The Region XII Council of Governments Newsletter February 2017

E X E C U T I V E B O A R D

Marty Danzer, Chair Carroll Co. Supervisor

Eric Skoog, Vice Chair,Crawford Co. Supervisor

Ranell Drake, Secretary Sac Co. Supervisor

John Muir, Treasurer Greene Co. Supervisor

Rick ThompsonAudubon Co. Supervisor

Jack LloydGuthrie Co. Supervisor

C A L E N D A R

THE REVIEWFebruary

8 - RDC Loan Review Comm.; 11:30 AM, COG Training Room

9 - Executive Board Meeting; 12:30 PM, COG Board Room

16 - RWIB Meeting; 5:30 PM, COG Training Room

20 - President’s Day; Office Closed

March8 - RDC Loan Review Comm.; 11:30 AM, COG Training Room

9 - Executive Board Meeting; 12:30 PM, COG Board Room

COG Housing; 12:30 PM, COG Board Room

April12 - RDC Loan Review Comm.; 11:30 PM, COG Board Room

14 - Good Friday; Office Closed

20 - Executive Board Meeting; 5:00 PM, COG Board Room

Policy Council Meeting; 6:00 PM, COG Board Room

John D. Morrow, Certified Public Accountant, Wall Lake, Iowa released an audit report on Region XII Council of Governments, Inc., Carroll, Iowa, and its two affiliated non-profits, Region XII Development Corporation & COG Government Housing.

Morrow reported the organizations had revenues of $6,103,709 for the year ended June 30, 2016, which was a 4.18% increase from the prior year. Support included $3,292,529 from Federal and State agencies; $2,409,301 from public support, fees, contributions, matching funds, etc.; $283,684 from loan repayments; and $118,195 from interest from invested funds and loans.

Expenditures for the organizations totaled $6,233,001, a 10% increase from the prior year. Program expenditures administered by the organizations included $2,349,706 for Rural Transit programs and planning, $4,411,116 for Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act, $1,192,770 for affordable housing and housing assistance programs, $114,702 for Western Iowa Advantage Partners, and $2,164,707 for other state and local programs.

A copy of the audit reports are available for review on the Office of the Auditor of State’s website or from the COG’s administrative office.

Region XII COG Fiscal Year 2016 Audit Released

Region XII’s New Website Goes Live

On February 1, 2017 the new Region XII COG website went live. The redesigned website will allow for users to easily access information about the programs and assistance Region XII COG offers to the cities and counties which it serves. The new website will allow users to download ridership pick-up forms for Western Iowa Transit, view housing grant opportunities, or browse previous COG publications along with recent plans, surveys and links to community webites.The new website can be accessed by clicking HERE.

2THE REVIEW

The COG’s Partnership Program is an opportunity for private, non-government businesses and organizations to become a part of the COG’s mission to provide various needed services to the region’s cities and counties. The Partnership Program philosophy is that all groups making up a community, including non-government entities like local businesses, are essential to promoting, advancing, and developing the community. The COG appreciates the investments made so far this year by the 2017 Partners listed below. For more information on the Partnership Program, follow this link or contact Rick Hunsaker at rhunsaker@region12cog.org. This list is up to date as of January 30, 2016.

SILVER MEMBERSHIP - $500Audubon County Econ. Development, Audubon

Bank Iowa, DenisonHome State Bank, Jefferson

Iowa Corn Processors, GliddenIowa State Bank, Sac City

Mid-Iowa Insurance & Real Estate, CarrollUnited Bank of Iowa, Carroll

BRONZE MEMBERSHIP - $250Agri-Drain, Adair

Audubon State Bank, AudubonBadding Construction, Carroll

Bruner, Bruner & Reinhart, CarrollCarroll Area Development Corporation, Carroll

Carroll County State Bank, CarrollCommercial Savings Bank, Carroll

Community State Bank, PatonCoon Rapids Municipal Utilities, Coon Rapids

Denison Municipal Utilities, DenisonDrees Company, Carroll

Exchange State Bank, ExiraFarmers State Bank, Yale

Farner Bocken Company, CarrollThe Graphic Edge, Carroll

Holmes-Murphy, West Des MoinesMarne & Elk Horn Telephone Co., Elk Horn

Principal Fin. Group-Matt Ramaekers, CarrollSnyder & Associates, Atlantic

Sundquist Engineering, DenisonTempleton Savings Bank, Templeton

Templeton Telephone Company, TempletonWest Central Iowa Rural Water Association, Manning

Western Iowa Networks, BredaWestside State Bank, Westside

P a r t n e r s h i p P r o g r a m

W e s t e r n I o w a T r a n s i tWestern Iowa Transit has recently added new

drivers to fill vacancies throughout our region. Joe Neil of Manning has joined the South Carroll

County team of drivers that provide public transit services in and around the communities of Manning

and Manilla. Gary Colvin of Sac City will be working out of Sac County while also assisting in the Carroll area. Michael Askren of Stuart was hired to work primarily in Guthrie County and in addition to those duties, will also be utilized as needed in Greene County.

Western Iowa Transit is Hiring!Region XII COG has openings for part-time public transit drivers throughout our six county region. A good driving record & the ability to obtain a Class C, CDL license with passenger endorsement is required. Applicants must pass a DOT physical, Region XII Functional Capacity Exam, and a DOT drug screening. Uniforms are provided. Call 712-792-9914, Mon-Fri. 7:00-4:30 for an application, or apply in person at 1009 East Anthony St., Carroll. Positions are open until filled. Region XII COG is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

City of Scranton Chosen for Community Visioning ProgramIn October 2016, the City of Scranton was chosen to participate in the Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program in collaboration with Trees Forever, ISU Department of Landscape Architecture, and IDOT to create a transportation enhancement plan reflecting the values and identity of the community. These transportation systems can include anything from entrance corridors, to streetscapes, sidewalks, or trails.

Throughout the process, the committee identifies and investigates the physical and cultural dimensions of landscape issues, sets goals for change, and develops implementation strategies for meeting community goals. Successful completion of the visioning process results in a transportation enhancement plan and implementation strategies that empower communities to build meaningful townscapes, step by step, as resources become available. More

information on the program can be found by visiting www.communityvisioning.org.

3THE REVIEW

Employees

Jean Blum Christina Brown

Gerald Hicks Winston Huebner

Tami Lehmann Kenny Nepple Robert Parker

Merlin Schau Steven Schmidt

Lisa Smith Duane Veit

Tom Feldman Rick Hunsaker Kathy Pauli

15-19 Years

10-14 Years

Roger Burchfield Sheryl Drees

Bert Madden Harlan Meyer

Mike Rath Chris Whitaker

5-9 Years

20-24 Years Kandy Goslar Fred Kesten

Nancy Muhlbauer JoAnn Olberding

Jill Anthofer Charles Boldt

Shelly Codner Patrick Coil

Ken Schaefer Beth Winquist

0-4 Years Michael Askren

Lanah Boeck Gary Colvin

Denice Crawley Gene Derner Alex Foley

Rebecca Friedrichsen James Grace

John Grettenberg Richard Hernandez

George Hunt Karla Janning

Glen Kurtz Ashley Larson Tom Madsen

Connie Martens-Crawford Joseph Neil

Ashley Owen Steven Page

Michael Powers

Kim Pudenz Joan Schettler Mollie Scott Paul Scott

John Shymanski Evan Sinnott

America Soto-Pozo Lauren Subler

Charles Vandever Michael Westering

25+ Years

As we begin a new year here at Region XII, we would like to thank our employees for their years of service to our member communities and the people who call them home.

4THE REVIEW

It’s never too early to start thinking about CDBG owner-occupied rehabilitation grant applications!

Region XII COG assisted the Community Foundation of Carroll County (CFCC), the only non-affiliated community foundation in the region, with achieving accreditation with the National Standards for US Community Foundations. For any county foundation to receive its share of state gaming revenues, accreditation or affiliation with an accredited foundation is a requirement of state law. The COG assisted CFCC at the suggestion of IEDA Director Debi Durham. CFCC chose to become accredited to maintain expertise and keep control of its resources local. The COG was pleased to be tapped to aid in this important work. The news, several years in the making, is also good for the Sac County Endowment Foundation (SCEF) as it is affiliated with CFCC. For more information about these two freshly-a c c r e d i t e d foundations, visit the CFCC website by clicking HERE and SCEF by clicking HERE.

Region XII Asssits with Foundation Accreditation

Down-payment funds are available now and may not be again for some time. So now is the time to apply. These funds improve the ownership opportunities of residents as well as the quality of housing in communities. Act fast as the final deadlines for these programs are approaching. The cities participating in these programs are: Coon Rapids, Glidden, Jefferson, Panora, Perry, Redfield, Scranton, Stuart (New Construction), Templeton, and Willey

Housing Funds Remain in Certain Cities

If your city is interested in learning more about how to apply for a 2018 CDBG owner-occupied rehabilitation grant program, contact Karla Janning, Housing Programs Coordinator at 712-775-7825 or kjanning@region12cog.org. In 2017, we submitted grants for Auburn, Jefferson, Menlo, Scranton, and Templeton.

Three owner-occupied rehabilitation projects remain in Panora. Once these projects are complete, it could be some time before the city has grant funds available for these types of projects. Eligible households may recieve up to $24,999 in rehabilitation funds.

If you or you know someone that can benefit from a housing program in one of these cities, call Karla Janning at 712-775-7825 for more information.

February 2017 Grant Update

Upcoming Grants

5

Funding Program Purpose Deadline Eligible Applicants

USDA Community Connect Program

This program helps fund broadband deployment into rural communities with lower-income populations, areas that are extremely rural and/or currently unserved, and areas where it is not yet economically viable for private sector providers to deliver service. RUS will give priority to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services

March 13, 2017 Cities and counties

Keep Iowa Beautiful Beautifcation Grant

Beautification programs – flower, tree and shrub planting, painting & fix-up and general landscaping; public nuisance abatement; litter prevention and recycling education, implementation, and public awareness

March 15, 2017

Local governments and nonprofit organizations in communities of less than 5,000 residents

Iowa West Foundation Community development, economic development, education and human needs projects

March 15, 2017July 17, 2017November 15, 2017

Local governments and non-profit organizations in Audubon, Carroll and Crawford Counties.

Build with Bags Up to $2,000 for teh purchase of benches, tables, or playground equipment made of recycled plastic. March 30, 2017 Local governments, nonprofit

organizations, service clubs

CDBG Water and Sewer Fund

Grants to assist cities and counties with sanitary sewer system improvements, water system improvements, water and wastewater treatment facilities, storm sewer projects related to sanitary sewer system improvements and rural water connections.

April 1, 2017July 1, 2017October 1, 2017January 1, 2018

Local governments

Solid Waste Alternatives Program (SWAP)

Emphasis for selected projects is placed on tonnage avoided or reduced, sustainability and ability to replicate.

April 1, 2017July 1, 2017October 1, 2017January 1, 2018

Local governments, public or private groups

Enhance Iowa CAT Assists communities in the development and creation of multiple purpose attraction or tourism facilities.

April 15, 2017July 15, 2017October 15, 2017January 15, 2018

Cities, counties, non-profit organizations or school districs in cooperation with a city or county

Peter Kiewitt Foundation Community development and recreation projectsApril 15, 2017July 15, 2017October 15, 2017

Local governments and nonprofit organizations within a 100 mile radius of Omaha Nebraska.

Iowa Community Cultural Grant Staffing support for wide array of cultural organziations and projects May 1, 2017

Local governments, tax exempt nonprofits, others with a willing fiscal agent

Iowa Community Cultural Grant

Project Grants create opportunities for the arts to flourish in Iowa by investing in projects that positively impact the vitality of the arts in the state, demonstrate public value, and support Iowa Arts Council funding priorities. Job Creation Grants provide funds to support the creation of quality jobs for Iowans that contribute to the cultural vitality of Iowa.

May 1, 2017 Local governments, private nonprofits

Branching Out Tree Planting June 1, 2017November 1, 2017 Cities served by Alliant Energy

Small Town Sign Replacement Program

The program will provide up to $5,000 of signs and signposts per applying community on a first-come, first served basis.

Ongoing Cities

Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP)

Provides 100 hours of engineering assistance for operations and traffic safety issues. Ongoing Cities and Counties

Alliant Hometown Challenge Grants Dollar-for Dollar match to local fundraising for one-time safety related projects for local response teams. Ongoing Local Governments, private non-

profits

STAFF

Additional grants are available through private foundations and ongoing programs. If you are looking for funding for a specific project, please contact Chris Whitaker, cwhitaker@region12cog.org or 712-775-7811, for assistance in locating funding opportunities.

Funding Program Recipient Amount ProjectIEDA Cooperative Marketing Western Iowa Advantage $50,000 Cooperative Marketing & Related Activities

State Housing Trust Fund COG Housing Inc. $235,872 Housing Trust Fund

NEW Cooperative Foundation City of Glidden $5,000 All Season Shelter Furnishings

Recently Awarded Grants

6working for YOUR community!

1009 East Anthony Street, PO Box 768, Carroll, IA 51401 | (712) 792-9914 | www.region12cog.org

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filing cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov

A D M I N I S T R AT I O N

Rick Hunsaker, Executive Director ................................................. rhunsaker@region12cog.orgKathy Pauli, Fiscal Officer ....................................................................... kpauli@region12cog.orgTami Lehmann, Revolving Loan Fund Administrator................... tlehmann@region12cog.orgMollie Scott, De-Cat Coordinator.............................................................. mscott@dhs.state.ia.usJoAnn Olberding, Executive Secretary ........................................... jolberding@region12cog.orgJoan Schettler, Fiscal Clerk...................................................................jschettler@region12cog.org

L O C A L A S S I S TA N C E

Chris Whitaker, Local Assistance Director ..................................... cwhitaker@region12cog.orgLauren Subler, Regional Planner..............................................................lsubler@region12cog.orgEvan Sinnott, Regional Planner.............................................................esinnott@region12cog.orgFred Kesten, Iowa Waste Exchange Program Manager ...................... fkesten@region12cog.orgShelly Codner, Iowa Waste Exchange Specialist................................. scodner@region12cog.orgKarla Janning, Housing Programs Coordinator................................ kjanning@region12cog.orgNancy Muhlbauer, Housing Inspector ........................................ nmuhlbauer@region12cog.orgAshley Owen, Housing Programs Assistant...........................................aowen@region12cog.orgJean Blum, FSS Coordinator..................................................................... jblum@region12cog.org

W E S T E R N I O WA T R A N S I T

Tom Feldman, Transit Director ......................................................... tfeldman@region12cog.orgMike Rath, Service Manager.................................................................... mrath@region12cog.orgJill Anthofer, Transit Assistant............................................................ janthofer@region12cog.orgChris Brown, Office Assistant.................................................................cbrown@region12cog.org

W O R K F O R C E D E V E L O P M E N T

Beth Winquist, Workforce Director............................................... Beth.Winquist@iwd.iowa.govLisa Smith, Career Development Specialist......................................... Lisa.Smith@iwd.iowa.govLanah Boeck, Career Development Specialist..................................Lanah.Boeck@iwd.iowa.govAshley Larson, Career Development Specialist.............................Ashley.Larson@iwd.iowa.govAmerica Soto-Pozo, Dislocated Worker Specialist........................America.Soto@iwd.iowa.gov