MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
NOVEMBER 24, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Executive Assistant Andy Johnson: Acceptance of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the Amount of $1,413,308 for Property Acquisition and Demolition of Flooded Properties.............. 1
Executive Assistant Andy Johnson: Subrecipient Agreement with East Central Iowa Council of Governments for Administrative Services for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Flood Recovery Assistance Program.......................................................................................................................... 2
Reports and Inquiries from Executive Assistant Andy Johnson............................................ 2
Reports and Inquiries from the Board of Supervisors........................................................... 3
Chairperson Neuzil called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building at 9:06 a.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Terrence Neuzil, Janelle Rettig, and Rod Sullivan; absent: Sally Stutsman.
Executive Assistant Andy Johnson said he and East Central Iowa Council of Governments Planner Hilary Copeland will be speaking about the acceptance of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $1,413,308 for property acquisition and demolition of flooded properties. Copeland said that the Board approved the application in July. The application includes what was the Board's third application for the FEMA acquisition program, which is 4402, 4404, and 4406 Driftwood Lane SE and 4441 Driftwood Lane SE. She said that they are unusual properties that the Board was unable to acquire because FEMA's requirements are more stringent than the CDBG program. She said there are also some additional properties along Riverfront Estates. She said that this is very complementary to the buyouts that the Board is already pursuing. She said that they selected applicants by sending letters to everyone on those two streets. Copeland said that no one outside of Driftwood Lane or Riverfront Estates was contacted. Everyone else was mailed a letter to see if they would like to participate. She said that they except to receive a grant for an additional four properties on Riverfront Estates including 3032, 3036, 3044, and 3054. She said that that it is 100% CDBG funding but will work in a similar way to the buyouts they are currently administrating with FEMA.
Rettig asked if everyone on these streets was offered this program. Copeland said that they mailed a letter to their contact address as listed on the assessment page. Anyone who was interested had to return a notice of interest, which they were required to submit to the State in July. Sullivan said that there were some people who didn't respond in writing and Planning and Zoning Administrator Rick Dvorak and Copeland made phone calls. Copeland agreed. Copeland said that they have tried to accommodate other people's needs and move them to a grant program where appropriate. Johnson said that they haven't received the contract yet, but have received the notification of award. Johnson said that he would like the Board to sign the contract as soon as it is received. The Board agreed to put the contract on a future formal agenda.
Johnson said that this is the contract that the County would enter into with ECICOG to administer the above mentioned program. Copeland said the language is somewhat different than the previous contract because this is 100% CDBG funding so there are more extensive thorough clauses. She said that it is a little bit longer contract than the County has seen in the past. She said that if some additional properties stay on the list, they will be funded through demolition by public assistance. She said that they would then have to contract with the County separately to administer public assistance demolition.
Harney said that individuals had to sign up if they were interested in a buyout. He asked if anything can be done for someone who declined but might now change their mind. Copeland said that it would be very difficult to change their mind. She said that if anyone wants to change their mind they should express interest to the Board, the Planning and Zoning Department, or to ECICOG and they would attempt to work with them to potentially get them on to a different grant. Copeland said that while the grant award amounts are somewhat fixed, some of the agencies administering this do allow them to be somewhat flexible with moving properties from one to the other as long as the initial amount of funding allows for that. Copeland said that it's possible that if there is a substantial desire that exists for multiple property owners they might be able to go back and submit another application. She said that she knows the CDBG funding is quite extensive and she believes that it is their intention that everyone who wanted a buyout would get one. She said that they are floodway properties so it would be good to attempt to mitigate that as well.
Assistant County Attorney Andy Chappell said that it would be difficult at this point to add properties, but if property owners decide they don't want to participate who have already signed up, it's not an issue. Copeland agreed. Sullivan said that the Board appreciates all of ECICOG's work on this. Copeland thanked Sullivan. The Board agreed to put the contract on a future formal agenda for approval.
Johnson reported that the Board has a Key Issues Work Session at 9:00 a.m. He said that County offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday and Friday. He said that there is a budget meeting scheduled on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. to discuss the Mental Health/Disability Services budget. He said that because of some changes in State funding he will be in touch with the Board about whether or not that will go forward. Johnson said that there is a Board meeting on December 1, 2009 to discuss the salary survey study.
Sullivan wished everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Sullivan attended the ISAC convention. Sullivan said that the Convention and Visitors Bureau has their local shopping initiative going on for the holidays. Sullivan said that he talked to a government class at Solon High School focusing on the criminal justice system. Sullivan had a meeting with the Department of Elder Services. He said that he also continues to work with Johnson and Information Technology Director Jean Schultz to figure out a plan for the rural people who are accessing the Iowa City Landfill.
Rettig attended ISAC. Rettig reported that Jingle Cross Rock, a bicycle race where people ride up and down the hill at the fairgrounds avoiding obstacles, will be on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. She said that all proceeds will go to the Iowa Children's Hospital.
Harney said that he attended a tour of County roads with County Engineer Greg Parker, a liaison meeting with Facilities Director David Kempf, a Johnson County Community Foundation Board of Directors Meeting, ISAC, and a Joint Communications Center Board of Directors Meeting.
Neuzil attended ISAC. Neuzil reported that he attended a We the People event, which is a program that administers, through the US Department of Education and the University of Iowa Center for Civic Education, teaching and learning the constitution. Neuzil said that he was a judge as part of the constitution competition amongst high school students across the state. He reported that both City and West High had stellar performances as far as their knowledge of the Constitution. He said that West High won the competition. Neuzil wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
Adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
By Nancy Tomkovicz, Recording Secretary