Climate Plan Update

Work on Iowa City's first ever Climate Action and Adaptation Plan is nearing completion. The public meeting originally set for Thursday, April 26 has been postponed. Another community meeting will take place in early summer and the new date will be shared soon. The plan will identify actions across several categories that our community can take to equitably reduce its carbon footprint. This includes everyday habits like transportation, diet and consumption, to larger community development projects and long-term adaptation planning.  Special thanks to the Climate Action Steering Committee for its ongoing work to help create the plan.  To learn more about Iowa City's climate action work, visit icgov.org/climateaction.

Seeking a beneficiary

The Farm to Street dinner is looking for its next beneficiary as plans are underway to dazzle North Linn Street for the third consecutive year.  The goal of the Farm to Street Dinner is to bring together members of Iowa City’s diverse, vibrant community to share a table, a story, and a meal, while supporting local food systems. Each year, revenue from the event is awarded to an area organization that is working to enhance the local food system. Apply online to be considered as a 2018 beneficiary by May 1. The Iowa City Farm to Street Dinner is a local food event presented as a joint effort between Johnson County, the Iowa City Downtown District and the City of Iowa City.  This year's dinner will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018. Ticket will go on sale Friday, June 1.

Making improvements to affordable housing

Changes to City Code are making way for new affordable housing options in Iowa City. 

The Iowa City Council passed an inclusionary zoning law last year that requires affordable housing be provided as part of the development in the Riverfront Crossing District. The City's current tax increment financing, or TIF, policy also requires affordable units. 

Developers that do not provide onsite units can instead pay a fee-in-lieu contribution to the City's Affordable Housing Fund. Several development projects are underway that will generate new affordable units and hundreds-of-thousands of dollars to the housing fund. 

Affordable units with TIF projects:

• Riverview West, 12
  
• Augusta Place, 18
• Hieronymus Square, 2 + 5 paid by the fee-in-lieu
• The Chauncey, 5
• Sabin Townhomes, 3

Affordable units in Riverfront Crossings: 

• The RISE, 33 
• Orchard Court Lofts, 5
• Dubuque Street Apartments, 5
• 1301 Gilbert, 5

To learn more about the City's efforts, visit icgov.org/affordablehousingactionplan.   

Bringing books to you

The Iowa City Public Library celebrated National BookMobile day on April 11. 

ICPL's BookMobile has had an extremely busy first year, making 752 stops, greeting 12,227 visitors, and checking items out over 20,000 times! 

'Check out' the calendar to see when the BookMobile will make a visit near you.

Subscribe and share

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #SustainableIC. Subscribe to this newsletter and other news at icgov.org/e-subscriptions. 

Upcoming Events

Earth Day at Kirkwood Iowa City

Stop by and say hello during the Earth Day event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22 at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa City. City staff will be available to chat and answer questions about Iowa City's sustainability efforts.  

Solar Power Hour

Johnson County recently announced a new program called Solarize Johnson County, an opportunity for residents in all of Johnson County and West Branch, to learn more about solar energy and potentially invest in it. 

The program will kick off at noon on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building, Room 203B-C, 855 S. Dubuque St. It will run through August with more than 20 Solar Power Hours. Learn more.

Creek Clean Up

Help clean up Ralston Creek from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, 2018. Volunteers will remove invasive species. RSVP to the Iowa City Stormwater Volunteer Opportunities Facebook event if you plan to attend. More info. 

Farmers Market

Grab your baskets, bags and boxes! The 2018 Farmers Market season kicks off on Wednesday, May 2 inside Chauncey Swan Ramp, 405 E. Washington St. The market will take place on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to noon through October.Credit, debit and SNAP/EBT cards are accepted. 

Learn more, icgov.org/farmersmarket. 

Neighborhood Wellness Events

Iowa City will host a community gardening workshop, multicultural music festival, and family sports night thanks to funding provided by Invest Health. 

The first event is all about gardening! Join Grow: Johnson County and the Global Food Project of Johnson County for a workshop at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at Wetherby Park, 2400 Taylor Dr. The first 30 families will take home a free tomato or pepper plant. 

Learn more, icgov.org/investhealth.  

Sustainability Spotlight

This month's Sustainability Spotlight features David Moore, Director of Operations at Big Grove Brewery. Dave utilizes a variety of sustainable practices to ensure Big Grove's brewing processes and facilities use their resources responsibly and efficiently. 

More, icgov.org/sustainability.

4-STAR: In March 2016, Iowa City was awarded a 4-STAR Community Rating for sustainability excellence, by being formally certified in the STAR Community Rating System. STAR offers the nation's leading certification program in evaluating local sustainability, encompassing social, economic and environmental performance measures. Learn more, www.STARcommunities.org.