City of Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is awarded $100,000

For Immediate Release

Harkin Announces $420,000 for Fair Housing in Iowa

WASHINGTON D.C.-Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) has awarded $422,622 to seven Iowa cities. FHAP aims to assist state and local agencies that administer fair housing laws. The assistance includes support for complaint processing, training, technical assistance, data and information systems, and other fair housing projects. The program is also designed to provide incentives for states and localities to assume a greater share of the responsibility for administering fair housing laws. Senator Harkin is a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds HUD.

“Quality, affordable housing is one of our most basic needs,” said Harkin. “I am pleased the federal government is providing funding to Iowa cities that will allow each of them to take responsibility for fair housing laws and projects in their communities.”

Details of the funding are as followings:
Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission-$100,000
Davenport Civil Rights Commission-$64,285
Des Moines Human Rights Department-$44,680
Iowa Civil Rights Commission-$37,200
Mason City Human Rights Commission-$86,802
Sioux City Human Rights Commission-$23,655
Waterloo Commission on Human Rights-$66,000

Note: Robin Tucker, Realtor with Tommy Tucker Realty Co. serves on the 11-member Civil Rights Commission for the City of Cedar Rapids.

Beware of the costs of an Enviornmental II study for Business Buyouts in Cedar Rapids

The challenges from the recovery from the Flood of 2008 continue in Cedar Rapids for property owners, including small business. Senator Rob Hogg was on WMT AM-600 and a flood recovery question was asked.

Second district congressional candidates spar over flood recovery - Radio Iowa
The two major party candidates who hope to represent Iowa's second congressional district are squaring off over flood recovery plans for Cedar Rapids. ...

Cedar Rapids renters to get flood assistance - Chicago Tribune
The Cedar Rapids City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved creation of a disaster recovery assistance program for renters. The program is called the ...

We received the following e-mail today concerned about Business Buyouts in Cedar Rapids:

Please make sure to read the email sent this week from the Business Long Term Recovery Team at the Chamber!!

This message is for anyone who has or plans on participating in the “voluntary” commercial property buyout process.

Background

At the 11th hour participants in this program were informed that to complete the buyout process they might be responsible for the costs of an Environmental II study and any resulting costs of cleanup of their property if contamination was found. Some people have agreed to this requirement while others have objected and not signed their agreements.

Status of the Issue

Currently the City and State are trying to come up with a plan to either reimburse those who have already paid for the testing or pay for the testing if it has not been done yet. The issue of who will pay for the cleanup has not been resolved but is also being addressed.

Our Position

It is our position that the commercial property owner should not be responsible for either the testing or the cleanup. It will be nearly impossible to prove who is responsible for contamination on your property if it is found. The flood deposited lots of stuff from lots of different locations.

Our Recommendation

Our recommendation at this time is to NOT sign any buyout agreement that holds you responsible for Environmental II testing and any resulting cleanup if required. You can ask for an extension of your buyout agreement until this issue is resolved. Do NOT feel pressured to sign the agreement at this time! If you have already signed a buyout agreement rest assured that we will insist that any decisions made will be retroactive.

Gary Ficken
Doug Schumacher

It's important to slow down, when one is dealing with contacts, including buyout agreements. It continues to be a challenging period for many small businesses and property owners impacted by the Flood of 2008, let alone the recession and challenges over the past two plus years.

ttrco

Attended Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting today at Noon, Monday, June 28Th

As a member of the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids, I attended my weekly meeting on Monday, which featured the 'Passing of the Gavel' between outgoing President Paul Morf and our 98Th incoming President Doug Baird.

Last week at Rotary:

RIPPLES FROM THE RAPIDS
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2010

Congratulations to our two more Club Appreciation Award recipients today ...

• SCORE
• Families Helping Families

Last week, John M. Smith was named 2010 Community Service Award Recipient and Clint Twedt-Ball received a Club Appreciation Award. Link

Our Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids, is the 48Th largest Rotary Club in size and is in its 96Th year of existence. We have 351 members, with 321 active members. A record 41 new members this year.

ttrco

Looking to know what what district school a house in the Cedar Rapids Community Schools would be?

School District

Here is a link to the Cedar Rapids School District that allows you to easily find which school district a house is in. We have had complaints that agents are putting the wrong schools on listings, which means you might miss a buyer that is looking for a specific school. One tip…make sure you abbreviate the street type (such as St for Street, Ave for Avenue, etc.), otherwise it will not recognize the address.
http://www.cr.k12.ia.us/schools/streetFinder/boundarySearch.html

ttrco

Do you own Rental or owner-occupied real estate in Cedar Rapids, Iowa?

The City of Cedar Rapids is planning to change Chapter 29 of the municipal code on rental real estate. Of course, all property owners will notice an possible impact to individual property rights, due to this change. On June 22, 2010, the City Council is planning to have a first reading on the proposed changes to Chapter 29 of the municipal code.

A fellow Realtor in Cedar Rapids has sent an objection to the City of Cedar Rapids.

OBJECTS TO PROPOSED CH 29 ORDINANCE CHANGES-CRIME - City of Cedear Rapids PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
May 17, 2010 ... I am against the proposed Chapter 29 changes and the mandatory Crime ... for Cedar Rapids tenants which is a valuable asset to growth and ...

The City of Cedar Rapids is changing its web site, so google searches on the subject typically end with a bad link, such as this example. By adding .info, rather than .org, one can get into the City old web site.

More on the subject curtesy of a google search on Chapter 29:

Chapter 29 – Sheryl Jahnel, Member Landlords of Linn County ... - Landlords of Linn County
I have found that there are many difference that set Cedar Rapids Proposed changes over the top. > I am very much opposed to the proposed Chapter 29 ...
Chapter 29 – Dick Rehman‎ - Jun 15, 2010
Chapter 29 Comments: Dick Rehman‎ - May 26, 2010

Chapter 29 of municipal code is a very important public policy issue for the City of Cedar Rapids. Changes can have impacts on affordable housing, housing stock and economic development for our community in the future. The department has been very inefficient throughout the years, including the department's ability to provide data on the customers it serves.

Cedar Rapids Landlords Protest Proposed Fees - KCRG-TV9
Apr 20, 2010 ... CEDAR RAPIDS – Proposed new rules and regulations for Cedar ... The city council is still debating whether to approve all these changes, ...

Right now, the city can't provide a list of problem landlords or even tell
you how many landlords rent property in Cedar Rapids. City staff
admit their record-keeping system needs work and they're trying to replace it. -
KCRG-TV9

Currently, the City of Cedar Rapids has no citizen housing boards or commissions. Communities, like Iowa City, have used citizen boards and commissions to help formulate public policy on housing issued. Despite the City Charter makes recommendations for boards and commissions, but, the police department and housing officials are addressing the ordinance work for our community, rather than elected officials and/or the public.

PREAMBLE
We, the people of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, under the constitution and the
laws of the state of Iowa, in
order to secure the benefits of local
self-government and to provide for the peace, prosperity and security of our
citizens, do hereby adopt this charter. By this charter, we achieve the benefits
of home rule and affirm the values of representative democracy, professional
management, strong political leadership, and citizen participation by
recognizing that our quality of life is based on community and regional
cooperation, innovation, and greater opportunities for all our citizens. - City of Cedar Rapids

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Chamber Reports: Highway 100 Project Added to IDOT Five-Year Plan

The June 10, 2010 Chamber newsletter reporting the following:

Highway 100 Project Added to IDOT Five-Year Plan
The Cedar Rapids
Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the Iowa Transportation Commission
for their understanding and thoughtfulness in including the Highway 100
extension in the state’s five-year plan approved on Tuesday, June 8 at their
meeting in Fort Madison.

Read more

Watch a video showing an aerial flyover of the
Highway 100 Extension Project.

Highway 100 Extension Gets $4.3 Million in State's New Highway Plan‎ - KCRG
Getting Highway 100 back in the plan was a major goal of Cedar Rapids and Linn ... The project was left out of the plan after opposition by the Linn County ...

ttrco

We want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend; Congratulations to area youth graduating from local High Schools

May 29Th through May 31St, 2010 ...

It's appears that the weather is going to make for a great Memorial Day weekend and graduation weekend for of us here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA!

Congratulations to our area youth graduating from local high schools this weekend. We will be attending the graduation ceremonies for George Washington High School, this weekend.



Other local high schools are conducting graduations as well. We want to wish everyone in the Class of 2010 congratulations and best wishes in the coming years ...

Cultural events going on around The Corridor today!

For information on houses for rent through Tommy Tucker Realty Co., please call 319.365.6956 and visit extension 106. Leave a message or E-mail us, if you have further questions. Our formal office hours are typically, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, or by appointment.

Our offices will be closed Monday, May 31St in observance of Memorial Day.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. Thank you for visiting Tommy Tucker Realty Co. and we invite you back soon. We look forward to hopefully visiting with you in June 2010!

ttrco

Update on Block by Block and Flood Recovery in Cedar Rapids

John Smith mentioned something to us on Wednesday, when both he and Robin Tucker attended the Governor Terry Branstad news conference at Landmark Aviation at the Cedar Rapids airport. Of course, at yesterday's CRAAR meeting, Liz Mathis with Four Oaks talked about Block by Block, among other Four Oaks programs here in Cedar Rapids.

Hall-Perrine Foundation awards $750000 grant to Block by Block ... - The Gazette
May 20, 2010 ... Block by Block got started last summer with a $1-million gift from John Smith, chairman of trucking firm CRST International, ...

Other Flood Recovery News in Cedar Rapids ...

Take Action On Untouched Flood-Damaged Properties, Cedar Rapids ...‎ - KCRG
By Richard Pratt CEDAR RAPIDS -- Some 130 mucky, moldy, ... However, Eyerly was not flood recovery director at the time the law was passed, ...

Robin Tucker is a third generation member of St. Paul's UMC in Cedar Rapids. The local church is also involved in Block by Block.

St. Paul's UMC Adopts a Block-by-Block House - St. Paul's UMC

ttrco

Robin Tucker presented a Paul Harris Fellow at his Rotary club meeting

The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids presented Robin Tucker with a Paul Harris Fellow at the Monday, March 22, 2010 meeting. It was an interesting meeting as Brian Connors presented a program titled "Experiences Living and Starting a Small Business in Beijing" as shared about the good, the bad, and the ugly of opening The Bridge Cafe in Beijing.

ttrco

Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting for March 22, 2010

Congratulations to the University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team for the win over #1 seed Kansas to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in school's history ...

• UNI men advance to Sweet 16 - nice picture in today's Wall Street Journal
• Iowa women beat Rutgers; face Stanford women on Monday
• Iowa wrestling program wins third straight NCAA wrestling title in Omaha over weekend
• Iowa State women down Lehigh to advance to second round play on Tuesday

Today's Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting ...

Robin Tucker and Tommy Tucker are members of Rotary International ...
Celebrate Rotary's 105 years of service by contributing to The Rotary Foundation

Robin Tucker is scheduled to receive his Paul Harris Fellow award today.

Noon Meeting and Program:

Monday, March 22, 2010

Crowne Plaza Hotel at Noon

Today's Program

Brian Connors

Experiences Living and Starting a Small Business in Beijing

ttrco

We are open and located next door to the Witwer Center in the 600 Block of 2Nd Avenue East in Cedar Rapids

It's nice to see the winds settle down and the snow head to the East Coast, after the past two days of a Major Winter Storm in Cedar Rapids and much of the Midwest. Schools in much of Eastern Iowa are still closed for the third straight day, as the temperatures plunge.

Eastern Iowa Breaking News headline: "IOWANS DIG OUT; CHILL SETS IN"

Get the latest details here from The Gazette and KCRG:

• Cancellations
• Snow removal tonight; sidewalk reprieve
• Take a snowy bow, Eastern Iowans
• Anatomy of a big winter storm
• UI snowball fight
• Snow doesn't slow crime
• Best sledding hills
• Road condition map

Tommy Tucker Realty Co. is celebrating its 40Th anniversary at our current location in the 600 Block of 2Nd Avenue SE in Downtown Cedar Rapids this year. We opened in 1958 in Real Estate, but located to our current location at 613 2Nd Avenue SE in 1969. We have seen changes in our neighborhood throughout the past 40 years. This year, we welcomed a new neighbor.

Spotlight on a Community Organization, which also happens to be a neighbor to Tommy Tucker Realty Co.

In February of this year, the Witwer Center reopened next door at 605 2Nd Avenue SE to serve the seniors in our community. There previous location in the Central District of Downtown Cedar Rapids was flooded in the Flood of 2008. They have senior adult programming, a noon meal for seniors, as well as the Witwer home delivered meals program operated out of the 605 2Nd Avenue SE location.

We took a little time to visit and welcomed our new neighbors to our neighborhood. We had the pleasure of visiting with Myrt Bowers, President, and others on her staff with the Witwer Center. They shared a little about their operations. Witwer provides senior adult services and meals to a variety of senior residents throughout Linn County.

At the same location, the Green Square Meals program operates in the evenings to help those in need in our community. The Green Square Meals program is a separate organization that serves the Cedar Rapids Community. Green Square Meals also had to be relocated, after the Flood of 2008.

Real Estate in the Cedar Rapids area

• Can we interest you in a house for rent in the Cedar Rapids area?
• We currently have 2 bedroom ranch houses in NE Cedar Rapids for rent.
• What about a house for sale in the Cedar Rapids area?
• Here are three featured listings in SE Cedar Rapids for houses for sale.
  

ttrco

CRAAR award 2009 Betty Berry Volunteer of the Year Award at Today's meeting

The monthly Real Estate Today Show, the monthly luncheon of the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors®, included the annual award given to a member of the community for volunteer work. The award is named after the late Betty Berry, who was a long-term Realtor and former president of the local association.

This year's recipient was recognized at the November meeting of local Realtors.

The Recipient is KARLA GOETTEL

• Karla Goettel is founder of the 'Flood Them with Love' group to assist in flood recovery.

Previous Recipients of the Betty Berry Volunteer of the Year Award:

• 2008: Amy Johnson-Boyle


• 2007: Cheryle Mitvalsky


• 2006: Jack Evans


• 2005: no recipient


• 2004: Gary Streit


• 2003: Ralph Palmer (Ralph was able to attend this year's meeting as well)


• 2002: Nick Gearhart


• 2001: Madge Phillips


• 2000: Bill Quinby


• 1999: Paul Phelan Jr.


• 1998: Peter R. Teahen

ttrco

Tommy Tucker Realty Co. welcomes Joel T. Lahey as our newest Real Estate Associate ...

Welcome to Joel T. Lahey, Realtor® to Tommy Tucker Realty Co. as our newest associate.

Joel has been in the real estate business for over seven years serving a variety of customers and clients. Joel is an agent licensed in the State of Iowa.

Joel T. Lahey

Cell: (319) 360-6202

ttrco

Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting for August 17, 2009

Robin Tucker will be attending today's Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting at Noon.

The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids is now on Twitter! Link

Monday, August 17, 2009
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL

Today's Speaker and Program:

DAN THIES & TOM PODZIMEK
PUBLIC FACILITIES UPDATE

ttrco

July 1, 2009: New Septic Tank Laws are now in effect in the State of Iowa

Do you have a septic tank in Iowa? Are you considering buying or acquiring a house that has a septic tank?

The Iowa Property Owners Alliance has the following as it's Topic of the Week.

Topic of the Week
"Septic Tank Inspection Law"
NEW SEPTIC TANK LAW EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009

Ramifications from a statewide septic tank inspection law are already in effect!

Properties subject to the septic system inspection law must have their inspection completed and paperwork filled out if the closing date is after June 30, 2009. Sellers and Buyers may negotiate for both the inspection cost and for any repair or replacement costs. Note: if the system is inspected and it is found to be defective in anyway, it will need to meet current code even if the property transfers or not.

The law only applies to transfers of property containing one to four dwelling units, and there are many types of properties exempt from inspection, most of the exemptions are similar to the exemptions found in the seller disclosure requirements. New exemptions are applicable for transfers which the consideration is $500 or less, intra family business organization transfers, and properties which will be razed or demolished. Systems pumped within three years may be exempt form pumping again, and properties inspected within two years by a certified inspector are exempt from inspection.

The Iowa DNR is currently creating forms to 1. Verify/certify exempt properties, 2. Verify/certify if the property will be demolished or razed, 3. And a Time of Transfer Agreement Binding Acknowledgment for Future Inspection when weather or other conditions necessitate delay of the inspection.

The ground water hazard form has some septic information and compliance regarding the law, but more changes to this form could be forthcoming. The DNR's website will also have the names of certified inspectors, and the Iowa Finance Authority has a program to offer low interest loans to assist in the costs of repair or replacement.

Talk to your local REALTOR® or DNR office for more information.

More Information:
Iowa Code regarding lawAdministrative rules enacted by DNR

You can Sign up for Legislative Alerts through the Iowa Property Owners Alliance

Robin Tucker, Realtor®
Broker/Officer
Tommy Tucker Realty Co.
613 Second Avenue SE
PO Box 848
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-0848

rtucker@ttrco.com
319-365-6956 Ext. 103
319-366-7792 FAX

ttrco

City of Marion to conduct community Visioning workshop ...

Tommy Tucker Realty Co. has served a variety of customers and clients over the years in Marion, Iowa. As a part of the greater Cedar Rapids area, a healthy Cedar Rapids and a healthy Marion go hand and hand. We received the following release today regarding the update in the City of Marion Comprehensive Plan.

The public is encouraged to participate in the Visioning process ...

The City of Marion is in the process of developing a new/updated Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is intended to serve as a “road map” to help guide community policy and decision making for issues ranging from community character and aesthetics to targeted redevelopment and open space. The Comprehensive Plan will establish a long-range vision for the community, define community goals and objectives, and provide guidance for implementing programs and policies to assist in making positive change for the City of Marion.

We need your input…Building on a comprehensive inventory and assessment of existing market conditions, existing physical conditions and community input, the comprehensive planning process has identified several planning issues the community is currently facing or will likely face in the future. Having completed this initial assessment of the local planning context, we have reached a critical juncture in the planning process and need your input. The next step in the creation of a new Comprehensive Plan is to establish the community’s vision for the future that will address the identified issues and define the direction of development in and around Marion for the next 10 to 15 years. To accomplish this, a Community Visioning Workshop will be held at the Art for Living Center (Lowe Park), located at 4500 10Th Street, Marion, at 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 23rd.

The Visioning Workshop will begin with a brief overview of the comprehensive planning process and the results of the existing conditions and market analysis. The workshop participants will then be broken up into small focus groups where individuals will have the opportunity to express their opinion regarding specific issues and concerns. The groups will draw and visualize draw on large maps of the community highlighting improvements, ideas and concepts for future consideration. This creative exercise will give participants the opportunity to literally sketch their own plans for the future. The results of the individual focus groups will then be used to establish a collective community vision statement. The vision statement will be a narrative description of Marion in 10 to 15 years and will be used to form the goals, objectives, and, ultimately, the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan.

The new Comprehensive Plan is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2009. Please visit the Comprehensive Plan Project website, which can be reached via a link on the City’s web page (http://www.cityofmarion.org/) for regular updates. For any questions or comments related to the Comprehensive Plan, please contact the City of Marion Planning and Development Department.

Remember, if you are interested, you are welcome to attend this event on June 23rd at 6 PM at Lowe Park, located at 4500 10Th street, in Marion.

ttrco

Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting for June 15, 2009

Robin Tucker is attending his Rotary Club meeting at Noon today:

MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2009
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
"PASSING THE GAVEL"
PRESENTATION OF THE CLUB'S APPRECIATION AWARDS & THE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

ttrco

Cedar Rapids receives top ranking Next Cities List

The Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce newsletter announced the following news today:

Cedar Rapids is ranked fourth in a list of “Next Cities” with a
population of 100,000-200,000 released by Madison , WI based Next Generation
Consulting. “Next Cities” are considered to be the best places to live and
work for young professionals and are evaluated in seven indexes including:
Vitality, Earning, Learning, After Hours, Cost of Lifestyle, Around Town and
Social Capital.

Top 5 Next Cities, population of 100,000 – 200,000

1. Fort Collins, Colorado
2. Charleston, South Carolina
3. Eugene, Oregon
4. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
5. Springfield, Illinois

For more information click
here.

Nice news for the City of Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids population is roughly 126,000 and is the county seat of Linn County, Iowa.

ttrco