Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission FY2012 Annual Report
Dear Citizens of the Southeast Iowa Region, The Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission recently completed its 39th year of service to the southeast Iowa region. Since its inception, SEIRPC has focused on providing excellent service to the region through planning, technical assistance, grant writing, and regional collaboration. SEIRPC continues to produce results for the region. In FY2012, $3.2 million was secured by SEIRPC from outside sources for use in southeast Iowa. This is a 41:1 return on investment from member dues. Housing services continue to impact the region. SEIRPC’s housing programs impacted 136 units across all counties of the region. Through the Great River Housing Trust Fund, 81 units were either rehabilitated or in the process of being rehabilitated. Through other programs, SEIRPC brought in funds to enable the new production of 45 new units and rehabilitation of 10. A total of $1.4 million was invested back into communities for projects like: Safe Routes to School sidewalk improvements; warning sirens and safe rooms; and park improvements. A new emphasis on healthy communities has led SEIRPC to begin to merge its work areas into helping make southeast Iowa a better place to live through transportation, housing, and recreational improvements. Community planning and transportation projects remain strengths of SEIRPC. Multiple rail development grants were secured for regional businesses, and comprehensive and general plans were undertaken. Work on the redesigned Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) also was wrapping up in FY2012. In its eighth year, SEIBUS weathered funding reductions from federal sources to provide outstanding service to its regional clients. Both office staff and drivers have made large strides in finding efficiencies to provide services that are valuable and cost effective to the region. As an economic indicator, SEIRPC revolving loan funds (RLF) for business show signs of regional economic improvement. A total of $390,000 was lent in FY2012 with multiple other projects moving into FY2013. Through new emphasis on local lender contacts and awareness, SEIRPC met over 80 times with prospective loan applicants. Look for FY2013 to be a record-breaking year for RLF. Through the next year SEIRPC will continue to strive for excellence in the services it provides to the region. Thank you for your continued partnership with SEIRPC and efforts to strengthen southeast Iowa.
Sincerely,
Brent Schleisman SEIRPC Board Chairman
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
Mike Norris SEIRPC Executive Director
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2012 SEIRPC Board of Directors Executive Committee
Brent Schleisman, Chair Sue Frice, Vice Chair Hans Trousil, Treasurer Mark Huston, Secretary Gary Folluo, Member at Large
Des Moines County
Jim Davidson, City of Burlington Hans Trousil, City of West Burlington Robert Beck, Des Moines County Bob Hesler, Private Sector
Education & Workforce
David File, Iowa Wesleyan College Michael Ash, Southeastern Community College Sue Frice, Workforce Representative
Henry County
Brent Schleisman, City of Mount Pleasant Mark Hempen, City of New London Greg Moeller, Henry County Klay Edwards, Private Sector
Louisa County
Mark Huston, City of Columbus Junction Andy Truitt, City of Wapello Chris Ball, Louisa County Jim Howell, Private Sector
SEIRPC Management Staff
Mike Norris, Executive Director Jeff Hanan, Assistant Director Zach James, Planning Director Bob Kuskowski, Transit Director Lori Gilpin, Finance Director
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
Lee County
Byron Smith, City of Fort Madison Michael O’Connor, City of Keokuk Gary Folluo, Lee County Steve Bisenius, Private Sector
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2012 SEIRPC Committees
Transportation Advisory Committee Jim Davidson Gary Folluo Mike Holtkamp Rich Mullin Chuck Reighard Bill Richards Larry Roehl Bill Small Eric Tysland Ex Officio: Jason Huddle Mark Bechtel Tracy Troutner
Great River Housing, Inc. Board of Directors Pam Broomhall Sue Frice April Girard Jim Howell Deb Massner Brent Schleisman Dan Spray Hans Trousil Eric Tysland Kathy Vance Greg Moeller
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
Transit Advisory Committee Karen Bates-Chabel Paula Buckman Pat Colthurst Pam Erhardt John Herring Bob Hoxie Ken Hyndman Zach James Sarah Kaufman Bob Kuskowski Mary Maine Mike O’Connor Doug Roelfs Brenda Sayre Gary See Terri Smith Connie Storms Ryanne Wood Dennis Zegarac
Finance Committee Sue Frice Gary Folluo Mark Huston Brent Schleisman Hans Trousil
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee David File Randy Foor Gary Folluo Sue Frice Melissa Garth David George Elias Gutierrez Terry Knoke Matt Morris Al Muhlenbruck Randy Richards Brent Schleisman Don Schmidgall Dan Wiedemeier
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2012 Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Committees About SEIRPC Revolving Loan Funds
Revolving Loan Funds – After experiencing a lull in activity the previous year, inquiries and project funding through SEIRPC Revolving Loan Funds grew substantially in FY ’12. Loans totaling $390,000 were made to the following businesses: • • • • •
Keokuk RLF Loan Review Committee Archie Logan Carole Betts Harold Peterson Ivan Hasselbusch Mike Pribyl Ex Officio: Chuck Betts Joyce Glasscock
Fort Madison RLF Loan Review Committee Larry Kelch Moudy Nabulsi Mary Ottoson Jacqueline Lumsden Ex Officio: Mayor Brad Randolph
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
Kingsley Inn & Alpha’s (Fort Madison), $125,000 Café Olde World (Mediapolis), $15,000 Iowa ProLube (Burlington), $50,000 Complete Eye Care (Mount Pleasant), $150,000 Wayland Economic Development Corp. (Wayland), $50,000
Staff continued its outreach and marketing strategy throughout the year, having made nearly 80 personal visits with potential clients and several meetings with economic development officials, cities, counties, and business groups throughout the region.
Henry County RLF Loan Review Committee Scott Bayor Klay Edwards David File Robert Meyer Jim Henns Ex Officio: Gary See
SEIRPC RLF Loan Review Committee Steve Brimhall Robert Buckman Klay Edwards Chris Grimm Chad Hudson Mark Huston Josh Kirchner Jerry Krause Larry Kruse Jim Olson Rob Ritson Jason Samples
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Planning Department 2012 Highlights Planning Department - July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 Des Moines County Land Use – Since 2004, SEIRPC has provided direct contract services to Des Moines County for land use administration. Staff coordinates and administers the county’s zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, and floodplain development ordinance.
Agency Marketing – Website, Facebook, and Newsletter – In August of 2011, SEIRPC launched a new website with the help from an Iowa State University Student. Since this time, SEIRPC has had 6,316 visitors to its website and a total of 21,421 page views. In addition to the new website, SEIRPC continues to build its social media presence. SEIRPC hit 100 “likes” in FY2012 and currently has a total of 107 likes. Through weekly updates, SEIRPC is able to reach approximately 200 people each week with news about projects with which SEIRPC is involved. FY2012 also brought back a monthly digital newsletter to keep regional members up to date on SEIRPC news. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies – In FY2012, SEIRPC began a process to complete their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies by combining the planning process for their regional economic development plan, long range transportation plan, and adding a section on community development. SEIRPC became one of only a handful of regional planning agencies across the United States to combine these areas into one regional planning document. The result was a much more elaborate and engaging public participation process that included 110 survey responses, 70 interviews, 3 subcommittees, and a CEDs Steering committee. Columbus Communities Comprehensive Plan – SEIRPC staff worked with the Cities of Columbus Junction and Columbus City to update their comprehensive plan to meet the new Smart Planning Guidelines passed by the Iowa Legislature. Through the process, SEIRPC utilized some new public involvement techniques including interviewing residents on the street during the Fall 2011 Columbus Days festival.
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
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Lee County General Plan – With the announcement of over $1 Billion in investment from the Iowa Fertilizer Company, the Lee County Supervisors enlisted the help from SEIRPC to complete a General Plan to help guide future development in the county. The plan focuses on identifying future projects and policies for the county to consider regarding housing, transportation, and economic development. Healthy Iowans Initiative – SEIRPC staff worked with Des Moines County Living Well to receive $14,000 to be used for creating a work plan and implementing health related projects in the Greater Burlington Area. Staff held a public input meeting to generate ideas for health related projects that included nearly 40 community members. Projects to come from this initiative included a community garden, a bicycle and pedestrian plan, and complete streets initiative. Fort Madison Housing Enterprise Zone and Downtown Urban Renewal Area – SEIRPC staff worked with the City of Fort Madison to create a housing enterprise zone and urban renewal area in and around downtown Fort Madison. The enterprise zone and Urban Renewal Area will be offered as incentives to encourage development and redevelopment in the downtown area. Connect Iowa – Connect Iowa, a subsidiary of Connected Nation, is an independent non-profit organization designated by the State of Iowa to develop a broadband availability map. In addition to this, Connect Iowa contracted with the Iowa Association of Regional Councils to develop planning teams at the local level to look at factors such as access to high speed internet, adoption rates of high speed internet (where it is available), and usage of the internet to see how it was being used. SEIRPC staff conducted outreach efforts and organized local planning teams in each county of Southeast Iowa. SEIRPC worked with each planning team to help identify strengths and weaknesses of local broadband opportunities, as well as lead the teams through a planning process aimed at addressing specific local issues. Louisa County Trails Plan – SEIRPC staff completed the Louisa County Trails Plan in partnership with the Louisa County Trails Council. SEIRPC staff assisted the trails council in gathering public input to identify a proposed trails network that includes shared use trails, park trails, shared roadways, equestrian trails, and water trails.
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
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Transportation Department
Fort Madison Depot Progress – Under development since 2005, the Fort Madison Santa Fe Depot renovation and reuse project is nearly complete. The complex was elevated about four feet out of the Mississippi River floodplain, the interior was renovated and the surrounding site and parking lot grade was adjusted to match the building’s new elevation. Discussions are ongoing between Amtrak and Fort Madison on how to construct a new rail passenger platform and terms of use for Amtrak to use the depot for its train crews and passengers. SEIRPC has secured over $3 million in grant funds for the project. Louisa County Hwy 99 Bridge over the Iowa River at Oakville - Environmental studies are nearly complete for the bridge near Oakville. After suffering pier damage during the 2008 floods, SEIRPC secured over $12 million in grants to assist the county in replacing the bridge. Final permitting and design are expected to be completed in 2013, with construction beginning in 2013 or early 2014.
Flint River Trail Progress – Construction on the northern most portion of the 20 mile trail system took huge steps in FY2012. This includes the area from Big Hollow Recreation Area south to the intersection of Highway 61 and Flint Bottom Road. Construction of this portion of the trail will be completed on this approximately 8 mile stretch of trail by the end of 2012. Easement negotiations are expected to be completed for the third and final phase in 2013 with final design engineering work to immediately follow. The final phase of the trail is expected to be completed by 2015.
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
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Safe Routes to School Plans – SEIRPC staff worked with the City of Mediapolis and City of Burlington in creating and updating Safe Routes to School Plans. Staff worked with members of both communities to determine activities to help educate and encourage children to walk or bike to school safely. The plans also include a sidewalk inventory and other proposed engineering improvements that will make the communities safer for children walking and biking to school.
Traffic Counting Program – SEIRPC traffic counting program provide regional communities with an opportunity to get current data on local traffic including total number of vehicles, type of vehicles, and speed of vehicles. In FY2012, 10 entities took advantage of this program including Fort Madison, Franklin, Louisa County, Mediapolis, Morning Sun, Mount Pleasant, New London, Oakville, Rome, and Wayland.
Regional Traffic Speed Indicator Sharing Program – SEIRPC purchased two sign mounted and two trailer mounted speed indicators to be shared amongst participating agencies in Southeast Iowa. The program initially includes 6 entities: Lee County, Fort Madison, Burlington, West Burlington, Columbus Junction, and Mount Pleasant. The trailers have been in use for a few months and have received great reviews by participating agencies.
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
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Complete Streets Education– As part of the Healthy Iowans Initiative in the Greater Burlington Area, SEIRPC staff has begun efforts to educate residents about Complete Streets. This effort has included presentation to community groups including Kiwanis, Lion’s Club, Rotary, Great River Medical Center Board of Directors, Burlington City Council, West Burlington City Council, Downtown Partners Greater Burlington Young Professionals, and Greater Burlington Partnership Board of Directors. The education effort will continue into 2013 with the temporary transformation of Main Street in Burlington into a Complete Street.
Planning Department Funded Grants in FY2012 Project
Columbus Junction Monkey Run Creek Park Expansion Keokuk Boulevard Road Sidewalk Improvements Columbus Junction Sidewalk Extensions Mount Pleasant Tornado Sirens Burlington Junction Railway CASE Rail Spur Rehabilitation Valley Distribution, Inc. Rail Spur Construction Burlington School District Safe Room/Wrestling Room Expansion Burlington Junction Railway Rail-Truck-Barge Planning and Feasibility Study Greater Burlington Healthy Community Planning and Projects
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
Grant Source
Iowa DNR - REAP
Funding Amount $ 75,000
Iowa DOT - SRTS
$ 135,584
Iowa DOT - SRTS Iowa HSEM - HMGP Iowa DOT - Rail Revolving Loan and Grant Program Iowa DOT - Rail Revolving Loan and Grant Program Iowa HSEM - HMGP
$ 87,500 $ 63,067 $ 157,948
Iowa DOT - Rail Revolving Loan and Grant Program Iowa DPH - Healthy Iowans Program
Total Funding Secured
$ 218,652 $ 1,029,472 $ 40,000 $ 14,000
$ 1,821,223 10
SEIBUS 2012 Highlights FY2011 Statistics Rides – 105,898 Hours – 16,282 Miles Traveled – 280,492
Fare Structure One Way
Round Trip
In Town
$2.50
$5.00
Between Cities
$5.00
$10.00
Monthly Pass* Medical Shuttle
$25.00 $15.00
SEIBUS ended the year with 105,898 rides. That is down 21% from last year mainly due to the final elimination of Tyson operations and the reduction of Hope Haven vehicles under sub-contract. Hours were down 27% and the most encouraging news was that miles were down 39% which shows that the operation improved in efficiency. In July SEIBUS was awarded the contract for CPC services in Lee County. Results are anticipated to create over 25,000 rides per year. Four buses were brought over from 10-15 Transit and SEIBUS hired three new drivers. In June a program was initiated with IDOT called Transit Cares, for Iowa Care recipients, which is a transportation benefit to those that can’t qualify for Medicaid. This project has benefited many riders that have medical needs for transportation to Iowa City. IDOT has awarded SEIBUS a contract that will provide subsidies until December 31, 2013 when Medicaid should cover these rides.
$30.00
* Monthly Pass can be used only in county
Regional Partnerships in FY2011 ♦ Area Agency on Aging ♦ Des Moines County ♦ Louisa County ♦ City of Fort Madison ♦ City of Keokuk ♦ Old Threshers Reunion ♦ Tri-State Rodeo ♦ Inpropco ♦ Great River Medical Center ♦ Hope Haven ♦ Lee County CPC
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
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Development Department 2012 Highlights Great River Housing Trust Fund – Established in FY ’11 with $282,975 from the Iowa Finance Authority and $73,500 local match, the funds are being used throughout the four-county region to assist low to moderate Income home owners with rehabilitation and/or down payment assistance. In addition, GRHTF received funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank to add to this pool – making a total of $1,110,225 available. In FY ’12 the GRHTF:
Before Rehabilitation
• Des Moines County: 7 completed; 3 under construction, 7 approved and in process • 17 total homes • Lee County: 18 completed; 2 under construction; 6 approved and in process • 26 total homes • Henry County: 7 completed; 2 under construction; 9 approved and in process • 18 total homes • Louisa County: 6 completed; 4 under construction; 10 approved and in process • 20 total homes • REGIONAL TOTAL: 81 homes either rehabilitated or in process of rehabilitation
Housing Programs – FY2012 • Wayland Downtown Upper Story (MFNC) – six units under construction • Downtown Burlington Upper-Story (MFNC) – two units under construction • Burlington Downtown Upper-Story – 10 units completed and two under construction • Fort Madison Downtown Upper-Story (MFNC) - three units under construction • Des Moines & Louisa County SFNC (Round #1 and 2) – 10 completed and nine under construction • West Burlington Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation – Seven homes completed and three under construction • NSP #3 – provided one homeowner down payment assistance and one new house under construction • NSP 1 – sold one house that was rehabilitated; one rehabilitation project under way; one new house under construction. • REGIONAL TOTAL: 55 units under construction Grants Applied For: City of Wayland – Owner Occupied Rehabilitation = $349,990 City of Fort Madison – Owner Occupied Rehabilitation = $349,990 GRHTF = $273,000 (plus $72,000 local match)
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
Same Home During Rehabilitation
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Community Development Block Grants –
The following applications were submitted for review to the CDBG program: City of New London – Storm water management project = $344,000 City of Conesville – Pump Station improvements and sanitary sewer extension = $120,000 City of Wapello – Aerated lagoon system = $500,000 The following applications were submitted for review to the Community Action & Tourism Grant program: Louisa County Fair Youth Center = $125,000 Mount Pleasant Union Block Building renovation= $601,000
Flood Recovery - Nearly 175 flood damaged properties have been purchased and demolished in Des
Moines & Louisa Counties: CDBG City of Oakville: Awarded in 2010, over 100 properties have been acquired with one remaining. Fifty-six were demolished and cleared under this program. Nearly 16 homes were purchased by a local non-profit group and have been rehabilitated and will be re-sold. Louisa County: Thirty-two properties were purchased and demolished in rural Louisa County. Properties were made into green space. Des Moines County: Nineteen properties were purchased and demolished in Huron Township. HMGP Louisa County: Twenty-nine properties were purchased, demolished and turned into green space in rural Louisa County.
Development Department Funded Grants in FY2012 Project
Source
Keokuk Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation
Iowa Finance Authority
$349,990
Single Family New Construction Round #4
Iowa Economic Development Authority
$349,588
Great River Housing Trust Fund
Iowa Finance Authority
$252,719
Great River Housing Trust Fund
Local Matching Contributions
$ 63,600
Total Funding Secured SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
Funding Amount
$1,015,897 13
FY2012 Financial Highlights $41 : $1 RETURN ON INVESTMENT FROM MEMBER DUES Member Dues: 3%
Contracts 28%
2012 Revenues
Federal/State Grants: 33%
Pass-through Revenues: 36%
Contract Services 29%
Building: 6%
Personnel: 29%
Pass-through Expenditures: 36%
2012 Expenditures SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
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New SEIRPC Office Facility
Facility Tenants
In November 2010, SEIRPC moved its offices from the Memorial Auditorium in downtown Burlington to the former IPC/Raider office building at 211 N. Gear Avenue in West Burlington. The new location has fulfilled the objectives outlined by the board of directors for a new facility and offers unprecedented stability for the organization. After two years in the new facility, SEIRPC is pleased to see the entire building leased. Three private tenants have helped to provide a professional environment and to make the building self-sustaining. SEIRPC looks forward to utilizing the location as a future tool for regional collaboration and development for southeast Iowa.
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
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SEIRPC Staff SEIRPC Administration Mike Norris
Executive Director
Debbie Laughlin
Executive Assistant
Beth Hartman
Planning Assistant
Susan Coffey
Grant Administrator
Development Department Jeff Hanan
Assistant Director
Dan Eberhardt
Regional Planner II
Tracey Lamm
Regional Planner
Sara Hecox
Grant Administrator
Chris Ralph
Housing Inspector
Sherri Jones
Planning Assistant
Planning Department Zach James
Planning Director
Justin Bushong
Regional Planner
Madeline Emmerson
Regional Planner
Finance Department Finance Director
Lori Gilpin
SEIBUS Staff SEIBUS Administration Bob Kuskowski
SEIBUS Director
Gerald Huebner
Operations Manager
Carolyn Lees
Scheduler
SEIBUS Drivers Sherry Andrews
Nancy Aquino
John Arp
Paul Booth
Ruth Boyd
Jack Callas
David Ewinger
David Ford
Art Heckenberg
Terry Heckenberg
Marilyn Hunter
Deni McClinton
Larry Nuss
Terry Rader
Randy Spiker
Charles Stevens
Joe Yocum
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
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In Memoriam
SEIRPC Finance Director Kim Schisel, 1964-2012 Kim Schisel, SEIRPC Finance director since 2004, passed away suddenly on Monday, October 22, 2012. She was an integral part of SEIRPC and was well known for her professional acumen. Kim was also a friend to many and leaves behind a husband and three sons. SEIRPC will remember her fondly and will honor her with a memorial tree planted on the SEIRPC grounds.
SEIRPC FY2012 Annual Report
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Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission 211 N. Gear Avenue, Suite 100 West Burlington, IA 52655 Phone: 319-753-5107 Fax: 319-754-4763 www.seirpc.com www.facebook.com/seirpc
This Annual Report was prepared in part through funding provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, State Transit Assistance, and from local membership dues and contract for services.