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@lcobserver-blog
Miller Stuns Stutler With Primary Defeat
2016 Primary Results Name Votes % Joel Miller 7,725 72.40% Joe Stutler 2,915 27.30% Write-In 31 0.30%
Following a campaign built on negativity and endorsements from the majority of the Linn County Board of Supervisors, Stutler lost to Miller 2-to-1. Full results here
Rogers, Miller Scuffle Over Minutes
Chairperson Rogers explained why these minutes were specifically placed on the agenda for discussion. He stated that after receiving the draft minutes, he noted that there were noticeable inconsistencies of detail dedicated to conversations between the Board with elected officials and the level of detail devoted to public comment...
Rogers also stated that there were misrepresentations of things he said while talking to the Sheriff (which has been corrected). However, what he thought would be an easy solution to have those minutes corrected became an issue with Auditor Miller and an unwillingness to be receptive to his suggestions. He finds it interesting that Miller’s staff would not include critical comments made about him while including verbatim critical comments about the Board under Public Comments. He continued to explain that during an email exchange, Auditor Miller cited Code of Iowa 331.504 which states the Auditor shall record the proceedings of the Board, etc. It is his opinion that his office is recording the proceedings and he has considerable discretion as to what they record. Rogers also stated that Miller would not meet with him without another Supervisor present.
Oleson Justifies Slippery Slope
The Board discussed authorizing Marion Main Street to use up to 50% ($7,000) of FY 2016 economic development funds for operational expenses to use for administrative purposes. Supervisor Oleson explained that money was appropriated to all of the Main Street projects and Marion also qualified for an Economic Development Program. He is asking for a little leniency with regard to Marion because they came in with a special program that they are administering. He assured the Board that they are receiving no additional money over the other Main Street programs.
A bit later on
Supervisor Harris stated that he is going to vote in favor of the motion but he hopes that this is not a slippery slope that they created and have more economic development folks coming in and asking for that money. Supervisor Houser concurred with Harris’ statement. Supervisor Oleson assured the Board that they won’t because Marion is the only one that submitted a specific competitive grant.
See Board Minutes from 05/23/2016 here.
Marion Spends $42k On Alley Artwork
The City received a $350,000 grant from ArtPlace America for ImaginArt in the Alleys. ArtPlace America's primary focus is on creative place-making, which the organization defines as the set of practices in which art and culture work intentionally to help transform a place. The remainder of the project funds will come from the City of Marion and private donations.
Taken from CityofMarion.org (link here).
Resolution No. 25228 approving professional services agreement between the City of Marion and Dan Perry for Confluence associated with ImaginArt in the Alleys in the amount of $25,000.00.
Resolution No. 25229 approving professional services agreement between the City of Marion and Matthew Kargol for Living Room Set associated with ImaginArt in the Alleys in the amount of $17,000.00.
See Marion City Council Minutes, 4/7/16 here. Minutes will open in new window.
Mount Vernon Considers Nicotine-Free Parks Ordinance
Nosbisch asked that Council set the public hearing date for the first reading of an ordinance that takes the City parks from smoke free to smoke and nicotine free. The ordinance would be written in such a way that FDA approved products such as nicotine gum and patches would be exempt.
Mount Vernon City Council minutes, 3/21/16 here.
Oleson Questions Hiawatha Library Funding Request
Weeks is asking Linn County for a contribution of $200,000.
Supervisor Oleson questioned why there isn’t a library levy and Weeks responded that they attempted a levy two years ago and it failed by 52 votes. Supervisor Oleson discussed the largest request the Board has been asked for noting that they have a library fund (half a million) that is distributed each year. It is hard for him to support such a high amount when the citizens of the community don’t support the library levy. Oleson is nervous about supporting this without seeing a bond referendum.
Board of Supervisors Minutes, 4/11 can be found here
Cedar Rapids Mulls Food Truck Ordinance
Citing “rapid growth” in interest in food trucks, Cedar Rapids officials are developing the city’s first-ever food truck ordinance.
The city has scheduled two public informational meetings about the ordinance, which would also cover other mobile vendors such as ice cream trucks and food carts, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday and from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday in the City Hall lower-level training room.
Full story from The Gazette here.
Robins Considers Special Census
Mayor Hinz noted the Councilors were provided with a letter received from the US Department of Commerce explaining the regulations for the special census. He noted he and Pickart talked with the census bureau and received confirmation of the need for 70 applicants for census workers and reviewed the specified requirements. He noted the largest challenge relates to finding office space for the workers as they require 540 square feet along with 3 direct phone lines, 3 locking file cabinets, and locked access from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings and must be ADA compliant. The council noted the cost to hold the special census is nearly $100K and if the city would gain enough money before the 2020 census to make it worth it. The Council discussed several options and agreed to discuss this at the next meeting to give Pickart time to look for office space.
Interesting development. Last fall in neighboring Johnson County, North Liberty recertified their census number as well. As written on the North Liberty City Council website.
This matters because census counts are used to determine things such as the apportionment of state road use tax, which cities use to build and maintain roads. So being several thousand people off makes a big difference to our growing community as we work to improve key infrastructure. While the special census is estimated to cost about $310,000 to conduct, we estimate the city will see more than $280,000 additionally in annual road use taxes.
The Robins cost of $100k seems much smaller in comparison.
See April 4th City Council minutes
Robins to connect Woodland Drive with Nature Trail
Mayor Hinz reported he has been working with Joni Tibbits relating to an agreement for the last several months to acquire property to allow for construction of a trail connection from North Woodland Drive to the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, noting this would allow people on the west side of town walking access to the Nature Trail. He noted Ms. Tibbits will donate the property to the city and the city will get an appraisal of the property’s fair market value and provide a letter to her to be used for tax purposes.
Date of completion is currently undecided.
See April 4th Robins City Council Minutes.
Options Saves Money, Buys Used
Supervisor Houser confirmed that Linn County Options will purchase a used vehicle. At $20,400, the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan from Lynch Ford represents $3,000-$13,000 in savings versus purchasing a new vehicle of the same make. Learn more about Linn County Options here.
Info drawn from Board Minutes from Wednesday, March 30th, 2016.
Oleson pays late fee for Linn County resident
The Board discussed the waiver of $51 interest and penalty for Nicholas Garland...
This was a unique case with an individual and his mother that came to the office late filing their taxes stating that they did not receive their tax bill. Based on the principal of the matter, they talked to Oleson about waiving the interest and penalty. He felt they had a solid case...
After talking with Gary Jarvis, the Board is not allowed to have the fee waived under statute. After the representations he made to Garland and his mother, he stated that he will pay the fee after the meeting.
Later, during public comment:
Stacey Law, Deputy Auditor, stated that the bill was originally sent to 900 2nd Street SE, Unit 306 and it was returned by the post office...
Miller stated that their process is not to question the post office. They aren’t going to send it again and again to the same address. They think the post office knows what they are doing.
See full minutes here (April 4th Work Session).
BOS Vacancy Committee to Prioritize Women, Veterans
Per these minutes, the committee to select an interim supervisor to complete outgoing supervisor Langston's term will give priority to female candidates or veterans otherwise equally qualified for the position.