Boil, Toil, and Loyal

That was the title I gave to my most recent email to U-Heights residents. I live to make bad rhyming jokes. Humor aside I wanted to communicate some important information about the boil advisory the city is under (along with west-side Iowa City) as well as give an update for our council work session held on 2/19. Hearing from former residents was a bonus.

Even better than that was hearing today from a current resident and brand new parent who reported that no less than THREE of her neighbors came over to make sure they had heard about the boil advisory and to ensure they weren't mixing formula or washing baby bottles without treating the water first! That is what community is all about.

Here is what I sent out:

University Heights municipal website View this email in your browser

BOIL TOIL and LOYAL! Boil Advisory I’d like to apologize for incorrectly using the word “order” in my email yesterday, the Iowa City Water Department issued an “advisory.” Today’s Press Citizen had more details than yesterday’s City of Iowa City’s press release, which I copied in full and sent to you. Here is the link to the PC Story Two comments from the story are highlighted here:  “We have not found any bacteria or contamination,” McMahon said. “We just like to err on the side of being conservative with this and just want to make sure everything is safe. We have no reason, though, to believe that there’s any contamination.” A precautionary boil advisory means no contaminants have been identified, but city staff still recommend residents boil their water until testing is complete. If a bacteria contamination is found, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources would issue a boil order. I hope this helps explain our situation better. Toil- Council considers Site Concept Plan Here is the webstream to the 2/11 City Council meeting. The presentation of the concept plan for the St. Andrew site is the 4th item on the timeline. Council heard more details and asked many questions at their work session on 2/19. Citizens also gave their input and suggestions. Illustrations comparing footprints of plans can be found here: St. Andrew Site Plans. Council will discuss the concept plan further at their 3/11 regular meeting to be held at the University Club at 7:00 PM. Loyal- Former residents still interested One nice side note of yesterday’s message about the boil advisory was that I heard from several former U-Heights residents, who even though they no longer live in our fair town, have chosen to stay on my email update list and remain interested in our affairs. I see this as a testament to the residents of our town, and what a special place we are. As always, it is my pleasure to serve you as city councilor. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns. -Mike Haverkamp