Monday, August 25, 2008
Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission Meets to Draft Initial 45-Day Report on State's Recovery
Commissioners review reports submitted by nine task forces, work to finalize recovery recommendations to present to Governor Culver
(URBANDALE) — Today, the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission met to discuss the information and identified issues in reports completed by the Rebuild Iowa Office's nine recovery task forces. This working meeting was the first step toward the Commission's goal of finalizing recovery recommendations to present to Governor Chet Culver in an initial 45-day report due Sept. 2, 2008.
The Commission concluded its first of two working meetings this evening, and they will convene again at 8 a.m. tomorrow at the Comfort Suites at Living History Farms, 11167 Hickman Road in Urbandale.
"Though a great deal of work still lies ahead, the commissioners have worked hard to understand the issues facing Iowans affected by this devastating natural disaster. Many of them have been personally affected by the tornadoes, storms and flooding that left many Iowans homeless and out of work. That's why their efforts are so critical in helping the State map a road to recovery," said Gov. Culver. "I thank them for all of their hard work and time, and I look forward to receiving their initial 45-day report on Sept. 2."
The initial report will include an assessment of the storms' impact on the state's people, schools, businesses and private and public infrastructure, with recommendations for initial steps to be taken by the legislative and executive branches to assist in recovery. Another report will be presented to the Governor at 120 days as mandated by Executive Order 7, which established the RIAC and RIO.
During today's meeting, the Commission reviewed and deliberated reports from the individual task forces. Beginning July 28, 2008, the task forces held public meetings to discuss issues surrounding housing, economic and workforce development, infrastructure and transportation, agriculture and environment, education, long-term recovery planning, floodplain management and hazard mitigation, public health and health care, and cultural heritage and records retention. In addition to these public task force meetings, residents were invited to voice their ideas and desires regarding the long-term recovery of their communities at several "Speak Up Iowa!" public input sessions held across the state. Iowans were also encouraged to complete an online survey on how to best rebuild Iowa safer, stronger and smarter.
RIAC is a 15-person, bipartisan commission whose members chair nine task forces focused on specific issues that will develop further recommendations to support the state’s strategic recovery and rebuilding process. The Commission reports to Lt. Governor Patty Judge, who is executive director of the Rebuild Iowa Office, which coordinates all state recovery activities. Major General Ron Dardis of the Iowa National Guard serves as the Commission's chairman.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2008
| What: | Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission to meet and draft initial 45-day report due to Governor Chet Culver on Sept. 2, 2008. |
| Where: | Comfort Suites at Living History Farms, 11167 Hickman Road, Urbandale, Iowa *Directions: Take Hickman Road exit on Interstate 35/80. Comfort Suites is just east of the Interstate and west of the Machine Shed Restaurant on Hickman Road. |
| When: | 8:00 a.m. – noon (approximately) |