Happy President's Day: Government Affairs and Realtor Bus-In to Capitol Hill in Des Moines highlight the start of the week

Our Government Affairs committee as part of the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors met with Len Sandler, with the University of Iowa and with four law students to discuss the recommended changes in Chapter 69 of the municipal code of Cedar Rapids.

The main discussion was on adding Lawful Source of Income to the Civil Rights Protections in Cedar Rapids, in the areas of protection for Housing. The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is recommended updated protections in the area of Familial Status, Gender Identity, Marital Status, Mental Disability, Association, Retaliation, as well as Lawful Sources of Income.

Realtors from all across the State of Iowa will bus-in to Des Moines on Tuesday to visit with State Legislators, as well as a visit with other members of State Government. This is our annual bus-in for 2011.

At Noon on Monday, Ted Townsend & Richard Pankey presented a Cedar Rapids Medical District Update to members of the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids. Robin Tucker is a third generation Rotarian, with the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids. Both his grandfather and father were members. His father, Tommy, is still an active Rotarian for over 45 years now. Robin joined Rotary in 1989.

At Rotary, the news mentioned that the City of Cedar Rapids has determined the language and breakdown for the proposed extension of the Local Option Sales Tax for 20 years through 2034. The Council will tackle the proposal and likely move it for a May 3Rd public measure at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

On Tuesday, the City Council will also have a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2012 City Budget, as well as the ten year Capital Improvement Budget. The City Council regularly meets twice a month in Cedar Rapids.

We currently have houses for rent in Cedar Rapids, as well as houses for sale in the greater Cedar Rapids area. Are you looking for something in 2011? Please contact us, if we can be of assistance for your property management and real estate brokerage needs.

ttrco

Chapter 29 and Chapter 69 conversations in the City of Cedar Rapids

The City of Cedar Rapids changed Chapter 29 of the municipal code in 2010. However, the Courts are now involved, due to language used by the City in establishing an updated fee and inspection system that requires licensing, as well as specific crime-free language ...

Cedar Rapids landlord group fighting city’s crime-free ordinance

- The Gazette article is linked on the pending lawsuit against the City of Cedar Rapids

Roemerman is representing a group of Cedar Rapids landlords seeking summary judgment in their lawsuit against the City of Cedar Rapids over the “Crime Free Lease Addendum." (Gazette file photo)

A group of landlords filed a motion for summary judgment Friday in its lawsuit against the City of Cedar Rapids over the “Crime Free Lease Addendum,” which was approved last summer. The Landlords of Linn County, a non-profit group comprised of 150 landlords, and Rehman Enterprises, owner of 14 rental properties, claim in the lawsuit ...

The City of Cedar Rapids is considering changing Chapter 69 of the municipal code in 2011. Some of the new recommendations have property owners, landlords and proponents of limited government concerned. Should a property owner, landlord or agent be required to accept Section 8 housing?

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission has formed the Friends of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission recently. They are seeking support for advocacy efforts in the community for civil rights. We had the opportunity this week to sit down and learn about the advocacy work that is planned, including the formation of the Youth Advisory Board for Friends of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission.

We have a couple of two bedroom houses for rent in the Cedar Rapids area. Also, there are plenty of houses for sale in the Cedar Rapids area. If you are in need of assistance, please call and talk to one of our Realtors.

We are wrapping up the week of February 7Th through 11Th. We completed a city inspection on Friday. Next week, we have a final inspection at another local property. The City of Cedar Rapids has a five years inspection cycle, while the City of Marion has a three year inspection cycle on rental housing.

If we can be of service to you, with your property management or real estate needs, please let us know. You can contact us in various ways.

ttrco

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

ttrco

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

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.

ttrco

City of Cedar Rapids replaces Chapter 29 and mandates Crime Free Lease Agreement/Addendium for all housing tenants

If you own a rental property, big or small, the City of Cedar Rapids requires you use a Crime Free Lease Agreement or Addendum, that you become licenced locally, and you register all rental rooms, houses and apartments.

[DOC] Crime Free Lease Addendum / Agreement - CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS
File Format: Microsoft Word - View as HTML
CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS. Crime Free Lease Addendum / Agreement ... or any breach of the lease agreement that otherwise jeopardizes the health, safety, ...

Here is a link to the new Chapter 29 approved by the City of Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, July 20, 2010. The new ordinance will become official on Monday, July 19, according to a phone call with Housing Services Department.

Ordinance for Chapter 29 regarding Licensed Registration ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, as follows: Section 1. Chapter 29 of the Cedar Rapids Municipal Code is hereby ...

Landlords Now on The Hook to Help Clean Up Cedar Rapids Neighborhoods‎ - KCRG
At the Tuesday evening council meeting, Walter Skovronski, president of Landlords of Davenport, told the Cedar Rapids council that tenant background checks ...

Landlords asked, Cedar Rapids Police Department looking for ... - Eastern Iowa News
The Cedar Rapids Police Department on Wednesday said it is working ... The city of Davenport also uses a crime-free lease addendum and most ...

Tommy Tucker Realty Co. has been using a different Crime Free Lease Addendum, on a voluntary basis, over the past 8-9 years for many of our clients.

Tommy Tucker Realty Co. was founded in 1958 and has specialized in property management services for various clients over the years. We would be happy to visit with people who have questions about the new Chapter 29 in Cedar Rapids or other housing and/or real estate questions ...

• Sales


• Purchasing


• Property Management


• Leasing


• Business Opportunity


• Like-Kind Exchange: 1031


• Chapter 22 questions?


• Chapter 29 questions?


• Chapter 69 questions?

Need housing or real estate assistance, contact a Realtor ...

The City of Cedar Rapids just passed the new Chapter 29 on Tuesday night at the City Council meeting. Later this year, we expect new Chapter 22 and Chapter 69 ordinances to be reviewed and enacted as well. As Realtors, we believe...

The Preamble of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ® ...

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