PLEASE Support LOST!

Over the weekend I helped deliver fliers to U-Heights residents who have not yet voted in the Nov. 4th Election. We wanted to remind our neighbors of the importance of supporting LOST, the Local Option Sales Tax. Here is what we handed out:

 Local Option Sales Tax

 

Voting YES to One Penny (LOST)

 Supports & Improves University Heights

 Back Side of Ballot

What it will take for the measure to pass?
Votes will be counted collectively in the five contiguous cities in the county (Iowa City, Coralville, Tiffin, University Heights, and North Liberty) with a simple majority (50 percent plus 1) required for passage. Votes in the surrounding cities and the county will be counted separately. Strong support by U-Heights could well tip the balance to an overall majority in the 5 cities.

Who pays the one-penny tax? How long does it last?

For ten (10) years, everyone who shops in the contiguous area pays a one-penny-sales tax.  It’s projected that non-residents and visitors will pay over 21 cents from every dollar of sales tax collected.

What does the one-penny tax cover?
The tax is applied to retail purchases. The tax will NOT apply to many basic items such as groceries, prescription drugs, gasoline, rent, mortgages, vehicles, medical services, or utilities subject to a franchise fee.

How will the revenues be distributed?

The sales tax revenues will be pooled and shared according to a state formula.

How much revenue will be collected?

It is estimated that approximately $16-20 million in sales tax will be collected each year if the tax is approved by all jurisdictions in Johnson County. University Heights' share is estimated to be $100,000 each year (for a total of $1,000,000 over the ten year life of the tax).

How will the one-penny tax revenue be spent in University Heights?

By resolution, the University Heights City Council has specified that the entire amount of the tax will be used for “community space acquisition, furnishing, maintenance, and upkeep; street improvements and repairs; and/or any other lawful purpose.” The tax thus will be available to cover purchasing community space (a community center) or the rising costs of such things as library service, fire protection, snow and leaf removal, bus service, and recycling, for example.

We support the referendum – vote YES on or before Nov. 4^th!

Early Vote UIHC 10 AM- 4PM on 10/27, 10/28, 10/29    Vote St. Andrew 7 AM- 9 PM on 11/4

Carla Aldrich, Chris Anderson, Pat Bauer, Kathie Belgum, Carolyn Brown, David Drake, Karen Drake, Anne Frankel, Joe Frankel, Bob From, Louise From, Bob Hanson, Gloria Hanson, Lisa Haverkamp, Mike Haverkamp, Jase Humphrey, Lori Kimura, Catherine Lane, Jim Lane, Chris Luzzie, Virginia Miller, Art Nowak, Silvia Quezada, John Reitz, Deb Wretman, Rich Wretman, Ken Yeggy, Pat Yeggy, Jerry Zimmerman

                                               

                                                                                  Paid for by Mike Haverkamp & Pat Yeggy

If you read the "supporters" list you will see it is a great cross-section of town that is behind this measure. Please remember to flip your ballot over and vote "YES" Early voting will be held at University Hospitals through Wednesday in the main lobby.

If you want more information about Local Option Sales Tax visit this site:

http://yesforourcommunities.com/

September Council Meeting Summary

I'm doing a little clean up here, I neglected to post this to the blog earlier:

City Council held their monthly September meeting tonight below are some highlights. See more at September Agenda and attachments Police Chief Hired Kenneth Stanley, currently chief of the Village of Centuria, Wisconsin, has been selected by the University Heights City Council as Police Chief of University Heights, to replace the retiring Chief, Ron Fort.   Prior to his position in Wisconsin, Chief Stanley had a 30 year career with the California Highway Patrol. From 2003 to 2013 he served as a Sergeant and supervised in offices containing over 100 uniformed officers, as well as in an administrative capacity supervising a team of uniformed and non-uniformed personnel. Before that he worked in regional offices, public affairs, and the research and planning section of the patrol. ln the spring of 2013,he graduated from the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he was elected class president. He holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from San Francisco University in Public Administration and Public Policy. Stanley is expected to begin his term on November 1. 2014.. Development Proposal Presented Thomas Galuski of GG Land Group presented an initial concept for an apartment development at 901 Melrose Ave. extrememe eastern edge of town) this would be a residential complex with 158 units housing 500 residents. Council directed him to hold open community meetings to present information to all interested citizens. Go here to see the proposal Building Moratorium Proposed Council will hold a special meeting on September 24th to continue discussing the possibility of a 90 day building permit moratorium to allow the zoning commission to discuss amending ordinance 79. Go here to read more about this.

Follow University Heights on Twitter Consider contributing to the University Heights Community Fund I also write a blog covering U-H and other timely topics, with my opinions expressed UHForward.blogspot.com As always it is a pleasure to serve as your city councilor. -Mike

August Council Meeting Summary

I'm doing a little clean up here, I neglected to post this to the blog earlier:

City Council held their monthly August meeting tonight below are some highlights. See more at August Agenda and attachments National Development Council Presentation Tom Jackson who is working for City of U-Heights shared information about the National Developoment Council, and his role as an outside third party evaluator of the One University Place project. He shared that has has worked with the City team as well as the developer's to assess the viabilty of the project and whether or not City financial participation is necessary. See his Powerpoint presentation here. New PUD Submitted That presentation was followed by a summary of a new Planned Unit Development (PUD) proposal submitted last  week. Major changes include a rear building only four stories tall with 44 residential units, and an increase of about 15 surface parking spots. See the new proposal here. Local Option Sales Tax Council approved LOST language for the November ballot . We will contribute 10% of revenue to retiring the courthouse annex bond, if passed. The other 90% would be earmarked for acquiring community center space, street repairs or any othter lawful purpose. Other Good Things Happening: Fourth Room Theatre presents William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, at 901 Melrose Avenue, a beautiful, secluded outdoor space near Kinnick Stadium, on August 15-17 (Fri-Sun) & 21-23 (Thu-Sat) at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are FREE. Fourth Room Theatre requests you make a reservation by calling or texting 319-214-3375 or emailing info@fourthroomtheatre.com with your name, preferred date, the number in your group, and number of vehicles in your party. August 23rd meet at Tower Court Park (adjacent to U-Hieghts) to discuss possible improvements. City of Iowa City has money to renovate but won't do so until community members come and take the lead. That day we will gather ideas and form committees for specific parts of the update plan, such as landscaping, play structures, etc. Please attend if you are interested in providing ideas or serving on a committee, or feel free to submit ideas and feedback to Silvia or I in advance of the meeting. Our main goal for this update is to expand the appeal of this park to a wider range of ages of children and adults. Contact Virginia Miller or Silvia Quezada.

Follow University Heights on Twitter Consider contributing to the University Heights Community Fund I also write a blog covering U-H and other timely topics, with my opinions expressed UHForward.blogspot.com As always it is a pleasure to serve as your city councilor. -Mike