PVTFloodResponse

New Blog

2009-05-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

Gregg Hennigan sent this for our website:

Hi Bob,
I forget if you run the PVT blog or just posted stuff to it, but I wanted to let you know that I started a blog to supplement my work that gets in the newspaper. It’s at http://ghennigan.wordpress.com/ Feel free to pass it along.
Space is limited in the paper, so this will allow me to write longer or even include stuff that wouldn’t ever get in the paper. For example, my first post is a longer version of a story that was in the paper about buyouts and other flood projects. And I put one up today about down-payment assistance. I’m also able to link to documents.
I also cover other areas of local government, and enterprise and spot news, so the blog of course will include much more than just flood coverage. But the flood continues to be a major story, so I wanted to let folks know that this will be an added resource for Iowa City-Coralville news.
Gregg Hennigan
Iowa City reporter
The Gazette
201 S. Clinton St.
Iowa City, IA 52240

Parkveiw Church Land intended to be purchased

2009-05-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

From the Iowa City Press Citizen
The Iowa City Council unanimously approved an agreement at its Tuesday night meeting to buy 19.5 acres of vacant land south of Taft Speedway.

The parcel is owned by Parkview Evangelical Free Church and is in the 100-year floodplain.
The city is seeking to purchase vacant land in the 100-year floodplain to prevent future development in those areas.
According to an agreement, the city will pay $650,000 for the land. The price is what the church paid for the land in 2004, according to city documents.
The purchase will be funded by the state Community Disaster Grant program.
At a Monday night work session, the council discussed the potential purchase of other vacant land in the 100-year floodplain, including parcels owned by the Elks Club near the Idyllwild subdivision.

Out of the Blue - More Buyouts

2009-05-19T03:44:00.000-07:00

Iowa City seeks more buyout funds
By Gregg Hennigan
The Gazettegregg.hennigan@gazettecommunications.com
IOWA CITY — The City Council agreed last night to go after money that would allow the city to purchase flood-damaged homes that were ineligible for the federal buyout program. The money would come from a new state-administered program that has $10 million in federal funds. More money may go into the program in the future, officials said.

The city will submit more than 80 homes in the Parkview Terrace neighborhood for consideration. Those homes are in the 500-year flood plain but not the 100-year boundary and therefore weren't eligible for the federal buyout program that is beginning in Iowa City this week.Officials admit that, given the magnitude of damage elsewhere in the state, it's unlikely they'll get nearly enough money for everyone who wants it. Jeff Davidson, the city's director of planning and community development, estimated the city would be able to buy several homes, with priority likely given to those nearest the 100-year flood plain."We're trying to be realistic about this, but we also want to keep our options open," he said.

Council members said they were committed to pursuing all opportunities to help flood victims. "I'm all for opening it up," council member Mike Wright said. The program is voluntary, so no one would be required to sell their home.

It's unclear how many of the Parkview Terrace homeowners would be interested in the new buyout funds, but the city had to submit a list this week and included them all to be safe. The city also will submit three vacant properties for the program, with the goal of preventing them from being developed in the future. Two are in the Peninsula neighborhood and another is off South Gilbert Street.

More Buyouts in PVT may be possible soon

2009-05-15T15:55:00.000-07:00

New News from the City - More houses may be eligible for buyouts.

City Council will be meeting Monday night to discuss this and City Staff should know more on Tuesday.

5/14/09: Staff Memo-Prop. Acquisition

For those not in the original buyout - You are urged to contact City Council if you have an opinion on your house - Buyout or Non-Buyout.

Update from the Crisis Center on Unmet Needs Grants

2009-05-12T20:03:00.000-07:00

Myia, one of our flood case advocates checked with the state to clarify income verification for the Iowa Unmet Needs Grant. This is what she wrote to me:

"In regards to the two clients we saw today whose adjusted gross income exceeds the income guidelines of IUNDGP but who have casualty/loss that exceeds their adjusted gross income:
Marvin at DHS says that all he needs to see is what they’ve “self-declared” their income to be. Document income by obtaining copies of their complete 2008 federal tax return that details both their adjusted gross income AND the value of their casualty/loss in order to justify their self-declared income. With that said, many more of our Idyllwild/Parkview Terrace friends will be able to qualify for the program. Myia"

I am sure it has been a long and difficult year for you all and I know you are greatful for any small bit of help that you receive. The Crisis Center wants to help as much as we are able...

I want to offer this opportunity to those of you in Idyllwild and Park View Terrace to call the Crisis Center and speak with one of the flood case advocates about qualifying for the IA Unmet Needs Grant once your loss is figured into the equation. I know that you all have experienced great loss, not only financially, but emotionally, and physically with the loss of much of your personal belongings. Hopefully we can help!

Once the casuality/loss is deducted from the adjusted gross income, there is a very good chance that you will qualify for the grant which is a maximum of $2,500.00. We would love to be able to help anyone of you in this small way.

Call 351-0140 and ask to speak to Myia, Fernando, or Diane.

Thanks to all of you for your example of strength and resilience.

Diane, Myia, and Fernando, flood case advocates

Diane

Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass.
God does not change.
Patience achieves everything.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.
St. Teresa of Avila

One Year Survivors Party

2009-05-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

One Year Survivors Party

We are organizing a One Year Survivors Park View Terrace Picnic for Saturday, June 13 starting at 4:00-8:00 with a raindate of Sunday, June 14. We plan to be meet on Eastmoor Dr. in front of Stroms. Everyone is invited: survivors, buy outers, volunteers and new neighbors. Please bring a dish to share, something to grill and drinks. Could you put this out on the website? Mary, Lynn, Laura and I will put flyers in all PVT doors next Saturday.
Thanks so much,
Becky Hall

Good News from the Crisis Center

2009-04-28T20:16:00.000-07:00

Update on the Iowa Unmet Needs Grant

This message is for all Park View Terrace and IdylWild residents. The Iowa Unmet Needs Grant is now available for households that meet the following criteria—
-Have applied for FEMA and have a FEMA registration #
-Head of household is a U.S. citizen
-Has an income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level
*Applicants can use the ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME from their 2008 tax form (income after assessed damages are deducted from gross income).
-Must have resided in a county declared a presidential disaster on and after May 24, 2008 and before August 14, 2008.

Iowa Unmet Needs Poverty Level Guidelines
	Annual Guidelines	Monthly Guidelines
Num of People Household	300% of Fed Pov Level	300% of Fed Pov Level
1	32,490.00	2,707.50
2	43,710.00	3,642.50
3	54,930.00	4,577.50
4	66,150.00	5512.5
5	77,370.00	6,447.50
6	88,590.00	7,382.50
7	99,810.00	8,317.50
8	111,030.00	9,252.50

Please review your adjusted gross income after damages to see if you might qualify for the Iowa Unmet Needs Grant. Eligible households may receive up to $2500.00 of financial assistance for the following categories: personal property, home repair, mental health services, food assistance, child care, and temporary housing assistance. Assistance will be through reimbursement or voucher. The process requires proof of payment with receipts or proof of loss/need, and complete documentation regarding duplication of services.

If you find that you qualify with the adjusted gross income, or if you have questions, please call the Crisis Center at 351-2726 and ask to speak with one of the flood advocates. We here at the Crisis Center want to make sure that all who are eligible can claim some portion of this grant.

I hope we can help with your recovery in this small way.

Sincerely,
Diane Yagla

Good news on Jumpstart Funds

2009-04-07T20:31:00.000-07:00

The house passed the change from 10 year to five years - Govenor Culver expected to sign it soon.

http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&frame=1&GA=83&hbill=SF289

Property Tax Assessments Released for PVT

2009-03-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

The new property assessments have been released by the City.

Use this link: http://iowacity.iowaassessors.com/search.php?mode=search

Type in your Steet Number and Name. Or you want to see the list of houses on a street - just type in the Street Name (no number).

Meeting tomorrow 10:30 am

2009-03-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

All, Please feel free to stop by my house (731 Manor Drive) tomorrow at 10:30 am to 11:30 am to discuss the following:

Jumpstart Money - Is it really available? Have people been required to do lead abatement as a condition of receiving money? Has the money received been an adequate amount?

Volunteer Help - Is it really available? Will they be able to perform quality work without significant supervision? Has anyone used volunteer help this year?

Contractors - has anyone used a contractor for bathrooms, cabinents, flooring, etc. that they would recommend?

What is the future of PVT - will the developers turn PVT into a rental community?

Please feel free to stop by and share any other rebuilding stories.

All PVT residents are invited - both current and former.

As the rumor mill goes - the Buyout is making significant process - any updates are appreciated.

Meeting today

2009-03-07T06:54:00.000-08:00

This might be of interest to you and some of your neighbors:

Congressman Loebsack is hosting a meeting in Coralville on March 7 to discuss disaster tax relief provisions and how they apply to Iowa.

Kristy Maitre, IRS Tax Specialist and Stakeholder Liaison, will provide an overview of disaster relief provisions and how they apply to Iowa, and will answer general questions.

She won’t be able to answer questions about specific tax situations, but should be able to provide some helpful information to flood-affected homeowners.

Saturday, March 7
2:00-3:00
Coralville Public Library, Room A

This meeting is open to the general public.

Dave Leshtz

Swept Away - Brought Together Meeting

2009-03-07T06:52:00.000-08:00

Group invites flood victims to use writing for healing
University of Iowa faculty, staff and students affected by the flood of 2008 are invited to share their stories of the disaster and its aftermath through written expression or journaling in a safe, supportive community for six weeks starting March 26 at the Johnson County Crisis Center, 1121 Gilbert Court in Iowa City.
Hosted by the center, the "Swept Away-Brought Together" writers group is open to people with all levels of writing skill. It will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on six consecutive Thursdays: March 26 and April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.
Group members will be invited to share their heart's needs and use poetry, prose and essays as a source of healing and recovery and as a creative way to make meaning out of life's traumatic circumstances. Participants will be encouraged to record events, describe places and belongings, and explore emotions, thoughts and beliefs that came with the waters of last June.
To reserve a spot contact Diane Yagla, flood case advocate, 319-351-0140.

Volunteer Flyer from Saint Andrews

2009-03-04T16:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Homeowner,

It is in the spirit of volunteerism and the joy of working in our community that we offer free assistance to you, in:

Mucking De-construction

Yard Work Rebuilding (as experts are available)

Haul Away AND MORE……

We have over 300 volunteers scheduled to visit our community in the coming months.

If we can be of help to you please contact:

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church 319-338-7523

or

floodrecovery@saintandrew-ic.org

Governor Culver at the Old Capitol today

2009-03-04T16:22:00.000-08:00

Governor Culver Makes History at Old Capitol
By Jami Brinton, Reporter
By Jami Brinton
Story Created: Mar 4, 2009 at 5:26 PM CST
Story Updated: Mar 4, 2009 at 5:26 PM CST
IOWA CITY - Today Chet Culver became Iowa's first sitting governor in more than 150 years to work out of the Old Capitol in Iowa City.The Governor went straight to work early this morning, signing a proclamation declaring that March is "flood awareness month." Then, at a town hall forum, he heard what city leaders and homeowners say must be done to make sure history doesn't repeat itself. The Governor certainly got an earful today about what is working, and more importantly, what isn't working as Johnson County, the University of Iowa, and homeowners try to rebuild."It's about as complex and complicated as a recovery could be," said Governor Chet Culver.To help illustrate how history can play an important role in setting the stage for the significant rebuilding work that lies ahead, Governor Chet Culver picked this poignant place to reflect on what our ancestors taught us. "People who lived here a century and a half ago literally built Iowa and now it's fitting that we're back here in Iowa City - a city whose citizens are now rebuilding this community and helping us rebuild this state we all love," the Governor said. Among the many who gathered in the old Senate Chambers was flood-victim Louise Wolf-Novak."We didn't have any debt so we didn't qualify for anything. I thought you were supposed to live that way," exclaimed Wolf-Novak.Wolf-Novak lost her home in the Parkview Terrace neighborhood, and wasn't eligible for a city buy-out.She's now trying to rebuild her home and wants the Governor to remember those who seem to be falling through the flood recovery cracks."We're concerned about the future of our neighborhood and our neighbors," said Wolf-Novak.The Governor paid particular attention to Wolf-Novak after the town hall forum concluded.Governor Culver told T-V Nine he's glad she was willing tell him how homeowners are still struggling after the water has gone."It's really important to put a human face with disaster to really empathize and understand what people are going through," said Governor Culver. Wolf-Novak invited the Governor to take a tour of her Parkview Terrace neighborhood with her.The Governor says he'll do that when he comes back to work at the Old Capitol in April.

CR approves Sales Tax for Flood Victims

2009-03-03T20:19:00.000-08:00

Cedar Rapids approves local-option sales tax
By Rick Smith
The Gazetterick.smith@gazettecommunications.com
CEDAR RAPIDS - Voters have approved a 1-percent local-option sales tax, 58 percent to 42 percent with 75 percent of the vote in, in a decision that adds a local tax to help flood victims despite tough economic times.Also, defeats of the tax this evening in Marion, Hiawatha and Robins mean more revenue for Cedar Rapids flood victims.The tax will be in place five years and three months beginning April 1. It is expected to bring in about $18 million a year.Ninety percent of the revenue will be used for flood relief, specifically for housing buyouts and repair.Ten percent of the revenue will be used for property-tax relief.Backers of the tax, which joined in an effort called Vote YES! For Our Neighbors, said the city's flood recovery depended on it. The sales-tax revenue, backers said, will help flood victims and will show the city is willing to help itself. The local commitment will strengthen the city's ability to ask for federal and state disaster funds, backers said.Opponents, led by a group called Cedar Rapids Tea Party, said the city should cut its budget to find money to help in flood recovery. A time when people are losing jobs isn't the time to raise taxes, opponents said.There was some thought, too, that the sales-tax vote would serve as something of a referendum on the performance of Mayor Kay Halloran, her City Council colleagues and City Manager Jim Prosser.By way of comparison, about 70 percent of Cedar Rapids voters approved the sales tax in July 2001, when it was approved for one year to build new swimming pools.Even so, Paul Pate defeated incumbent Mayor Lee Clancey four months later.Voters in Cedar Rapids rejected a sales tax in 2003 that would have provided funds with the RiverRun redevelopment project, which featured an outdoor kayak course.

Governor's Town Hall Meeting Tomorrow

2009-03-03T15:42:00.000-08:00

Wednesday - March 4th
WHAT:Governor Culver to hold town hall meeting with Iowans about disaster recovery efforts
WHERE:Old Senate ChamberOld Capitol Building University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
TIME:10:15 am

Additional info below

RIO Press Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact :
March 02, 2009
Tina Potthoff , Communications DirectorRebuild Iowa Office(515) 242-5232 (o)Fax: (515) 242-5006
Troy PriceGovernor’s Office(515) 281-0173
GOVERNOR CULVER TO DECLARE MARCH AS FLOOD AWARENESS MONTH
Iowans are Invited to Discuss Flood Recovery Efforts in Johnson County, Iowa City and Coralville on Wednesday
(DES MOINES) — Governor Culver will do some of his work from Iowa’s original state house on Wednesday as he signs a proclamation and hosts a series of meetings at the Old Capitol in Iowa City.
The Governor’s visit will begin in the original Governor’s Office, where the Governor will sign a proclamation declaring March 2009 as Flood Awareness Month in Iowa.
Next, he will hold a meeting with local officials from Iowa City, Coralville, Johnson County and the University of Iowa to discuss their recovery efforts following last year’s floods and what assistance is still needed to rebuild as well as prevent future disasters.
Finally, the Governor’s visit will conclude with a town hall meeting in the old Senate Chamber. This will be an opportunity for local residents to visit with Governor Culver and local officials about disaster recovery efforts and other issues.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2009
WHAT:Governor Culver to sign a proclamation declaring March as Flood Awareness Month in Iowa
WHERE:Governor’s OfficeOld Capitol Building University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
TIME:9:15 am
WHAT:Governor Culver to hold open meeting with officials from Coralville, Iowa City, Johnson County and the University of Iowa on disaster recovery efforts in the area
WHERE:Old Senate ChamberOld Capitol Building University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
TIME:9:30 am
WHAT:Governor Culver to hold town hall meeting with Iowans about disaster recovery efforts
WHERE:Old Senate ChamberOld Capitol Building University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
TIME:10:15 am
###
Return to RIO Online News Room home page

Rebuild Iowa Office Wallace Building 502 E. Ninth Street Des Moines, IA 50319 (515) 242-5004

Sunday Des Moines Register Article

2009-02-23T16:37:00.000-08:00

Lawmakers push for faster results in flood planning
By PERRY BEEMAN • pbeeman@dmreg.com • February 22, 2009
Post a Comment
gsl.recommendCountHrefEnabled='true';

Recommend
Print this page
E-mail this article
Share
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
Reddit
Newsvine
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090222/NEWS/902220343

Buzz up!

Lawmakers from Iowa areas hit hardest by last year's floods want the state to move faster to expand work meant to reduce future damage.The Iowa Department of Natural Resources wants to ask Iowans this summer to comment on new strategies to reduce property damage and injuries in future floods before giving the plans final approval.

The strategy, still in the early stages, would lead to rules on how flood-resistant new buildings should be, how often they should be inspected, and how extensive floodplain maps should be.The legislators say the agency is on the right track, but it needs to move faster to make changes before floods ravage communities again.Sen. Robert Hogg, a Democrat who represents Cedar Rapids, told agency officials at a legislative hearing earlier this month that the plan should be in place this year.
"We have been failing the people of Iowa and 2009 needs to be the year that stops," he said. "Long before the floods of 2008, Iowa was one of the leading flood-damaged states in the country."State water-quality chief Charles Corell agreed that the state's efforts to manage the floodplains and ensure dam safety have fallen short, but that's because lawmakers haven't provided money for new mapping or the staff to review building plans in floodplains.
"Iowa needs to do more, Iowa should do more, Iowa should have been doing more for the last 20 years," Corell said.He said a $3 million infusion included in Gov. Chet Culver's budget would help rejuvenate Iowa's work to keep floodplains safe. That work would include limiting construction in floodplains, ensuring buildings are flood-resistant, and checking dams more often.The resources department's work to regulate floodplains is part of a broader state effort to address flood damage that includes the recovery work of the Rebuild Iowa office and of several federal agencies in Iowa.
"We know how to reduce damages - we just need to do more," Corell said.William Ehm, who works on water issues for the DNR, said the state has 3,300 dams, most of them more than 50 years old, and many of them are not inspected regularly. He said the agency is trying to provide enough time for public comment, so it is unlikely new policies would be in place until next year.But Ehm said he hopes to speed up some of the work by using an existing state water task force as an advisory panel instead of waiting for the governor's office to assemble a new group proposed by the Rebuild Iowa office.
"Sen. Hogg has people in his district who have been to hell and back in the last year," Ehm said. "It's understandable that he wants us to move faster. But if we make a mistake, we'll pay for it for several years. We need to be careful."Ehm expects public meetings on final recommendations this summer, with implementation months later.The Federal Emergency Management Agency has designated 600 of Iowa's 947 cities as flood-hazard areas. Ehm said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is unlikely to build major new levees in Iowa due to budget shortfalls.
The Corps still is scrambling to finish repairs to levees damaged last year.Jack Riessen, who retired last week after decades as a floodplain and water-quality authority at the DNR, told lawmakers earlier this month that part of the new effort will be to protect cities from more severe floods that are expected to occur more often as the Earth's atmosphere warms.He said the added protection is most important for hospitals and other "critical facilities" in floodplains.
Iowa had a special commission in the late 1940s that decided flood-protection matters, Riessen said. The state was considered a national leader in the field. "We need to re-establish an advisory council or regulatory agency" that can operate outside of the pressures of local politics, Riessen said.Corell, the water-quality chief, said FEMA often sends people to the DNR for answers about flood maps and regulations. The resources department has four floodplain engineers and one employee who handles dam inspections.
"Local politics can get in the way of a good science-based decision, which is where we come in," Corell said.It's too early to tell if the $3 million will survive budget deliberations, expected to come later in the session, lawmakers said.Hogg said the issues are important, especially as severe floods become more frequent. An Iowa "home-owner has a better chance of getting flooded than of winning craps," he said.Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, said the DNR's new flood plan is one of the most important initiatives of the legislative session.
"Greater protections are needed," Bolkcom said.

Living with Floods: From Science to Policy

2009-02-23T16:18:00.000-08:00

Link to Program - it's still under development so check back later for any late changes.

http://ppc.uiowa.edu/dnn4/Default.aspx?tabid=246

Note - there is a $25.oo per day fee. Although - one would think that flood victims would be able to attend for free.

Gazette Article

2009-02-22T19:08:00.002-08:00

THE FLOODS OF 2008
Parkview Terrace pushes for future protection
By Alicia Ebaugh
The Gazette
IOWA CITY Most flood-damaged homes in the Parkview Terrace neighborhood aren't eligible for buyouts, even when the repair costs or some have mounted to $90,000, said one resident Friday.

Jerry Anthony said such homeowners simply want to make sure their homes are protected from another flood.

Anthony, of 713 Eastmoor Dr., is the chairman of the Parkview Terrace Non-Buyout Eligible Group, which recently formed to push for better types of flood protection not only in their neighborhood but citywide.

"We want people to see there is a great need for preventive and mitigation measures that will be good for the broader community," Anthony said.

"Many of my neighbors spent between $50,000 and $60,000of their own money to fix their homes, and it would be a shame to have this happen again."

Parkview Terrace is a lowlying neighborhood along the Iowa River that took the brunt of the floodwaters last summer. Of the approximately 150 homeowners in Parkview Terrace, Anthony said, about 90 are not eligible for buyouts because their homes are not in the 100-yearflood plain.

Members of the group of 90 have been informally meeting with city and state officials for the past few months to discuss flood protection plans and will continue to do so until the plans are completed.

"Unless there is a group of citizens concerned about an issue, ones who will be directly affected by it, interest might fizzle," Anthony said. "We want to make sure that flood protection remains a priority."

Anthony said he will speak Tuesday at the Iowa City Council meeting in support of a proposed 1 percent local option sales tax the council is set to discuss. Money from the sales tax in Iowa City would likely be used on flood mitigation infrastructure projects.

If the council votes to put the tax to a public vote, the election would be held May 5. Linn County communities will vote on a similar proposal March 3.
• Contact the writer: (319) 398-8488 or alicia.ebaugh@gazcomm.com

Hard to Predict Iowa Floods?

2009-02-22T19:08:00.001-08:00

Hard to predict Iowa rivers' flood odds, experts say
By Adam Belz
The Gazetteadam.belz@gazettecommunications.com
Worth A Look
LINKS OF INTEREST
National Weather Service Rivers and Streams
National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Attribution (including explanation of 2008 flood)
United States Geological Survey Real-Time Water Data
IOWA CITY - Chances that the Cedar or Iowa River will flood again this spring are slightly below average.But Midwestern weather has grown steadily more volatile over the past century, and if one thing is certain about flood forecasting, it's that it is not certain.How much it snows before spring, and then how much it rains, may change all the predictions.But considering the information available now — soil saturation last fall, depth of winter hard frost and the amount of snow on the ground — the likelihood of a flood is not high.That's in contrast to last year, when "the gun was cocked pretty good," said Steve Buan, of the National Weather Service's North Central River Forecast Center in Minneapolis.Buan was among the 30 or so experts on weather, climate, rivers and emergency management gathered at the University of Iowa on Wednesday to discuss climate change, flood predictions and government response to floods. The experts came from the National Weather Service, the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Linn County and the Iowa Department of Homeland Security.Last June's flood illustrates the difficulty of accurate long-term predictions.Though the ground was saturated through early June, and chances of flooding were above average, none of the computer models predicted a major flood in early June — because none of the models predicted 12 inches of rain between May 15 and June 15."Our ability to forecast rainfall is pretty good a day or two in advance," said Ray Wolf, a science and operations officer at the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities.Beyond two days, it's spotty.Those 12 inches of rain over the Cedar River watershed in June triggered flash floods just as the river was cresting. The probability of such heavy rainfall in that period was one in 1,000, said Chris Anderson, assistant director of the Climate Science Initiative at Iowa State University."I don't think we've done the research to eliminate bad luck," he said.Eugene Takle, director of the Climate Science Initiative at Iowa State, projects with limited confidence that Iowa is entering an era of higher annual precipitation, more severe rainfall, though it may be sporadic, and more rapid flooding.He said annual precipitation in Cedar Rapids has risen by 30 percent since 1896, from about 28 inches per year to 37 inches per year.So the stakes, if anything, have been raised. The larger question Wednesday, with the Iowa River churning in the background under the Burlington Street bridge, was how these experts can translate their research into usable information for the public.Shripad Deo, a sociologist and researcher with the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, said all agencies need to better gear their research toward practical applications."There is a list of information that is provided, but it's not usable," said Deo, who is one of dozens of scientists working at the institute, a joint effort of NOAA and Colorado State University.Anderson, the ISU scientist, said that's is a difficult problem for federal agencies like NOAA. But he said he would put together a report for NOAA after the two-day conference in Iowa City, adding he thinks the agency could cooperate with local emergency management agencies or university extension services to better communicate with the public.He also said inundation maps — the kind that show who will get flooded at which river levels — are an important project. Cedar Rapids officials are already working on such a map.But these projects and improved Web sites take time and resources."That's the problem that these federal agencies are facing," Deo said. "They're not trained to explain."

Swept Away - Brought Together Meetings

2009-02-22T18:57:00.000-08:00

“Swept Away---Brought Together”

share your STORIES OF THE 2008 FLOOD
Through written expression or journaling within a safe, supportive community
(for people with all levels of writing experiences)

Share your stories of loss, fear, anger, desperation…
Your stories of support, strength, resilience
Of triumph---of faith---of hope
Of defeat---of doubt---of despair
Or whatever your heart needs to share.

Meet weekly for 6 weeks starting March26th
The Crisis Center 1121 Gilbert Ct.
Day: Thursdays Time: 7-8:30 pm
(it only takes 2 people to make a group & I count as 1!!)

Writing can be a source of healing and recovery
and a creative way to make meaning out of life’s traumatic circumstances.
Contact Diane at the Crisis Center for details or questions---351-0140

“I was thirty five years old before I understood that there is no ending without a beginning. That beginnings and endings are always right up against each other. Nothing ever ends without something else beginning or begins without something else ending.”---Rachel Naomi Remen, MD

The 2008 flood is one of those ending/beginning moments.

A Personal Note

“Swept Away---Brought Together”

This summer’s flood waters brought great loss, suffering and grief to many in our community, and it affected all ages, all incomes, all races and religions.
Healing comes from telling and sharing stories. Stories connect us all to our humanity. The Crisis Center is offering an opportunity for those who have survived the 2008 flood to come together and write the stories in a safe and confidential setting. We will use the medium of written word to record the events, to describe places and belongings, and to express emotions, thoughts and beliefs that came with the water that rushed in to steal and destroy…or maybe to cleanse and create.
We will write and share (as you are comfortable). We will listen and ask questions. We will honor whatever needs honoring. There is no limits on the form your writing may take (poetry, prose, essay, 1st person or 3rd person narrative). There is no right or wrong way to write your story and you do not need to be a skilled writer to write your story. You only need to have a story.
I hope this creates a curiosity and desire to come and see what kind of a healing might come for you and the others who dare to reveal themselves and their stories within a compassionate and understanding community.
If you are interested or want more information, please call the Crisis Center at 351-0140 and ask for Diane. If I am not there, leave a message with the crisis line volunteer that you are interested. Leave your name and phone # if you are comfortable with that, and I will return your call. And ask a neighbor or friend to join you!! I think I can guarantee that you will meet some wonderful people!

Sincerely,
Diane Yagla, Flood Case Advocate at the Crisis Center
School of Social Work

United Way help offered

2009-02-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

United Way has a half time employee Mark Anthony, who is coordinating
recovery volunteers with work requests & working with Mark & Carol Martin,
who head the local ecumenical volunteer efforts. Mark Martin says that
there are a lot of college students coming to town to volunteer during their
spring break. Sooooooo, people should call UW & request volunteers for any
needs. In fact, there have been volunteers coming to town all along, so
it's possible to get volunteer help before that.

Also the term "unmet needs" seems to also cover debt incurred due to the
flood. So people who didn't interview with the "green shirts" should talk
with UW about giving that interview. The grants / donations coming to UW
will be distributed based on this data. The UW office is on the corner of
5th St & 12th Ave in Coralville.

And finally, our local ecumenical group meets at 3:30 every Thursday at
First Christian Church, Lincolnshire Place, Coralville. It's an open
meeting. FEMA rep Phoebe Trepp comes. Her title is "Volunteer Agency
Liaison" & if people want to talk to her directly, she's
phoebe.trepp@dhs,gov Also, Adam Yak comes. He works for the state level
flood recovery people. The rest of the people represent local faith groups.

Katharine Nicholson
319-339-4604
cell: 319-331-3874

Questions to City for 1/22/2009 meeting

2009-01-21T16:44:00.000-08:00

Questions for the City

1. Northbound Dubuque street was just inches above the river in Spring 2008 when the flow was 10,000 CFS. Elevating the northbound lane could allow the peak "normal flood" flow to be increased. What other barriers are there in our metro area to increasing the peak "normal spring flood" to 12,000 CFS? We base this question on the expectation that such a release rate, last spring, could have allowed a more significant drawdown of the reservoir prior to the June flood, thereby creating capacity that could have reduced the peak flood flow.

2. We note that the federal buyout rules are rather rigid in forbidding flood control measures on land incorporated into the buyout. How much flexibility does the city have to buy land, redivide it, and then resell parts to the federal buyout program? This could allow reconfiguration of land parcels so that a coherent (straight, as opposed to zigzag) flood-control system could be created behind the line of any Federal buyout.

3. Can the city build a second exit from the neighborhood? This is needed because whatever flood barrier that is put in place could be overtopped, and if that happens, we want a better evacuation plan -- this is something the city knew when the neighborhood was built.

4. Can the City build a flood warning post or bulletin board to be placed at in the 1% and 0.2% flood zones throughout the city?

5. Can the city retro-fit one-way valves in all storm drains that drain areas in the 1% and 0.2% flood risk zones?

6. When will Iowa City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (that the city needs to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program) be ready? Will there be an opportunity for public input?

7. What is the City going to do for PVT in Spring 2009 in case it floods?

8. Would the City be willing to participate in a regional flood mitigation plan (along with the University of Iowa, City of Coralville, city of North Liberty, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Army Corps of Engineers, and Johnson County)?

9. Would the City consider modifying the current zoning and subdivision ordinances to ensure future developments are at lower flood risk?

10. Would the City be willing to work with the Johnson County Conservation Board to acquire land using the recently approved conservation bond funds to acquire land in PVT to expand City Park?

11. Does the City have a well-developed evacuation plan to be used if flooding threatens any neighborhood in Iowa City in the future?

12. Would the City be willing to buy farmland to the south of the city to help with flood control? We have been informed that preventing flooding of farmland south of the city is a significant reason for lower rate of discharge from the dam. Buying some of this farmland may allow for higher discharge rates earlier in Spring and Summe

Excerpt from Iowa City Planning staff memo to City Council dated Nov 13, 2008

2009-01-21T16:43:00.001-08:00

Double Click Image to enlarge

PVT and City Meeting Thursday 1/22 agenda

2009-01-20T19:07:00.000-08:00

Dear All:

Here’s the agenda for the meeting with the City this Thursday at 7:00pm at the IC Water Treatment Plant. Several of you have sent in “questions for the city” to the block captains or me already. If anyone else has questions, please email them to Roberta, Louise, Mary Strum or Deb Knapp by the end of the day. Thanks. -- Jerry

• Community Wide Flood Recovery
• Iowa City Flood Mitigation Strategies
• Coordination of Area Wide Flood Mitigation Strategies
• Floodplain Mapping
• Parkview Terrace Neighborhood Options
• What’s Next?

Give land back to the Iowa River

2009-01-18T07:13:00.000-08:00

I'm reposting this as the links are broken on the original post. I'll try to cut and paste newspaper articles as they archive them and then charge for a reprint. Sorry for the inconvience.

Give land back to the Iowa River
Before the Iowa River takes back Parkview Terrace -- yet again

Marc Linder • Guest Opinion • July 12, 2008
A preliminary historical sketch of how the Normandy neighborhood came to be developed may help explain why the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the state of Iowa and Iowa City should buy out the homeowners and use the land to create natural grasslands or wetlands.
Pre-development ownership
During the 1950s, before the Coralville Dam was opened, what is now Parkview Terrace was owned by an Iowa City automobile franchisee, Clarence Beck, who rented the land out to be farmed as cornfields, on which lakes formed during spring flooding.
Not until the elections of 1955 did the city annex the land, which had been part of unincorporated Johnson County (the motivation for this annexation, like that for the purchase of the land on the town's outskirts, presumably having been the prospect of development).
Then in January 1956, Beck sold the land to Leonard Kaplan, an owner of movie theaters in Eastern Iowa, who in turn sold it to a group including himself; Louis Shulman, a well-known local lawyer; Sam Robinson, secretary-treasurer of a local oil and gas company -- all of whom had previously cooperated on other business deals; and Nilla Jensen, widow of Viggo Jensen, who owned a construction company.
After several further sales during the next year or so, the land wound up in the possession of the Jensen Land Development Corporation, Kaplan, Shulman and Robinson.
Planning and zoning concerns
By 1958-59, as the Coralville Dam was nearing completion, this group sought the City Council's approval of the subdivision it wanted to develop. But on Oct. 7, 1958, the Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission adopted a resolution on the zoning of floodplain areas that underscored how flooding would lead to the possible loss of life and property, pollution of waters and hazards caused by broken sewer, water supply and electrical power lines.
Because such a disaster would require "public and private agencies ... to rescue and retrieve life and property and the economic loss must be shared by many people not responsible, and public funds must be expended to repair, restore or rehabilitate streets, sewers and bridges," the commission recommended that the council restrict land uses in a "Special Flood Plain Zone."
Six days later, the commission explained to the mayor and City Council that such land use was causing it "considerable anxiety." The commission wrote that the council was "being asked to consider a change of zoning of an area adjacent to the Iowa River that will be flooded in the future." The commission pointed out that flooding was a "very old" problem in Iowa City and one the new dam could not eliminate completely: "(The) engineering data show that certain conditions of natural runoff in the drainage basin will produce floods beyond the capacity and control of the reservoir."
The commission warned the council that a "degree of complacency has developed in Iowa City by a lack of understanding of the flood history of the Iowa River and the amount of control possible by the Coralville dam." Seeking to avoid being "charged with a culpable lack of foresight if we did not call to your attention that certain hazards yet remain," the commission emphasized that the city's growth and "the urge to use vacant land of close proximity to the university makes the old problem a critical one for solution in the near future."
'Not suitable for residential development'
On June 12, 1959, the commission wrote to the council again about the proposed Parkview Terrace subdivision, communicating the contents of a motion passed at its last meeting: "In view of the location of the proposed sub-division, on the flood plain of the Iowa River with its vulnerability to high ground water levels, wash from surrounding bluffs, and even possible flooding on rare occasions, it is believed that this area is not suitable for residential development."
It should be emphasized that the commission was not composed of a bunch of anti-progress yahoos. Its chairman and key figure, Joseph Howe, was a long-time professor and chairman of hydraulics and mechanics at UI who had professionally studied the Iowa River. The vice chairman was Allen Tester, a UI professor of geology. And long-time State Geologist H. Garland Hershey was also a member. Other members included Charles Barker, Richard Feddersen, James Pearson and Sam Whiting.
All of the commission members, including two real estate businessmen, opposed the building plans and supported using the land for City Park or some similar project. Nevertheless, four days later the City Council unanimously approved the plat and subdivision.
The council's rejection of the commission's report has to been seen in the context of various developmental pressures, sheer boosterism and perhaps the councilors' personal denial of the possibility that the water could ever go over the spillway.
Intriguingly, less than a month later the City Council announced that it deemed it advisable to buy from the same owners 27.1 acres contiguous to the new subdivision in order to expand City Park westward.
Later that summer the council bought the land at what was apparently a low $500 an acre.
What today's council should do
Iowa City's decision to permit the building of a residential neighborhood along the river in the late 1950s was an urban planning mistake that half a century later has bequeathed catastrophic consequences to those living there.
To rectify their predecessors' distorted judgment, the mayor and the City Council should now do everything in their power to promote a buyout and to return the land to the wetlands that it has always been.
Marc Linder, an Iowa City resident since before the 1993 flood, hopes that this tentative sketch will prompt both those with personal recollections of the 1950s to come forward with additional information and others to dig deeper in documentary sources.

City Meeting Flood Mitigation Jan 22 7 pm

2009-01-17T18:18:00.000-08:00

City presents its options for flood mitigation
Location: City’s Water Treatment Plant (80 Stephen Atkins Drive - near I-80/N. Dubuque St.).
Time: Thursday, January 22 at 7:00 PM
Check the post card sent to your address

Mail Delivery

2009-01-16T04:09:00.000-08:00

All, Scott - our faithful Mail Carrier in PVT - apparently fell and broke his ankle and we have a substitute carrier.

I thought when my temporary forward expired the mail service would return delivery to my house, but this is not the case. It's either being held by the post master at the west side annex or being returned to the sender.

You must file another temporary or permanent address change to get your mail.

You can call the West Side Annex of the post office to determine your mail delivery status at 337-8881.

General Stuff

2009-01-14T20:16:00.000-08:00

Yahoo - the streets in PVT are really plowed - seems like this is the 1st time in two years. Not sure how it happened, but it's great!

Green Shirts have said they have not seen many flood victims. It's a painless, 1/2 hour interview and I hope the information they gather will help provide our neighborhood with the assistance it needs to be rebuilt. Please stop by at the locations listed on this link. Green Shirt Announcement

Snow Fall Comparison
Iowa City tied right now with last year at 22.9 inches. The bad news is all of the cities north, i.e. Dubuque, Waterloo, etc are substantially ahead of last year. Hope the Corps opens the gates earlier and lets the rez go back to 670 feet so we have a flood cushion.

Link to last year snow fall totals
Last year's Snow Fall totals

Lessons from the Flood--Collaborating in a Crisis

2009-01-12T20:20:00.000-08:00

You're invited to a public program!
Lessons from the Flood--Collaborating in a Crisis
7 p.m. Thursday, January 15
Iowa City Public Library, Room A
Guest Lecturer Iowa City Manager Michael Lombardo"The View from City Hall"
Panelists Barbara Eckstein, UI Associate Provost and Professor of English"Before the Flood: An Endangered River Runs Through Us"
Gregg Oden, UI Professor of Psychology and Computer Science"After the Flood: Co-Chairing the UI Flood Mitigation Task Force"A reception follows at the Englert Theatre.
Presented by the Graduate Institute on Public Engagement and the Academy.
Sponsored by the UI Obermann Center for Advanced Studies and the UI Graduate College. Co-sponsored by the UI Center for Teaching, UI Civic Engagement Program, the City of Iowa City, the Women's Resource and Action Center and the UI Associate Provost for Diversity.

For more information call the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies 335-4034 or visit http://www.uiowa.edu/obermann/about/NewsReleaseLessonsFromtheFlood.pdfIf you require an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Neda Barrett in advance at 319-335-4034.

News Stories on Meetings

2009-01-11T08:22:00.000-08:00

Gosh - here are the stories.

Corps talks about role during flood
Official says he wouldn't live in floodplain

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20090111/NEWS01/901110322/1079/news01

Corps reviews Coralville Dam's role in flood

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090110/NEWS/701109940/1006

Coralville Dam Info - Double Click on image to Enlarge

2009-01-09T17:24:00.001-08:00

Corps answers to our Questions - Still leaves questions

2009-01-09T17:14:00.000-08:00

Park View Terrace Questions for Army Corps of Engineers (Rock Island)
Friday, January 09, 2009

1. What is the Corps of Engineers doing/going-to-do to minimize the chances of another flood in PVT in Spring 2009?

RESPONSE: Flooding in Park View Terrace will continue to be a possibility dependent on snowmelt and rainfall amounts within the 3,115 square-mile watershed flowing into Coralville Reservoir and below the Reservoir.

Coralville Reservoir will always reduce peak flows on the Iowa River below the reservoir, regardless of the size of a flood, which will minimize flooding in PVT, Iowa City and areas downstream of the reservoir. The highest outflow during any given event will always be less than the peak inflow, even when water is well over the top of the spillway. The dam stores water when its pool elevation is increasing, meaning that the inflow is greater than the outflow. A few days after the peak inflow has occurred, the pool elevation will crest when the inflow equals what is being released in the outflow.

In 2008, we coordinated releases from Coralville Reservoir with Iowa City officials to provide ample time for emergency responders to remove property from anticipated flood areas, sandbag city infrastructure and personal property, and to provide the public with the maximum amount of time possible to implement flood protection for their personal property or evacuate if needed. During the 2008 flood, Coralville Reservoir successfully reduced flows on the Iowa River below the dam by 17,500 cubic feet per second, which reduced the River’s flood stage by 5.0 feet.

Prior to, and during, the 2008 flood, the Corps deployed flood-area engineers to Iowa City, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, the Quad Cities, and throughout the state of Iowa advising emergency officials of the National Weather Service flood forecasts and our operations of reservoirs.

We will implement all of these actions again in 2009 if needed.

In late winter and early spring, the Corps will again work closely with the National Weather Service and the U.S. Geological Survey to monitor ground conditions, snowmelt and flood potential. During that time, we will maintain the Reservoir according to its approved Regulation Manual.

In the spring, the reservoir pool levels are maintained to allow for snow melt runoff, and for predicted and actual rainfall, to prevent downstream flooding. The pool levels will occasionally fluctuate to prepare for such runoff and for National Weather Service rainfall predictions. Pool levels are also maintained to ensure minimal bank erosion which contributes to sedimentation on the reservoir floor, adequate summer water supply, continued river flow below the reservoir, conservation purposes, and for Iowa and surrounding areas recreational opportunities.

During flood control operations, weather parameters are evaluated on an hourly basis to consider rainfall in the drainage area above the reservoirs; rainfall below the reservoirs; and National Weather Service rainfall predictions over a 24-hour period. This information is used by the Corps to anticipate inflows to the reservoirs and make adjustments to release rates to conserve flood storage capacity and minimize both up-river and down-river flooding.

2. Instead of waiting until the level at the reservoir reaches 700 feet to get active about moving water out of it, why not move it out sooner, say, at about 680 feet? It seems like waiting that long is almost too late and if any unforeseen rain comes in from the north, there isn’t enough wiggle room. Is there a possibility of changing the outflow numbers?

RESPONSE: As you know, the Coralville Reservoir is operated according to its approved Regulation Manual. All of our reservoirs are operated to conform to a strict, standard regulation plan that is coordinated by the Corps of Engineers for review and approval by local, state and federal agencies with water resources responsibilities. This standard includes regulation of releases during flood events. The latest revision occurred in January 2001 and was subject to public review and comment. A copy of the manual is available on the CD-ROM provided at this meeting (Note: The manual on the CD-ROM does not include plates and diagrams of the reservoir for security purposes).

Outflow modifications during flood emergencies are considered at the request of public officials. If outflow modifications are warranted, approval from our higher headquarters is required. We do not modify outflows during normal operating conditions.

To modify outflows on a permanent basis would require a revision of Coralville Reservoir’s operations manual. Revising the manual requires a request from the state of Iowa and a cost-sharing of 50 percent of the study. The Corps would also require appropriations from Congress for our cost share of the study. The cost of the study would have to be determined once the scope of the study was developed.

3. What is the minimum level of water that must be retained in the Coralville reservoir for:

a) protection of wildlife,
b) move sewage downstream, and
c) for recreational boating?

RESPONSE: These issues were considered as well as others when the following lake levels were determined, but there is no specific level for each.

The current approved operating levels are essential in order to protect fisheries within the reservoir and provide a minimum 150 cubic feet per second outflow as required by the state to meet downstream water quality targets during droughts. The current approved operating pool levels are:

15 February – 20 March: 683 to 679 National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) *
20 March – 20 May Hold @ 679 NGVD *
20 May – 15 September Hold @ 683 NGVD
15 September – 15 December Hold 683 to 686 NGVD **
15 December – 15 February Hold @ 683 NGVD

Notes:
* Variable draw down based on snow cover, ice, and 30-day climatic conditions coordinated with IDNR
** Dates and elevation of fall pool raise coordinated with the IDNR

4. Communications and the Corps

a) How does the Corps coordinate communication in times of flooding? Does it give directives for local councils regarding mandatory evacuation and other actions, or does it leave all these decisions to each city and township? (Could this info be shown on a diagram or in a written document).

RESPONSE: During periods of predicted and actual flooding, the Corps dispatches flood-area engineers to communities that may be affected by, or are affected by, flooding to alert communities to the flood projections and to provide technical flood-fighting support. Our Emergency Operations Center at Rock Island, Illinois, is activated and we are in regular communication with officials from affected communities, State emergency operations staff, and the Department of Homeland Security.

In addition, Corps water management and reservoir staff conducted daily teleconferences each morning (and sometimes more frequently)with Iowa City, the University of Iowa, the city of Coralville, and the Iowa Department of Transportation to aid them in the their decision-making process with regard to flood fighting, evacuations and road closures. This process will be followed during all future floods.

The Corps can only advise officials of what might happen and provide our professional opinion of a flooding situation. We do not have the authority to require evacuations or any other mandatory actions from local officials.

b) Will the Corps be communicating with Iowa City in the future to advise us of high water and how it will impact Park View Terrace?

RESPONSE: As in the past, and during the 2008 flood, if flooding is a concern, the Corps will dispatch flood-area engineers to Iowa City to ensure communities are aware of flood impacts and to provide technical flood-fighting support as needed. The Corps will continue to advise city officials of what might happen and provide our professional opinion of a flood situation.

Due to lessons learned during the 1993 and subsequent floods, and improved technology, we believe we had much better communication with affected communities during the 2008 flood. This will only continue to improve with additional lessons learned and better technology.

c) We have found the Corps forecasts of flood levels at the hydraulics lab gauging station less than helpful. The problem is that the gauging station is in a choke-point in the river valley and it is immediately downstream of a dam, so a 4-foot rise there does not translate to a 4-foot rise in areas where the floodplain is wider and dams are distant (as in our neighborhood). Could the Corps offer river-level forecasts for developed areas along the river such as ours?

RESPONSE: The Corps does not forecast river levels for Iowa City as the National Weather Service (NWS) is the agency responsible for issuing all weather and river forecasts to the public. The Corps does provide a 7-day outflow forecast from Coralville Reservoir to the NWS. The NWS incorporates the outflow information along with flows on Rapid Creek and Clear Creek to develop a river forecast for Iowa City.

The stream gaging network in place today is a mix of gages funded by the Corps, the USGS and other cooperators. Each agency operates and maintains their gages as resources allow. Together, the network provides the necessary data for the NWS to model stream and river conditions to provide the best-available river level forecasts. These forecasts are available on the internet @ http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ and at www.rivergages.com.

While additional gaging stations along rivers and tributaries are always useful, the Corps is not funded at this time to install and maintain additional gauges. However, it should be noted that the USGS gage at the hydraulics lab has a long period of record and is an excellent location with regard to maintaining a stable stage versus flow relationship which is essential to providing an accurate forecast. In lieu of installation of an additional gage, Park View residents can relate actual flooding that has occurred on their property historically to Iowa City gage readings.

5. Do Corps personnel ever come "in person" checking rivers downstream of Coralville Reservoir? Because it was clear for us riverside residents that river was very high since March 2008, and then, once or twice, it went down almost eerie low in April, then the flood came. Something was amiss, something that the computers probably got wrong, but human eyes could easily recognize.

RESPONSE: The low river levels that were observed in April were due to a temporary outflow reduction required to reduce flooding downstream at Wapello and Burlington and not a gage malfunction. If a gage is not functioning properly, the Corps and USGS deploy technicians that will inspect the gage in person and make any repairs needed.

The Corps of Engineers relies on our system of gages to operate all of our reservoirs, including the Coralville Reservoir. Gage data is provided via satellite to provide real-time flow information which allows us to operate our reservoirs to the best of our abilities.

6. Since Hurricane Katrina levee collapse and the Minneapolis I35 bridge collapse, we are hearing a lot about many US infrastructure failures -- out of date facilities, poor maintenance, and recurring human errors. Therefore,

a) What, frankly, is the state of the Coralville Dam currently?

RESPONSE: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s dams are managed through the Dam Safety Program, which includes routine inspections and continual evaluations in accordance with the Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety issued in 1979 and 2004. The primary objective of the Dam Safety Program is to improve public safety by ensuring that Corps-owned and operated dams are structurally sound and operated according to the intended purpose; and that risks to the public are minimized.

There are no structural or other operating concerns at Coralville Reservoir. The Reservoir received a thorough inspection in August 2008 following the flood. Prior to that in August 2006, the Screening Risk Portfolio Analysis team that assesses dam safety rated Coralville Dam as being in good overall condition.

Corps dams are designed to withstand enormous pressures and water levels. All Corps reservoirs are built to stringent engineering standards to ensure they will withstand record flood events. Each reservoir is under observation to ensure its structural integrity and safety.

Reservoirs are also visually inspected on a regular basis under normal operating conditions and are visually inspected several times a day during flood events. Minor erosion adjacent to the outlet works can occur during major flood events but does not impair the structural integrity of the dam. The dam was thoroughly inspected after 1993 and 2008 and no movement or deterioration has been noted.

b) What is the REAL lifetime of the reservoir (we've heard everything from 50 years to 100 years)? What are the factors for determining the reservoir's lifetime, how does silting-in factor? What capacity has been lost due to silting-in and how does that relate to water upstream and the altered retention capability of the reservoir.

RESPONSE: Any sedimentation below the conservation pool does not impact flood storage. As an example, take two cups of equal size. One cup is half full of water and the other cup is half full of saturated silt, both cups still have the same amount of water storage volume left in them.

Sedimentation impacts are mostly recreational and environmental within the conservation pool. While the deposition of sediment continues to occur, the majority of sediment deposition has been in the conservation pool. For example, Coralville reservoir still retains approximately 89% of its original flood storage capacity, in comparison to only 55 percent of its original conservation storage capacity. Major flood events deposit sediment in the flood control pool, but on a day to day basis, sediment deposition is in the conservation pool.

Over many years the sediment dropping out in the conservation pool will fill the pool forming more of a “dry reservoir” with a river running through it. The river will reach a point where the water velocity will keep suspended sediment from falling out according to the release rates from the dam. The preponderance of flood storage will still remain; however, there may no longer be a deep pool of water for recreational purposes.

c) What is the Corps doing to address these problems?

RESPONSE: We continue to perform periodic sedimentation surveys at our reservoirs and assess flood-storage capacity issues.

d) Can the capacity of the Coralville reservoir dam be increased through de-silting or raising the level of the dam?

RESPONSE: As noted in 6 (b), above, the preponderance of flood-storage capacity still remains despite sedimentation build up.

The capacity of the reservoir can be increased by dredging or emptying the reservoir to remove material to return it to its original design standards; however, dredging and issues related to disposal prove to be extremely costly. Raising the height of the dam would likely not be physically possible from an engineering and topography perspective.

7. Were all the flood gauge sensors in good working order prior to June 2008 flooding? If not, how is the Corps addressing this problem?

RESPONSE: Yes. All river gages needed to run models to develop flood forecasts for the spring and summer 2008 were in working condition. If a gage is not functioning properly, the Corps and the USGS have a team of technicians that will inspect the gage in person and make any repairs needed.

8. Regarding the definition of the 100 year flood, how has the expected 100 year flow (at the Coralville Dam’s tailwaters) changed from the time the dam was constructed 50 years ago until today? Is there a trend in the data. That is, can we anticipate that the 100 year flood, as defined in 50 years will be greater than the current definition by about the same amount as the current definition is greater than that offered when the dam was built?

RESPONSE: The Corps plans to conduct an updated flow frequency analysis for the Iowa River from Coralville Reservoir downstream to the confluence with the Mississippi River which will include the 2008 flood event. Until the revised analysis has been completed, it will not be possible to examine trends in the data.

9. Does the Corps operate on the assumption that global warming is a present reality and one that will shape meteorological conditions in the coming decades? If so, how does the Corps incorporate long-term predictions of significantly more precipitation for the upper Midwest and increasingly unpredictable weather conditions into its models for operating the dam?

RESPONSE: There are many disparate views by climatologists regarding global warming. As global warming science and trends are developed and verified, the Corps will consider their implications when developing it projects and operating plans.

Whether or not global warming has an impact on current or future meteorological conditions, the Corps will continue to work closely with the National Weather Service and the U.S. Geological Survey to monitor ground conditions, snowmelt and flood potential and operate our reservoirs accordingly.

10. We had the impression last June that the reservoir release rates were being set largely on the basis of water already in the Iowa River basin, or even on the basis of water already in the reservoir, as many of the public pronouncements from the Corps were stated in terms of "if no more rain falls, this is what we expect." How much does the corps look at weather forecasts? The weather bureau's short term forecasts seem to give fairly reliable (on the scale of the Iowa River basin) estimates of expected rainfall a day or two in advance, and useful estimates up to about a week in advance.

RESPONSE: All National Weather Service river forecasts include runoff from rain that has fallen over the previous 24 hours and runoff from rain that is forecasted to occur over the next 24 hours. The statement, “If no more rain falls,” meant that if no more rain falls above and beyond what is predicted by the NWS over the next 24-hour period.

During flood control operations, weather parameters are evaluated on an hourly basis to consider rainfall in the drainage area above the reservoirs; rainfall below the reservoirs; and National Weather Service rainfall predictions over a 24-hour period. This information is used by the Corps to anticipate inflows to the reservoirs and make adjustments to release rates to conserve flood storage capacity and minimize both up-river and down-river flooding.

11. How do cities rank among the Corps' priorities for flood protection?

RESPONSE: Reducing flood risk to property and the public is the primary purpose of all of our flood risk management projects. We take that responsibility very seriously and have constructed more than 100 projects within our 78,000-square-mile area of operations. Since their construction, these projects have cumulatively prevented more than $8.4 billion in property damages.

Coralville Reservoir was constructed at a time when there was little development in the floodplain. As cities and towns grow, so does development in the floodplain. This continued development places additional constraints on the operation of the reservoir and the current regulation manual attempts to take this growth into consideration for all properties below the reservoir, not Iowa City alone.

Coralville Reservoir was constructed at a cost of approximately $15,750,000, in 1958. Since then, the reservoir has prevented an estimated $167.5 million in property damages.

In 2008, the reservoir successfully reduced flows on the Iowa River below the dam by 17,500 cubic feet per second, which reduced the River’s flood stage by 5.0 feet. An estimated $99 million in damages were prevented due to the river stage reduction in Iowa City and downstream.

The three reservoirs (Saylorville, Red Rock and Coralville) built and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, are operated as multi-purpose dams. The primary purpose authorized by Congress is for flood damage reduction for public and private property below the reservoirs. Other purposes include recreation and conservation. Corps reservoirs also maintain a conservation summer pool to augment low flows during drought and an additional fall pool raise to provide habitat for migrating bird species.

12. What can the City (and other entities in the Iowa City metro area) change to allow the Corps to release more water at the beginning of the spring flood season when the river is at a lower level?

RESPONSE: City officials could make a request to the state to have the reservoir’s operations manual reviewed for possible revision. To modify outflows on a permanent basis would require a revision of the Coralville Reservoir operations manual. Revising the manual requires a request from the state of Iowa and a cost-sharing of 50 percent of the study. The Corps would also require appropriations from Congress for our cost share of the study. The cost of the study would have to be determined once the scope of the study was developed.

13. Farmland downriver from Iowa City:

a) How much farmland south of Iowa City is in danger of flooding after May 1st of each year?

RESPONSE: All public and personal property below Coralville Reservoir is at risk of flooding. Flooding can occur at any time due to excessive snowmelt and rainfall in the spring, and excessive rainfall in the summer.

b) Would buying up farmland downriver to create a larger flood plain reduce risk of flooding in Iowa City?

RESPONSE: The purchase of agricultural land downstream would allow for higher reservoir releases. However, higher release rates at the reservoir would also create flooding in Iowa City.

To determine if additional farmland could be purchased and flooded, and what impact it would have on Iowa City, would require a cost-shared study with the Corps receiving appropriations from Congress for our share of the study. The cost of the study would have to be determined once the scope of the study was developed.

Additionally, an authorization and appropriation from Congress for the Corps to purchase farm land below the reservoir would be required.

c) Would it be legally possible to buy up this farmland?

RESPONSE: While it is legally possible to purchase farmland above and below Coralville Reservoir from willing sellers, the Corps does not have the authority, or the funding to do so.

d) Would it cost less to buy this farmland than other mitigation options in Iowa City?

RESPONSE: To determine if the cost of purchasing farmland is greater or less than the cost of other mitigation options in Iowa City, would, again, require a cost-shared study to review all available alternatives and their associated costs. The Corps would need to receive appropriations from Congress for our share of the study. The cost of the study would have to be determined once the scope of the study was developed.

Additionally, an authorization and appropriation from Congress for the Corps to purchase farm land below the reservoir would be required.

14. What are the costs and benefits to the Park View Terrace Neighborhood of Coralville building their proposed flood wall?

RESPONSE: This question would be best answered by Iowa City officials as it is not within the purview of the Corps of Engineers.

15. What impact would raising Dubuque Street have on Park View Terrace?

RESPONSE: This question would be best answered by Iowa City officials as it is not within the purview of the Corps of Engineers.

16. If the University of Iowa builds walls on both sides of river from the Park Road Bridge to the Burlington Street bridge (and the power plant south of it), what impact would they have on Park View Terrace? We understand that narrower channels invariably seem to have steeper gradients, while the gradient decreases when the river is allowed to spread. Again, we worry that Park View Terrace residents could become the victim of aggressive flood control measures elsewhere in the area.

RESPONSE: This question would also be best answered by Iowa City officials as it is not within the purview of the Corps of Engineers. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Flood Plain Development Program department would also be a more appropriate agency to contact regarding this question.

Questions pertaining to the Flood of 2008

17. What impact did the Park Road Bridge have on flooding in Park View Terrace? What impact would redesigning the Park Road Bridge have on our neighborhood?

RESPONSE: As above, this question should be addressed to Iowa City officials as it is not within the purview of the Corps of Engineers. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Flood Plain Development Program department would also be a more appropriate agency to contact regarding this question.

18. The University of Iowa has a coffer dam across the Iowa River, north of the Burlington Bridge. This dam has been in place for two or more years.

a) What impact did this coffer dam have on flooding in Park View Terrace?

RESPONSE: Without detailed study, it would be difficult to determine the impacts of the coffer dam on flooding in Park View Terrace. At this time, the Corps has no knowledge or information to suggest the cofferdam had an impact on the flooding at Park View Terrace.

The city had a consulting firm perform backwater analyses to monitor the effects of the cofferdam at different flows. This question should be addressed to the city or the University as it would be more appropriate for them to respond.

b) When did the Corps become aware of the Coffer Dam?

RESPONSE: The Corps received an application to install two chilled water mains under the Iowa River from the University of Iowa and their agent, NNW, Inc., on August 18, 2006.

On August 21, 2006, the proposed utility project with associated cofferdam was routed for comments through the Corps’ Engineering and Operations offices and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IADNR). Our reviewed resulted in no concerns; the IADNR required a mussel survey.

Eventually, the site was cleared for state of Iowa threatened and endangered species and the Corps issued a nationwide permit verification letter on October 5, 2006. In our letter we notified the permittee that ". . . the contractor's progress may be impeded by high flows in the late winter, spring, and early summer months, and the Corps of Engineers does not adjust reservoir releases at Coralville Lake for contract work."

On January 28, 2008, NNW, Inc., requested an extension of time to complete the project under the new series of nationwide permits which were issued on March 19, 2007. The Corps verified that the project under construction met the conditions of the new nationwide permits, and a permit verification letter was issued on February 14, 2008.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued Sovereign Lands Construction Permits on September 27, 2006 and September 05, 2008.

c) Who issues permits for Coffer Dams, and do you know if the University obtained such a permit?

RESPONSE: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues permits for any construction in navigable waters or the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. The Iowa River is classified as a navigable waterway from its mouth to mile 3.0 near Toolesboro, Iowa.

We have a joint application process in place where copies of the application are simultaneously sent to the Corps and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for review. The DNR issues Section 401 Water Quality Certification, Sovereign Lands Construction Permits and Floodplain Construction Permits in coordination with the Corps but independently with their own process.

The Corps issued a nationwide permit verification letter on October 5, 2006, for the project. On January 28, 2008, NNW, Inc., requested an extension of time to complete the project under the new series of nationwide permits which were issued on March 19, 2007. The Corps verified that the project under construction met the conditions of the new nationwide permits, and a permit verification letter was issued on February 14, 2008.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued Sovereign Lands Construction Permits on September 27, 2006 and September 05, 2008.

19. Some engineers have estimated that had the Corps released 18,000 cfs starting May 23rd or so then water may have not gone over the spillway in 2008. Is that correct?

RESPONSE: The Corps ran a simulation of the 2008 flood using an 18,000 cubic feet per second release rate beginning May 23. Results of that simulation indicate the reservoir level would have still exceeded the crest of the spillway and that an 18,000 cfs release could not have been maintained due to physical limitations with regard to outlet capacity.

20. FEMA informed Park View Terrace residents in July 2008 that they knew by March 2008 that there could be a flood this year. Did the Corps have similar knowledge?

RESPONSE: We are unable to comment on what statements a representative from FEMA might have said in March 2008.

The National Weather Service provides flood forecasting information. Our first notification of potential flooding on the Iowa River basin and throughout the Midwest was provided to us near the end of May 2008. At that time, we sent our flood area engineers into the field to advise local communities and municipalities of the flood potential and offer any Corps assistance available. The National Weather Service forecasts are available on the web @ www.nws.noaa.gov and at www.rivergages.com.

21. Did the Corps know how high the crest might be in IC earlier than June 11, 2008? If Yes, did the Corps advise the City?

RESPONSE: No, we did not. It was not possible to model and forecast the height of the crest until after the heavy rains in the basin the night of June 12.

Beginning in early June, Corps Water Management staff provided daily and sometimes more frequent briefings on reservoir releases and forecasts to city, county and university officials. At times, we delayed increasing releases from Coralville Reservoir to provide ample time for emergency responders to remove property from anticipated flood areas, sandbag city infrastructure and personal property, and to provide the public with the maximum amount of time possible to implement flood protection for their personal property or evacuate if needed.

The District responded during the 2008 flood by deploying nearly 300 employees throughout the Midwest to work closely with state and local emergency responders to inspect, advise and assist communities with professional engineering expertise and materials during flood fights.

In all, the Corps provided nearly 13 million sandbags, 100 pumps, and more than 30 miles of plastic to assist local communities and levee districts in their flood-fight effort.

We deployed Corps engineers to Iowa City, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, the Quad Cities, and throughout the state of Iowa advising emergency officials of the National Weather Service flood forecasts and our operations of reservoirs.

22. Had the Corps been able to release 12,000 cfs in the spring of 2008 instead of the 10,000 permitted under current rules, how much would this have reduced the peak flood release on June 15? We note that, at 10,000 CFS, northbound Dubuque Street was only inches above water. The point of this question is to help us evaluate the importance of elevating northbound Dubuque Street, since we suspect that this would have allowed both increased drawdown prior to the flood.

RESPONSE: The Corps ran a simulation of the 2008 flood using a 12,000 cubic feet per second release rate instead of the current 10,000 cfs maximum release rate stipulated in the reservoir regulation plan. Results of that simulation indicate the maximum reservoir release during the flood would have only been 1,000 cfs lower.

Green Shirt Announcement

2009-01-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

Double click on image to view larger image.

Above is a copy of the flyer which gives the details for the work of the "Green Shirts" (Christian Reformed World Relief Committee Disaster Response Services) in Johnson County from Jan. 12 to Jan. 17. The purpose of their visit is to try and document all the unmet needs that exist in the county since the June flood. The development of this information is critical to the Long Term Recovery Committee, which is embarking on fund raising efforts to help meet those needs during 2009 and the years beyond. It is essential that every flood victim be interviewed by the CRWRC volunteers so that we have a complete picture of what needs to be done in each individual case. This information will be put into a database and given to the LTRC for its use.

Please make sure the flyer appears on the website of your neighborhood, and please pass the word that the needs assessments are taking place next Monday thru Saturday. Also note that the first 200 persons to be interviewed will receive a $25 Hy-Vee gift card for participating.

Questions for the Corps to be Answered at the Jan. 10th Meeting

2009-01-06T15:51:00.000-08:00

1. What is the Corps of Engineers doing/going-to-do to minimize the chances of another flood in PVT in Spring 2009?

2. Instead of waiting until the level at the reservoir reaches 700 feet to get active about moving water out of it, why not move it out sooner, say, at about 680 feet? It seems like waiting that long is almost too late and if any unforeseen rain comes in from the north, there isn’t enough wiggle room. Is there a possibility of changing the outflow numbers?

3. What is the minimum level of water that must be retained in the Coralville reservoir for:
a) protection of wildlife,
b) move sewage downstream, and
c) for recreational boating?

4. Communications and the Corps
a) How does the Corps coordinate communication in times of flooding? Does it give directives for local councils regarding mandatory evacuation and other actions, or does it leave all these decisions to each city and township? (Could this info be shown on a diagram or in a written document).
b) Will the Corps be communicating with Iowa City in the future to advise us of high water and how it will impact Park View Terrace?
c) We have found the Corps forecasts of flood levels at the hydraulics lab gauging station less than helpful. The problem is that the gauging station is in a choke-point in the river valley and it is immediately downstream of a dam, so a 4-foot rise there does not translate to a 4-foot rise in areas where the floodplain is wider and dams are distant (as in our neighborhood). Could the Corps offer river-level forecasts for developed areas along the river such as ours?

5. Do Corps personnel ever come "in person" checking rivers downstream of Coralville Reservoir? Because it was clear for us riverside residents that river was very high since March 2008, and then, once or twice, it went down almost eerie low in April, then the flood came. Something was amiss, something that the computers probably got wrong, but human eyes could easily recognize.

6. Since Hurricane Katrina levee collapse and the Minneapolis I35 bridge collapse, we are hearing a lot about many US infrastructure failures -- out of date facilities, poor maintenance, and recurring human errors. Therefore,
a) What, frankly, is the state of the Coralville Dam currently?
b) What is the REAL lifetime of the reservoir (we've heard everything from 50 years to 100 years)? What are the factors for determining the reservoir's lifetime, how does silting-in factor? What capacity has been lost due to silting-in and how does that relate to water upstreamand the altered retention capability of the reservoir.
c) What is the Corps doing to address these problems
d) Can the capacity of the Coralville reservoir dam be increased through de-silting or raising the level of the dam?

7. Were all the flood gauge sensors in good working order prior to June 2008 flooding? If not, how is the Corps addressing this problem?

8 . Regarding the definition of the 100 year flood, how has the expected 100 year flow (at the Coralville Dam’s tailwaters) changed from the time the dam was constructed 50 years ago until today? Is there a trend in the data. That is, can we anticipate that the 100 year flood, as defined in 50 years will be greater than the current definition by about the same amount as the current definition is greater than that offered when the dam was built?

9. Does the Corps operate on the assumption that global warming is a present reality and one that will shape meteorological conditions in the coming decades? If so, how does the Corps incorporate long-term predictions of significantly more precipitation for the upper Midwest and increasingly unpredictable weather conditions into its models for operating the dam?

10. We had the impression last June that the reservoir release rates were being set largely on the basis of water already in the Iowa River basin, or even on the basis of water already in the reservoir, as many of the public pronouncements from the Corps were stated in terms of "if no more rain falls, this is what we expect." How much does the corps look at weather forecasts? The weather bureau's short term forecasts seem to give fairly reliable (on the scale of the Iowa River basin) estimates of expected rainfall a day or two in advance, and useful estimates up to about a week in advance.

11. How do cities rank among the Corps' priorities for flood protection?

12. What can the City (and other entities in the Iowa City metro area) change to allow the Corps to release more water at the beginning of the spring flood season when the river is at a lower level?

13. Farmland downriver from Iowa City:
a) How much farmland south of Iowa City is in danger of flooding after May 1st of each year?
b) Would buying up farm land downriver to create a larger flood plain reduce risk of flooding in Iowa City?
c) Would it be legally possible to buy up this farmland?
d) Would it cost less to buy this farmland than other mitigation options in Iowa City?

14. What are the costs and benefits to the Park View Terrace Neighborhood of Coralville building their proposed flood wall?

15. What impact would raising Dubuque Street have on Park View Terrace?

16. If the University of Iowa builds walls on both sides of river from the Park Road Bridge to the Burlington Street bridge (and the power plant south of it), what impact would they have on Park View Terrace? We understand that narrower channels invariably seem to have steeper gradients, while the gradient decreases when the river is allowed to spread. Again, we worry that Park View Terrace residents could become the victim of aggressive flood control measures elsewhere in the area.

Questions pertaining to the Flood of 2008

17. What impact did the Park Road Bridge have on flooding in Park View Terrace? What impact would redesigning the Park Road Bridge have on our neighborhood?

18. The University of Iowa has a coffer dam across the Iowa river, north of the Burlington Bridge. This dam has been in place for two or more years.
a) What impact did this coffer dam have on flooding in Park View Terrace?
b) When did the Corps become aware of the Coffer Dam?
c) Who issues permits for Coffer Dams, and do you know if the University obtained such a permit?

19. Some engineers have estimated that had the Corps released 18,000 cfs starting May 23rd or so then water may have not gone over the spillway in 2008. Is that correct?

20. FEMA informed Park View Terrace residents in July 2008 that they knew by March 2008 that there could be a flood this year. Did the Corps have similar knowledge?

21. Did the Corps know how high the crest might be in IC earlier than June 11, 2008? If Yes, did the Corps advise the City?

22. Had the Corps been able to release 12,000 cfs in the spring of 2008 instead of the 10,000 permitted under current rules, how much would this have reduced the peak flood release on June 15? We note that, at 10,000 CFS, northbound Dubuque Street was only inches above water. The point of this question is to help us evaluate the importance of elevating northbound Dubuque Street, since we suspect that this would have allowed both increased drawdown prior to the flood.

Johnson County Long Term Recovery Committee

2009-01-06T15:47:00.000-08:00

The Johnson County Long Term Recovery Committee invites property owners who sustained damage during last summer's flood to participate in a comprehensive assessment of unmet needs.

Trained and supervised volunteer teams from the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) Disaster Response Services will be in Johnson County January 12-17. These "Green Shirts" will be conducting assessments at the Lobby Conference Room at Iowa City City Hall and at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1300 Melrose Ave., next Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and on Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Appointments are encouraged but not mandatory and may be made by calling United Way of Johnson County, 338-7823. The assessment takes about 30 minutes. The first 200 participants will receive a $25 Hy-Vee gift card. These reports will help us understand and work toward meeting the as-yet unmet needs and providing resources from various community organizations. If you are unable to come to either of these sites, arrangements can be made for volunteers to come to your current residence.

Contacts: Mark and Carol Martin Flood Recovery Coordinators for the CRC
Home: 319-354-1174
Mark's cell: 319-330-3030
Carol's cell: 319-330-5310

Coralville Reservoir Release Rates

2009-01-04T08:45:00.001-08:00

We had another terrific meeting. See slide show below. The bottom line is the Corps needs to make flood control the number 1 priority as they did in the 60's. They have raised the height of the reservoir by 13 feet since then - 670 verses 683. It needs to go back to 670 today! It's a plain and simple fact - 100 of millions of dollars of destruction have been caused by the misguided priorities of the Corps.

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by irwinre

Next PVT Meeting Coming Up - Jan 10th

2008-12-29T15:17:00.000-08:00

Date: Saturday, Jan 10, 2009.
Time: 1:00-4:00pm.
Speaker: Representative from the Army Corps of Engineers’ Rock Island office.
Location: At the Bijou Theater in the IMU. Bijou seats 150 and parking will be available in the IMU ramp.

The resovoir is already more than 2 feet higher than it was a year ago after record snowfalls - could this be a sign for this spring's flood?

12/31/2007 06:00 683.35 elevation (ft) verses 12/29/2008 06:00 685.60 elevation (ft)

Questions for the Corps:

1. What is the Corps of Engineers doing/going-to-do to minimize the chances of another flood in PVT in Spring 2009?

2. Some engineers have estimated that had the Corps released 18,000 cfs starting May 23rd or so then water may have not gone over the spill way. Is that correct?

Please submit your questions for the Corp by Dec 30th if possible!

If we can't get help from the Government - Maybe we can get help from the people the government has helped

2008-12-23T04:33:00.000-08:00

As we all struggle to recover from this flood financially, mentally and physically without out enough assistance from our government - we may consider writing the bailout bank executives for assistance as it appears they were awarded a very nice financial package to keep their current jobs. Just a thought...

$1.6 billion went to bailed-out bank execs
Records show bonuses, chauffeurs, health club benefits, financial planning

updated 12:09 p.m. CT, Mon., Dec. 22, 2008

Banks that are getting taxpayer bailouts awarded their top executives nearly $1.6 billion in salaries, bonuses, and other benefits last year, an Associated Press analysis reveals.
The rewards came even at banks where poor results last year foretold the economic crisis that sent them to Washington for a government rescue. Some trimmed their executive compensation due to lagging bank performance, but still forked over multimillion-dollar executive pay packages.
Benefits included cash bonuses, stock options, personal use of company jets and chauffeurs, home security, country club memberships and professional money management, the AP review of federal securities documents found.
The total amount given to nearly 600 executives would cover bailout costs for many of the 116 banks that have so far accepted tax dollars to boost their bottom lines.
Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services committee and a long-standing critic of executive largesse, said the bonuses tallied by the AP review amount to a bribe "to get them to do the jobs for which they are well paid in the first place.
"Most of us sign on to do jobs and we do them best we can," said Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat. "We're told that some of the most highly paid people in executive positions are different. They need extra money to be motivated!"
The AP compiled total compensation based on annual reports that the banks file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The 116 banks have so far received $188 billion in taxpayer help. Among the findings:
· The average paid to each of the banks' top executives was $2.6 million in salary, bonuses and benefits.
· Lloyd Blankfein, president and chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs, took home nearly $54 million in compensation last year. The company's top five executives received a total of $242 million.
This year, Goldman will forgo cash and stock bonuses for its seven top-paid executives. They will work for their base salaries of $600,000, the company said. Facing increasing concern by its own shareholders on executive payments, the company described its pay plan last spring as essential to retain and motivate executives "whose efforts and judgments are vital to our continued success, by setting their compensation at appropriate and competitive levels." Goldman spokesman Ed Canaday declined to comment beyond that written report.
The New York-based company on Dec. 16 reported its first quarterly loss since it went public in 1999. It received $10 billion in taxpayer money on Oct. 28.
· Even where banks cut back on pay, some executives were left with seven- or eight-figure compensation that most people can only dream about. Richard D. Fairbank, the chairman of Capital One Financial Corp., took a $1 million hit in compensation after his company had a disappointing year, but still got $17 million in stock options. The McLean, Va.-based company received $3.56 billion in bailout money on Nov. 14.
· John A. Thain, chief executive officer of Merrill Lynch, topped all corporate bank bosses with $83 million in earnings last year. Thain, a former chief operating officer for Goldman Sachs, took the reins of the company in December 2007, avoiding the blame for a year in which Merrill lost $7.8 billion. Since he began work late in the year, he earned $57,692 in salary, a $15 million signing bonus and an additional $68 million in stock options. Like Goldman, Merrill got $10 billion from taxpayers on Oct. 28.
The AP review comes amid sharp questions about the banks' commitment to the goals of the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), a law designed to buy bad mortgages and other troubled assets. Last month, the Bush administration changed the program's goals, instructing the Treasury Department to pump tax dollars directly into banks in a bid to prevent wholesale economic collapse.

Miscellaneous Items

2008-12-21T06:29:00.001-08:00

Great Meeting yesterday. Even though only appoximately 20 people attended - we had an excellent discussion on how to better proceed and we even have an upcoming meeting with the Corps. Agenda Notes to follow. Please thank Jerry and Louise for putting together an great agenda.

Des Moines Register Article today on Corps Levee Rebulding for this year:

'Hiccups' mean levees won't be fixed by spring

Gazette Editorial - Does Iowa really want to help their flood victims?

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008712219988

Snow Removal Options

From: Nasseem Moradi [mailto:Nasseem-Moradi@iowa-city.org] Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 11:00 AMTo: Anthony, JerrySubject: snow removal

Hi Jerry – Keri Neblett from the crisis center has a group of volunteers who have offered to shovel the walks in PVT. I was hoping you could get the word out so that people who are interested can contact her and the volunteers will take care of it for them today. Keri can be contacted at kneblett@jccrisiscenter.org or they can call at 351-2726. Thank you! Nasseem

Nasseem Moradi
Flood Recovery
City of Iowa City
410 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240-1826
(319) 356-5479 direct
(319) 356-5217 fax

And

Snow Removal

PVT Agenda For Today's Meeting

2008-12-20T07:53:00.000-08:00

PVT Meeting Agenda
December 20, 2008
4:00-6:00pm
Iowa City Public Library Meeting Room A

1. Help for rebuilding (Louise)
a) through Crisis Center
b) other agencies
2. Communication between City and PVT – update on recent discussions (Louise)
3. Jan 10 meeting (Jerry)
a) speakers
b) questions for speakers in preparation for Jan 10 meeting
4. Future meetings and process (Jerry)
a) dates
b) objectives
5. Survey of PVT residents about future plans (Louise & Jerry)
a) announcement of block captains
b) questions for survey
c) process for completing it
6. Update on taxes (Louise & Deb)
a) income tax
b) property tax

Get Your Walk Shoveled today

2008-12-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

Hi Jerry – Keri Neblett from the crisis center has a group of volunteers who have offered to shovel the walks in PVT. I was hoping you could get the word out so that people who are interested can contact her and the volunteers will take care of it for them today. Keri can be contacted at kneblett@jccrisiscenter.org or they can call at 351-2726. Thank you! Nasseem

ICPC Guest Opinions

2008-12-18T18:28:00.000-08:00

From the ICPC - Guest Opinion Wed Dec 17th, 2008

Looking back on the disaster

Wishing the sun would come out again

Learning the lessons of the floods of 1993, 2008

Thanks to all those who remember and continue to support the flood victims of 2008

Next Meeting Dec 20th IC Pub Lib 4 to 6

2008-12-18T04:19:00.000-08:00

Next meeting of the PVT neighborhood is this Saturday, December 20 at the IOWA CITY Public Library -- Meeting Room A (from 4:00-6:00pm). Best. --- Jerry

Agenda to follow.

Will it happen again?

2008-12-14T17:42:00.000-08:00

Link to Will it Happen again for Cedar Rapids

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081214/NEWS/312149998/1006

Meeting Notes December 6th

2008-12-14T17:40:00.000-08:00

Highlights of Parkview Terrace neighborhood meeting
Saturday, December 6, at Coralville Public Library

About 30 people in attendance.

Main speaker was George Hollins, University of Iowa business manager, speaking in his capacity as an experienced hydrology engineer (Iowa State graduate, worked with Iowa Natural Resources Council and as West Des Moins city engineer, specializing in groundwater and floodplain regulation, bridge and hydraulic structure design, and the like). Also present on behalf of the City of Iowa City was Rick Fosse, director of public works.

Hollins made these points:

Why do we develop on floodplains in the first place? People settle where transportation is convenient, e.g.,, on water; where land is flat; where water supplies and waste disposal methods are available.

“What we think we know sometimes isn’t reality.” We’re “brainwashed” into thinking about 100-year frequency floods, but even small rivers have big floods. Current stats are not necessarily based on a solid record (though Iowa’s is longer than most). With each flood, the calculations (e.g., the figure for 100-year flow in Iowa River, raised from 25,000 cfs pre-1993 to 29,000 as result of 2002 study) are increased, and will increase again; storms and climate change will keep pushing the figure up. Hydrology also doesn’t account for development in rural areas. He cautioned against having a “false sense of security,” and said the nature of future storms is an unknown, and the state of maintenance also cannot be predicted.

Definitions (with x-section drawing) of floodplain, floodway and river channel – the floodplain is the area from “bluff to bluff” on either side of the river; the floodway is the area covered with water if the river rises one foot above normal flow. the national flood insurance program allows building in the floodplain, premised on the idea that you can build on the “floodway fringe” to the point where what is called the “backwash” rises one foot. That’s why building permits in the 100-year floodplain require a one-foot elevation of the first finished floor. With a permit, you can still do lots of things in the floodplain. But the middle section, the floodway, has to be preserved with no construction. These demarcations also designate where mitigation works need to be situated.

Iowa rivers have interesting peculiarities. Mostly they are big and flat—so what’s called “subcritical” flow is most important – as opposed to “subcritical” flow (e.g., whitewater). Velocity changes don’t usually go subcritical except in spots like below the Burlington St. Dam. Contrary to what one might believe, silt is not that important in floods—in our case, the Coralville Dam releases what’s called “hungry water” without a “bedload” (i.e., silt is trapped behind the dam), and the water cuts a channel and picks up sediment as it goes along. (Sediment behind the dam is another question.)

[Fosse said in fact the river bottom in the Iowa City area is getting deeper; and IC monitors the beds around bridges to make sure the footings don’t get scoured.]

One advantage we have—or should have—is the luxury of warning time; we can anticipate flooding based on outflow from the Coralville Dam. So why, some people wonder, was there such sudden evacuation of Normandy Drive residents last summer? Sounds like people have to make their own calculations—we need to know the relationship of river outflow with depth downstream in our neighborhood, and monitor the river outflow at .

We’re referred to the Association of State Floodplain Managers—which has a website, a lobby and some good white papers. For any flood mitigation structures, this organization advises designing to 500 years and a “freeboard” (additional height).

A bit of talk about the Army Corps of Engineers—seems unlikely they could have averted flooding, but could have let more water out earlier. In 1993, eleven times the volume of the reservoir passed through the dam, and it was even more in 2008. The Corps in the past has been “cooperative and willing to share information,” but they are in a no-win situation since they must answer to so many constituencies—recreational interests, farmers downstream, various communities, modulation with the Cedar River, public policy issues, etc.

Examples of various flood control structures may be found on the web—such as temporary portable coffer dams, which may not be so great; Hesco-barrier type structures, up to 12 feet high, which may be permanent or temporary; an “invisible wall,” or floodways that come out in sections on a permanent base, also to a height of 12 feet; and your basic earthen levee, with a floodwall and footing in the center. Costs vary a great deal and depend on material, depth of excavation required, and so on.

[Fosse said the PVT area has problems with porous soils and sands; the city is working with Stanley Consultants to develop a range of options. The city also is working with FEMA to get funding for long-term recovery, and is considering the raising of Dubuque St. and Park Road Bridge.]

Next PVT neighborhood meeting will be Saturday, December 20th, 3:30 pm, at the Iowa City Public Library; and then on January 10th, we’ll meet with Iowa City officials, place to be announced.

New News Articles and Opinions

2008-12-12T05:35:00.000-08:00

Iowa City Flood Buyouts Taking Shape

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081212/NEWS/712129988/1006

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20081212/OPINION05/812120316/1079/NEWS01

Interested Buyer for Properties In PVT

2008-12-11T20:02:00.000-08:00

Our realtor has an interested buyer for some property like ours down in Parkview Terrace. We had a great experience with her, and I was hoping you could send out an email to those individuals who are selling by owner consider connecting with her. Her name is Sharon Asari from Coldwell Banker, and she was successful in selling our house for a favorable rate to both the buyer and seller. She can be reached at 319-331-4577.

I want to be very clear that I have no financial interest in any of this, I just wanted to forward this on to connect a possible buyer with a possible seller…

Good luck with your house!

Mike

Jumpstart Express - Will this help Iowa City flood victims?

2008-12-11T16:24:00.000-08:00

Jumpstart Express announced - See Daily Iowan link

Gov. Culver talks on flood relief

City still unsure who will be eligible for this funds and why others may not be.

Link to Iowa City's memo to the City Council regarding Jumpstart Express

Flood Recovery & Buyout Update

Buy Out Questions Remain in Iowa City

2008-12-10T20:55:00.000-08:00

Buy Out Questions Remain in Iowa City

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/35930124.html

Snow Removal

2008-12-07T17:26:00.000-08:00

I (and others) have talked to the city about the issue of shoveling. It has come up in some meetings and they have looked into the issue. Unfortunately, there is not much they can do for us in terms of waiving the requirement, or shoveling for us. They just don't have the staff. I did call a friend who does snow removal. I explained that, he doesn't have to come early, but it does have to be done within the city's time limits. His name is Rick Kron (Kron Lawn Care) 331-2592. He told me he charges $28 for sidewalk and drive, $14 for just the sidewalk.

Lore

Property Taxes Update

2008-12-07T17:24:00.000-08:00

It would probably be best to first explain how Iowa property tax laws work. Assessors re-value real estate at market value every two years as of January first of each odd-numbered year. That value remains in place for two years unless there is a change in the property by January first of the even-numbered year. Assessments are finalized on April 15th and formal protests may be made to the board of review by May 5th. After that date there can be no change to the assessment if an appeal has not been filed.

Taxes are collected in arrears, so the tax bill you receive actually pays the taxes for the previous year. The January 1, 2007 assessment was used to calculate taxes for the July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 property taxes. This bill is payable in September of 2008 and March of 2009. The January 1, 2008 assessment will be used to calculate taxes for the July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 property taxes. That bill will be payable in September of 2009 and March of 2010.

All of this is to explain that since the flood occurred in June, after the assessment date, the first opportunity for us to address the flood damage to your property will be at the January 1, 2009 assessment. We plan to look at each flood-affected property as near to January first as possible to determine the amount of damage. We will also be studying sales in these areas for any loss in value due to “stigma,” or buyers’ fear of future flooding. Many of the decisions we make will require judgment on our part, and we plan to be as understanding as possible when it comes to final value.

While we’re sympathetic to your very serious problems, we are limited by law in what we can do to help.

Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions.

Dennis Baldridge
Iowa City Assessor

PVT Meeting Agenda December 6

2008-12-05T21:28:00.000-08:00

PVT Meeting Agenda
December 6, 2008
3:00 PM
Coralville Public Library Meeting Room A

1) Introduction (Steve McGuire)
2) Communication
a) City Updates (Steve McGuire)
3) Flood Assistance Funds
a) CDBG Roadblock Update (Jerry Anthony)
4) Flood Mitigation Measures
a) Flood Walls and Berms 101 (George Hollins, University Business Manager)
5) Future Meetings and Agenda Items (Steve McGuire)
a) Proposed meetings
i) Early January: Public forum on flood mitigation with cities, University,
state agencies
b) Other meeting times and topics
6) Rebuilding Tips
a) Property Taxes (Bob Irwin)
b) Help from community organizations (Morris Dailey)
c) Contractor recommendations (Morris Dailey)

Dec 6 Meeting - 3 PM - Coralville Public Library

2008-12-01T15:53:00.000-08:00

Email from Steve McGuire

On Saturday December 6, 3pm at the Coralville Public Library, George Hollins, University Business Manager, will present an overview of flood mitigation walls and berms. Significantly, George is also both a hydrologist and engineer who has worked for the DNR on projects that potentially may be proposed for PVT. He has been asked by the State to join a seven member committee reviewing State flood plain management and rivers, and it is terrific - he will present to us, "Flood Walls and Berms 101."

Article from Gazzette today

2008-11-26T04:57:00.000-08:00

Will recovery aid be enough to fix Iowa?

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081126/NEWS/711269956/1006

Cedar Rapids Starts New Flood Campaign - PVT and Iowa City should do the same

2008-11-24T20:47:00.000-08:00

While Iowa City has been able to begin to partially address the needs of many of the flood victims - more help (assistance) is needed as many of us are still struggling from PVT. We need to continue to make our situation known and not forgotten.

Cedar Rapids Wants to Start New Flood Campaign

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/35039064.html

Cedar Rapids Needs Help from Federal Lawmakers Outside Iowa

http://www.cedar-rapids.org/community/NewsDetail.asp?NewsID=1407

While the numbers are significant, the many of the flood victims in Iowa City are in the same boat as the flood victims from CR.

One of the topics discussed at our last meeting was starting our own campaign - more details to follow soon after the notes are posted.

PTV Meeting Notes 11/22/2008 and Property Taxes

2008-11-24T15:59:00.000-08:00

It was a great meeting and we had about 40 - whoops - 25 in attendance. See notes below.

Property Taxes - The automatic increase has been sent out by the county. The county has confirmed the property values in PVT have dropped substantially and are promising to adjust them hopefully starting in December. More details to follow.

Highlights of Parkview Terrace neighborhood meeting of Saturday, November 22, 2008, in Coralville Public Library downstairs meeting room—a lovely venue!

The meeting lasted from 3:40 to 5:45, with about 25 people in attendance. The two main topics were flood assistance funds, with information provided by Jerry Anthony, and flood mitigation planning, with information from Africa Espina. People also talked about communication and coordination needs.

Early on, a question was raised: Do differing interests of those hoping for a buyout and those rebuilding and planning to stay in the neighborhood necessitate separate conversations?

Responses: Some say we need to stick together and work together regardless. Others say those awaiting buyout don’t yet have any guarantee that will happen. (Some people still wonder.)

There was a bit of discussion about a need for better communications between residents and Iowa City government, since people tend to hear things second- and third-hand, leading to miscommunication and wasted time for everyone. The city has agreed to provide PVT residents with regular weekly updates about funds and other issues.

(1) Flood assistance funds: Jerry Anthony—a UI faculty member in urban and regional planning, who has served on and chaired the IC Community Development Committee that gives out housing rehabilitation grants, and also is on the housing task force of the state Rebuild Iowa Commission—gave an overview of what he knows about city/state/federal funds and disbursement.

First, Jumpstart—it’s entirely state funds intended to provide immediate relief after floods; the governor’s office set the guidelines, including not imposing income limits and providing households with help to the maximum extent possible, rather than divvying up the money and spreading it around further. The state has an odd explanation of this system—making the analogy of providing a disabled car with four wheels rather than just one (which everyone agrees is a ridiculous comparison, but oh well).

As for criteria for rating applicants – the city has been using a weighting system (accounting for elderly, disabled, family size and single head of household) that worked for other programs in the past. Alternatives other communities have proposed are no better—a lottery system has been ruled illegal, and first-come first-served is legal but also would prompt complaints. The main problem is not in the allocation system, but in the lack of discussion ahead of time—as indeed there is no good alternative. These grants do subtract for FEMA and insurance money (secretary’s note: one of my neighbors with top priority got all of $10 K).

Next, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, which is federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) money, under a program that has been around since 1974. Under this longstanding program, IC has always been an “entitlement community,” meaning it gets allocations automatically and the city itself administers the program with fewer strings attached than for non-entitlement communities.

On top of regular funding there is a special disaster allocation via the state, which to date has been imposing requirements that ordinarily don’t apply to an entitlement community: (a) requirement for lead-based paint abatement in structures built prior to 1978, which adds considerable time and expense; (b) requirement that rehabilitated housing be brought up to code, with advance evidence of availability of extra money to do so; and (c) state’s desire to monitor against “double-dipping,” i.e., making sure that money from different sources, including FEMA, Jumpstart and insurance, isn’t duplicated. The city is asking for a flood-related emergency exemption from (a); and for authority to monitor (b) and (c) at the local level on the basis of its longstanding entitlement status and good record managing funds under this program.

CDBG money is targeted at lower-income households, with the regular guideline for eligibility set at 80% of the median income for the area (so the actual amount will vary depending on area). For the post-flood grants, the state is raising the limit to 100%, and there’s talk of an additional round of disaster-related allocations that would raise it further to 110% in order to help more households—perhaps another 20 or 30 families.

Both Jumpstart and CDBG grants carry a “declining balance loan” condition—meaning that the amount is forgiven in increments over either 5 or 10 years, after which it zeros out. The payback period for these allocations has been set at 10 years; people wondered whether it could be set at 5—another question.

A third funding sources is the Community Foundation of Johnson County, funded by private businesses; a recent call for extra flood contributions collected $50,000 in just a week. That amount has been made available to the city for rental and mortgage assistance for those rebuilding and returning, and letters allocating that money have gone out to 16 people. The foundation likely will be raising more.

There should be additional disaster assistance money coming from the federal government, with a couple of bills yet to be finalized—including a multi-billion-dollar bill yet to be signed by President Bush that will make $35 million for flood recovery available locally (secretary’s aside—the president signed a $700-billion Wall Street bailout bill with such alacrity, yet a common-citizen relief package sits around...? jeesh).

(2) Flood mitigation measures: Jerry Anthony first noted that unlike Coralville or Cedar Rapids governments, which tend to move faster, Iowa City’s mode is more consultative and defers to residents’ preferences—so it is in PVT folks’ interests to develop a vision for the neighborhood and present it as a group in the next few weeks. He listed the following types of mitigation options: (a) engineering and construction measures; (b) physical land/use, zoning and planning measures; (c) economic measures, i.e., incentives and disincentives, such as a storm water drainage tax; (d) environmental and resource protection; (e) emergency services; (f) management and institutional measures. Given the property tax income the PVT neighborhood supplies, it’s obviously in the city’s best interests to protect against future flood damage, and the city council indeed has agreed to do something!

Africa Espina—UI-trained environmental engineer with hydrology expertise who works for Stanley Consultants—addressed the engineering and construction issues. There will be review of the current maps of the 100- and 500-year floodplain, which are based on past events and don’t account for climate change.

Meanwhile, the city is looking into three strategies for PVT flood mitigation—(a) buying out the eligible homes, along with elevating four remaining homes; (b) the buyout/elevation and improved access in the eventuality of a flood through road elevation, probably at the bends of Normandy where the pumps were placed; and (c) the buyout/elevation plus protection with an engineered option.

That engineered option might be an earthen levee—which requires lots of space and sounds unlikely; or fixed or demountable floodwalls. The demountable type requires preplaced concrete foundations, with space needed for those also and heavy truck access; and in case of anticipated flooding the city can bring in metal sheets and raise a temporary wall. The estimated cost for this type of solution is $11.8-15.5 million for 500-year flood protection for PVT, and some $27 million for Taft and PVT combined. Another idea is so-called “Hesco barriers”—blast barriers developed for Iraq that are essentially cardboard filled with gravel, and that have proved good for flood control.

The city is considering hiring a consultant to work with the neighborhood on developing plans, but that’s not decided yet. The city also has yet to formalize a position on the properties that are eligible but refuse buyout funds—it’s thought that 5 to 7 homeowners along the river want to stay, meaning complications for right-of-way and also the likelihood that they’d be left outside any flood protection barriers.

Doug Jones—computer science prof at UI, and author of ingenious and thoughtful concepts for flood protection presented earlier—noted two measures the city could take that would help protect PVT: raising North Dubuque Street, which would enable increased outflow from the Coralville Dam; and fixing the Park Road bridge so it wouldn’t became a debris trap.

Steve McGuire—UI professor of art coordinating studio arts move to old Menards store—discussed the need for a public forum to discuss coordination among Coralville, Iowa City, UI and the Army Corps of Engineers. Such a forum is supposed to be scheduled.

There was more talk about that coffer dam UI put in the river, including the allegation that it made a huge difference in flooding upstream—but note that this contradicts earlier calculations that it made a negligible difference (including that of Frank Weirich in our hydrology 101 tutorial).

However—a new twist: Sewer lines located under the river in the area of the coffer dam are in need of repair as a result of the flood, which scoured the channel and left the sewer crossings in mid-water rather than resting on the bottom. Doug Jones said three sewer lines below the coffee dam are affected, but only one of them is in danger of collapse because the other two are plugged and not in use. Steve McGuire reported that the university has said the coffer dam should be removed by next March. Others said the university needs to have a system to dismantle or destroy coffer dams in case of emergencies, which evidently was not possible with this one.

A suggestion—ask our Congressional delegation to provide a dedicated staff person for helping to coordinate among all parties as well as the feds.

PVT Meeting Agenda Nov 22 3:30 - 5:00

2008-11-22T07:32:00.000-08:00

PVT Meeting Agenda
November 22, 2008
Coralville Public Library Meeting Room A

1. Introduction (Steve McGuire)

2. Communication (Steve McGuire and Jerry Anthony?)

a. Potential City Updates
b. Within the neighborhood and Iowa City

3. Flood Assistance Funds (Jerry Anthony)

a. Jumpstart
b. CDBG
i. Current problems and distribution hold up
ii. Eligibility

4. Flood Mitigation Measures

a. Community visioning process and timeline (Jerry Anthony)
b. Current City strategy (Africa Espina)
c. Coordination between Iowa City, Coralville, University, and state agencies (Steve McGuire)

5. Future Meetings and Agenda Items (Steve McGuire)

a. Proposed meetings
i. December 6: Large scale flood coordination by George Hollens, UI Business Manager
ii. Early January: Public forum on flood mitigation with cities, University, state agencies
b. Other meeting times and topics

6. Rebuilding Tips (Morris)

a. Help from community organizations
b. Contractor recommendations

Neighborhood Meeting Saturday Nov 22

2008-11-19T16:32:00.000-08:00

----- Original Message -----
From: Anthony, Jerry
To: PTV Neighborhood
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 5:33 PM
Subject: Next neighborhood meeting is THIS Saturday
Dear All:

Our next neighborhood meeting is scheduled for this Saturday, November 22. From 3:30 – 5:00pm at the Coralville Public Library (Meeting Room A). Please note the location. A meeting agenda will be sent out later this week. -- Jerry

Good News - Mayor Bailey Steps Up to Bat

2008-11-19T16:29:00.000-08:00

Government Red Tape Hindering Help for Flooded Out Homeowners
IOWA CITY - Some cities in eastern Iowa say government red tape is preventing them from getting federal money to many flood victims. Iowa City and Waterloo, among others, are all frustrated with the... Read more »

News Articles

2008-11-18T05:18:00.000-08:00

Iowa City buyout rejecters could end up 'wet'

City will seek public input in flood mitigation

New Jumpstart List Published

2008-11-18T05:02:00.000-08:00

CDBG Flood recovery funds and levels of assistance are based on federal guidelines. The applicant must:1. Be the owner of record and have occupied the home as their primary residence during the flood of 2008;2. Must be at or under 100% of the median income for the City of Iowa City: Single = $50,800; 2 person household = $58,000; 3 person household = $65,300; 4 person household = $72,600; 5 person household = $78,400; 6 person household = $84,200; 7 person household = $90,000; 8 person household = $95,800.
(learn more)
At its October 6, 2008, work session, the City Council discussed how to rank the applicants for Jumpstart and CDBG assistance. City Council directed staff to use the system based on weighting criteria that has been employed for many years in making decisions about who will receive CDBG assistance for rehabilitation and home repair. The City's weighting criteria are: elderly, disabled, large family, medium family, and single parent household.
Memo from City Attorney re: Jumpstart/CDBG Weighting Criteria (11-5-08)
Jumpstart Applicant List (weighted rankings) (rev. 11-13-08)

Iowa City Council Meetings and Work Sessions

2008-11-17T04:39:00.001-08:00

Link to Iowa City's Council Meetings and Work Sessions this week.

http://www.icgov.org/default/apps/council/agendas.asp

Iowa City on the move - no one is sure what their intentions really are

2008-11-14T04:52:00.000-08:00

From the Cedar Rapids Gazette:

Iowa City looking at long-term flood plans

Former residents of Parkview Terrace are still asked to wait 5 months after the flood while the City tries to figure out what it will do.

City still insists helping less than 10% of the applicants for flood assistance is the right thing to do as they are not sure what their plans are.

City Updates posted today

2008-11-13T17:57:00.000-08:00

The City has posted new updates

See link below:

http://www.icgov.org/default/fs/?id=1877

Coralville forges ahead further endangering Parkview Terrace

2008-11-13T04:37:00.000-08:00

Coralville forges ahead with plans to increase the flood risk in Parkview Terrace - No response from Iowa City. Cities still have no meeting scheduled to coordinate flood plans putting the residents in Iowa City at greater risk with future flooding.

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/34367804.html

Volunteer Help offered

2008-11-11T16:14:00.000-08:00

Email from Louise Novak

Dear Louise,

Would you please make sure the announcement below is posted on the Parkview Terrace web page? We are trying to line up work for groups coming to Iowa City/Coralville in the next few weeks. We would also be interested to know about any individuals or families you believe we should contact directly.

Thanks for your help!
Mark

Do You Need Volunteer Help for Cleanup, Winterizing or Rebuilding?

The Disaster Relief Coordinators for United Way of Johnson County, Mark and Carol Martin, are looking for flood victims who would benefit from volunteer assistance in the coming weeks. A group of 35 volunteers from the Illinois State University School of Social Work will be in Iowa City from November 21-26, and they are hoping to help folks winterize or rebuild. Other groups are scheduled to follow them. If you have any kind of need, please contact Mark and Carol at 337-8657 (the United Way Volunteer Center), 354-1174 (their home) or 330-3030 (Mark's cell phone). They may be reached by email at mmartin@unitedwayjc.org, or pastormwm@mchsi.com.

Mark and Carol Martin
Disaster Relief Coordinators
United Way of Johnson County
1150 Sunset St.
Iowa City, IA 52246
Home: 319-354-1174
Mark's cell: 319-330-3030
Carol's cell: 319-330-5310
Email: pastormwm@mchsi.com, icmartin@mchsi.com, pastormwm@gmail.com

Save Parkview Terrace sooner rather than later

2008-11-11T04:47:00.000-08:00

Save each household in Parkview Terrace equally and you will save the World!

Iowa City Local Government needs your help to obtain funding and direction to properly adminster assistance programs from the State to Flood Victims in Parkview Terrace.

Please write Chet, Dave, Chuck and Tom as soon as possible asking for their financial help so grant money can be distributed fairly and on a timely basis to the residents of Parkview Terrace.

Chet Culver - http://www.governor.iowa.gov/administration/contact/

Dave Loebsack - http://loebsack.house.gov/contactform/

Chuck Grassley - http://grassley.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Tom Harkin - http://harkin.senate.gov/c/

Also, Coralville is still looking at building up along the Iowa River above Parkview Terrace without any plans to prevent future flooding in our neighborhood. Please write Coralville asking to stop building up along the Iowa River as recent development along the Iowa River has significantly contributed to the higher flooding that occurred this past year.

http://www.coralville.org/mod.php?mod=faq

Your help is needed today!

Iowa City withholding Jumpstart and CBDG funds

2008-10-31T04:55:00.000-07:00

Also, their is an article in today's Gazette - (I can't find it online so you'll have to pick up the paper) - describing how Iowa City is planning to disburse funds only to 11 families out of the 124 families that applied for Jumpstart and CDBG funding. Iowa City is stretching funds by withholding them and only granting funds to a few people now and indicating possibly 1/2 of the applicants may receive some funds at a later date. It seems Iowa City is encouraging to developing the flood plains to help "Jumpstart" local real estate developers by allowing home sales at substantial discounts at the expense of homeowners rather than aiding victims of the 2008 flood.

Flood Damaged Homes Sold

2008-10-31T04:36:00.000-07:00

Flood Damaged Homes sold at steep discounts

Also, several homes in Parkview Terrace have been sold at substantial discounts.

Clink on the link below for additional information as reported by the Iowa City Press Citizen

Flood Damage Homes Sold

Free Light Fixtures courtesy of Iowa City Electric

2008-10-30T19:23:00.000-07:00

Iowa City Electric is offering free light fixtures (from their home decorative stock), for victims of the flood, on Saturday, November 1 from 9 am to 3 pm at the Granny's Antique Mall. It is on a first come, first serve and the flood victims will need to provide their name and address for verification.

This is the stock left over from their retail store that they just closed on October 1, so it is an opportunity for flood victims that are rebuilding to get fixtures for free. Hover they will not be able to order more, so if there is just one of something- that is all there is. Please notify any of you clients that have been affected by the flood about this information.

(email from Patti Fields of United Way)

Volunteer Help Available Nov 10 and 11.

2008-10-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

Next month, Hillel will be hosting a group of about 20-25 high school students from a synagogue in Westchester County, NY. They are coming to help with flood reconstruction work and to learn a little about life in the Midwest.

Do you know of any specific projects that these students can work on? They’ll be here Sunday-Tuesday, November 9-11. They hope to spend Sunday afternoon in Cedar Rapids and then Monday all day and Tuesday morning here in Iowa City. If we can put them to work for several hours Monday (preferably with the participation of some of our Hillel students), they should be able to accomplish a significant amount of work. If you know of anyone else I should be contacting, please let me know. Thanks very much for your help. --Jerry Sorokin

Please email or call Jerry if you need assistance - gerald-sorokin@uiowa.edu or 319-338-0778

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Flood Recovery and Buyout Process Resource Center Updated

2008-10-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

Much more flood info:

Flood Recovery & Buyout Process Resource Center

Be sure to click on Learn More....items for additional information

and the New Voluntary Flood Buyout Map (10/20/2008)

New FEMA number for Iowa Disaster Victims

2008-10-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

----- Original Message -----
From: Carol Sweeting
To: Robert Irwin ; clinesally@cs.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 7:18 AM
Subject: FW: FEMA # for Iowa disaster victims

Just got this number hope it helps.

Carol Sweeting
Flood Recovery
Iowa City Public Works
Public Information, Education, Volunteer Coordinator
410 E Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
Ph. 319-356-5164
Cell 319-541-2385
Fax. 319-356-5007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.com; efoudree@indianhills.edu; NANCY GULICK; tjnancarrow@dmgov.org; tom masey; Doug Nelson
Subject: FEMA # for Iowa disaster victims

For those of you working with homeowners who are having trouble contacting FEMA due to the high volume of calls on FEMA’s toll-free line, please refer them to the number that FEMA established specifically for Iowa disaster victims:

1-866-274-4392

I hope they will have better luck using that number. Thanks!

Terri Rosonke

HousingIowa Development Specialist

Iowa Finance Authority

2015 Grand Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50312

Toll Free: 1.800.432.7230

Direct Line: 515.725.4956

Cell: 515.250.0297

Fax: 515.725.4901

E-mail: terri.rosonke@iowa.gov

Website: www.IowaFinanceAuthority.gov

Deadline Nearing for Jump Start Applications

2008-10-11T09:57:00.000-07:00

----- Original Message -----
From: City of Iowa City
To: irwinre@msn.com
Sent: Friday, October 10, 2008 3:08 PM
Subject: Deadline Nearing for Jump Start Applications
Contact: Steve Long, Comm. Dev. CoordinatorContact Phone: (319) 356-5230
Deadline Nearing for Jump Start Applications
Posted by: Community Dev.
Mailing List: Flood Recovery Updates
Originally Posted 10/10/2008 3:08:05 PM

Those Iowa City home and business owners affected by the flood have a few more days to complete their applications for Jumpstart Iowa funding. The Flood Recovery Center in the Main Lobby of City Hall will have special hours Saturday, October 11, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The Center will also be open Monday and Tuesday, October 13 and 14, from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. City staff will be available those hours to help applicants fill out their forms and answer questions. The deadline to receive Jumpstart applications is 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14. Application forms are also available online at www.icgov.org/recovery and questions can be e-mailed to recovery@iowa-city.org. Flood-impacted residents can also utilize the Flood Recovery Hotline phone number at 319-356-5479.
View and edit your subscription details.
Visit our jobs page for employment opportunities.
View more news from the City of Iowa City.
Do not reply directly to this e-mail! It is produced from an automated system, and is not monitored for replies. If you have a question or comment about this information, please contact the originating department of this message, or by using our feedback form.
For technical questions regarding the website, please contact our web team.

Insurance Claim Mediation Service Offered

2008-10-10T04:08:00.000-07:00

----- Original Message -----
From: Lore McGuire
To: PTV Neighborhood
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 10:55 PM
Subject: Iowa's Flood Mediation Program

Bob,This was in the P-C on Wednesday. Would you post this information?"The state of Iowa's Flood Mediation Program is designed to work with you and your insurance carriers to make sure that flood claims are being properly and fairly processed. Be sure you file a claim with your insurance carrier right away. The program cannot assist you until the claim has been processed by your insurance carrier. Other than a $25. fee, the cost for this program is paid by your insurance company. For more information call 877-955-1212.

Lore

Where and when should PTV go with future flood mitigation?

2008-10-10T04:02:00.000-07:00

----- Original Message -----
From: Linder, Marc
To: PVT Neighborhood
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 8:47 PM
Subject: Tell city manager what you want!

Below is an email exchange with city mgr Lombardo. He asks whether the neighborhood wants the city to speed up formulating plans for the future of pvt so that they can be discussed with the neighborhood or whether city should hold off until it finds out whether congress in 2009 might appropriate more $.

The neighbors should discuss this issue among themselves and tell the city what they want

From: Michael Lombardo
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 4:32 PMTo: Linder, Marc
Subject: RE: UI cttee of flood experts

My inclination was to hold off until we had a better idea of the level of funding from the next supplemental appropriation – the concern being that we might develop solutions (and expectations) that would exceed funding levels and the emotional toll that might take.
Do you believe property owners would prefer getting started sooner and then modifying the approach as needed to fit likely funding scenarios?
-- Michael Lombardo

From: Linder, Marc
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 2:32 PM
To: Michael Lombardo
Subject: RE: UI cttee of flood experts

Mr Lombardo

Do you have any sense as to when the city will have developed plans firm enough to discuss with the residents?

From: Michael Lombardo
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 2:29 PM
To: Linder, MarcCc: Jeff Davidson
Subject: RE: UI cttee of flood experts

Mr. Linder,
Yes, we continue to meet with the University to coordinate long range planning for the river corridor. The University has also provided access to the individuals and firms that they brought on and we are likely to avail ourselves of some of the engineering and design services that they specialize in.
--Michael Lombardo

From: Linder, Marc
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 12:10 PM
To: Michael Lombardo
Cc: Jeff Davidson
Subject: UI cttee of flood experts

Mr. Lombardo,
Some time ago you mentioned at a city council mtg that IC, Coralville, and UI would try to coordinate their plans for coexisting with the river. Has there been a follow-thru?
Now that UI has appointed a cttee of flood experts, is there any possibility that: 1. IC could piggy-back on to this cttee? 2. The cttee could also consider PVT? Or 3. IC could appoint its own cttee?

Marc linder

Jumpstart Suggestions for people not on the buyout list

2008-10-10T03:59:00.000-07:00

----- Original Message -----
From: "Anthony, Jerry" <jerry-anthony@uiowa.edu>
To: PTV Neighborhood and Steve Long, Jeff Davidson and Michael Lombardo
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 4:48 PM
Subject: Jumpstart and CDBG
Dear All: Three things that folks not on the HGMP list (i.e., buyout list) should pursue in discussions with state and city officials.

1. Ask for Interim Mortgage Assistance. Right now it is available only to those on the buyout list, but many people off the list are still living elsewhere and making rent payments -- rent payments that are fast depleting their FEMA grants. At the Monday meeting, Councilor Amy Correia had felt that this must be done.

2. Ask for higher amounts for Housing Repair or Rehab Assistance.Right now its set at $50,000 (+ $10,000 for energy efficiency upgrades).Construction costs are much higher in Iowa City than in the rest of the state. And as per Iowa City's assessment of damage reports in PVT,$50,000 is towards the lower end of repair estimates.

3. Ask for income guidelines to be used in applications for all funds--- i.e., people with lower wage incomes be given a greater share of the funds.

Hang in there folks. --- Jerry Anthony

Jumpstart Update Info

2008-10-09T06:05:00.001-07:00

Hi All,

Following is the url for Jumpstart Iowa assistance. Jumpstart Link (click on it)

I know folks have discussed the program via the neighborhood email list, but I'm wanting to be sure that everyone has an opportunity to ask questions of the City staff per their particular situation. Those in attendance at Monday's meeting know that the program guidelines are presenting some unintended outcomes. Steve Long (stephen-long@iowa-city.org), Elenor Dilkes (eleanor-dilkes@iowa-city.org), Jeff Davidson (jeff-davidson@iowa-city.org) and Michael Lombardo (michael-lombardo@iowa-city.org) need our questions so they can pursue both the needed answers and understand the varied circumstance we are working from as we try to move forward.

Elenor Dilkes is pursuing an answer to Morris' question, a question many folks have: Can a pre-flood appraisal, done after the flood, be used to determine to the buyout amount, instead of the current assessed value? An appraisal done within the past year will work, as you may remember from earlier presentations. The FEMA desk reference explains that: "Communities may offer homeowners who agree to participate in a buyout project up to the fair market value of the home BEFORE the disaster struck. A licensed appraiser hired by the community determines the fair market value." My sense is that the City is working from this basis.

For the purpose of filing our taxes, we are having MRS do a pre and post flood appraisal.

One of the questions folks who are on the HMGP application are asking is, "should I go ahead and heat my home minimally so as to be sure the foundation does not crack." I am hoping the City will be able to send HMPG homeowners further clarification of the process now that the application id being made. We have also attached the HMPG buyout map.

Best,
Steve

Hydrology Meeting notes 08/04/2008

2008-10-05T17:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks Judy!

Park View Terrace (Mosquito Flats) “Hydrology 101” session
Monday, August 4th, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Iowa City Public Library, meeting room A

Highlights:
Attendance at this meeting was perhaps 70 or 80 people—with half that many by the end
We first heard from Jude Moss of the Iowa City Water Division, who discussed procedures for reactivation/inspection/repair/shutoff of water/sewer accounts—more below.
The main portion of the meeting was devoted to a presentation by Frank Weirich, Iowa professor of hydraulics and civil & environmental engineering—detailed notes below. Among the main points—averting/mitigating future flooding requires a comprehensive solution for the entire drainage basin; operational plans for the Coralville dam are certain to be revised, but major changes to the dam and reservoir are very unlikely; focusing on the river water itself is key to a comprehensive solution, along with localized measures; local factors downstream such as the coffer dam and other dams and bridges exacerbated but did not cause the floods; flood probabilities for the future are more likely than previously thought.
Finally, those remaining in the room made a consensus decision that Steve McGuire, Jerry Anthony and Doug Jones—on the basis of their activism and expertise—will act as our neighborhood representatives in meetings, hearings, and so on related to flood aftermath, prevention, mitigation, etc. etc.

Water service:
City water/sewer accounts are being reactivated as of August 1st. Any homeowners who do not intend to reoccupy their homes need to inform the department. This is especially important because if a dwelling will remain vacant with the onset of cold weather, service needs to be shut off entirely.
Meanwhile, the department will hire a contractor to inspect the “stop boxes” which are built into the curb at each dwelling, and fix any in need of repair, and then water meter and radio read devices also will be replaced, with all costs born by the city and FEMA. All homeowners need to contact the department to schedule these activities.
The contact is: Jude Moss, Water Division customer service coordinator, 356-5163 or jude-moss@iowa-city.org.

Hydrology lesson:
[Caveat: these notes come through a double filter—they are the note-takers’ best possible interpretation of the speakers’ interpretation.]
The speaker introduces himself as a specialist in floods, landslides and fires, watershed and flood modeling, and inundation—“where it goes, why it goes there.”
Need to understand that floods take place in an “integrated system,” in which changes in one thing affect the entire system. In other words, change in our neighborhood will affect everybody else, and vice versa. This, all stakeholders need to discuss flood mitigation plans. “Solutions must be integrated and comprehensive.”
Starting point for understanding floods is a basic hydrology equation:
P (precipitation, i.e., rainfall, snow, ice melt) =
ET (evaporation) + R (surface runoff) + G (groundwater storage)
In other words, what doesn’t evaporate or go into the ground has to go somewhere else. Circumstances on the ground can change runoff, how much water goes in different directions and how fast; e.g., urbanization, with streets, asphalt, etc., makes the ground impervious and forces more runoff, in contrast to soil, in which 50% of water will go into the ground.
A hydrograph illustrates the output of a river system over time—expressed as:
Q (discharge, in cfs, or cubic feet per second)
and T (time, e.g., in days)
Here’s an example:
The key concern in flooding is not the volume of water, but that peak discharge—the highest level reached.
Also must understand basic river and flood plain hydraulics—how moving water behaves in and beyond the river channel. The basic equation for this is:
Q = AV
in which Q is discharge, A is area, taken as a cross-section of the river channel (width x depth), and V the velocity of the water, or its average speed.
Then comes the Manning equation, a calculation of velocity or water flow speed. The velocity can change depending on the channel configuration; it helps if the river is wider with increased surface area. The equation is:
V=1.49 x R x S
N
in which R is a function of the river basin’s area and perimeter, S is slope, and N is a coefficient expressing a “friction factor” based on the surface the water is going over – for instance, a rougher surface like a sandy bottom will slow water down, whereas a smooth surface such as concrete or glass means faster flow; and it also accounts for obstacles in the river or flood plain, such as those presented by trees or subdivisions, that will slow water down. FEMA models are based on this equation.
The drainage basin we’re dealing with extends to from 3,000 square miles above the Coralville Dam to a few hundred square miles below. The Coralville Reservoir holds some 410,000 acre feet of water. Excessive storms like we had last spring result in loss of storage capacity; during the floods, the water volume in the reservoir reached 500,000 acre feet and was still rising. Over time, the accumulation of sedimentation in the reservoir also is reducing storage capacity.
The Coralville Dam originally was designed to increase storage and minimize danger with controlled release of water, delaying its transit and buffering the flow, so that peak discharge in the river would be lower—in other words, the peak on the hydrograph would be lower. The dam was built as part of the Mississippi River flood system—with protection of Iowa City only a secondary benefit; and since them, other missions have been added, e.g., recreation, fishing, wildlife habitat, with plans changed to accommodate those additional functions.
Could we dredge the reservoir? Dredging is very expensive—and an additional problem is that the bottom of the reservoir is full of DDT from the days before it was banned, and dredging would stir it up. What about raising the dam? Raising the level of the reservoir would expand the surface and necessitate purchase of property rights around the shore, expensive and difficult; in addition, since the reservoir is very shallow, expanding it would have huge environmental consequences in destroying habitat.
The Army Corps of Engineers operational plan for the dam can be changed at any time, and definitely will be reevaluated after these floods. This will involve a cost-benefit analysis—for instance, if the pool is maintained at too high a level, more farmland will be flooded upstream and restitution will have to be paid, which is part of the tradeoff for protecting areas downstream. Every spring brings a “guessing game” about this balance.
Following the 1993 floods, the Corps changed the release plan to release more water earlier—and obviously this time it still was not early enough; release of more water in March or April would have avoided “a certain number of feet rise” downstream, but instead the key decision was made to maintain the normal release of 10,000 cfs to avoid flooding Dubuque Street. “In hindsight, you can always mitigate a flood.”
A lot of factors converged at PVT: Snow melt from the winter, early spring rain upriver, which worked its way down toward the reservoir, and meanwhile other storms to the west and the east dumped more water, less rain but more intense, and the ground became saturated so it could not drain any more, and then there were other exacerbating factors. The buildup of obstructions at the Park Road bridge, the University of Iowa construction coffer dam and the dam beyond the Burlington Street bridge all affected the system. The coffer dam “narrowed the flow” but did not cause the backup to Parkview Terrace; the bottom of the river remains mobile, and in fact higher velocity water cuts a deeper channel (called scouring—although later sand and silt will fill in the new holes). Construction, silting and so on all affect the river water level.
As our flood record grows, with increased data and also use of proxy records, and given climate change, river movement and other factors, estimates of flood probabilities for the future should become more pessimistic—e.g., the purportedly 100-year flood of 1993 may now be a 30-to-50-year flood, and the latest supposedly 500-year flood may actually be a 70-year flood. (Not for quotation!)
The best strategy for the future overall lies not in changes to local hydrology, but in focusing on what happens to the river water. For our neighborhood, the key question is: If PVT is not going to go away (to raze or raise?) how to protect the homes that remain? This could involve creation of grass levy systems and berms, culverts and overflow structures; also building homes so they are “more floodable,” e.g., putting utilities on a second floor. Raising the Park Road bridge to avoid creation of another “debris dam” would help.
The plans in any case need to be comprehensive and require coordination—perhaps through the Johnson County Council of Governments, and we definitely should make use of our congressional delegation. The Army Corps of Engineers has to approve anything; the Department of Natural Resources also has to approve. In the meantime, feedback at public hearings can have huge importance—the speakers’ wife used to hold public meetings for the Corps and she deems them “the most powerful agent for social change.” The plans ultimately will end up going to DC for the chief of the Corps to sign off.

Rebuild or Sell

2008-10-05T09:50:00.000-07:00

Article from the Iowa City Press Citizen

Flooded homeowners: Rebuild houses or sell?

Invitation for Writing Group

2008-10-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

Bob, Here are the documents which were combined into a flyer for letting people know about this group.Thanks for sending this to the Park View Terrace Group.
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 9:29 PM
To: McGuire, SteveSubject: Flood 2008 Writing Group

Steve, Please forward the attached documents to the PVT group.Adam Campbell, Project Recovery, has coloring books designed for children that have been affected by the flood. Would you be interested in making these available to families that attend the buyout forum? If so, please contact me or Adam. Adam can be reached at the Community Mental Health Center, 338-7884.

Thanks! Diane

________________________________________________________
“Swept Away---Brought Together”

This summer’s flood waters brought great loss, suffering and grief to many in our community, and it affected all ages, all incomes, all races and religions.
Healing comes from telling and sharing stories. Stories connect us all to our humanity. The Crisis Center is offering an opportunity for those who have survived the 2008 flood to come together and write the stories in a safe and confidential setting. We will use the medium of written word to record the events, to describe places and belongings, and to express emotions, thoughts and beliefs that came with the water that rushed in to steal and destroy…or maybe to cleanse and create.
We will write and share (as you are comfortable). We will listen and ask questions. We will honor whatever needs honoring. There is no limits on the form your writing may take (poetry, prose, essay, 1st person or 3rd person narrative). There is no right or wrong way to write your story and you do not need to be a skilled writer to write your story. You only need to have a story.
I hope this creates a curiosity and desire to come and see what kind of a healing might come for you and the others who dare to reveal themselves and their stories within a compassionate and understanding community.
If you are interested or want more information, please call the Crisis Center at 351-0140 and ask for Diane. If I am not there, leave a message with the crisis line volunteer that you are interested. Leave your name and phone # if you are comfortable with that, and I will return your call. And ask a neighbor or friend to join you!! I think I can guarantee that you will meet some wonderful people!

Sincerely,
Diane Yagla, Flood Case Advocate at the Crisis Center
School of Social Work

___________________________________________________

“Swept Away---Brought Together”

share your
STORIES OF THE 2008 FLOOD
Through written expression or journaling within a safe, supportive community
(for people with all levels of writing experiences)

Share your stories of loss, fear, anger, desperation…
Your stories of support, strength, resilience
Of triumph---of faith---of hope
Of defeat---of doubt---of despair
Or whatever your heart needs to share.

Meet weekly for 6 weeks starting October 9th
The Crisis Center 1121 Gilbert Ct.
Day: Thursdays Time: 7-8:30 pm
(it only takes 2 people to make a group & I count as 1!!)

Writing can be a source of healing and recovery
and a creative way to make meaning out of life’s traumatic circumstances.
Contact Diane at the Crisis Center for details or questions---351-0140

“I was thirty five years old before I understood that there is no ending without a beginning. That beginnings and endings are always right up against each other. Nothing ever ends without something else beginning or begins without something else ending.”---Rachel Naomi Remen, MD

Buyout and Flood Mitigations Intentions Announced

2008-10-03T04:34:00.000-07:00

Buyout and Flood Mitigations Intentions Announced

Protecting residences could cost $35 million

Being a day resident of Parkview Terrace - it seems odd I have to read the newpaper to keep up to date on our neighborhood.

October 6th date for finalized buyout list

2008-10-01T10:19:00.000-07:00

Iowa City will finalize the buyout list on Oct 6th and then you will be able to proceed with the Jumpstart Iowa Program as your future should be decided at that time. (Per Steve Long)

Hope this helps!

Jumpstart Conflicts Announced

2008-10-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

Conflicts announced in Jumpstart Program for Parkview Terrace and other flood victims.

From today's Cedar Rapids Gazette:

Conflict between Jumpstart, buyouts for some flood victims

No clarifications explanations offered by City as to how this happened.

Meeting this Saturday Postponed

2008-09-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

Meeting this Saturday Postponed - See Below. Location, date and time will be announced on an unspecfied date.

________________________________________
From: McGuire, Steve
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 1:32 PM
To: PTV Neighborhood
Subject: Forum will not be this Saturday

Hi All,
The forum to be scheduled this Saturday October 4 will not be held. The recent announcement of additional funding for Flood recovery, while positive, will require additional deliberation on the part of the city, so that having a forum yet this week is premature.

Bob, could you post this on the PVT site?

Best,
Steve

Meeting This Saturday to Clarify the Future of the PTV Neighborhood this Saturday

2008-09-30T18:40:00.001-07:00

-----Original Message-----
From: McGuire, Steve
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 7:42 AM
To: PTV Neighborhood
Subject: Forum

Hi All,

I met with Michael Lombardo yesterday to review where things are with the HMGP application and review how best to notify the neighborhood on potential actions and proposals . To that end, there will be a neighborhood forum next Saturday, time and place to be announced, in which City Manager Michael Lombardo and other staff will present specific options under review for the buyout of specific properties, as well as future flood mitigation projects aimed at protecting the neighborhood. My understanding is that both the state and city are moving quickly (much faster than is typically the case) to establish flood mitigation actions. The city has been in constant consultation with state officials over the past weeks since the “notice of intent” to establish which properties, under the HMGP formula/criteria and the funding available, have a good chance of being bought out.

I am glad to see the pace is as quick as it is. My sense from talking with folks is that we would all like to know sooner rather than later where things stand, so we can each move forward.

Please know that the City Council will soon be voting proposed options. Your attendance at the forum is important.

Best,
Steve

More Information from Iowa City - Jumpstart Program

2008-09-30T18:38:00.001-07:00

More information from Iowa City regarding the Jumpstart program

Flood Recovery and Buyout Resource Center link

Update from Jerry

2008-09-30T18:15:00.002-07:00

Dear All:

Most of us received some money from FEMA, SBA, Red Cross, Crisis Center and others. I think its fair to say that these amounts are grossly inadequate for our needs. Now some more (but not much more) money is going to become available.

First, Governor Culver has allocated about $680,000 to Iowa City thru his Jumpstart Flood Recovery program. Please see attached PDF document for program details, eligible applicants and type of projects that will be funded.

Second, Congress approved a supplemental Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award in June/July 2008. Per this, Iowa City will get about $1.3 million.

The City will soon invite IC flood victims to apply for funds from these two sources. I believe formal invitations will be sent out on Tuesday October 7 (after a Council vote that evening on some details). To reduce paperwork and expedite the process, there will be just one application for both the programs listed above. Please look over details of the Jumpstart program and see if you would consider applying for assistance and if so, what kind. To help speed up the application process (once it is announced), the City has put out a "jumpstart checklist" -- see the second PDF attachment to this message. Owing to federal and state regulations, the money will most likely not be evenly distributed among all applicants -- older persons and lower income persons may get more than others. [Personally, I think this would be a very fair approach to distributing scarce resources.]

Third, Congress approved another supplemental CDBG grant for disaster affected states in September. Iowa City will get more money from this appropriation as well. How much more is not known but I expect at least $1.3 million more that may become available before the end of the year.

And then, who knows, there may be some FEMA buyouts as well.

Its been a long and stressful time for all of us (over 100 days since evacuation). Hopefully the next 100 days will be better than the last 100. Best. -- Jerry

Share your Flood Story

2008-09-30T18:15:00.001-07:00

From: Nancy L. Baker, University Librarian [mailto:lib-friends@uiowa.edu]Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 11:11 AMSubject: [DeptInfo] Share Your Flood StoryOn Friday, June 13 when people from around the community came to the Main Library to help us move books and other materials out of the lower-level storage areas, I started thinking of ways that we could repay their kindness and dedication to the library.We decided that the best "thank you" would be developing a collection of flood-related materials that could involve community members. "Under the Current: Collecting Stories from the Flood" is a community-oriented oral history project in partnership with StoryCorps. You may have heard some StoryCorps interviews on NPR.StoryCorps is a national project to instruct and inspire Americans to record one another's stories in sound. These recorded interviews will be archived in the Iowa Digital Library as well as the Library of Congress.StoryCorps facilitators will be on campus to record interviews on Tuesday, September 30; Wednesday, October 1 and Thursday, October 2.In addition to the StoryCorps visit, we have organized three additional days of local story collecting. Students from Assistant Professor Nanette Barkey's Applied Anthropology class will be acting as facilitators for these additional interviews. These interviews will take place at the Iowa City Public Library on Tuesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 9, and the Coralville Public Library on Saturday, October 11.We are very excited about this collaborative project. If you want to learn more about the project or register to tell your story, you can check out the website www.lib.uiowa.edu/events/floodstories.Nancy L. Baker, University Librarian

View NOI Buyout App

2008-09-18T15:29:00.006-07:00

You should look at this info and determine your property is correctly classified. Please contact Steve or Abbie listed below if you have questions.

View Iowa City's Notice of Interest Buyout Application

Contact Information
Recovery/Buyout Information:Steve Long, Community Development CoordinatorCity Hall, Level 2410 E. Washington St.Iowa City, IA 52240319.356.5250 FAX: 319.356.5217buyout@iowa-city.org
ORAbbie Yoder, Flood Recovery AssistantCity Hall, Level 2410 E. Washington St.Iowa City, IA 5 2240319.356.5479 FAX: 319.356.5217buyout@iowa-city.org

Jumpstart Info

2008-09-18T15:29:00.005-07:00

This is just preliminary info - more details to follow in the next few days. Click on it to enlarge it.

Embrace Iowa Grant Info

2008-09-18T15:29:00.004-07:00

This is just a list of what may be available to the state of Iowa.

EMBRACE IOWA GRANTS
(As of 9.12.08)

ORGANIZATION AMOUNT COUNTY PURPOSE MONTH 08

American Red Cross - Hawkeye Chapter $25,000 Black Hawk Immediate Emergency June
Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa $25,000 Black Hawk Immediate Emergency June
Cedar Valley United Way $25,000 Black Hawk Immediate Emergency June
Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa $125,000 Black Hawk Immediate Capacity Building July
Black Hawk County Disaster Recovery Committee $70,000 Black Hawk Victim Relief - individual asst./case advocates September

Total Black Hawk County $270,000

Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Committee $30,000 Buchanan Victim Relief - individual asst./case advocates September

Total Buchanan County $30,000

Waverly Shellrock Area United Way $10,000 Bremer Victim Relief and Immediate Capacity Building July

Total Bremer County $10,000

North Central Iowa Growth Partnership $75,000 Cerro Gordo Small Business Recovery July

Total Cerro Gordo County $75,000

ORGANIZATION AMOUNT COUNTY PURPOSE MONTH 08

Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque $30,000 Clayton Victim Relief - major appliances September

Total Clayton County $30,000

Delaware County Disaster Recovery Committee $35,000 Delaware Victim Relief – individual needs September

Total Delaware County $35,000

American Red Cross of the Tri States Chapter $25,000 Dubuque Immediate Emergency June
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque $25,000 Dubuque Immediate Emergency June

Total Dubuque County $50,000

American Red Cross - Grant Wood Area Chapter $25,000 Johnson Immediate Emergency June
Community Foundation of Johnson County $70,000 Johnson Immediate Capacity Building,
Small Business Recovery, Victim Relief July
Community Foundation of Johnson County $25,000 Johnson Immediate Emergency June
Salvation Army $25,000 Johnson Immediate Emergency June
United Way of Johnson County $25,000 Johnson Immediate Emergency June
Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce $15,000 Johnson Small Business Recovery September
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity $45,000 Johnson Immediate Victim Relief September

Total Johnson County $230,000

American Red Cross - Grant Wood Area Chapter $25,000 Linn Immediate Emergency June
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation $25,000 Linn Immediate Emergency June
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation $300,000 Linn Victim Relief, Small Business Recovery, July
Immediate Capacity Building
The Salvation Army $25,000 Linn Immediate Emergency June
United Way of East Central Iowa $25,000 Linn Immediate Emergency June
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation $150,000 Linn Small Business Recovery, Victim Relief September

Total Linn County $550,000

ORGANIZATION AMOUNT COUNTY PURPOSE MONTH 08

Community Foundation of the Great River Bend $25,000 Louisa Immediate Emergency June
Community Foundation of the Great River Bend $25,000 Louisa Victim Relief July
Community Foundation of the Great River Bend $25,000 Louisa Victim Relief, Immediate Capacity Building September

Total Louisa County $75,000

Mahaska County Conservation Board $10,000 Mahaska Immediate Capacity Building July

Total Mahaska County $10,000

Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine $25,000 Muscatine Immediate Emergency June

Total Muscatine County $25,000

American Red Cross, Central Iowa Chapter $50,000 Polk Victim Relief July
Greater DM Community Foundation $25,000 Polk Immediate Emergency June
Polk County Housing Trust Fund $25,000 Polk Victim Relief July
Central Iowa Recovery Network $50,000 Polk Victim Relief - direct asst./case advocacy September

Total Polk County $150,000

United Way of Quad Cities Area $25,000 Scott Immediate Emergency June

Total Scott County $25,000

United Way and Community Foundation of
Northwest Iowa $25,000 Webster Victim Relief – September
grants to homeowners/case advocates

Total Webster County $25,000

ORGANIZATION AMOUNT COUNTY PURPOSE MONTH 08

Wright County Charitable Foundation $50,000 Wright Victim Relief, Small Business Assistance September

Total Wright County $50,000

Total Grants as of 8/31/08 $1,640,000

After The Flood - Meeting notes from 9/11

2008-09-18T15:29:00.003-07:00

The first speaker talked about the difference between a Green belt concept which is designating an area around a development city or area that provides a natural barrier limiting sprawl growth and dividing the community from the surrounding area and greenway which is a buffer along a designated area could be a river area that would have a green space designated to allow for flooding and would allow other activities that wouldn't be affected by flooding. This speaker also talked about FAIR the land issue that's on the ballot this fall to purchase so may acres of land in Johnson County over an extended period of years to protect natural areas. Jim Throgmorten discussed more directly the Cedar Rapids flooding issues and talked about long term planning and changes that could occur looking at European standards that allow building in flood prone areas utilizing construction principles that aren't affected by flooding. The last speaker was Connie Mutel very interesting talk about the history of soils and water retention and flooding in Johnson County over the last 150 years. The program is going to be shown on Channel 4 after its been produced I'll let you know if I hear of the air date. They did not provide insight to clear answers about flood mitigation at this point although it was suggested that we all start working together scientists planners, politicians, and citizens alike to understand the watershed and changing the current way we do things.

In the past year I have brought together the local entities UI Engineering, Soil and Water Conservation District, USGS, IDNR Geological Survey Bureau and City staff , Iowa River Greenbelt, local watershed coalitions to colloboraberate on all of the projects and science that are going on in our watershed. Senators Joe Bolcolm and Mary Lundbe both met with and were interested in legislative long term planning. I plan on getting this group back together this fall don't have it scheduled yet but expect the urgency to work together to be higher.

Thats about it for now.

Thanks,
Carol Sweeting
Flood Recovery
Iowa City Public Works
Public Information, Education, Volunteer Coordinator
410 E Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
Ph. 319-356-5164
Cell 319-541-2385
Fax. 319-356-5007

Project Recovery Help

2008-09-18T15:29:00.002-07:00

A Message Regarding the Iowa Recovery and Relief Effort

Now three months after deadly tornados and disastrous flooding in Iowa, many survivors of these natural disasters are still in critical need of assistance to rebuild their lives. It is important for all of us to understand that survivors need help long after the aggressive initial recovery efforts have tapered off. Many Iowans are without permanent homes and are doubling up with friends or relatives. Others lost jobs and are dealing with financial stress. This can result in overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and loss.

We helped one another recover from the physical part of the disaster. Now we must do the same to help survivors deal with delayed stress. That’s where Project Recovery Iowa comes in.

Project Recovery Iowa

Project Recovery Iowa is a disaster mental health program that provides counseling to those affected by this year’s natural disasters. This Iowa Department of Human Services program empowers survivors, teaches coping skills, assesses immediate needs, and guides people to resources for ongoing support.

Services Provided

Telephone crisis counseling and referral assistance is free statewide. Additional in-person crisis counseling is free (supported by a federal grant) in 29 counties with the most damage and is provided in the survivor’s home, a temporary living site, or any place where the survivor feels comfortable.

Services provided include:
Individual and Group Crisis Counseling. A strength-based approach to help people access and identify resources that will aid in the recovery process.

Educational Services. On-site supportive, educational, face-to-face interventions with individuals and communities.

Referrals. In some cases, survivors may need long-term, more formal mental health services beyond immediate services. Referrals are made to an appropriate agency or licensed mental health professional or to other specific disaster services available through DHS.

Reaching Out to Survivors is Important

Governor Chet Culver has urged Iowans who need mental health services to use the Project Recovery Iowa program, a mental health program that provides free crisis counseling to Iowans affected by this year’s natural disasters.
“As Governor, I am committed to returning life to normal in those communities affected, and that is why I encourage Iowans to reach out to the Project Recovery Iowa mental health program. This free program will help those who have been affected get a sense of control back in their lives and will move us farther down the road to recovery.”
“The stress of a traumatic experience often takes weeks to surface, and we have to be mindful that children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable,” said Allen Parks, administrator of the Mental Health and Disability Services division of the Iowa Department of Human Services.

“Especially with cold weather coming soon to Iowa, it is imperative for us to reach out to Iowans needing counseling and additional resources for ongoing support.”

Call the Iowa Concern Hotline at 1-800-447-1985

The Iowa Concern Hotline is the entry point for Project Recovery Iowa services. Confidential counseling is available 24/7. Counselors can provide immediate assistance and will make referrals if needed.

More information? See “Crisis Counseling” at dhs.iowa.gov

Financial Help - Habitat for Humanity

2008-09-18T15:29:00.001-07:00

Habitat for Humanity Financial Help

I spoke with a person on the phone and they encouraged me to apply. They have rather low income requirements to be elgible, but they may remove or bump them up depending on the number of apps received.

Here is a link: http://www.iowavalleyhabitat.org/flood.relief.cfm

You do need to call them to get an app mailed to you. Phone:319-338-5687

Water Service - Important Notice

2008-09-18T15:29:00.000-07:00

IMPORTANT NOTICE!
HELP US HELP YOU!

Date: September 17, 2008

From: Ed Moreno, Water Division Superintendent

Re: Water Services – Parkview Terrace, Idyllwild, Taft Speedway Dr.

We are concerned that your home may not be occupied prior to cold weather and will not have heat. There is a potential for frozen pipes if the water service is left on.

If you plan on occupying your home and/or want the water service left active, please contact the Water Division Customer Service Office at 356-5160 or e-mail Jude Moss at jude-moss@iowa-city.org.

If we do not hear from you by September 26, 2008, we will assume your home will be unoccupied and we will inactivate your water service by shutting water off at the stop box outside.

Thank you for your assistance.

NPR Storycorp focusing on the flood

2008-09-11T19:44:00.000-07:00

From: McGuire, Steve
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:20 PM
To: PTV Email List
Subject: StoryCorp and PVT

Hi Bob,Can you share my email on the blog? I am hoping folks might consider participating in the NPR StoryCorp coming to Iowa city, which will be focussed on the flood. It would be terrific to have an oral record of this summer and the flood. In partnership with NPR's StoryCorps, the UI Libraries will be asking people throughout the community to share their flood stories. Documenting this historic event through a new collection is the Libraries' way of thanking the hundreds of people who helped move books out of harm's way when the Main Library was evacuated on Friday, June 13. I encourage you to participate. All you need is a good story (and we have plenty of them in the Flats) and someone to help you tell it. For more information about the project and to register to participate you can check the website http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/events/floodstories .

Best, Steve
S-Mcquire@uiowa.edu

Porta Potties Removed from PTV

2008-09-09T18:07:00.000-07:00

Just an FYI - The porta potties have been removed in the neighborhood.

Please let me know if this represents an inconvenience for those of you working on your house.

I think the bathrooms by the Tennis Courts in City Park may be open.

Future Flood Mitigation on November Ballot

2008-09-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

I wanted to tell you about something that's a major concern to me - a conservation initiative on the Nov ballot, to raise money for Johnson Cty to purchase more natural area/open space lands (including> recreational lands). This is my passion - but I also think that it's vitally important in terms of future flood mitigation, and maintaining our quality of life here in many many ways. People still don't seem to> know about this initiative - so I am telling everyone I know about it - please consider voting "yes" on Nov 4 - the initiative will be on the BACK side of the ballot, so you have to look for it. Here's more info:

http://www.landwaterfuture.org/