HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-20-2011 Council Economic Development CommitteeAGENDA
City of Iowa City
City Council Economic Development Committee
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
8:00 a.m.
Lobby Conference Room
City Hall
1. Call to Order
2. Consider approval of the June 21, 2011 Economic Development
Committee meeting minutes
3. Consider a request to appeal a staff recommendation against providing
a CDBG Economic Development loan to Lorenz 2.0
4. Consider a recommendation for continued funding (FY 13, 14 and 15) of
the City of Literature.
5. Discuss formalizing economic development incentive framework.
6. Staff time
7. Committee time
8. Adjournment
MINUTES DRAFT
CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
JUNE 21, 2011
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM, 8:00 A.M.
Members Present: Regenia Bailey, Matt Hayek, Susan Mims
Staff Present: Wendy Ford, Steve Long, Jeff Davidson, Tom Markus
Others Present: Nancy Quellhorst, Andre Perry, Bill Thomasson, Polly Morris, Paul Burns,
Gigi Wood
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
Hayek moved to recommend approval for administrative authority for the Towncrest Design
Assistance and Facade Improvement Programs.
Mims seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
Hayek moved to recommend continued support of the Englert Theater as requested in the
proposal letter.
Mims seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
Mims moved to recommend renewal of the contract with the National Development Council
(NDC).
Hayek seconded the motion.
The motion carried 3-0.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bailey at 8:02 A.M.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 19, 2011, ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING:
Mims moved to accept the April 19, 2011, meeting minutes as presented.
Hayek seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ADMINISTRATIVE
AUTHORITY FOR TOWNCREST DESIGN ASSISTANCE AND FACADE IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAMS -
Ford addressed the Members regarding this request. She briefly explained the two programs — for
fagade renovation and pre -development design costs assistance, and noted that the City may
provide up to $25,000 in matching funds for redevelopment. These programs have been budgeted
and are similar in size to the Economic Development Assistance fund disbursements approved for
disbursement by the City Manager. The Economic Development Committee would be apprised of
any funds granted at the first meeting following any such dispersal.
Council Economic Development Committee
June 21, 2011
Page 2 of 4
Hayek moved to recommend approval for administrative authority for the Towncrest Design
Assistance and Facade Improvement Programs.
Mims seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
PRESENTATION BY ENGLERT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR RENEWAL OF FUNDING:
Ford began by welcoming several representatives present from the Englert Theater. She noted
that Members have a memo in their meeting packet regarding this issue. She reminded Members
that in December of 2008, the Committee agreed to provide funding for the Englert Theater in each
of three fiscal years: FY10, FY11 and FY12. The FY12 distribution of $50,000 in funding is
approaching July 1, 2011 and today, the Englert is presenting its report as required by that Dec.
2008 decision. The letter from the Englert also requests continuing funding for three years.
Andre Perry, Executive Director of the Englert spoke to Members next. He had the Board
Members from the Englert also introduce themselves. Perry continued, stating that their
operations and budgeting have been improving every year. He thanked the Members for their
continued support of the Englert, and asked that they consider continuing this support into the
future. Perry and the other Board Members then reviewed the Englert's financial status, show
attendance numbers, and donations. The discussion turned to a buyout of the limited partnership,
and how the Board has been working with local banks on securing a mortgage. Members asked
for some clarification on this matter. Perry reported that attendance is increasing, with close to
46,000 in 2010. For the 2011 year, attendance is projected to be around 50,000. Perry noted that
they have increased their marketing, in an attempt to bring in more patrons. They have also
brought on a couple of staff having focused on recruiting board membership from the Cedar
Rapids area in order to have closer ties and links to the Cedar Rapids market. The discussion
turned to some of the upcoming theater projects in the area, and how these may affect the Englert.
Members then briefly discussed the request, with Hayek stating that the Englert is an essential part
of Iowa City's culture landscape. He believes supporting the theater makes good economic
development sense. Bailey stated that she believes the Englert is a critical anchor to the
downtown. Mims also stated that she believes they should continue the support of the Englert.
Davidson asked that the Members clarify their support for the three years of continued support as
noted in the letter.
Hayek moved to continue financial support and recommended continued support of the
Englert Theater as requested in the proposal letter.
Mims seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION FOR RENEWING A CONTRACT WITH THE NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL:
Davidson addressed the Members next. He noted that they have developed a good relationship
with Tom Jackson during these past eleven months, and that they would like to continue this
relationship. Davidson noted a couple of the projects in the works, such as Hieronymus Square
and Riverfront Crossings. He noted that some of the contracts under negotiation on are quite
intricate and involved, and Jackson's assistance has been invaluable. Davidson continued, noting
that the NDC has agreed to maintain their current fee structure, which is $6,500 per month, of
which $500 per month is provided through their foundation. Staff is seeking a recommendation to
continue this contract with the NDC.
Council Economic Development Committee
June 21, 2011
Page 3 of 4
Mims moved to recommend renewal of the contract with the National Development Council
(NDC).
Hayek seconded the motion.
The motion carried 3-0.
UPDATE ON CDBG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:
Steve Long spoke to the Members, explaining some specific projects. July 15' will bring a new fund
balance of $182,000. Bailey asked if interest is up, and Long noted that with staff so busy the past
years on flood recovery, they just haven't had the time they used to. However, this is starting to
change. Ford noted that there is always some interest.
STAFF TIME:
Davidson spoke to Members first, noting that Towncrest's rehabilitation is starting to heat up. He
added that they do have a developer who is in the process of acquiring properties, and staff has
met preliminarily with the developer. Ford spoke next, noting that ICAD is almost done with the
business plan for a downtown business incubator they are naming CoLab, which would put into
action the build -out of existing downtown office space and associated co -working programming.
Davidson spoke about some of the other projects, such as continued planning in the Riverfront
Crossings area. Plans are also well underwayfor the multi -use parking facility at the corner of
Court and Linn Streets according to Davidson. Ford spoke about the research being conducted by
John Millar and what they expect from his market study due in September. Ford also noted that
she has been receiving many calls regarding the Riverfront Crossings area and downtown. The
SSMID (self-supporting municipal improvement district) petition has now been developed, and the
DTA committee working on it has begun soliciting signatures. Davidson added that the Vito
redevelopment project has begun. Lastly, Davidson reported that staff and the City Manager are
examining the development and economic development processes to find ways to improve. , as
one of the directions given to the City Manager was to look at the development process, they have
now begun to do this.
COMMITTEE TIME:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mims moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 A.M.
Hayek seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
Council Economic Development Committee
June 21, 2011
Page 4 of 4
Council Economic Development Committee
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2011
TERM
N
A
NAME
EXP.
N
Regenia
01/02/11
X
X
X
Bailey
Matt
01/02/11
O
X
X
Hayek
/
E
Susan
01/02/11
X
X
X
Mims
Key:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
July 14, 2011
Ann Ashby
Lorenz 2.0
109 S. Linn St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Ann:
li r I
rin �
CITY OF IOWA CITY
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826
(319) 356-5000
(319) 356-5009 FAX
www. icgov. org
Thank you for your interest in the CDBG Economic Development Loan Program. Upon
reviewing the application materials and discussion of the loan with you, we are unable to
recommend loan approval. Staff appreciates your dedication to the business and how quickly
you relocated the store to open the business again, but have the following concerns:
There is no agreed upon repayment plan on the January 2011 judgment against you.
Your assets, including any inventory that the CDBG loan might assist with, may be
subject to recapture/seizure in satisfaction of this judgment. At minimum, your ability to
secure terms from suppliers for trade credit will continue to be adversely affected by this
unresolved matter.
2. The cash flow projections presented are much more optimistic than the actual cash flows
from 2010 up to the time the business closed on Clinton Street. Given that a sound basis
for your positive assumptions has not been provided, sufficient cash flow may not be
present to repay the requested CDBG loan per the City's terms.
It is staff's recommendation not to fund the requested loan. You have the right to request that
the City Council Economic Development Committee review your request. Staff would provide a
recommendation, but the final decision would be up to City Council, based on a favorable
response by the City Council Economic Development Committee. Staff concerns about prior
debt would be discussed at this meeting. Please let us know how you wish to proceed.
Sincerely,
: �0
Tracy Hightshoe
Community Development Planner
CITY OF I O W A CITY
MEMORANDUM
To: City Council Economic Development Committee
From: Wendy Ford, Economic Development Coordinator
Date: September 16, 2011
Re: City of Literature USA Funding request
The UNESCO City of Literature (Col-) has submitted a request for continued funding of
$50,000 per year for the next three years, FY 13, 14, and 15. Upon designation by
UNESCO, the City granted $50,000 for each of three fiscal years, FY 10, 11 and 12.
The CoL now employs 1.5 FTEs and has an annual budget (FY 12) of just over
$216,000.
The strategic plan focuses on the production and programming of four annual events
designed to further the CoL mission, increase creative tourism and raise money. In
addition to the events, there are several other non -event -based initiatives which are also
designed to build awareness and fundraising capacity. The enclosed report details
benchmarks of progress and goals for each of the key events and programming
initiatives going forward.
Funding for the CoL for FY 10, 11 and 12 came out of the Economic Development
Division budget. It is staff's recommendation that funding for the City of Literature be
considered in the FY 13 Economic Development Division budget and continue to have a
"budget placeholder" for consideration in FY 14 and 15.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. CoL staff will attend your meeting, as
well.
Date: September 12, 2011
TO: City Council Economic Development Committee
From: Jeanette Pilak, Executive Director
RE: Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature Update & Funding Renewal Request
The University of Iowa and the City of Iowa City, as the two key entities involved
in the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature (CoL) designation are being asked to
continue their lead position of providing $50,000 annual support for the
operation of the non-profit for the next three years (FY13, FY14, FY15) with a
scheduled review each year.
The University of Iowa is committed to the continued funding for the same
period of time (FY13-FY15). The Cities of North Liberty and Coralville committed
to three year funding starting in FY11 and FY12 respectively. Johnson County,
the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Iowa City Coralville
Convention and visitor program continue their monetary support.
OUR VISION: To establish America's City of Literature as a place that invites
citizens —both locally and globally —to discover and share our vibrant literary
culture.
OUR MISSION: To celebrate and support literature on a local, regional, national
and international level, connecting readers and writers through the power of story.
OUR GOALS:
• Support and create best practices literary programming
• Engage youth and families in ways that promote reading and writing
• Build constituencies and make connections that further the mission
• Improve awareness and recognition of the City of Literature USA
locally, nationally, and internationally
CoL ended FY11 with a $5,120.00 budget surplus. The Board of Directors
adopted the FY12 annual budget: $216,891 income and $216,604 expenses .
The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization promotes reading to all
citizens from all walks of life, supports writers and literary education from K-12 to
life-long learning, develops opportunities for public engagement in literary
activities as exemplified by "A Day in the City of Literature" in conjunction with
the annual Iowa City Book Festival and BookMarks—Book Art in Johnson County
project.
President
Christopher Merrill
University of Iowa International Writing Program
Vice President
Susan Craig
Iowa City Public Library
Treasurer
Rod Sullivan
Johnson County Board of Supervisors
Secretary
Joshua Schamberger
Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Board
Regenia Bailey — City of Iowa City
Carolyn Brown — Iowa Language and Literacy Institute
Hugh Ferrer— University of Iowa International
Writing Program
Tom Gelman — Phelan, Tucker, Mullen,Walker,Tucker, &
Gelman,L.L.P
Jim Harris — Founder of Prairie Lights Bookstore
Kelly Hayworth — City of Coralville
Dale Helling — City of Iowa City
Chris Hoffman — City of North Liberty
Nate Kaeding — San Diego Chargers
Samantha Kaeding — K-12 Education
John Kenyon — Corridor Business Journal
Sally Mason — University of Iowa
Claudia McGehee — Author and Illustrator
Rebecca Neades - Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce
Christopher Rossi — Humanities Iowa
Tim Terry —Terry, Lockridge & Dunn, LLC /
World Trend Financial, LLC
Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature
123 S. Linn Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319-356-5245
info@cityofliteratureusa.org
www.cityofliteratureusa.org
In July 2009, the Iowa City Council approved the appointment of three City officials to the Board of
Directors of the CoL (appointments to the Board of Directors are defined as the Mayor, City Manager
and Library Director or their designees ). Currently, Susan Craig serves as President of the Executive
Committee of the Board, Regenia Bailey has served on the Board since 2009, and Wendy Ford, director
of Economic Development, joined the board in May of 2011 as the third representative from Iowa City.
The University of Iowa appoints three directors, and Coralville, North Liberty and Johnson County one
each. The presidents of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Iowa City/Coralville Area
Convention and Visitor Bureau are ex-officio directors. In addition, there are up to ten at -large
directors. The Executive Committee meets monthly and the full Board meets ten times per year.
Since the last report to the City of Iowa City Council, the CoL hired its first executive director in April
2010 and received its non profit status in May 2010. The staff and Board developed the strategic plan to
establish four annual signature events as vehicles to further the organization's mission, increase creative
tourism and simultaneously propel funding raising initiatives:
January Children's Literature Festival (January 13-15, 2012)
April 23 UNESCO World Book & Copyright Day
July 13-15 Iowa City Book Festival, A Day in the City of Literature
October 12 Paul Engle Memorial Day — Paul Engle Award
The CoL creative tourism activities elevate the area's literary culture as a destination attraction. CoL
offers Literary Bus Tours for conferences and tour groups (League of Cities, Iowa Library Association,
Marshalltown Library). Groups tour our literary community, eat lunch downtown and shop in our
independent book stores and shops.
PROGRAMS
CITY OF LITERATURE CHILDREN'S LITERATURE FESTIVAL —JANUARY 13-15, 2012
Board, volunteers and staff are planning the first annual Children's Literature Festival in Iowa City.
Designed to inspire and celebrate Iowa's authors and illustrators of children's literature and to engage
families and readers of all ages, this Festival will have four components:
A "community reads" activity centered on a great work of children's literature. Sharing
Edinburgh City of Literature's example, we will take one work and making it accessible to all
ages by creating (a) a 15 minute play for young children, (b) a graphic novel for older youth
readers, and (c) activities and discussions for families and adult readers.
• Friday Evening: An opening night fundraising gala featuring a nationally recognized children's
author. For the future, the committee is working on a vision of a significant "Iowa" endowed
award that is given to an author or illustrator at this event.
Saturday: an author and illustrator Book Expo. In addition to author, illustrator and book
exhibits, the day's activities are designed to engage children and parents to promote literature
and literacy: costumed characters, book arts activities, workshops on how to read to very young
children or how to select graphic novels for teen readers.
• Sunday: "Reading on the Rails" would incorporate the local railroad train when we produce
storytelling for children and families on the Crandic Rail Line.
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE FESTIVAL GOING FORWARD: Board and staff are working with a
corridor employer to provide volunteer employees for the three-day event. Board members
are working with a national foundation to sponsor and help launch this first annual festival.
APRIL 23 — UNESCO WORLD BOOK & COPYRIGHT DAY
This is another annual event that engages local businesses and libraries to participate in creative ways,
either by providing discounts or free items related to the celebration.
United States Poet Laureate (1997-2000) Translator, essayist, and teacher Robert Pinsky gave a free,
public reading of his work at the Old Capitol Museum. Attendees were from the corridor and Cedar
Rapids.
WORLD BOOK DAY Partners
Year Over All Attendance Hosting Activities in their stores
2010 n/a 6
2011 175 Robert Pinsky Reading 22
45 Aliki Barnstone Reading
37 Copyright Panel Discussion
WORLD BOOK DAY GOING FORWARD: Board and volunteer committee is targeting a
speaker who will attract the business community from the corridor for a luncheon
(fund raiser) with additional workshops and private receptions planned.
In 2012, marketing packages will target those visitors attending the Olympic Wrestling
Trials to stay longer and to come back to visit the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature's
annual events.
IOWA CITY BOOK FESTIVAL JULY 15-17, 2011
The third annual University of Iowa Libraries' Iowa City Book Festival continued to grow, bringing
audiences and press coverage from around the region.
In 2011, overall Book Festival attendance increased by 15% in this third year. Press coverage included:
Omaha World Herald, Des Moines Register, KGAN-TV News, the Daily Iowan, and the Iowa City Press
Citizen.
Book Festival Day in the City of Lit Partners
Year Over All Attendance Hosting Activities in their stores
2009 500 not applicable
2010 2,500 24 business partners
2011 3,100 53 business partners
BOOK FESTIVAL GOING FORWARD: The Festival developed a database of 10,000 UI Alum
who are interested in or have attended the annual Book Festival. An integrated marketing
campaign begins in late fall of 2010 to encourage the alumni to plan to attend, and to
invite family and friends to come to Iowa City for the festival.
PAUL ENGLE DAY, OCTOBER 12
Paul Engle (October 12, 1908 - March 22, 1991) was a noted American poet, editor, teacher, literary
critic, novelist, and playwright. He is perhaps best remembered as the long-time director of the Iowa
Writers' Workshop and as co-founder of the International Writing Program (IWP), both at the University
of Iowa. At the turn of the millennium, Engle was selected as Iowa's poet of the century, and Iowa
Governor Tom Vilsack proclaimed October 12 "Paul Engle Day" in Iowa.
Core elements of the Paul Engle Day Celebration
• CoL Board and volunteers created "Paul Engle Writing Prompt" a study unit for grades 9-12 that
introduces the life of Paul Engle to the students, and then focuses on creative writing
emphasizing the importance of writing skills (content, organization, development and style)
and which addresses important issues of the day (purpose, audience, tone).
In year one, 150 English and Language Arts educators at high schools in the Easter Iowa Corridor
received the study unit along with an invitation to have their students participate in the Writing
Prompt Project culminating in an essay contest. The winner of the essay contest will receive a
$500 scholarship and will read their easy at Prairie Lights.
• An award will be given at a ceremony at the Englert Theatre on October 12. This award honors
an individual who, like Paul Engle, represents a pioneering spirit in the world of literature
through writing, editing, publishing, or teaching, and whose active participation in the larger
issues of the day has contributed to the betterment of the world through the literary arts.
PAUL ENGLE DAY GOING FORWARD:
In years two and onward, we envision the Paul Engle Writing Prompt Project to be
distributed to high schools state-wide .
Board members are working to endow the annual award given on Paul Engle Day to
create a significant, nationally recognized literary award here in Iowa.
HAWKEYE READERS PROGRAM
This program partners with the University of Iowa football program to bring more than 30 student
athlete volunteer reading tutors to Iowa City Community School District's (ICCSD) Grant Wood and Mark
Twain elementary schools. In addition to reading one-on-one with the children (grades 2-5), these
student athletes serve as role models on the importance of reading throughout their academic and
athletic career.
HAWKEYE READERS GOING FORWARD: CoL Board member Nate Kaeding is
spearheading an expansion of this program to recruit four additional athletic
programs (men's/women's basketball, track, and wrestling) to ensure year-round
student athlete are reading tutors in many of the Iowa City elementary schools
BOOKMARKS -BOOK ART IN JOHNSON COUNTY JUNE —OCTOBER 2011
The creative tourism project, BookMarks, launched in December, 2010 and is also a means for
fundraising for the City of Literature and three public libraries: Coralville, Iowa City and North Liberty.
The call for artists brought in more than 60 designs by 40 different artists statewide. Twenty-eight
statues sponsored by area businesses raised $70,000 gross in sponsorships. The statues are on display
through October, 2011. The auction will be on November 10'h
BOOKMARKS GOING FORWARD: In November, the statues will be auctioned and the
proceeds of the auction will be divided: 50% to the City of Literature and the remaining
50% divided among the three libraries.
Committee members are working to identify donors who will buy the statues at
auction and donate them to the 15 ICCSD schools who stand ready to give these
statues permanent homes in our communities.
ON THE FLY: WRITERS ON WRITING
Through a partnership with Iowa Humanities, COL produced more than 30 "On the Fly: writers on
writing" videotaped interviews of local and nationally known writers, poets and authors.
The City of Literature YouTube Channel has had more than 7,172 views with people watching from the
USA, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Guatemala, France, Canada, Turkey, Finland, Saint Lucia, Australia,
Germany, India, South Korea, Brazil, El Salvador and the Netherlands.
ON THE FLY GOING FORWARD: Iowans of all ages who are writers and authors are being
interviewed for the series.
INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIP
Attending to our mission of improving awareness on a local, national and international level, we
collaborate with our international Sister Cities of Literature (Edinburgh, Melbourne, Dublin and
Reykjavik) to produce a quarterly e-newsletter distributed to international media.
COL Executive Director Pilak was a guest of UNESCO Korea to attend the Second Forum on Creative
Cities in Icheon, South Korea — one of four creative cities invited to present best practices. Professor
John Winet represented Iowa City at the Creative Cities Network annual meeting in Shenzen, China in
December, 2010 sharing a workshop on the 'City of Lit' iphone application.
November 2011 the annual UNESCO Creative Cities Conference in Seoul, Korea, will feature exhibits of
all 29 Cities of Literature. In this exhibit, Iowa City's kiosk features images of Iowa City's many literary
assets, copies of Iowa author's Pulitzer -Prize winning books and publications and videos including On the
Fly and the International Writing Program. This exhibit will be open from November through
December 2011 in Seoul, Korea.
THE YEAR AHEAD
Building upon the foundational work completed this year, the Board's focus is on regional brand
building, fundraising and recruiting community volunteer participation. Having established events and
programs the Board of the City of Literature now turns its full energy to fundraising locally and
nationally, targeting individuals, businesses and foundations as well as the National Endowment for the
Humanities and National Endowment for the Arts. Strategies to develop national partnerships with the
Library of Congress further both the mission and our brand awareness and provide opportunities for
funding on all levels.
Iowa City is beginning to see tangible rewards from the UNESCO designation. As the signature events
grow as destination attractions and local literary culture becomes better known, Iowa City's reputation
and significance are enhanced.
IOWA CITY
UNESCO
CITY OF
LITERATURE
City of Literature USA
Activity Report July 2010 - June 2011
Vision
To establish America's City of Literature as a place that invites citizens --both locally and
globally --to discover and share our vibrant literary culture.
Mission
To celebrate and support literature on a local, regional, national, and international level,
connecting readers and writers through the power of story.
Iowa City, Iowa became the third City of Literature in the world and the first in the
United States. This permanent, non-competitive designation shines an international
spotlight on Iowa City as a world center for literature and literary culture.
Third in the World, First in the USA
Population
Edinburgh, Scotland, 2004
448,624
Melbourne, Australia 2008
3,600,000
Iowa City, Iowa, 2008
67,000
Dublin, Ireland, 2010
1,1871176
Reyjakvic, Iceland, 2011
200,852
UNESCO established the Creative Cities Network in 2004 to support social, economic
and cultural development. The cities that join the network promote their local creative
scene, share their experience with a wider audience, and create new opportunities,
especially in collaboration with other member cities, to drive joint development results
for creative industries. The development of partnerships between the public and private
sectors is a key feature of the network.
A Civic, Academic and Community Effort
Iowa City and the University of Iowa together with the City of Coralville, the city of North
Liberty, the Iowa City Public Library, Johnson County Board of Supervisors, the Iowa City Area
Chamber of Commerce, and the Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau invested in
the non profit 501(3c) Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature. They pledged operational support
each year for three years.
Our Goals
Support and create best practices literary programming.
Engage youth and families in ways that promote reading and writing.
Build constituencies and make connections that further the mission.
Improve awareness and recognition of the City of Literature USA locally, nationally and
internationally.
April 23, Annually UNESCO World Book & Copy Right Day
April 23, UNESCO World Book & Copyright Day
CoL collaborates with local retailers and bookshops to
promote this event. Bookstores give away a rose with
the purchase of every book. Florists recognize they
have a connection to the City of Literature.
United States Poet Laureate (1997-2000),
translator, essayist, and teacher, Robert Pinsky
gave a free, public reading of his works in 2011.
Hawkeye Readers Project
CoL collaborates with ICCSD, the school board,
University of Iowa Football Program, Grant Wood and
Mark Twain elementary schools to bring more than 30
volunteer student athletes to read one-on-one with
children. Student athletes deliver the message of the
importance of reading throughout ones academic and
athletic career.
"Iowa City Book Festival quadruples its
attendance" -Iowa City Press Citizen July20, 2010
The Iowa City Book Festival continues to grow,
attraction more and more visitors, partners, and
sponsors. More than 52 local businesses and
organizations program authors and book art events
for the "Day in the City of Literature" to standing -
room -only audiences.
Persons attending the festival came from seven
different states and planned their visit to Iowa City
to coincide with the Book Festival.
0 W A
GREAT
PLACES
City of Literature organized the submission of two grants
applications to Iowa Great Places which garnered awards of
$70,000 and $8,000 respectively.
Literary Walk Expansion: Expands public art on the Iowa City
Literary Walk to the Northside Market. This project connects the
northside neighborhood to Iowa City's downtown Literary Walk
and tells the story of the City of Literature. Award: $70,000
Coralville/North Liberty Improvements to the historic
Ranshaw House improvements to serve as a History and Visitors
Center. The center will tell the story of the Iowa farmer and will
be a featured attraction for the City of Literature. Award: $8,000
10
IOWA AUTHOR FAIR 2010
6:30-8:30 P.M. OCTOBER 13 CORALVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
"The Write Stuff" Iowa Author Fair 2010
COL partnered with the Iowa Center for the Book,
Iowa Library Association, Coralville Public Library,
and the Iowa City Public Library.
58 Authors and Poets
More than 750 people attended
More than 320 books sold in 2 hours
JOIN US FOR A PUBUc
READING OF
pNNA KARE"'"
,t
E
BM'M�es
4iGNM 5`0ESA"� �. y
Hot Tin Roof
Celebration of Russian Literature & Language
150th anniversary of Chekhov's birth, the 100th
anniversary of Tolstoy's death, and the 50th year of
Russian Language Program at the University of Iowa.
The City of Literature helped to bring a continuous public
reading of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina to Iowa City's
pedestrian mall. More than 110 readers (ages 12 to 82)
read the work over 34 hours. The four -days of free events
included a staged reading of The Cherry Orchard, an
exhibition of "Tolstoy" by Mauricio Lasansky;
commemorative readings dedicated to Tolstoy and
Chekhov and movie screenings of War & Peace and Anna
Karenina.
Collaboration with City of
Literature, Little Village
Magazine, the Englert
Theatre and Mark Ginsberg,
Ginsberg Objects of Art.
A program to showcase
current literary work
produced in Iowa.
Each month a selected
piece of creative writing
wins $100 for the
author.
Humanities Iowa
National Endowment for the Humanities
and the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature present
"On the Fly — Writers on Writing "
Including playwrights,
authors and poets:
Jennifer Fawcett, Robin Hemley,
Antonya Nelson, Eduardo Halfon,
Horacio Consetllanos Maya,
Margaret Hawkins, Mona Simpson,
James Tate, Marvin, Matt Hart &
Nate Pritts, Jane Smiley, Tom Grimes,
Jackie Leyden, David Shields, Mary
Morris, Alison Bechdel, Bob
Shocochis, Leila Philip, Edward P.
Jones, Bruce Hopkins, Mary Swander
and Bruce Dybek.
Bo Caldwell, author
"The Distant Land of My Father
On the Fly is featured
on Humanies Iowa
and the City of
Literature web site.
A 61 " flat screen tv
display is at Eastern
Iowa Regional
Airport continuously
airing the more than
25 episodes of "On
the Fly".
Edinburgh, Melbourne & Dublin
Sister Cities of Literature
Mary Swander
Iowa's Poet Laureate
• Iowa City has welcomed literary
figures from Dublin for more than 40
years-- Eavan Boland, John Banville
and Sebastian Barry, among others.
• Equally as important is providing
authentic intercultural experiences in
Dublin to University of Iowa
undergraduate students through the
Irish Writing Program.
• Fall 2010 we welcomed Seamus
Cashman and Joan McBreen to Iowa
City for readings. Mary Swander
read her works in Dublin in May
2011.
City of Lit" Whone app hit the iTunes store in September 2010The next
iterations of the app (2011) will include use on all smart devices and 'citizen
scholarship' where users are able to upload information to the app.
Melbourne, Australia & Iowa City
2012 Collaborations
MELBOURNE
-. WRITERS 2011
FESTIVAL r
University of Iowa
Robin Hemley, Director BEDELL NONFICTIONOW
Ji Nonfiction Writing Pmgam
Bedell Nonfiction Now Conference CONFERENCE
A public art project in Johnson County that celebrates reading, writing and
being a citizen of the City of Literature USA
www.bookmarksiowa.org
In November 2012, the
University of Iowa's Bedell
NonfictioNow Conference
will be held in Melbourne,
Australia, including writers
from the Pacific Rim, USA and
Europe. Half of the funding is
already in place to cover the
expenses of UI Graduate
students to attend.
Co -sponsored by the Royal
Melbourne Institute of
Technology.
Twenty eight life-sized (5' tall x 7' wide) Book Statues placed throughout Johnson
County promoting reading, writing, literature and art. Tour our stories, chapter by
chapter June — October 2011. More than $70,000 was raised in sponsorship prior to
the November 2011 Auction of the statues. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the
UNESCO City of Literature and the three public libraries (Coralville, Iowa City, North
Liberty).
r
-0-= -4 CITY OF 14WA CITY
�-.�::MEMORANDUM
Date: September 16, 2011
To: Economic Development Committee
From: Jeff Davidson, Director of Planning and Community Development
Re: Agenda Item 5: Discuss formalizing economic development incentives framework
At the October EDC meeting we would like to engage the Committee in a discussion of
formalizing our economic development financial incentive procedures. The formalization can
range from giving more specific guidance to applicants, to hard-and-fast policies which establish
when incentives will and will not be provided.
A staff committee made up of representatives of the City Manager's Office, the Planning
Department, the Finance Department, the City Attorney's Office, the Public Works Department,
and the Housing Inspection Services Department have been working on preparing a
recommended course of action. We look forward to the discussion in October and welcome any
guidance you would like to provide ahead of time.
cc: Tom Markus
Wendy Ford
ppddi r/mem/ecodev5. doc