May/June Events!

May and June are busy months in U-Heights, here are some upcoming events:

Graduation Weekend May 13-15 

• With UI commencement and end of term Melrose Ave. westbound will be be open this weekend

Bike to Work Week May 15-20

•  U-Heights Bike to Work Breakfast will be WED. MAY 18 6:30 to 8:30 AM at City Office
• Full BWW activities can be found here: Think Bicycles! BWW 2016

U-Heights Concert/ Dance Party  

• SAT. May 21, 1 to 3 PM 200 block of Koser Ave.

 

City-Wide GARAGE SALE June 4, 8 AM to Noon 

• How does this work?
  This is just like a conventional garage sale or yard sale. You can put your items for sale in your garage, porch, driveway, or in your yard. You run your sale independently. Having many University Heights garage sales all on one day will drive more traffic to your sale and give you an opportunity to check out your neighbors' sales at the same time.
• Do I need to pay anything?
  No. The City of University Heights will advertise the city-wide garage sale and put out large signs before the sale. All you have to do be ready on Saturday, June 4th at 8:00 a.m.

Farmer's Market June 7, 4 PM to 7 PM

• New location: University Club parking lot
  New times 4-7 PM
  
  
   
  
  

A Very Sincere Thank You!

Mayor Louise From presided over her final meeting as mayor tonight and I'd like to say she was sent out in style. Completely unknown to her, various Iowa elected officials and a notable celebrity were asked to submit a letter of thanks to Louise. These were read at the meeting. She received congratulations and thanks from both U.S. Senators, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, and our U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack. She also received recognition from Governor Branstad, and our state senator, Joe Bolkcom. Our Iowa House rep, Mary Mascher, came in person to thank Louise also. The highlight of the presentation was a letter from Kirk Ferentz, who spoke of how University Heights was his first home in Iowa, and thanking Louise for her service.
Louise was elected to five terms as Mayor, for a total of 10 years. Prior to that she served six terms on council for 12 years. In total she served the City of University Heights for 22 years from January of 1994 through December of 2015. While I don't know Louise's exact age I'm pretty confident in thinking that she has served University Heights for at least one-third of her life.

I have greatly enjoyed working with Louise, and have great admiration for her abilities and the accomplishments she has made for the betterment of our city. I hope that if you see her in the coming days and weeks, that you'll tell her thank you too.

Trick or Treat!

REMEMBER: 

TRICK OR TREAT
FRI OCT. 30th

6:00 to 8:00 PM

March Council Meeting Summary

 

Fellow U-Heights residents,

City Council held their regular March meeting Tuesday night, below are some highlights. For more information please look at the full agenda and attachments. 

One University Place Ordinance First Approval

Following a recommendation from the Zoning Commission last week, city council held a public hearing on a zoning amendment for One University Place  and heard community comment. Council also heard from the developers regarding their request to increase the residential unit number from 80  to 104 and surface parking from 55 to 108. Their plans show a reduction in commercial space and the footprint of the front building. The back building would remain 5 stories. Due to a petition filed by 20% of residents within 300 feet of the property, council approval would require a super majority of 4 yes votes. Council approved the first reading tonight 5-0. A second reading of the amendment will be held at the April meeting. 

FY16 Budget Approved.

Following a public hearing council approved the FY16 budget. City budget years begin on July 1. The carryover projected at the end of FY16 is $779. The re-estimated carryover for the end of FY15 (June 30, 2015) is $13,665.

Parking Passes Created

Police Chief Ken Stanley announced a policy where any resident hosting a gathering can contact the police department and request parking passes for guests who may be leaving their car on a city street overnight. He also passed out several passes to each council member for them to distribute to any neighbors if needed.

Upcoming Events

• City Council Work Session on Tax Increment Financing MONDAY MARCH 23, 6:30 pm (tentative) 
• City Council Meeting TUESDAY APRIL 14 7:00 PM 
• Annual Spring Clean Up Day is SATURDAY APRIL 25th 9-noon 
• Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony will be SUNDAY APRIL 26th 
• Farmer's Market starts TUESDAY JUNE 2nd
• City-Wide Garage Sale will be SATURDAY JUNE 6th throughout town 
• RAGBRAI comes through U-Heights! SATURDAY July 25th

• 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
  Join the community at Nextdoor University Heights!
  
  As always it is a pleasure to serve as your city councilor.

  -Mike

   

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

Big Weekend for U-Heights!

Due to construction at Hancher, a last minute route change to the River Run 5K race will take it through University Heights on Sunday, April 27th. Race begins 9 AM

VIEW MAP

Please watch for runners, expect traffic delays Sunday morning.

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From Streets and Sidewalks Chair, Councilor Virginia Miller:

City Tree Planting Event MOVED TO 4/26/14 1:00 PM

Hello all - another update on University Heights Tree Planting Day.  The weather forecast predicts a nice day on Saturday and rain for Sunday. Therefore I am changing the planting event to Saturday afternoon, April 26th, at 1pm. If you would like to help, my number and email are listed below.

Trees will be delivered to Paul Moore's lot across from Stella.Meet there for a quick lesson in tree planting at 1pm on Saturday. Then we'll fan out across town.

Planting locations for this round of trees are:

114 Highland, 235 Highland

220 Koser, 255 Koser

1424 Grand, 1440 Grand, 1456 Grand

Thanks so much!  and BIG THANKS to the homeowners and tenants who are receiving trees.  Their willingness to take responsibility for a new tree will keep our town beautiful for decades to come.

Drinks and snacks will be set up back at the triangle lot when we are done.

Best,

Virginia Miller

630-649-9661

virginia@university-heights.org