HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-18 ProclamationCity of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, the coming of Spring produces a renewal of interest in tree planting for
beauty, shade, conservation, and many other purposes beneficial to all people; and
Whereas, the observation of Arbor Day has long been characterized by the planting
and preservation of trees; and
Whereas, we hope that the future will see the creation of a better environment through
the use of trees throughout our cities, towns and countryside; and
Whereas, trees in Iowa City beautify our community, increase properly values, and
enhance the economic vitality of business areas.
Now, therefore, 1, James A. Throgmorton, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim
April 28, 2017, to be
in Iowa City, and I hereby urge all citizens to participate in tree planting and preservation
projects throughout the year.
��41`527�M or
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
the 18th day of April, 2017
City of Iowa Yity
PROCL TION
Whereas, the coming f Spring produces renewal of interest in tree planting for
beauty, shade, conservario and many oth purposes beneficial to all people; and
Whereas, the observation c
and preservation of trees; and
Whereas, we hope that the
the use of trees throughout our
Whereas, trees in Iowa Ci)beautify i
enhance the economic vitaliVV of business
Now, therefore,1, J#es A.
April 28, 2017, to be I
has long been characterized by the planting
see the creation of a better environment through
is and countryside; and
community, increase property values, and
of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim
in Iowa City, #d I hereby urge all citizens to participate
projects throughout the year.
Mayor
planting and preservation
Signed in Iowa ty, Iowa,
the 18th day of A '1, 2017
City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, Johnson County, Iowa has one of the highest costs of living in the State of
Iowa; and
Whereas, many working families and individuals in Johnson County are unable to
adequately sustain themselves due to wages below the cost of the living in the County;
and
Whereas, a higher minimum wage would improve the peace, safety, health, welfare,
comfort, and convenience of Johnson County residents by raising their standard of living
and other associated benefits; and
Whereas, on September 10, 2015, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors
unanimously passed an ordinance establishing a Johnson County minimum wage; and
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Iowa City supported this action; and
Whereas, the Governor of Iowa signed legislation on March 30, 2017 which prohibits
counties and cities in Iowa from establishing a minimum wage that deviates from the
statewide minimum wage in Iowa; and
Whereas, the City Council of Iowa City opposed this removal of Home Rule authority,
supports local efforts to ensure an adequate minimum wage, and favors increasing the
statewide minimum wage.
Now, Therefore, I, James A. Throgmorton, Mayor of Iowa City, hereby proclaim
that the City of Iowa City recognizes the challenging cost of living in Johnson County,
supported the Board of Supervisor's efforts to increase the minimum wage locally, and
encourages local businesses to maintain hourly wages above $10.10 per hour.
Mayor
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
this 18 day of April, 2017
City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, Johnson Co ty, Iowa has one of the highest costs of Ili ' in the State of
Iowa; and
Whereas, many working f 'lies and individuals in Johnso County are unable to
adequately sustain themselves du to wages below the costo the living in the County;
and
Whereas, a higher minimum wage
comfort, and convenience of Johnson
and other associated benefits; and
Whereas, on September 10, 2015, thP(11
unanimously passed an ordinance establis ' g a
Whereas, the City Council of the C' of Iowa Cit
Whereas, the Governor of low signed legislation
counties and cities in Iowa fro establishing a min
statewide minimum wage in Io a; and
[he peace, safety, health, welfare,
by raising their standard of living
County Board of Supervisors
County minimum wage; and
this action; and
rch 30, 2017 which prohibits
wage that deviates from the
Whereas, the City Coun of Iowa City opposed this rem al of Home Rule authority,
supports local /e:�ffortsnsure an adequate minimum wage, and favors increasing the
statewide miniNow, Therames A. Throgmorton, Mayor of Iow City, hereby proclaim
that the City orecognizes the challenging cost of liv' in Johnson County,
supported the pervisor's efforts to increase the minim wage locally, and
encourageslocs to maintain hourly wages above $10.10 p hour.
Mayor
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
this 18 day of April, 2017
City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment
Partnership (HOME) programs develop viable communities by providing safe, decent,
affordable housing, creating safer neighborhoods, helping seniors live independently and
investing in our next generation; and
WHEREAS, in our community, forty-three years of CDBG funding has developed a
strong network of relationships among local governments, residents, businesses, and non-
profit organizations that provide services and help make possible our commitment to meet
the needs of low income neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the CDBG program is one of the Federal Government's most effective
means to revitalize low -and -moderate income communities across the country. The
importance of CDBG and HOME to meet the unique needs of local communities is
widely recognized; and
WHEREAS, Community Development activities have had a significant impact on our
local economy and the lives of our residents. The City's Rehabilitation program for low
income homeowners has invested over $8 million in rehabilitation assistance to assist
over 1,000 homes since the program's inception, the CDBG Economic Development
Fund has assisted 30 businesses with low interest loans or fagade improvements to start or
enhance their business, creating or retaining over 373 jobs, the City has served thousands
of persons through CDBG supported agencies serving our at risk, elderly, youth and
disabled residents; and
WHEREAS, Iowa City, Iowa and other local governments have clearly demonstrated the
capacity to administer and customize the CDBG and HOME programs to identify,
prioritize and resolve pressing local problems, such as affordable housing, neighborhood
and human service needs, job creation and retention, and property redevelopment.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, James A. Throgmorton, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby
proclaim April 17 — April 22, 2017, as
Community Development Week
in Iowa City, Iowa, and urge all citizens to join us in recognizing and supporting the
important roles the CDBG E programs play, in o commuru
or /
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
this 18th day of April, 2017
City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment
Partnership (HOME) programs develop viable communities by providin safe, decent,
affordable housing creating safer neighborhoods, helping seniors live in ependently and
investing in our n t generation; and
WHEREAS, in our ommunity, forty-three years of CDBG funding developed a
strong network of rel 'onships among local governments, residen usinesses, and non-
profit organizations tha rovide services and help make possible ur commitment to meet
the needs of low income eiAborhoods: and
WHEREAS, the CDBG pro am is one of the Federal Gov ent's most effective
means to revitalize low -and -m Berate income communi ' across the country. The
importance of CDBG and HO to meet the unique n ds of local communities is
widely recognized; and
WHEREAS, Community Develop
local economy and the lives of our res
income homeowners has invested over
over 1,000 homes since the program's
Fund has assisted 30 businesses with lc
enhance their business, creating or re
of persons through CDBG support
disabled residents; and
(have had a significant impact on our
City's Rehabilitation program for low
i in rehabilitation assistance to assist
the CDBG Economic Development
loans or facade improvements to start or
373 jobs, the City has served thousands
wing our at risk, elderly, youth and
WHEREAS, Iowa City, Iowa y6d other local gove
capacity to administer and cu omize the CDBG and
prioritize and resolve press' g local problems, such as
and human service needs, 'ob creation and retention, a
NOW, THEREFOI
proclaim April 17 —
in Iowa City,
important rc
James A. Throgmorton, Mayor
22, 2017, as
have clearly demonstrated the
programs to identify,
dable housing, neighborhood
Dperty redevelopment.
Community Development
City, do hereby
wa, and urge all citizens to join us in recognizing and s�
the CDBG and HOME programs play in our community.
Mayor
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
this 18th day of April, 2017
the
City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
w irmitt Ao, the fust Earth Day celebrations took place 47 years ago at colleges and universities
across the United States, and is now observed in over 192 countries; and
WHEREAS, scholarly research has thoroughly documented that there are profound connections
between humans and the non -human life world in which humans and human economies are embedded;
and
WHEREAS, researchers have suggested that we are entering a new geological age, the
Anthropocene, in which humans have become geological agents, changing the most basic physical
processes of the earth; and
WHEREAS, there is now very strong scientific evidence that the earth is warming, that the warming
is due largely to human activity, that the warming is causing important changes in climate, and that rapid
and potentially catastrophic changes in the near future are very possible as a result; and
WHEREAS, on Earth Day 2016 the United States and China, which together represent almost 40%
of global emissions, joined 172 other nations and the European Union in signing the landmark Paris
Climate Agreement, and thereby committed to significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate
change, and to foster resilience in the face of such change; and
WHEREAS, the facts, projections, and aims of the Agreement are based on rigorous scientific
research, which directly involved over 800 experts drawn from fields including meteorology, physics,
oceanography, statistics, engineering, ecology, social sciences and economics; and
WHEREAS, the costs of climate action are far less that the costs of inaction; and
WHEREAS, far more new jobs can be created through energy efficiency and renewable energy—
solar and wind—than can be created through the extraction and burning of fossil fuels; and
WHEREAS, national security advisors report that the nature and pace of observed and projected
climate change pose severe risks for our national security; and
WHEREAS, by signing the Covenant of Mayors in February 2016, the Mayor of Iowa City joined
mayors of 7,400 cities, over 680 million people, and 9.36% of the global population in committing to
take effective climate action; and
WHEREAS, in the months since the Mayor signed that Compact, Iowa City has conducted energy-
saving audits of the City's 91 public housing units, updated its inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, set
community -wide emission reduction targets of 26-28% by 2025 and 80% by 2050, created a Climate
Action Steering Committee to oversee the development of the City's Climate Action Plan, aru
$150K in the FYI budget to climate action projects; and will in two weeks hire a consultant
city devise the City's Climate Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, private funis and other governmental jurisdictions in Iowa City invested more
than $1 M in solar panel installations, which exceeded the total for the ten preceding years; and
WHEREAS, numerous groups in Iowa City are sponsoring events celebrating Earth Day 2017,
including Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility and others' "Passport to a Livable Future" and Iowa
City Climate Advocates' "Barbara Schlachter Run/Walk for Victims of Climate Change".
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor James A. Throgmorton, declare April 22, 2017, to be
Earth Day in Iowa City
and urge all residents to find their own personal ways of celebrating our lives on Earth and engaging in
activities that will help ensure our common home remains healthy long into the future.
G,
M yor
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
this 18th day of April, 2017
City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
w nEvL vA6, the first Earth Day celebrations took place 47 years ago
across the United States, and is now observed in over 192 countries; anV
and universmes
W HEKlN J, scholarly research has thoroughly documented t there are profound connections
between h and the non -human life world in which hum and human economies are embedded;
and
WHEREAS, res hers have suggested that we are ntering a new geological age, the
Anthropocene, in which ans have become geolo ' al agents, changing the most basic physical
processes of the earth; and
WHEREAS, there is now vstrong sct fic evidence that the earth is warning, that the warming
is due largely to human activity, t thew g is causing important changes in climate, and that rapid
and potentially catastrophic change the ffiear future are very possible as a result; and
WHEREAS, on Earth Day 2016 thnited States and China, which together represent almost 40%
of global emissions, joined 172 other ti and the European Union in signing the landmark Paris
Climate Agreement, and thereby co tted significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate
change, and to foster resilience in a face of ch change; and
WHEREAS, the facts, pro' ions, and aims the Agreement are based on rigorous scientific
research, which directly invo ed over 800 experts wn from fields including meteorology, physics,
oceanography, statistics, en Bering, ecology, social fences and economics; and
WHEREAS, the cos of climate action are far less t the costs of inaction; and
WHEREAS, far ore new jobs can be created through en gy efficiency and renewable energy—
solar and wind—thcan be created through the extraction an burning of fossil fuels; and
WHEREAS, tional security advisors report that the nature an pace of observed and projected
climate changeI se severe risks for our national security; and
WHEREA , by signing the Covenant of Mayors in February 2016, Mayor of Iowa City joined
mayors of 7,4 0 cities, over 680 million people, and 9.36% of the global ulation in committing to
take effectiv climate action; and
WHEREAS, in the months since the Mayor signed that Compact, Iowa City as conducted energy-
saving audits of the City's 91 public housing units, updated its inventory of use gas emissions, set
community -wide emission reduction targets of 26-28% by 2025 and 80% by 2050, ted a Climate
Action Steering Committee to oversee the development of the City s Climate Action an, and allocated
$150K in the FYI budget to climate action projects; and will in two weeks hive a co ltant to help the
city devise the City's Climate Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, private firms and other governmental jurisd:
than $ I M in solar panel installations, which exceeded the total for the
WHEREAS, numerous groups in Iowa City are sponsoring
including Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility and othe
City Climate 'Advocates' "Barbara Schlachter Run/Walk for?
NOW,
and urge all residents to find t
activities that will help ensure
I. Mayor James A.
arth
own
in Iowa City inve:
preceding years; and
celebrating Earth Day 2017,
*rt to a Livable Future" and Iowa
of Climate Change".
declare April 22, 2017, to be
I
n Iowa City
ways of celebrating our lives on Earth and engaging in
e remains healthy long into the future.
Mayor
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
this 18th day of April, 2017
City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, writing first emerged in the general vicinity of Baghdad roughly 50 centuries al
WHEREAS, from its founding in 762 through the mid -1200s, Baghdad was a marvel of glittwuir,
palaces, exquisite parks, magnificent mosques, and Islamic colleges; and
WHEREAS, during this period Baghdad was the center of learning and enlightenment, and home to a
brilliant array of astronomers, mathematicians, doctors, musicians, philosophers and poets who enabled
the creation, preservation and translation of works that are now considered foundational to many of the
world's cultures; and
WHEREAS, Baghdad long was a key node in the network of Silk Roads that linked China and India
with the Middle East and the Mediterranean regions, and which facilitated trade and the exchange of
knowledge and technological innovations; and
WHEREAS, Baghdad's inhabitants have also suffered many terrible hardships, from epidemics and
famines to invasions and deadly floods, including the city's complete destruction at the hands of invading
Mongols in 1258; and
WHEREAS, Baghdad's inhabitants have demonstrated the importance of being resilient in the face of
disaster, and writers and other artists have played an essential role in building and documenting that
resiliency; and
WHEREAS, the University of Iowa's International Writing Program (IWP) has hosted many fine poets
and writers from Baghdad; and
WHEREAS, in 2015 Baghdad joined Iowa City as a UNESCO City of Literature, and the director of the
Baghdad UNESCO City of Literature, Sadek Mohamed, is a poet, professor, and IWP alumnus; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of Baghdad has invited Mayor Throgmorton and IWP Director Christopher
Merrill to take part in the Baghdad International Flower Festival; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Throgmorton and Director Merrill have accepted the invitation and will be visiting
Baghdad on April 26 through 29;
Now, therefore, I, James A. Throgmorton, proclaim the week of April 23-29,2017, to be
A WEEK OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP WITH THE
PEOPLE OF BAGHDAD
and encourage all citizens, residents and visitors to join inobse ' rg this wee
M or
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
this 18th day of April, 2017
City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION 3e
WHEREAS, writing fust emerged in the general vicinity of Baghdad roughly 50 centuries ago; and
WHEREA ,from its founding in 762 through the mid -1200s, Baghdad was a marvel of glittering
palaces, exq isite parks, magnificent mosques, and Islamic colleges; and
WHEREAS, d ' g this period Baghdad was the center of learning and enli enment, and home to a
brilliant array of tronomers, mathematicians, doctors, musicians, philoso ers and poets who enabled
the creation, prese ation and translation of works that are now consid foundational to many of the
world's cultures; an
WHEREAS, Baghdad 1 was a key node in the network of Si oads that linked China and India
with the Middle East and Mediterranean regions, and which cilitated trade and the exchange of
knowledge and technologic ovations; and
WHEREAS, Baghdad's inhabi have also suffered y terrible hardships, from epidemics and
famines to invasions and deadly fl s, including the c' 's complete destruction at the hands of invading
Mongols in 1258; and
WHEREAS, Baghdad's inhabitants have on ted the importance of being resilient in the face of
disaster, and writers and other artists have pla anessential role in building and documenting that
resiliency; and
WHEREAS, the University of Iowa's In ational ting Program (IWP) has hosted many fine poets
and writers from Baghdad; and
WHEREAS, in 2015 Baghdad join Iowa City as a UNES O City of Literature, and the director of the
Baghdad UNESCO City of Litera e, Sadek Mohamed, is a p , professor, and IWP alumnus; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of Ba dad has invited Mayor Throgmort and IWP Director Christopher
Merrill to take part in the Ba dad International Flower Festival; an
WHEREAS, Mayor Thor orton and Director Merrill have accepte\thinvitation and will be visiting
Baghdad on April 26 gh 29;
Now, therefore,1, J#es A. Throgmorton, proclaim the week of April 23-29,017, to be
A W17K OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP W17 THE
/ PEOPLE OF BAGHDAD
and encourage fall citizens, residents and visitors to join in observing this week.
Mayor
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
this 18'" day of April, 2017