HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.12.2002• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
August 12, 2002
4:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Berry, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Moved by Berry, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
Stacy Van Gorp, Project Director for Opportunity Works, reviewed the Opportunity Works
Program. Opportunity Works began in March 2002 when the Northwest Area Foundation of St.
Paul, Minnesota awarded a grant in the amount of $600,000.00 for community planning. Our
area was one of just four regions in the U.S. to receive support. The Northwest Area Foundation
selected the region based on its own research about previous community -building efforts and the
region's demographic, economic and social conditions. The donated funds support community
planning costs including facilitation, research and training. Funds are also used to provide child-
care, translation, and transportation to people while participating in the planning. The
Community Foundation of Waterloo/Cedar Falls and Northeast Iowa is the administrative agent
for the project.
The mission of Opportunity Works is to increase opportunity and reduce conditions of poverty in
our communities in northeast and northcentral Iowa. This will be accomplished by creating a
long-term plan of action and by mobilizing people to act. The region includes the counties of
Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Grundy and Tama. The region also includes the
Meskwaki Nation.
All members of our communities are invited and encouraged to participate. The next step in the
planning process is to hold hundreds of brainstorming sessions and interviews throughout the
region. During this stage, the goal is to collect ideas and input from 5,000 community members.
During September, October, and November 2002, Opportunity Works is asking community
organizations, neighborhood groups, civic organizations, community clubs, businesses,
organizations, churches and religious institutions to hold brainstorming sessions where input can
be shared. Organizations that submit results of their sessions by November 8, 2002 will be
entered into a drawing for a community improvements grants. After gathering community input,
teams of volunteers will work together to build a comprehensive plan of action to increase
opportunity in our region. The first draft of the plan is expected to be completed by July 2003.
At the conclusion of the planning process, the Northwest Area Foundation will consider
opportunities for further investment in the region.
People of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life are encouraged to participate. Ways to be
involved include:
• Sign up for the Opportunity Works newsletter.
• Sign up to host a brainstorming session.
• Sign up to host an interview.
• Share ideas by contacting staff or by using the Discussion Forum on the website.
• Ask Opportunity Works to give an informational presentation at organizations.
Mayor Rooff stated that the city would be willing to host a brainstorming session and asked
Rudy Jones, Neighborhood Services Coordinator, to be involved.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Greenwood, seconded by Welper
that the meeting be adjourned at 4:50 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk