Besides voting for myself, here is who I will be voting for:
City Council
Jim Lane- Jim
is completing his second 2 year term on council, he has served as
finance chair for the past 4 years. His experience as a financial
planner has paid off in how he has managed city assets in order to
maximize returns, he has also made awareness of city budgets and budget
planning much easier for the rest of council to follow. Jim's experience
as a plant manager for Proctor and Gamble as well as his education as
an engineer has been invaluable as the city has worked through the
planning stages of the One University Place project. Construction Updates
Carla Aldrich-
Carla was appointed to council in June 2014 to fill the seat of Zadok
Nampala. She has served as co-chair of the Community Protection
Committee. Carla's contributions and insight served the city well in the
hiring of our Police Chief last year. Carla has also initiated our
Community Watch program, a quarterly meeting of all interested citizens
on community protection topics of interest. At the Kickoff Meeting in
April, there was a surprise incident where participants suddenly were
placed in situation where their "eye witness" recollections were tested.
The July meeting featured tips on how to prevent identity theft, and
the September meeting featured Iowa City Schools Equity director
Kingsley Botchway speaking on cultural competence. Community Protection
Stepheny Gahn- Stepheny
has served on the Zoning Commission for the past year. She was active
in the amending of our building ordinance. Stepheny has also been a
frequent attendee at council meetings, and has worked hard to make
herself aware of the many issues that the council faces.
Mayor
Louise From- Louise
has been an effective and tireless ambassador for our city. While she
does not have a vote, she runs council meetings. Louise spends an
incredible amount of time working with neighboring elected officials as
well as staff to ensure that U-Heights' interested are represented. Mayor's Report
Ballot Initiative
YES I
strongly favor adopting staggered four year terms for council. Being a
small community with each council member expected to manage a department
of city business (Finance, Building/Zoning/Sanitation, Streets and
Sidewalks, Community Protection, eGovernment) it is hard to have
continuity and stability when you must run for your seat every other
year.
I would hope you would also consider these well qualified people and this reasonable ballot measure.
Showing posts with label Mike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike. Show all posts
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Thank YOU!
It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I say thanks to the voters
of University Heights. To have a turnout that is triple the county
average is amazing.
Top 5 finishers elected to council
When talking to the Press Citizen Tuesday night I was hoping to express that it is imperative for the new council to work to bring our community back together. It will take effort from all parties to do so.
Pro-development sweeps U. Heights
City Council
|
Early Vote
|
Nov. 5TH
|
Total
|
Percent
|
Haverkamp
|
133
|
221
|
354
|
63%
|
Lane
|
129
|
205
|
334
|
60%
|
Quezada
|
126
|
198
|
324
|
58%
|
Miller
|
121
|
175
|
296
|
53%
|
Nampala
|
118
|
165
|
283
|
51%
|
McGrath
|
123
|
134
|
257
|
46%
|
Hopson
|
120
|
122
|
242
|
43%
|
Leff
|
116
|
125
|
241
|
43%
|
Stewart
|
116
|
104
|
220
|
39%
|
Write Ins
|
4
|
9
|
13
|
Top 5 finishers elected to council
MAYOR
|
Early Vote
|
Nov. 5TH
|
Total
|
Percent
|
From
|
151
|
205
|
356
|
90%
|
Write Ins
|
26
|
15
|
41
|
Total Voters
|
Early Vote
|
Nov. 5TH
|
Total
|
242
|
317
|
559
|
When talking to the Press Citizen Tuesday night I was hoping to express that it is imperative for the new council to work to bring our community back together. It will take effort from all parties to do so.
Pro-development sweeps U. Heights
60.3 percent of registered voters cast a ballot,
which set a city record and led county in turnout
Voters turned out in record numbers Tuesday in University Heights, delivering a resounding pro-development message.
With 60 percent of registered voters casting a ballot, residents ousted the three City Council members who have stood in opposition of a developer’s plans to construct the mixed-use project along Melrose Avenue called One University Place.
Incumbents Rosanne Hopson, Jan Leff and Brennan McGrath — who have fought the proposed commercial and condominium project that has been at the center of bitter debate the past five years — each lost their seats. They will be replaced by Virginia Miller,Zadok Nampala and Silvia Quezada, a trio of first-time challengers who ran on pro-development platforms.
“I’m really looking forward to working together with the rest of the group and finally having a green light for the development going forward, the way people in University Heights want to see it,” said Nampala, a 30-year-old master’s student in social work at the University of Iowa.
Pro-development incumbents Mike Haverkamp and Jim Lane retained their council posts with the top two showings, garnering 63 percent and 60 percent, unofficially.
In total, 559 of University Heights’ 927 registered voters cast a ballot, or 60.3 percent. It was by far the highest percentage of any city in Johnson County, and set a new city record for turnout, surpassing the previous high mark of 534 voters in 2011.
Although past elections amid the One University Place debate have been decided by razor-thin margins and resulted in councils with clashing development philosophies, the coalition of pro-development candidates ran away with the race this time around.
Still, rather than touting victory, Haverkamp and others stressed moving on from the contentious and sometimes ugly debates of the past few years and bringing people back together.
“The thing to always remember is we’re a small town where we know everybody, so I think what’s important is to remember the entire community functioning together is the only way we’re going to move forward,” said Haverkamp, a 53-year-old teacher. “I think the responsibility the citizens of our community have entrusted us with is something I take very seriously, and I’ll make sure I’m responsible to everyone in the community.”
Lane, a 68-year-old investment consultant, said the pro-development camp presented “a positive vision” that resonated with voters. However, he said much of the heavy lifting lies ahead, particularity the looming question of how much financial support the city will contribute to One University Place.
“Quite frankly, the work is just beginning,” Lane said. “We have to figure out the right development, especially the financing. I don’t want to see the community get financially strapped.”
Quezada, a 39-year-old attorney, said that even though Tuesday’s five victors campaigned as a “loose coalition,” they each will bring distinct approaches to the council in how they’d like to see the development take shape.
“I think the voters are ready for smart, intelligent growth in our community, and I’m ready to do the people’s business and protect our best interest going forward and setting us up for a bright and fulfilling future in University Heights,” Quezada said.
Miller said that with St. Andrew Presbyterian Church set to finalize the sale of the property to the developer and relocate in the coming years, she’s eager to help University Heights “start trying to move forward.”
“We now have a pretty firm time line of when the church is moving out that we can work around, so there are not as many unknowns as there were in the past,” said Miller, a 31-year-old stay-at-home mother.
Mayor Louise From, who ran uncontested, will serve a fifth term as mayor after collecting 90 percent of the votes.
With 60 percent of registered voters casting a ballot, residents ousted the three City Council members who have stood in opposition of a developer’s plans to construct the mixed-use project along Melrose Avenue called One University Place.
Incumbents Rosanne Hopson, Jan Leff and Brennan McGrath — who have fought the proposed commercial and condominium project that has been at the center of bitter debate the past five years — each lost their seats. They will be replaced by Virginia Miller,Zadok Nampala and Silvia Quezada, a trio of first-time challengers who ran on pro-development platforms.
“I’m really looking forward to working together with the rest of the group and finally having a green light for the development going forward, the way people in University Heights want to see it,” said Nampala, a 30-year-old master’s student in social work at the University of Iowa.
Pro-development incumbents Mike Haverkamp and Jim Lane retained their council posts with the top two showings, garnering 63 percent and 60 percent, unofficially.
In total, 559 of University Heights’ 927 registered voters cast a ballot, or 60.3 percent. It was by far the highest percentage of any city in Johnson County, and set a new city record for turnout, surpassing the previous high mark of 534 voters in 2011.
Although past elections amid the One University Place debate have been decided by razor-thin margins and resulted in councils with clashing development philosophies, the coalition of pro-development candidates ran away with the race this time around.
Still, rather than touting victory, Haverkamp and others stressed moving on from the contentious and sometimes ugly debates of the past few years and bringing people back together.
“The thing to always remember is we’re a small town where we know everybody, so I think what’s important is to remember the entire community functioning together is the only way we’re going to move forward,” said Haverkamp, a 53-year-old teacher. “I think the responsibility the citizens of our community have entrusted us with is something I take very seriously, and I’ll make sure I’m responsible to everyone in the community.”
Lane, a 68-year-old investment consultant, said the pro-development camp presented “a positive vision” that resonated with voters. However, he said much of the heavy lifting lies ahead, particularity the looming question of how much financial support the city will contribute to One University Place.
“Quite frankly, the work is just beginning,” Lane said. “We have to figure out the right development, especially the financing. I don’t want to see the community get financially strapped.”
Quezada, a 39-year-old attorney, said that even though Tuesday’s five victors campaigned as a “loose coalition,” they each will bring distinct approaches to the council in how they’d like to see the development take shape.
“I think the voters are ready for smart, intelligent growth in our community, and I’m ready to do the people’s business and protect our best interest going forward and setting us up for a bright and fulfilling future in University Heights,” Quezada said.
Miller said that with St. Andrew Presbyterian Church set to finalize the sale of the property to the developer and relocate in the coming years, she’s eager to help University Heights “start trying to move forward.”
“We now have a pretty firm time line of when the church is moving out that we can work around, so there are not as many unknowns as there were in the past,” said Miller, a 31-year-old stay-at-home mother.
Mayor Louise From, who ran uncontested, will serve a fifth term as mayor after collecting 90 percent of the votes.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Press Citizen Coverage of Council Race
Yesterday's Press Citizen featured the University Heights City Council race:
One University Place development is 'a tipping point' in U Heights
A decade ago, a typical city council race in University Heights wasn’t much of a race at all.
In each of the 2003 and 2005 city elections, for instance, just five candidates ran for five seats, meaning the only Election Day decision voters had to make was whether to write in another name.
That’s no longer the case in this enclave of about 1,100 residents, where a high-profile development proposal along Melrose Avenue has stirred up local political passions in recent years. There now are yard signs, websites and candidate forums — big-city campaigning in a small town.
On Tuesday, nine residents will vie for the council’s five spots, including all five incumbents, with the dominant issue remaining One University Place, which for nearly five years has been poised to be built on the property of the outgoing St. Andrew Presbyterian Church.
While the central question in past years was whether developer Jeff Maxwell should be allowed to build a large-scale project at the site, now that the church has voted to finalize the property sale, the remaining questions include just how big One University Place should be, whether there will be a commercial component, and how much, if any, financial assistance the city should provide.
The three council members who have opposed the development — Rosanne Hopson, Jan Leff and Brennan McGrath — say their position has shifted toward compromise now that the church’s move is imminent. Although Maxwell’s vision has been for a two-building development — one five-story residential building and one three-story mixed-use building — the three opposing council members are calling for a scaled-down version.
“The three of us began our journey on this council feeling strongly that we did not want any development there, and if we did, it should be very minimal,” said Leff, who is seeking a second term. “I think over time we’ve evolved, understanding this (as) an opportunity to oversee a development that would really enhance our community both financially and aesthetically, as well. I think we’re ready to compromise with whomever else (is) on the council.”
Hopson, who has served on the council since winning a special election in January 2011 and earning re-election later that year, has taken a hard stance against the $6.5 million in tax-increment financing assistance the developer has said he would require for the project.
“When you ask for a $6.5 million TIF, that leaves us with zero bonding capacity,” Hopson said. “I really wouldn’t feel comfortable with that as a councilor. What do you do in case of an emergency?”
McGrath, who has served eight years on the council, said he would like to see the council find middle ground with a project that would be “the least disruptive” to University Heights.
“It seems like in this process it’s been what’s best for the developer or what’s best for the community — not both,” McGrath said. “That’s what I’m trying to get back to — an ‘and’ in there and not an ‘or.’ That’s the biggest challenge.”
On the other side of the issue stand incumbents Mike Haverkamp and Jim Lane, who have backed the Maxwell project during their time on the council. Haverkamp says public perception of the project has shifted in recent years, with more people — particularly younger residents — favoring walkable neighborhoods close to their workplace and amenities.
“I’m encouraged as I walk around and talk to people,” said Haverkamp, who is seeking a third term. “I think in 2008 and 2009, a five-story residential building and a three-story, mixed-use commercial building seemed pretty big. I think what’s happened in the greater Iowa City-Coralville area in those intervening years has also shaped perception in terms of other projects that people are seeing.”
Lane, who narrowly edged Rachel Stewart for the fifth and final seat in the 2011 election, said that with the church’s decision behind it, this is a key moment for University Heights. He said many longtime residents are recognizing the benefits the development could bring in the form of new amenities, as well.
“It’s young and old folks who are saying, ‘We have this opportunity, so let’s take it,’ ” Lane said. “I think the majority are speaking out and saying we want some things in there. This is a tipping point.”
Stewart, who missed winning a spot on the council by just one vote two years ago, favors a scaled-down version of the development that would require no TIF incentive from the city.
“My main concern has always been that I don’t like TIF being used for inappropriate developments,” Stewart said. “They were traditionally developed for areas of large cities that were blighted, where no one would do anything there unless they got some incentive. I can’t say the corner of Melrose and Sunset is a blighted spot.”
The other challengers are voicing support for a larger version of One University Place more in line with Maxwell’s original vision.
Zadok Nampala, a father of two young children who is running for the first time, says he and others are excited about the possibility of a market within walking distance. Local businessman Jim Mondanaro has expressed interest in opening up a location similar to downtown Iowa City’s Bread Garden in One University Place.
“I would be one of those people who would say a mixed commercial property would be ideal for us so that the young community, young families, can walk here and have that little corner store,” Nampala, a Kenya native, said at a candidate’s forum earlier this month. “I just imagine those small towns where I come from where we have a store in the corner, and everybody walks there in the evening.”
Virginia Miller, who is challenging for a council seat, also has vowed to bring a voice for younger families to the council and is stressing the importance of including a public space in the developer’s plans, be it a park or a community center.
“To me, St. Andrew functioned as a public space for our community where we’ve had our picnics, farmers markets and community meetings for a long time, so I think it’s important for us to retain that public space in our community rather than losing it to strictly residential development,” Miller said.
Silvia Quezada, who is making her first bid for the council, backs the developer’s “five-and-three” vision for One University Place. She said there are concerns that still need to be worked out, “but nothing that a city council couldn’t overcome and work together to close a chapter on a very long journey.”
“I think the vision is coming from the residents; the vision is not being driven by the developer,” Quezada said. “The developer is proposing an idea, and folks are improving on that idea. People are seeing an opportunity for adding more convenience to the quality of life in University Heights.”
Mayor Louise From, who served a dozen years on the council beginning in 1994 before taking over as mayor in 2006, also is up for re-election. Though she is running uncontested for the non-voting mayor’s seat, From said she doesn’t want to take residents’ support for granted.
“I’ve always tried to tackle the issues with honesty and respect for all,” From said.
A decade ago, a typical city council race in University Heights wasn’t much of a race at all.
In each of the 2003 and 2005 city elections, for instance, just five candidates ran for five seats, meaning the only Election Day decision voters had to make was whether to write in another name.
That’s no longer the case in this enclave of about 1,100 residents, where a high-profile development proposal along Melrose Avenue has stirred up local political passions in recent years. There now are yard signs, websites and candidate forums — big-city campaigning in a small town.
On Tuesday, nine residents will vie for the council’s five spots, including all five incumbents, with the dominant issue remaining One University Place, which for nearly five years has been poised to be built on the property of the outgoing St. Andrew Presbyterian Church.
While the central question in past years was whether developer Jeff Maxwell should be allowed to build a large-scale project at the site, now that the church has voted to finalize the property sale, the remaining questions include just how big One University Place should be, whether there will be a commercial component, and how much, if any, financial assistance the city should provide.
The three council members who have opposed the development — Rosanne Hopson, Jan Leff and Brennan McGrath — say their position has shifted toward compromise now that the church’s move is imminent. Although Maxwell’s vision has been for a two-building development — one five-story residential building and one three-story mixed-use building — the three opposing council members are calling for a scaled-down version.
“The three of us began our journey on this council feeling strongly that we did not want any development there, and if we did, it should be very minimal,” said Leff, who is seeking a second term. “I think over time we’ve evolved, understanding this (as) an opportunity to oversee a development that would really enhance our community both financially and aesthetically, as well. I think we’re ready to compromise with whomever else (is) on the council.”
Hopson, who has served on the council since winning a special election in January 2011 and earning re-election later that year, has taken a hard stance against the $6.5 million in tax-increment financing assistance the developer has said he would require for the project.
“When you ask for a $6.5 million TIF, that leaves us with zero bonding capacity,” Hopson said. “I really wouldn’t feel comfortable with that as a councilor. What do you do in case of an emergency?”
McGrath, who has served eight years on the council, said he would like to see the council find middle ground with a project that would be “the least disruptive” to University Heights.
“It seems like in this process it’s been what’s best for the developer or what’s best for the community — not both,” McGrath said. “That’s what I’m trying to get back to — an ‘and’ in there and not an ‘or.’ That’s the biggest challenge.”
On the other side of the issue stand incumbents Mike Haverkamp and Jim Lane, who have backed the Maxwell project during their time on the council. Haverkamp says public perception of the project has shifted in recent years, with more people — particularly younger residents — favoring walkable neighborhoods close to their workplace and amenities.
“I’m encouraged as I walk around and talk to people,” said Haverkamp, who is seeking a third term. “I think in 2008 and 2009, a five-story residential building and a three-story, mixed-use commercial building seemed pretty big. I think what’s happened in the greater Iowa City-Coralville area in those intervening years has also shaped perception in terms of other projects that people are seeing.”
Lane, who narrowly edged Rachel Stewart for the fifth and final seat in the 2011 election, said that with the church’s decision behind it, this is a key moment for University Heights. He said many longtime residents are recognizing the benefits the development could bring in the form of new amenities, as well.
“It’s young and old folks who are saying, ‘We have this opportunity, so let’s take it,’ ” Lane said. “I think the majority are speaking out and saying we want some things in there. This is a tipping point.”
Stewart, who missed winning a spot on the council by just one vote two years ago, favors a scaled-down version of the development that would require no TIF incentive from the city.
“My main concern has always been that I don’t like TIF being used for inappropriate developments,” Stewart said. “They were traditionally developed for areas of large cities that were blighted, where no one would do anything there unless they got some incentive. I can’t say the corner of Melrose and Sunset is a blighted spot.”
The other challengers are voicing support for a larger version of One University Place more in line with Maxwell’s original vision.
Zadok Nampala, a father of two young children who is running for the first time, says he and others are excited about the possibility of a market within walking distance. Local businessman Jim Mondanaro has expressed interest in opening up a location similar to downtown Iowa City’s Bread Garden in One University Place.
“I would be one of those people who would say a mixed commercial property would be ideal for us so that the young community, young families, can walk here and have that little corner store,” Nampala, a Kenya native, said at a candidate’s forum earlier this month. “I just imagine those small towns where I come from where we have a store in the corner, and everybody walks there in the evening.”
Virginia Miller, who is challenging for a council seat, also has vowed to bring a voice for younger families to the council and is stressing the importance of including a public space in the developer’s plans, be it a park or a community center.
“To me, St. Andrew functioned as a public space for our community where we’ve had our picnics, farmers markets and community meetings for a long time, so I think it’s important for us to retain that public space in our community rather than losing it to strictly residential development,” Miller said.
Silvia Quezada, who is making her first bid for the council, backs the developer’s “five-and-three” vision for One University Place. She said there are concerns that still need to be worked out, “but nothing that a city council couldn’t overcome and work together to close a chapter on a very long journey.”
“I think the vision is coming from the residents; the vision is not being driven by the developer,” Quezada said. “The developer is proposing an idea, and folks are improving on that idea. People are seeing an opportunity for adding more convenience to the quality of life in University Heights.”
Mayor Louise From, who served a dozen years on the council beginning in 1994 before taking over as mayor in 2006, also is up for re-election. Though she is running uncontested for the non-voting mayor’s seat, From said she doesn’t want to take residents’ support for granted.
“I’ve always tried to tackle the issues with honesty and respect for all,” From said.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Campaign Update
As can be seen by even the most casual observer through town, the 2013 municipal campaign is in full swing.
I have been working my way through town, going door to door and talking to citizens. It has been rewarding, as it always is, and interesting as well. I appreciate the willingness of our community members to talk about city issues and share their views.
In the crowded field of 9 candidates for the 5 council seats are 5 independent candidates and 4 that are running together as a slate. I am running as an independent candidate.
I have shared this space in
the past with Jim Lane, another independent, and he continues to have the right to post
information here, as he has done over the last several years.
As Iowa law permits, groups of local citizens have the right to form Political Action Committees and advocate in city elections. Building Common Ground is a group that was formed by U-Heights citizens for the 2013 election cycle. I was invited to their Meet the Candidates event last week along with other independent candidates.There was a very nice turn out of 30 or so residents and I greatly enjoyed the afternoon.
I also got the chance to hear from some other candidates, and was impressed with their knowledge, background and passion for our town. While I don't agree with each of them on everything I heard them discussing, I do know that these are capable people that I would honored to have the opportunity to serve in city government with.
VIRGINIA MILLER
I met Virginia last spring at the City Clean Up Day. She was loading an oak bookshelf from the "Too Good to Throw Away" table into her car and I helped her get it in the back. We chatted and she mentioned what a great event this was, because they were moving from their rental house into a new home. I asked where they were moving to, and she said, "That's the best part, we get to stay here in U-Heights, we're on a little street at the end of Golfview!" Her new home is two doors down from mine. Virginia is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Business, where she majored in Management and Marketing. After college she worked in Chicago for 5 years as a manager for a wholesale specialty stationery company. She and her husband, Dan, have also lived in Albuquerque, NM,before returning the the midwest. They have two children, Otis and Jane.
.JPG)
ZADOK NAMPALA
While campaigning in my first city council bid in 2009, I met Zadok and his wife Erin. I was immediately impressed by his warm nature and keen interest in city business. I was quite happy to hear he was interested in running for city council. His comment was that he would like to give back to his community, as it has been such a wonderful place to live. Zadok is finishing a master's degree in social work, and has served as a translator for both UI Hospitals and Clinics and the Iowa City Community School District.
SILVIA QUEZADA
I had also met Silvia while campaigning. I appreciate her direct and straightforward manner. Silvia has served on our U-Heights Zoning Commission since 2010. She is an attorney who currently works for a utility company. Silvia has a website that contains more information and articulates her views:
I have been working my way through town, going door to door and talking to citizens. It has been rewarding, as it always is, and interesting as well. I appreciate the willingness of our community members to talk about city issues and share their views.
In the crowded field of 9 candidates for the 5 council seats are 5 independent candidates and 4 that are running together as a slate. I am running as an independent candidate.
As Iowa law permits, groups of local citizens have the right to form Political Action Committees and advocate in city elections. Building Common Ground is a group that was formed by U-Heights citizens for the 2013 election cycle. I was invited to their Meet the Candidates event last week along with other independent candidates.There was a very nice turn out of 30 or so residents and I greatly enjoyed the afternoon.
I also got the chance to hear from some other candidates, and was impressed with their knowledge, background and passion for our town. While I don't agree with each of them on everything I heard them discussing, I do know that these are capable people that I would honored to have the opportunity to serve in city government with.
I met Virginia last spring at the City Clean Up Day. She was loading an oak bookshelf from the "Too Good to Throw Away" table into her car and I helped her get it in the back. We chatted and she mentioned what a great event this was, because they were moving from their rental house into a new home. I asked where they were moving to, and she said, "That's the best part, we get to stay here in U-Heights, we're on a little street at the end of Golfview!" Her new home is two doors down from mine. Virginia is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Business, where she majored in Management and Marketing. After college she worked in Chicago for 5 years as a manager for a wholesale specialty stationery company. She and her husband, Dan, have also lived in Albuquerque, NM,before returning the the midwest. They have two children, Otis and Jane.
.JPG)
While campaigning in my first city council bid in 2009, I met Zadok and his wife Erin. I was immediately impressed by his warm nature and keen interest in city business. I was quite happy to hear he was interested in running for city council. His comment was that he would like to give back to his community, as it has been such a wonderful place to live. Zadok is finishing a master's degree in social work, and has served as a translator for both UI Hospitals and Clinics and the Iowa City Community School District.
I had also met Silvia while campaigning. I appreciate her direct and straightforward manner. Silvia has served on our U-Heights Zoning Commission since 2010. She is an attorney who currently works for a utility company. Silvia has a website that contains more information and articulates her views:
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
More Walkability Data
I had a U-Heights resident forward this article on to me last week. I found it interesting, especially in light of tomorrow's focus group meeting. Below are a few highlights, I marked those most interesting to me in yellow.
It comes from the website Efficient Gov
It comes from the website Efficient Gov
Which bills itself as "an independent, unbiased information service providing innovative
solutions to fiscal and operational challenges facing cities and towns
around the world."
Attract New Residents to Your City: Walkable Housing
What Happened?
A recent study analyzed housing data and survey results in five
municipalities including Boise to determine what housing options are
becoming more popular in the post-recession market. The survey revealed
residents would pay about 12.5 percent more to live in an area that is
within walking distance to important amenities such as schools, parks
and restaurants.
To read the full article go here:
It is a short article and a very interesting read.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Hats in the Ring
With the close of candidate filing last Thursday, the 2013 University Heights municipal election will look like this:
Mayor
All incumbents are seeking re-election:
Since Jim and I have both been contributors to this blog we will continue to post here throughout the election. I look forward to speaking with many U-Heights citizens as the campaign progresses this fall.
Mayor
- Louise From
All incumbents are seeking re-election:
- Mike Haverkamp
- Rosanne Hopson
- Jan Leff
- Jim Lane
- Brennan McGrath
- Virginia Miller
- Zadok Nampala
- Silvia Quezada
- Rachel Stewart
Since Jim and I have both been contributors to this blog we will continue to post here throughout the election. I look forward to speaking with many U-Heights citizens as the campaign progresses this fall.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Strong Communities Survive Disasters
Living in an old style neighborhood with walkable commercial establishments, may save your life in the case of a natural disaster!
I heard this story on Morning Edition on my way to work the first day back from winter break. It stayed in my head but I didn't look it up until now. I think for University Heights the benefits of commercial property inside our city limits goes beyond our tax base.
Listen to the story from NPR
Read a transcript of the story
In summary Eric Klinneberg was able to quantitatively demonstrate how tight knit active neighborhoods were better able to survive natural disasters due to social connections.
New Yorker Magazine Link
I heard this story on Morning Edition on my way to work the first day back from winter break. It stayed in my head but I didn't look it up until now. I think for University Heights the benefits of commercial property inside our city limits goes beyond our tax base.
Listen to the story from NPR
Read a transcript of the story
In summary Eric Klinneberg was able to quantitatively demonstrate how tight knit active neighborhoods were better able to survive natural disasters due to social connections.
New Yorker Magazine Link
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
January 2013 Council Meeting Summary
Dear Fellow U-Heights Residents,
Last night city council held their first meeting of the new year, here are a few highlights:Watch the WEBCAST OF THE MEETING HERE
For the full background on this proposal more details can be found here:
All new ordinances require three council approvals, so this will appear at the next two meetings as well.
2. Boards/Commissions/MVP's
Mayor Louise From announced appointments to the Board of Adjustment (Tom Breese, Rachel Stewart) and the Zoning Commission (Kris McLure, Larry Wilson). She also gave her annual MVP awards for citizen service to U-Heights in the past year. Winners were the Garden Club (Carol Ann & Scott Christianson, Eunice Hunzelman, Pat Yeggy) and council meeting videographer John McLure. You can read about their achievements here:
3. Sidewalk Shoveling
As our "January Thaw" allows residents to get out it's good to remember the U-Heights policy regarding shoveling sidewalks:
Council will hold its February meeting on 2/12/13 with the place yet to be determined. Besides a second reading of the speed limit ordinance there will be a discussion of proposals for the FY 2014 budget. Our budget must be approved by 3/15/13.
As always it is a great honor to serve as your city councilor, if you have any questions or comments I look forward to hearing from you.
-Mike Haverkamp
315 Golfview Ave.
2012 Council Meeting Summaries Aug- Dec.
August Summary
Fellow U-Heights residents,
Council met last evening here are a few highlights:
Council met last evening here are a few highlights:
Sunset Street Wide Sidewalk
We voted on a design plan for the Sunset/Benton corner of the
Sunset wide sidewalk project. This was an issue that the city engineer and council had been considering since the spring. After input
at multiple meetings from property owners and other citizens the council voted 3-2 to proceed with a design
that will have the sidewalk narrowing to 6 feet wide around the corner and the city will work to acquire easements for an
expanded vision triangle at the corner. As the close vote would suggest, this
was not an easy decision for council to
make.
Council also accepted the master
tree plan for the project as well. This plan gives a comprehensive proposal for
which trees to keep, how to replace trees that will need to be removed for
construction, and bring a unified feeling to the street. After final bids for
the construction are accepted (late winter or early spring ’13 at the earliest)
we will see if the tree plan can be completed at once or if financially it
would be better to do it in stages. Tree plan can be found here.
Citizen Concerns Regarding Yards/Parking
Several councilors heard from multiple citizens in the past
month regarding the amount of yard that had been paved at a house on Olive Ct. City attorney, Steve Ballard, reported
that he has investigated the property and had held discussions with the owners
last spring prior to their work, when he was assured this would not happen. The city will follow up on this and take
action.
Future Meeting Locations
For the past several years, City Council has
met at Horn Elementary during the school year. Due to scheduling changes, this
site will no longer be available on 2nd Tuesdays as it has
been. Council will hold its
October 9th meeting at the University Club and is looking at
options from there. Council discussed
moving to other nights, or possibly looking at locations outside the city limits in Iowa City or
Coralville. No decision has yet been reached.
As always, if you have questions or comments regarding city issues I'm happy to talk with you.
-Mike Haverkamp
315 Golfview Ave.
November Summary
Fellow U-Heights Residents,
The U-Heights City Council held their regular November meeting last
night at the University Club. Here is a summary of council action:
Video recording of meetings
John McLure, our volunteer videographer announced that this would
be the last meeting that he will be recording. Everyone present
thanked him for his service to the city. We will explore how we can continue to
bring meeting information to the citizens of U-Heights.
Speed Limits
Council was presented a map last night showing all current speed
limits in U-Heights. State law says that any street without a posted sign has a
speed limit of 25 MPH. We have a lot of streets with no signs. That map can be
found here:
Council will begin to consider a proposal in December that
establishes more consistency in our speed limits throughout town. Since
this would be an ordinance change it would require three approvals. All
residents will get a flyer with more information about the proposed changes, and
council looks forward to feedback from residents.
A short explanation of the guideline for speed limits would be:
· Arterial streets 25 MPH
(Melrose, South Sunset)
· Short dead end streets
10 MPH (these are also without sidewalks: Prospect, North Sunset, Mahaska cul
de sac)
· School Zone 20 MPH
(Oakcrest)
· Residential streets 20 MPH
(Nearly every other street. Most streets west of Sunset don’t have sidewalks)
The proposed map can be found here:
Proposed Pet Ordinance 181
Council on a 3-2 vote passed a second reading of ordinance 181
which amends ordinance 55. The major reason for the changes was that there was
no penalty for having animals at large. The specific issue was dealing with
dogs defecating on private property. The proposed ordinance would allow for a
$100 fine for anyone so charged. As part of the discussion amending this
ordinance there was a proposal to eliminate the language requiring cats to be
on a leash, so that was struck from the proposed ordinance. After the first
approval of the ordinance last month, I heard from a resident who had an off
leash cat get into his home. We heard last night from another resident who
pointed out that no other Johnson County town allows cats off leash. I did vote
“no” last night. As an ordinance is required to have three approvals before
passing, it will be on the December agenda as well. I would encourage anyone
with strong feelings either way to contact city councilors.
The proposed ordinance can be found here:
As always it is a pleasure to serve as your city councilor, any
questions or comments are appreciated.
-Mike Haverkamp
315 Golfview
December Summary
Fellow U-Heights residents,
City Council held its December meeting last night, here are a few highlights:
Sunset Street Wide Sidewalk
Council finalized purchase of 3 small parcels of land that will allow for construction of the sidewalk. (2 parcels at the Sunset/Benton corner and 1 at the Sunset/Melrose corner) This will allow for the project to be put out for bid in early 2013 with a construction window of late spring/summer 2013
Pet Ordinance 181
Council passed ordinance 181 updating ordinance 55 regarding pets.
Speed Limits
Council began to discuss a proposal to make most streets 20 MPH speed limits except for Melrose and Sunset at 25, and dead end streets at 10. I mentioned that I had heard from a resident who proposed that Koser, west of Sunset, should remain at 25 due to the fact that it has sidewalks on both sides, and is longer than most other streets. The bottom of Koser is a school zone which makes it 20 MPH from 8 AM to 5 PM. I would strongly encourage people to contact councilors/mayor with their thoughts. A FIRST reading of a proposed ordinance will likely occur at the January council meeting.
Good News
If you haven't seen it already, U-Heights resident Eleanor Marshall, now a freshman at Yale University, has a published piece in the "Yale Daily News Monthly" about growing up in Iowa. It is a wonderful read, and she does us all proud:
Full of Wide Open Spaces
And finally I'd like to wish you a happy and peaceful holiday season!
-Mike Haverkamp
315 Golfview Ave.
City Council held its December meeting last night, here are a few highlights:
Sunset Street Wide Sidewalk
Council finalized purchase of 3 small parcels of land that will allow for construction of the sidewalk. (2 parcels at the Sunset/Benton corner and 1 at the Sunset/Melrose corner) This will allow for the project to be put out for bid in early 2013 with a construction window of late spring/summer 2013
Pet Ordinance 181
Council passed ordinance 181 updating ordinance 55 regarding pets.
Speed Limits
Council began to discuss a proposal to make most streets 20 MPH speed limits except for Melrose and Sunset at 25, and dead end streets at 10. I mentioned that I had heard from a resident who proposed that Koser, west of Sunset, should remain at 25 due to the fact that it has sidewalks on both sides, and is longer than most other streets. The bottom of Koser is a school zone which makes it 20 MPH from 8 AM to 5 PM. I would strongly encourage people to contact councilors/mayor with their thoughts. A FIRST reading of a proposed ordinance will likely occur at the January council meeting.
Good News
If you haven't seen it already, U-Heights resident Eleanor Marshall, now a freshman at Yale University, has a published piece in the "Yale Daily News Monthly" about growing up in Iowa. It is a wonderful read, and she does us all proud:
Full of Wide Open Spaces
And finally I'd like to wish you a happy and peaceful holiday season!
-Mike Haverkamp
315 Golfview Ave.
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