seirpc september newsletter

SEIRPC MISSION STATEMENT: ... To provide quality direct and technical services, to promote intergovernmental cooperation and to effect a strengthening of the governmental units of the region...

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HISTORY: SEIRPC was incorporated in 1973 by local governments in Southeast Iowa and is recognized in Chapter 28H of the Iowa Code.

SERVICES: • Transportation Planning• Special Studies and Plans• Land Use Planning• Land Use Administration• Project Management• Community Development• Ordinance Codification• Grant writing & administration • GIS Mapping• Revolving loans for business• Public transportation, van pools, employee transportation• Housing development & rehabilitation• Program management• GIS mapping and analysis• Economic Development Services

River CurrentsSeptember, 2013

211 N Gear Ave, Suite 100, West Burlington, IA 52655 | www.seirpc.com | www.facebook.com/SEIRPC | 1-866-753-5107

A newsletter from the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission

SEIRPC Reaches Milestone: 40 Years

Strengthening Southeast Iowain Des Moines, Henry, Lee

and Louisa Counties since 1973

SEIRPC has reached its 40th Anniversary. Incorporated in 1973 bylocal governments, SEIRPC was one of many regional organizationsincorporated in Iowa and nationwide in the early 1970s.

Individual governments couldn’t provide their own services in criticalareas of grant writing, planning, and administration. They workedtogether to provide what they needed regionally.

Diversifying its services has been a constant for SEIRPC, certainly inthe past 20 years. Adding transportation funding and planning,revolving loan funds, environmental planning (brownfields), land useadministration, economic development, public transit, andcomprehensive housing services has made SEIRPC a larger, morediverse organization.

The SEIRPC Board has utilized strong regional participation and abelief in regionalism to sit at the head of responsive and usefulorganization.

Looking back ten years from 2013, much has been accomplished. Aflood and recovery, new programs and resources brought to theregion, and the largest internal project ever completed – thepurchase and renovation of 211 N Gear Ave, the former IPC building.

Looking forward ten years, more is to be accomplished. We need tofind new ways to bring resources to southeast Iowa in the face ofdeclining federal and state resources. Efforts to establish newpartnerships should continue. And, most importantly, the regionneeds to keep working together.

What is the easiest way to measure SEIRPC’s impact over the last 40years?

$220+ million Outside funds brought into the region to assist

local governments, business and regional partners.



HISTORY: SEIRPC was incorporated in 1973 by local governments in Southeast Iowa and is recognized in 28H of the Iowa Code.







CDBG Season is Now

If you are considering a wastewater, water distribution, stormwater, downtown revitalization or other critical infrastructureproject, call SEIRPC.

SEIRPC’s lead CDBG grant writer, Tracey Lamm, will lead youthrough the application process, and help you structure theapplication for maximum scoring and consideration from the state.

Housing projects are also under the CDBG umbrella. SEIRPC hascompleted many different owner-occupied rehabilitation projectsunder CDBG. Contact us if you have housing in your communitythat needs rehabilitated.

Dues paying members receive grant writing services from SEIRPCas part of their membership. CDBG grants are more competitivethan ever, since federal appropriations are 30% less than they werefour years ago.

If you have questions, contact Tracey Lamm at 319-753-4306 [email protected].

SEIRPC Codification Services

SEIRPC offers codification services for cities and counties and hasfor many years. If a county or city haven’t codified theirordinances recently, they should strongly consider it. Codificationis a process where all municipal or county ordinances arereviewed, organized, updated and re-codified.

The process is important in light of current legislation, case law andease of use. SEIRPC utilizes a model code of ordinances forguidance and an experienced staff and professional network foradditional resources. Call Jeff Hanan at 319-753-4316 [email protected] for more information.

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Available Funding Sources



State Revolving Fund (SRF) Projects – Applications OngoingLoan funding to assist in financing design and construction ofwastewater facilities, clean water infrastructure, drinking waterinfrastructure, soil and erosion control and storm water projects.

CDBG Economic Development Set Aside – Applications OngoingProvides grants and loans to businesses expanding or starting.Contingent on businesses hiring preference towards LMIindividuals.

Federal Recreational Trails – Due Oct 1Federal funds through Iowa DOT for recreational trails (walking,biking, etc)

Statewide Transportation Alternatives– Due Oct 1Federal funds through Iowa DOT. Designed for projects ofstatewide significance, the grant program pays for most alternativetransportation activities.





SEIRPC Zoning and Mapping ServicesSEIRPC offers zoning and mapping services to local governments.Zoning ordinances are reviewed and updated according to thecommunity or county’s current and future development patterns,approval process, land use and future overall plans. An updatedzoning ordinance can help encourage development, manageundesirable activities and make a rezoning, development or reviewprocess better.

Mapping activities often mirror zoning work, but can offer othervaluable perspectives of your city or county. Basic aerial photosprinted on a large scale is an extremely useful tool. Addingutilities, vacant/abandoned properties, new development sites orroad condition can give a community a new perspective on itself.

If you are interested in zoning or mapping for your community,contact Zach James at 319-753-4316 or [email protected].







Available Funding Sources (cont’d)



CDBG Funds:Water/Sewer applications due on November 15th

Housing applications due on November 15th

Community Facilities applications due on December 15th

Downtown Revitalization applications due on January 3rdCall Tracey Lamm 319-753-4306 with questions or potentialprojects.

Brownfield Tax Credits – Applications OngoingProvides tax credits to projects in grayfield or brownfield areas.Many different development projects apply, including downtowndevelopment. Tax credits are provided on a first come first servebasis.

Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy – OngoingFunding to provide transportation access to businesses expanding,starting or relocating from out of state. Local development 50%Immediate Opportunity 80% cost share.

Sustainable Community Demonstration Project CDBG – DueDecember 2013Sustainable Community Demonstration Project CommunityDevelopment Block Grant (CDBG) funding is available in 2013 tolocal governments through a competitive basis. The SustainableCommunity Demonstration Project category provides grants tocommunities for a variety of projects and activities demonstratingcomprehensive innovative approaches to support communitysustainability. To date the program has funded a demonstrationdistrict geothermal project in a community downtown and ademonstration streetscape project that integrated greeninfrastructure best management practices for storm water,combined with LED street lights and a building façade master plan.Contact SEIRPC staff for more information.








Available Funding Sources (cont’d)



Regional Surface Transportation Program (STP) Due Dec. 31Applications are submitted to SEIRPC for primarily road projects.Competitive awards are made to cities and counties separately.Contact SEIRPC for additional information.

Regional Transportation Alternatives (TA) Due Dec. 31Applications are submitted to SEIRPC for alternative transportationprojects like trails, and trail bridges, roadway beautification andother uses. Contact SEIRPC for more information.

Derelict Building Program – Due Feb. 28, 2014For cities under 5,000. Provides assistance for cleanup and reuse.Contact SEIRPC for more information.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) – Due Sept. 28If your county has an updated Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan (PDMPlan) you are eligible for funding if located in a Presidentially-declared disaster area. SEIRPC currently has submitted 12 projectsfor funds. Sept. 28 deadline is for Notice of Intent. If you haveother projects that are emergency-related contact SEIRPC.





Great River Housing Makes Awards

Great River Housing, Inc. (GRH), the region’s state-certifiedHousing Trust Fund, continues to invest into affordable housing.Owner occupied repair, down payment assistance and developerassistance are all offered through the organization.

Project finance was also added to the menu of options forinvesting into affordable housing in southeast Iowa. GRH hasassisted 108 homeowners in southeast Iowa with $1.024 millionof obligated assistance since 2011. Call SEIRPC if you know ofsomeone who needs down payment assistance, home repair orwants to redevelop property.










Staff Profile: Get to Know Susan Coffey

Susan recently celebrated 20 years with SEIRPC. As theorganization’s longest serving staff member in its history, Susan hasseen and been part of many projects and events, such as: workingin four different locations, two floods and flood recoveries, andover 100 administration projects.

Currently serving as Grant Administrator for SEIRPC, Susan worksmostly with CDBG funded projects, but also is involved with IowaDOT/FHWA, Vision Iowa, Iowa Finance Authority, EDA/Dept ofCommerce and USDA projects.

Susan fits in very well at the office despite her affinity for the St.Louis Cardinals and University of Illinois athletics. Susan is marriedwith three children and one grandson. She likes to spend time withfamily, golf, enjoy races and cheer on her sports teams.

seirpc september newsletter

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