Rotary File - February 25, 2014
The greeter for this morning’s meeting was Pam Ehly. President Casey called the meeting to order at 7:05 am. Chris Knapp led us in song.
President Casey called on Sandy Kray to ask her “What Jazzes you up?” Sandy’s main passion is Fund Raising. One of her favorites are the Christmas Tree Fundraiser.
Guests and Visiting Rotarians: Phil Peterson, Cedar Rapids Downtown; Pat Barron, West Chester, PA; Glenn Martin, President of the Rotaract Club of Iowa City. The Rotaract Club was chartered on January 20, 2014.
Announcements:
Myrene reminded everyone that the month opener will be at Donnelly’s Monday March 3, at 5:15 pm or when you get off work.
John Ockenfel’s District Conference meeting tonight February 25 at the Kirkwood Room 5:15 pm.
Mike Messier announced that the Golf Outing for the Community Foundation will be held May 19 and as always we can use volunteers,
Can Do meeting will be held Thursday March 6, 2014, 7:30 am at Panera’s
Board meeting will be held this Thursday February 27, 2014.
Peggy Doerge announced there will be a year ender meeting at Henry Sabin School on Wednesday February 28, 2014 at 12:00 noon.
Happy Bucks:
There were many people happy today. Many members shared time with grandchildren. Several members attended the Grant Seminar Saturday in West Liberty.
Speaker:
Matthew J. Hayek who is a partner in the Hayek, Brown, Moreland & Smith, LLP. Matt was born in Iowa City in 1969. He received a B.A. with honors from the University of Michigan Residential College in 1992. He served as a Peace Corp volunteer in Bolivia from 1992 to 1994. He received a J. D. from Michigan Law School 1997. Matt practiced commercial litigation at firms in Atlanta and Chicago. He joined the firm in 2001 and became a partner in 2004. He holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
In addition to his law practice, Matt he has dedicated significant time and energy to the community. He is the past chair of two advisory commissions for the City of Iowa City and is past president of the board of directors of the Englert Civic Theatre. In 2007 he was elected to the City Council and since 2010 has served as Mayor of Iowa City. He serves on the Council’s Economic Development Committee and is the City’s representative to various intergovernmental and public-private organizations.
Projects:
Matt spoke about the Economic Development of Iowa City and that were about 3 years into a 10 year plan. There has been considerable amount of investment in construction in the downtown area to revitalize the city. Some of the items that have been put in place to help Iowa City if the 21 ordinance, the old Wells Fargo site with the condos and retail space. Midwest One revitalization of the main building and the building of a new structure.
The relocation of the water treatment plant will allow the city to develop the area and “Reengage the River”.
The engagement of The University of Iowa at work rebuilding many new structures after the flood of 2008.
The Towncrest Area has been enhanced with the new medical buildings
Sycamore Mall continues to be a challenge to find stores that will continue to enhance the community. The one addition was the market in Sycamore Mall that replaces the outside market.
There has been a mortgage project that has allowed the University and Iowa City to buy houses, fix them, and have them ready for rental houses.
The 1105 project helped to combine several organizations together in a building that was donated for $1.00 by the city. The 1105 project has greatly helped the community.
Flood mitigation will be a major focus as it has been almost 6 year since the flood. The raising of Dubuque Street along with a new Park bridge will be the focus in the next few years.
City Parks and school gyms are also a major concern for the community. The city will be working more on neighborhood parks. The parks will have more play equipment and green space. The school gyms will be expanded to host more activities for school as well as for the community.
Financials
Matt stated that we were of Four Star rating there are only four cities that have this rating. This rating allows us to lower our costs for borrowing money.
In 2013 there was changed to tax structure on commercial property. This will be a major effect on the amount of money collected on taxes. The amount of money could be as high a 50M within the next decade that could be lost to the City. The city has taken measures to handle the lack of money coming into the city by creating an emergency fund and eliminating 30 positions through attrition. There has been no layoffs.
Matt closed with Iowa City is moving in the right direction with the continuing of the arts projects, new residential and hotel construction, the right community involvement and the work of our leaders of the city.
Respectively submitted
Vernette Knapp, Scribe