HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-30 TranscriptionJune 30, 2008 Special City Council Work Session Page 1
June 30, 2008 Special City Council Work Session 6:30 P.M.
Council Present: Bailey, Champion, Correia, Hayek, O'Donnell, Wilburn
Council Absent: Wright
Staff: Karr, Helling, Dilkes, Lombardo, Fosse, Davidson, O'Malley, Boothroy
Chronolo~y of the Flood:
Bailey/ Okay, why don't we go ahead and get started. Thank you all for being here.
We're not used to having so many people at our work sessions. We'll conduct
this as a normal work session and won't be accepting public comment, though we
welcome, um, having you here to hear what's going on, and thank you for being
here. So, the first item on our work session is the chronology of the flood. Rick?
Fosse/ Thank you, uh, what you have in front of you is...is a draft of the chronology of
the flood event, tracking from June 3rd when we first got our initial call from the
Corps of Engineers, uh, through the 27th of this month, and just a very brief
overview, you can...you can read this in as much detail as you like, but uh, as I
said, our initial contact from the Corps of Engineers was on June 3rd, and it was
shortly after that that it became evident that we might be facing an event of the
magnitude of what we saw in 93, and uh, but by the following Wednesday, on
June 1 lth, what really began to become evident is...is the event that we're facing
is something significantly larger than what we saw in 93, and it became a matter
of trying to anticipate, uh, what those impacts might be to us that were beyond
what we saw at that time, and our water and waste water treatment facilities did a
good job of anticipating what those effects would be, uh, falling back and
protecting those critical components of our infrastructure, and... and keeping both
of those, uh, units in service -both our water supply and our waste water
treatment, and we feel very good about what was accomplished there. Uh, the
partnering between our staff and the volunteers that assisted them. The...the
flood peaked in the early hours of Sunday, June 15th, at a flow of about 42,500 cfs
here in Iowa City, compared with 28,200 that we experienced in 1993. The
estimated flow of a 500-year event is 44,000 cfs, so it's just shy of that. On the
back page of the chronology, uh, is the, a few "by the numbers" for you, and
we've got the peak flow there. It peaked about 9.5 feet above flood stage.
That's...that's significant. Uh, the total number of calls that our call center
handled was 8,656 calls, and also they provided a lot of information out there to
people who needed it. Um, sandbags, we distributed about one and a quarter
million sandbags. There was a lot...lot out there. Um, so that's...that's the depth
I'll go into it at this point, unless you all have questions that I can specifically
address. Otherwise you can read this at your leisure and call me with other
questions that you have.
Bailey/ Questions for Rick? (several talking away from mic) Are there questions for
Rick from the Council?
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Hayek/ I don't have any questions for Rick.
Bailey/ Okay. Thanks, Rick.
Fosse/ Would you like me to move on and talk about the call center a little bit?
Bailey/ Yes, please.
General Update on City Activities:
Call Center:
Fosse/ Okay. Uh, you have another handout, uh, outlining the call center. The call center
was opened on June 6th, and um, on June 7th we went to 24-hour operation and
remained the 24-hour operation until June 16th, in which they began to back down
to regular business hours. Uh, as I said earlier, we took a total number of calls of
8,656, and what we're...what we have completed now is...is a transition to the
United Way assisting with the call center, and what they're doing is working to
partner volunteers with people who need them out there, and over the weekend
there were 66 requests, and they made 59 matches with volunteer organizations.
Um, this afternoon the Untied Way met with Iowa City, Coralville, Johnson
County, and the University, as well as the Consultation of Religious
Communities, Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, uh, the Southern Baptist Relief
Center, and FEMA to discuss how to coordinate all of those efforts, and they're
taking that on at this point. So, any questions on the call centers?
Bailey/ Questions about the transition to the United Way call center? I know that that
was something that there were questions about before. We feel like that transition
is moving smoothly, and um, have we provided them any support as...
Fosse/ Yes we have. Carol Sweeting's been working with them, and we're continuing to
answer our call center number, uh, to...to answer questions about debris removal,
other City-related business, and then the United Way is really focusing on
matching up, uh, volunteer needs with private parties that need that assistance.
Bailey/ And our call center is open business hours now, right?
Fosse/ Yes it is.
Bailey/ Okay.
Wilburn/ That's almost the number of crisis calls that came in on the crisis line at the
Crisis Center, in a year. (several talking) That doesn't count the Food Bank, but
at the Crisis Center.
Bailey/ That's incredible! Carol did a really great job with that call center.
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Fosse/ She did!
Bailey/ She should be very, very proud.
Fosse/ She and Kim Johnson, or Kim Sandberg, work very well together there.
Bailey/ Yeah, and...um, I heard a lot of positive things about our call center.
Champion/ Can you...
Bailey/ Go ahead.
Champion/ ...tell us a little bit about debris removal, and what's going on there?
Fosse/ Yes. Uh, the debris removal is proceeding differently than we saw after the
tornado two years ago, in that we're being, uh, more...more selective about how
we go about it. After the tornado, we tried to split things into two piles. One is
stuff that needed to go in the landfill, and the other's just tree debris. LTh, this
time we're going with afour-pile system. iJh, we've go the...just the regular yard
waste type debris, uh, the garbage type things. That is, you know, couches all that
sort of thing, and then we have household hazardous waste, and then the white
goods, and included with the household hazardous waste are things like lawn
mowers, uh, snow blowers and that sort of thing, and...and the white goods and
household hazardous waste are being processed the EPA who are in town, and
they're using our Public Works site at 1200 S. Riverside Drive, and they've got a
very impressive operation set up down there, and...and if you haven't seen it yet,
it'd be interesting for you to go down and get a view of what's being diverted
from going into the landfill. They're doing a very good job of separating that out,
and...and the key to making that work is to get people started from the get-go, uh,
using that four-pile system, and that's why there were both Housing staff and
Solid Waste staff in the neighborhoods when people started to return, uh, to help
guide them in...in getting started in the right way there. And we've had a really
good help from people doing that.
Champion/ What about all the junk that's probably at the bottom of the river? Do we
deal with that at all, or...who deals with that?
Fosse/ I expect we'll be doing cleanups along the river, and the, uh, the EPA is picking
up what they call "orphaned containers." That's just barrels and other things that
come down the river and collect along the edge, and they're processing those
along with the household hazardous waste.
Correia/ So how often are City crews going through, like the Normandy...I know they
started tearing stuff out in the Normandy area. How often are they going through
to pick up that?
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Fosse/ It's pretty much a continuous process. We're working in there continually, uh,
last week we had 21 trucks running. Uh, I don't know if we still have 21 going
today. I didn't have a chance to check, but it was really...it was quite congested
down there, but a lot of debris was getting trucked out of there.
Correia/ And there's no extra...I mean, we're...no extra charge to residents, right?
Fosse/ No, for residents, pick up at the curb. Commercial customers need to take their
stuff to the landfill, uh, they'll be charged at the landfill, but they'll get a ticket
that indicates that it is flood material so that they can include that in their, uh,
request for reimbursement. One of the adjustments we had to make to our
operations is making sure that our loads were covered. You know, a lot of the
things don't blow out, but insulation and that sort of thing, uh, we were starting to
have a problem with that blowing out of the loads, and we have our trucks
covered now so that's not a problem any more.
Bailey/ So we anticipate with this approach of the four piles with the EPA involved that,
um, we'll get FEMA reimbursed on public (mumbled)
Fosse/ Yes. To the...we're doing our best to comply with FEMA's debris management
plans. They are somewhat complicated.
Bailey/ Right.
Fosse/ Uh, we're working with their staff and...and doing our best there.
Bailey/ Other questions for Rick?
Fosse/ Thank you.
Bailey/ Thank you. Thanks for all your work on this, Rick.
Fosse/ You're welcome.
Communication Protocol:
Bailey/ Communications protocol. Were you going to take this, Michael?
Lombardo/ I think this is more of, uh, something that came up, uh, in our discussions at
the last work session where Council wanted to discuss the communications of this
event, and I think it's tied to the number of meetings and all, but, uh, I don't have
a specific agenda item. I think this was, uh, Council request to discuss how we
communicate on flood-related issues.
Bailey/ Comments?
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Hayek/ I guess I'm not really clear on this bullet item either, um...at the bottom of the
agenda we've got future meeting schedule items and maybe that's the appropriate
time to talk about continuing the (several talking)
Bailey/ I think so, and... and I think under those future meeting schedule items, um,
talking about what topics we need to hear more about probably, as we typically do
when we schedule future meetings. Okay. No more discussion, I'll ask for an
update on fireworks, which is good news, right?
Update on Fireworks:
Lombardo/ Good news. My understanding is that all of the, um, insurance riders and
everything is in place, and fireworks are a go for the 4`h of July, following Jazz
Fest.
Bailey/ And this is in partnership with the University, and I think that they're delighted to
be involved, at least that was my indication from the President this (mumbled).
Lombardo/ Right, and the location will be, um, Hubbard Park, is that.. .
Champion/ Oh, yes, right!
Lombardo: Viewing from the Pentacrest on either side.
Bailey/ This will be a nice opportunity to combine those two events.
Champion/ Are we running any kind of a shuttle for transportation for that?
Bailey/ We are typically. I...we were going to run a shuttle for Jazz Fest, so I assume
that perhaps we should look at the hours to make sure that it's appropriate.
Helling/ I can't tell you specific schedule, but we have beefed up the transit for Jazz Fest,
and I think that includes Sunday service, as well.
Bailey/ Can you let us know Thursday morning, Dale, about...if the shuttle will be
running late enough for people to take advantage of the fireworks?
Helling/ Yeah.
Bailey/ Is that...I think that will be later than the typical Jazz Fest, because it will be after
the last performance, which starts at 8:00.
Helling/ I don't know what the times are predicted for the performances, but we'll check.
Bailey/ Thank you. And we'll know on Thursday.
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Champion/ Just because there's a lot of public...at what time was that shuttle running
from right now, and where from? Do you know, Dale? (several talking)
Lombardo/ We can get you an update for Thursday's meeting, in the morning.
Champion/ Because I do think parking will be a problem with the number of people that
usually attend.
Bailey/ Right, and I extended the invitation to all of Cedar Rapids too, but that was before
I knew they were having fireworks themselves. So...okay. Thanks, and thanks
for working that out, Michael. I think this is really great that we can go ahead
with the fireworks.
Lombardo/ I think everybody involved was just tremendously, uh, flexible and really
wanting to pull something together to kind of celebrate, uh, you know, the fact
that we're a community and...and there's good things to come.
Bailey/ Okay. Formation of small business fund.
Formation of Small Business Fund (Ref. IP2):
Lombardo/ Um, I provided a memo...uh, we're getting some feedback, um, that...that
many of the small businesses that were affected by flood waters are struggling to
get their cleanup started and, um, one of the ideas that we've been kicking around
as a possibility is a small business flood assistance program. Uh, the Council has
budgeted some funding for Economic Development activities, and certainly this
could be viewed as...as one of those activities, and so our proposal is that we take
$75,000, um, to...to put into a fund, uh, we're looking to work with our area
business partners and others, uh, to help hopefully get a dollar for dollar match,
and...and grow that fund to $150,000. The, um, the approach would be to have
an application and screening process put in place. We'd have to work out the
details of that, but...but to, uh, have grants or forgivable loans up to $5,000 for
small businesses, based on the criteria, uh, to be able to get their flood
remediation efforts under way, and to help with inspections and...and the like so
that we can insure our.business community is vibrant and...are able to recover
from this event, as well.
Champion/ I think that's a really great idea.
Bailey/ Me too.
Correia/ ...small business is...number of employees?
Lombardo/ I guess...I didn't want to go into a lot of effort and detail, um, until I get some
level of feedback on...on Council's interest in pursuing this further. My
recommendation would be that we put some more flesh on the bones and...and
give you that level of detail and outline some of the criteria and all of that, and
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present it to you for further consideration, but I just wanted to, I guess, take the
temperature and make sure that we're headed in the right direction before we
invested a lot of staff time in fleshing out these details.
Bailey/ Are we good with this direction?
O'Donnell/ I think it's absolutely the right direction, Michael.
Bailey/ What do we know about the, um, I know it hasn't been signed. What do we
know about the Economic Development funds, um, that Congress is pushing
through, I think it's about a hundred million CDBG, um...
Lombardo/ We haven't received any detail on that as far as I know, but...
Bailey/ Okay, I mean, I think that that would be a pot of money we could also pursue,
um, timeline is a little bit longer. Um, but I think we should be...I think we
should be making noise about that, when that is a reality. I don't think that that's
necessarily been signed yet (mumbled).
Hayek/ That 75,000 is sitting somewhere now, is yet to be allocated. In a normal year
we'd be receiving applications (mumbled)
Lombardo/ Right, they're funds that quite frankly might have been used earlier this year,
you know, or...even over the last several months, but uh, certainly this event has
kind of, um...
Hayek/ ...they exist now.
Lombardo/ They exist now. They were budgeted specifically for Economic Development
activities, and...and are unspent to date.
Bailey/ Well, tomorrow is a new day, too, I mean year, so they are unspent. So, I think
this is a great direction. Any other questions, concerns about detail or direction
regarding this?
Hayek/ No, other than I'd like to propose that we get somebody from the Economic
Development Committee on there, and then use that as our staffing, so to speak,
and (mumbled) private interests (mumbled)
Lombardo/ That's right in line with what we were thinking.
Bailey/ And if we're the fiduciary for, um, donations, is that a tax deduction for those
who are making those contributions?
Lombardo/ I...I need to explore this more with Kevin, in terms of how we set it up. Um,
I would always encourage folks who are contemplating donating that they talk to
their tax advisors, but uh...
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Bailey/ Of course I know that but.. .
Lombardo/ ...possibilities.
Correia/ Well, I know the Community Foundation is taking dollars, and I think there
could be...for flood relief, and they're just acting as apass-through, um,
organization. I know they've given some funds that have been donated to the
Untied Way Relief Fund, which is for individuals, so I think there could be a
partnership that involved the Community Foundation for these types of donations.
Bailey/ As long as it didn't slow things down, I agree with you. Yeah. (several talking)
Champion/ I don't think it would slow things down.
Correia/ No, I think Mike's been really easy to work with, and the Community
Foundation has been wanting to help, so...
Lombardo/ Our concern...may concern is the wrong word, is...is that staffing-wise, if we
had to ask them to do the screening and...and...that they weren't prepared, so
I...we can investigate the fiduciary aspects of it, and if that makes it more fluid...
Bailey/ They have to be careful, of course, about...not, I mean, doing too much pass-
through, because they have to have some level of oversight (mumbled)
Correia/ Right, right. I mean, administrative fees and...
Bailey/ Yeah, which has been...
Wilburn/ Michael, um, I was trying to remember in your memo you talked about, um,
the, uh, business assistance, uh, you know, the agreement to start business in Iowa
City. I couldn't remember is it at that site, or just in Iowa City, or has that been
determined yet?
Lombardo/ Um, the initial concept was, uh, because they are City of Iowa City funds that
it would be for Iowa City, but there maybe opportunities...we haven't really, um,
discussed how to maybe broaden this. Um, I'm meeting with Kelly Hayworth to
discuss this, and a myriad of other issues, but, you know, I'm not really certain
what they're doing for their business community or not, but there maybe
opportunities, and that something certainly I think we can...we can discuss, but
that wasn't the nature of the funds.
Wilburn/ I wasn't looking for...but, uh, it was just the question whether it was going to
be to get started at that, at the location they had prior to, or...(several talking)
relocate in...
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Lombardo/ I guess that would be their...perhaps their prerogative. If they could be open
within a specified period of time it wouldn't necessarily have to be, um, you
know, but those are part of the criteria that we would have to...
Wilburn/ I was just curious if you'd had further conversation (mumbled)
Champion/ Even if they don't open up in that same location, they're still going to have
tremendous cleanup costs. I thought that was part of this $5,000.
Wilburn/ For cleanup, yeah.
Bailey/ It would be a good start. Any other questions or comments, direction for
Michael? I think that we're all in agreement that we want to move ahead with
this, as quickly as possible. Okay. All right, do you have what you need then,
Michael?
Lombardo/ I think so.
Bailey/ Okay. Federal lobbying efforts.
Federal Lobbying Efforts:
Lombardo/ Um, I've talked to a lot of, um, colleagues out there that have, um, used
lobbyists or have had other, um, major events happen in their cities, and just
trying to get a feel for, is it money well spent? Is it an avenue that perhaps we
should consider, in terms of...of, um, having somebody advocate on our behalf
for flood assistance, and...and um, other things funding related to this flood,
and...by and large, um, the sentiment is that...that, um, you know, we have the
capacity to work through our congressmen and through our delegation already
that....that if it's a specific project, um, a large-scale project that you have a lot of
detail and are able to, to, um, work through, then those maybe the types of things
that, uh, a lobbyist would be helpful for, but the general advocacy piece, um, a lot
of questions about how effective their efforts have been in other jurisdictions, or
whether it would be something that...that would be advantageous to us, so I guess
I'm at this present time really feeling that focusing on a federal lobbyist might not
be time and money well spent, until we get to a point if there are going to be other
broader infrastructure projects or something that we can...we can hone in on and
say, you know, we need broader assistance to make this happen, um, but until
that...that's discovered or flushed out, I don't...I don't know that it'd be a good
direction to head in.
Bailey/ Comments? I would like to see us develop some talking points, and all of us use
our connections to make sure that we can draw down as much funding as we
believe is necessary for this. Um, and so if there are particular bits of information
that you're hearing, um, that people need, I think that that would be good to
communicate that to Michael, so we have...we are all on the same page as we talk
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to our contacts, because I know we all have really strong connections to our
delegation, so...
Hayek/ Well, if we're going to have a list of talking points that's going to be given to
someone to advocate on our behalf, I think we ought to forward individual ideas
to Michael, uh, and then pick them up at a future work session and decide on
them. (mumbled)
Bailey/ Sure, I mean, this is something our state delegation, of course, is asking for, even
as they contemplate a special session. So, I think, yeah, we need to get with this
quickly.
Correia/ Well, and also it would be good to know what the different possibilities or
options are, for example this special federal HUD/EDI to know what has
happened.
Bailey/ I have some of those press releases, um, that outline the specific pots of money
that are, um, federal legislative...legislators have been advocating for so I can
provide that, if that would be helpful to you. (several talking) Um, and then I
spoke, uh, many of you have probably spoken to Senator Harkin's office -there
will be a second, hopefully a second appropriations bill, um, early in July too, and
they'll be looking for what, um, what our needs are specifically, and they'll want
to tack on additional basically funding pots for that, and I would suggest, perhaps,
the hazard mitigation or whatever is appropriate might be something that we
would want to see in that. So, probably at our next work session we should be
discussing this.
Hayek/ One...uh, circulate if you would that information, as well, uh, prior to that
meeting.
Bailey/ And Richard basically gave a rough deadline that he'd like to hear from us by the,
I think the 9th or something.
Hayek/ Ninth of July?
Bailey/ Uh-huh.
Hayek/ (mumbled)
Bailey/ Uh-huh. Staff also has a pretty good idea. Right.
Correia/ So that should be on our Thursday morning agenda, for discussion?
Bailey/ Um, could be...when's our next one?
Karr/ Not till the l Ocn
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Bailey/ Tenth...I'll double-check...
Correia/ ...how firm that date is from Richard? Could we have that as an agenda item on
July 3ra~
Karr/ What would that...what is the item?
Correia/ Discussion on.. .
Bailey/ Things that we would want to forward on to Senators about, um, funding, but
I...I'll double check with Richard about how firm that date was. I kind of felt like
it was a (several talking)
Lombardo/ We've reserved the work session on...for flood issues, so we should be able
to squeeze that in.
Bailey/ That's a formal. Well, yeah, okay. Any other comments, questions, needs, uh,
when it comes to lobbying? Okay. Let's talk about flood mitigation, the FEMA
buyout program. Jeff?
Flood Mitigation - FEMA Buyout Program (Ref. IP3):
Davidson/ Thank you, Madame Mayor, Members of Council, um, there has been a great
deal of interest in the Federal Buyout Program. Um, I'm sure all of us have heard
that. Um, I want to ahead of time apologize to all of you, and all the people in the
audience, that inevitably there are going to be questions that we do not know the
answers to yet. What I'm going to try and do this evening is walk through what
we do know, uh, Michael and I put some information together for you, the main
purpose of which is to obviously communicate what we know about the program
that is going to be available, um, and try and dispel...there's several different
versions of the truth floating around out there, in terms of some of the provisions
of the program, and so if one of the things we can do this evening is get
everybody on the same page, in terms of, uh, the way the program is going to
work, uh, I think that would be useful, but there are going to be some unanswered
questions, and...and hopefully everybody can accept that right up front. Um, we
did receive notice that the State of Iowa is going to receive FEMA funding under
the Hazard Mitigation Grant program, and that program is going to be
administered by the State Office of Homeland Security. Um, and that is the
program that the State has identified, the priority for that program being the
acquisition of flood-prone properties. And the verbiage that they use here,
buyouts permanently reduce a community's vulnerability to flooding by moving
people out of harm's way. That is what the program is supposed to do. Um, so as
I mentioned, the Federal funds will go to the State, and we do not know the
amount of funds that the State will receive. That is still kind of a moving target
right now, uh, as Mayor Bailey indicated, um, there is an Appropriation Bill that
has not been fully executed yet, uh, Congressman Loebsack indicated to us this
morning that there is likely to be a second funding bill, and so, uh, and...and once
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that money is approved, that's for five states, so we only get a piece out of it, and
the other Midwest states around us will also receive some of that funding.
Obviously to address the needs in the State of Iowa, it is going to have to be a
substantial amount of money, um, and...and when we get into some of the
provisions of how the program works, you will see why that is. iJh, one key
point, and apparently there was some erroneous information coming out of the
Governor's Office that has since been clarified. Individual property owners
cannot apply for buyout through this program. The municipality, and in this case
the City of Iowa City, will be the entity that applies on behalf of property owners
for access to the buyout program. Um, another key point the State has indicated
to us, is that the greater the risk that the property has to be inundated by a flood,
the higher priority it will be for acquisition. Now, just with that statement, you
know, we can make some generalizations and draw some conclusions, that for
example, properties that were inundated in 93, and 08, would receive higher
priority than properties that were just inundated in 08. But beyond that general
notion, we don't know just exactly how the State is going to select what
properties receive funding. It does appear that what they do is sort of rank the
vulnerability of all the properties that apply for funding, and fund as many of
them as they can, and if then additional money is made available, they start back
up where they ended off, and fund additional properties, and they'll go as far
down the list as they can when they do that. Um, sales involve only willing
sellers, and an individual I'm told is allowed up until the day of the closing to
back out at any time they want. Uh, strictly voluntary. Homeowners are never
forced to sell their properties. If we're...if we identify an area that's a high
priority for a buyout, and there's one person right in the middle that does not want
to be part of the program, that is their prerogative. Purchase prices are obviously
something that a lot of people are interested. The way the program apparently
works is that if you have had an appraisal done on your property a year prior,
within a year prior to the event, they will use 110% of the appraised value, and
some people may have had that done, if for example it was a purchase that
occurred within the previous year. If you haven't, apparently they use 125% of
the assessed value. So, if you were to decide, um, that this was something for a
particular area that you were interested in pursuing, for the City of Iowa City, we
could identify that area, go to the Assessor's web site and come up with some
ballpark figures fairly easily of what the expense of the program would be to us.
Ultimately the decision on which properties to apply for funding through the
program, that's made by us locally. The decision on what projects are funded are
made by what I assume is a combination of State Homeland Security and FEMA
people at, uh, the State level. Cost sharing -the program is a 75% Federal, 25%
"local" match. I'm told that all FEMA programs are that way, whether they're
buyout programs or not. The State has indicated that they expect to fund 10% of
the 25, well, that the local match would be split 10% State, 15% truly local, um,
my understanding is that has not been absolutely committed to yet by the State,
but that they have indicated that they expect to do that.
Bailey/ And so the Feds can't do more? According to the way the program is written.
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Davidson/ I have heard, and I think some of you may have heard, that it is possible to get
some special declaration of 100%. I have not heard anything more, other than
that's something that can possibly happen. Um.. .
Hayek/ What, by an act of Congress? By...
Davidson/ I would think Congress, or the President. Certainly at that level, Matt. Um, I
have deliberately not said anything more about that, because I don't know any
more about that, and I don't want to give anybody any false hope, but what we've
been told by the State is it will be the 75%, 10%, 15%, um, will be the ratios used
in the program.
Champion/ Can I just interrupt for a minute?
Davidson/ Sure.
Champion/ Um, Jeff, what about...it says 125 or 110% of the appraised value, or
whatever. What about people who have insurance, that would cover.. .
Davidson/ That's taken off the top.
Championl Okay.
Davidson/ Good clarification, Connie. That's all taken off the top, and the buyout can be
used for a balance that the flood insurance would not...yeah, the...my
understanding is when you talk to FEMA, that's one of the very first things they
ask you is contact your insurance agent because we...we step in after flood
insurance has paid out. Um, acquired property must revert to natural flood plain,
or be maintained as open space, forever. There will be no future disaster
payments made at sites that have been purchased. Um, in terms of timeline, it
appears that under the best of all possible circumstances, and I really don't know
exactly what those circumstances are, but under the best of all possible
circumstances, it would take a year to acquire a property, and we've all heard
stories of properties that take up to 15 years to...to acquire. Um, it's nothing
unfortunately and we all wish we could tell people that it will happen sooner than
that, because everybody's interested in getting on with their lives, but it will take
at minimum a year, uh, to...to go through the program and complete a buyout.
Um, if you are interested in pursuing the program, the steps that would be
followed is we would submit a Notice of Interest to Iowa Homeland Security, and
apparently we have to provide, and I again apologize because I don't know the
details, but apparently we have to indicate at that time some notion of the number
of properties, and the sellers that would be interested, who have... and so I suspect
one of the things we would have to do, if you indicate that you want to pursue that
Notice of Interest, is to have some...indicate to the community that they need to
express to us formally, at least a tentative interest, uh, in going through the
process, and as I said, they're really not committing to anything because they can
back out at any time. Um, Homeland Security then reviews our information to
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determine if, uh, we are eligible for the...the program. Now, one other thing
that's been floating around out there that I want to clarify, uh, as much as possible
is we will need to complete a Hazardous Mitigation Plan according to the
requirements that the State has for hazard mitigation plans. Um, no one in
Johnson County has an approved plan at this time, and there are many, many,
many communities in the state that don't have these plans either, and it's kind of a
cookbook type thing that you have to step through and complete. Um, I'm told
by, uh, regional planning group that completes these that it's not a huge deal, but
it does take a certain amount of time. What we are expecting, because so many
people are in the same boat, and the length of time it takes to go through one of
these buyout programs is that the State will...will allow us to go through the
program and make grants, contingent on that plan being completed. It is a
requirement of the program, but we aren't anticipating it's going to hold anything
up because that plan will be completed long before any buyouts are actually
made, but if anybody asks you, we do not have an approved plan. We will have
to get that plan approved, get it created and approved, before, uh, any grants are
paid out.
Correia/ But we do know that we can start any process...
Davidson/ Yes, we can absolutely start the process immediately, Amy.
Lombardo/ And I've already given instruction, uh, to...to the Planning Department to
pursue getting that plan done.
Bailey/ So we'll do it in-house?
Lombardo/ Through a combination; we're working through those details, but we're going
to get this plan done as quickly as we can.
Davidson/ And then, like I say, there are many, many communities in the same boat, and
the State has indicated they will cooperate with...with those of us that don't have
plans completed. No one in Johnson County has one completed at this time. At
the...at the Homeland...Homeland Security will then evaluate our, um, Notice of
Interest and basically inform us at some point as to whether...they will "invite" us
to complete a formal application then. So, my impression is at that point they can
say, `Listen, don't bother,' for whatever reason, or invite us to complete a formal
application. We would then complete the formal application, um, I assume at that
point all of the local match provisions would have to be...we'd basically be
committing at that point to the...to the program, and I'm sure, uh, the City
Manager wants to discuss how the local match provisions would be met, uh, with
you, if you express an interest in the program. Uh, Homeland Security then will
review our application and through their process with FEMA...I don't know how
much is Homeland Security and how much is FEMA. I'm sure FEMA has the
ultimate say. We'll determine what properties, uh, would be eligible for buyout.
They will be evaluating this, obviously, on a statewide basis, and we all know that
there's other communities in the state that will be attempting to access this
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program. We will be in competition with the rest of the state. Any questions that
I might be able to answer?
Champion/ So, Jeff, the...obvious thing would be to go for the houses that were totally
destroyed, um, like some of the houses on Normandy Drive, and Taft Speedway
has 12 that were totally destroyed, um, 100-year flood plain which would be,
that's kind of the Normandy Drive area (mumbled).
Davidson/ It does seem reasonable, Connie, to assume that a property in the 100-year
flood plain would be a higher vulnerability, higher risk than a property in the 500-
year flood plain. I think that's a generalization that's reasonable to make.
Champion/ The other thing that I have to ask, and I don't think we have the answer now,
is where do we get this money? (several talking) Do we have a printer down in
the basement? (laughter)
Lombardo/ That's a great question, and...and our ability to participate in this program is
going to be, you know, tempered by how, you know, where funds are coming
from and how much. One of the things we're working on now in addition to
identifying the number of properties that were damaged and to what effect are to,
um, understand what potential costs might be so that we have this information to
be able to work with the numbers as they come through the Federal government,
and through the State, um, and...and to begin to develop a strategy and approach
for, uh, this program or other mitigation measures. One of the...some of the other
information that we're working with also suggests that, uh, your approach has to
be cost-efficient and so it says, uh, elevation above the 100-year flood plain may
be an option, as opposed to acquisition, if the property is salvageable, and so all of
this information is coming to a confluence. We have to understand the magnitude
in terms of dollars, but then also what other mitigation type measures might be
made, and at some point when we understand what we're working with in terms
of sheer dollar volumes, and then what we can afford as a local match. We'll
have to make some decisions about how to approach buyout versus other, you
know, flood mitigation type measures.
Hayek/ Should we be hearing about other flood mitigation type measures at the same
time we're hearing about the (mumbled)
Bailey/ Well, it is a mitigation program. It's not a buyout program. Buyout is one way to
mitigate.
Lombardo/ Right. Other measures are elevating the homes, um, we have to get further
assessment in terms of, you know, the ones that were, uh, had major, or you
know, amounts of water damage -are they salvageable or not. That's...that
strikes me as a category that, um, the folks at FEMA and Small Business
Association have kind of created, uh, I don't...we don't have good information
today on whether or not that means they're beyond salvaging or not, and so those
are other pieces of information I think that we have to chase down and
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understand, you know, flood walls are...are certainly a possibility and...and
levees, those types of things, but also as you read through the materials, um,
particularly at the State web site, it suggests that major projects such as that,
public infrastructure type projects, would only be to, um, protect like water or
waste water, electricity -that type things. So, for a residential area, I think we're
going to be limited in terms of what other mitigation type measures are...are
possible. Elevating homes certainly is one, um, but we are, we continue to pour
through the material, understand what other...other types of measures can be
taken.
Davidson/ And...and do recall at the beginning of the presentation, I said that State's
indicated that under the Hazard Mitigation Grant program that they will be
administering that buyout of flood-prone properties is their first priority.
O'Donnell/ Jeff, did...did you say an ideal situation that we could look...in an ideal
situation, we're looking at one year, and you mentioned 15 years. Is that
realistic?
Davidson/ Um, yeah, and that was just an anecdotal...City of Ames had a project that the
final property was acquired after 15 years, but I think that was an individual who
had not wanted to participate for many years. It's not as though the actual
acquisition took 15 years, but to do an entire area may take that long, if there are
property owners that are not interested in being acquired.
Correia/ Jeff, can we get the information that we have in this email from Tim Hennes on
the numbers, and the extent on a map, to get a sense of where they were and I
imagine you're working on...
Davidson/ Yeah, if there's a majority of Council that's interested in proceeding, I think
one of the next steps, and the City Manager and I talked about this, Amy, would
be we would take probably both the 100-year flood plain and the 500-year flood
plain, superimpose it on a property map, and...and basically cull out two lists of
properties within the 100-year flood plain, residential properties, and the 500-year
flood plain, go to the Assessor's web site, uh, do the 125% calculation, total those
numbers up so we do know for both categories what we would be dealing with in
terms of scope of the...the project, potentially.
Bailey/ And then also put these...I mean, we could code these properties, as well, that
we...
Correia/ Right, I mean...
Bailey/ ...how they're affected, if it's minor, major, destroyed.
Davidson/ I...because we've just had an event, it's fairly clearly defined. I mean, we
know where these residences are.
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Lombardo/ On these numbers that were provided, too, I'm not, I guess we just received
this, and so I need to investigate, you know, did we keep track of by parcel level,
um, where they're located, and if not, recreating that might be...be, uh, untimely.
Correia/ But, we had...there's properties in the 100 flood year...100-year flood plain in
Thatcher and Baculis that weren't flooded this time.
Davidson/ Yeah, we haven't talked specifically about Thatcher and Baculis, but they are
in the 100-year flood plain.
Correia/ Right.
Davidson/ And remember, that's not 174...whatever the number is, individual properties.
That's basically two properties.
Correia/ I understand, but they weren't affected this time.
Davidson/ Right.
Lombardo/ They'd be included in the mix though.
Davidson/ They would be, yeah, they would be eligible, Amy, for the program.
Correia/ I understand that they would be eligible. As we're talking about, um, the...as
we're looking at the levels of current damage and prioritizing...potentially
prioritizing, based on both 1993 affected and 2008 affected. I mean, I think that
those are (mumbled)
Davidson/ Yeah, and...and I think, you know, there's probably an interpretation that
Baculis and Thatcher were impacted. I mean, they had to be, you know,
evacuated and all that, but they were not inundated because the temporary, uh,
levee that was constructed did hold. Uh, but...but you know, how that's taken
into consideration in the risk assessment -there's still a risk there to those
properties.
Correia/ Right, sure, and then, um, it says in this email that, um, they didn't go to
Napoleon, is that because that...Napoleon is outside City limits?
Davidson/ Didn't go to Napoleon...I'm sorry?
Bailey/ Napoleon Lane.
Correia/ Napoleon Lane.
Boothroy/ They were here this morning, and I assume...I didn't talk to Tim about that. I
didn't realize it until tonight, but I assume that they just didn't have time to get
down there, so, um...
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Correia/ Because I know there were affected properties.
Boothroy/ And we'll contact them about addresses. We've got addresses mapped at this
point, so if they...I assume that if they've documented this specifically with him,
that they have an address of every one of these properties, and I'll call `em
tomorrow.
Bailey/ That'd be great.
Davidson/ Any other questions?
Correia/ I just had...and just the commercial properties are also...this is not just for
residences?
Davidson/ Yes.
Champion/ But commercial properties are not...FEMA does not have any money for
them.
Davidson/ The...
Champion/ ...they can borrow, right?
Correia/ The Hazard Mitigation Plan includes buying out both residences and
commercial, or only individual residences?
Davidson/ Well, it...it appears, and again, I'm hesitant to discuss...I'm hesitant to talk
about how the State's going to evaluate these, because I'm not sure. Um, the loss
of life aspect you don't have to as great a degree with a commercial property. If
you had an apartment above a commercial property, as we do in the South Gilbert
area, quite extensively, you know, that would be taken into consideration.
Hayek/ Does that mean a commercial property is not eligible to join in? (mumbled)
Davidson/ You know, honestly, Matt, we've been pretty much just addressing residential
properties in our evaluation. I'm not...I'm not sure what the requirements would
be for a commercial property. If that's something you want us to find out more
information about, we can certainly do that.
Hayek/ I've got 20 questions on this piece of paper that I could ask, and I imagine each of
you has 20 questions on your list as well. I don't know what the appropriate way
to, uh, put forward or voice those (mumbled)
Davidson/ Well, certainly if there's questions we cannot answer, we're more than willing
to try and find answers to them. Um...
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Wilburn/ Well, it would...it would seem to me, um, we...well, and the City Manager
already said, giving directions to start gathering stuff to put together on the
Hazard Mitigation Plan, and it would seem to me that if we could just make sure
we forward questions to, um, to Jeff, that as they put together the components of
that plan, and as more information comes out, uh, and decisions made, whether
that be, uh, through the Federal level or more importantly through the State level
since we don't know how they're going to interpret different things, um.. .
Davidson/ Yeah, and I do want to clarify, Ross, that if...if you're interested in pursuing
this program, we should not wait for the Hazard Mitigation Plan to be completed.
We should do them in parallel. We should pursue...
Wilburn/ Right, simultaneously. (several talking)
Lombardo/ May I make a recommendation, I guess, in terms of...this was to really just
kind of open up the discussions, because we're heading out...down unchartered
territory for all of us, in terms of how to pull a plan like this together, and...and
evaluate whether it's a good decision or not, um, or what we're capable of doing
or not, and...and so perhaps at the next work session, or, you know, if you have
questions that you can provide us, we'll start chasing them down, and then at the
same time, we'll be working to find out the additional information on...on values
and costs associated with this. Um, we'll continue to track additional legislation
to understand what funds are available, or being made available, or considered,
and it's going to be an iterative process. We'll have several more discussions
before, you know, we actually complete a...a Notice of Intent and the like. So, if
there are questions, if you can funnel them to us, um, we will work to chase them
down as quickly...answers as quickly as possible.
Bailey/ ...these are questions that will influence the direction you provide, or are you
interested in stepping into this?
Hayek/ Well, I don't know what interested to stepping into this means. I mean (several
talking)
Dilkes/ I...I think it would be very helpful to have as many questions as you have for us
right now, so we can make sure we're getting those answered. I mean, I have a
whole list of questions too, but you know...the more we can get from you, the
more we can make sure we're answering them as soon as we can.
Hayek/ Let me ask one question on the Notice of Interest. What does that entail? What
does that commit the City to? Um...that's an initial threshold we pass or don't
pass, seems to me.
Bailey/ It sounds like it's similar to...
Davidson/ ...it doesn't sound like it's terribly extensive, because it's just an indication of
interest, other than we would need to get a handle on how much information
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about individual properties we need at that stage. It's not clear from these
preliminary materials that they've given us.
Lombardo/ Based on the information that I've just...I've read, it's like a case
management. It opens up a case with the State that indicates they need to start
working with us to gather the appropriate information and...and um, but it's not a
commitment that I'm aware of, or can see. I mean, we can define that or make
sure before notice is filed, but my understanding is it's more or less opening up a
case with the State, uh, that we are interested and want to be considered for funds
for this.
Wilburn/ Well, and I was looking at it similar to other Federal grants, uh, you have to
send a Letter of Intent and you have to pull together "X" amount of information.
Davidson/ It's a little more extensive than that, Ross, but...I mean, here for example is
one of the things you have to do. Provide a brief but detailed description of the
proposed project.
Wilburn/ That still sounds like a Federal letter to me. If you've ever, well, I know you've
applied for...
Davidson/ Any other specific questions for us to track down information?
Hayek/ Sure, I mean, I can (several talking) um, I think you indicated that ultimately it's
the City that decides what addresses to place on an application.
Davidson/ Yes.
Hayek/ Is that done in conjunction with, um, hydrological experts out there, or people
from the Corps, or...or scientists, engineers, are there other government bodies
we...we consult with, take direction from?
Davidson/ I...I don't think so. The one thing in the guidance we've received that is a bit
unclear, Matt, is that there's a statement that says, `FEMA will identify the
properties for which you can request funding.' Now, to me....the way that could
be interpreted is they may say based on expressions of interest that we've had, we
are limiting this to the 100-year flood plain. If you're not in the 100-year flood
plain, don't even bother applying -that they could do something like that. Um,
but it...it's also quite clear that it is a local decision, starting with the property
owner, and then going through the City, as to what properties are actually, uh,
application is made for buyout.
Hayek/ Okay.
Davidson/ But...but it maybe that they say, you know, if you've got a property that
really has such a minor risk, vulnerability assessment tied to it, don't even bother
applying.
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Hayek/ Um, I guess another question would be, uh, assuming we use some standard
criterion, like all structures located within the 100-year map, um, what if any
would be the implications of targeting certain areas within that, but not other
areas?
Davidson/ I think that's at your discretion, Matt.
Hayek/ It's a question that...that, uh, maybe it's only answerable by us, but I don't know
in terms of the application or uh, approval or disapproval it would get from the
higher authorities, whether that's something we need (mumbled)
Davidson/ Every indication I've had, Matt, is that if you've hypothetically had two
neighborhoods, one had a higher risk assessment but nobody in that neighborhood
was interested in being bought out, you could still apply on behalf of the second
neighborhood that had less risk, but had people who were interested in being
bought out. I think that's our local discretion.
Wilburn/ It may just end up being lower priority.
Davidson/ Yeah, it'll just end up at the State level being lower priority. Exactly, Ross.
Champion/ When people apply, they will apply through us, if they wish to have...be part
of the buyout program, would it be legal for us to ask them whether they're
insured or not, because I'm very interested in what the ultimate cost this is going
to be, and where this money's going to come from.
Davidson/ Well, that'll be FEMA's first question, if it's not clear, Connie, is that all flood
insurance aspects been taken advantage of, prior to them expending funds.
Hayek/ Is there a cap on...on reimburse, on buyout value or...
Davidson/ I haven't seen anything about a cap, not to say that there isn't. I mean, all
they've said is the...in those provisions I gave you for how they identify...
Lombardo/ I've not found anything that suggests there's a dollar maximum per
property...that, that they will allow reimbursement. It's based on fair market or
recessed value, plus a certain premium.
Champion/ Can we set a cap?
Davidson/ I don't know. Good question.
Hayek/ Is there, uh...
O'Donnell/ Should we set a cap? That would be a better question. (several talking) If
we can, should we?
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Hayek/ I, uh, believe my amateurish research online of the FEMA programs, I think I
figured out there are potentially numerous ways a municipality can satisfy its
local match obligation, which in this case is based on what you're telling us could
be 15%. I'd like, um, that to get flushed out and provided to us, if you could.
Davidson/ Yeah, and I also have tried, I guess I took it from the aspect of, are there any
ways that we can do the local match that are not acceptable, and I couldn't find
any. So, it sounds like we have quite a bit of latitude there, but we'll try and flush
that out more for you.
Lombardo/ The question that comes to my mind is, if this is a cash type program, you
know, it'd be kind of hard to satisfy that on in-kind services, um, you know, I
don't...it doesn't seem to me that the demolition costs would be factored...not
factored into the FEMA reimbursement. That's...from what I understand, the
reading is on us, um, so I...we'll have to research that more, but I guess I'm, at
first blush, I'm having a hard time thinking through how we might satisfy a dollar
match, if it's not on a dollar basis.
Wilburn/ Well, the other question...the other part to that even if it were acceptable by
FEMA, the State may say in order to get the 10% you've got to, it's got to be
cash.
Davidson/ I haven't heard anything about in-kind being eligible. I mean, I think it's like
a standard property acquisition, where the seller is compensated in cash for the
value of the property.
Correia/ I mean, is it, could...would we have to use General Fund dollars? Could we do
GO bonds? I mean, I think, is that...
Bailey/ Somebody suggested to me, too, that a seller could chose to forego the local
match to insure that they were on the list. For example, if we had a cap, or found
ourselves unable to pursue perhaps a particular area, that perhaps property owners
could say, `I'll take the 75%,' or I'll take the...
Lombardo/ That certainly warrants flushing out. I...I can assure you we don't have
General Fund dollars to...to afford this program. (several talking)
Hayek/ I saw the spectrum based on an initial...the first review, the spectrum ranging
from the City reaches into its own coffers and fully funds its local match
obligations, to, uh, seller, uh, receives less and covers the match that way, to
several other options (mumbled) what I would like to know (several talking).
Davidson/ It does appear, at least preliminarily, that the option of a seller essentially
forgoing that 15% and taking 85 cents on the dollar is...is an option.
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Champion/ So that would be good, I mean, I think 125% of appraised value, I think in the
housing market in this country, a lot of us would sell our house at 125% of
appraised value.
Davidson/ Assessed value. Assessed value.
Champion/ Well...
Davidson/ 125% of assessed value.
Champion/ Okay. (several talking) It's about the same.
Bailey/ Other questions?
Hayek/ I'd also like to know more about what other, call them "incidental" or
"administrative" costs the City would incur, on top of the per property acquisition
costs.
Wilburn/ I have a...maybe this question might be more appropriate for you, Eleanor. I'm
curious as to, uh, in terms of, uh, if we were to proceed this course of action, and
um, you know, be accepted, awarded...would it be, uh, your office, your staff
handling the acquisition? Would you retain attorney to work out the.. .
Dilkes/ My initial thought is that we would handle the acquisitions, but I...you know,
we'd have to see what the volume was.
Wilburn/ Volume, yeah.
Dilkes/ At this point I don't know.
Hayek/ This memo about the severity of flooding at properties based on Tim's memo, is
the severity of flooding at a given structure taken into account? In terms of its
prioritization?
Davidson/ Yeah, it's basically the risk to the property, the risk of loss of life, and
property damage. That's what's taken into consideration. Um, I can't really tell
you much more in terms of how that risk is assessed, just that it is assessed,
and...and a case will have to be made, um, about what an individual property's
risk is, so that it can be prioritized, uh, among all the properties that request for
funding.
Bailey/ Other questions? Matt, did you have other questions? That wasn't quite 20.
Champion/ ...move forward to the next step of these, so we have some idea what we're
talking about. (several talking)
Bailey/ So...go ahead.
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Hayek/ ...is there any analysis of the...
Davidson/ My understanding is there is not.
Champion/ I'm sorry. I didn't hear the question.
Hayek/ If any part of this is needs based, where they look at a financial statement of the
seller and make a calculation according to...
Davidson/ I've not seen any evidence of that.
Bailey/ If it's apparent to, um, give us the kind of information that we need to move
forward on this, so...or decide not to move forward on this, that it's going to take
additional staff time. So, we need to give some direction here, if we're interested
in further...further exploring this.
Champion/ Well, I'm certainly interested in further exploring it, along with all the lists of
questions that we already have. I mean, I think it'd be silly not to explore it.
Bailey/ Others?
Hayek/ (several talking) I concur with that.
O'Donnell/ They said a next level.
Bailey/ Yeah.
Lombardo/ If other questions come up, um, you know, middle of the night kind of thing,
email me or call me and let me know, but um, as many minds as we have thinking
on this, uh, it will be helpful because there's a lot of detail and a lot of good
questions here this evening, but I'm sure more will come up.
Hayek/ ...generate sort of a FAQ something that goes into a packet.
Champion/ And, um, Jeff, the question that Matt asked, I mean, can we make part of our
criteria need based?
Davidson/ I think that's one for the question list.
Champion/ Uh-huh.
Correia/ ...sort of a question that goes on with that, how will we know if there are
properties that people walk away from and are going to foreclosure, for example,
and what type of...
Davidson/ Doug, you want to answer that?
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Boothroy/ Well, we're aware that there are some properties that appear that the owners
have not re-entered, uh, particularly in the Parkview area where, um, there are still
white handkerchiefs or flags on the doors that were put out when they were, when
the mandatory evacuation went into place, and so we're watching those
properties, and I think soon, uh, we're going to need to contact the property
owners, find out what their intentions are, uh, I think within the next week or two
we'll be doing that, and then at that point we may have a better answer for you,
but um, the, um, frankly from what we've seen, if you haven't opened up your
property yet, the mold growth in these properties is...is exponential. It's just
incredible, so uh, a lot of damage is occurring, uh, as we speak. So...so in a
couple weeks, maybe more information on that.
Bailey/ Thanks, Doug.
Dilkes/ One thing that I think we're going to have to get a handle on too is what the
impact would be of a buyout on the...the persons who own the mobile homes in
the...in the mobile home parks. Um, that's probably likely a whole different set
of...of regulations. So...we'll take a look at that, too.
Bailey/ I think that that would be important.
Champion/ Um, if...
Wilburn/ Are you thinking relocation?
Dilkes/ I don't know. Obviously they all, they own the structure that in many cases
cannot...cannot bemoved, and I don't...and I know Sue did a lot of work with
Legal Aid in 93, um, and I...her initial impression was it was not a real favorable
treatment, but we'll have to take a look at that.
Bailey/ Connie?
Champion/ I forgot what I was going to ask.
Wilburn/ I'm sorry, Connie.
Correia/ ...is the loss of that 160 homes that are affordable. I mean, the...
Dilkes/ No, that's all, that's what I mean. It's all part of the discussion, yeah.
Champion/ Oh, I was going to ask about the houses that are still closed up and haven't
been opened up, uh, that seems to me a major public health issue, especially if
they're talking about condominiums, where people are above and along side of
them.
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Boothroy/ We haven't, in the Idyllwild that's not been an issue because they have a
homeowner's association and they seem to be moving forward. Where we've
noticed it has been in the Parkview, um, I think it's just a little bit early. If you've
got renters, we've had, uh, a situation where people have been trying to work with
the renters to get their stuff out in order for the owners to get in, and in the case
where the renters are...they can't find them or they're not cooperating, it takes a
little bit longer to move through this process because we're just...it hasn't been
that long since people started getting their electricity back on. We just got started
doing that about a week ago, so, um, I think by next Monday we're probably need
to start making some contacts, but uh, give `em this week to...to try to open it up,
um, but you're right, um, doing cleanup right now, I'd think you'd want to wear
protective clothing for sure, because it's getting pretty bad, I think, in some of
these places.
Hayek/ At some point, I think it would be helpful to have input, Rick, from you or other
people, from an engineering angle on...on what makes sense in terms of
protection, future protection from floods. You know, the area down...the trailer
courts and those commercial areas to the north were protected, and if you'd ask
some of those commercial folks down there they'd probably tell you it was
because they built this great wall of China that kept the water out, and that that
would work next time around, and I think we need an expert opinion on...on that,
to inform, I think, whether we erect a more permanent levee or pursue, uh, the
buyout strategy.
Davidson/ Keep...
Bailey/ And we'll also have to have, um, the information about what it would take to
erect a levee, because it would involve the Army Corps.
Hayek/ Yeah, and...and incidentally, what erecting a levee does hydrologically down
river, and up river.
Bailey/ Yes, I think we know...
Lombardo/ And keep in mind, you know, a lot of the material that was used was...was
available because we're putting in a bridge, and a decision was made, you know,
kind of in the moment to...to do that, saved a lot of homes, but...but that material
and those resources likely will not be available. So unless something permanent
is done, our ability to respond as quickly and...and accomplish the same result is
probably going to be greatly diminished in the future, so...and we haven't dealt
with DNR and what's, what the outcome of us erecting that berm, uh, levee is
going to mean and how do we take care of it moving forward, so there's a lot of
things we're going to have to find answers to as we move...through this.
Wilburn/ But we also have to keep in mind there's not...in some cases, there's not going
to be a dollar for dollar, um, cost benefit, um, analysis because um, those type of
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mitigation procedures may...well, they put you lower on the, uh, priority list with
the State, in terms of the State.. .
Bailey/ ...is the priority, yeah.
Wilburn/ If buyout is not, if there, you know, if berms or other types of things, then
you're going to have to look at other types of.. .
Bailey/ ...but that is an important consideration, if that's what saves that area, and it is
quite vulnerable...how do we address that issue? I mean, we have...it seems
(mumbled) Okay.
Wilburn/ Um, just one last question, and this is further down the road. I'm curious, um,
Jeff, any other communities that have gone through this, uh, I don't know if
you've had a chance to at least look at the, uh, or hear about what folks have done
with the open space, uh, it says maintained as open space, but do you have any
knowledge or awareness of communities that have gone through this, because I'm
thinking in...in terms, since this is voluntary, there maybe some areas where
we've got, uh, both, uh, those who would chose not to, um, and in any future, uh,
neighborhood issues that come up with that, or...
Davidson/ Right, I mean, obviously if you end up with a large parcel that might otherwise
be used as park or ball fields or some other acceptable use, but it still has three
houses located in it, that has to be taken into consideration for the ultimate use. If
we're able to acquire an entire parcel, I mean, typically they get maintained as
parkland.
Wilburn/ But the reason I ask, I mean, I wasn't thinking ball fields or anything like that,
but if...if open space means, you know, you throw, well, you make it prairie grass
out there and that means one set of things to folks that are still.. .
Davidson/ Yeah, and I think the main, from the State's perspective, Ross, what they want
to see is no threat to life and property.
Wilburn/ All right.
Davidson/ And if you can accomplish that, then I think there's some local discretion
there.
Wilburn/ Okay.
Future Meeting Schedule Items:
Bailey/ So, if we turn this into...okay, I guess that's answered. Never mind. Okay, next
item is the future meeting schedule items. Um, we've got a formal on Thursday
morning, with a work session continued discussion on flood matters. Um, are
there time constraints for people on Thursday?
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Correia/ I have to be at a meeting...
Bailey/ Amy, you need to speak up. I'm sorry, I'm having a hard time.. .
Correia/ I have to be at a meeting at 9:00.
Bailey/ Okay. So...other time, any other issues about time constraints? I want to make
sure we're going to have quorum.
O'DonnelU On Thursday morning?
Bailey/ Yeah. (several talking) Okay, all right. All right, um, and then we have a...a
work session on Thursday the 10`''. We'll find out if we need to get something
before, I guess scheduled before that if we need to identify issues at the Federal
level.
Hayek/ Is there any way we can tie that into the 3~a~
Bailey/ We can. I think.
Hayek/ I mean, between the 3ra...4tn is a holiday.
Bailey/ To a certain degree I think we can. I...I still think that we're...I mean, I still
think this is a moving target, but yeah, absolutely.
Karr/ I'm sorry. We can't hear you. A little bit louder, I'm sorry.
Bailey/ Me? You can't hear me? Or Matt?
Karr/ No, I'm sorry. I can't hear you.
Champion/ And you're kind of mumbling, which is unusual.
Bailey/ Oh, well, I apologize! Um, we want to talk about our Federal issues at the work
session on Thursday is what I heard. All right.
Correia/ In terms of other meeting schedule items, I was wanting to talk about, um,
utilizing our Furniture Projects, um, for disaster recovery efforts.
Bailey/ Okay. Could we actually have an update on that tonight? `Cause it's a flood
issue? No?
Dilkes/ We're pretty much covered on flood issues, so...
Bailey/ Do you have an update on how we're using Furniture Project?
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Davidson/ Furniture Project has been closed for some time. It is scheduled, I guess, to be
opened tomorrow or some time this week.
Correia/ Right, and I think that the, the current way that the Furniture Project operates
isn't as conducive to the needs with, um, recovery, so that's why I was
wondering.
Davidson/ My understanding, Amy, it's all based on referral, and there's about five
agencies, two specifically, that, uh, basically provide the referrals.
Bailey/ But you would like staff to look at a way that could expedite the current policies
and protocols, or.. .
Correia/ Well, I think that there's constraints in the way that donations are taken in, and
then delivered to homes that, um.. .
Davidson/ Yeah, apparently the, the, uh, Restore has agreed...I think this is
accurate...has agreed to assist in the taking in of furniture. The issue is still,
when somebody comes...when somebody who needs the furniture -it's getting it
to them, that that's still an issue, that some people don't have the means to come
with a van or a truck and pick up furniture, that that's still something that we
haven't adequately addressed yet.
Correia/ Well, and I also think, my understanding...
Bailey/ So...I'm sorry. So, it sounds like this is a longer discussion than just an update.
So, are there other people who are interested in talking about this at a...at the
work session on the l Otn~
Champion/ I think so too. I think it's important they have a way to get furniture to
people, and maybe part of that could tie into the United Way number where they
have a whole list of volunteers.
Correia/ Well, there's also, I think, some constraints in taking in large donation. I know
there's been an offer of three semi trucks full of furniture from a Chicago hotel,
um, and so kind of the usual way of accepting furniture is not, there's not an
ability to do that, because of the current storage place doesn't really allow for this
amount, and so...
Bailey/ So, we need to, um, figure out if our project, or another community project, has
the capacity for large donations. Is that...
Champion/ We do have parking ramps with covers.
Dilkes/ Can I just...this is how I think you need to approach Thursday. I...we're going
to draft the agenda as broadly as possible, so you can talk about anything flood
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related you want. But if there is something that you want staff to be prepared to
address.. .
Bailey/ That's what I was saying, that Amy...is more detailed than just an update,
so...are other, I'm interested in some more information about how we can, um,
accept large donations, and so...
Karr/ So it's not necessarily Furniture Project. It's more...
Bailey/ Capacity.
Karr/ It's more a furniture...
Correia/ Well, it's, I guess, utilizing the current Furniture Project structure because
Restore is in place and I think would be able to retool...to accommodate, but they
need to be directed, and our staff will need a directive to do that, I think.
Karr/ So this is on for the l0"' or the 3ra~
Bailey/ The 10`". Okay, other items?
O'DonnelU I've got one question for Doug. Doug, have we stressed enough the
importance of wearing proper clothing and breathing masks, do you think the.. .
Boothroy/ We handed out those packets that indicated how you should properly clean,
um, that's I think as far as we've gone. I...I really haven't talked to the inspectors
about, uh, what...communication they've had with individual owners in terms of,
uh, cleaning, but, uh, it's...at least what I've observed, most people are...are
taking some precautions. Every once in a while you'll find somebody barefoot,
but uh, and I've taken the moment to say something, but um, you know, it was in
the literature that was handed out.
Lombardo/ And it's on our web site, if you mean staff -absolutely! They're taking
precautions when they're doing inspections and all.
Boothroy/ We're taking precautions, but...
O'Donnell/ I mean, maybe we should put something in the local papers to stress that
again.
Champion/ It's been pretty much covered.
Boothroy/ Yeah, I think it has. I...I think (several talking) it's hard to protect everybody
against themselves, but yeah, people will do some silly things sometimes, but I
think most people are trying to...
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Correia/ And the flood recovery kits that are available, the cleanup kits, at area churches
and the Red Cross include all of that type of protective gear, and I know the
Consultation of Religious Communities have experience doing some disaster
recovery, um, in New Orleans, and Habitat for Humanity, as well, and I heard
them talking about certain masks, and certain (mumbled) and so I think that there
are folks around, um, helping to coordinate volunteers that have that information
and are making sure their volunteers are safe.
Bailey/ Other topics? Matt?
Hayek/ Well, I'd just like to walk out of here with a clearer understanding of what on
Thursday during the work session we hope to accomplish, and I see the lobbying
talking points. I think you added that, and then...
Bailey/ And I don't know if we'll have a complete list of talking points, but I think we'll
have some of the issues we're talking about with the delegation.
Hayek/ Okay, but so that I can prepare for Thursday, and maybe even for staff to prepare
for Thursday, maybe we ought to flesh out more of what we hope to accomplish
on that date. Um, would be my suggestion, because I mean, that's only a couple
days.
Karr/ The agenda will have to be out tomorrow afternoon, so it' 11 be agenda items and the
packet pickup will be tomorrow as well.
Hayek/ And I think it's important to leave, you know, the broad flood rubrics so that we
can talk about just about anything, but in terms of preparation.
Dilkes/ Right. We don't all want to show up and not have answers to the questions you
have, so that's what I'm trying to get to.
Bailey/ And that's what I'm trying to get to, and I'm not hearing a lot of topics.
Correia/ So can we do the Furniture Project on Thursday then, if we have.. .
Bailey/ That give adequate time, for staff?
Lombardo/ And I'd be curious to know in terms of the...the United Way call center too
to what extent they're doing furniture donations and coordinating that, as well,
and should compliment anything we would consider, as opposed to compete.
Correia/ Yeah, the meeting that I was at today, there hasn't...Habitat was at that meeting,
so there are needs to figure out...
Bailey/ Does that give us adequate time to prepare for Thursday, to get the information,
that's my question.
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Lombardo/ I think it should, but you know, if we hit a wall and there's a stumbling block,
we'll certainly let you know about that, um, and I'm hopeful that we'll have some
answers to the questions about this buyout program and some of the other, you
know, we can further that discussion. I think.. .
Bailey/ I would like to spend some substantial time furthering that discussion. That
seems to be the largest thing and the most significant thing on our plate at this
point is hazard mitigation, specifically the buyout program. And that was my
understanding what we would be discussing mostly on Thursday. Any other
items? If there's...this Thursday...okay, the following Thursday as you can see
we have a continuation of the flood mitigation plan discussion, with river corridor
update, which Michael, did you want to go into a little bit? What you were
thinking in that discussion?
Lombardo/ I guess I'm trying to work with, um, some of the other entities out there to
discover to what extent we should be looking, or working together, in terms of
discussing the broader river corridor and...and our use of, uh, that waterway, and
it's just a concept I'm doodling over and wondering if the University, if
Coralville, if others are...are interested in a broader discussion about, um, the
river corridor and how we approach perhaps a broader planning initiative, if that's
warranted or not. Just trying to get some feedback from the other entities this
week. I don't know that I'11...I can be able to update you on where I think we
might want to consider going at this point. It's just brainstorming with some of
our other partners out there to see to what extent we want to work together to craft
a common vision or understanding of the river corridor and its uses.
Bailey/ Um, from my perspective, it would also be helpful to, um, just not with the river
corridor, to know how Coralville is proceeding with hazard mitigation program,
and what they're considering doing with buyouts, and then, um, there was
something else I wanted to...and then for the formal on Thursday morning, I'm
assuming that we will have a resolution prepared regarding this fund, the, uh,
the.. .
Lombardo/ That was my initial, um, expectation, but if we are going to consider
broadening this, it might take a little bit more time, and so we may have more of a
work session on Thursday, as opposed to...
Bailey/ Besides...besides the Downtown Association item, do we have any other, um...
Karr/ There were three possible -the Downtown Association was one, the SBA fund was
another, and if there were any lobbying issues or expenses.
Bailey/ ...which is off the table, as well. So, it looks like we have one certain item for
the formal agenda on Thursday. Okay.
Karr/ And then I was going to have a motion to accept correspondence, dealing with the
flood. Because of the timely nature of it, we haven't accepted correspondence
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since the 17`" of June. So, I was going to do that, as well, just as a motion for
correspondence.
Bailey/ And so when do we anticipate, um, that we'll need a formal for the resolution
regarding the fund?
Champion/ Why couldn't we do that on Thursday?
Lombardo/ I'm going to try my level best to, I mean, if you want to seek specific criteria,
if it's just to establish...to, you know, the fund, and then we can work out the
details, that's certainly one thing. I'll talk to Eleanor tomorrow and see
what...what we need to do to, you know, if in broad concept we probably can do
it by Thursday. If you want more detail by Thursday, then certainly it...we may
not be able to get there.
Dilkes/ I think what we...we can do is put together a resolution that has in it what you
would be proposing at this point, and if you're comfortable with it, you can
proceed with it. If you want to change it, you can change it, and...
Bailey/ Okay.
Hayek/ I like that because the sooner we (several talking) create this fund, the sooner the
message will be out in the business community that we want partners with us to
fund it, and the sooner it will signal to businesses themselves that they should
document and submit and that there maybe help on that level.
Bailey/ Okay, other issues that we need to put on one of these work session agendas?
Champion/ Are the animals back in the Animal Shelter?
Bailey/ No.
Helling/ No.
Bailey/ I hear that we're looking for another location.
Helling/ We're looking for another location, um, they have to be out, I believe, by the
11`h because of the Fair, and so we'll need to relocate to somewhere else. We will
not be able to move back into our facility anywhere near that soon.
Bailey/ Will we have an update by the 10`" regarding that issue?
Helling/ We can do that, sure.
Bailey/ Okay, thank you. Other questions?
Hayek/ Should we discuss the KGAN did that forum last week.. .
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Bailey/ We're doing a forum on Wednesday night here, at 7:00, it'll be in this hall.
Hayek/ Okay, should we discuss, uh, representation at that....I don't know...
Bailey/ I've been invited to be on the City's representative on that, and it will include
Coralville, um, the County, FEMA, SBA, the Army Corps of Engineers, um, and
the University...thank you, and President Mason will be on it.
Hayek/ Okay. We might want to consider, and I...I don't know what their capacity or
space, uh, concerns (mumbled). I don't know if we want to broaden, um, the
Council's involvement in something like that, uh, I watched last week with Cedar
Rapids, and I think there were two or three people at that.
Bailey/ It was an invited forum, Matt. Okay, other items? Okay, um, then we will see
you Thursday morning at 7:30. Thank you.
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Council special work session meeting of June 30, 2008.