Accomplishments and Priorities

Accomplishments
Enriching our neighborhoods
College Hill Streetscape – It is important to value our existing commercial districts. Because College Hill, much like downtown, is an important historical and cultural place, it needs to become a pleasant public space for all members of our community and visitors. I proposed the streetscape development which the Council fully approved. Progress on this project is underway.

University Area Renewal – I have worked closely with neighbors, business owners, city staff, and UNI officials to develop a comprehensive vision for the university-area neighborhoods and business district, as well as the strategies to implement improvements. President Allen has made this work a high priority for UNI. With community energy, we can make this area a far more attractive place to live, work, create and play.

College Hill Business District – I have worked closely with the College Hill Business Association to ensure better communication and collaboration with city staff.

Better Communications – I worked with UNI student leaders and Council members to develop a stronger working relationship between student leaders and city hall.

Improved Cell Tower Ordinance - I suggested and the council fully approved a strong cell tower ordinance that leads to an orderly placement of these towers and fewer of them.

Renewing Lincoln School – I worked with neighbors as they organized to push for the closure of Franklin Street to re-build Lincoln School in its existing location. This eliminated an unsafe crossing, and has enriched a downtown neighborhood.

Code enforcement
I have supported strengthening a well-coordinated code enforcement process. This resulted in the hiring of a code enforcement officer to respond to citizens’ concerns and help resolve cases of over-occupancy and neglected rental properties.

Positioning Cedar Falls as a leader in energy conservation, efficiency and renewable energy
I have always encouraged CFU to build on its excellent track record and expand its portfolio of conservation and renewable energy; CFU staff has always responded with enthusiasm. Thriving cities of the future are ones that have taken strategic steps to be frugal energy-wise, and to invest in conservation and renewable energy.

I have encouraged the City to do a comprehensive assessment of the energy conservation potential in City operations. The Public Works has purchased several hybrid vehicles and is implementing a number of other measures. In city operations, we can realize significant cost savings (in electricity, fuel for vehicles, natural gas) if we re-evaluate our choices and practices.

Enhancing and protecting Cedar Falls’ watersheds and natural areas
Our community has excellent assets in its culture, people, business and education. I have encouraged, and the Council has supported, the mapping of our community’s natural assets as a fundamental step to knowing what we have. Our natural assets – woodlands, wetlands, stream corridors, floodplains, parks, greenbelts, open spaces and other natural areas – provide physical, biological, cultural, mental health and economic services to the community. We need to enhance and protect these assets.

Priorities
I look forward to working with residents, council members and city staff in creatively addressing the following issues which I believe are critical to the well being of our city.

Enhancement of existing commercial districts
Commercial in-fill and enhancement of some of our existing business districts (College Hill, College Square , Thunder Ridge, and many more) should be a high priority for our city. Providing financial incentives to new mega stores on the edge of town may further erode the retail base of existing commercial centers. City planners across our nation are implementing smart growth strategies to curb unnecessary expansion of the city to protect the community's financial well being in the long run.

Affordable family homes
City government and planning can ensure the availability of a variety of housing types and prices. Many communities now require that new subdivisions contain a certain percentage of affordable housing for persons of moderate income. Rehabilitation, creative financing, and redevelopment of existing older homes and neighborhoods can lead to attractive and diverse neighborhoods. Through planning, the city can be a major force in re-inhabiting the core of the city.

Livable neighborhoods: walking, biking and public transport
Subdivision ordinances can be revised to encourage development practices that create compact neighborhoods of mixed use that respect the natural elements of the landscape and are designed for pedestrians and public transit as well as cars.
Developments that work with (rather than against) the free services the land provides (storm water quality, shade, fresh air) are major benefits: less cost to developers, improved water quality, and more green spaces. People value living in such environments. City’s natural areas ordinance (which is being developed) fits well with livable neighborhoods.

Moving City Hall’s decision processes toward clarity and openness
A community always benefits from open, meaningful discussion prior to a major decision on public policies and projects. An open process encourages the community’s creative participation and ownership, and enhances its ongoing sense of pride in civic progress. I believe the citizens will benefit if key policy issues are discussed in-depth in the open, with healthy public participation prior to eventual Council votes on key issues.