2012 Council Meeting Summaries Apr- June

April Summary

Fellow U-Heights residents,

City Council had their regular April meeting last night at the University Club. Here are a few highlights:

Sunset Wide Sidewalk- Council voted 4-1 to affirm their continued support of the project. The city engineer will work toward a winter 2012 bid letting date, with construction slated to likely start Spring/Summer of 2013. 80% of the project, up to a total of $218,000 will come from Federal grant money. The city's share is expected to be roughly $72,000.

Horn School Crossing Guard- Council voted 5-0 to support hiring an adult school crossing guard at Sunset/Oakcrest intersection for the 2012-13 school year. The City of Iowa City will continue to fund 3 crossing guards stationed along Benton Street. With the enlarged Horn School boundaries for next year approximately 120 students east of Sunset St. will be attending Horn. The yearly cost for a guard is $4,500.

University Heights Community Endowment- Michael Stoffregen, executive director of the Community Foundation of Johnson County, reported on the University Heights Community Endowment Fund. Established in 2007, this fund would be able to support community projects in U-Heights. Tax credits up to 25% are available through to the Endow Iowa Fund to donors. Citizens will receive more information about this worthwhile philanthropic program in the coming weeks.

Full agenda and attached reports can be found here:
April 10 Agenda & attachments

Upcoming Important Dates:

April 18th League of Women Voters Constitution Forum: “Immigration: America’s Mixed Message” Coralville Public Library 7:00 to 9:00 pm 

April 28th City Cleanup Day- Dumpsters will be on Marietta at Highland. Look for a flyer this weekend. For more details here:
Community Cleanup Day

May 8th Monthly Council Meeting Horn Elementary Library, 7:00 PM

May 18th Bike to Work Week Breakfast- U-Heights will host a breakfast for bike commuters 6:30- 8:30 AMs

As always, it is a pleasure to serve the citizens of U-Heights. If you have any questions or are interested in more information on any topic please don't hesitate to contact me.

-Mike Haverkamp

 315 Golfview Ave.

May Summary

Fellow U-Heights residents,

City Council met last night at Horn Elementary School. Here is a brief summary of the meeting:

FY 2012 Budget Hearing- Per statute we amended our FY12 Budget  to reflect our actual receipts and expenditures for the fiscal year, ending June 30^th. The update shows increased revenues of $87,216 but also increased expenditures of $110, 681. Our projected year-end balance will drop accordingly to $60,779. Full information can be found here: http://www.university-heights.org/Finance/index.html

Oaknoll Revenue Bonds- Council will hold a public hearing at the regular June City Council meeting, June 12^th, to consider issuing revenue bonds for Oaknoll Retirement Center. The City has done this in the past, and while acting as a sponsor of the bonds, it does not place the U-Heights under financial obligation.

University Heights Community Fund- Council voted to commit $500 to the U-Heights Community Fund. Donations currently are at $1,400, not counting the city’s commitment, and when we reach $2,500 we will get a matching grant from the Community Foundation of Johnson County.

More details about the full meeting can be found here: http://www.university-heights.org/council/1112/Agendas/AgendaAttach120508.pdf

Upcoming Events:

May 10^th 7-9 PM, Iowa City Public Library League of Women Voters Constitution Series: The Affordable Care Act, Is It Constitutional? Panel includes U-Heights resident, Pete Damiano, director of the Public Policy Center at UI.

May 16^th 6:30- 8:30 AM, City Office 1004 Melrose, Bike to Work Week Breakfast hosted by the City and Geoff’s Bike Shop. Stop by for cinnamon rolls, coffee and more.

June 8^th City Wide garage sale Residents can host garage sales at their own homes, advertising will promote the event for everyone.

June 12^th 7:00 PM Regular June City Council Meeting, at St. Andrew Church.

Please reply back to me with any questions or concerns.

-Mike Haverkamp
315 Golfview Ave.

June Summary

Fellow U-Heights residents,

Council met last night, it was a relatively short meeting (most likely because I wasn't there) Here is a summary of the meeting from guestwriter, councilor Jim Lane:

The University Heights City Council:

·   Approved Oaknoll's request to issue tax exempt revenue bonds for their upcoming expansion. They plan to add 73 new units at their current site. Construction is expected to begin January, 2013 and be completed by June, 2015. University Heights is not responsible for payment of these bonds and is serving as a "conduit" to enable Oaknoll to obtain part of their financing with tax exempt bonds.

·  The Council approved the replacement of concrete street panels on Melrose Ave. in front of the city office. This work will be done this summer along with other replacements on Sunset Street.

·  The Council reviewed additional proposals for the Sunset/Benton Northwest Corner revision as part of the Sunset Wide Sidewalk project. These proposals were made to enhance the width of the sidewalk at this corner, to improve the line of vision for motorists and add fencing for the residents.. City engineer and some council members will meet with affected residents to discuss proposed changes before Council makes any changes.

·  The Council formally announced receiving designation as "A Bicycle Friendly Community

The full agenda and attached reports can be viewed here: June 12 Council Meeting Agenda & attachments

Upcoming Dates:

July 10th City Council meeting- St. Andrew Church
September 9th Annual City picnic

As always, any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reply.
-Mike Haverkamp
 315 Golfview Ave.