Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission FY2014 Annual Report

Dear Citizens of the Southeast Iowa Region, The Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission has completed its 41st year of service to the southeast Iowa region. Since its inception, SEIRPC has focused on providing excellent service through planning, program management, technical assistance, grant writing and regional collaboration. SEIRPC continues to produce results for the region. In FY2014, $3.42 million from outside sources was secured by SEIRPC. This is a 41:1 return on investment from member dues. Relying on strong board leadership and participation, the organization is prepared to continue, improve and expand its service. SEIRPC exists to provide services to the governments, residents and businesses of southeast Iowa. SEIRPC has continued to deliver regional impact through housing services. In 2014, 133 individual housing units were affected either though new construction, rehabilitation, or down payment assistance. New tax base is being created in southeast Iowa through 71 new units touched by SEIRPC. In 2014, the regional housing trust fund, Great River Housing, Inc., impacted 52 individual homes in southeast Iowa. GRH provided down payment assistance loans to 29 homeowners, obligated 17 owner-occupied rehabilitation projects and awarded six development assistance grants for new owner-occupied affordable housing. SEIBUS completed its 10th year of service to the southeast Iowa region in 2014. After 10 years, SEIBUS has provided, through its own buses or partner services, 1,167,990 rides to southeast Iowa residents and visitors. Thank you to Des Moines, Henry, Lee and Louisa County supervisors, city councils, CPC directors and staff, the SEIRPC Board of Directors and all SEIBUS partners, customers and clients for the last 10 years. We are looking forward to another successful 10 years. Economic development remains on the forefront of issues facing southeast Iowa. SEIRPC is engaged with every economic development organization in southeast Iowa, and committed to furthering job retention, job creation, private investment and new demand in the region. As a member of the Great River Regional Partnership, and current chair, SEIRPC has and will continue to secure outside funds, provide planning and technical services and lead or participate in regional initiatives to ensure all potential resources are brought to benefit regional development. Through the next year and beyond, SEIRPC will 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,

Sincerely,

Mike Norris SEIRPC Executive Director

Brent Schleisman 2014 SEIRPC Board Chairman

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2014 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

Tim Scott, City of Burlington Hans Trousil, City of West Burlington

Robert Beck, Des Moines County Bob Hesler, Private Sector

Louisa County Mark Huston, City of Columbus Junction

Richard Taylor, City of Wapello Chris Ball, Louisa County

Jim Howell, Private Sector

Lee County David Varley, City of Fort Madison Michael O’Connor, City of Keokuk

Gary Folluo, Lee County Steve Bisenius, Private Sector

Henry County Brent Schleisman, City of Mount Pleasant

Ron Sadler, City of New London Greg Moeller, Henry County

Klay Edwards, Private Sector

Education & Workforce David File, Iowa Wesleyan College

Dr. Michael Ash, Southeastern Community College Sue Frice, Workforce Representative

SEIRPC Management Staff Mike Norris, Executive Director Jeff Hanan, Assistant Director Zach James, Planning Director

Bob Kuskowski, Transit Director Lori Gilpin, Finance Director

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2014 SEIRPC Committees

Transportation Advisory Committee

Brian Carter Gary Folluo Tim Scott

Larry Driscoll Chris Ball

Chuck Reighard Bill Richards

Chris Boshart Bill Small

Ex Officio:

Jason Huddle Mark Bechtel

Tracy Troutner

Transit Advisory Committee

Paula Buckman Pat Colthurst Pam Erhardt

Bob Hoxie Ken Hyndman

Zach James Sarah Kaufman Bob Kuskowski

Mary Maine Mike O’Connor

Steve Hoambrecker Gary See

Terri Smith Connie Storms Ryanne Wood

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

Finance Committee

Sue Frice Gary Folluo

Mark Huston Brent Schleisman

Hans Trousil

Great River Housing, Inc. Board of Directors

Pam Broomhall Sue Frice

April Girard Kristian Ecklund

Deb Massner Brent Schleisman

Dan Spray Hans Trousil Eric Tysland

Greg Moeller

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2014 Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Committees

About SEIRPC Revolving Loan Funds After experiencing a lull in activity for several years, inquiries and project funding through SEIRPC revolving loan funds continues to grow substantially. In FY2014, loans totaling $675,000 were made through RLF funding pools. Loans included:

• Flint Cliffs Manufacturing (Burlington) • Iowa Wesleyan College (Mount Pleasant) • Lucky Runner, Inc. (West Burlington)

SEIRPC staff continues its outreach and marketing strategies throughout the year, having made multiple personal visits with potential clients. In addition, staff also regularly meets with economic development officials, cities, counties, and business groups throughout the region.

Keokuk RLF Loan Review Committee

Harold Peterson Carole Betts

Ivan Hasselbusch Mike Pribyl

Ex Officio:

Shelley Oltmans Joyce Glasscock

SEIRPC RLF Loan Review Committee

Steve Brimhall Bill Small

Klay Edwards Ben Lanz

Chad Hudson Mark Huston Mike Pribyl Jerry Krause Larry Kruse Jim Olson Rob Ritson

Jason Samples

Fort Madison RLF Loan Review Committee

Larry Kelch Moudy Nabulsi

Jacqueline Lumsden Tim Gobble

Jason Samples

Ex Officio: Mayor Brad Randolph

Henry County RLF Loan Review Committee

Scott Baylor Klay Edwards

David File Robert Meyer

Jim Henns

Ex Officio: Gary See

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Planning Department FY2014 Highlights

Flint River Trail Progress Construction was completed on the 2 northern most phases of the 20 mile trail system. This includes the area from Big Hollow Recreation Area south to the intersection of Highway 61 and Flint Bottom Road. The next phase of the county Flint River Trail project through Starr’s Cave Park and Preserve will begin engineering in the fall/winter of 2014 with construction anticipated to be completed by the fall of 2015.

Healthy Iowans Initiative – Wapello SEIRPC staff worked with the City of Wapello to receive a $10,000 grant for creating a work plan and implementing health related projects. Staff worked with the a group of local residents on a survey and workshop that generated ideas on how to make the community a healthier place to live. Project ideas included improving a local trail, resurfacing a basketball court, installing bike racks, building a skate park, creating edible landscaping, creating a community garden and providing healthy food options at concession stands.

Throughout FY2014, the SEIRPC planning department provided assistance to several regional cities and counties in completing local planning documents and incentives for economic or housing development including: • Lee County Hazard Mitigation Plan • Henry County Hazard Mitigation Plan • Wayland Comprehensive Plan • Mediapolis Safe Routes to School Plan • Traffic Counting Program • Speed Indicator Sharing Program • Des Moines County Zoning • Morning Sun Zoning Assistance • Fort Madison Urban Renewal Plan • Fort Madison Enterprise Zone • New London Zoning Ordinance • Columbus Junction Zoning Map

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Project Source Funding Amount

Wayland Industrial Park East Roadway Extension Iowa DOT - RISE $148,671

Des Moines County Flint River Trail Phase 1A Iowa DOT – Federal Recreational Trails $423,000

Fort Madison Marina Building Replacement Iowa DNR - Boating Infrastructure Grant $50,680

Wapello Iowans Fit for Life Iowa Department of Public Health $10,000

Des Moines County Conservation Baker Property Acquisition

Iowa DNR – Land and Water Conservation Fund

$150,000

Burlington Roosevelt and West Avenue Trail Crossing Improvements

Wellmark Foundation $18,260

Columbus Junction Locust Street Bridge Replacement over Monkey Run Creek

Iowa DOT – City Bridge Fund $380,000

Total Funding Secured $1,180,611

Planning Department Funded Grants in FY2014

Leopold Recreation Area SEIRPC has assisted Des Moines County with the purchase (officially in December 2014) of a 235 acre property locally known as the “Baker Property” just north of the city of Burlington. Once acquired, the land will be called the “Leopold Recreation Area” in honor of renowned conservationist and Burlington native, Aldo Leopold. In addition to becoming a publicly accessible outdoor recreation area, the property will provide a critical link to connect the county’s portion of the Flint River Trail to the city’s trail terminus a short distance away. In the long term, Des Moines County Conservation anticipates building a Leopold-themed environmental education center on the site.

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Development Department

FY2014 Highlights

Great River Housing Trust Fund The Great River Housing was established in FY 2011. The program is funded by the Iowa Finance Authority, Federal Home Loan Bank and local contributions from cities, counties and business. The funds are used in the region to assist low to moderate income home owners with rehabilitation or down payment assistance and for developer assistance. Below is the activity for FY2014:

Housing Programs SEIRPC housing programs continued to grow in FY2014, as they have the past few years. Housing projects from this year include: • Downtown Partners Upper Story– Closed on 2 units • Wayland Upper Story (Multi family new construction) –

Final 3 units completed • Fort Madison (Multi family new construction) - 38 units

under construction • Mount Pleasant (Multi family new construction) – 7

upper story units under construction • Des Moines & Louisa County Single Family New

Construction - 6 completed and 2 under construction • West Burlington Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation - 4

homes completed • Neighborhood Stabilization Program #1 - 1 new home

was completed and 2 new homes are under construction

• Keokuk Owner Occupied – 3 homes under construction • Burlington Owner Occupied – 3 homes completed, 5

homes under construction

Rehabilitation: • Des Moines County – 7 projects awarded • Lee County – 5 projects awarded • Henry County – 3 projects awarded • Louisa County – 2 projects awarded

Down payment Assistance : • Closed with 29 homeowners - 16 in Burlington, one in

West Burlington, five in Keokuk, one in Wapello, one in Montrose, one in Danville, two in New London, and two in Mediapolis

Development: • Des Moines County – 3 projects awarded • Henry County – 1 projects awarded • Louisa County – 2 projects awarded

BEFORE

AFTER

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Project Source Funding Amount

Great River Housing Trust Fund Iowa Finance Authority $363,500

Great River Housing Trust Fund Local Matching Contributions $91,000

City of Wayland Targeted Neighborhood Iowa Economic Development Authority $289,992

Great River Housing Trust Fund - Rehab of 20 homes in Southeast Iowa

Federal Home Loan Bank $190,000

Wapello Aerated Lagoon Sewer System Iowa Economic Development Authority $500,000

Community Health Center of Des Moines County Expansion Project

Iowa Economic Development Authority $800,000

Total Funding Secured $2,234,492

Community Development Block Grants Several CDBG applications were written by SEIRPC and received funding in FY 2014, including: • City of Wapello - Aerated lagoon sewer system • Community Health Center of Des Moines County - Facility expansion project

Development Department Funded Grants in FY2014

Flood Recovery The Development Department closed out acquisition and demolition programs associated with the 2008 floods. Nearly 175 flood damaged properties were purchased and demolished in Oakville, Louisa County, and Des Moines County. • Community Development Block Grant Buyouts

• City of Oakville - Final 5 homes , 21 in total, were rehabilitated by a local non-profit group. Also under this program, 60 homes were demolished.

• Louisa County – 32 rural properties were purchased and demolished for green space. • Des Moines County - Closed out program where 19 properties were purchased and demolished in Huron

Township.

• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Buyouts • Louisa County- 29 properties were purchased and demolished for green space.

Housing Grants Applied For: • Salem Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation – $239,994 • Fort Madison Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation – $289,992

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About Southeast Iowa Regional and Economic Port Authority SIREPA was formed in 2006 by agreement between Lee County, City of Keokuk, and the City of Fort Madison as outlined in State Code Section 28J. The mission of Southeast Iowa Regional Economic & Port Authority is to create new economic development opportunities in Lee County and Southeast Iowa. SIREPA seeks to encourage growth by removing obstacles to capital investment and lowering fixed costs for private companies in the region. Starting in FY2014, SIREPA has partnered with the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) to provide administrative and strategic support. Leveraging SEIRPC’s expertise with SIREPA’s vision has led to new strategies and future plans including the following accomplishments in FY2014: • A new Mission Statement • Adoption of a communications plan • Development of SIREPA website (www.sirepa.org) • Development of a joint strategic plan with Mid-American Port

Commission • Completion of Phase 1A Archaeological Study of potential port sites

SIREPA

Board Members

Bob Winckler, Chairman Kym Auge, Vice Chair Jim Hankes, Treasurer

Michael Dunn Denise Boyer

Gary Folluo, Ex-Officio Rick Larkin, Ex-Officio

Stefanie Devin, Ex-Officio

SIREPA FY2014 Highlights

www.sirepa.org

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SEIBUS FY2014 Highlights

SEIBUS completed its 10th year of service to the southeast Iowa region in 2014. After 10 years, SEIBUS has provided, through its own buses or partner services, 1,167,990 rides to southeast Iowa residents and visitors. Thank you to Des Moines, Henry, Lee and Louisa County supervisors, city councils, CPC directors and staff, the SEIRPC Board of Directors and all SEIBUS partners, customers and clients for the last 10 years. We are looking forward to another successful 10 years. SEIBUS ended FY2014 with 132,213 rides, making in the sixth year out of the last ten years at over 130,000 rides. The 132,213 rides is a small increase from the previous year, mostly due to increased ridership of Old Thresher Reunion and Ghost Train. SEIBUS also continued to support several regional services in FY2014 through partnerships with the following organizations:

Fare Structure

Milestones AAA Des Moines County Henry County Louisa County

FY2014 Statistics

Rides – 132,213

Hours – 20,341

Miles Traveled – 368,335

One Way

Round Trip

In Town $2.50 $5.00

Between Cities

$5.00 $10.00

Monthly Pass*

$25.00

Medical Shuttle

$15.00 $30.00

* Monthly Pass can be used only in county

In FY2014, SEIBUS invested in two new vehicles. This includes a new ADA Van (#131) operating in Louisa County and a new ADA Light Duty Bus (#132) operating in Des Moines County.

ADA Van #131

ADA Bus #132

Tri-State Rodeo Inpropco Great River Medical Center Hope Haven Iowa Workforce

Lee County City of Fort Madison City of Keokuk Old Threshers Reunion

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FY2014 Financial Highlights

Federal/State Grants

27%

Pass-through Revenues

43%

Contracts 26%

Member Dues 4%

2014 Revenues

Personnel 29%

Pass-through Expenditures

53%

Building 3%

Contract Services

15%

2014 Expenditures

For Every $1 in Member Dues

SEIRPC Members Received a $41

Return on Investment

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SEIRPC Administration

Mike Norris Executive Director

Debbie Laughlin Executive Assistant

Stacey Fincher Receptionist

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

Vacant Regional Planner

Finance Department

Lori Gilpin Finance Director

SEIRPC Staff SEIBUS Administration

Bob Kuskowski SEIBUS Director

Gerald Huebner Operations Manager

Carolyn Lees Scheduler

SEIBUS Drivers

Sherry Andrews Nancy Smith

John Arp Ruth Boyd

Jack Callas Paul Booth

Dave Ewinger Chris Crowner

Art Heckenberg Terry Heckenberg

Marilyn Hunter Jerry Bush

Deni McClinton Randy Spiker

Larry Nuss Joe Yocum

Terry Rader Sheila Sapp

Jackie McLachlan

SEIBUS Staff

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, United States Department of

Transportation, State Transit Assistance, and from local membership dues and contract for services.