Happy New Year: 2011 will be an important year for Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA

Happy New Year to all ...

The past three years have been like no other for many in the City of Cedar Rapids

• Flood of 2008


• Recession of 2009


• Change over in the City Manager position of 2010

What will come in the New Year? 2011 has arrived and there will be many questions ahead.

How will the City of Cedar Rapids handle the review of the Home Rule Charter in 2011? Will applications be taken and will they expand the number of people who serve on the Home Rule Charter Review Commission?

Right now, the City plans nine members to review the Home Rule Charter. Early thoughts were for each member of the City Council, including the Mayor, suggesting a name, with the five districts representatives picking a person from their district. In the past, applications, like other boards and commissions, were requested and names were selected from the applications received. The past two charter commissions for the City of Cedar Rapids each had 15 members.

Wow, is this what we expected, when 69% of the voters selected the Council-Manager form of government in 2005?

In February 2011, we will see the Five Seasons Hotel close. Work will formally begin on the Convention Center and U.S. Cellular Center project. The City Council has purchased the hotel, so they can include it in the redevelopment project. When the Five Seasons Center (U.S. Cellular Center) was built, the hotel was built together. Infrastructure was shared. The land has always been the City's, but the hotel and air rights have been private.

What will happen with Flood Mitigation in 2011? Will Cedar Rapids get construction started to protect Downtown, as reinvestment continues there? Will the West Side be protected as well?

In November 2011, our City will have an election of one at-large council member and the district representatives for District 2 (non-downtown/east side district) and District 4 (mainly NW side district).

Some stories to follow in the City of Cedar Rapids as we head into 2011 ...

Branstad sets focus on jobs, economy - The Gazette

VIDEO: Greene Square Park building demolished - The Gazette
Demolition on the Cedar Rapids' park building in Greene Square Park is wrapping up this morning (Dec. 31). The building was used by the Green Square ...

Commission to review Cedar Rapids’ charter, form of government - The Gazette
CEDAR RAPIDS — Is nine the best number of members for the City Council? Should the mayor be a full-timer? Can you imagine a return to five, full-time council members who also manage city departments? Those are apt to be some of the topics discussed by the Charter Review Commission, which the City Council Tuesday ...

Cedar Rapids mayor reflects on his first year in office - The Gazette
One of the great City Hall dust-ups in the decade before the Flood of 2008 centered on a city handout to help replace a tiny, aged grocery with a shiny, specially designed, neighborhood store in a highly visible spot in the 1500 block of busy First Avenue NE. It took years of back and forth ...

Council hires second lobbying firm to secure funding for flood-protection - The Gazette

Council takes steps toward flood-protection system - The Gazette

Branstad says taxes, regulations blocking Iowa job creation - The Gazette
Commercial property tax and regulatory relief are needed for the state’s private sector to create more jobs, according to Governor-elect Terry Branstad. Speaking to a capacity crowd at the Marion Public Library Tuesday, Branstad said commercial property taxes need to be lowered to encourage business expansion and attract new enterprises to Iowa, but not at ...

Hall-Perrine Foundation gives $3 million for new Cedar Rapids library - The Gazette
The Hall-Perrine Foundation of Cedar Rapids has announced yet another award for a city building project. This time, the foundation is giving $3 million to the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, an amount which equals about half of the foundation’s fundraising goal for the city’s $45-million library project. The library foundation already has about $1 ...

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Wow, August is about to wrap up... Where did our Summer go?

It's been a busy month. Students headed back to schools and colleges. The final weekend in many ways seems like the final weekend of Summer, before we head into Labor Day weekend and September shortly.

In Cedar Rapids, Mt. Mercy College has become a local university, as of this past week.

Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids becomes a university ‎- Radio Iowa
An eastern Iowa school is the second in the state this month to change from a college to a university. Mount Mercy ...

Mount Mercy Change to University Began Years Ago‎ - KCRG
Mass Celebrates Mount Mercy Name Change‎ - KCRG

This past Tuesday, August 24Th, we learned that the City of Cedar Rapids is taking the first step towards the closing of two blocks of Second Avenue SE for a medical mall.

Council Votes 6-3 to Close a Piece of Second Avenue SE‎ - KCRG
By Tracey McCullough CEDAR RAPIDS — After lengthy comment this evening from ... the council voted 6-3 to close a two-block stretch of Second Avenue SE to ...

BBC finds connections between Katrina, Cedar Rapids disasters‎ - Iowa Independent
“The government says 'because you initially helped yourself we won't help you'”, says Nancy Kasparek, president of US Bank in Cedar Rapids. ...

July unemployment rate remains flat in Corridor‎ - TMCnet
Area jobless rate holds steady at 6.3 percent‎ - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

Lake Delhi damage could top $150 million, dam repair may cost $5 million - The Gazette
Damage from late July flooding that breached the Lake Delhi dam could top $150 million and repairs to the dam itself could ...

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Is it really the last weekend of May already?

Life has been very busy post flood in Cedar Rapids...

Regrets on not updating this blog as much as we would like.

We will celebrate the one year anniversary of the Great Flood of 2008 in June.

With the anniversary near, we can expect plenty of stories and articles to be coming up. Further, RIVERenaissance: A Flood Anniversary will be celebrated June 8 to June 27, 2009 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Here's a story from American Way magazine, the official magazine of American Airlines... the article is titled The Rise and Fall of Cedar Rapids, by Stephen J. Lyons.

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Is a Big Government Bailout the right direction... how are things going locally?

Is the Government the right solution or is government the problem?

The Gazette reports Culver drops Iowa Lottery lease idea, which should be good news for the taxpayers of the State of Iowa.

The January 23, 2009 edition of The Des Moines Register online features an article titled Federal road money may save 'a lot of jobs' in Iowa. For more on this issue, read Public Interest Institute Brief: Spending Our Transportation Dollars Wisely.

The Gazette's article reports U.S. 30, I-80 make stimulus funding list this week. Further, another article reports Harkin: $800 million for Iowa in stimulus bill

How much of the Federal Government stimulus plan will include rebuilding infrastructure and housing impacted by the Floods of 2008 and other natural disasters in 2008? We did hear a little from the White House about Katrina and New Orleans on Inauguration Day.

Katrina
President Obama will keep the broken promises made by President
Bush to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. He and Vice President Biden will
take steps to ensure that the federal government will never again allow such
catastrophic failures in emergency planning and response to occur.
President
Obama swiftly responded to Hurricane Katrina. Citing the Bush Administration's
"unconscionable ineptitude" in responding to Hurricane Katrina, then-Senator
Obama introduced legislation requiring disaster planners to take into account
the specific needs of low-income hurricane victims. Obama visited thousands of
Hurricane survivors in the Houston Convention Center and later took three more
trips to the region. He worked with members of the Congressional Black Caucus to
introduce legislation to address the immediate income, employment, business, and
housing needs of Gulf Coast communities.
President Barack Obama will partner
with the people of the Gulf Coast to rebuild now, stronger than ever.

What about the past year's disasters, Mr. President? What about the City of Cedar Rapids, the State of Iowa and elsewhere impacted by Flood or other natural disaster, Mr. President?

Will President Barack Obama be a partner with the people of Iowa to rebuild now, stronger than ever?

We have five members of Congress, two U.S. Senators and of course Governor Chet Culver... what are they doing to help encourage our President to partner with the people of Iowa to rebuild now?

Cedar Rapids historic buildings make 'most endangered' list, reports The Gazette and properties impacted by the Flood of 2008.

The Gazette's article had another article on State agency overseeing disaster rebuilding efforts: Rebuild Iowa Office to face lawmakers' scrutiny.

A 20 percent Gas Tax increase proposal for the State of Iowa? What? Key lawmakers see debate on gas tax hike an article this past week in The Gazette reported. An eight cent increase represents a 20 percent tax increase.

And, what about the City of Cedar Rapids and plans to increase taxes soon?

Ten percent residential property tax increase proposal for the City of Cedar Rapids, including 7 percent and 6-7 percent for industrial and commercial properties, respectively!

Further, our city's leaders and the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce are working right now to propose an one percent local option sales tax for flood recovery. Will a local city sales tax include property tax relief for property owners, as the recent school sales tax did? Local option tax bill may mean C.R. vote in March, reports The Gazette.

How will Linn County get involved?

Will the State of Iowa make any future city sales tax permanent, like the State Legislature did with the school tax that was recently approved by Linn County and Johnson County voters in 2008?

Due to the impact of the local, state and national recession we are in, is any tax increase at this time good for our communities?

Another article of interest by The Gazette: Who owns Cedar Rapids City Hall?

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January 1-4, 2009: Recent News around the State of Iowa and CID

We thought we would pass on the suggested reading from zpeterson today:

Government at the Brink: The Root Causes of Government Waste and Mismanagement (Paperback) by The Fred Thompson Report (Author)

The message we noticed today on Fred Thompson's book.

zpetersen #TCOT Everyone should read "Government At The Brink" By Sen Fred Thompson: Vol1: http://tinyurl.com/965eyd & Vol2: http://tinyurl.com/766x4p

January 1 to 4, 2009: Week in review for Cedar Rapids and the State of Iowa:

A lot of flood recovery remains to be done in Cedar Rapids http://tinyurl.com/9gpu88
2008: Year of the River in the City of Cedar Rapids

Calendar year 2008 a snowy, with frequent tornadoes http://tinyurl.com/7gbb4v
We saw a pretty wet year in Iowa in 2008, indeed.

Top ISU administrators to take unpaid furloughs http://tinyurl.com/79uq8w
Like many college and universities around the heartland, the economic and financial crisis is changing how budgets and staff decisions are made.

Harry Potter prints to help in Cedar Rapids flood recovery http://tinyurl.com/73q9v4
This is linked as a tribute to my family, who have an avid interest in the movies and books.

Cedar Rapids mayor hopes for federal help in flood recovery plan http://tinyurl.com/9w5tbq
Mayor Kay Halloran in Cedar Rapids says ...

"We don't have time to wait. We have plenty of damage already done which
needs to be repaired and replaced, so as long as the federal government is
available and ready and willing to invest in these kinds of projects, we
will
have projects for them."

Climate Change Advisory Council talks about final report http://tinyurl.com/8flu33
The State of Iowa seeks solutions to climate change issue.

Six men seek role of Iowa GOP chairman http://tinyurl.com/9rqoz8
Paul Pate of Cedar Rapids and Christopher Reed of Marion among six men seeking position.

Unions React to Sealed-Air Cryovac's Plans to Close: CEDAR RAPIDS – Sealed Air Cryovac's decision to close the C.. http://tinyurl.com/7g2je6...
Cedar Rapids to lose employer Sealed Air Cryovac and locally 250 jobs

Hawkeyes win Outback Bowl : (Tampa) -- Iowa blew out South Carolina 31-10 to win the Outback Bowl. The Hawkeyes .. http://tinyurl.com/98eldf
Iowa is called the Hawkeye State, so a little good news is in order!

Gas Tax May Rise to Pay Road Bills : CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - The state is facing a $267 million annual shortfa.. http://tinyurl.com/8vwede
State of Iowa may seak to raise gasoline tax to pay for road improvements.

2008 Tornadoes Deadliest Since 1968: DES MOINES (AP) - Last year in Iowa, tornadoes claimed the lives of a dozen.. http://tinyurl.com/7f8ht4
We are reminded that we make up the northern route of Tornado Alley.

Iowa Council Releases Plan to Cut Greenhouse Gases: DES MOINES (AP) - The Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council h.. http://tinyurl.com/a3853j
The 23-member Governor Chet Culver appointed council presented the report during a news conference on Friday.

Linn County Elected Officials Sworn in to Office: CEDAR RAPIDS - On Friday, the Linn County Board of Supervisors.. http://tinyurl.com/85shg6
Supervisor Brent Oleson, District 4 becomes the only Republican office holder for Linn County.

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Flood of 2008: Impact on tourism funding; more aid for flood victims

The Thursday, December 11, 2008 edition of The Des Moines Register featured an article titled State will transfer $1.9 million to CAT, the article discusses tourism funding following the 2008 floods. In a separate article from Radio Iowa titled Money available for flood victims from Jumpstart Express.

http://twitter.com/cidsports

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KGAN CBS 2 Top Story: "Ripped Up, Ripped Off" aired tonight

As mentioned earlier today... we were advised to tune in to the 10 pm News on KGAN CBS 2 tonight. The station aired the story "Ripped Up, Ripped Off" discussing the destruction of water stop valves as flood debris has been removed from flood impact properties along the streets in Cedar Rapids.

The Flood of 2008 has created a lot of hardship for residents and businesses directly impacted by this natural disaster. We have all been impacted in one way or another.

During the story, various reports from the City were from 40 to 100 stop valves. However, according the KGAN story, a contractor for the City of Cedar Rapids was estimating it could be as high as 300 stop valves, roughly 20% of the total in the City.

The press release from the City of Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 reported the following:

"During these operations, crews used debris collection trucks with large
claws to scoop and skid loaders to scrape the debris from the City's
right-of-way areas. In some cases, this equipment caught the water pipe head at
ground level and broke the stop valves. City crews and contractors are repairing
those broken valves as they are reported. The average cost of repairing each
stop valve is $1000. So far, 60 stop valves have been found damaged. The City
will submit these repairs costs to FEMA for reimbursement. " - City of
Cedar Rapids

The impact of the flood is still occurring as we work to recovery in various areas of the Cedar and Iowa River Valleys. The Gazette and the following from KGAN:

BREAKING NEWS:

"There has been a major malfunction of the sewage treatment system. The city
is urging all customers in Palo to limit toilet flushing, laundry, and
dishwashing immediately. The city says this may last for 2 to 3 days." -
KGAN web site

As a community, we need to be assured that our public institutions demonstrate stewardship in the business of providing public services. The City's mission statement is linked here. The word "City Government Mission, Vision, and Values" is listed, but I don't clearly see a define set of values listed.

What is the culture within City Government today? Today's stop valve story should raise some questions into our culture within our local government?

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Is the City of Cedar Rapids performing the proper oversite?

Is the City of Cedar Rapids providing proper over site on the demolition clean up of buildings and materials being removed due to the Flood of 2008?

The City of Cedar Rapids released a press release on Wednesday, November 18, 2008 titled "City Makes Repairs After Flood Debris Removal" discussing that "60 stop valves have been found damaged." But, is the proper prevention being taken to reduce further infrastructure damage?

When you dig on your property, what are you supposed to do? By State Law, you have the make a call... "Make One Call Before you Dig."

Iowa State Extension Service reminder

Do you know what’s buried in your yard? PDF link from Alliant Energy

Iowa One Call - Link to North West REC

We have been told that KGAN -Channel 2 News at 10 pm tonight will have a story on this issue about community concerns over lack of over site and public expense.

We encourage you to tune in tonight. By the way, the number in Iowa is very simply... Keep the 811 number handy and call it before all excavating projects. For more information on Iowa One Call, go to http://www.iowaonecall.com/.

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It's been over five months since the Flood of 2008

The Gazette reports today in a story titled Flooded cities seek exemption to housing rules the challenges of homeowners seeking to obtain Community Development Block Grant money for housing assistance.

Peter Greenberg’s new book, “Don’t Go There! The Travel Detective’s Essential Guide to the Must-Miss Places of the World” is critical of the City of Five Season. The Gazette reports today in a story titled Cedar Rapids official responds to travel writer’s criticism the comments of Tim Boyle, president/CEO of the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, a fellow Rotarian here in Cedar Rapids. The Gazette had a second piece titled Travel writer says avoid Cedar Rapids. What do you say?

Members of the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission issues a 55-page report for Governor Chet Culver this week. The Gazette reported in a story titled Disaster fund, local fundraising power part of state recovery plan.

We have a long road to recovery both locally and throughout the Cedar and Iowa river valleys. If you want to help the Greater Cedar Rapids area, a Flood 2008 Fund has been created by the Greater Cedar Rapids Foundation.

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The Perfect Storm... for Cedar Rapids, Iowa!

The Flood of 2008 was unbelievable for many in this community. However, in 1967, the City of Cedar Rapids officials were warned that the possibility for a record flood was possible for our community. Actually, the Flood of 2008 came in 18 inches less than the worse projections.

Now, we learn that's the rest of the story, as the Army Corps of Engineers' analysis back in 1967 was released to those focusing on flood plain management and hazard mitigation now for the City of Cedar Rapids.

Is Cedar Rapids becoming a poor New Orleans? A community that has neglected it's responsibility to the citizens over the past 40+ years in flood mitigation?

Our community has a lot of recovery to do. Now, more "shock and surprise" unfolds as we make preparations for our future.

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The final Open House for community input on Flood Control has been completed?

The proposed map is clearer than what is shown here, but for many it may appear more like the example to the left. The clearer details were on display yesterday during the Open House on the River Corridor Redevelopment Plan held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Some residents were surprised to see that the 10th street to 20th street portion of First Avenue East highlighted on the presentation boards.

What will zoning look like post-flood in the impacted areas of Cedar Rapids?

How much government assisted housing is headed for Cedar Rapids post flood? How much housing is really needed?

The estimated cost for flood mitigation for the City of Cedar Rapids is in the $1 Billion range. The likelihood is the flood mitigation process will take 10 to 12 years to fully implement.

We will soon learn what life on the Wet side vs. Dry side will mean.

The City of Cedar Rapids will have to battle with public policy for the impacted portions of Cedar Rapids vs. the unaffected portions of Cedar Rapids.

We can't stop building our local economy. At the same time, we can't delay the flood recovery.

We will likely see new developments competing with one another. A portion of the developments will pit government subsidized vs. the private sector.

We have to balance all the various factors appropriately.

One hates to say it, but we may have a much better Community, if we can get all the parts working together. Cities that have recovered from major disasters will tell you that.

Now, can we clearly get the sum of all our parts moving in the same direction? God speed everyone!

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Housing and the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cedar Rapids...

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly...

We see it on Wall Street,

We see it making it's way on Main street...

The Floods of 2008 will impact the community of Cedar Rapids for year's to come. The impact on Housing Stock in the old town is significant. We know that low income housing will get some relief.

Landlords are significantly impacted. They are small businesses, but most incentive based programs by the State of Iowa (aka Jumpstart) and the Federal government don't focus on that local landlord who owns a rental house or two, impacted by the flood. In many cases, we are talking about the loss of single family housing stock in our community.

The push for multi-family housing and high density housing to replace some of the single family housing impacted by the Flood is the talk of the town. In many respects, high density housing was the talk of the town before the Flood.

The Federal government is providing incentives for housing developers. But, what about your neighbor's rental property they have in Cedar Rapids? Who is looking out for them or providing help?

Finally, the Crowne Plaza Hotel appears to be headed for foreclosure. As The Gazette headline suggests: Foreclosure seen as hopeful sign for Crowne Plaza... but, will that be true? Clearly there are problems present, when foreclosure is suggested as a "hopeful sign" in improving a poor situation.

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The Message may mean well, but things still don't work in Linn County

It's September 30, 2008 and the following message is on the Linn County Property Tax Payment Site:

DUE TO FLOODING: The Linn County Treasurer's Office has been relocated to the Westdale Mall. Property tax statements will be mailed by the end of September and will become delinquent the end of October. When the exact date of delinquency is known, we will post it on this site and through various media outlets.

But, I cannot pay online yet... and, those heading to the Treasurer's Office are sent away. Let's hope the mainframe software problem is fixed this week.

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What role do Citizen Advisory Commissions play in Flood Mitigation Plans?

It's time for trains in downtown Cedar Rapids to be eliminated. It's the last sentence in an article by Rick Smith in The Gazette on the latest talk on the Cedar Rapids Council talks of buyouts and levees.

Citizens have been talking about eliminating the trains, since the 196os. But, the real challenge is rebuilding and re planning the river front and the areas of Cedar Rapids impacted by the Flood of 2008.

What role do zoning and planning commissions play in the rebuild Cedar Rapids efforts? Will the citizens of Cedar Rapids play a key role in the rebuilding process. Open houses certainly provide a role for citizen feedback, but with citizen commissions be a part of the redevelopment process.

Yesterday, 35 city officials, consultants, federal agency representatives and a City Council met to discuss flood protection and property buyouts. It will be a slow process. As mentioned, clarity may be a slow byproduct as well.

It will be interesting to see what the City Council does in using Citizen Advisory Boards and Commissions in the flood mitigation and rebuild process. Citizens are a key component in the zoning and planning process over the years.

Where will the Flood of 2008 take our public policy discussions? The role of the consultant has certainly expanded in Cedar Rapids pre-flood. What role will citizen boards and commissions play in the flood mitigation plans?

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The Gazette headline: "High waters force higher taxes"

"Cedar Rapids property taxes likely to increase," the sub-headline reads in today's The Gazette.

We should be surprised, but it is a tall order, with the already over reliance on Property Taxes in the State of Iowa. The water faucet appears to be on at times at City Hall, before, during and after the Flood of 2008.

I guess that should be City Hall North, since the Flood of 2008.

Is the City Council and our City Manager... moving the City operations into a post-flood budget? Are we working to avoid encouraging businesses and people to move out, due to high property taxes? The impact on most, since most people are on fixed income, will be high.

A Limited Government is important. The burden of government is continuing to rise. The Flood of 2008 will only put more pressures on businesses and citizens.

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Rebuild Iowa Commission Releases Report Today

The Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission 45 - Day Report to Governor Chet Culver was released today.

With the impact of Hurricane Gustov, the August Federal Congressional Recess and Iowans waiting for help, will the report and aid to Iowans, businesses, and all those impacted by the Floods of 2008 be fast enough?

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The New Face for the push of Impact Fees for the State of Iowa?

We saw the topic of Impact Fees for the State of Iowa crop up in Des Moines earlier this year from a messenger from the City of Cedar Rapids back during the 2008 Legislature Session.

How much will lobbying impact advisory boards suggestions for solutions on the impact of the Floods of 2008?

Andy Peterson's blog at WMT600 commented about Jim Prosser's position on impact fees:

"Why are Jim Prosser
and the CR City
Council suddenly a big fan of "user fees" - a pet license, a fee
for your
street to be re-paved, a fee for the police to call a tow truck if you
get
into an accident, and so on, at the same time property tax revenues are
going up? Because you and I aren't likely to notice them or get up in arms
about them like we would a bigger tax increase, that's why!"

Another new fee on the landscape in 2008 is the Basic Fire Inspection and Life Safety Report fee implemented by the City Manager for Cedar Rapids. As the Code Enforcement Division - Fire Inspections points out in the letter to business owners: "No invoice will be sent regarding this $20.00 fee. Please pay using the top portion of the inspection sheet that the Fire Crews leave with you."

Earlier in the letter, the following explanation was given: "The fee is designed to give the department a minimal off-set to the time and expense put forth by fire crews and apparatus." But, don't forget, the fire crews have been providing this function for years as a part of fire crews normal time and if a "call" arises during the inspection, they immediately stop the inspection and get back to the primary function of the Fire Department. So, what do commercial and industrial property taxes to the City of Cedar Rapids pay for?

So, will the Flood of 2008 open the door for new discussions for the justification of Impact Fees during a special session in the Fall of 2008?

"Do we have needs? Yes," Prosser said. "Do we have a clear path to get that
money? No." "Casey Drew, the city's financial director, said the city also would
seek the ability from the Iowa Legislature to raise money in other ways in
addition to property taxes."

It's up to Governor Chet Culver and the Democrat controlled Iowa Legislature to decide, whether there will be a special session, but all signs point to one. All signs point to the push for Impact Fees, as well.

Look at the current impact gas prices have had on the gas tax receipts. Further, they are a hidden tax that can have a very negative impact on economic development and the ability for a rural state, like Iowa, to compete with other markets around the country.

One of the many consultants that the City of Cedar Rapids uses had this to say...

Levy encouraged the council to continue to hunt for "every alternative" source
of revenue to cover the city's upcoming cash-flow needs, per The Gazette story.

One issue I would love to see the State of Iowa take up very soon is the issue of comprehensive tax reform. Iowa's over reliance on property taxes needs to be reformed, since we have had plenty of study. Adding impact fees, without a comprehensive tax reform could have a negative impact on Cedar Rapids and our State.

A local option sales tax can be taken to the voters to aid with the infrastructure issues impacting the City of Cedar Rapids. The City of Cedar Rapids presently has no local sales tax.

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Two Months Ago: Flood of 2008

Two months have now past from The Flood of 2008 that hit the City of Cedar Rapids. June 12th will have a new meaning on top of its old ones for me in the future.

Many of us in our community were lucky. Our houses, our businesses were not directly impacted. But, the impact has certainly reached everyone in one way or another.

The Public Policy has been slow moving.

The Downtown is working to recover. Permits are being pulled. But, our community just isn't quite the same as it was at the beginning of the year or prior to the flood.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in our community. It will be a long road to recovery, but the opportunity to make our community stronger and better is certainly on the horizon.

We have lost a lot of property and memories. Thankfully, property was lost and not people. We were all very lucky for that.

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Local State Senator suggests $70 million for new building be moved for flood recovery

State Senator Rob Hogg (D- Cedar Rapids) suggests using $70 million budgeted for new Des Moines state government building would be better spent used on flood recovery.

His suggestion certainly has some merit for consideration. The Floods of 2008 require discussion and response.

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Is the Carver Goverance Model Good for the City of Cedar Rapids?

Lets look back at the City of Cedar Rapids for a moment. Back in 2004-05, the City of Cedar Rapids formed a Local Home Rule Charter Commission to draft an alternative to Cedar Rapids' commission form of government, which was adopted back in 1908.

(writer's note: ironically, we didn't know about the impact of Floods of 2008, back in '04-'05.)

In June 2005, fueled by the community's public discussion on the efficiencies of the commission form of government, the voters of Cedar Rapids adopted the Local Home Rule Charter, adopting the council-manager form of government for the City of Cedar Rapids. Or, is it the City Manager form of government? The voters passed the Home Rule Charter with 69% support (pdf link).

In the summer of 2006, the young City Council, under the council-manager form, hired the first official city manager for the City of Cedar Rapids. Our current city manger, Jim Prosser, prefers the Carver Governance model. Which draws me to ask two very important questions?

1. Is the Carver Governance model right for a community transitioning from one form of government (Commission) to a new form of government (Council-Manger)?


2. Due to the tragic flooding of 2008, is the Carver Governance model right for Cedar Rapids now?

What is the Carver Governance model and is it right for the City of Cedar Rapids? Also known, as the Policy Governance® Model created by Dr. John Carver. Training is available in September and October by attending training seminars conducted by Miriam Carver; introduced and moderated by John Carver.

According the Carver's website, the governance model "is the world's most complete theoretical foundation for the board's governance role in business, nonprofit (NGO), and government organizations." It's an interesting subject and one that our City Council, stakeholders and voters need to understand and discuss.

My biggest concern is whether Cedar Rapids' culture makes the Carver model a good fit. Further, from the web site, "Policy Governance boards (IE: our city leaders) demand accomplishment of purpose, and only limit the staff's available means to those which do not violate the board's pre-stated standards of prudence and ethics." Under such a young form of government, have the board's pre-stated standards of prudence and ethics been defined by our local leaders?

What do others say about Carver: (Links to simple google searchs):

• A community's concerns over Saskatchewan Healthcare implementation of the Carver model. Clearly, Mario deSantis has a dark view of how the Carver model by the public health care system in Canada.
• Ontario Literacy Coalitions take on the Carver model.
• "Most boards don't work," which is one of the Carver baselines. Well, the new form of government can't really answer that question, since they are brand new? So, is Carver right for a new government, when it has never had an opportunity to show whether it works or not? A Paradigm Shift for Charter School Boards: The Carver Model of Policy Governance.
• Durango School Talk organization highlight Policy Governance as a current issue.
• More comments from Mario deSantis, a board member who commented on his first impression of the Carver model.
• From the Institute on Governance; we changed forms of government, not seeking "advice on improving in governance"... the voters of Cedar Rapids were seeking a more efficiency in local government.
• I keep seeing the reasons why people adopt the Carver model, but can you adopt Carver fully before the pre-stated standards of prudence and ethics are established? Another link to the Institute on Governance points to the "importance you believe governance is important, you may wish to consider where it should sit in the list of priorities facing your organization. Is this model good for implementing a new form of government?
• One church has found the Carver model very popular? This blog speaks to the Unitarian Universalist denomination's use of the Caver model.
• The Alban Institute talked about the Carver model as a secular practice.
• What impact will globalization and urban change have on our public policy discussions in Cedar Rapids... will we ask the critical questions and set the key priorities?

It's interesting to learn about various topics or subjects. The Carver ore Policy Governance model is one that all in the City of Cedar Rapids should add to their list. Our City Manager is a proponent. It is very popular in Canada, like with the CWWA, and with many in the non-profit organizations. There are cities and counties that have adopted or discussed the Carver model. Like Gresham, Oregon; Dallas suburb, City of Frisco; and Union County, North Carolina

What is the official position for the City of Cedar Rapids? Have we clearly adopted Carver? Is the Carver Governance model good for Cedar Rapids at this time?

The Flood of 2008 was unbelievable, very surreal, and has impacted everyone in our community. The Carver Governance model will impact our community as we work to continue our lives and rebuild from this tragic event in '08. We need to find a way to balance our "crisis" mode with everything that must continue on, despite the tragic events of 2008.

peace