Check out the newsletter to learn more about:

-City of West Union Awarded CDBG Water/Sewer Grant

-UERPC Receives EDA Planning Investment Award for Region

-Food and Fitness and Iowa Food Hub Update

-2020 Census Job Openings

-"Grow With US" Project Sprouts Young Gardeners

-Employee Spotlight:  Heidi Hackman

-New ICOG Executive Board Members Announced

-Introducing 5-2-1-0 in the Workplace

-Iowa 9 Black Hawk Bridge Update

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The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation held a joint public information meeting in Lansing on July 9 to discuss the Iowa 9 (Black Hawk) bridge over the Mississippi River. Information about the project, proposed alignments and bridge designs, environmental information and more is available on Iowa DOT’s website. Members of the public are invited to review the information and provide feedback and comments. Visit https://www.tinyurl.com/yynepawg to review project information and submit comments.

The July 9th meeting of the RPA-1 Technical Committee will be held at Upper Explorerland's Decorah offices, at 325 Washington Street, Suite A. This is due to a scheduling conflict at the Winneshiek Count Offices.

Contact Aaron Detter with any questions at 563-382-6171 or adetter@uerpc.org

The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) invites members of the public to attend an informational meeting regarding the proposed improvements on the Iowa 9 (Black Hawk) bridge. The meeting will be on July 9, 2019 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kee High School, 569 Center Street in Lansing.

Details of the proposed project will be presented and Iowa DOT and consultant representatives will be available to discuss the project informally. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend to express their views and ask questions about the proposed project.

The meeting room is accessible for persons with disabilities. However, if you require special accommodations at the meeting, please notify Krista Billhorn at krista.billhorn@iowadot.us or 641-422-9447.

Those who have any comments or questions prior to the meeting, or are not able to attend, should contact Krista Billhorn or refer to the Iowa DOT’s website, which is periodically updated as new information becomes available: www.iowadot.gov/pim. If you would like to make a comment regarding this project, please visit: http://bit.ly/iowadot2723.

Check out the newsletter to learn more about:

-Fayette Tries to Beat the Battle of Closing Businesses

-Housing Trust Fund Awards $20,000 in City Grants

-Outdoor Hospital Lobby Debuts in West Union

-UERPC Educates Hundreds of 2nd Graders on Bike Safety

-Employee Spotlight:  Kayla Miller

-New IowaWORKS Employment Services System Launched

-UERPC Participates in Outdoor Learning Environments Program

-The Wheels on the Biking School Bus Go 'Round and 'Round

-REMINDER:  UERPC offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission has a job opening for a full-time Assistant Finance Manager. Under general supervision, the Assistant Finance Manager will assist with a variety of day to day accounting and administrative duties as well as monthly, quarterly and fiscal year end closes. The ideal candidate will have experience in payroll and payroll tax reporting, account reconciliation, accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoice and billing, budget review, journal entries, general ledger and annual audits. Working closely with the Finance Director, the candidate will also provide administrative assistance that includes coding invoices, making deposits, preparing reports and spreadsheets, ordering supplies, etc. We're looking for a candidate who has a strong attention to detail, good communication skills and a solid understanding of generally accepted accounting principles; knowledge of Uniform Grants Guidance and local government accounting a plus. A Bachelors degree in Accounting or Finance required. Qualified applicants should also be proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and have a good driving record. Great benefit package.

Upper Explorerland is an EEO/EEP employer. Please submit resume and cover letter to:  Karen Cooper, Finance Director, 325 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101 or email to kcooper@uerpc.org.

UERPC is seeking car bids for a 2013 Ford Fusion SE, 2.5L 6-speed transmission, 120,000 highway miles, bordeaux exterior, four-door, charcoal black cloth interior, air bags, cruise control, power doors and window locks, very clean.

Minimum bid is $8,700. 

Sealed bids due on June 14, 2019 at 12:00 (noon) to Rachelle Howe, UERPC, 325 Washington Street, Decorah, IA  52101.  Do not need to be present at opening.  Will let bidders know by June 17th.

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission has a job opening for a Community Housing Coordinator. The Community Housing Coordinator is a full-time position working under direction of the Housing Department Head to implement programs serving the low-income, disabled, and elderly population of a 5-county geographic area. This position will work primarily with the HUD Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Section 8 program and other programs and special projects as assigned. The essential job functions will include processing applicant files, determining program eligibility, managing applicant waitlist, and conducting rental unit inspections. This position requires strong written and oral communication skills, the ability to interpret and apply complex federal program regulations, excellent decision-making skills and the ability to work efficiently, accurately, and independently. A two- or four-year degree or a combination or related experience and education is preferred.  

Upper Explorerland is an EEO/EEP employer.  Please submit resume and cover letter to:  Rachelle Howe, Executive Director 325 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101 or email to rhowe@uerpc.org

The next RPA-1 Transportation Policy Board meeting will be held on Thursday, May 30^th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at UERPC’s Postville Office (134 West Greene Street). The Enhancement Committee and Technical Committee will meet beforehand at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., respectively. The Policy Board will be discussing and considering revisions to its bylaws, as well as considering and possibly approving the Transportaiton Planning Work Program (TPWP) for state fiscal year 2020. There will also be a public hearing regarding a proposed amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for federal fiscal year 2019, followed by consideration and possible action by the Policy Board.

All RPA-1 Board and Committee meetings are open to the public.

The UERPC May 2019 Newsletter is here! Check out the newsletter to learn about:

• Congratulations to Jacki Schares of INRCOG
• Community Teaching Kitchen Becomes a Reality
• Iowa Invites People to Explore Iowa's Outdoors with "99 Counties, 99 Parks"
• Emergency Action Plans for Cities, Counties and Businesses
• Does Your City Code Need Updating? Let us help!
• Employee Spotlight:  Kelly Hefel
• Iowa Works:  Did You Know??
• Calling All Allamakee County Clean Energy Enthusiasts
• Progressive Walking Supper a Huge Success
• Many Thanks to the Decorah Public Library
• UERPC Offices will be closed Monday, May 27th in observance of Memorial Day

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) is offering a Marketing Internship opportunity for a student studying marketing, communications, public relations or other related field. The internship will focus on creating and implementing marketing efforts for UERPC. Contact Rachelle Howe with interest or questions:  563-382-6171 or rhowe@uerpc.org.

The Iowa DOT is now accepting applications for the annual State Recreational Trails program funding cycle. Applications shall be either received via email by 5:00 pm to peggy.riecken@iowadot.us or postmarked by July 1, 2019. An email submission must still be followed by receipt of a single signed color original of the completed application via U.S. mail. The appropriation for State Fiscal Year 2020 (SFY 2020) is $1.5 million. Please note, the application form has been revised for this year’s cycle. If you are working from a previously prepared application, be sure to update to the new format and questions before submitting.

All hardcopies shall be submitted via U.S. mail to:

State Recreational Trails Program
Iowa Department of Transportation
Systems Planning Bureau
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010

Please contact Debra Arp, Grant Program Administration Team Leader, at debra.arp@iowadot.us, if you have any questions or concerns. The Iowa DOT web site is updated with this information:  https://iowadot.gov/systems_planning/Grant-Programs/-Federal-and-State-Recreational-Trails

The UERPC April 2019 Newsletter has hatched! Check out the newsletter to learn about:

• Students Explore Local Career Opportunities
  at Networking and Opportunity Fair
• Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival a Big Hit
• Progressive Walking Supper on May 1st in Decorah
• Beat the Blues Winter Marathon Winner Announced
• Three Years Later, Open Gyms are Better than Ever
• It's Spring Walking and Biking School Bus Season!
• Employee Spotlight:  Roxanna Kayode
• Team-building at the Waukon Wellness Center
• UERPC Offices will be closed on Friday, April 19th in observance of Good Friday

The UERPC March 2019 Newsletter has bloomed! Check out the newsletter to learn about:

• Northeast Iowa STEM Festival
• ICOG Legislative Update and Staff Training
• "What Would You Do with $1,000?"
• A Bittersweet Goodbye, a Heartfelt Hello
• Bicycle Safety in Schools

THINK SPRING! 

Some of the headlines you can read about this month include:

• Call for Applications - Multi-Modal Transportation Grants
• Employee Spotlight Katie Nolte
• And the Winner is....  2019 Healthiest State Annual Awards
• Beat the Blues Winter Marathon Reminder
• Requesting Vendors for the 2019 STEM Festival
• FREE Friday Morning Open Gyms
• Fern Rissman is Retiring
• The UERPC offices are closed for Presidents Day

Due to a winter storm warning and expected snow accumulation, all three RPA-1 transportation meetings scheduled for February 20, 2019 in Postville are cancelled and will be rescheduled. This includes the Enhancement Committee meeting at 9:00 a.m., the Technical Committee meeting at 10:00 a.m., and the Policy Board meeting at 11:00 a.m.

The Iowa 511 road conditions website is showing every highway in the area partially covered with mixed snow, ice, or slush. Many schools have been delayed. To keep everyone safe, and to ease any potential schedule hardships due to delays, todays’ RPA-1 meetings are cancelled and will be rescheduled.

This includes all three RPA-1 meetings originally scheduled for today: Enhancement Committee (9 a.m.), Technical Committee (10 a.m.), and Policy Board (11 a.m.).

Thank you all, and be safe!

The Transportation Policy Board of Regional Planning Affiliation 1 (RPA-1) in northeast Iowa is pleased to announce the call for applications for Iowa’s Transportation Alternatives Program (Iowa’s TAP) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program for diverse transportation projects in our region and communities. Iowa’s TAP and STBG are federal funding programs that require a 20% local match. Eligible STBG road and bridge projects may be swapped for state funding through Iowa DOT’s Swap Program.

Prospective applicants are reminded that all projects eligible for Iowa’s TAP funding are also eligible for STBG funding.

Eligible applicants include all public agencies and local governments within RPA-1 that have jurisdiction over public rights-of-way for transportation (including walking and bicycling facilities); public transportation agencies; and agencies with transportation planning responsibilities. RPA-1 includes the Counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek and the public agencies and local governments with jurisdictions therein.

The current application cycle is for funding in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2023. RPA-1 is expected to have approximately $2.7 million in STBG and $171,000 in Iowa’s TAP available for distribution. Applications for both programs are due February 28, 2019.

Visit UERPC's Transportation page (link below) to find the STBG project application and instructions as well as the TAP application and separate instructions and priority criteria sheet.

Contact Aaron Detter with any questions about eligibility at 563-382-6171 or adetter@uerpc.org, or contact any member of the RPA-1 Technical Committee with specific road or street project questions (contact info included in attached STBG instructions).

Some of the headlines you can read about this month include:

• Open Meeting Laws
• UERPC Holiday Giving
• First Round of Laborshed Studies Released
• Luther Hosts FREE Open Gym
• UERPC Hosts Annual Legislative Event
• Decorah Walking School Bus Students Spread Holiday Cheer Through Their 2nd Annual Kindness Project
• UERPC is Finalist for Healthiest State Awards
• Beat the Blues Winter Marathon Reminder
• Upcoming Iowa Safe Routes to School Conference on January 24th
• UERPC offices will be closed Monday, February 18th for Presidents Day.

It’s not too late to register! The Iowa Safe Routes to School Conference is an annual conference providing insight, idea sharing, education, and programming on all things Safe Routes to School. 6 years running, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition brings together partners and collaborators from across the state to network, learn, share ideas, and talk about best practices. This year, the Iowa Safe Routes to School Conference will be an opportunity to hear from a wide variety of professionals from public health (Angela Drent, Siouxland Public Health), transportation planning (Jeff Wiggins, City of Des Moines active transportation planner), advocates (Mike Armstrong, Des Moines Bike Collective), planners (Mindy Moore, Snyder & Associates), and Wellmark Healthy Hometown! 

We have a jam-packed day planned! Lunch will be provided for a small fee from "In-the-bag" catering. HERE  is the link to register! 

or: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iowa-safe-routes-conference-2019-tickets-50912747398

Upper Explorerland RPC is happy to bring back Jeff Schott, now retired as the Director of the Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Iowa in May 2018 to host the basic laws and concepts that apply to city councils and boards and commissions, entitled Open Meeting Laws.  The session will be held on March 14^th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 (noon) at the Postville YMCA.

 This two-hour training program includes the following topics:

 Legal Requirements: 

·       Open Meetings Law

·       Public records Law

·       Gift Law

·       Conflicts-of-Interest

·       Other Important Laws 

Doing What Is Right:

·       Duties and Responsibilities

·       Policy Development and Analysis

·       Policy and Program Evaluation and Oversight 

Strategies for Improving Performance:  

·       Strategies for Enhancing Effectiveness

·       Orientation

·       Teamwork

·       Decision-Making

·       Acting Strategically

Jeff Schott from 2006 - 2018, he had been responsible for delivery of the Institute of Public Affairs’ organizational improvement programs, including goal setting, strategic planning, council/board effectiveness training, educational programs and information, public management assistance, and staff training, to hundreds of local governments across Iowa.

Schott has been a featured presenter regarding local government issues and concerns at numerous conferences and workshops for organizations such as the Iowa League of Cities, Municipal Leadership Academies, National League of Cities, Iowa City/County Management Association, Iowa Parks and Recreation Association, Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Iowa Department of Transportation, Iowa State Association of Counties, Northeast, South Central and Des Moines metro regional leagues, and many other state and regional groups.  Schott has been an adjunct instructor in the University of Iowa School of Urban and Regional Planning.

Publications for which Schott has been responsible include the 2016, 2012 and 2008 editions of the Iowa Municipal Policy Leaders’ Handbook, a guide for mayors, council members and city staff in Iowa. The Handbook is designed to help municipal officials understand what is expected and required of them by explaining both the details and the “big picture” involved in being a municipal policy leader.  The Handbook describes the functions and services of Iowa cities, the laws governing municipal activities and contains explanations, tips, checklists, and lists of resources useful to city officials. It provides important information on a variety of critical topics, including: mayor and council roles, council meetings, dealing with the public, financial and budgetary administration, human resources, municipal services, economic development, planning and community development, and many other vital issues.

Please RSVP to Mary Huinker at mhuinker@uerpc.org or by calling 563-864-7551.

Some of the headlines you can read about this month include:

• Highway Driving Safety Tips for Wildlife Collisions
• UERPC Commission Members End Their Terms
• Decorah's Community Visioning Designs Available for Viewing
• Be the Change you Wish to See
• Iowa Finance Authority Awards Funding to Housing Program
• Beat the Blues Winter Marathon Starts January 1st
• The UERPC offices will be closed December 24th and 25th and January 1st for the Holidays
• Holiday Giving - Donating to your Local Food Bank

Holiday Giving - Donating to your Local Food Pantry or Food Bank

The Holiday season often finds our thoughts turning to those in need.  Giving to a food pantry or food bank is a great way to give during the holidays and beyond.

For a complete listing of food panties or food banks in our area, please click below.

Some of the headlines you can read about this month include:

• Rising Star: Michelle Barness
• UERPC Employee Spotlight Jennifer Engelhardt
• 5-2-1-0 Summit
• Upcoming IowaWorks Decorah Workshops
• Final opportunity to participate in regional transportation survey
• Funds Available for First Time Homebuyers in Postville
• Fayette Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program
• UERPC offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday on Nov. 22nd and 23rd.

Here are some of the headlines you can read about this month include:

• Final Community Visioning Meeting for All-In Plan
• The UERPC offices will be closed for Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 12th
• October proclaimed Healthiest State Month
• Nature Explore Northeast Iowa Project
• Staff Retreat Held
• Upcoming IowaWorks Decorah Workshops
• Election Day is Tuesday, November 6th - Remember to Vote!
• Iowa DOT features Cresco in new video