Rebuild Iowa panel members see role ending

DES MOINES - Members of the governor's disaster recovery commission congratulated themselves Monday on the role they have played in helping Iowa bounce back from floods and tornadoes and then said it's probably time for them to leave the stage.

"There's a big part of me that wants to declare victory and go home," said Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission member Jim Davis of Charles City, who moved back into his flood-damaged home three weeks ago. Although proud of the work the 15-member panel has done since being appointed in July, Davis said the law of diminishing returns should be applied when considering its future.

"I'm not sure I'm adding that much value to what they're doing," banker Mike Earley said about approximately 30 people who spent the afternoon in the commission meeting. "I'd hate to have this become another commission sitting around taking valuable staff time entertaining us."

Iowa City businessman Bill Bywater, who joined the meeting by phone, recommended panel members delay a decision on their future role until after the Legislature adjourns "and we see what they left us."

Although there was consensus their role is winding down, commission members were adamant the state has much work to do help Iowans recover from the 2008 disasters and prepare for the next disaster, whatever it might be.

Each hard rain, each flash flood or even threat of flooding raises Iowans' anxiety, Earley said. As the first anniversary of the flooding rolls around, memories "will be vivid in people's minds in Cedar Rapids," Perry farmer Brent Halling added.

"People are wondering what's going to happen when the water comes and nothing has been done," he said.

People used to view a river in their community as an asset, labor leader Bill Gerhard of Iowa City said. "Now they wonder what can be done to ensure it doesn't happen again. We've got to come up with solutions."

The Rebuild Iowa Office is working on those long-term solutions even as works to meet the needs of Iowans who suffered damages in the 2008 disasters, Lt. Gen. Ron Dardis, told commissioners. Dardis, RIO's executive director, predicted discussions about flood mitigation will continue for years. It often takes the Army Corps of Engineers up to five years to review plans for levees, floodwalls and other flood protections.

In the meantime, Gerhard said, "we're getting a roadmap to the future. The next disaster, we'll be light years ahead" because of the work that is being done now.

"We can't start soon enough to get started," Halling added.