Highlights

Continuing and Growing the Farmers Market

After the old farmers market site became unavailable in 2016 and with proposals to close down this community event, I volunteered to manage the farmers market. This involved starting from scratch with a budget of $0, reaching out to over 150 local farmers, vendors and crafters to invite them, securing a temporary site, repainting old yard signs, and seeking sponsorships from local businesses. Thanks to hard work, multiple local businesses helping out, and the generosity of the University Athletic Club in giving us a venue, the 2016 farmers market opened in May and closed in October. In 2017, after positive feedback from the prior season's core vendors, the farmers market went from a once-a-month event to a weekly event. In 2018, it moved to Marietta Ave. and currently has a similar number of vendors as Coralville's Farmers Market.

Recycling at Grandview Condominiums

After 60+ years of no recycling, a grant I applied for from the Iowa DNR's Solid Waste Alternative Program helped the City launch a recycling program at Grandview Condominiums. This involved meeting with Grandview management, researching recycling bin options, coordinating with ABC Waste Disposal, and distributing recycling bins to residents. Grandview has now been recycling since late 2015.

Municipal park and green space

I was the first elected official to publicly propose the purchase of the Swisher Tract during the last election cycle, and with the help of residents and other elected officials campaigned for a bond referendum to enable the City to acquire the space for a municipal park and green space. I made sure the bond language included language on green space. We have an unprecedented opportunity now to have an accessible park that respects neighbors' privacy and protects green space.

Splash Pad at Tower Court Park

I worked with residents to propose and plan the addition of a splash pad to Tower Court Park. Now Tower Court Park's splash pad is open and makes the park attractive for a larger population of kids to enjoy.

Conflicts of Interest Ordinance

In order to increase transparency in the governing process I introduced Ordinance 193. This involved conducting extensive research on existing policies in other municipalities, contacting the few Iowa cities that have a similar ordinance, and consulting with national transparency groups on recommendations. Many more hours were spent working with Council members to discuss Ordinance 193, which requires Council and City Staff to disclose if they have any conflicts of interest in matters that they are reviewing and/or voting on. The amended version that passed did not include all the safeguards I support, but it provides a foundation for further strengthening our City's governing process.

Image by Open Knowledge. See license.

Ensuring the City Provides Access to Public Records

After the former Mayor refused to provide me access to public records, I submitted a complaint to the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB). This resulted in the IPIB instructing the City to develop a public records policy that complied with Iowa law (Chapter 22 of Iowa Code). I worked to ensure that expensive "service provider" fees clauses wouldn't thwart access to public records.

Initiatives and Voting Record

2018-19 Term

• Managed City's Farmers Market
• Voted YES to purchase city's first municipal park and green space
• Supported and ensured the text of bond for municipal park and green space (approved by 76% of voters) included greeen space
• Voted YES to support for Johnson County Behavioral Health Access Center
• Votes YES to approve rooftop restaurant at new hotel
• Introduced Ordinance 235 - Community Police Relations (approved 5-0 vote)
• Introduced Ordinance 244 - Hotel Detection and Reporting of Human Trafficking (under consideration)
• Introduced Resolution 19-43 - committing to applying the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, to the Swisher Tract's municipal park and green space (approved 5-0 vote)

2016-17 Term

• Sponsored Ordinance 193 - Conflicts of Interest & Annual Disclosures.
• Sponsored Resolution 16-54 - adopting City's Public Records Policy.
• Voted YES to approve Marriott hotel with no subsidies
• Voted NO to allow One University Place (OUP) developers to transfer costs as special assessment taxes to new OUP owners.
• Reached consensus against loaning City's credit borrowing rate to OUP w/o compensation to the City; introduced financial research that resulted in additional discounts in the City Hall price resulting in the cost to the City being lowered by a total of $90k+.
• Introduced Resolution 17-11 declaring University Heights a Welcoming Community.
• Introduced Ordinance 201 - Urban Chickens.
• Introduced resolutions to hold the farmers market at a temporary location, the University Athletic Club, and to switch it from a monthly to a weekly schedule.
• Managed the community annual Luminary Walk.
• Voted YES to the purchase of City Hall, 1302 Melrose Avenue.
• Motioned (03/12/17) for an open process in the selection of a new Police Chief; two residents joined the search committee and a meet-and-greet with the public would be held before the City made an offer. The process had previously been closed.

2014-15 Term

• Set up Grandview recycling program, funded by an Iowa DNR Grant.
• Introduced and organized Lights In the Heights - Luminary Walk (ongoing).
• Voted YES to make the One University Place development fiscally viable on its own and NO to $6.7M in taxpayer support (TIF).
• Proposed Splash Pad at Tower Court Park; completed in 2015.
• Introduced curbside composting service.