ROTARY CLUB OF CEDAR RAPIDS

RIPPLES FROM THE RAPIDS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

Editor: Larry H. Christy * Telephone: 363-6301 * Fax: 363-6301 * E-Mail: crrotary@mchsi.com * Web Site: www.rotaryclubofcedarrapids.org * District 5970 * Club 2185 * Chartered June 1, 1914

ripples this week  

THE FRONT PAGE

GREG EYERLY, CEDAR RAPIDS FLOOD RECOVERY DIRECTOR

Greg Eyerly was named Cedar Rapids Flood Recovery Director in July 2009.  The Flood Recovery Director is a department head level position, reporting to City Manager James Prosser. Eyerly is responsible for the management, direction and development of flood recovery and reinvestment initiatives for the City of Cedar Rapids and provides managerial assistance to the City Manager in relation to the citywide disaster relief program. The job description emphasizes strong project management skills and an ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders from the individual flood victim to federal lawmakers.

Eyerly set the stage for recovery from the Cedar Rapids Flood of 2008.  There was damage to 310 facilities, 5,000 homes and 700 businesses.  He estimated that 7.800 properties were flood impacted and 18,000 people were displaced.  There was billions of dollars of damage and economic loss.

The City Flood Recovery Plan created by the Cedar Rapids City Council is to:

1) Improve flood protection to better protect homes and businesses.
2) Rebuild high quality and affordable workforce neighborhoods.
3) Restore full business vitality.
4) Preserve our arts and cultural assets.
5) Maintain our historic heritage.
6) Assure that we can retain and attract the next generation of workforce.

Greg Eyerly reported that it had taken him two months to understand the scope and complexity of the task and that there have been a number of set-backs. including delays in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funding, changing information on the duplication of benefits and changes in the conditions on the ground.   

He commented that as a community it has been said that we aren’t taking enough action, our plans are not working, we are moving too slowly on plans and we are unable to react to changing conditions. 

He pointed out that as a community we have removed 1,000 tons of flood debris, restored the water supply within the first two weeks, made emergency repairs to the WPC within 73 days, instituted Jumpstarted housing and rental housing, Jumpstarted businesses, demolished imminent treats and acquired homes in the Greenway, formulated a Public Facilities Recovery Plan and performed flood plain mapping.

We have developed a Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, obtained $189 million in FEMA funds ($215 million with county FEMA funds), instituted a Block by Block program, garnered 200 thousand volunteer hours and received tremendous United Way, Faith Based organization, Arts, EPRC-EDA, Downtown District, Neighborhood Associations, Rebuild Iowa and local business and industry support.

Looking forward, Eyerly mentioned that the acquisition of property in the Greenway has begun, final damage assessments and obligation of funds for the 16 major city facilities will be completed by October 31, CDBG funding for business will be received this fall, CDBG funding for infrastructure will be received this fall, demolitions of the majority of damaged homes will be completed by March 2010, FEMA updated flood plain map will be completed by March 2010 and the Corps of Engineers draft feasibility study will be completed by June 2010.

As a community, those working on the flood are completing these tasks and the community needs to concern itself with opportunities for the future.  As a community we need to be positive.  Negative leadership and political rhetoric has no place in Flood Recovery.  It jeopardizes funding for flood recovery and economic development by industry and business and thus our communities future.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL

 TIM BOYLE, JIM HOFFMAN, CASEY PRINCE

PANEL ON STATUS OF THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE, US CELLULAR CENTER & COMMUNITY THEATRE

As always we ask that you be seated by 12:15 PM

UPCOMING RCOFCR PROGRAMS & EVENTS 

October 5, 2009 - Lois Buntz - United Way Community Condition Report and Human Services Campus.
October 12, 2009 - Breakouts at Member Businesses.
October 19, 2009 - Cedar Rapids Mayoral Candidate Forum.
October 26, 2009 - Cedar Rapids City Council Candidate Forum.
November 2, 2009 - Dr. Ben Allen, President, The University of Northern Iowa.
November 9, 2009 - Dave Vaudt, Auditor, State of Iowa.
November 16, 2009 - NO MEETING BECAUSE OF JOINT METRO MEETING ON THURSDAY.
November 23, 2009 - John Sorensen, President/CEO, Iowa Bankers Assoication.
November 30, 2009 - NO ROTARY - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

CLUB NEWS  

The Rotary Metro President’s Group is engaging in brainstorming ideas for a Rotary Metro Service Project.  The best known past project of this group is undoubtedly Gearing Up for Kids, which installed playground equipment at Chapter I schools in the city.  These were schools where over half of the enrollment was subsidized for lunch because of low economic status.  Another Metro project was the Centennial Celebration of Rotary’s 100th birthday which included beautification and trail improvements around Cedar Lake.

Before the flood two groups were formed by the Metro Rotary Group to consider a Gearing Up for Kids Phase II and involvement in a Linn County Trails Project.  The overwhelming success of Gearing Up for Kids Phase I was under discussion and magnification of that success was an objective.  A tie to fitness and wellness was discussed as a possible approach.  The trails discussion centered on the success of the Cedar Lake Project, the availability of trails for everyone, the investment in community quality of life and the tie in with 15 in 5 and the new City Vision for Cedar Rapids.

The two groups had a joint meeting and decided to recommend to the Metro clubs that river beautification  projects should serve as a focal point for the next joint Rotary project incorporating outdoor activity, health consciousness and fitness messages.  It was contemplated that the project(s) would  involve "sweat equity" opportunities, bricks and mortar, trail development, etc.  The new Project could include trails development to connect all parts of the Metro area, opportunities in the areas of science/nature education and plants/animals stations and "Did you Notice?" Kiosks, etc.

All of this was put on the backburner with the arrival of The Flood of 2008.

The board solicits your ideas on these two projects and any others that you think should be considered by the Metro President’s Group for adoption and implementation.  Our club’s charitable resources will be used so what you think is important.  Please submit any ideas in writing and direct them to President Paul Morf.

A TRYST IN MONTREUIL

Past District Governor Dick Moeller is organizing a district-wide bus trip to Montreal for next year’s Rotary International Convention.  The dates are June 20-23, 2010.  You can learn more about the convention in the October 2009 Rotarian magazine, which includes a 12-page feature about the City of Montreal and plans for the convention.

This group travel option will hopefully provide an economical and fun way to experience an international convention while giving you an opportunity to get to know other Rotarians in our Rotary District.

It is anticipated that round-trip bus transportation will cost approximately $200 per person.  No hotel costs are available at this time.  PDG Moeller hopes to fill at least one bus and will add more if enough Rotarians indicate an interest.

Sophisticated yet friendly, Montreal offers an ideal setting for Rotarians to gather at the 2010 RI Convention.  More than 80 nationalities and ethnic groups reside in Montreal.  In addition, it is also the largest francophone city outside of Paris, making it the most bilingual metropolis in North America.  It will be an international experience

Rotarians who would like to take advantage of this travel and lodging combination should notify Dick Moeller by December 1, 2009.  He can be reached at 319-352-1747 (home), 319-290-7778 (cell) or vrmoeller@msn.com.

ROTARY ODDS & ENDS

THE BACK PAGE

Secretary/Treasurer Larry H. Christy (363-6301) (crrotary@mchsi.com)

Sergeant-at-Arms George K. Baldwin (362-4093) (baldwingeo@aol.com)