full comments available here. - "Never EVER rent from [developer] or any of their affiliated realty companies. They prey upon students and only seek to separate the maximum amount of money from their tenants. I mean I'm not usually a survey guy but jeez these scumbags f*cking suck. Hope they go out of business asap." - "The unit is out of date and not kept up with normal maintenance needs ... not been very nice people in general, or compliant when we bring up issues that arise. They are disrespectful toward our space and money, by leaving lights on and doors open when entering our unit. They enter our unit for different things that what they tell us they are going to be entering for ... the worst landlords I have ever dealt with or heard about and they only care about getting their money ... one of the worst experiences of my life thus far." - "No one should have to rent from a money grubbing company like [developer]." - "DO NOT rent from [developer] ... They also turned off our heat in the middle of March when temperatures were still FREEZING." - "We believe there is mold in the apartment, landlord has been notified multiple times but have not done anything about it. The unit was dirty and had many broken things in it (dishwasher doesn't work, oven in poor condition, floor radiators broken) and the landlord did nothing about it. We were told the unit we viewed would be the one we would rent, we trusted this and didn't carefully read the lease and actually signed for a different unit. [Management companies] are all owned by the same family and virtually run a monopoly, it sucks." Item Number: 8.j. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT March 24, 2020 Removal of (1) Disabled Parking space in front of 1523 Broadway Street. Prepared By: Frank Waisath, Associate Transportation Planner Reviewed By: Kent Ralston, Transportation Planner Tracy Hightshoe, 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 the City Council of the following action. Pursuant to Section 9-3-1A (14); Remove the Disabled Parking space in front of 1523 Broadway Street. Background /Analysis: This action is being taken as the resident for whom the parking space was designated no longer resides at this address.