HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.14.2002COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 14, 2002
4:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Mayor Rooff called the meeting to order at 4:56 p.m.
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Members absent: Berry.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Hurley that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Berry. Motion carried.
Michael Anthony gave a presentation of the Cedar Valley Community Development Program.
The council reviewed a video.
Mr. Anthony reported that he presented the Cedar Valley Community Development Program to
the Black Hawk Board of Supervisors and requested funds in the amount of $15,000. The Black
Hawk County Board of Supervisors asked that he present his plan to the City Council and then
go back to the Board. Mr. Anthony stated that Black Hawk County leads the state in the number
of African -American it sends to prisons due to the high concentration of African -Americans in
the economically distressed area of the northeast side of Waterloo. Mr. Anthony quoted from
Vandewalle & Associates Downtown Redevelopment Master Plan. "Downtown Waterloo is
physically divided by the Cedar River, creating a barrier between the West River District and the
East River District of the city. Over time, this physical barrier has led to the creation of
perceived social and economic barriers between the two sides of the city. No one idea can
remedy this issue; however, reestablishing an economic link between these two sides is a critical
beginning."
Mr. Anthony stated the overrepresentation of African -Americans in prison has more to do with
economics than race. Focusing our efforts on economic development in low-income
communities and strengthening the family would address the recommendations presented by the
Task Force.
Mr. Anthony stated that government's traditional answer to the absence of fathers from the lives
of children has been to focus on child support enforcement. However, research shows that a
large portion of fathers who do not pay child support are poor themselves. Many have limited
education and are unemployed or underemployed. According to Dr. Elaine Sorenson of the
Urban Institute these fathers tend to be young and disproportionately African -Americans. These
fathers are often pushed into the underground economy, when the child support order bears little
relationship to their ability to pay.
Mr. Anthony reported that he asked the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors to form a local
committee and fund a three-day workshop for local practitioners involved in social service
programs. The National Center for Strategic Nonprofit Planning and Community Leadership
(NPCL) will conduct the three-day workshop. NPCL is a non-profit organization created for
educational purposes. Their mission is to improve the governance and administration of non-
profit tax-exempt organizations and strengthen community leadership through family and
neighborhood empowerment. The workshop series offered by NPCL help community -based
organizations and public agencies better serve young, low-income single fathers and fragile
families. Mr. Anthony stated he will check with Workforce Development and then come back to
the council and ask for approximately $5,000 to help fund the three-day workshop.
Mr. Anthony stated he has been working to establish a community -based organization to
implement an economic revitalization plan for the northeast side of the city. Mr. Anthony stated
he would like to set up a meeting with Mayor Rooff to set up funding for his organization. Mr.
Anthony requested the following financial assistance:
Council Work Session
January 14, 2002
Page 2
1st year $75,000 4th year$30,000
2nd year $60,000 5th year $20,000
3rd year $45,000
Mr. Anthony stated that the first $75,000 would be used for salaries for an Executive Director
and Administrative Assistant.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:11 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Berry. Motion carried
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk