2015 ECICOG Annual Report

2015 Statistics2015 Progress 2015 servicesWords From
PROGRESS
2015 Annual Report

2015 Members of
the ECICOG Board
Aaron Granquist Jasmine Almoayed
Alan Johnson John Harris
Amy Nielsen John Zirkelbach
Bob Yoder Kevin Heitshusen
Brent Hinson Linda Langston
Christopher Taylor Pat Harney
Darrin Gage (Chair) Todd Wiley
Dave Fish Tony Hocamp
Don Gray Vicki Pope
Dusty Embree Kathleen
VanSteenhuyse
Ed Raber
The East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) is an
intergovernmental council established in 1973 under Chapter 28E
and provided for under Chapter 28H of the Code of Iowa. Governed
by a board of directors comprised of elected officials and private
citizens, ECICOG was created to promote regional cooperation and
to provide professional planning services to local governments in
Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Tama, and Washington Counties
with additional services in Cedar and Tama Counties. A portion of our
operations are supported by a per capita assessment paid by these
counties.
Since its creation, ECICOG has become recognized as an ideal
vehicle for addressing planning
issues that require a regional
perspective. Cities and
counties benefit from the
assistance of our staff in their
efforts to promote community
and economic development,
improve housing stock in the
region, manage solid waste,
and meet the transportation
needs of the area.
Additional services available
in Cedar and Tama Counties

ECICOG Chair &
Executive Director
WORDs FROM

Words From
ECICOG Board of Directors
Chairperson
Darrin Gage
ECICOG has the pleasure of working with leaders in our planning region on a wide variety of
community development and local government projects that bring direct and tangible benefits to
individual communities and to the region.
The 2015 Annual Report highlights progress and new, impactful
initiatives in the areas of housing, economic development,
environmental services and transportation services. It is exciting to
see the many immediate and long-term benefits these projects will
produce. Please review this report to learn about the multiple and
diverse projects ECICOG is engaged in across the region – it will be
time well spent.
ECICOG is proud of our role as a local government partner
and as a leader in regional cooperation. Please contact
ECICOG if you can benefit from technical, planning or grant
writing assistance to help make your community and our
region a better place to live.
Finally, thank you to ECICOG staff for your great work. It
is gratifying to see the positive results and daily impact of
your work at the local level where it benefits people most
directly.

This year’s annual report is truly a work in progress. Not to say that the publication you’re reviewing may be subject
to change, but instead that it features resources and programs relatively new to the region and to ECICOG. And
more importantly, these resources have been applied to areas in which we saw significant progress in 2015. These
include expanded business assistance programs, expanded assistance in the formation of and planning for
watershed management authorities, a new home-ownership program, and planning for new commuter transit
services.
Personally, I don’t think the whole of this progress is measured only by the
numbers, though they help to tell the story. I think the greater indicator of
progress is the shared intent of these efforts: To combine resources to address
shared issues. Whether it’s our agency and the three housing trust funds joining
together to leverage new resources for home-ownership, or public and private
entities collaborating to improve water quality, these efforts illustrate our
shared and growing acknowledgement that so many issues cross (and in some
cases have no regard for) jurisdictional boundaries. Appropriately, the most
successful solutions will likely blur or eliminate those same boundaries.
Pablo Picasso said, “To finish a work? To finish a picture? What
nonsense! To finish it means to be through with it, to kill it, to rid it of
its soul, to give it its final blow, the coup de grace for the painter
as well as for the picture.” A bit dramatic perhaps, but I have to
agree with the sentiment. I’m glad that we as a region and
ECICOG as an organization continue to strive towards progress.
I’m glad that we continue to adapt, to create, to explore. I’m
glad that we are not, “through with it.”
Words From
ECICOG
Executive Director
Doug elliott

For Our Region
2015
PROGRESS

Housing Rehabilitation
ECICOG oversees several different housing programs that are dedicated to improving quality of life by
offering innovative and flexible funding options in order to expand affordable housing opportunities in our
region. Two of the programs include the Housing Fund for Linn County (HFfLC) started in 2007 for the Linn
County area and the East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund (ECIHTF) started in 2010 for Benton, Iowa, Jones,
and Washington Counties.
Over the years our housing programs have been successful. In 2014 the two housing trust funds were
granted $864,482 and were able to use these funds to rehabilitate 193 homes. The HFfLC received $372,358
and rehabilitated 85 total households in eight different cities in Linn County, including Ely, Marion, Hiawatha,
Center Point, Springville, Robins, Troy Mills, and Cedar Rapids. The ECIHTF received $492,124 and
rehabilitated 108 total households. The housing trust funds also applied and received funding in 2015
securing $724,199. The HFfLC was awarded $426,278 to use in Linn County and the ECIHTF was awarded
$297,921 to use in Benton, Iowa, Jones, and Washington Counties.
HOME Program
On top of receiving the funding for housing rehabilitation in 2015, ECICOG also applied for and received
funding for a first time homebuyer program. This is substantial progress for ECICOG, as it is a new housing
program we can offer to our region.
The Iowa Finance Authority HOME program awarded ECICOG $540,000. In addition, the HFfLC, the ECIHTF,
and the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County have also each contributed $42,000 to make the total
funding received $666,000.
The program will help first time homeowners with down-payment assistance and repairs needed to bring the
home up to local codes and rehabilitation standards. It is open to first time homebuyers in the counties of
Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington (excluding properties within the city limits of Cedar
Rapids and Iowa City). ECICOG hopes to assist approximately 24 homeowners in our region.
Applications and guidelines for the program can be found online at
www.ecicog.org/homebuyers-assistance.
2015 Progress
Housing & Community Development

City of Cedar Rapids &
Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street RLFs
In 2009 ECICOG established a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) and since then the RLF has provided over
$6.2 million in loans that have assisted over 40 businesses in Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and
Washington Counties. These loans have leveraged an additional $37 million in matching funds.
Based on ECICOG’s own RLF success, in 2014 ECICOG was approached by the City of Cedar Rapids
and the Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street District to administer their RLFs. The Cedar Rapids RLF
was created to encourage expansion and growth in the flood impacted area. The Czech Village/New
Bohemia Main Street District RLF was created to assist new and existing businesses within the district in
development and expansion efforts. In less than a year these RLFs have provided over $153,000 in
loans, assisting 8 businesses.
MICRO, MEDCO, and Marion RLFs
In 2015 ECICOG made even more progress in establishing itself as an economic development organization
by administering three new revolving loan programs. ECICOG was approached by three different
organizations to help administer their RLF programs, including the City of Cedar Rapids for their MICRO Loan
program, the Marion Economic Development Corporation for the MEDCO RLF, and the City of Marion and
the Marion Chamber of Commerce for their Marion RLF.
The MICRO Loan program provides small, short-term loans for businesses in the Cedar Rapids city limits. The
loan program also includes help with business plan development and mentoring through SCORE of East
Central Iowa and the Cedar Rapids Public Library. The MEDCO RLF supports businesses engaged in
manufacturing or service industries, supporting new and expanding businesses located with the City of
Marion. The Marion RLF provides business creation and expansion assistance for small businesses located
within the City of Marion boundaries.
These three RLFs have already provided over $30,000 in loans so far, but are still very new programs. As we
move into 2016, we anticipate these RLFs will continue to provide great opportunities for businesses in our
region, just as the other loan programs have this past year. For more
information on any of the RLFs visit www.ecicog.org/revolving-loan-funds.
ECICOG’s New RLF
branding created in 2015
2015 Progress
Economic Development

Indian Creek Watershed Plan
In 2012 the Indian Creek Watershed Management Authority (ICWMA) formed to bring together people and
communities in the Indian Creek Watershed to generate ideas, plans and actions to protect the Dry, Indian and
Squaw Creeks and the communities they flow through. The members of the ICWMA include Linn County, Marion,
Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Robins, and the Linn Soil & Water Conservation District. ECICOG’s role was to facilitate
the ICWMA formation, write grant proposals for watershed planning work, and eventually collaborate on the
watershed plan development.
The ICWMA, through the City of Marion, received a state grant to develop a comprehensive watershed management plan. In 2014,
significant strides in plan development were made, including research and data collection, surveys, and lunch and learn goal setting
sessions. In 2015 the ICWMA introduced the draft plan and held open houses to gather input from the community. After the open houses, the
ICWMA incorporated the public input and finalized the Indian Creek Watershed Management Plan which can be found online at
indiancreekwatershed.weebly.com/the-plan. Each of the local government ICWMA members adopted the Indian Creek Watershed
Management Plan and committed to its implementation.
Clear Creek Watershed Plan
ECICOG gained significant experience in watershed planning by working with the ICWMA, and also made progress in establishing the
organization as a trusted watershed planning agency. In 2015 ECICOG was approached by Coralville to facilitate the formation of the Clear
Creek Watershed Coalition (CCWC), as well as draft a planning grant application.
Under ECICOG’s guidance, the CCWC was formed in 2015 as an Iowa Watershed
Management Authority with full participation from all eligible watershed members,
which include Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, Oxford, Tiffin, Iowa County, Johnson
County, the Iowa County Soil & Water Conservation District, and the Johnson County
Soil & Water Conservation District.
Additionally, ECICOG submitted an application on behalf of the CCWC, and in December
of 2015 learned that they had been awarded $100,000 in watershed planning funds from
the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The award will go towards the development
of the Clear Creek Watershed Management Plan starting in April of 2016 with a target
completion date in October of 2017. Similar steps will be taken to complete the plan as
was done with the Indian Creek Watershed Management Plan, including research and
data collection, lunch and learn goal setting sessions, and plan open houses for public
comment.
2015 Progress
Solid Waste & Environmental Services

Commuter Study and Committee
In December 2014 the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) was directed by the Iowa legislature to conduct
a study about the needs and demand for commuter transportation alternatives in the Interstate 380 corridor. The
study, which can be found at www.iowadot.gov/commuterstudy, focused largely on the commute between the
Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas and recommended a variety of transit options. The study also suggested that
ECICOG be the lead agency for implementation of these transit options, specifically leading the initial efforts.
In January 2015, based on the Iowa DOT’s suggestion, ECICOG scheduled the first study implementation
meeting and helped form the Corridor Commuter Transportation Steering Committee. The committee is made
up of various stakeholders in our region, including those in economic development, transportation, planning,
and academic institutions. The committee has met regularly for the past year and made significant strides in
developing the modes of transit suggested by the study, which include a public interregional express bus
service, a subscription bus service, a public vanpool program, and a public carpool program.
Vanpool Program
In late 2015 the committee made significant progress towards the development of a vanpool program, a program
for the public to use in order to reduce the congestion on the Interstate 380 corridor during the work commute.
ECICOG was recommended by the committee as the agency to apply for and administer the vanpool program.
Based on this recommendation, ECICOG applied for funding from the Iowa DOT through the State Transit
Assistance (STA) Special Projects and the Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP). ECICOG was awarded
funding from the STA Special Projects in September 2015 and ICAAP in January 2016.
Based on the funding received, ECICOG is currently putting together a request for proposals in order to select
a vendor to operate the vanpool program. The funding awards ECICOG received will become a monthly van
subsidy to reduce the passenger fee. ECICOG’s goal is to have the vanpool up and running by in October
of 2016 with a fleet of 26 vans.
For more information on the committee, meeting agendas, press releases, or news coverage visit
www.ecicog.org/commuter-plan.
A variety of transit
services will be branded
under this logo that was
recently developed by
Iowa’s Creative Corridor
In addition to the
vanpool program, this
past year the Iowa DOT
has been working on
rideshare software. They
have selected a vendor
and will roll out the
website this spring.
2015 Progress
Transportation & Regional Development

For ECICOG
2015
Statistics

Community Development Block Grants
$1,657,068 in Funding
Secured for Future
Projects in 4 Cities
Belle Plaine, Lisbon, Marengo,
and Oxford Junction
Projects Completed in 3 Cities
with Funding Totaling
$1,097,000
Marengo, Onslow, and Oxford
2015 Statistics
EconomicDevelopment,transit&
CommunityDevelopment
Revolving Loan Funds
ECICOG RLF
$6,295,195 in Loans
9 Businesses in 4 Cities
Other RLFs
$73,000 in Loans
6 Businesses
ECITransit Provider Services
201,848 Total Rides
1,109,928 Revenue Miles
76,696 Revenue Hours
6 Providers
Providers include Benton County Transportation, Iowa County
Transportation, Johnson County Seats, Jones County Jets,
Linn County Lifts and Washington County Mini Bus

Hazard Mitigation
Planning
1 5-Year Plan Completed
Serving 7 Cities,
4 School Districts
Clear Creek Watershed
9 Members and
100% Participation in the
Clear Creek Watershed Coalition
$100,000 Planning Grant Awarded
Secured only watershed planning
grant in the state at the time
Indian Creek Watershed
70 Attendees at
2 Plan Open Houses
1 Women Caring for the Land Workshop
30 Attendees
6 Member governments adopted the
Watershed Management Plan
2015 Statistics
WatershedPlanning&
hazardmitigationplanning

2015 Statistics
SolidWaste&Educationservices
Summer Library
Reading Program
1,263 Attendees
30 Programs
27 Libraries
6 Counties
Iowa Waste Exchange
286 Businesses Assisted
73 Materials Matched, Resulting in
2,208 Tons of Waste Diverted from Landfills
$71,012 Cost Savings from Diversion
Educational
Services
2,280 Attendees
58 Programs
Programs include assemblies, classrooms,
day care, summer care, libraries,
conferences and Civic Groups

Indian Creek
Watershed Website
62 Unique Visitors Weekly
197 Pages Viewed Weekly
Tama County
Landfill Website
13 Pages Viewed Weekly
Website created for
Tama County Solid Waste
Commission in August 2015
ECICOG
Website
2,860 Pages Viewed Weekly
2015 Statistics
OnlinePresence
Facebook
457 Likes
1,738 Monthly Reach
Across all Facebook pages, including
ECICOG, Iowa Waste Exchange, and
Indian Creek Watershed
ECICOG On Google+
350 Views Weekly
Google+ page was created to
connect with other organization and
to increase ECICOG’s website SEO
and online visibility

To Member Governments
2015
services

BENTON COUNTY
City of Atkins
· Comprehensive Plan
· Summer Library Reading Program
· SRF Adiministration
City of Belle Plaine
· CDBG Wastewater Project
· CDBG Housing Application
City of Garrison
· Garrison Fun Day Booth
City of Keystone
· Assist with Collection Contract
City of Luzerne
· Assist with Collection Contract
City of Shellsburg
City of Urbana
· Research for City Clean-Up Day
· School Recycling Presentations
· SWAP Application Assistance
City of Van Horne
City of Vinton
· Recycling Education
Benton County
· Benton County Conservation Day
· ECIHTF Home Repair Grant Administration
· FHLB Application/AHP Administration
· Housing Trust Fund Administration
· Landfill Services Education & Promotion
· Solid Waste E-Newsletter
· SW Commission Research and Assistance
IOWA COUNTY
City of Ladora
· Assistance to Firefighters Application
· Hazard Mitigation Planning
City of Marengo
· CDBG Wastewater Phase 2 & Phase 3
Projects
· Elementary Assembly Program
· Iowa Valley CSD Hazard Mitigation Planning
City of Millersburg
City of North English
· North English CSD Hazard Mitigation
Planning
City of Parnell
City of Victor
· HLV CSD Hazard Mitigation Planning
City of Williamsburg
· Assist with Collection RFP Process
· Summer Reading Program
· Williamsburg CSD Hazard Mitigation Planning
Iowa County
· Amana Summer Library Reading Program
· Facilitate Clear Creek WMA Formation
· FHLB/AHP Administration
· FHLB Application
· Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation
Plan
· SW Commission Research & Assistance
JOHNSON COUNTY
City of Coralville
· CDBG Water & Wastewater Applications
· EDA Business Assistance RLF
City of Hills
City of Iowa City
· HMGP Application for Flood Buyout
City of North Liberty
City of Oxford
· Clear Creek Amana Community School
District HMGP Notice of Interest for Safe
Room
City of Shueyville
· Codification
· Development Review
· Land Use Map
· Zoning Ordinance
City of Tiffin
· Multi Family New Construction
· Summer Library Reading Programs
Johnson County
· FHLB/AHP Administration III
· Flood Insurance Reimbursement Program
· HTFJC Grant for Home Repair Administration
· Loan Interest Supplemental Program
· Mobile Home Grant Administration
2015 services

JONES COUNTY
City of Anamosa
· CDBG Water Application
· Earth Day Fair
City of Monticello
· Chamber of Commerce Presentation
City of Olin
· CDBG Water Application
· Elementary Assembly Program
City of Onslow
City of Oxford Junction
· CDBG Administration - Housing
· Code and Ordinance Inspection
· Codification
City of Wyoming
Jones County
· Co-sponsored Jones County Green Space
Field Day
· FHLB Application
· Operations Plan & ERRAP for Transfer Station
LINN COUNTY
City of Bertram
· Development Review
City of Cedar Rapids
· Administer Cedar Rapids Business Assistance
RLF Program
· Administer Czech Village New Bohemia
Main Street District RLF Program
· Administer MICRO Loan RLF
· ICWMA Watershed Planning & Grant Writing
· Landfill & Recycling Presentations to Various
Community & School Groups
City of Center Point
· Center Point Urbana CSD Hazard Mitigation
Planning
· Codification
· Zoning Ordinance
City of Central City
City of Coggon
City of Ely
· Summer Library Reading Programs
City of Fairfax
City of Hiawatha
· Summer Library Reading
Program
City of Lisbon
· CDBG Income Survey
· EDA Business Assistant RLF
2015 services
City of Marion
· Administer City of Marion/Marion Chamber
of Commerce RLF
· Administer MEDCO RLF
· CDBG Downtown Revitalization Project
· Day Camp Program
City of Mount Vernon
City of Robins
City of Springville
· Zoning Ordinance Review
Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste
Agency
· Assist with Landfill Tours
· Community SW Educational Programs
Linn County
· CDBG Flood Recovery
· FHLB Applications
· HFfLC Home Repair Grant Administration
· Housing Fund for Linn County
· SHTF Application

Transportation & Regional Development
· Administration of Regional Transit System
· Administration of State &
Federal Funding Contracts
· Annual Consolidated Transit Application
· Census Data Analysis & Mapping for Various
Reports & Studies
· CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program Maps
· City of Robins, Hills, Vinton, Palo & Alburnett
Comprehensive Plan Maps
· Consult and Maintain Title VI Plan
· Coordinate with Metropolitan Planning Orgs
· Jones County Comprehensive Plan Maps
· Iowa County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan Maps
· Prepare Annual Passenger Transportation
Plan
· Prepare Annual Service Agreements
· Prepare Grant Applications on Behalf of the
Corridor Commuter Transportation Steering
Committee
· Prepare Public Involvement Plan
· Procure Regional Transit Equipment
· Regional Trails GIS Database
· Sensitive Area GIS Mapping
· Serve on Subcommittees of the Corridor
Commuter Transportation Steering
Committee
· Staff Assistance to Contracted Transit
Providers
· Staff CRDS Workgroup
· Staff MDST
· Staff Passenger Transportation Advisory
Committee
· Staff Regional Trails Advisory Committee
· Staff Corridor Commuter Transportation
Steering Committee
· Staff RLF Committee
· Staff Transit Operators Group
· Staff Transit Services Review
Committee
· Staff Transportation Policy Committee
· Staff Transportation TAC
· Transportation Improvement Program
· Transportation Planning Work Program
Iowa Association of Regional Councils
· EDA Fiscal Agent
· IARC Rental Inspections
· Staff Serves on Board of Directors
Iowa Recycling Association
· Awards Committee
· Education Committee
General Public and Other Organizations
· Cedar River Watershed Coalition
· Clear Creek Watershed Coalition
· Continuum of Care
· Corridor Conservation Coalition
· Indian Creek Watershed Management
Authority
· Information Provision & Referral
· IPTA - Iowa Public Transit Association
· LACOAD-Linn Area Community
Organizations Active in Disaster
· Planning & Zoning Workshops & Training
· Regional City Clerks Workshop
· Regional Sustainable Business Alliance
· UNI Pre-Service Teacher Programs
2015 services
TAMA COUNTY
City of Chelsea
City of Dysart
City of Tama
· Elementary School Assembly Program
Tama County
· SW Commission Website Development &
SEO
WASHINGTON COUNTY
City of Kalona
· FHLB Housing Rehabilitation
City of Wellman
· CDBG Wastewater Application
Washington County
· FHLB/AHP Administration II
· FHLB Application
· Hazard Mitigation Plan Amendment
REGIONAL
Housing & Community Development
· Administration – Homebuyers Assistance
Program
Solid Waste & Environmental Services
· Iowa Waste Exchange Administration,
Services, Newsletter/Marketing, Grant
Assistance
· Prepare Form E for SWAP Applications
· Solid Waste Comprehensive Planning
· Staff Assistance to Solid Waste Commissions
· Staff Solid Waste TAC
· SW Regional Contract Assistance - Tires,
White goods, Electronics

2015 ECICOG Annual Report

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2015 ECICOG Annual Report