HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-10 Correspondence3f 1
Dear Iowa City Council Members,
I am writing to ask you to reconsider your decision about passing the 21-
ordinance. I'm currently atwenty-year-old student at the University of Iowa. On
the weekends, I really enjoy the privilege of being able to go downtown to the bars.
I, along with countless other students, don't go to the bars to get drunk. Igo to the
bars for the entertainment that they provide -mainly the music, the dancing, and
the social aspect.
Not all students go to the bars in order to get drunk, and passing the 21-
ordinace won't stop the ones who do. The students who are giving the entire UI
community a bad name by binge drinking will find a place to drink regardless of
whether or not the ordinance is passed. If the ordinance is passed, there will simply
be more fake ID's and more house parties. Also, the underage drinkers aren't the
only people who binge drink downtown. There are plenty of overage students who
get drunk at the bars as well. Passing a 21-ordinance won't help these people. If
you really want to stop the binge drinking problem in Iowa City, there has to be a
better way. To stop binge drinking, the city needs to target all binge drinkers, not
just the underage ones.
The people who will be most hurt by the 21-ordinance are the non-drinkers,
bars, and the city itself. Non-drinkers, like myself, will lose the opportunity to see
countless musicians. The bars will lose revenue; many of them may even go out of
business. The city itself will also lose revenue. It will be much more difficult ~
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police officers to issue tickets if the drinkers are spread throughout th;cam~ n ity.~_n
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It really isn't fair for the city council to pass this law without letting the
public vote on the issue. The public voted against a 21-ordinace just a few years
ago. Making it a law without the consent of the public will make the city council
seem undemocratic. Please reconsider passing the 21-ordinance before the public
gets the chance to vote.
Sincerely,
Kristin Dwyer
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Page 1 of 2
Marian Karr
From: Brian J Flanagan [worda1 @wordassociation1.net]
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 2:20 PM
To: Council
Subject: Drunken binges
To the Members of the City Council of Iowa City,
Hello! I hope this finds you well. I am along-time resident of Iowa City.
Perhaps I should also mention in passing that I am a freelance writer and part-time Irish
politician -- although I have heretofore focused on meddling in national and international
affairs.*
I have been following the discussion regarding our wayward students and the'21-only' measure.
I was watching Mayor Hayek on the local news the other day, for example. He was telling his
interviewer that Iowa City is a "destination city" for youthful hooligans intent on getting
hammered.
This got me to thinking: Since these inebriated ne'er-do-wells are already flowing in our
direction, why not provide them with safe, sober, and profitable means of diverting themselves?
Clearly, this would also benefit our own youthful wastrels, who might conceivably learn along
the way that, technically speaking, one need not be trashed in order to have a good time.
In this wise, I would like to suggest we look into building an IMAX theater in Iowa City. As you
are no doubt aware, we lost the venue in Cedar Rapids, owing to the flood. This leaves the
nearest one in Davenport -- and who wants to go there? Beyond such blockbusters as Avatar and
Star Trek, there are also terrific nature films to be had, as well as a film about the Hubble, and so
this project has a clear educational feature.
Affordable concerts are another possibility. Our Jazz Fest is well attended, of course, as are our
other open air attractions, but indoor offerings are somewhat limited -- but less at the mercy of
the elements.
Well, I don't know what kids like to do these days, aside from getting sloshed, and so I will leave
off here with suggestions.
Poets are like scientists in their knowledge of consequences. On the down side, then ... I am not a
lawyer, but did work in a law library, in my youth. When it was slow, as it often was, I would
read the law. So it was that I learned that we are responsible for the foreseeable consequences of
our actions. I fear, therefore, that it will be "on you," as they say, when our underage miscreants
OD on whatever concoctions they partake of nowadays -- and fail to promptly receive the
medical care they need. As I write this, I am reminded of a fine young friend (Brian LaGro), who
was attacked here last summer and who, had the police not quickly intervened, would have either
died or been rendered comatose. Clearly, this kind of timely assistance would be much more
difficult should these kinds of incidents occur beyond the downtown area. (I am also informed by
one of their own that most of the police are against the ordinance.)
Thus, my thoughts for today. Thank you for your time and consideration. Wishing you the best
4/26/2010
Page 2 of 2
of continued success.
Sincere regards,
Brian J Flanagan
Word Association
*It is for this reason, I suppose, that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad now follows me on Twitter. Leaving us
with two world-class lunatics in one boat. What's the worst that could happen?
4/26/2010
Dear Mayor Hayek,
I want to thank you for pushing the 21 ordinance through. I am a huge supporter of the initiative
and I believe you are absolutely doing the right thing. Your naysayers can say what they want, but they
can not deny there is binge drinking problem here in Iowa City. As a student at the University of Iowa
and former fraternity president, I have witnessed it first hand the past three years. With the sexual
assaults of about two years ago, to the male on male violence of last year, there have been times when I
would not venture downtown by myself. Downtown can be a"scary place, and after enjoying the relaxed
feel of it this past summer, it should never be that way.
Yourself and members of city council have tried to rein in the drinking to the best of your
abilities, and 1 applaud the effort. I thought the 500 foot rule was a good step toward curbing the issue,
yet new bars are not the real problem. The PAULA ratio law was another great measure, it is
unfortunate the way it turned out. I saw real results in the way bars would police themselves after the
Council denied the first license because of it. Yet, the results disappeared after the State stepped in. I
have only thought of one other solution to hold bars accountable; why not fine a bar the same amount
of money a citizen is fined if caught drinking underage on the premise? I understand it is the citizen who
is breaking the law, but it is also the bar that is letting them. There is a consequence if you let people
smoke marijuana in your house, could the same not be said for letting people break the law in a bar?
The owners may say it is impossible to police this themselves, but I counter with that is the risk you take
letting 19/20 year olds into your bar. If the 21 ordinance is defeated in November, which I pray it does
not, looking into what communities like Lincoln, Nebraska and Panama City Beach, FL, both communities
that allow underage people into bars, do to curb underage drinking in bars would be beneficial. The bar
owners are more concerned with the size of their wallets rather than the age of their patrons, if the
Council makes it so these are one in the same, real changes will come about.
While this ordinance will not change the drinking habits of many, it is a step in the right
direction. House parties will spring up, yet the police force will able to divert attention to them. After
writing a few tickets, the parties will die down. Underage students will find other places to drink, but not
in large groups. As with Eastern Illinois University, overtime the binge drinking rates will begin to fall. It
is because of your efforts, and your change in opinion, that this will happen. Thank you for starting this
initiative before another student dies.
Sincere y,
N
L! d
Greg Mittelman ----~~"::~ ~'~ ~
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Former President of Sigma Nu ` ~ f"' ~ ~ 1 @"~
630 N. Dubuque St. ~~:~ ~ ' = '"~"
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Iowa City, IA 52245 ~ --
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Jon Shelness [shelness@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2010 5:36 PM
To: Council
Subject: Are Police Ready For House Party Increase?
Dear Councilors:
I am generally concerned by police tactics when dealing with alcohol consumption by college-
age students. By my estimation, there have now been nearly 300 alcohol-fueled riots (not small
brawls, but large-scale disruptions by thousands of students) on college campuses beginning in
1985, the year after the drinking age went up.
Interviews with officers who have responded to riots suggest that police can escalate-or
even initiate- conflict by treating all members of a disruptive gathering as equally
dangerous.
www cops usdoi Gov/files/ric/Publications/student party.pdf
Here are two university professors who are experts in mass gatherings
Andrew Martin www.sociology.ohio-state.edu/awm
David Schweingruber www.public.iastate.edu/~dschwein
In the aftermath of the 2004 Veishea riot, a task force report was issued including the following
from the executive summary.
Six [universities] reported that police action was a factor [in riots].
This is the link to the 2004 Veishea Task Force Report
http•//www public iastate.edu/~dschwein/riotreport.pdf
I think that there is a legitimate justice issue in play as those 18-20 feel that it is their right to
drink, but the community wants a reduction in drunken disruptions.
In light of this, the police must strike a balance.
On Thursday, Apri122, 2010, Regina Zilbermints wrote an article in the Daily Iowan entitled,
"Police ready if house parties increase." In the article, she wrote
college campuses where police directed more officers to "party patrols" and cracked
down on drunk driving, drinking wasn't displaced. Instead, the students started self-
policing, and the number ofalcohol-related issues decreased
This is the link to the original research: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.~ov/pmc/articles/PMC2701100
Another way that the community and the students can meet halfway might be through the
creation of a community court that could be placed on the pedestrian mall. We have community
policing in Iowa, so maybe the time has come for some court innovation as well. Here are a
couple of websites.
www.courtinnovation.or~
www ojp usdoj og v/nij/topics/courts/restorative-justice/welcome.htm
Here is my website
http://sites.~,oogle.com/site/shelness
Thank you so much for your time and careful consideration,
Jon Shelness
Des Moines
4/26/2010
3f 2
Marian Karr
From: Rick Fosse
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 6:22 PM
To: sknodole@hotmail.com
Cc: Council; Bud Stockman
Subject: FW: Bike lane on Jefferson
Sheila:
Thanks for your a-mail about the bike lane on East Jefferson. Our fo-ks will be out to sweep it again in the
next day or two. They were out earlier this year, but the spring rains wash sand back onto the street from
nearby streets that have not been swept yet. It takes about seven weeks to complete the first sweeping
of all the streets in Iowa City. Bike lanes are one of the priorities to sweep first and that makes them most
vulnerable to sand from other streets washing back onto them. It is always a difficult balance between re-
sweeping and working to sweep all the streets for the first time.
Thanks for binging this to our attention
Rick Fosse
Public Works Director
From: Sheila Knoploh [mailto:sknodole@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 3:29 PM
To: Council
Subject: FW: Bike lane on Jefferson
Hello Council members,
I live on the 900 block of E. Jefferson and my kids and I have been riding our bikes every
day since it started getting nice in March. But the bike lane on Jefferson has been neglected.
As you can see by my pictures, there are places where it's full of sand from this winter and
even a couple of dead squirrels. Over two weeks ago the south side of the street where the
cars park was swept. The north side where the bike lane is located has yet to be cleaned.
Things like sand and debree make it dangerous when turning the corner or riding with
speed. In some places there is only a foot & a half of clear lane for riding in, making for
precarious bike-riding conditions.
Please have the street crews clear the bike lanes, they should be done way before anything
else since people ride bikes all through the winter. They certainly should have priority over
the side of the street where the cars are parked. What's the point of having these lanes
if we're not going to take care of them and keep them safe for cyclists?
- Sheila Knoploh-Odole
921 E. Jefferson
Iowa City
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:37:02 -0500
From: sknodole@hotmail.com
To: sknodole@hotmail.com
Subject: Bike lane on Jefferson
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Marian Karr
From: O'Reilly, Shannon S [shannon-oreilly@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 6:49 PM
To: Council
Subject: Boycott Arizona!
Dear Council Members,
I'm sure you are aware of the horrendously racist anti-immigrant legislation passed in
Arizona last week. It flies in the face of American values like freedom and
multiculturalism, and bears not a passing resemblance to identity checkpoints at use in
police states worldwide. This legislation encourages racial profiling, harsh treatment,
and anti-immigrant sentiment by allowing police to stop anyone who "looks like" an
immigrant. Even Governor Jan Brewer could not state explicitly what she believed an
illegal immigrant "looked like"-- or perhaps she was too afraid of backlash for any racial
reasons she might name. If the Arizona legislature and executives will not act to restore
justice, I believe it is up to the rest of the United States to demonstrate that we will
not support such policies through our support of their state.
I am writing to urge you to join the City of San Francisco in boycotting the state of
Arizona, and all companies based in Arizona. San Francisco is working to terminate all
arrangements and contracts with Arizona and Arizona-based companies, and I would support
attempts by Iowa City to do the same. A somewhat short list of companies can be found at
http://arizona-boycott.org/. While the companies may not have voted for the measure, loss
of revenue hurts both them and the state-- and I am sure that pressure from companies for
financial reasons would have a great effect on the Arizona government.
Sincerely,
Shannon O'Reilly
200 South Summit Street,
Iowa City, IA 52240
1
3f 4
Marian Karr
From: John Yapp
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 8:24 AM
To: 'cpirnat@mchsi.com'
Cc: Dale Helling; '"City Council; Darian Nagle-Gamma Sam Hargadine
Subject: N riverside Drive speed limit
Hello Mr Pirnat -your email regarding N Riverside Drive speed limits has been copied to me for a
response. The State and City code state that the speed limit in residential areas is 25 MPH; we typically
only add speed limit signs when there is a change in the speed limit, which is why there is a 25 MPH
Speed Limit sign for northbound traffic on N Riverside Drive (for traffic turning off of Highway 6), but not
one for traffic turning off of Park Road (which is also 25 MPH).
In contrast, No Parking designations can (and often do) change every few hundred feet, hence the need
for more frequent signage.
That said, the area of N Riverside Drive may undergo significant change depending on the University's
decisions regarding the design of the Hancher site, and the Music School location. We will re-evaluate
the speed limit and traffic control in this area as the University's plans become solidified.
Thanks for the note,
John Yapp, Transportation Planner
It is of about speed limit sign on N Riverside Dr going south.
As was brought up to police and the city, they assume everyone knows what the speed
limit is in town.
When the police write numerous tickets in one area (which take their time from preventing real
crime) it is time to do something about the problem.
As on Riverside drive and streets all over town, Riverside has 10 no parking signs,
and 1 speed sign . This is the same in our neighbor hood except we have 20 no parking to 2
speed limit sign. This goes for most of the streets in town, so cost is not the issue.
The police and the city believe it is a cost issue, well lets inform the citizens of the cost of all the
no parking signs.
Put in to law no parking on Riverside Dr. and other streets ,take the signs down so tickets can be
written. We should assume people also know about no parking. Seems parking is a priority over
speed limits.
Those who speed when it is posted should be ticketed.
cliff pirnat
705 manor dr
Iowa city,ia
5/6/2010
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: cliff pirnat [cpirnat@mchsi.com~
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 1:44 PM
To: Darian Nagle-Gamma John Yapp; Sam Hargadine; Matt Hayek; Council
Subject: N riverside dr.
Darian ,hope it was you i that called me earlier.
It is of course about speed limit sign on N Riverside Dr going south.
As was brought up the police and the city assumes everyone knows what the
speed
limit is in town.
When the police write numerous tickets in one area (which take their time from
preventing real crime) it is time to do something about the problem.
As on Riverside drive and streets all over town, Riverside has 10 no parking signs,
and 1 speed sign . This goes for most of the streets in town, so cost is not the
issue.
Put in to law no parking on Riverside Dr. and take the signs down so tickets can
be
written. Seems parking is a priority over speed limits.
cliff pirnat
705 manor dr
iowa city,ia
4/29/2010
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: cliff pirnat [cpirnat@mchsi.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 9:29 AM
To: Darian Nagle-Gamma Council; matt-hyek@iowa-city.org; Sam Hargadine; John Yapp
Subject: speed signs
It is of about speed limit sign on N Riverside Dr going south.
As was brought up to police and the city, they assume everyone knows what
the speed
limit is in town.
When the police write numerous tickets in one area (which take their time from
preventing real crime) it is time to do something about the problem.
As on Riverside drive and streets all over town, Riverside has 10 no parking signs,
and 1 speed sign . This is the same in our neighbor hood except we have 20 no
parking to 2 speed limit sign. This goes for most of the streets in town, so cost is
not the issue.
The police and the city believe it is a cost issue, well lets inform the citizens of the
cost of all the no parking signs.
Put in to law no parking on Riverside Dr. and other streets ,take the signs down
so tickets can be written. We should assume people also know about no
parking. Seems parking is a priority over speed limits.
Those who speed when it is posted should be ticketed.
cliff pirnat
705 manor dr
iowa city,ia
5/4/2010
3f(5)
Marian Karr
From: Nick Jackson [Jackson.Nick@iccsd.k12.ia.us]
Sent: Monday, May 03, 2010 2:03 PM
To: Council
Subject: Proposed Rental Fees for Iowa City Boys Baseball
Attachments: Email from Mike Moran.doc; Original game schedule proposal.doc; 2nd proposal and
rejection.doc; 3rd proposal for games and rejection.doc
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
Email from Mike Original game 2nd proposal and 3rd proposal for
Moran.doc (36 ... schedule proposa... rejection.doc... games and rej...
Dear City Council Members,
My name is Nick Jackson and I am the Vice-President of Iowa City Boys Baseball. I
have held this position for the past 5 years and before that I was the Head umpire, a
title I still hold. What I do for the league is gather all of our applications and enter
into our database, create teams and schedules, take care of equipment distribution and
upkeep, train our umpires, and help run the day to day operations. Regretfully I was not
able to attend the Council Meeting when the topic of possible field rental costs was
discussed but I was able to watch it on TV and I would like to respond to a few points if
I may.
The first issue that I would like to address is the scheduling. I have always tried
to get our schedules to the Parks & Recreation Department as soon as I know how many teams
we will have for the season. The problem that we have run into the past few years is that
the schedules we have submitted have been rejected by Mike Moran and Jeff Sears which
forced me to go back and change our schedule sometimes 3 or 4 different times which leads
to a delay in the finalization. In fact for this 2010 season I sent Mike Moran our
practice schedule on May 13, 2009 ( I have attached that email along with emails from this
year about game scheduling). I also gave him 2 dates that we would need access to our
clubhouse in order to hand out equipment and uniforms ( those dates were also sent to them
earlier this year and have been posted on our website). Even though these dates were made
to known to him almost a year ago, Mike and Jeff still scheduled a tournament for May 1st
and told us that we would not be able to use our own building to hand out our team
uniforms( they told us on April 27th) Instead we had to use the Parks & Rec building
located by the pond in Lower City Park. As you can see it takes us a little bit longer to
finalize our game schedules because we are forced to continuously go back and reconfigure
them.
This brings me to the second issue. A few years ago Mike Moran attended one of our
board meetings and we discussed ways to alter our schedules so that more diamonds would be
available to rent out to other outside organizations. We came to the conclusion that we,
Iowa City Boys Baseball, would do our best to schedule our games in a way that would allow
Mike the maximum number of diamonds available for outside rentals. In return Mike would
notify us as to when an outside organization requested usage of a majority or all of the
diamonds so that any potential scheduling conflicts could be resolved as early as
possible. From that night until now there has been no communication about field requests
other than when we ask for usage of the fields and are denied because they have already
been rented. I have asked both Mike Moran and Jeff Sears multiple times this year what
the sign in front of the ball diamonds which reads "Iowa City Boys Baseball has precedence
for use of all 8 diamonds" means if the diamonds are given to other groups before we even
have a chance to request them. I have not received a response.
Lastly I would like to talk about the actual proposed rental fees. Iowa City Boys
Baseball was never approached by anyone from Parks & Rec to discuss the idea of paying
rent for usage of the fields. we were sent a letter inviting us to attend their meeting
where they told us 'this is what is going to happen whether we like it or not'. Shortly
after that Terry Robinson attended one of our board meetings a gave us some paperwork
outlining the 5 year plan. It stated that the lst year we would pay 10~ of the rental fee
and that would increase each year by lOg until we reached 50°s in year 5. We were also
told that this only applied to GAMES not practices because there is no field prep involved
in a practice so there would be no rental fee. At no time were we asked for input into
the proposal we were simply told `this is what's going to happen.' I do understand that a
1
lot of time and money is put into maintaining the fields and that since Iowa City Boys
Baseball is using the diamonds we should give something in return. I would like to point
out however that for years we as an organization maintained the fields and paid for usage
of the lights until we were approached by the Parks & Rec Department who volunteered to
help us by taking care of that for us. I also do not understand how the Parks & Rec
Department can rent out the diamonds which we built (paid for and installed fencing,
backstops, dugouts, & lights) but we do not get anything in return. I know that it was
discussed that the funds to pay for field maintenance and labor, and the funds to improve
facilities come from different areas. we were told by the Parks & Rec that installing
more lights would not be a problem however we have been asking for that for a couple of
years now. We asked to have at least 1 more diamond lighted, to have diamond 8 rotated
and an outfield fence put in, and to have a diamond enclosed and a mound put in. I would
not have a problem paying rental fees if the Parks & Rec are going to take care of the
facility upgrades that we request to enhance our game play both during our season and
during our postseason tournament play which involves groups from around the state of Iowa
and also from other states in the Midwest Region. I am curious to know why if Iowa City
Boys Baseball paid for and installed lights (a $45,000 - $50,000 cost) to improve the
facility, that would then translate into only 1 year of rental fees credit? Why would we
want to spend that much money instead of paying the proposed rental fees which would only
amount to roughly $700 for this season? Again I do understand that something should be
worked out between the Parks & Rec Department and Iowa City Boys Baseball but it seems to
me that aside from rental fees, each year they are trying to take more control of our
program and tell us what to do instead of sitting down with us and coming to a resolution
that everyone is happy with.
I would like to thank you for the time you have put into the proposal of rental fees
for affiliate organizations and the time you have taken to read and consider my thoughts
and concerns. Thank you again.
Nick Jackson
Vice-President Iowa City Boys Baseball
622 E. Jefferson St.
Iowa City, IA 52245
2
From : Mike Moran <Mike-Moran@iowa-city.org>
Subject : RE: reserving diamonds for next year
To : sxdxmxfx@mchsi.com
Cc : Terry Robinson <Terry-Robinson@iowa-city.org>, Joe Wagner <Joe-Wagner@iowa-
city.org>, Jeff Sears <Jeff-Sears@iowa-city.org>
Wed, May 13, 2009 10:41 AM
Nick,
thanks for this information, I will certainly put this in the file for when we meet again at the
beginning of next year, similar to when we met this year to discuss everyone's plan for the
upcoming season. Since you really don't have any idea how many children you will have to
accommodate and we don't know how many fields we will need to accommodate all of our
requests (and hopefully, no more water this year) when we get together next year we can put
forth our plan of action. If you need any thing else please feel free to contact us. If you have any
further ideas about next year, please feel free to pass those along as well! thanks
Michael Moran CPRP
Superintendent of Recreation
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department
220 S. Gilbert St.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319-356-5100
From: sxdxmxfx@mchsi.com [mailto:sxdxmxfx@mchsi.com]
Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 12:45 PM
To: Mike Moran
Subject: reserving diamonds for next year
Mike we would like to reserve diamonds #1 - #8 at City Park for practices in April of 2010. When we get
to the point next year where we know which teams will be on which diamonds we will let you know but I
can guarantee that we will use all 8 diamonds each night. Here is what we would like:
April 5th -April 9th S:OOpm - 8:OOpm , # 1 - #8
April 10th 10:00am - 6:30pm , #1 - #8
April 12th -April 16th S:OOpm - B:OOpm , #1 - #8
April 17th 10:00am - 6:30pm , # 1 - #8
April 19th - Apri123rd S:OOpm - 8:OOpm , #1 - #8
Apri124th 10:00am - 6:30pm , #1 - #8
Apri125th -April 30th S:OOpm - 8:OOpm , #1 - #8
We would also need to be able to use our clubhouse on April 3rd to hand out equipment and on May 1st to
hand out uniforms so please keep that in mind. Thank you.
Nick
From : Jeff Sears <Jeff-Sears@iowa-city.org>
Subject : RE: ICBB Schedules
To : sxdxmxfx@mchsi.com
Cc : Mike Moran <Mike-Moran@iowa-city.org>
Mon, Apr 05, 2010 03:12 PM
Nick
After talking to Mike, we feel we need to get the actual schedules from
you so we can review them against your number of participants. Your
field usage request is for more time than last year's but your number of
players is lower than last year.
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: sxdxmxfx@mchsi.com [mailto:sxdxmxfx@mchsi.com]
Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 2:46 PM
To: Jeff Sears
Subject: Re: ICBB Schedules
Hey Jeff it's Nick from ICBB. Here is our updated practice schedule as
well as our game schedule and other dates that we would like to have.
Practice Schedule -Diamonds #1 - #7, Mon-Fri, 5:30-8:30/ April
12-April 16, Apri119-Apri123, and Apri126-April 30
Game Schedule -Diamond #1 5:30 game, 7:00 game
Diamond #2 5:30 game, 7:00 game
Diamond #3 5:30 game M & Th, Practice T, W, & F
(starts at 5:30)
Diamond #4 5:30 game M & Th, Practice T, W, & F
(starts at 5:30)
Diamond #5 5:30 game, 7:00 game
Diamond #6 5:30 game
Diamond #7 Practice (starts at 5:30)
Diamond #8 Practice (starts at 5:30)
As soon as I get the team rotation for Home & Away I will send you the
finalized copy that all the teams will get.
Other Dates - We will need access to the Clubhouse on April 10th and
May 1st to hand out equipment and uniforms
We will need 4 diamonds for the 24th (preferably #1, #4,
#3, #6)
Thanks again Jeff for working with us to help make everything work great
this season.
Nick
----- Original Message -----
From: Jeff-sears@iowa-city.org
To: sxdxmxfx@mchsi.com
Sent: Mon, 29 Mar 201010:03:02 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: ICBB Practice Schedules
practice permit attached.
The sooner I can get the game schedule the better.
Thanks
Jeff
From : Jeff Sears <Jeff-Sears@iowa-city.org>
Subject : need detailed ICBB schedules
To : sxdxmxfx@mchsi.com, icbb@mchsi.com
Cc : Mike Moran <Mike-Moran@iowa-city.org>, Terry Robinson <Terry-Robinson@iowa-
city.org>, Joe Wagner <Joe-Wagner@iowa-city.org>
Tue, Apr 06, 2010 04:38 PM
Bill and Nick
I need a more detailed schedule from your organization than the one someone dropped off at the
main office this afternoon. A practice schedule and a game schedule for each of your 4 divisions
like last year would be ideal. I can't properly enter your organization into the reservation
computer without them and time is quickly evaporating.
We also have a concern with the direction your field usage request is taking. I looked at the # of
teams you had last year and found that you are down across the board this year, but your field
usage request has increased. Seniors went down from 10 to 8, Juniors from 12 to 8, Pitching
Machine from 14 to 12, and T-ball from 6 to 4. With your current numbers and every team
playing 2 games one week and 3 the next (like last year) you can use 5 fields and create a game
schedule that is quite accommodating. Remember consolidation is the key to keeping your fees
down for next year. When you have just one game on a field and practice times that no one uses
that will eventually cost you more. If you need help in creating an acceptable schedule we can
certainly arrange a meeting and help you.
The Parks and Recreation Department is in a situation where we need to have the most efficient
usage of our fields by all organizations, yours and outside groups included. If you have questions
or concerns feel free to call myself or Mike.
Thanks
Jeff
»»»»»»»»»»>
Jeff Sears, CPRP
Program Supervisor
Iowa City Recreation Division
220 S. Gilbert Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-356-5100
319-356-5487 fax
From : Jeff Sears <Jeff-Sears@iowa-city.org>
Subject : need detailed ICBB schedules
To : sxdxmxfx@mchsi.com, icbb@mchsi.com
Cc : Mike Moran <Mike-Moran@iowa-city.org>, Terry Robinson <Terry-Robinson@iowa-
city.org>, Joe Wagner <Joe-Wagner@iowa-city.org>
Tue, Apr 06, 2010 04:38 PM
Bill and Nick
I need a more detailed schedule from your organization than the one someone dropped off at the
main office this afternoon. A practice schedule and a game schedule for each of your 4 divisions
like last year would be ideal. I can't properly enter your organization into the reservation
computer without them and time is quickly evaporating.
We also have a concern with the direction your field usage request is taking. I looked at the # of
teams you had last year and found that you are down across the board this year, but your field
usage request has increased. Seniors went down from 10 to 8, Juniors from 12 to 8, Pitching
Machine from 14 to 12, and T-ball from 6 to 4. With your current numbers and every team
playing 2 games one week and 3 the next (like last year) you can use 5 fields and create a game
schedule that is quite accommodating. Remember consolidation is the key to keeping your fees
down for next year. When you have just one game on a field and practice times that no one uses
that will eventually cost you more. If you need help in creating an acceptable schedule we can
certainly arrange a meeting and help you.
The Parks and Recreation Department is in a situation where we need to have the most efficient
usage of our fields by all organizations, yours and outside groups included. If you have questions
or concerns feel free to call myself or Mike.
Thanks
Jeff
»»»»»»»»»»>
Jeff Sears, CPRP
Program Supervisor
Iowa City Recreation Division
220 S. Gilbert Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-356-5100
319-356-5487 fax
www. icgov. orQ
»»»»»»»»»»>
From : Jeff Sears <Jeff-Sears@iowa-city.org>
Subject : RE: Please review and approve.
To : Bill Graf <bngraf@mchsi.com>, Mike Moran <Mike-Moran@iowa-city.org>, Joe Wagner
<Joe-Wagner@iowa-city.org>, Terry Robinson <Terry-Robinson@iowa-city.org>
Cc : Bob Cotton <bob.cotton@yahoo.com>, Frank Wagner <frankfwagnerphd@yahoo.com>,
Luke Villhauer <luke.villhauer@gmail.com>, Mike Moore <Moore.Mike@iccsd.k12.ia.us>, Phil
Rocca <Pmrocca@mchsi.com>, Skip Sherlock <skipandmyrna@gmail.com>, Nick Jackson
<sxdxmxfx@mchsi. com>
Wed, Apr 07, 2010 09:00 AM
Bill
Your organization's footprint last year was 6 fields. You have fewer players and as a result fewer
teams this year but your request expanded to all 8 fields? That is the issue we see.
The way your organization has scheduled practices in the past (every field -all day -every day
and then no one uses them) is no longer acceptable. We see this practice as place-holding with
the intention of keeping others off the fields. In today's society and with all its related issues, the
Parks and Recreation Department can no longer have fields sit idle when there are people willing
and waiting to use them.
Kickers' has their coaches contact us directly for practice times and we feel that is the way your
group will need to approach this season and subsequent seasons. In addition, no other affiliate
group holds fields for practices during their game season like you are proposing.
Mike is more than willing to come to your next meeting to discuss this or feel free to call him at
the office.
Thanks
Jeff
From: Bill Graf [mailto:bngraf@mchsi.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 11:52 PM
To: Jeff Sears
Cc: Bob Cotton; Frank Wagner; Luke Villhauer; Mike Moore; Phil Rocca; Skip Sherlock;
Nick Jackson
Subject: Please review and approve.
Importance: High
Dear Jeff
I believe Nick has already taken care of our needs for our practice schedule.
Below is a matrix that shows you our needs for the diamonds for the regular season
starting Monday May 3 and going through Thursday July 1. I believe this is the same
plan that Nick sent to you yesterday. I just formatted it slightly different,
Monda Tuesda Wednesda Thursda Frid a
5:30 7:00 5:30 7:00 5:30 7:00 5:30 7:00 5:30 7:00
JR Game Sr Game JR Game Sr Game JR Game Sr Game JR Game Sr Game JR Game Sr Game
JR Game Sr Game JR Game Sr Game JR Game Sr Game JR Game Sr Game JR Game Sr Game
T-Ball Game Practice 1 Practice 1 Practice 2 Practice 3 Practice 4 T-Ball Game Practice 5
~ T-Ball Game Practice 6 Practice 7 Practice 8 Practice 9 Practice 10 T-Ball Game Practice 11 F~
PM Game PM Game PM Game PM Game PM Game PM Game PM Game PM Game PM Game PM Game
PM Game Practice 12 PM Game Practice 13 PM Game Practice 14 PM Game Practice 15 PM Game Practice16
' Practice 17 Practice 18 Practice 19 Practice 20 Practice 21 Practice 22 Practice 23 Practice 24 fi~OP
Practice 25 Practice 26 Practice 27 Practice 28 Practice 29 Practice 30 Practice 31 Practice 32 ~4F
Division
# Teams Avg
Games
er week
Practices
er week
Sr 8 2.5 1
Jr 8 2.5 1
PM 12 2,5 1
T-ball 4 2 1
32
You will note from the recap above that each Sr, Jr, and PM team will play on the
average 2.5 games per week which is the same as last year and T-ball will play 2 games
per week. Also the same as last year. In addition each team will have the opportunity to
practice once a week. We will emphasis to all managers that they will need to sign up to
practice at least by Thursday of the week prior to the week in which they would like to
practice. We will pack the practices in as much as we can and we will notify you of the
diamonds on Friday that we will no be using on the following week. If after a few weeks it
appears that we are not fully utilizing the practice diamonds we will be happy to review
the situation and release the fields to the open category.
We feel the above schedule is very reasonable and appreciate your acceptance. All of
our coaches last year asked for practices during the season and since our numbers our
somewhat down it appears that we will be able to accommodate this need. If you do not
approve the above schedule please state your specific reasons why in detail and please
be very clear in the return a-mail and copy the entire ICBB board.
As I said I see no reason for this plan not being acceptable.
Thanks for your time.
Bill
Iowa City Boys Baseball
Page 1 of 2
Marian Karr
From: MurphyGeerdes [mg9425@mchsi.coml
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 10:17 AM
To: Council
Subject: Dump the Proposal to charge fees to Iowa City Boys Baseball and Kickers
This correspondence will become a public record.
Dear City Council Members,
As a taxpayer and voter, I am appalled that the City proposes to charge Kickers and Iowa City
Boys Baseball a user fee. Both organizations have done a tremendous amount to further youth
participation in baseball and soccer over the years plus they have donated countless goods and
volunteer hours toward improving the parks.
These organizations are unique and superior in that they encourage players of all skill levels and
economic means to play. The same cannot be said of every other league. My own boys have
played infield and outfield positions over the years and been allowed their turn at bat. Frankly, I
am concerned that the high dollar leagues, which focus on the players perceived as having better
playing abilities and/or parents with the means to pay to play, will dominate youth sports in Iowa
City and eliminate opportunities for players of all income demographics to play.
Preference ought to be given to those organizations that have 1) made substantial donations of
time, goods, and services over the years, 2) provided all players equivalent playing time, and 3)
actively encouraged children of all economic means to play. If the city cannot provide the parks
free of charge to these organizations, the city should reimburse these leagues for the time, goods,
and services provided in the past. I am very surprised that the city has not done more to support
these organizations in the past.
Charging these organizations a user fee because the city has failed to control expenses is petty.
Anyone who examines the list of city staff salaries can see areas of excess. Perhaps it's time to
consider bringing city salaries, which are out of alignment with the private sector, back into
alignment and benchmark the number of city staff positions against similarly sized cities. You
could also contract with outside service providers to perform some of the services currently
performed by city personnel. At a minimum, the feasibility of outsourcing ought to be looked
for many of the duties of the Parks and Recreation Department.
As a taxpayer, I would appreciate the City Council taking a more proactive role to make the city
better control its expenses, including labor expenses, rather than to charge Iowa City Boys
Baseball and Kickers a user fee.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
5/3/2010
Page 2 of 2
Mary M. Murphy
Mary M. Murphy
890 Park Place
Iowa City, Iowa 52246
319/354-2375
Mg9425@mchsi.com
5/3/2010
3f 6
DREP~/`~ CP~TCHER
GREG ROCKOW
Land P~gent
10
City Council
City of Iowa City
-- 410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Councilors:
I am a real estate broker in Iowa City.
The City of Iowa City owns three (3) parcels of land in the northeast quadrant of College and Gilbert
Streets. Enclosed is a plat showing the properties outlined in red.
I am working with a group of investors that would like to acquire those properties should the City be
interested in selling. .
Please let me know your thoughts on this matter.
So that there is no misunderstanding Iwould look to the City for a fee should a sale to this group result.
Sincerely,
Dream Catcher
~ ~~~
Greg Rockow
GR:IIr
Enclosure
Cc: GI, Dale Helling:acting City Manager
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Marian Karr
From: Sarah Swisher (Sarah.Swisher@iccsd.k12.ia.us]
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 9:20 PM
To: Jerry Arganbright; Council
Cc: Patti Fields; Gayle Klouda; Cooper, Mike; Cilek, Toni Lee D; Michael Shaw; Tuyet Dorau
Subject: RE: note
Thank you Jerry for the reality check. I would like to come by this week, if any board
member might have time (I do not, but I need to come over to West) I haven't toured the
school since I starting serving on the board. Next week would work, too. Thank you for
the invitation, you have every reason to be proud of your students. I am proud of them,
too. ACT is going to have to start making new tests just for the West and City kids!
Thank you for everything you do for your kids, but I also thank you for you steadfast
"global" outlook on our community. We are very lucky to have you.
Sarah
From: Jerry Arganbright
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 3:58
To: councilc~iowa-city.org
Cc: Patti Fields; Gayle Klouda;
Swisher; Tuyet Dorau
Subject: note
Iowa City Council members,
PM
Cooper, Mike; Cilek, Toni Lee D; Michael Shaw; Sarah
After attending the Monday evening meeting on the topic of school redistricting, I wanted
to share a few thoughts regarding the information conveyed through the forum. As we all
know, impressions and perceptions of any school can become reality for those who process
information that may be askew. After reflecting on the comments shared in the meeting, I
wanted you to be aware of the following:
* West High has become increasingly diverse both socio-economically and ethnically over
the past decade. We have 29 ~ minority enrollment and over 20 % of our students on
free/reduced lunch. When some depict our high school as a "school of affluence" and
lacking diversity, that image is not one that fits with West High.
* When patrons of our school community advocate for moving specific groups of students
from West High to City High for the purpose of overall school improvement, I fail to see
how such a decision influences school quality. I assess the quality of our high school on
the effect we have on the students who we have enrolled, not on the composition of our
student body. If one believes moving certain groups of students to City from West will
result in improving the image of City High, then you would have to assume it would have a
negative affect on the image at West High. I do not believe this to be the case, but this
is the hypothesis one would draw from this position.
* I do not believe the City Council or the school board can guarantee "equal high
schools." There are a multitude of factors involved in any high school organization
including the past history, culture, faculty expertise, student needs, school goals and
priorities, and internal school decisions that influence both the educational program and
it's quality as judged by parents, students, and the community at large. These
differences will exist between our high schools regardless what group or groups of kids
are moved to City High.
As you referenced in your comments Monday night, managing our impending high school
enrollment growth is a very complicated issue for the school board. As I shared as a
member of the redistricting committee, I support the school board making a decision
1
centered on logic, reasonableness, financial prudence, and one that acknowledges the
geography of our school district. In my opinion, some of the scenarios being promoted
will place our parents and students in the community in untenable positions.
while the local paper referenced all council members reside in the City High attendance
area, I have always appreciated your support for our efforts at West High. I also offer a
standing invitation to you to visit West whenever your schedules permit. While it has
been many years, I still appreciate the stop light we have in our west entranceway.....a
past story. Thank you.
Jerry Arganbright
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email communication, including attachments, is covered by the
Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521, is confidential, and may be
legally privileged and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the
intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error, please reply to
the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, retention,
dissemination, distribution, copying, or otherwise use of the information contained in
this communication is strictly prohibited unless expressly approved by the sender. Thank
you.
2
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Lynnette Ammar [Ira316@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 10:13 AM
To: Council
Subject: City-West issue for government
Dear Council,
It seems the data would suggest that what our community is facing is not a City vs. West
issue, but rather Iowa City vs. North Liberty and Coralville.
The growth that the ICCSD has experienced is not occurring on "the west side." It is
occurring in Coralville and North Liberty.
As a government perhaps you should explore the reasons for this. Why are new young
families attracted to North Liberty? The fact is that North Liberty and Coralville are the
locations for all new schools. Wickham Elementary, Van Allen Elementary, Garner
Elementary, and North Central Jr. High. None of these schools are in Iowa City. The
residents are not of Iowa City.
Is it possible to incorporate the county and share resources? The University of Iowa sustains
our local economy with employment, yet it puts an incredible drain on the City of Iowa City
because it does not contribute to the tax base.
We have a problem. But it is not eastside-westside, it is Iowa City vs. Coralville and North
Liberty.
Sincerely,
Lynnette Ammar
The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and a-mail from your inbox. Get started.
5/4/2010
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Emily Farber (emilymfarber@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 9:50 AM
To: patti.fields@iccsd.k12.ia.us; sarah.swisher@iccsd.k12.ia.us; gayle.klouda@iccsd.k12.ia.us;
mike.cooper@iccsd.k12.ia.us; Michael.Shaw@iccsd.k12.ia.us; tuyet.dorau@iccsd.k12.ia.us;
toni.cilek@iccsd.k12.ia.us; plugge.lane@iccsd.k12.ia.us; Ann Feldmann; Council
Subject: Re: I support redistricting scenairo 4F and here's why
I was very happy to read about the IC City Council opposing the building of a third high school at this time. I
think that most people agree that eventually the ICCSD will grow to the point of being able to support a third
high school, and while it might be '"convenient" for that time to be now, it just doesn't currently make sense
fiscally or student number-wise. The district's highs school numbers are dropping. History has shown that
growing elementary numbers don't directly mean the same thing at the HS level. The fact remains that there
is plenty of open space at City. It seems disingenuous to cut resources at City and West to help fund a
building that isn't currently needed for student numbers, and which does nothing to balance FRL numbers
across the district's high schools, and in fact, only widens the divide.
Arguments about interstate travel and commute times are simply red herrings to disguise the ugly truth
about parents and students with entitlement issues (and that's putting it in polite terms). Using community
email and phone calls as a way to get a feel for the "will" of the community is completely flawed on several
fronts--one, there was never an official request for another round of community input though email and
telephone, two, the community ALREADY made their most valued criteria known (and 4F meets more of
those criteria than 4D), and finally, the "squeaky wheel" here seems to be Wickham parents. Just because
they are, as a whole, affluent and vocal, does that mean they get to drive the decision for everyone else?
As an Iowa City native, CHS graduate ('93) and mother of four children (Shimek) I admit I am interested in
protecting the interests of the east side. However, I strongly believe 4F is the best current choice DISTRICT-
WIDE. West's programing would take a huge hit if a third school becomes areality--you simply can't take
600 students out of that school and expect everything to remain the same. Argenbright said so himself! City
High is not a ghetto and attitudes promoting that should not be tolerated--it's one of the reasons why FRL
numbers must be equalized. North corridor parents don't have a "right" to a 3rd high school because of SILO
money. That money was for district-wide infrastructure, not a HS, and as it is already, Coralville and NL have
received the lion's share of that money. Community growth is not only happening in C-ville and NL--there are
many new developments in the works on the east side that will attract young families. Instead of creating a
school that will slowly grow from a ninth grade center with limited opportunities for students and that take
resources away from our current high schools, why not focus on creating balance between our two excellent
schools?
I urge you to fairly consider the merits of BOTH scenarios based upon the four criteria set fourth by the
community and educator polling and then choose the option that best meets those interests, while at the
same time considering our district's financial situation, and student numbers. I think logic points to 4F.
Thank you for all your hard work,
Emily Farber
5/4/2010
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Jone Johnson [tljmj5@mchsi.coml
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 10:08 AM
To: Council
Subject: Redistricting Financials
This correspondence will become a public record.
Dr. Plugge confirmed on May 4th that the numbers being used (from. RSP consultant report p. 39
on the IGCSD website...or p. 57 paper copy) are the correct ones.
Scenario 4f = $977,072
Scenario 4d = $1,116,852 to $1,196,852
1 believe the IC planner reported $1.74 million dollars for 4d to the city council at the May 3rd
Special Session. The $1..74 million dollar number is f:or a 9-12 High School serving 600
students. That number (1.74 million) is listed on the last page of the hard copy that was handed
out on Monday night, May 3r`~ at Iowa City Council Special Session on Redistricting. That
number is not correct for 4d.
JoncJohnson
Redistricting Committee Member
5/5/2010
Marian Karr
From: Tuyet Dorau [Tuyet.Dorau@iccsd.k12.ia.us]
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 9:26 AM
To: MurphyGeerdes; Council
Subject: RE: In support of a third high school
Dear Ms. Geerdes:
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. The City of Iowa City Council did their due
diligence by listening to their constituents just like the City of Coralville City
Council. Coralville City Council also sent the BOE a letter however theirs was in support
of a 3rd high school.
As governmental bodies I believe we need to work collaboratively together. The BOE is in
a unique situation where our constituents are not exclusive to one municipality or
another. It is for this reason that I believe the BOE can and must work to bring all of
the governmental bodies together to plan for our collective future.
Warmest Regards,
Tuyet Dorau
Iowa City Community School District
From: MurphyGeerdes [mg9425C~mchsi.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 9:10 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Cc: redistricting; Toni Cilek; Mike Cooper; Tuyet Dorau; Patti Fields; Gayle Klouda;
Michael Shaw; Sarah Swisher
Subject: In support of a third high school
This correspondence will become a public record.
Dear Council Members:
My husband, Gregg Geerdes, and I are in full agreement of the school board's support for a
third high school and are appalled that the Iowa City Council is even considering
drafting a letter to the Iowa City School Board indicating its lack of support for a third
high school.
We strongly support, as do many others we know, building a third high school or a facility
that can transition into a third high school.
1. As graduates of small high schools, we have no objections to high schools of
different sizes and believe that course rigor and differentiated instruction matter more
than the number of course offerings. Many successful knowledgeable adults have been and
will be the product of high schools of 800 people or less. Further, technology will
continue to make it easier to provide course offering in future years. Legally, there is
no requirement that district high schools be equal in number and type of course offerings.
2. The Iowa City and North Corridor area will expand beyond 2014; and we would not
like to see the opportunity to build a third high school be foreclosed by additions to
current high schools.
3. Given that student behavior in the classroom has deteriorated over the last
couple of decades, we are concerned about the practical aspects of managing a mega-high
school.
4. While some students will do well in any size school, others may thrive in a large
environment or a small environment. Amid
opportunities for leadership and athletics
recreational athletic opportunities abound
to have more students be able to play on t]
to play in an expensive competitive feeder
high school.
size high school of 800 students will provide
that a larger high school cannot. While
in this town, it would be great, for example,
zeir high school's baseball team without having
team for a better chance of playing baseball in
5. Given the gross overall deterioration in Iowa City since I first came here for
law school in 1985, I have no faith in the planning department of Iowa City. The
council's attention would be better directed toward working with the school district to
identify land in the downtown area that could someday be used for a new elementary school
(what about Horace Mann site combined with the land that is likely to be available in the
future around it?) or turning the town into a destination for retirees with discretionary
income or creating large office space for a downtown non-university employer rather than
small offices.
6. Having examined the finances of the Iowa City Community School District, I am
comfortable that there is money to build the third high school as promised prior to the
SILO vote and to operate it.
Frankly, I am very concerned that the council has been unduly influenced by a very vocal
minority of voters who are willing to protect the status quo at the expense of the
district's future and strongly encourage you not to send a letter to the school board.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Mary M. Murphy
Mary M. Murphy
890 Park Place
Iowa City, Iowa 52246
319/354-2375
mg9425@mchsi.com
2
Page l of'1 ~~ /
Marian Karr
From: John Macatee [jrmacatee@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 10:07 AM
To: Cilek, Toni; Cooper, Mike; Fields, Patti; Klouda, Gayle; Shaw, Michael; Swisher, Sarah; Tuyet,
Dorau
Cc: Council
Subject: letter sent to the Press-Citizen Opinion Editor on 5/5/10 re accidents commuting to City and West
High Schools
Attachments: 10 re accidents commuting to City and West High Schools.pages
Dear School Board and City Council members,
Please read my letter below (both copied and attached) that I sent to the Press-Citizen Opinion Editor
yesterday. Thank you for your time and effort in trying to find a sensible solution to this dilemma.
Dear Opinion Editor,
Please consider printing this letter. I read the front page article in the Press-Citizen this morning about the
public forum about redistricting last night. It sounded like a lively discussion. Thanks
John Macatee, D.O.
15 White Oak Place
Iowa City, IA 52245
A repeated argument that has been made by those who want a third high school is that the drive from North
Liberty and surrounding areas to City and West High Schools would involve dangerous drives on I-
80. Several excellent studies by JCCOG (Johnson County Council of Governments Transportation Planning
Division) have been done recently which clearly show that most collisions involving cars, bikes, or
pedestrians occur on non-interstate roads as the intersection of Burlington and Gilbert Streets, as well as
along Highway 6 and Coral Ridge Avenue. Many were caused by cars following too close behind other cars.
You can read these studies via the following
links: http~//www_jccog orq/docs/file/transportation/RouteComparison.pdf,
and http~//www iccoq orq/docs/file/transportation/TrafficCollisionReport.pdf.
If the proponents of a third high school were aware of the basic facts of these statistics and studies, perhaps
they would be less fearful of their kids getting injured or killed driving along the interstate and they would feel
more comfortable with the thought of their kids commuting to City or West High School.
We have two beautiful daughters who will be going to City High School in the coming years. We are also
concerned and a bit nervous about the possibility of us (or our kids when they start driving!) getting into
accidents on the way to school. As parents, we can ourselves be good driving examples, e.g. not speeding,
using safety belts, not using hand-held devices as cell phones, no drinking and driving. We should expect
responsible driving behavior from our teenage kids and impose strict penalties for irresponsible driving. We
can supervise novice drivers and ensure the mechanical safety of any car used by a teenager. A good
website about safe teen driving has been created by the CDC: "Teen Drivers" at this
link: http~//www cdc qov/motorvehiclesafety/teen drivers/index.html. Another good article, "Teenagers
Behind the Wheel" by Dr. Moshe Ipp is at this link: http://www.utoronto.ca/kids/teensl.htm.
5/6/2010
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Marian Karr
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 10:24 AM
To: 'jrmacatee@gmail.com'
Subject: FW: letter sent to the Press-Citizen Opinion Editor on 5/5/10 re accidents commuting to City and West
High Schools
Attachments: 10 re accidents commuting to City and West High Schools.pages
Thank you for your correspondence. However, I am unable to print your attachment. If you resubmit the
attachment in Word form I will distribute with your letter. If I do not receive it the email letter will be
distributed with no attachment. Thank you.
Marian Karr
City Clerk
From: John Macatee [mailto:jrmacatee@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 10:07 AM
To: Cilek, Toni; Cooper, Mike; Fields, Patti; Klouda, Gayle; Shaw, Michael; Swisher, Sarah; Tuyet, Dorau
Cc: Council
Subject: letter sent to the Press-Citizen Opinion Editor on 5/5/10 re accidents commuting to City and
West High Schools
Dear School Board and City Council members,
Please read my letter below (both copied and attached) that I sent to the Press-Citizen Opinion Editor
yesterday. Thank you for your time and effort in trying to find a sensible solution to this dilemma.
Dear Opinion Editor,
Please consider printing this letter. I read the front page article in the Press-Citizen this morning about
the public forum about redistricting last night. It sounded like a lively discussion. Thanks
John Macatee, D.O.
15 White Oak Place
Iowa City, IA 52245
A repeated argument that has been made by those who want a third high school is that the drive from
North Liberty and surrounding areas to City and West High Schools would involve dangerous drives on I-
80. Several excellent studies by JCCOG (Johnson County Council of Governments Transportation
Planning Division) have been done recently which clearly show that most collisions involving cars, bikes,
or pedestrians occur on non-interstate roads as the intersection of Burlington and Gilbert Streets, as well
as along Highway 6 and Coral Ridge Avenue. Many were caused by cars following too close behind other
cars. You can read these studies via the following
links: http~//www ~ccog org/docs/file/transportation/RouteComparison.pdf,
and http~//www~jccog orq/docs/file/transportation/TrafficCollisionReport.pdf.
If the proponents of a third high school were aware of the basic facts of these statistics and studies,
perhaps they would be less fearful of their kids getting injured or killed driving along the interstate and
they would feel more comfortable with the thought of their kids commuting to City or West High School.
We have two beautiful daughters who will be going to City High School in the coming years. We are also
concerned and a bit nervous about the possibility of us (or our kids when they start driving!) getting into
accidents on the way to school. As parents, we can ourselves be good driving examples, e.g. not
speeding, using safety belts, not using hand-held devices as cell phones, no drinking and driving. We
should expect responsible driving behavior from our teenage kids and impose strict penalties for
irresponsible driving. We can supervise novice drivers and ensure the mechanical safety of any car used
by a teenager. A good website about safe teen driving has been created by the CDC: "Teen Drivers" at
this link: http~//www cdc qov/motorvehiclesafety/teen drivers/index.html. Another good article,
"Teenagers Behind the Wheel" by Dr. Moshe Ipp is at this link: http~//www utoronto calkids/teens1.htm.
5/6/2010
Page 1 of 1
3 ~' C 7~~
Marian Karr
From: Julie Eisele [julieeisele@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 9:09 PM
To: Council; sarah.swisher@iccsd.kl2.ia.us; mike.cooper@iccsd.k12.ia.us; tuyet.dorau@iccsd.k12.ia.us;
patti.fields@iccsd.k12.ia.us; gayle.klouda@iccsd.k12.ia.us; toni.cilek@iccsd.k12.ia.us;
michael.shaw@iccsd.k12.ia.us
Subject: It's logic, not image
Regarding the correspondence dated May 4 to the school board and the Iowa City Council from
Jerry Arganbright (published at the Gazetteonline.com), and specifically his statement that "If
one believes moving certain students to City High will help its image, you will have to assume it
would have a negative affect on the image at West High": The suggestion to move kids to City
High has been made primarily to address space issues, and to best use our existing resources
without adding new buildings at this time. In fact, I have heard Mr. Arganbright voice serious
concerns at a public meeting about capacity issues at his school.
don't know anyone who wants to move kids for the purpose "of overall school improvement."
Balance in population and demographics (to a reasonable degree, and to maintain continued
equitable programming at both schools) -- yes. Improvement - no. Speaking for myself and
other 4F proponents, we think our school is already great; we just want to ensure that it stays
strong and maintains opportunities for all kids throughout the spectrum of abilities and needs.
Comments that were made about City High's image on Monday night were intended to raise
awareness about our school and counter arguments against moving kids to City High -negative
statements that were made at public meetings in the past, by parents, and were cited as
reasons to avoid boundary changes. Speaking for myself, I was trying to inform worried,
misinformed parents that City High is a great school and that their fear is misplaced. I was not
insisting that we need West High students to shore up the school's "image" and I want to clarify
that, since the point was obviously lost on some. Anyone who wants to help City High's image
can (and should) call people out on rude and wrong generalizations that are voiced about the
school.
Furthermore, there should be no reason to fear a plan that would simply balance FRL between
our two regional, comprehensive high schools. Changing FRL from 20 to 23 percent would likely
hurt neither a West High's image nor its programming, in my opinion.
I urge the school board to consider 4F or a similar plan that would make the best use of existing
space and would not require the immediate or even near-future need to purchase land and
break ground on a new facility, while hamstringing the redistricting process. And my own
personal preference would be that Twain Elementary continues feed into City High.
Thank you for your time and efforts.
Julie Eisele
The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your a-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.
5/7/2010
05-10-10
3f 8
Marian Karr
From: WalkerCL04@aol.com
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 10:33 AM
To: Council; Dale Helling
Subject: Just to make sure you know
To the members of the City Council and the City Manager:
I assume you have been informed by this time about the civil rights case that I filed
last October related to discriminatory policies at the Senior Center compared to
policies at the Iowa City Recreation Center. Since some of the city staff including the
legal staff know the details, it would be reasonable to think you were informed.
I have written about the case in the "On The Record" at the Press Citizen website and
in my Press Citizen biog. I also posted a link to the full text of my Request for
Reconsideration after the Davenport Civil Rights Commission sided with the city and
issued a No Probable Cause decision on the case. If you were not informed of that,
you can find a copy of the request by following this link:
http~//seniorsonguard tripod com/regreconsideration.html
I believe that the Davenport Civil Rights Commission did not adequately investigate
the case. But even with this favorable finding for the city, I find it hard to understand
why any of you would allow the staff at the senior center to do what I have addressed.
Charlotte Walker
4/23/2010
3f 9
Marian Karr
From: RussUPS@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2010 4:04 PM
To: Council
Subject: thoughts for the May 10th meeting
I live on Westbury Courtin Olde Towne Village on the east side of Iowa City. I'm upset with Housing
and Community Development Commission and City Council when it comes to how it handles CDBG
funds and HOME funds. For these reasons I think the HCDC and City Council should reconsider the
affordable housing issue.
1) There is NO Citizen Participation in my opinion and a lot of others out here feel the same way. By
the time I (or we) found out the truth what was going out here permits were already issued or they
(THF) was to far into the process. Nobody in this subdivision (business or commercial) were made
aware of this project or given a chance to ask questions.
2) The loss of tax revenue with these projects are HUGE and will only get worse if you proceed on this
same course. According to the Assessors office the City of Iowa City currently has $14.5 million dollars
in assessed low rent property. Of that the city only collects $313,000.00. A potential loss of over $2
million in revenue. The investors that own these properties get a 75% discount on their property taxes.
There aren't enough taxes paid by these properties to pay for the services the city provides them.
3) In your City Steps Program 2011-2015 it's noted in Market Barriers, that the high cost of land is just
one of many financial problems that face people who want to purchase a home, but then again Iowa
City is somewhat land locked. The University of Iowa has about 40% of the property in this town that is
exempt. Between City owned property and other tax exempt property, that puts a already heavy burden
on the those properties being taxed. Also in a recent article in the Press-Citizen noting its #2 ranking for
Best Small Places for Business and Careers. But out of 184 communities it fell short in cost of living
and economic growth, 103 and 126. It did say that the median household income was $50,934 which
is down from your City Steps Program which stated the median family income was $76,000. Speaking
with bankers in this area, they tell me it very difficult for someone making either one of these salaries to
afford a home. But it is these same people who have saved money to purchase a nice home only to
face higher taxes to make up the difference in loss revenue along with the businesses.
4) Why do these homes have to be built brand new? What % of homes purchased under this program
are houses currently on the market? Why can't pre-existing be bought and renovated? With the money
that's going to be pumped into the lots and units next to me, someone would have more buying power
buying pre-existing homes.
5) The real question is how do you improve the cost of living and economic growth in Iowa City, support
our infrastructure and still support tax reduced programs without effecting current businesses and
homeowners with the tax increase to make up the difference? I think HCDC and City Council should
look at the financial impact in relationship to increased property taxes it has on our businesses and
residential areas.
6) The HCDC and the City Council should work with the School District when it comes to where homes
or property is purchased for these projects so you don't saturate any certain school(s) with to many kids
that are involved with the free lunch program. That seems to be a side effect with this program and one
of the obstacles in the redistricting process also.
Russell Haught
319-351-5315
5/3/2010
Page 1 of 1
Marian Karr
From: Regenia Bailey (bailey@avalon.net]
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 9:17 PM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: follow up on Olde Towne Village housing plans
----Original Message-----
From: Lauren Adele Naeve [mailto:trackrocksld@yahoo.comj
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 3:55 PM
To: matt-hayek@iowa-city.org; regenia-bailey@iowa-city.org; Connie-champion@iowa-city.org; ross-
wilburn@iowa-city.org; terry-dickens@iowa-city.org; susan-mims@iowa-city.org; mike-wright@iowa-
city.org
Subject: follow up on Olde Towne Village housing plans
Dear Mayor Hayek and members of city council,
My husband and I along with the support of many of our neighbors and businesses sent a letter to you
with concerns of development plans by The Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship.
Coincidentally, back around the first of March (shortly after our letter was received) there were a few
items on your city council meeting agenda concerning inclusionary vs. exclusionary zoning and land
purchase requests by the Housing Fellowship in the Towncrest area on Muscatine Ave. At that point we
spoke with a few of you thinking this might also be our chance to speak about our issues with the
development in our area but we were told that this was just a coincidence these things were on the
agenda so close to our letter being sent and that we could discuss our issue sometime in April.
We are just writing you to follow up and hope to get a chance to meet with you in person as a group to
discuss our thoughts about the development in our neighborhood. We feel like the water issue with the
hill side is still a major issue as after most yards were dry to the bone with no rain for three weeks in April
and this location to be built on has holes filled a foot deep with water. I am assuming you have seen the
plans for the site and they include some very huge(inter-state highway style) retaining walls and not to
mention the extreme costs going into this project to cut into the hillside and get the area anchored. The
money and taxes just seem to be too extreme and the area totally unfit to build.
We would love for you each to please take a few minutes and drive by this area where they intend to
build. The site plans and scale of design just honestly seem totally impossible to squeeze into this small,
water logged hillside.
We also feel like we as middle class families are really taking on a huge burden with taxes on our
properties to allow projects like these and this one most importantly which is going to cost WELL over
what it should to build those four units. The burden we are taking on in our own personal property taxes
is about enough to drive all good working class families out as we all can't hardly afford to live here. We
would also like to know if you personally are familiar with the new City Steps program and what does this
mean now for housing with this program passing.
We would love to talk this over in person or to meet with each and all of you. We really are just
concerned for the well-being of Iowa city and our neighborhood and just wanted to follow up with some of
our concerns and just keep communication open. Thanks so much for your time and attention on this
issue. We truly appreciate your efforts and expertise put into making Iowa City a better and great place to
live and raise our families.
Sincerely,
Lauren and John Naeve
Lauren's cell 314-265-8216
John's cell 319-621-1744
4/3 0/2010
State Farm®
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710
April 21, 2010
Mayor Matt Hayek
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Mayor Hayek:
STATE FARM
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INSURANCE
Lincoln Operations Center, North
222 South 84th Street
P.O. Box 82542
Lincoln, NE 68501=9835
Recently, it came to our attention that a petition was submitted to the City Council
earlier this year in opposition to a proposed housing development in the Old
Towne Village area of Iowa City.
am writing to clarify for you and your colleagues that the individual who signed
the petition on behalf of "State Farm" was not authorized to do so and did not
seek approval from State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, or its
subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively "State Farm"), before signing.
State Farm has a proud record of working at the national and local levels to build
safer, stronger and better educated communities. Our commitment includes a
long-standing focus on neighborhoods in need, investments in affordable housing
developments and support for classes designed to help individuals become first-
time homeowners.
I apologize for any confusion this misunderstanding may have caused.
Thank you.
Respectfully, ~,
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Sara Taulbee o: ~ -~, ~~`~'~
Public Affairs Manager, Heartland Zone ~;au -°-
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company ~==:
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Chapter 3
DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES
2-3-1: EMPLOYMENT; EXCEPTIONS:
Page 1 of 3
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A. It shall be unlawful for any employer to refuse to hire, accept, register, Gassify, promote or refer for employment, or to otherwise discriminate
in employment against any other person or to discharge any employee because of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, marital
status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. (Ord. 03-4105, 12-16-2003)
B. It shall be unlawful for any labor organization to refuse to admit to membership, apprenticeship or training an applicant, to expel any member,
or to otherwise discriminate against any applicant for membership, apprenticeship or training or any member in the privileges, rights or
benefits of such membership, apprenticeship or training because of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, marital status, national
origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation of such applicant or member.
C. It shall be unlawful for any employer, employment agency, labor organization or the employees or members thereof to directly or indirectly
advertise or in any other manner indicate or publicize that individuals are unwelcome, objectionable or not solicited for employment or
membership because of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sal orientation.
(Ord. 95-3697, 11-7-1995) ~ c+
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D. Employment policies relating to pregnancy and childbirth shall be governed by the following: :-? -~~ --.
1. A written or unwritten employment policy or practice which excludes from employment applicants or employes ~iecause~of the ~
employee's pregnancy is a prima facie violation of this title. ~' ~
2. Disabilities caused or contributed to by the employee's pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth and recovery therefrom ;ire, fox all job re fed
purposes, temporary disabilities and shall be treated as such under any health or temporary disability insurance or sick~eave plan
available in connection with employment or any written or unwritten employment policies andpractices involving terms srni conditions of
employment as applied to other temporary disabilities. ~~"
It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit or require as a condition of employment of any employee or prospective employee a test for the
presence of the antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus. An agreement between an employer, employment agency, labor
organization or their employees, agents or members and an employee or prospective employee concerning employment, pay or benefits to
an employee or prospective employee in return for taking a test for the presence of the antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus, is
prohibited. The prohibitions of this subsection do not apply if the state epidemiologist determines and the director of public health declares
through the utilization of guidelines established by the center for disease control of the United States department of health and human
services, that a person with a condition related to acquired immune deficiency syndrome poses a significant risk of transmission of the
human immunodeficiency virus to other persons in a specific occupation.
F. The following are exempted from the provisions of this section:
1. Any bona fide religious institution or its educational facility, association, corporation or society with respect to any qualifications for
employment based on religion when such qualifications are related to a bona fide religious purpose. A religious qualification for
instructional personnel or an administrative officer, serving in a supervisory capacity of a bona fide religious educational facility or religious
institution shall be presumed to be a bona fide occupational qualification. (Ord. 94-3647, 11-8-1994)
2. An employer or employment agency which chooses to offer employment or advertise for employment to only the disabled or elderly. Any
such employment or offer of employment shall not discriminate among the disabled or elderly on the basis of age, color, creed, disability,
gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. (Ord. 95-3697, 11-7-1995)
3. The employment of individuals for work within the home of the employer if the employer or members of the family reside therein during
such employment.
4. The employment of individuals to render personal service to the person of the employer or members of the employer's family. (Ord. 94-
3647,11-8-1994)
5. The employment on the basis of sex in those certain instances where sex is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary
to the normal operation of a particular business or enterprise. The bona fide occupational qualification shall be interpreted narrowly. (Ord.
03-4105, 12-16-2003)
6. A state or federal program designed to benefit a specific age classification which serves a bona fide public purpose. (Ord. 94-3647, 11-8-
1994)
7. The employment on the basis of disability in those certain instances where presence of disability is a bona fide occupational qualification
reasonably necessary to the normal operation of a particular business or enterprise. The bona fide occupational qualification shall be
interpreted narrowly. (Ord. 03-4105, 12-16-2003)
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8. Any employer who regularly employs less than four (4) individuals. For purposes of this section, individuals who are members of the
employer's family shall not be counted as employees. (Ord. 08-4312, 8-11-2008)
2-3-2: PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION; EXCEPTIONS:
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to deny any other person the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges,
advantages of any place of public accommodation because of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin,
race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. This section shall not apply to discounts for services or accommodations based upon age. (Ord. 00-
3950, 11-7-2000)
B. It shall be unlawful to directly or indirectly advertise or in any other manner indicate or publicize that the patronage of persons is unwelcome,
objectionable or not solicited because of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or
sexual orientation. (Ord. 95-3697, 11-7-1995)
C. This section shall not apply to any bona fide religious institution with respect to any qualifications the institution may impose based on religion
when such qualifications are related to a bona fide religious purpose. (Ord. 94-3647, 11-8-1994)
D. Public accommodations may be designated specifically for the elderly and disabled. However, public accommodations may not be restricted
among the elderly and disabled on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex
or sexual orientation. (Ord. 95-3697, 11-7-1995)
2-3-3: CREDIT TRANSACTIONS; EXCEPTIONS:
A. Consumer Credit: It shall be unlawful for any creditor to refuse to enter into any consumer credit transaction or to impose finance charges or
other terms or conditions more onerous than those regularly extended by that creditor to consumers of similar economic backgrounds
because of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
B. Extension Of Credit: It shall be unlawful for any person authorized or licensed to do business in this state pursuant to chapter 524, 533, 534,
536, or 536A of the code of Iowa, as amended, to refuse to loan or to extend credit or to impose terms or conditions more onerous than
those regularly extended to persons of similar economic backgrounds because of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, marital status,
national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
C. Insurance:
1. It shall be unlawful for any creditor to refuse to offer credit, life or health and accident insurance because of age, color, creed, disability,
gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. Refusal by a creditor to offer credit, life or health
and accident insurance based upon the age or physical disability of the consumer shall not be an unfair or discriminatory r~ctice if such
denial is based solely upon bona fide underwriting considerations not prohibited by title XIII, subtitle 1, code of Iowa, as amended. (Ord.
95-3697, 11-7-1995) -- ~,
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2. The provisions of this section shall not be construed by negative implication or otherwise to narrow or restrict apy.~bl~r pr~srisions of t~i¢
title. (Ord. 94-3647, 11-8-1994) .s~~ -! ,~„~,
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2-3-4: EDUCATION: ~----~
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A. It shall be an unfair or discriminatory practice for any educational institution to discriminate on the basis of age,color, creed, disability, gender
identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation in any program or activity. Such discriminatory practices shall
include, but not be limited to, the following practices:
1. Exclusion of a person or persons from participation in, denial of the benefits of, or subject to discrimination in any academic,
extracurricular, research, occupational training or other program or activity.
2. Denial of comparable opportunity in intramural and interscholastic athletic programs.
3. Discrimination among persons in employment and the conditions of employment.
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4. On the basis of sex, the application of any rule concerning the actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person, or the
exclusion of any person from any program or activity or employment because of pregnancy or related conditions dependent upon the
physician's diagnosis and certification. (Ord. 95-3697, 11-7-1995)
B. For the purpose of this section, "educational institution" includes any preschool, elementary, secondary or merged area school, area
education agency or postsecondary college and their governing boards, with the exception that this section shall not include the University of
Iowa or any other educational division of the state.
C. This section does not prohibit an educational institution from maintaining separate toilet facilities, locker rooms or living facilities for the
different sexes so long as comparable facilities are provided. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting any bona fide religious
institution from imposing qualifications based on religion when such qualifications are related to a bona fide religious purpose or any
institution from admitting students of only one sex. (Ord. 94-3647, 11-8-1994)
2-3-5: AIDING OR ABETTING; RETALIATION; INTIMIDATION:
It shall be an unfair or discriminatory practice for:
A. Any person to intentionally aid, abet, compel or coerce another person to engage in any of the practices declared unfair or discriminatory by
this title.
B. Any person to discriminate against another person because such person has either lawfully opposed any discriminatory practice forbidden by
this title, obeyed the provisions of this title, or has filed a complaint, testified, or assisted in any proceeding under this title. (Ord. 94-3647, 11
-8-1994)
C. Any person to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interferewith any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his or her having
exercised or enjoyed, or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by section 2-3-1, 2-3-
2, 2-3-3, or 2-3-4 of this chapter, section 22-5-1-1 or 2-5-3 of this title. (Ord. 97-3785, 5-20-1997)
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