Q&A with Cedar Rapids City Council candidate David Maier

David Maier is running as an at-large candidate for the Cedar Rapids City Council. He is not an incumbent. Here are his answers to a survey we sent to all of the candidates.

Occupation & Employer: Finance and Control Manager at Transamerica

Why are you seeking a seat on city council?

I am a demonstrated leader in the community, including serving as Treasurer on four local nonprofit Boards (Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Revival Theatre Community, CR Pride, and CSPS Hall) and as the Vice Chairperson on the City's Public Art Commission. Professionally, I am a Certified Public Accountant, earned my MBA in finance and strategy from Northwestern University, and have more than 30 years experience working in finance and accounting for global companies. My collaborative leadership style, expertise in budgeting and financial analysis, and passion for Cedar Rapids makes me an ideal public servant for city council.

What are the three largest issues facing the community and what will you do to address them?

Many of the larger issues facing the community are addressed separately in the candidate questionnaire, including availability and access to affordable housing, homelessness, sustainable economic development, and repurposing the city center. Three additional large issues facing Cedar Rapids include flood control, impact to Cedar Rapids from bills passed in the 2023 session of the 90th Iowa General Assembly, and contingency planning for the inevitable next disaster to our community.

Flood control

A flood control system is an absolute necessity for the sustainability and safety of all Cedar Rapidians. The City continues to make progress on building our flood control system, which is needed to prevent another $5 billion in property and economic damages from the 2008 flood. Flood infrastructure construction is about 30% complete and the project is anticipated to be 100% complete in 2035.

As your representative on City Council, I will ensure that the flood control system is funded, and this critical project is completed on schedule.

Impact from bills passed in the 2023 session of the 90th Iowa General Assembly

The Iowa League of Cities efficiently summaries new laws passed by the Iowa Legislature that are of interest to cities. Numerous bills that passed in the recent legislation session limit local control and have significant impact on cities, including bills that implement a single date annually for bond elections, limit the allowable percentage increase in property taxes, reorganization of government agencies that reduce the number of cabinet-level agencies from 37 to 16, prohibit energy benchmarking, and reform education practices in our schools.

The specific impacts from these new laws, especially resulting from the reorganizations to government agencies, is still being assessed. As your representative on City Council, I will ensure that a comprehensive assessment is completed and actions are taken to minimize disruptions to any services provided to Cedar Rapidians, including mental health, housing, transportation, and other support services provided to the most vulnerable persons in our community.

The next disaster

Cedar Rapidians have already endured several disasters, including floods, a derecho, and a pandemic, which significantly disrupted our lives and well-being. I was living in Minneapolis, MN in 2007 when the I-35W bridge collapsed, and working in Chicago, IL as a college intern in 1987 when a minor earthquake shook downtown.

Although it is not feasible to determine the likelihood and impact of the next disaster, it is inevitable and will cause damage and disruption to our community. Being prepared reduces fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters.

The City’s comprehensive emergency preparedness plan, Neighborhood P.A.C.T. (i.e., prepare, act, communicate, train), clarifies that everybody can take steps to prepare for emergencies and that knowing what to do before and after an emergency can help prevent a worse disaster. The plan provides useful information so that individuals and their families know what to do, where to go, and have resources in place to provide the best possible outcome.

As your representative on City Council, I will help ensure that the Neighborhood P.A.C.T. and the valuable information maintained within it is disseminated and available to all Cedar Rapidians, and is revisited at least annually to ensure its content is current and still relevant. I applaud Linn County for creating its first-ever resiliency hub, and again, its awareness could be more effectively shared with the community. I will encourage more communication and coordination between the City and County to help ensure alignment on business continuity planning and disaster recovery. After an event, I will ensure the City promptly and aggressively requests emergency funds from the state and federal governments.

What do you see as the greatest affordable housing needs, and how could the city facilitate more affordable housing options for homeowners and renters?

I concur with the Alliance for Equitable Housing that the key actions needed to help address affordable housing issues are to 1) improve the quality of existing housing stock, 2) increase the number of affordable housing units, 3) provide support and connect individuals with less-than-ideal backgrounds (e.g., poor or no credit, felony record, low to no income) with the appropriate resources currently available in the community, and 4) recognize and address the many existing biases or discriminatory practices to help ensure more equitable housing practices are implemented.

Many affordable housing services are currently available to residents of Cedar Rapids, including:

• CDBG-DR funding administered by the IDEA

• Low Income Housing Tax Credit

• Housing Fund for Linn County (HFfLC)

• Matthew 25’s PATCH program

• Waypoint’s Tenant Academy

• The Neighborhood Finance Corporation

• Affordable Housing Network

• HACAP

I was not aware of many of these services until I started campaigning for City Council and proactively engaged with these organizations at community events and attended the September Affordable Housing Commission meeting at city hall. The City (and County) as well as nonprofits could be more creative at marketing and promoting these programs, including providing information through local churches and shops frequented by underserved individuals.

The Heights project near my home could be a model for future affordable housing projects: repurposing an existing dilapidated structure, obtaining community input during project planning, providing 'wraparound' services to families, and turning property management over to a nonprofit or other third party with expertise in managing similar properties.

Research has shown that building new housing can quickly drive down housing costs across metropolitan areas. I commend the City for adopting its ADU ordinance to increase the number of available housing units. The City can do more to help facilitate new housing by encouraging more multi-unit or mixed-use buildings in non-historic areas of the city, lowering minimum lot sizes, and eliminating or lowering minimum parking requirements. Additionally, the City can follow the examples of Montgomery County, MD and King County, WA, which have found success by making publicly owned land and buildings available for the development of affordable housing.

As homelessness increases in Linn County, what solutions would you plan to explore to expand or streamline services and housing access for those experiencing homelessness?

Recent data reveals there are 138 people in Linn County without a home. Although the number of unhoused individuals in our community may not be as high as other metropolitan areas, any number of unhoused people is too many.

The visibility of the unhoused congregating in Green Square Park has raised awareness of the homelessness in our city, and as a result, likely the urgency to develop a long-term solution. Some of my neighbors who live near Brucemore are afraid to go downtown because of the unhoused. While serving on the CRMA’s Board of Trustees, several donors and patrons who live in Marion, Hiawatha, and Robins expressed that they are not comfortable attending evening programs because of the unhoused near the museum and in its parking lot.

Homelessness is a national issue, and thus Cedar Rapids should look to experts for guidance and leverage best practices implemented in other communities. I applaud the City for coordinating with The National Alliance to End Homelessness, a leading voice on homelessness, in June 2023 to improve its processes to help reduce the number of persons experiencing homelessness in our community.

As recommended by the Alliance, the City Housing Services and Community Development departments should promptly 1) establish a local oversight board to assess data and set target goals, 2) re-image the coordinated entry system to ensure equal access to the system no matter how people access services, and 3) invest in diversion to support people before they experience homelessness.

The City Housing Services and Community Development departments should consider implementing unsheltered best practices proven effective in other cities, similar to Houston’s ‘Housing First’ approach, which is a housing program that seeks to quickly move homeless individuals and families from shelters to permanent housing.

What do you see as priorities when it comes to the city's economic development? In what areas do you think the city has growth potential? What's most at risk and what would you do about it?

In 2014, the City contracted with AngelouEconomics, one of the nation’s leading economic development consulting firms, to help create its economic development strategy. Earlier this year, AngelouEconomics visited Cedar Rapids and ‘refreshed’ the strategy and reaffirmed that the target industries for development should include 1) agriculture-based life sciences, 2) logistics and distribution, 3) financial services and real estate, and 4) manufacturing. I defer to the experts that these are the appropriate areas of growth potential.

Cedar Rapids is fortunate to have several regional ‘feeder’ colleges and universities including Kirkwood Community College, and resources such as NewBoCo and the Economic Alliance, to cultivate economic growth.

A key risk is the relevancy of the existing integrated supply chain for respective businesses. For example, when Quaker Oats began it operations 150 years ago, Iowa farmers grew oats and therefore it made sense from an integrated supply chain perspective to locate the mill in Cedar Rapids. However, Iowa farmers now grow mostly corn and soybeans, and oats are now imported primarily from Canada, and therefore maintaining a mill in Cedar Rapids may no longer be prudent. The age of the plant and its equipment and the inefficiency of a vertical manufacturing facility like the Quaker facility increase the risk of the operations not remaining in town.

Cedar Rapids is resilient at attracting new manufacturing operations. It certainly is exciting to see several new manufacturing facilities opening in Cedar Rapids, including facilities owned and operated by Sub-Zero, Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems. In my opinion, this is largely due to a skilled workforce and low cost of living… companies like Quaker may need to be reminded of these competitive advantages that Cedar Rapids offers.

As local partners work to finalize the updated Downtown Vision Plan, what would you say are the greatest needs to revitalize Cedar Rapids' downtown? How would you propose taking action?

I am anxiously awaiting Progressive Urban Management Associates to distribute their Downtown Vision Plan to the community. I enthusiastically support their recommendations to activate connections between the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, repurpose underused spaces on Third Street SE between downtown and NewBo, and close the Second Street bridge and reinvent it into a High Line-type park.

Cedar Rapids is making great strides to activate Cedar Lake and Cedar River though the public-private partnership project Connect CR and the Greenway Parks Plan that is being planned in conjunction with the flood control system project. Obtaining feedback from the community on these projects is a prudent approach…I have already provided my feedback on the Greenway Parks Plan.

Despite the inconvenience of the flood control project, the consequential improvements to greenspaces and waterways will activate the city’s core. Until the First and First West development, my perspective was that across the river was ‘too far’ from downtown. I also thought the AAMI was far from NewBo, when in fact it basically shares a parking lot with CSPS Hall. During Festival Latino, I marveled at the beauty of the Amphitheatre and the downtown skyline. The increased attractions and enhanced walkability will help make the city center a recreational destination.

It's not clear to me if downtown will ever return to being an office hub for employers. Many of the buildings are outdated and seem to lack appropriate ventilation, and the skywalks are downright depressing. However, I am not an urban planning expert. If the scope of Progressive Urban Management Associates’ vision does not include strategies to reactivate downtown as feasible location for growth for employers and employees, a separate study should be commissioned to assess it.

Since passing its community climate action plan, which calls for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Cedar Rapids has taken steps to implement the plan such as creating community gardens. Are there other things you'd like to see the city do to address climate change?

The City’s CCAP was completed relatively recently, included a respected advisory committee, and solicited input from diverse focus groups and public surveys. The CCAP and its 24 action plans are comprehensive and relevant.

I attended a community forum in September 2023 hosted by Buffalo Rebellion at Coe College themed ‘Localizing Climate Change: Impact and Action.’ I asked the panel what more could be done, both as individuals and collectively as a community, to help achieve net zero carbon emissions. The discussion focused on the importance of net metering, which is already law in Iowa but not in effect until July 1, 2027 or when statewide distributed generation penetration reaches 5%.

One of the reasons I eat a plant-based diet is its environmental benefits: a plant-based (vegan) diet reduces greenhouse gas emissions, decreases the use of cropland, saves water and improves water quality, and decreases pollutants leaching into water and soil. The CCAP refers to the benefits of gardens but does not explicitly address the benefits of eating a plant-based diet or eating more fruits and vegetables. I recognize that Iowa is the number one pork producing state in the United States and the top state for pork exports, and thus the sensitivity of encouraging less meat consumption, but the Cedar Rapids area also has many small farms that would benefit from the community eating more vegetables.

City Manager Jeff Pomeranz is 65, and has not indicated any plans to retire yet. It seems possible the council members elected this year would be involved in appointing his successor sometime during their term. How would you approach the task of selecting the person who runs day-to-day operations of the city and implements the policy you set on council? What traits are most important to you in the next city manager?

The City should hire a third-party executive search firm that ideally specializes or at least has substantial experience with recruiting city executives. City Council will need to assess the level of community input to solicit for candidate characteristics or experience required/preferred.

Traits that are most important to me include:

• best-in-class collaborator and influencer

• effective coach and mentor

• recognizes the importance of employee engagement and development

• foresight

• team player

• passionate and effective communicator

• integrity

While serving on the Board of Directors of CSPS Hall and the About Face Theatre in Chicago, IL, I led executive search committees to recruit, interview, and hire new Executive Directors for the organizations. Additionally, while working as a Senior Finance Director at PepsiCo, I planned new leader integrations for two Senior Vice Presidents and helped successfully onboard them.

Leadership changes are often disruptive. A comprehensive transition plan is likely already in place, but if it is not, a plan needs to be promptly developed that addresses recruiting and onboarding.

Recent state legislation has challenged local governments' budgets. If you had to cut the city's budget or reduce proposed spending, what areas would you look to for savings and why?

As a Big 4 CPA, Kellogg MBA with more than 30 years of progressive finance, accounting, and audit experience at Fortune 100 companies, I have substantial experience developing budgets and forecasts with aggressive spending reduction targets. Additionally, while serving as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for four local nonprofits (CRMA, Revival Theatre Company, CSPS Hall, and CR Pride), I identified and implemented many actions to eliminate or reduce costs and increase profitable revenue.

I attended the April 25, 2023, City Council meeting specifically for the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Public Hearing, and in conjunction with responding to this questionnaire, revisited the FY 2024 Budget presentation. With this limited amount of data, I would be negligent if I tried to identify specific areas for savings.

That being said, in these situations, I first look for opportunities to increase revenue and drive profitable growth. With the vast majority of revenue from taxes and fines/penalties mostly paid by residents, increasing revenue would be extremely unpopular but could be necessary (e.g., to help fund the City’s portion of the flood control system).

As highlighted in an analysis performed by McKinsey & Company that was summarized in their whitepaper ‘Unlocking the full potential of city revenues,’ a creative way to increase revenue without raising taxes or fines/penalties is to improve collection of accounts receivable. I reviewed the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022 but did not see an Accounts Receivable Aging (not too surprising) or the amount of uncollectable Accounts Receivable written off to expense (a bit surprising that this information was not included), so I am unable to estimate the potential upside resulting from enhanced collections policies and procedures.

When looking at expenses to reduce, I would first determine if there were expenses that could be delayed to the next fiscal year(s), such as nonessential maintenance or capital improvement projects. Also, I would identify expenses that do not efficiently support the City Council’s seven strategic goals. Again, I have insufficient data to identify specific expenses to cut.

It's important to recognize that the City does not yet have a permanent Finance Director to replace Casey Drew, who retired in December 2022 after 35 years working for the City. His institutional knowledge cannot be replaced, and it appears the City continues to struggle to find an appropriate backfill. Having a member of City Council with my experience, a Big 4 CPA, Kellogg MBA with more than 30 years finance experience including Government Accounting Standards experience while at KPMG, will be extremely beneficial, if not absolutely necessary, to help navigate the budget challenges ahead.

What options do you think the city could pursue to fill gaps in the transportation network (buses, bikeways/trails, streets), especially to support low-income households, those without easy access to a vehicle, and/or people with mobility issues?

When I first moved to Cedar Rapids, I lived on the NE side on 32nd Street NE near C Avenue, worked downtown, and did not have a vehicle. The real estate app Zillow defined my neighborhood as car-dependent and minimal transit but was deemed somewhat bikeable.

I rode my bike or walked to work during warmer weather, and the first time I slid on frost on the road, I decided to start taking a bus.

The schedules were available online and were generally accurate. Vehicles were clean and drivers were friendly. The challenge was the last bus from downtown to the NE side departed at 6:30 PM, and often I would have to shut down before my work was complete in order to catch the last bus.

Relying on bicycles and public transportation while living on near NE side and working downtown in an ‘office’ job was manageable but less than ideal. I do not believe that it would have been possible for me to work a second or third shift or at a location outside of the city center without access to a vehicle. Transportation should not be a barrier to employment for any Cedar Rapidian.

During a Community Block Party hosted earlier this year by the Eastern Iowa Heath Center, I spoke with representatives from Waypoint and their Neighborhood Transportation Service (NTS). NTS operates a curb-to-curb van service and provides affordable night and weekend transportation to work, school, or life skill classes during times when fixed-route city buses do not operate. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are also available. However, at $6 a ride, the service may be cost prohibitive for certain residents.

Earlier this month, I rode my bike to the Try Transit event hosted by the City at the Catherine McAuley Center in conjunction with Move More Week. I learned about the free fare programs that are available for city buses for seniors, many students, and passengers with disabilities or below defined income thresholds. (Side note: I rode my bike to the event solely so I could learn how to load by bike to the front of a bus… just three easy steps and proud of myself for finally learning to do it!).x`Iowa City has made their city busses even more affordable with their Fare Free Iowa, which is a two-year pilot program that provides free rides on Iowa City buses for everyone. I commend the City of Iowa City for making buses free with the goal of improving access to safe, affordable, reliable, and sustainable transportation.

Other smaller cities are taking even bolder actions. On-demand public transit, commonly referred to as microtransit, is becoming increasingly popular across the United States, particularly in small cities, suburbs, and rural areas, to expand bus access and fill in transportation gaps. For example, the city of Wilson, NC (population of 50,000) partnered Via, a leader in microtransit service, that allows riders to request a trip at any time through an app, website, or phone for $2.50 a trip.

I lived in Copenhagen, Denmark for one year and public transportation and a bicycle were my only forms of transportation. The City of Copenhagen estimates that almost half of all trips to work or school in the city are by bike, even with an extremely efficient public transportation system. The main reason I was comfortable riding my bike to work was the simple curb that separated cyclists from vehicle traffic. In conjunction with the broad EnvisionCR plan, the City adopted a Complete Street policy. I feel much safer riding my bike along Complete Streets that have some time of barrier between vehicles and bicyclist, and hope the Complete Street encourages other residents to walk or bike for transportation and not just for a social activity.

Cedar Rapids should continue current initiatives to provide low-cost and reliable transportation via city busses and services like NTS and also leverage best practices in other cities to fill gaps in its transportation network. A recent example of Cedar Rapids implementing a best practice from another city is the pilot program to subsidize bikes and electric bikes for low-income households that was based on a similar and successful program in Denver, CO.