The UERPC May 2020 Newsletter is here!  http://uerpc.org/newsletters.html

Highlights include:

• REMINDER:  UERPC Offices Remain Closed to the Public
• Input from Business, Attraction and Organization Leaders Needed by May 22^nd
• COVID-19 Info for Business Leaders
• COVID-19 Updates from Iowa Workforce Development
• Iowa DOT State Recreation Trails Program Accepting Applications Through July 1^st
• Praise Received from Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund Client
• REMINDER:  UERPC Offices will be closed on Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day
• Employee Spotlight:  Sarah Snitker
• NEICAC Offering Free Home Deliveries
• Census Workers Still Needed Across the State
• UERPC Receives $5,000 from Bank of the West for Affordable Housing 
• Looking to Make an Impact? Iowa Needs You. 
• COVID-19 Volunteer Needs
• "UP" with Iowa
• May 5-2-1-0 Feature:  May is Bike Month!

Want to receive our newsletter in your inbox? Sign up here:  http://uerpc.org/newsletters.html

The UERPC April 2020 Newsletter is here! https://mailchi.mp/5e31fb34476b/uerpc-april-2020-newsletter-3195449

Highlights include:

• See Inspiring Acts? Share With #IowansUnite
• Changes to Iowa Workforce Development Services
• Helpline Providing Guidance For ALL Businesses Applying for Funding Assistance During the COVID-19 Emergency
• City of Fort Atkinson Awarded CDBG Water/Sewer Award
• UERPC Accepting Applications for Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Programs
• UERPC Region Visits Homes for Iowa Project
• Employee Spotlight:  Karine Schager
• CDBG Housing Fund Application Period Now Open
• CANCELLED:  Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival in Decorah
• REMINDER:  Don't Forget to Fill Out Your Census! 
• Census Workers Still Needed Across The State
• Thank You To Out-Going UERPC Board Members
• UERPC Staff Outing at Waukon Wellness Center
• April 5-2-1-0 Feature:  How To Practice Healthy Habits At Home
• REMINDER:  UERPC Offices Remain Closed to the Public

Want to receive our newsletter in your inbox? Sign up here:  http://uerpc.org/newsletters.html

MEMO

Date:             March 23^rd, 2020

To:                Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Participants & Landlords

From:          Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Authority (UERHA) Management

Subject:      COVID-19 Operations & Services

EFFECTIVE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25^TH, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please be advised, effective Wednesday, March 25^th until further notice, Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Authority will be implementing the following measures to project our staff, tenants, and stakeholders:

• Recertification deadlines will be extended as need demands
• Closure of Section 8 office to the public with staff working remotely
• Suspension of in person inspections  (self-certification inspections will be implemented)
• Suspension of terminations 
• Suspension of voucher issuance for current and new clients
• Suspension of moves and portability
• Landlord payments will continue to be processed
  however delays may be experienced

Our staff will continue to serve clients both remotely and in office as required to complete essential functions.  We ask that all communication be done through phone, email, fax and/or the dropbox located outside our office 134 West Greene Street, Postville, Iowa 52612.  Voicemails will be checked several times per day and your call will be returned within 24 hours. The best way to contact staff during this time is via email.  Please see attached document for additional information.

Capacity will be limited during this time; we ask for your patience
during this rapidly changing situation. 

These are challenging times, but we are here for you. We echo our governor’s guidance and strongly urge you to follow public health directives stay home if ill or experiences symptoms.  We will continue to keep you updated on UERHA services during this unprecedented public health crisis.  Further changes will be posted on our website at http://uerpc.org/regional-housing-authority.html. 

Staff can be contacted via email at the following:

• Karine Schager, General Assistance Questions, kschager@uerpc.org
• Kayla Miller, Case Worker-Allamakee, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties & West Union, kmiller@uerpc.org.
• Casey Meyer, Case Worker-Fayette & Clayton Counties, cmeyer@uerpc.org
• Katie Nolte, Housing Department Head, knolte@uerpc.org

You may also leave a voicemail at (563) 864-7551.  Voicemails will be returned within 24 hours of your call. 

Tenants and landlords may submit documents to Upper Explorerland through the following means:

• Email (see above)
• Postal Mail-134 West Greene Street, Postville, IA 52162
• Drop-box located outside our offices at the address above
• Fax-(563) 864-7535

To report a change in income the change must be anticipated to last longer than 30 days.  Income changes should be reported within 14 days of the change occurrence. Changes in assistance as a result of an income change will take effect in the month following the report.  Due to a the COVID-19 pandemic we will be allowing tenants to self-certify income changes with follow up verification.  Please contact your caseworker to obtain a income change request form.

The next RPA-1 Transportation Enhancement Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 22^nd, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

This meeting will take place via electronic means pursuant to the provisions of the Iowa Open Meetings Law, Section 21.8, Code of Iowa.

As a result of the spread of COVID-19 in the state of Iowa and based on the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is impractical for the Enhancement Committee to meet in person. Therefore, the meeting will take place virtually via the Zoom electronic meeting platform. It is open to the public and those in attendance can hear the proceedings and provide comments and questions as appropriate. Public notice of the meeting has been issued in accordance with Iowa Code Section 21.4.

To access the meeting, members of the public are instructed to visit the following web address:

tinyurl.com/vzjf2x9

Or call: 312-626-6799               Use meeting ID: 812 6209 1533

For assistance accessing the meeting, contact Aaron Detter at adetter@uerpc.org or (563) 419-6126.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of the agenda
3. Approval of September 17, 2019 meeting minutes
4. Consideration and possible recommendation of Iowa’s TAP regional funding applications for FFY 2024
5. Draft SFY 2021 Transportation Planning Work Program (TPWP)
6. RPA-1 Staff Updates
7. DOT Updates
8. Floor Items
9. Set next meeting date
10. Adjournment

Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund

Special Meeting Agenda

Thursday, April 9, 2020 @ 10:00 a.m 

This will be a conference call meeting.  Please contact 605-475-4810 to join the meeting.  Participant access code is 625970*

Meeting is being conducted via conference call for health safety due to COVID-19

1. Agenda Approval
2. Approval of Minutes from February 20, 2020 regular meeting
3. Discussion and Consider Approval of deferring loan payments temporarily due to COVID-19
4. Floor Items
5. Adjournment

Board meetings are accessible to all.  

The following documents provide information on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Notice.

IowaWORKS Centers are taking significant steps to follow the Iowa Department of Public Health's guidance for social distancing.

Effective immediately, IowaWORKS offices will only be open to customers with an appointment, or to accept identity verification from customers applying for benefits. Individuals are encouraged to call or email IowaWORKS to receive assistance:  uiclaimshelp@iwd.iowa.gov, or 866-239-0843.    

For more information and for updates, visit:  https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/updates-and-resources-about-covid-19

Due to the COVID-19 and public health concerns, both UERPC offices of 134 Greene Street, Postville and 325 Washington Street, Suite A, Decorah are closed to the public effective immediately and until further notice. Please know that we are still here to serve you. Feel free to contact us via email or phone at 563-864-7551.

**Special note regarding the Postville Office:  If you have mail to drop off, please use our exterior drop box. For updates, please check our website and follow us on Facebook.** 

**Special note on Rental Assistance: All April checks will go out as scheduled.**

Please call our office with questions or concerns at 563-864-7551. Thanks for your understanding.

The UERPC April 2020 Newsletter is here! https://mailchi.mp/5e31fb34476b/uerpc-april-2020-newsletter-3195449

Highlights include:

• See Inspiring Acts? Share With #IowansUnite
• Changes to Iowa Workforce Development Services
• Helpline Providing Guidance For ALL Businesses Applying for Funding Assistance During the COVID-19 Emergency
• City of Fort Atkinson Awarded CDBG Water/Sewer Award
• UERPC Accepting Applications for Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Programs
• UERPC Region Visits Homes for Iowa Project
• Employee Spotlight:  Karine Schager
• CDBG Housing Fund Application Period Now Open
• CANCELLED:  Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival in Decorah
• REMINDER:  Don't Forget to Fill Out Your Census! 
• Census Workers Still Needed Across The State
• Thank You To Out-Going UERPC Board Members
• UERPC Staff Outing at Waukon Wellness Center
• April 5-2-1-0 Feature:  How To Practice Healthy Habits At Home
• REMINDER:  UERPC Offices Remain Closed to the Public

Want to receive our newsletter in your inbox? Sign up here:  http://uerpc.org/newsletters.html

The UERPC February 2020 Newsletter is here! https://mailchi.mp/30ad14319078/uerpc-february-2020-newsletter-3177769

Highlights include:

• Construction is Complete!
• Funds Available for First Time Homebuyers in Monona
• West Union Receives 2020 Healthiest State Initiative Award
• Does Your City Code Need Updating? We Can Help!
• The Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2020
• National Safe Routes to School  Program Census Report
• Employee Spotlight:  Lisa Curtin
• Surprise Guest at UERPC Staff Super Bowl Party
• Hard Copies of Long-Range, Multimodal Transportation Plan Available at Area Libraries
• Regional Welding Academy Featured in Trade & Industry Magazine
• Still Plenty of "Free Friday Morning Open Gym" Opportunities
• Iowa SRTS Conference and Iowa Bike Summit
• Census 101:  Why It Matters for Kids
• February 5-2-1-0 Feature:  How To Keep Your Heart Healthy

Want to receive our newsletter in your inbox? Sign up here:  http://uerpc.org/newsletters.html

Applications for Iowa’s Transportation Alternatives Program (Iowa’s TAP) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds are now available for the UERPC region. These programs support diverse transportation projects within our region, from streets and bridges to sidewalks and transit. The current applicaiton cycle is for funding in federal fiscal year 2024.

Eligible applicants include all public agencies and local governments within the RPA-1 region 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 public agencies and local governments with jurisdictions therein. For more information, contact Aaron Detter at 563-382-6171, ext. 1203 or adetter@uerpc.org. 

Application are due February 28, 2020 and can be found on the UERPC website.

The UERPC January 2020 Newsletter is here! https://mailchi.mp/e3fa154e87f2/uerpc-january-2020-newsletter-3133317

Highlights include:

• UERPC Announces State Housing Trust Fund Award
• Call for Applications - Multimodal Transportation Grants
• Decorah Low Rent Housing Agency Merger with Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Authority
• Getting Rural America Back on Its Feet
• Did You Know? WIOA Title I On the Job Training
• Census Workers Needed
• Happy Retirement, Sue!
• Warm Welcome to Baby Bril!
• UERPC's Rachelle Howe Named ICOG Chair
• "Free Friday Morning Open Gym" Scheduled for February and March in Decorah
• REMINDER: Beat the Blues Winter "Marathon" Challenge Ends February 12^th
• Request for Exhibitors: Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival
• Tiny Northeast Iowa Town Experiencing Baby Boom
• January 5-2-1-0 Feature:  Drink More Water
• Let's Make 2020 'The Year of Change'
• PLEASE NOTE:  UERPC Offices (except IowaWORKS) will be closed on Monday, February 17th to honor President's Day

Want to receive our newsletter in your inbox? Sign up here:  http://uerpc.org/newsletters.html

The Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund (NEIRHTF) is excited to announce they were awarded State Housing Trust Fund dollars of $229,763.  State Housing Trust Fund dollars are partnered together with local match to assist limited income households in our five-county region of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek. 

Applications are available for first-time homebuyers, homeowners, landlord/for-profit organizations or non-profit organizations to promote and create affordable housing activities.  Funding availability can go up to $10,000 in the form of a grant or low-interest rate loan.  For an application or more information on the NEIRHTF program, please contact Sarah at 563-864-7551, ext. 1101.  Applications are also available in our housing section on our website, http://uerpc.org/housing-trust-fund.html.

Upper Explorerland RPC is accepting bids for upper roofing and sidewall project. 

Please submit a bid to include the upper roofing project and sidewall project at the Decorah UERPC office, 325 Washington Street, Decorah, IA. Contractors are required to maintain personal liability insurance with no less than $500,000 coverage. Please contact Rachelle Howe (563-382-6171 or rhowe@uerpc.org) for more details regarding the project. Bids can be mailed to UERPC (attn: Rachelle Howe, 325 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101), emailed to rhowe@uerpc.org or faxed to 563-864-7535.no later than 4:30 pm on 1/24/20.

The City of Elma was awarded grant funds to assist six homeowners with rehabilitating their homes. Applications will be accepted for the Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation program starting January 2, 2020. The application period is open from January 2, 2020 through January 31, 2020.  All applications postmarked between these dates will be considered. To learn more, contact Sarah Snitker at 563-864-7551 ext. 1101.

The UERPC 2019 December Newsletter is here!

Highlights include:

• Happy Holidays from UERPC
• Public Invited to Give Feedback for "All in Allamakee" County Plan at December 17th Open House
• A Sustainable Model to Address Rural Housing Shortage
• 2020 UERPC Legislative Event Held
• Praise for Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund
• Employee Spotlight: Casey Meyer
• New at IowaWORKS
• Free Beat the Blues Winter "Marathon" Challenge Starts January 1st!
• Shifting Trends in Where Millennials Want to Live
• Study of Financial Hardship in Iowa
• December 5-2-1-0 Feature:  Try These Winter Boredom Busters
• Reminder:  UERPC offices will be closed on Tuesday, December 24th, Wednesday, December 25th and Wednesday, January 1st

❄ HAPPY HOLIDAYS! ❄

The next public-engagement meeting for the “All In Allamakee” plan, Allamakee County’s Comprehensive Plan update, will be on Tuesday, December 17^th at the Waukon Wellness Center’s Senior Center (1220 3^rd Avenue NW) from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The open-house format allows people to come and go as they please whenever works for them during the four hours. Light refreshments will be provided.

The planning process so far has featured a community survey and community visioning workshops in Lansing, Postville, and Waukon. The upcoming open-house will be a round-robin-style meeting where community members are invited to review and discuss information on specific topics and provide feedback to help identify solutions and strategies for the future.

Contact Aaron Detter with any questions at 563-382-6171 ext. 1203 or adetter@uerpc.org.

The UERPC 2019 November Newsletter is here!

Highlights include:

• UERPC Attends Growing Sustainable Communities Conference
• City of Oelwein Awarded CDBG Water/Sewer Grant
• Update on Jes Wegner's "What Would You Do With $1,000?" Project
• We Appreciate You SO Much, Walking and Biking School Bus Volunteers!
• Employee Spotlight: Lee Balik
• "Time is Money" Presentation at Upcoming City Clerk's Meeting
• Another Successful Northeast Iowa STEM Festival
• November 5-2-1-0 Feature:  Pick Healthy Sides for the Holidays
• Reminder:  UERPC offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th for the Thanksgiving Holiday

The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking input for their public transit long-range plan. The survey and information about the plan can be found at https://iowadot.gov/iowainmotion/Modal-Plans/Public-Transit-Plan. Everyone is encouraged to take the survey. It will be open through November 1.

Please feel free to share with others in your community.

The UERPC 2019 October Newsletter is here!

Highlights include:

• Oelwein Intermediary Relending Program Recently Established
• Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival is October 24, 2019
• Transportation Policy Board Adopts Revamped Transportation Plan for Region
• Census 2020: What's at Stake
• Free Collection of Local Pavement Data to Change from 2-year to 4-year Cycle
• Employee Spotlight: Kim Vorwald
• UERPC Presents on Safe Routes at Iowa Cancer Summit
• UERPC Enjoys Staff Outing at Yellow River State Forest
• UERPC Joins Thousands of Iowans for Healthiest State Walk
• Walk to School Day Celebrated in Northeast Iowa
• October 5-2-1-0 Feature: Healthiest State Month
• Reminder:  UERPC offices will be closed on Monday, November 11th to honor Veteran's Day

The UERPC 2019 August Newsletter is here!

Highlights include:

• City of Guttenberg and City of St. Olaf Awarded CDBG Water/Sewer Grant
• Draft Long-Range Transportation Plan Available for Public Review
• Future Ready Iowa Summit to be Held in Postville
• Bike Safety Education for Youth
• Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Applications 
• Employee Spotlight:  Mary Fitch
• Regional Business Input Sought
• Walking and Biking School Buses Ramping Up
• Annual Iowa Downtown Conference Held
• September 5-2-1-0 Feature:  Get Ready for Walk to School Day!

The draft long-range, multimodal transportation plan for RPA-1, Safe Mobility for Everyone, is available for public review on UERPC's website. The RPA-1 Policy Board will hold a public hearing and consider adoption of the plan at its upcoming meeting on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at UERPC's offices in Postville, located at 134 West Greene Street.

Comments may be submitted via the comment form on the webpage linked above. Written or verbal comments may also be submitted to Aaron Detter, UERPC, 325 Washington Street, Suite A, Decorah, IA 52101, by email at adetter@uerpc.org, or by phone at 563-382-6171. Comments must be received before September 19, 2019.

The UERPC 2019 August Newsletter is here!

Highlights include:

• 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Campaign Expands
• Request for Exhibitors at STEM Festival in Elkader
• Upcoming Calmar Business Workforce Alliance
• Get Registered for the 2019 Healthiest State Walk
• Employee Spotlight:  Mariana Vega
• It’s Walking and Biking School Bus Time
• Allamakee County Promotional Video Released
• August 5-2-1-0 Feature:  Tips to Build a Healthy Lunch
• Reminder:  UERPC offices will be closed on Monday, September 2^nd

Want to receive our newsletter in your inbox? Sign up here:  http://uerpc.org/newsletters.html

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission has a job opening for a full-time Community Housing Associate. The Community Housing Associate will work under the general direction of the Housing Department Head and will be responsible for providing community development administrative and technical assistance to Upper Explorerland and its individual member cities and counties. This position works primary with federally funded programs designed to assist low income homeowners and first-time home buyers with housing rehabilitation projects within the five-county region served by Upper Explorerland. The Community Housing Associate assists with all aspects of administering grant programs within the Housing Department, including, but not limited to, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Program, Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund (NEIRHTF) and Federal Home Loan Bank.

Please submit resume and references to: Katie Nolte, Housing Department Head, 134 W. Greene St., Postville, IA 52162 or email to knolte@uerpc.org. Upper Explorerland is an EEO/EEP employer. 

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission has a job opening for a full-time Career Assistant. The Career Assistant will administer services through the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity (WIOA) Act, which include: Provide customer service and basic employment/unemployment assistance to IowaWORKS customers; Refer customers to community and workforce programs/services; Provide administrative and program assistance to workforce staff. Qualifications include: Associate’s Degree in human services field; or Associate’s Degree in Administrative/Office Management with combined experience in social services; Proficient with web-based programs and Google Chrome/G Suite.

Please submit resume and references to: Lisa Curtin, WIOA Title I Director, 312 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA 52101 or email to lisa.curtin@iwd.iowa.gov. Upper Explorerland is an EEO/EEP employer.