2014

Annual Report

Words from ECICOG Chair & Executive Director Pages 3 - 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

New Initiatives Pages 6 - 10 2014 Statistics For ECICOG Pages 11 - 15 Services to Member Governments Pages 16 - 20

2014 Members of the ECICOG Board

Aaron Granquist

Jim Throgmorton

Alan Johnson

Kevin Heitshusen

Ben Rogers

Laurie Goodrich

Bob Yoder

Linda Langston

Brent Hinson

Louise From

Craig Hamilton

Lu Barron

Darrin Gage

Todd Wiley

Dave Fish

Vicki Pope

Don Gray Wayne Manternach

Dusty Embree

Kathleen VanSteenhuyse

Ed Raber (Chair)

ECICOG was established in 1973 to promote regional cooperation and provide professional planning services to local governments in Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington Counties. ECICOG also provides solid waste planning services to Tama County and transportation planning services to Cedar County.

WORDS FROM ECICOG Chair & Executive Director

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ECICOG Board of Directors Chairperson

Ed Raber

WORDS FROM As board chairperson, it is my pleasure to present the ECICOG Annual Report for 2014. This report highlights recent initiatives undertaken by the agency and by the Creative Corridor region. It is rewarding to see how regional collaborations are expanding around issues like commuter transportation, resources for established and emerging businesses, and watershed management. In the last portion of the Annual Report, it is equally impressive to see listed the more traditional ECICOG activities that have added to the growing vibrancy of the Creative Corridor. Expanding municipal infrastructure, community based comprehensive planning, and the development of multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plans. Collectively, these initiatives are making the Creative Corridor communities more prepared, more robust, and more collaborative places to live, work, and play. I would like to thank my colleagues on the ECICOG Board and the professional staff for their dedication and commitment to the agency, and for their support during my service as chairperson.

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WORDS FROM ECICOG

Executive Director

Doug Elliott

It is said that with age comes wisdom. Oscar Wilde agreed, but he also said that, “sometimes, age comes alone.” In July 2014, I celebrated my twentieth anniversary as the executive director of ECICOG. It’s difficult not to fall into a trap of clichés when pondering a milestone like that. But, it’s true that time has flown, and I often think, if I only knew then what I know now—because hopefully, I’m a little older and a little wiser. More importantly, I believe we as an agency are a little older and a little wiser. Given the breadth of challenges and opportunities that local governments face, it’s easy for an organization like ECICOG to fall into another trap: that of trying to be all things to all people. But through the guidance of a committed board of directors and the dedication of a talented staff, I believe we’ve been able to maintain, for the most part, that balance of honing our core expertise and providing key programs while being open to new challenges and remaining nimble enough to address them. This annual report features some great examples of expanding agency service and capacity based on core expertise and previous experience. And equally important, they arose from an issue identified by our member or in concert with our members. They are, I think, examples of aging wisely.

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NEW INITIATIVES For ECICOG

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HOUSING REHABILITATION ECICOG oversees several different housing programs that are dedicated to improving quality of life by offering innovative and flexible funding options in order to expand affordable housing opportunities in our region. Two of the programs include the Housing Fund for Linn County (HFfLC) started in 2007 for the Linn County area and the East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund (ECIHTF) started in 2010 for Benton, Iowa, Jones, and Washington Counties.

Over the years our housing programs have been extremely successful, and this past year was no exception. In 2014, the two housing trust funds were granted $864,482 and were able to use these funds to rehabilitate 193 homes. The HFfLC received $372,358 and rehabilitated 85 total households in eight different cities in Linn County, including Ely, Marion, Hiawatha, Center Point, Springville, Robins, Troy Mills, and Cedar Rapids. The ECIHTF received $492,124 and rehabilitated 108 total households.

2015 AWARDS Recently, in December the Iowa Finance Authority announced that over $7.3 million would be awarded to 27 local Housing Trust Funds, and ECICOG’s housing programs secured $724,199. The HFfLC was awarded $426,278 to use in Linn County and the ECHTF was awarded $297,921 to use in Benton, Iowa, Jones, and Washington Counties.

As the Iowa Housing Authority’s recent press release stated, “The grant funds will be used for initiatives such as preserving aging housing stock, subsidizing local down payment assistance programs, providing low-interest loans or grants to assist Iowans in home rehabilitation, financing construction of new single-family housing for low-income Iowans and supporting housing for persons with disabilities and homeless assistance programs.”

If you would like more information on ECICOG’s housing programs or are interested in submitting an application please visit www.ecicog.org/housing-programs.

NEW INITIATIVES Housing &

Community Development

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ECICOG REVOLVING LOAN FUND ECICOG established a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) in 2009 that has become increasingly successful. The RLF has provided over $4.6 million in loans to 31 businesses in our six county region, including Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington Counties. These loans have leveraged an additional $27 million in matching loans and have helped to support jobs and economic growth.

The RLF was created to assist new and existing business in ECICOG’s region with development and expansion. The loan funds are used in conjunction with local lenders to serve as gap financing for proposals, where the lender serves as the primary source of funding. As the loans are repaid, the fund revolves back out to other candidates.

Currently the program has an additional $1.9 million that has revolved back around and is available to loan back out. If you know any businesses that would be interested, please have them contact Robyn Jacobson at robyn.jacobson@ecicog.org.

NEW REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS Due to our organization’s capacity to handle revolving loan funds, ECICOG was approached in 2014 to help with revolving loan funds for two different organizations.

In March the City of Cedar Rapids approached ECICOG to administer their new Cedar Rapids Revolving Loan Fund. The fund was created to encourage expansion and growth in the flood impacted area. Eligibility is dependent on location and/or whether the business received previous disaster aid.

In July the Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street District also approached ECICOG to administer their new revolving loan fund. The fund was created to assist new and existing businesses within the district in development and expansion efforts.

Both of these RLFs are still relatively new, however, as we move forward into 2015 we anticipate that they will become increasingly successful. For more information on any of the RLFs or to get an application visit www.ecicog.org/revolving-loan-funds.

Economic Development

NEW INITIATIVES

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INDIAN CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY The mission of the Indian Creek Watershed Management Authority (ICWMA) is to bring together people and communities in the Indian Creek Watershed to generate ideas, plans and actions to protect the Dry, Indian and Squaw Creeks and the communities they flow through. Past flood events have caused extensive damage throughout the watershed and both Dry and Indian Creeks are considered “impaired” in terms of water quality.

The ICWMA formed in 2012 to provide a framework for watershed level planning and management. This effort is one example of a shift in local governments’ approach to water-related issues that extend beyond their borders. The members of the ICWMA, including Linn County, Marion, Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Robins, and the Linn Soil & Water Conservation District, recognize that everyone in the watershed contributes to flooding and water quality issues and it will take broad cooperation to address those issues.

Watershed Management Authorities, like the ICWMA, can play a unique role by conducting watershed research and engaging the entire watershed in planning and prioritizing improvement projects, as well as generally educating about flood risk and water quality concerns.

PLAN DEVELOPMENT The ICWMA, through the City of Marion, received a grant from the state to develop a comprehensive watershed management plan that is informed by watershed research and based on a community engagement process that develops local solutions. The plan will ultimately contain goals, action steps and funding ideas to help address issues identified in the watershed.

One of the major components of the planning process was Lunch, Learn, and Input Sessions that engaged a variety of watershed stakeholders in developing the plan goals. Each of the three sessions focused on a different watershed issue and provided specific research results that helped attendees give feedback on draft goals and objectives for the plan.

The Indian Creek Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan will be completed this year based largely on input from these sessions. If you are interested in getting more information about the ICWMA and plan development, please visit www.indiancreekwatershed.weebly.com or connect with the ICWMA on Facebook at tinyurl.com/o4u5w7m.

Plan focus areas will include suggested improvements in: • Storm Water Management • Flood Risk Reduction • Water Quality • Aquatic Recreation • Public Education and

Outreach

Solid Waste & Environmental

Services

NEW INITIATIVES

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COMMUTER STUDY This past year the Iowa DOT was directed by the Iowa legislature to conduct a study about the needs and demand for commuter transportation alternatives in the Interstate 380 corridor. The study involved two public surveys that resulted in almost 1,000 commuter respondents, two open houses, and multiple planning meetings with oversight from an advisory group that included ECICOG staff.

Based on the results from the study the Iowa DOT developed transit suggestions and next steps. The suggested enhancements focused largely on the commute between the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas and involved four types of recommended transit, including a public interregional express bus service, a subscription bus service, a public vanpool program, and a public carpool program. Other suggested enhancements were related to infrastructure and technology including park and ride facilities, regional commuter travel information, transit priority measures, and a guaranteed ride home program.

STUDY IMPLEMENTATION The study which can be found at www.iowadot.gov/commuterstudy states that the next steps should include forming a study implementation committee, determining funding and financing options, developing an implementation plan, and determining project phasing. This study also suggests that ECICOG be the lead agency for implementation, specifically leading the initial effort and discussions between study partners.

Based on the Iowa DOT’s suggestions, ECICOG has already begun moving forward with this process and scheduled the first study implementation meeting for January 30th. The meeting goal is to form the initial steering committee for this project and to help identify potential sub-committees and their members. From this, ECICOG and its partners hope to start developing and moving forward with the rest of the outlined steps.

If you would like more information on how ECICOG is moving forward with this process, please visit our website at www.ecicog.org/commuter-plan.

Transportation & Regional

Development

NEW INITIATIVES

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2014 STATISTICS For ECICOG

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2014 STATISTICS

16%

51%

15%

18% ECICOG

Iowa Waste Exchange

Solid Waste Education

Indian Creek Watershed

ECICOG Website

21 Unique Visitors Daily 43 Pages Viewed

630 Unique Visitors Monthly 1,290 Pages Viewed

Facebook

286 Likes 1,185 Monthly Reach

Across all Facebook pages, including ECICOG, Iowa Waste

Exchange, Solid Waste Education, and Indian Creek Watershed

Indian Creek Watershed Website

120 Unique Visitors Monthly 350 Pages Viewed

Online Presence

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Percent Monthly

Reach

2014 STATISTICS Community and

Economic Development Revolving Loan Funds

ECICOG RLF $1,418,250 in Loans 9 Businesses in 6 Cities

New RLFs $63,000 in Loans

3 Businesses

Community Development Block Grants

$1,332,074 in Funding Secured for Future Projects in 3 Cities

Marengo, Wyoming and Marion

Projects Completed in 5 Cities and 1 County, with Funding

Totaling $1,934,302

Marengo, Wellman, Oxford Junction, Coralville, Lone Tree and Benton County

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2014 STATISTICS Planning

and Transportation

ECI Transit Provider Services

364,677 Total Rides 1,422,491 Revenue Miles 109,100 Revenue Hours

6 Providers

Providers include Benton County Transportation, Iowa County Transportation, Johnson County Seats, Jones County Jets, Linn

County Lifts and Washington County Mini Bus

Hazard Mitigation Planning

2 5-Year Plans Completed Serving 28 Cities,

6 School Districts and 1 Major University

Indian Creek Watershed

140 Attendees at 3 Lunch, Learn & Input Sessions

450 People Surveyed in the Watershed Planning Area

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2014 STATISTICS Solid Waste Education

and Services

ECO Iowa City

1,393 Attendees to 52 Different Events

Events included programs, tours, fields trips, book discussion, films and

a variety of other events

Iowa Waste Exchange

317 Businesses Assisted 44 Materials Matched, Resulting in

916 Tons of Waste Diverted from Landfills $33,946 Cost Savings from Diversion

Summer Library Reading Program

1,463 Attendees 37 Programs 32 Libraries 6 Counties

Educational Services

3,052 Attendees 73 Programs

Programs include assemblies, classrooms, day care, summer care,

libraries, STEM and Civic Groups

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SERVICES To Member Governments

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SERVICES To Member Governments

B E N T O N C O U N T Y City of Atkins · Coordinate Curbside Bin Purchase City of Belle Plaine · Brownfields Assessment Grant Application · CDBG Wastewater Application City of Garrison · Garrison Fun Day Booth City of Keystone · Coordinate Curbside Bin Purchase · Summer Library Reading Program City of Luzerne · Assist with Collection Contract City of Newhall · Summer Library Reading Program City of Norway · CDBG Income Survey City of Shellsburg · Summer Library Reading Program · SW School Assembly City of Urbana · Brownfields Inventory · Codification · Research for City Clean-Up Day · School Recycling Presentations

City of Van Horne · Codification · Coordinate Curbside Bin Purchase City of Vinton · Development of Vinton Brochure · Recycling Education · Residential Buy-Out Administration · Storm Debris Assistance · Summer Reading Program Benton County · Benton County Conservation Day · CDBG Water Project · ECIHTF Home Repair Grant Administration · FHLB Application/AHP Administration · Housing Trust Fund Administration · Landfill Services Education & Promotion · Recycling Drop Off Program - Education & Promotion · Solid Waste E-Newsletter · SW Commission 28E Agreement Facilitation · Wind & Tornado Damage Assistance Program I O W A C O U N T Y City of Ladora · Assistance to Firefighters Application City of Marengo · CDBG Wastewater Phase 1 & Phase 2 Project · CDBG Wastewater Phase 3 Application · Elementary Assembly Program · School Recycling Programs · Summer Library Reading Program City of North English · Assist with Clean-Up Day · School Presentations City of Williamsburg · Community SW Education Program · School Recycling Programs · Science Fair · Summer Reading Program Iowa County · Amana Summer Library Reading Program

· Assist Lake Iowa with Information - Recycling Grants · Clear Creek Amana School SW Education Programs · Community Solid Waste Presentations · Landfill Services Education & Promotion · ECIHTF Home Repair Grant Administration · FHLB/AHP Administration · FHLB Application · Housing Trust Fund Administration · Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan · Solid Waste E-Newsletter J O H N S O N C O U N T Y City of Coralville · Booth at Climate Change March · CDBG Administration - Housing · EDA Business Assistance - RLF · Summer Library Reading Program City of Hills · Comprehensive Plan City of Iowa City · ECO - Iowa City Programs · EDA Business Assistance - RLF · HMGP Notice of Interest for Flood Buyout · Landfill Services Education & Promotion · School SW Educational Programs City of Lone Tree · CDBG Administration-Housing City of North Liberty · ECO - Iowa City Library Extension · Recycling Program Assistance and Policy · Summer Reading Program City of Oxford · CDBG Wastewater Project · Clear Creek Amana Community School District HMGP Notice of Interest for Safe Room City of Shueyville · Codification · Development Review · Zoning Ordinance

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SERVICES To Member Governments

J O H N S O N C O U N T Y (cont.) City of Solon · ECO - Iowa City Library Extension City of Swisher · Summer Library Reading Program City of Tiffin · Comprehensive Plan · ECO - Iowa City Library Extension · Multi Family New Construction · Summer Library Reading Programs Johnson County · Community SW Educational Programs · ECO - Iowa City Grant · FHLB/AHP Administration III · Flood Insurance Reimbursement Program · HTFJC Grant for Home Repair Administration · Loan Interest Supplemental Program · Mobile Home Grant Administration · Solid Waste E-Newsletter J O N E S C O U N T Y City of Anamosa · Summer Library Reading Program · School Recycling Presentations · Earth Day Fair

City of Monticello · 4-H Program · Assistance with Advertising Excess Equipment · Chamber of Commerce Presentation · Demolition Program · School Recycling Presentations · Summer Library Reading Program City of Olin · School SW Educational Programs · Summer Library Reading Program City of Onslow · CDBG Wastewater Project City of Oxford Junction · CDBG Housing Fund Application · CDBG Water Project Phase 2 · Code and Ordinance Inspection · Codification · SW School Assembly City of Wyoming · CDBG Administration - Housing · CDBG Wastewater Project · Summer Reading Program Jones County · Co-sponsored Jones County Green Space Field Day · ECIHTF Home Repair Grant Administration · FHLB/AHP Administration · FHLB Application · Housing Trust Fund Administration · Landfill Services Education & Promotion · Loan Interest Supplemental Program · Solid Waste Commission Job Description Assistance · Solid Waste E-Newsletter · Transfer Station Customer Survey L I N N C O U N T Y City of Alburnett · Hazard Mitigation Planning City of Bertram · Development Review · Hazard Mitigation Planning

City of Cedar Rapids · Administer Cedar Rapids Business Assistance RLF Program · Administer Czech Village New Bohemia Main Street District RLF Program · College Community CSD Hazard Mitigation Planning · Community SW Education Programs · Daycare SW Educational Programs · EDA Business Assistance - RLF · Hazard Mitigation Planning · ICWMA Watershed Planning · Landfill & Recycling Presentations to various groups · School SW Educational Programs · Summer Library Reading Program City of Center Point · Center Point Urbana CSD Hazard Mitigation Planning · Codification · Hazard Mitigation Planning · Library Garden Party Booth · School SW Education Programs · Summer Library Reading Program · Zoning Ordinance City of Central City · Hazard Mitigation Planning · Summer Library Reading Program City of Coggon · CDBG Wastewater Project · Hazard Mitigation Planning City of Ely · Hazard Mitigation Planning · Summer Library Reading Programs City of Fairfax · Hazard Mitigation Planning · Summer Library Reading Program City of Hiawatha · EDA Business Assistant RLF · Hazard Mitigation Planning · ICWMA Watershed Planning · Summer Library Reading Program

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SERVICES To Member Governments

L I N N C O U N T Y (cont.) City of Lisbon · CDBG Housing Fund Application · EDA Business Assistant RLF · Hazard Mitigation Planning · Summer Library Reading Program City of Marion · CDBG Downtown Revitalization Project · Day Camp Program · Hazard Mitigation Planning · ICWMA Watershed Planning · School SW Educational Programs · Summer Library Reading Program City of Mount Vernon · Comprehensive Plan · Hazard Mitigation Planning · Summer Library Reading Program City of Palo · CDBG Supplemental Flood Infrastructure · Hazard Mitigation Planning City of Prairieburg · Hazard Mitigation Planning City of Robins · Hazard Mitigation Planning · ICWMA Watershed Planning

City of Springville · Hazard Mitigation Planning · Summer Library Reading Program · Zoning Ordinance Review City of Walker · Hazard Mitigation Planning Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency · Administer Community Partnership Grant Program · Assist with Landfill Tours · Biomass Program Promotion · Community SW Educational Programs · Develop Educational Displays · Environmental Management Systems Assistance · Fair Booths/Presentations Linn County · FHLB/AHP Administration · FHLB Applications · Housing Fund for Linn County · Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Planning · SHTF Application Linn County · CDBG Flood Recovery · HFfLC Home Repair Grant Administration · ICWMA Watershed Planning · Loan Interest Supplemental Program · Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan · Solid Waste E-Newsletter T A M A C O U N T Y City of Chelsea · Summer Reading Program City of Dysart · Summer Library Reading Program City of Tama · Community SW Educational Programs · South Tama Elementary School Assemblies City of Toledo · Summer Library Reading Program

Tama County · Implementation of Electronic Recycling Project · Landfill Services Education & Promotion · Solid Waste E-Newsletter W A S H I N G T O N C O U N T Y City of Kalona · ECO - Iowa City Extension Programs · ECO - Iowa City Library Extension · EDA Business Assistance - RLF · FHLB Housing Rehabilitation · Summer Library Reading/Library Program · SW Education Programs City of Washington · Brownfields Assessment Grant Application City of Wellman · Brownfields Assessment Grant Application · CDBG Wastewater Project Washington County · ECIHTF Home Repair Grant Administration · FHLB/AHP Administration II · FHLB Application · Housing Trust Fund Administration R E G I O N A L Solid Waste & Environmental Services · Environmental Management Systems · Iowa Waste Exchange Administration, Services, Newsletter/Marketing, Grant Assistance · Prepare Form E for SWAP Applications · Solid Waste Comprehensive Planning · Staff Assistance to Solid Waste Commissions · Staff Solid Waste TAC · STEM Conference Presentation · SW Regional Contract Assistance - Tires, White goods, Electronics Transportation & Regional Development · Administration of Regional Transit System · Administration of State & Federal Funding Contracts

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SERVICES To Member Governments

R E G I O N A L (cont.) Transportation & Regional Development (cont.) · Annual Consolidated Transit Application · Census Data Analysis & Mapping for Various Reports & Studies · CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program Maps · City of Robins, Hills, Vinton, Palo & Alburnett Comprehensive Plan Maps · Coordinate with Metropolitan Planning Orgs · Jones County Comprehensive Plan Maps · Linn County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Maps · Prepare Annual Passenger Transportation Plan · Prepare Annual Service Agreements · Prepare Public Involvement Plan · Prepare Title VI Plan · Procure Regional Transit Equipment · Regional Trails GIS Database · Sensitive Area GIS Mapping · Serve on Iowa Commuter Transportation Study Advisory Committee · Serve on Iowa Commuter Transportation Study Project Management Team · Staff MDST

· Staff Assistance to Contracted Transit Providers · Staff CRDS Workgroup · Staff Passenger Transportation Advisory Committee · Staff Regional Trails Advisory Committee · Staff RLF Committee · Staff Transit Operators Group · Staff Transit Services Review Committee · Staff Transportation Policy Committee · Staff Transportation TAC · Transportation Improvement Program · Transportation Planning Work Program Iowa Association of Regional Councils · Staff Serves on Board of Directors · EDA Fiscal Agent · IARC Rental Inspections Iowa Recycling Association · Awards Committee · Conference Planning Workshop · Education Committee Iowa Conservation Education Coalition · Conference Planning · Staff Serves on Board of Directors General Public and Other Organizations · Cedar River Watershed Coalition · Continuum of Care · Corridor Conservation Coalition · Educational Presentations · Indian Creek Watershed Management Authority · Information Provision & Referral · IPTA - Iowa Public Transit Association · LACOAD-Linn Area Community Organizations Active in Disaster · Planning & Zoning Workshops & Training · Regional Sustainable Business Alliance · UNI Pre-Service Teacher Programs

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