June 7 AM Update from the Corridor Business Journal

Today's Headlines

Nyemaster Goode recognized as top employer

IC planning and zoning commission to consider major site plan review

Linn County to move Jean Oxley Public Service Center

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June 8

I-Renew Expo, June 8-10, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids campus. Tour wind and solar training facilities, view solar electric panels and wind generator components, see environmentally-friendly vehicles. Keynote speakers: Tim Dwight, Jeremy Symons, Bill Leighty. For more information, visit www.irenew.org/expo.html.

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Thursday, June 7, 2012

The day's headlines in your inbox by 11 a.m. daily

Nyemaster Goode recognized as top employer

Cedar Rapids law firm Nyemaster Goode was recently recognized as one of the Top 30 Employers by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

"Employers named as finalists for the award distinguish themselves not only for adhering to the employment and reemployment rights of Guard and Reserve members, but for actively creating opportunities to assist and support the service of both Guard and Reserve employees and their families," Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa, Fourth District) told Congress May 31. "Nyemaster Goode's unwavering support of our citizen warriors has truly placed the firm as a shining example to our nation's most prominent businesses."

IC planning and zoning commission to consider major site plan review

At its formal meeting tonight, Iowa City's planning and zoning commission will discuss a major site plan review for the Montclair Apartments property at 201 N. First Ave., two blocks south of the intersection of First and Rochester avenues.

Twenty percent of the property owners of 201 N. First Ave. are requesting an expansion of the lot, to allow for the construction of a 36-unit apartment building behind the two existing structures.

City staff has recommended approval of the site plan. The planning and zoning commission's recommendation will move on to city council for approval.

The commission meets at 7 p.m. at city hall, 410 E. Washington St.

Coralville hosts retirement reception for 36-year employee

The public is invited to a retirement reception for former Wastewater Superintendent Brian Lamansky. The reception will be at Coralville City Hall, 1512 Seventh Street, June 12, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Mr. Lamansky, who retired May 31, began working for the city of Coralville on November 4, 1975.

Linn County to move Jean Oxley Public Service Center

Linn County is moving the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center. Linn County departments currently located at Linn County West will move in stages, with the largest offices closed June 14 and 15 for the move and will reopen in the new location June 18 at 8 a.m. The new address for the building is 935 Second St. SW, Cedar Rapids.

The following departments will be closed for their move from Linn County West to their new permanent location at the Public Service Center on the following dates and will reopen on the next business day:

- June 11 - Purchasing/Mailroom

- June 12 - Human Resources, Risk Management and Finance & Budget

- June 13 - Board of Supervisors and support staff

- June 14, June 15 - Treasurer's Office

- June 15 - Recorder's Office, Auditor's Office, Planning and Development and County Assessor

During the move, planning and development staff can be contacted at (319) 892-5130 about inspections that must be completed before the weekend.

Linn County's return to its pre-flood home follows an extensive renovation project that has changed the layout of the building to provide better customer service and improved access for the public.

One of the most significant changes the public will notice is that the treasurer's office, which receives nearly 75 percent of the building's traffic, has been relocated to the first floor for more convenient access for the public. The treasurer's office will use a new customer service numbering system, similar to what is used at the department of transportation's driver's license station. It will allow customers in the treasurer's office the convenience of sitting down in the waiting room until their number is called instead of standing in line during busy times and should reduce wait time.

Parking at the public service center has also been expanded with Linn County's acquisition of land across Second Street.

The Board of Supervisors named the building after former Linn County Supervisor Jean Oxley to honor the contributions she made to Linn County during her 24-year tenure as the first woman supervisor in Linn County.

The cost of the renovated and redesigned Jean Oxley Public Service Center is $14.8 million. Funding for the improvements comes from a $4.4 million I-JOBS grant, a $4.5 million direct appropriation from the state of Iowa, approximately $4.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, $1.2 million that Linn County set aside pre-flood to renovate the building, and about $400,000 in grants from the Department of Energy.

The renovations help protect against future flood threats, meet pre-flood space needs and reduce the lifetime operational cost of the building by using energy efficient and sustainable building practices. The building will meet Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards, an internationally recognized green building certification system.

Court functions return to courthouse

The following court functions have also been located at Linn County West and will be moving back to the Linn County Courthouse on June 7 and open for business June 8: clerk of court, small claims court and traffic court.

Following these moves, Linn County offices will no longer be located at Linn County West (Westdale Mall).

The opening of the Jean Oxley Public Service Center marks another significant step in Linn County's rebuilding efforts following the 2008 flood. In 2010, the Linn County Sheriff's Office reopened. Last fall, Linn County held ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the new Community Services Building and the new Juvenile Justice Center. Renovations at the Linn County Courthouse and Correctional Center are scheduled to be complete this year. These last two projects will complete Linn County's repair and rebuilding of county infrastructure that was damaged in the 2008 flood.

A ribbon-cutting and open house for the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center will be held July 31 from 5:15-7 p.m.

For more information about Linn County's rebuilding projects visit www.linncounty.org and click on the "Flood Recovery" tab.

KGAN / KFXA HEADLINES CBS-FOX logo

News items provided by KGAN/KFXA

Correction: Yesterday, a KGAN news brief referred to news at the Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity. The Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity did not receive any 2008 flood funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Iowa Valley's ReStore does not intend to make $1 million this year. The brief did not make a distinction between the two agencies.

University of Iowa officials say they haven't given up their fight for federal funding to replace the flood-damaged art museum. Administrators told the Board of Regents on Wednesday that litigation is one potential avenue, given a second rejection for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Replacing the museum damaged in the 2008 flooding could cost $75 million, far more than the $40 million figure provided last month.

Survivors of a U.S. spy ship attacked by Israeli forces in 1967 are expected to appear at two events in Iowa to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the deadly attack. Ed Flaherty of Veterans for Peace says survivors of the USS Liberty from Iowa, Missouri and Illinois will speak at the events Friday at noon at the Old Capitol in Iowa City and at 6 p.m. on Mays Island in Cedar Rapids. The attack on the ship occurred in international waters during the Six-Day War in 1967. Israel has called the attack a mistake, with its forces believing they were targeting an Egyptian vessel.

Former Wisconsin player Jarrod Uthoff says he's transferring to Iowa even though Badgers coach Bo Ryan restricted the Hawkeyes from contacting him. Mr. Uthoff told The Associated Press on Wednesday night that he'll have to pay his own way next year at Iowa and will also have to sit out the 2012-13 season per NCAA transfer rules. Mr. Ryan's decision to place what many believed were heavy restrictions on Mr. Uthoff's list of transfer options drew national criticism. Mr. Uthoff, who is from nearby Cedar Rapids, says he didn't want money to be a factor in his decision.

KGAN WEATHER

CBS 2 FirstWarning Weather -- The forecast will remain fairly quiet for the next few days as a larger ridge of High pressure dominates the headlines and keeps the skies clear. Temperatures continue to gradually warm today and tomorrow as we find sunny skies and quiet conditions. With an approaching warm front, the humidity will continue to slowly increase with highs today in the lower 80s and the mid 80s on Friday. That will set up for a hot and humid weekend.