Attended Government Affairs Meeting for January 24, 2011 at CRAAR

1. Introductions and update on the Chamber Government Affairs meeting on Friday was presented


2. IAR Bus-In Day is February 22


3. New Business


4. Old Business


5. IAR Video Conference

• Recap of Chamber Legislative update


• Sen Rob Hogg's promotion of Flood Control for Community legislation was mentioned again


• We discussed the local ordinance change on Chapter 69 of the municipal code, which covers our local civil rights laws


• Some discussion on Government Leases and Crime Free Leases

First IAR Video Conference of the 2011 Iowa Legislative Session

• Children in need of assistance - impacts of a Meth House and proposed legislation. What will the impact be on property owners, including Landlords


• Minnesota adopted a strict bill that lead to occupancy being pulled, foreclosure


• SF 24 - Mandates for home inspectors to be licensed in Iowa


• Property Taxes - Iowa House has proposed legislation


• Schools and Mental Health expenses being shifted to State to relieve property taxes?


• State Boards and Commissions


• Realtor proposed legislation: unlicensed, out of state companies doing business in Iowa

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Event at St. Paul's UMC on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 7 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - JANUARY 10, 2011

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Hosts Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service

Honoring the Legacy of Dr. King through a Humanitarian Award and the Voices, Talents, and Dreams of Children

Monday, January 17, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1340 Third Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed that we would live in a world where his children would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” At the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service, we will Remember Dr. King’s words, Celebrate our dreams for the future, and Act to make these dreams a reality.

This year, a special message for children is included in this uplifting service as well as the formal recognition of members of the newly established “Civil Rights Youth Advisory Panel.”

Keynote Speaker, Karl Werner will share innovative approaches he uses in Cedar Rapids Schools to help students understand the importance of diversity in learning. His programs have garnered many accolades and awards around the country.

The Martin Luther King Planning Committee is proud to recognize this year’s Percy and Lileah Harris “Who Is My Neighbor” award recipient. This award is “In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.”

Magnificent music has always been a component of this celebration service and this year is no different. Come enjoy the musical talents of The Chorale Midwest, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Men’s Choir, and the Gospel Choir from Johnson Elementary School of the Arts.

We invite you to Remember, Celebrate, and Act on the words and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Contact:
Jerry Matchett matchett.jerry@gmail.com

or Stefanie Robinson S.Robinson@cedar-rapids.org
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1340 Third Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
319-363-2058

http://stpaulsumc.org/

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This is event is open to the entire community.

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January 10-11, 2011: New Chapter 69 Ordinance Focus Groups by trhe Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission

The City of Cedar Rapids, though the Civil Rights Commission is seeking to make changes to Chapter 69.

Here's information on the upcoming New Ordinance Focus Groups for Monday and Tuesday in Cedar Rapids ...

In order to foster a more inclusive community, the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission has proposed ordinance changes that will add gender identity, retaliation, and lawful source of income as protected classes, extend across-the-board coverage for all other protected classes, provide changes in the area of public accommodation that adhere to ADA standards, extend the time to file to 300 days for complaints in the areas of employment, education, credit, and public accommodation, and extend the time to file to a year for complaints in the area of housing. The changes will go before the City Council for approval, and if approved, will take effect April.

Public Forums will be held the week of January 10Th to discuss these changes with the public. The dates, times, and changes discussed are listed below.

JANUARY 10, 2011 - CEDAR RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY,

SENDAK ROOM, WESTDALE MALL

6:00-7:00pm, Familial/Marital Status

The proposed changes will extend across-the-board protection in the areas of housing, employment, education, credit, and public accommodation.

7:15-8:15pm, Gender Identity

The proposed changes will add gender identity as a protected class in the areas of housing, employment, education, public accommodation, and credit. The changes define gender identity as actual or perceived gender-related identity, expression, appearance, behavior,
or other attributes regardless of the person’s assigned sex at birth.

JANUARY 11, 2011 - ST. PAUL’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH,

SOCIAL HALL, 1340 3RD AVE. SE

5:30-6:30pm, Lawful Source of Income

The proposed changes will add lawful source of income as a protected class in the area of housing. The changes define lawful source of income as any lawful, verifiable source of money paid directly or indirectly to or on behalf of a renter or buyer of housing, including income derived from: 1) any lawful profession or occupation; 2) any government or private assistance, subsidy, voucher, grant, or loan program.

7:00-8:00pm, Design/Construction Requirements in Public Accommodation

The proposed ordinance changes will hold designers and/or builders responsible for meeting ADA requirements in multifamily dwellings and public accommodations from the date a certificate of occupancy is issued until compliance is achieved.

All sessions are free and open to the public.

We encourage the community to attend these sessions to learn more about this public policy proposal and changes to our community Chapter 69 ordinance.

ttrco

Do you need a House for Rent or can we help in Management your under utilized Real Estate?

Do you need a house to rent?

Tommy Tucker Realty Co. has a couple of two bedroom houses that we are marketing at the present on the NE side. We also have a legal three bedroom coming available soon on the NW side. Details

Do you have a property that could be a home for someone else?

We have a government employee seeking a Government Lease for a four bedroom house, with a market value in the $1200 to 1600 monthly rent range. Would your property fit that price range and and would you be interested in listing your property with us, so we can act as your Authorized Agent in doing business with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers? Tommy Tucker Realty Co. is a registered government contractor, in housing. We currently serve clients with Government leasing.

Please let us know, if we can be of service to you in helping you meet some of your New Year's Resolutions!

ttrco

City of Cedar Rapids wants to expand Protected Classes in Chapter 69, including lawful sources of income

There was an article today in The Gazette on upcoming community open houses on proposed changes in Chapter 69 municipal code for the City of Cedar Rapids. Chapter 69 deals with Civil Rights in our community. I was happy to see that Rick Smith from The Gazette reported on the upcoming public discussion on Chapter 69.

Robin Tucker, a local Realtor and businessman, this week said the
proposed ordinance change related to housing vouchers does rub some landlords
the wrong way.

“What if I don’t want any more to do with government than
required, which is how some people look at it,” Tucker said. “Should landlords
be required to do business with government?”

Ordinance change would protect Section 8 housing applicants - The Gazette

Karl Cassell is executive director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, which is proposing a change to the city's civil rights ordinance that would prohibit housing discrimination based on the source of their income ...

New Ordinance Focus Groups will be hosted by the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission on Monday, January 10Th and Tuesday, January 11Th. Different subjects will be presented each session.

• The city commission forum on Monday will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s location in Westdale Mall. Proposed ordinance changes related to marital status will be discussed first followed by those related to gender identity.


• The Tuesday forum will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1340 Third Ave. SE, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Proposed ordinance changes related to lawful sources of income will be discussed first followed by changes related to construction and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Want to read the latest newsletter from the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission?

Tommy Tucker Realty Co. represents a variety of property owners, who are seeking to rent single family houses in our area. Our agency does not have an application fee and we will consider all legal sources of income. We encourage anyone seeking a rental to apply.

Our company founder, Realtor® Emeritus and President, I.L. 'Tommy' Tucker is a former member of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission. Tommy served on the initial civil rights committee that become the Cedar Rapids Civil Right Commission back in the 1960s under Mayor Robert M.L. Johnson. Tommy served as Commissioner in a variety of roles for 31 years.

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Happy New Year Everyone ...

It has been nice to have a couple days away from the office to celebrate the New Year's Holiday with friends and family. We hope you had a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and an opportunity to welcome in the New Year, as you choose.

We had our first service call of the New Year on Sunday. Thank you to our tenant and service vendor for resolving the matter in a timely fashion and with prudent work.

Be prepared.

Remember to be prepared for emergencies. If you have to call the utility companies, know what to do, whether it be electric, gas or water.

What are your New Year's Resolutions for 2011?

Can we be a part of your real estate or property management needs in 2011. If so, please contact us by e-mail or telephone.

Seeking Client with Four Bedroom Home in Cedar Rapids

• We have a family seeking a four bedroom house in the Cedar Rapids area. They would like to rent the property for 12 months under a Government Lease with the Army Corp of Engineers. Tommy Tucker Realty Co. is an authorized government contractor and we have helped three property owners this past year secure a Government Lease on their property. Can we help you?

Realtor® Preamble

Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated
ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our
civilization. REALTORS® should recognize that the interests of the nation and
its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest
distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing,
the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and
farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment.

Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They
impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which REALTORS®
should dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing
themselves. REALTORS®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the
standards of their calling and share with their fellow REALTORS® a common
responsibility for its integrity and honor.

ttrco