2009 Achievements

E.J. Giovannetti — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

As we close another year in county government, it is good to reflect on what has occurred over the last 12 months. It was a full agenda:

* In February, 2009, the county provided a letter-of-intent to the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) to enter a long-term lease for a parcel of ground at Fifth and Cherry Streets. DART intended constructing a transit hub, moving that function from Locust to the new site. DART is in the process of seeking federal funds and needs that commitment in order to proceed.

I chose not to support that proposition as much as I felt that some compensation should be provided to the county for the use of that ground.

* After much discussion, the county offered for purchase the Interim Jail located on Ninth Street to the Greater Des Moines YMCA for transitional men’s housing. The YMCA has received tax credits from the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and is in the process of raising additional monies for that project. An extension on the transfer has been given for an additional year.

* In April, the Board held a public meeting to receive input on two conceptual design concepts for the expansion of meeting and ballroom space at the Iowa Events Center. This space is intended to replace the aging Polk County Convention Complex (Plex). The project moved to schematic design in November and approval was given to add an additional floor to Vet’s Auditorium. The project is expected to be bid in September with construction completion by December, 2011. Doing so will not raise the property tax rate.

* An ongoing issue was defining the relationship between Polk County and the Polk County Library Association. An agreement was reached with the county libraries based on circulation. This should resolve the funding issue for the foreseeable future.

* In May, 2009, the Board committed to review possible alternatives for court space utilizing existing buildings. The Board engaged the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) to perform a review of court function and space issues. Although a $130 million referendum was defeated in April, 2008, the issues prompting that referendum continue. Final recommendations were presented to the Board this month. The real question is when implementation will take place. The Board is obviously not interested in another referendum. However, long term funding options are being formulated.

* In June, owners of the AHL affiliation (Des Moines Hockey Holdings, LLC) offered Polk County $1 million to be released from their non-relocation agreement. The county refused that offer and successfully filed an injunction prohibiting Des Moines Hockey from moving its franchise per our non-relocation agreement. The Board continues to seek resolution but there has been no significant movement. The Board is committed to assuring that the obligations of all local creditors be met. The result: Des Moines will not have an American Hockey League team in 2010-11 and its future here remains questionable.

* In an effort to assist infrastructure projects, Polk County entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the cities of Grimes and Urbandale to pursue an engineering solution for Northwest 50th Avenue and the Highway 141 intersection. This is an attempt to resolve the traffic issues at Highway 141 and I-35/I-80 Interchange.

* Over the course of the year, the county in conjunction with the City of Ankeny has proceeded with a $20 million expansion project of the Rock Creek Sanitary Sewer trunk line. Construction is anticipated to be complete by 2012. A portion of that project allows the City of Ankeny to tie in their trunk line project which results in an overall saving to the city of $3 million dollars. Work on that particular phase is to commence in 2010.

* $637,000 has been appropriated by Congress for an environmental impact study and alternative alignment evaluation for the Northeast Beltway Engineering Study. This project is moving toward determining a 1,000-foot wide-corridor so preservation of this space can be implemented.

* Polk County in conjunction with the cities of Ankeny and Des Moines have undertaken the Four-Mile Creek Watershed Study, a $900,000 project update FEMA flood maps, and determine methods to reduce flooding and positively affect future growth in the watershed.

* The issue of the North-South Metro Parkway (26th Street Interchange) project continues. This year, $850,000 has been appropriated again by the U.S. Government to commence an environmental impact study. This study will determine what such a project will have on property owned by the federal government along the Des Moines River and produce preferred alignment so that necessary funding can be determined. There is no question that such a route will provide North-South passage in to the metro area and reduce congestion on Merle Hay Road, Beaver Avenue and NW 2nd Avenue. It is anticipated that this study will be completed in 2010.

* NE 70th Avenue/NE 14th Street Intersection Improvements - $400,000 project added traffic signals and left turn lanes on NE 14th Street. Project was completed as a cooperative effort between Polk County and the Iowa DOT. Construction was completed in August.

* This year, the county will assist in intersection improvements totaling $400,000 for traffic signals and left turn lanes on NE 14th Street at NE 70th Avenue. Construction commenced in August. Similarly, a resurfacing project is underway at NW 118th Avenue. Polk County received $1.95 million in federal stimulus for both NW 118th Avenue from NE 14th Street to Polk City. A $2.1-million project was completed in June at no cost to the City of Ankeny.

* Recently, the county has commenced the construction of an Emergency Operations Center at a total cost of $4.1 million as a result of stimulus funding. Funding includes $1.8 million from an I Jobs grant, and the county will bond $1.4 million. Another project is the construction of a flood wall at the River Place Complex. Half of that amount is provided from an I-Jobs grant while the remaining will be paid with bonding by Polk County as well as fees, grants and seized property revenues from the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management commission, Health Department and Air Quality grants. Bonding debt will be paid over ten years.

• The H1N1 virus continues to be a concern. Effective Dec. 14, the vaccine was made available for all Iowans. The Polk County Health Department will continue to operate a clinic at Moore Elementary School located at 52nd and Douglas in Des Moines with clinic hours Monday thru Friday 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no charge for the vaccination and both mist and injectable vaccine are available.

Meanwhile, the board has plenty on its plate for 2010. Some items include:

* The Board began the year with budget deliberations. The state requires certification by March 15. It appears at this point that there will be no reduction in services, nor layoffs, nor tax rate increases. Unfortunately, this will result in some reduction of operating and gaming reserves. The goal is to do so without jeopardizing our financial status, particularly as it may affect bond ratings.

* Polk County will be developing a phased approach and financial plan to alleviate the court space issue based upon the recommendations of the National Center for State Courts. The development of a plan for easing the courts space and safety issues will provide for some immediate relief for the courts while assuring a cost effective manner to address courts space into the future without placing a considerable burden upon the taxpayers.

* The Board will continue to partner with communities on economic development and infrastructure projects.

* Construction of additional meeting and ballroom space at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium remodel will begin in the fall (completion December 2011). The Polk County Convention Complex will continue to operate until construction is complete. The future use of the Convention Complex will be determined as this project moves forward.

* The Board will continue to seek resolution to the hockey situation ensuring that all local creditors are paid.

* 2010 will see Polk County completing lease negotiations with Prairie Meadows pending the approval of a referendum to continue gaming.

I look forward to hearing from you. If you would like to visit regarding this or any subject, please call me (515-286-3119), or contact by email, ej.giovannetti@polkcountyiowa.gov.

Polk County Receives HUD Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant

E.J. Giovannetti — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Polk County has been awarded a $3 million Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The three-year grant will provide funding to conduct lead repair work in 206 housing units in Polk and Dallas Counties. The program will involve assisting low income families with children under the age of six. Although this project encompasses all of Polk County, special targeting will be placed on zip code areas with very high socio economic and environmental risk factors. This grant is the largest ever received by the Polk County Health Department and allows us to leverage existing resources and commitments to address lead poisoning in our community by repairing more homes. But most importantly, we will be able to significantly reduce the number of children who are lead poisoned.

Childhood lead poisoning has adverse effects on nearly all organ systems in the body. It is especially harmful to the developing brain and nervous systems of children under the age of six years. At very high blood lead levels, children can have severe brain damage or even die. Children’s intelligence, hearing, and growth can be affected at blood levels as low as 10 micrograms per deciliter. According to Polk County Health Services, lead poisoning is one of the top causes of mental retardation in children in our county.

Statewide, the prevalence of lead poisoning among children under the age of six years is 7%. This is more than four times the national average of 1.6%. In Polk County, the prevalence of lead poisoning among children under six years averages 4% but can be as high as14% in some zip code areas.

Lead poisoning is 100% preventable by addressing the hazards in our housing stock. Remedying lead hazards is a long-term strategy which requires the community to prioritize their housing rehab funding streams to target families with children under the age of six who reside in homes built before 1978 (the year lead paint was banned from residential use).

In 2006, the Polk County Board of Supervisors approved a new health regulation aimed to eliminate the dangers of lead paint in the county’s aging homes. The new ordinance provided for the inspection and correction of lead based paint hazards in locations where children test positive for elevated blood lead levels.

The HUD funds will serve as a catalyst to dramatically increase the scope of our work. Thirty-four partner organizations have committed over $5 million in funding or in-kind services for education, outreach, relocation costs, and home repairs. The organizations contributing funding resources include the Polk County Board of Supervisors, City of Des Moines, HOME, Inc., Neighborhood Housing Finance Corporation, Polk County Housing Trust fund, USDA Rural Development and the Region XII Council of Governments.

The HUD Grant alone is not nearly enough to eradicate the problem but is a great step forward. We are hopeful that through our successful administration of this grant, additional federal dollars will become available allowing us to continue our remediation efforts at this new accelerated level.

We look forward to hearing from you. If you would like to visit regarding this or any subject, please call me at (515) 286-3119 or email me at egiovan@co.polk.ia.us.

E.J. Giovanetti - Polk County Supervisor - EJ's Blog

2009 Achievements

Polk County Receives HUD Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant