Lights in the Heights!

LIGHTS IN THE HEIGHTS 

The City of University Heights is sponsoring their FIRST New Year’s Eve luminary walk: “Lights In The Heights.” The wide sidewalks on Melrose Ave and Sunset St will be lit with luminary candles. Neighbors and friends are encouraged to walk this aisle of lights and welcome in the New Year in style!

Volunteers are also needed to help set up the lights, if interested please see below.

TIME: set-up at 2 pm; 5 pm-12 pm lights on; about 1,400 luminaries involved

GOAL: Lights on both sides of SUNSET AND MELROSE

NEEDED: Sponsors & LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS to set-up kiddo-friendly volunteer tasks

COORDINATORS:

Louise From (354-1433) & Silvia Quezada (354-3854)

louise@university-heights.org 

silvia@university-heights.org

 
VOLUNTEERS PARTY: hot cocoa and goodies at Louise’s (207 Monroe St)

December Council Meeting Summary

Dear fellow U-Heights citizens,

City Council held their regular December meeting tonight. Here are some highlights:

Potential Development Information
Jim Lane reported an update on One University Place/ St. Andrew site that the developer and the church are still negotiating over purchase details. When that is completed it would be expected that council would then be able to evaluate a PUD (Planned Unit Development) agreement and determine if the city would participate in possible financing (TIF or bonding or something else?) It was also reported that no one on council has heard anything from the GG Land Group since their October public meeting. It appears they may no longer be interested in pursuing a development.
 

Sidewalk Issues Discussed
Council approved Resolution 14-34 regarding sidewalk repairs. Much discussion ensued about how to make this easier for owners. This fall sidewalks east of Sunset and south of Melrose were inspected. Homeowners needing to make repairs will be notified by letter in January. Information will also be posted on the city website. Repairs will need to be completed by July 15, 2015. Also since snow will be coming again, it's a good idea to take a look at Virginia Miller's Winter Sidewalk Reminders.
 

Zoning Commission Work Continues
The Zoning Commission has met 8 times since council implemented the building moratorium in September. Chair Pat Yeggy talked about a possible change to limit the size of new construction and additions via a lot coverage method, such as is used in Iowa City and Coralville. Please look at the Zoning Commission Page. Agendas and minutes so far are listed there. If you have comments or questions, contact Pat at the above link. Zoning Commission will next meet 12/10/14 at 7 PM in the City Office, 1004 Melrose Ave.
 

New Year's Eve Luminary Event
Mayor Louise From and Councilor Silvia Quezada are working on "Lights in the Heights" on New Year's Eve by putting out candle luminaries along Sunset Ave and Melrose sidewalks. If you would like to volunteer to help with this contact silvia@university-heights.org.

For more information about tonight's meeting read Dec. 9th Agenda and attachments

Upcoming Events:
Dec. 10th– Zoning Commission 7:00 PM City Office
Dec 31st– 1st Annual U-Heights Light the Heights Walk Sunset and Melrose's lighted sidewalks!
Jan. 6th – Christmas Tree Pick Up 7:00 AM with regular garbage pick up.
Jan. 13th – Christmas Tree Pick Up 7:00 AM with regular garbage pick up.
Jan. 13th – City Council Meeting 7:00 PM Location yet determined

Please accept my warmest wishes for this holiday season, and for a wonderful 2015!

 

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

November 2014 City Council Meeting Summary

November 11, 2014
 
Dear fellow U-Heights citizens,

City Council held their regular November meeting tonight. Here are some highlights:

Building Permit Moratorium extended.
Council voted to extend the current building permit moratorium through February. The Zoning Commission has met 5 times since council implemented the moratorium in September. The Commission has focused so far on accessory buildings and will also be addressing yard definitions and look at building size in relation to the lot size, known as floor area ratio. Please look at the Zoning Commission Page. Agendas and minutes so far are listed there. If you have comments or questions, all the zoning commission members emails are listed on the above link. Zoning Commission will meet 11/12/14 at 7 PM in the City Office, 1004 Melrose Ave.
U-Heights/Iowa City Boundary Issues Discussed
Council discussed a request from the City of Iowa City to allow them to enforce lawn care and snow removal on Iowa City property adjacent to U-Heights homes. More discussion with City of Iowa City will be held, but citizens and council both stressed tonight that U-Heights needs to help protect the rights of property owners.
Safety Concerns
New Police Chief, Ken Stanley reminded residents to keep their property secure. Unlocked cars have been entered this month, and about 6 unlocked, unattended bicycles have been stolen this fall from open garages or other open areas.

For more information about tonight's meeting read Nov. 11th Agenda and attachments

Upcoming Events:
Nov. 12th– Zoning Commission 7:00 PM City Office
Nov. 13th – Leaf Vacuuming If your leaves are raked to the curb early, trucks may pick them up as they pass through to the city landfill.
Nov. 16th– Tower Court Park renovation meeting 2:00 PM at the park
Nov. 20th – Leaf Bag Pickup Leaf bags are picked up free of charge.
Nov. 20th – Zoning Commission 7:00 PM City Office
Dec. 9th – City Council Meeting 7:00 PM Horn Elementary Library

Thank You

Despite LOST being defeated in the 5 contiguous cities, U-Heights did its share by voting 64% "yes." That was the highest "yes" vote in any precinct in the 5 contiguous. U-Heights also once again supported the Courthouse bond despite it not passing either. I truly appreciate my fellow citizens continuing to step up and participate in our local government.

What this defeat means for us, as a city, is that we have fewer options on how to possibly fund a community center. We won't see an immediate impact, but it will have long term implications.

From a regional perspective, I'm concerned about North Liberty, as their plan was to use LOST revenue to help pay for infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, sewer) for the new Liberty High School. Without this, NL could be quite stressed to meet those needs.

It is also interesting to note that in the partisan elections, Johnson County was the only county carried by Jack Hatch. Take a look at this google election map:

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Iowa+Governor+map

VOTE 11/4!

University Heights Polling Site: St. Andrew Church, 1300 Melrose Ave.
Polls open 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Well, if you're one of the 64% of U-Heights registered voters who hasn't already cast a ballot, Tuesday is the day. One thing that seems to define our town is great participation in exercising our right to vote.

Here are the latest statistics from the Johnson County Auditor:

Requests by Precinct	ALL	% of reg	DEM	% of reg	REP	% of reg	NONE	%
University Heights	311	36.4%	206	48.9%	51	28.7%	54	21.5%
Returned by precinct	ALL	% of reg	DEM	% of reg	REP	% of reg	NONE	%
University Heights	272	31.8%	186	44.2%	43	24.2%	43	17.1%

 

Democrats hold a sizable majority in town, comprising 67% of the early voters. Republicans requested 16% of early ballots, and those declaring no party requested 17% of early ballots.

• Democratic early voters have returned 90% of ballots requested.
• Republican early voters have returned 84% of ballots requested. 
• No Party early voters have returned  80% of ballots requested.

Those not yet returned ballots could be turned in tomorrow in person, or if they arrive with a postmark of 11/3 or earlier they will be valid.

Regardless of your party affiliation, please flip your ballot over and support Local Option Sales Tax.