Wednesday, January 9, 2013

City of Cedar Rapids adopts Chapter 22A - Nuisance Property Code; turns to Chapter 29 discussion

The City Council has adopted a new ordinance on Tuesday that will impact all property owners in the City of Cedar Rapids.  The City of Cedar Rapids adopted Chapter 22A, despite concerns voiced by REALTORS, Landlords, the social services community, people who attended a Rotary Club Meeting, an attorney for the ACLU and an attorney for the housing community.  Link to Letters objecting to Chapter 22A

The public hearing and first reading was held Tuesday, December 18, 2012, a week ahead of Christmas.  Many people likely are not aware of the impact on property they own, due to the busy time of the year.  Despite the objections, the City passed quickly on Tuesday, January 8th the second and third readings.

As KWWL-TV asked me last night, the ordinance includes a 1, 2 or 3 strikes and the property owner could be subject to 12 months or more of civil fines from the City of Cedar Rapids.

CEDAR RAPIDS (KWWL) -Robin Tucker is a realtor and property manager in Cedar Rapids.  As someone in charge of many homes in the city, he's not happy the city council adopted a new code Tuesday that will define a home with multiple small offenses as a nuisance property.

"A lot of it is due to the behavior of people," said Tucker.  "But to stigmatize the property specifically...that is kind of new territory."
For Tucker, the new code leaves a lot of unanswered questions.  "There's a lot of uncertainty to it," said Tucker.
The City of Cedar Rapids of Cedar Rapids will now begin taking public input for a new Chapter 29 ordinance covering Rental properties.  A public-comment session on the upcoming changes to Chapter 29 will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today in the council chambers at City Hall, 101 First St. SE.  The Gazette article on this public-comment forum.
The City is interested in hearing feedback on the following topics which are part of the code;
1.  Tenant background checks
2.  Landlord training requirements
3.  Rental Inspection schedules
4.  Fee schedules for inspections
5.  Additional topics related to the ordinance
Individual's comments will be limited to 3 minutes so that more people may heard.  The meeting is limited to 2 hours.

The City of Cedar Rapids has not at this point answered a lot of the questions, associated with the language in the new Chapter 22A.  Chapter 22A and likely Chapter 29 reference each other in the City's language. What are some of the questions remaining with the new Chapter 22?
  • Impediments to housing and homelessness
  • Impact on Fair Housing
  • Impact on Affordability in rental housing
  • The ACLU attorney pdf is concerned about Chapter 22A on tenants and property owners
  • Undermines law enforcement and hurts domestic abuse victims per ACLU
  • Conflicts with Fair Housing obligations in City per ACLU
  • Code fails to protect innocent victims per ACLU (see letter below)
  • Code fails to protect due process rights of landlords and tenants per ACLU
  • Is the proposed tax legal under the State of Iowa?  Attorney for housing community has asked questions to City Council
  • Impact on Tenant Rights
  • Impact on Property Rights
  • Due process in 1, 2, 3 strikes system of new Chapter 22A, when the property owner is a victim of crime, due to a customer, resident, tenant, family member or member of the public.  (this covers commercial and industrial property, as well, so a business open to the public could be impacted by the public's behavior)
  • Landlords, REALTORS and the Gazette Editorial board suggested that Chapter 22A and Chapter 29 be discussed at the same time, prior to passage by the City Council
  • There are questions on how the City intends to administer the new Chapter 22A?
  • City has failed in the past to protect Landlords to the fullest extent of Iowa Code (issue of criminal mischief by residents in possession) raised by members of both Landlords of Iowa and Landlords of Linn County
The following was an e-mail shared with us by a concerned Landlord this morning in Cedar Rapids:

Robin,


This is the Gazette article that was published 1-7-13.
Nuisance ordinance going too far

Proposed Chapter 22A Nuisance Ordinance goes too far to try to place the blame on innocent property owners of Cedar Rapids for crime in our city. Chapter 22A includes violations for owner-occupied and rental residential, commercial property and all other property in Cedar Rapids.

It is incomprehensible that property owners could be considered in violation when they are the victims of a crime. Because the owner of a property allowed someone onto their property or within 1,000 feet of their property and that person committed a crime, the property is considered in violation under Chapter 22A.

When in the history of our country have we thought anyone else other than the person who committed the crime was guilty of anything? How can anyone predict what someone else is capable of doing?
We all need to use good judgment when we choose the people we associate with, but how do property owners know when they allow someone into their door or within 1,000 feet of their property that that person is not going to do anything which may be considered probable cause for a crime?

The criminal does not have to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt guilty of anything and the property is considered in violation of this nuisance ordinance. Chapter 22A nuisance ordinance goes too far.
Sheryl Jahnel Cedar Rapids

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings from Tommy Tucker Realty Co.

TOMMY TUCKER REALTY CO. 

OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED THE FOLLOWING DAYS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: 

Monday, December 24th
Tuesday, December 25th
Wednesday, December 26th
Tuesday, January 1st  

We want to Wish Everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season! 

Robin Tucker, Broker/Officer
And
Staff 

319-365-6956
(Messages will be monitored)


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Election Day: November 6th: Don't Forget to Vote!

2012 Election Guide

Dear Mr Robin B Tucker,

Following is your 2012 Election Guide. We here at NWYC hope you find this helpful and please remember every vote counts!



State and Territorial Election Offices
If you have any questions about the election process or voting, contact your state or territorial election office:
Alabama Kentucky Oklahoma Additional Resources:
Alaska Louisiana Oregon
American Samoa Maine Pennsylvania
Arizona Maryland Puerto Rico
Arkansas Massachusetts Rhode Island
California Michigan South Carolina
Colorado Minnesota South Dakota
Connecticut Mississippi Tennessee
District of Columbia Missouri Texas
Delaware Montana Utah
Florida Nebraska Vermont
Georgia Nevada Virgin Islands
Guam New Hampshire Virginia
Hawaii New Jersey Washington
Idaho New Mexico West Virginia
Illinois New York Wisconsin
Indiana North Carolina Wyoming
Iowa North Dakota  
Kansas Ohio

NOTE: NWYC does not financially support nor endorse any candidate or Political Party

Thursday, November 1, 2012

We welcome November here at Tommy Tucker Realty Co.

We welcome the month of November!

Can we interest you in a 2, 3 or 4 bedroom house in Cedar Rapids, Iowa?


Well, the first ten months are now in the books for 2012.  We welcome the eleventh month of November.  Happy All Saints Day, which is traditionally the day after Halloween.


  • Daylight Savings Time Ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 4th
  • Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meets on November 5th, 12th and 19th of November - news
  • Election Day is Tuesday is on November 6th - Find you poll in Linn County, Iowa
  • Iowa vs. Purdue at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City on Saturday, November 10th
  • Veterans Day is Sunday, November 11th
  • Worlds Orphans Day is November 12th
  • CRAAR November Real Estate Today Show is on Wednesday, November 14th
  • CRAAR Inaugural 2012 is on Thursday, November 15th
  • International Day for Tolerance is November 16th
  • Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 22nd
  • Our offices are traditionally closed for our staff to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and Black Friday with family - Call us, if you need a REALTOR?

  •  November 23rd
  • Small Business Saturday is November 24th
  • Iowa vs. Iowa State for Heroes Game at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City on November 24th
  • We invite all call or e-mail from you this month or throughout the year.  Happy November and have a great day.  Thank you for visiting us. - Robin Tucker

    Tuesday, October 30, 2012

    Public Invited: Fair Housing Discussion coming to Cedar Rapids/Marion on November 8th

    Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission Fair Housing Conference



    Current Fair Housing Issues

    Thursday, November 8, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
    Kirkwood Training & Outreach Services (KTOS)
    3375 Armar Drive, Marion

    Registration: $25 (includes continental breakfast and lunch)
    *Register by 5pm October 31 to receive lunch.
    Late registrations and same day registrants will be accepted - Lunch will not be included for late registrants

    This Conference is designed to give housing professionals, attorneys, social service staff, and community members, a strong understanding of Fair Housing laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Credit. Come learn about your rights and your responsibilities!

    REGISTER: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4550536778/eivtefrnd#

    This event has been approved for 1.75 hours of Continuing Legal Education activity credit.
    Please notify us at Registration if you are requesting CLE credit.
    Members of the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors should contact the CRAAR for more information.  Scholarships are availabe for CRAAR members.

    PROGRAM
    8:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
    8:45 Welcome
    • Karl Cassell, Executive Director, Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
    • Ron Corbett, Mayor, City of Cedar Rapids
    • Snooks Bouska, Mayor, City of Marion
    9:00 Keynote
    • Betty Bottiger, Region VII Director, Housing and Urban Development
    10:00 An Overview of Fair Housing Law.
    • A discussion of recent court and administrative decisions. Areas of emphasis will include prohibited practices, protected classes and issues relating to persons with disabilities and families.
    • Professor Allison Bethel, Clinical Professor, Director, Fair Housing Clinic, The John Marshall Law School
    11:00 The Fair Housing Act, Persons with Disabilities, Animals and Pets.
    1. This session will examine and compare federal, state and local laws that govern the rights of persons with disabilities to live with or be accompanied in public by animals who provide service, support, assistance or companionship. The workshop will focus on how to apply the federal Fair Housing Act, Iowa Civil Rights Act, Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Ordinance, Iowa's Rights of Persons with Disabilities law, and Dangerous Wild Animals law. Parrots and pooches and pigs, oh my!
    2. Professor Len Sandler, Clinical Professor of Law, University of Iowa College of Law
    12:00 Lunch
    • Accessibility to and within Housing: Applicable Laws and Regulations for Dwellings and Common Areas.
    • This session will cover The Americans with Disabilities Act and Amendments and The Fair Housing Act and Amendments, including purpose and overview, specific regulations to housing, common and public area regulations, and animals for companionship and service. We will also talk about the influence and confluence of related laws for persons with disabilities.
    • Jim de Jong, Executive Director and Principal Investigator, Great Plains ADA Center
    1:00 Credit Reports: The Good, the Bad, the Bottom Line.
    • We will discuss information contained in a credit report, credit scoring, interpreting credit history – what’s important, what’s not, reading between the lines, and improving credit – creating opportunities.
    • Scott Shook, Director of Consumer Credit Counseling Services, Horizons
    LUNCH OPTIONS
    • Turkey Sandwich on French Baguette
    • Walnut Chicken Salad on Croissant
    • Vegetarian Sandwich on Sourdough Bread
    Lunch includes sandwich, fresh fruit, chips, and a cookie

    If you have questions about this event, please contact the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission at 319-286-5036.  I, Robin Tucker, am one of the eleven local residents that currently serves on the City's Civil Rights Commission.  My father, I.L. "Tommy" Tucker had the pleasure of being one of the original commissioners, when Cedar Rapids began to promote equal opportunity and civil rights in our community.  He served the Commission as a volunteer Commissioner for 32 years.


    Sunday, September 16, 2012

    Beautiful Sunday for an Open House on September 16th

    We hope all is going well.

    Tommy Tucker Realty Co. is hosting an Open House 2-4 p.m. at 290 Indiandale Road SE on nice, spacious, redecorated 4 bedroom, 3 stall two-story with many nice characteristics...

    $237,200 list price and also available for lease. Call Robin Tucker today at 319.431.6930 to discuss.


    Saturday, September 15, 2012

    Open House on Sunday, September 16, 2012

    We will host a 2 to 4 p.m. Open House on Sunday at 290 Indiandale Road SE.  House is for sale and/or rent.  This a spacious
    bedroom, four bath two-story with three stall garage.

    List Price: $237,200
    Rental Price: $1,600 per month (prefer 12 month lease)

    Your Host: Robin Tucker, REALTOR 319.431.6930

    TOMMY TUCKER REALTY CO.
    http://www.ttrco.com