HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-07-10 Proclamation
City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Steve Atkins will be leaving employment with the City ofIowa City on July 31,2007, after serving faithfully
for over 21 years as City Manager; and
WHEREAS, under Steve's tenure the City continuously maintained a AAA bond rating and received the Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report Award for 20 consecutive years; and
WHEREAS, under Steve's tenure the Iowa City Fire Department initiated a 10 year Strategic Plan and funded fire apparatus
and personal firefighting equipment to keep pace with national standards and technology, and
WHEREAS, under Steve's tenure the City opened two parking facilities, Chauncey Swan and Clock Tower. Clock
Tower was the City's first Joint public/private construction project providing parking and commercial spaces and
both facilities received awards from the International Parking Institute for their innovative designs; and oversaw the
construction Iowa City's first multi-modal facility, the Court Street Transportation Center which includes inter and
intra bus terminal, daycare, restaurant, office space and bicycle and vehicle parking; and
WHEREAS, under Steve's tenure the Senior Center was the first center in the State to receIve national accreditation
through the National Institute of Senior Centers, and the Center constructed a skywalk linking the Clock Tower parking
facility, installed a fire sprinkler system and HVAC upgrade: and
WHEREAS, under Steve's tenure the parkland inventory has more than doubled, the trail mileage has more than tripled,
developments include the Kickers Soccer Park, Mercer Park Aquatic Center, Scanlon Gym, Riverside Festival Stage,
Grant Wood Gym, Peninsula Park, Waterworks Prairie Park, Sand Lake recreational area, and Iowa City's first municipal
golf course (albeit disc golf); and
WHEREAS, under Steve's tenure the City constructed a new water plant and wastewater plant, started a free downtown
shuttle, and oversaw the busiest public library in the state as it underwent an $18.4 million, two and a half year addition
and expansion project; and
WHEREAS, under Steve's tenure Iowa City has been recognized by a number of publications such as being named "#25
Healthy City" by Organic Magazine, "#3 Best Place to Retire" by Money Magazine, "#13 Best Small Metro Area to do
Business" by forbes, "# II Nationally, Place to Expand Business" and "# 3 in Livability" by Expansion Management
Magazine, "#8 Best Place to Raise a Family" from a book "50 fabulous Places to Raise Your Family", "#5 Best Small
Metro Area for Business/Careers" by Sperling's Best Places to Live, and soon to be named "Best Midwest Town" by
Outside Magazine in August; and
WHEREAS, under Steve's tenure Iowa City became a trendsetter in the state and US for our adopted Neighborhood
Traffic Calming Program, our public art program is considered a model for other areas, and our neighborhood services
program fosters better relations between City Government and the residents of the City, and is being copied across the
state; and
WHEREAS, under Steve's tenure he helped rebuild downtown through a collaborative downtown strategy and capital
improvements program including a renewed pedestnan mall, preservation of the Englert Theater, enabled sidewalk
cafes and promoted downtown festivals; he expanded and improved housing programs with the owner occupied
housing rehabilitation program, tenant to owner program, targeted area rehab program, and affordable dream home
program; and
WHEREAS, under Steve's tenure he has sought and listened to the advice of the City Attorney and her staff with appreciation,
respect, and good humor; and has allowed City divisions and departments to administer City requirements, regulations,
and policies without micro-managing; and
WHEREAS, under Steve's tenure the City experienced and recovered from the 1991 wind storm, the 1993 flood, the 1998
straight line winds, and the 2006 tornado; and
WHEREAS, Steve Atkins is viewed as a professional's professional, a classy guy, and a great dresser.
Now, therefore, L Ross Wilburn, do hereby proclaim Friday, July 27, 2007 as
STEVE ATKINS DAY
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa
this 10th ofJuly, 2007
n that day to congratulate Steve
in Iowa City and encourage people to attend a public reception at City Hall !Tom 2:0
and say thank you.
Mayor