Metropolitan Coalition AgreementTHE CrrY OF .~ Dubuque
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Metropolitan Coalition
DATE: December 13, 2007
Nine of the largest cities in the State of Iowa have come together to form the Iowa
Metropolitan Coalition to advance the legislative priorities of particular interest to Iowa's
largest communities.
The new Coalition's Articles of Agreement state: "The purpose of the Coalition is to
unite larger cities with similar concerns in an organization intended to enhance
communication and to advance their common interests and effectiveness in legislative
matters. It is the intention of the Coalition to work collaboratively with the Iowa League
of Cities in promoting the enactment of legislation beneficial to cities and opposing
legislation harmful to cities. The Coalition's member cities are dedicated to a strong
Greater Iowa. The mission of the Coalition is to develop sustainable communities for
businesses and families through economic growth and good local government."
The Metropolitan Coalition will hire a Director of Government Affairs who will staff the
initiative.
The budget for the organization through June 30, 2008, is $100,000. The membership
fee for the organization is 10¢ per capita with any part of the budget remaining split
evenly between the nine participating cities. The City of Dubuque contribution for the
current fiscal year is $8,233.93. In the City Clerk's budget there is a savings of $15,000
for election expense due to budgeting for three primaries, but only needing one during
this election cycle. This is the recommended source for this first year payment.
I respectfully recommend that the Mayor and City Council approve participating in the
Iowa Metropolitan Coalition and making the Fiscal Year 2008 contribution of $8,233.93.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
~l l~ ~, ~
Michael C. Van Milligen
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Prepares: Barry A. Lindahl, Esq. Address: Suite 330 300 Main Street, Dubuque, IA 52001
Telephone: (563) 583-4113
RESOLUTION NO. 599-07
APPROVING THE METROPOLITAN COALITION AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, the City of Des Moines, Iowa, the City of West Des Moines, Iowa,
the City of Dubuque, Iowa, the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the City of Iowa City, Iowa,
the City of Sioux City, Iowa, the City of Ames, Iowa, the City of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and
the City of Davenport, Iowa, (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Members")
consider it desirable to unite the larger cities of Iowa with similar concerns in an
organization to be known a5 T'r~e fvietroNilitan Coalition ("the Coalition") intended to
enhance communication and to advance common interests in legislative matters; and
WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Coalition to work collaboratively with the
Iowa League of Cities in promoting the enactment of legislation beneficial to cities and
opposing legislation harmful to cities as set forth in the Metropolitan Coalition
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney has reviewed and approved the Metropolitan
Coalition Agreement:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The attached Metropolitan Coalition Agreement is hereby approved
and the Mayor and City Clerk are heresy authorized to execute .the Metropolitan
Coalition Agreement for and on behalf of the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
Passed, approved and adopted this 17th day of December , 2007.
Roy D. Boul, Mayor
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
December 7, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Mayors of nine cities
Iowa League of Cities Interim Executive Director Alan Kemp
Metropolitan Coalition Announced
The mayors of nine of Iowa's largest cities announced today the formation of the
Iowa Metropolitan Coalition to advance the legislative priorities of particular
interest to Iowa's larger communities.
The possibility of the state's larger cities joining together to advance their
legislative priorities has been discussed for several years. The formation of a
Metropolitan Coalition was brought into focus when the mayors and staff of
Iowa's largest cities met at the Iowa League of Cities annual meeting this fall.
Similar organizations exist in other states, including Minnesota and North
Carolina.
"We are very pleased to be part of a coalition united to address issues of critical
concern to larger metro communities in the Iowa General Assembly" said Roy D.
Buol, Mayor of Dubuque. "An additional benefit of this initiative is the fact that it
will bring new resources to the Iowa League of Cities. The League and the
Coalition will work in partnership to advance the agenda of all Iowa cities."
The new coalition's Articles of Agreement state, "The purpose of the Coalition is
to unite larger cities with similar concerns in an organization intended to
enhance communication and to advance their common interests and
effectiveness in legislative matters. It is the intention of the Coalition to work
collaboratively with the Iowa League of Cities in promoting the enactment of
legislation beneficial to cities and opposing legislation harmful to cities. The
Coalition's member cities are dedicated to a strong Greater Iowa. The mission of
the Coalition is to develop sustainable communities for businesses and families
through economic growth and good local government."
The Metropolitan Coalition will hire a Director of Government Affairs who will staff
the initiative. League of Cities Interim Executive Director Alan Kemp said "We
believe the Metropolitan Coalition has the potential to bring additional support
and focus to the League's agenda as it relates to larger cities in the state."
METROPOLITAN COALITION AGREEMENT
December, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE L NAME, PURPOSE
Section 1. Name ................................................................................. 4
Section 2. Purpose ...............................................................................4
ARTICLE II. ORGANIZATION
Section 1. Membership .......................................................................4
Section 2. Directors and Officers ........................................................ 4
Section 3. Voting ............................................................5
Section 4. Meetings .............................................................................5
ARTICLE III. POWERS OF COALITION
Section 1. General Powers ............................................. 5
ARTICLE IV. COMMITTEES
Section 1. Executive Committee ....................................................... 5
Section 2. Other Standing Committees ............................................. 6
ARTICLE V. STAFF
Section 1.Appointment ..................................................................6
Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities .................................6
ARTICLE VI. BUDGET
Section 1. Adoption of Budget ........................................................6
Section 2. Disbursement of Funds ....................................................6
Section 3. Annual Assessment ...........................................6
Section 4. Contracts .......................................................7
Section 5. Distribution of Assets on Dissolution ......................7
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments ................................................................ 7
ARTICLE VIII. NOTICE
Section 1.Notices ...........................................................................7
Section 2. Waiver of Notices ...........................................7
ARTICLE IX. WITHDRAWAL BY MEMBERS
Section 1. Notice of Withdrawal .................................................. 7
ARTICLE X. EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION OF AGREEMENT
Section 1. Effective Date ...............................................................8
Section 2. Duration ....................................................................... 8
ARTICLE XI. SEVERABILITY
Section 1. Provisions to be Severable ............................................ 8
ARTICLE XIII. EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT
Section 1. Passage of Resolution .................................................... 8
Section 2. Signature Pages ............................................................. 8
MEMBER SIGNATURE PAGES ...............................................................
WHEREAS, the City of Des Moines, Iowa, the City of West Des Moines, Iowa, the City
of Dubuque, Iowa, the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the City of Iowa City, Iowa, the City
of Sioux City, Iowa, ,the City of Ames, Iowa, the City of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the
City of Davenport, Iowa, (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Members") consider
it desirable to unite the larger cities of Iowa with similar concerns in an organization
intended to enhance communication and to advance common interests in legislative
matters; and
WHEREAS, the Members have agreed that the terms of this Agreement shall be
given effect and govern the matters set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE MEMBERS AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1. Name. This organization shall be known as the "Metropolitan Coalition" (the
Coalition").
Section 2. Purpose. The Coalition is anon-partisan advocacy organization. The purpose
of the Coalition is to unite larger cities with similar concerns in an organization intended
to enhance communication and to advance their common interests and effectiveness in
legislative matters. It is the intention of the Coalition to work collaboratively with the
Iowa League of Cities in promoting the enactment of legislation beneficial to cities and
opposing legislation harmful to cities. The Coalition cities are dedicated to a strong
Greater Iowa. The mission of the Coalition is to develop sustainable communities for
businesses and families through economic growth and good local government.
ARTICLE II. ORGANIZATION
Section 1. Membership. The parties to this Agreement shall each be Members of the
Coalition upon execution of this Agreement as provided in Article II. Each Member of
the Coalition shall also be a member of the Iowa League of Cities.
Section 2. Directors and Officers.
Directors. The Board of Directors shall be composed of one representative from each
Member of the Coalition.
Officers. The officers of the Coalition shall consist of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and
Treasurer. One person may hold the position of Secretary and Treasurer. The duties of
the officers shall be those prescribed in this Agreement, and any additional duties as
may be prescribed by the Board of Directors by resolution adopted in accordance with
4
this Agreement. The officers shall be elected by the Board at the Organization meeting
of the Board of Directors, and thereafter annually at the annual meeting of the Board of
Directors. All officers shall hold office for a term of one year or until the succeeding
annual meeting and until a successor is elected. Officers shall be elected from among the
members of the Board of Directors. Should any officer leave office for any reason such
Officer's official position with the Member the Officer represents, such Officer's
position shall immediately become vacant. Any vacancy shall be filled at a special
meeting called for such purpose. Any officer elected to fill a vacancy shall service the
remaining term of the office.
Section 3. Voting. Each Director or Alternate shall have one vote. A majority of the
number of Directors established by this Agreement shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors. A Director or alternate
must be present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, in person or electronically, to be
eligible to vote and a Director may not vote by proxy. The affirmative vote of a majority
of the Directors present, in person or electronically, at a meeting at which a quorum is
present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Meetings. There shall be an annual meeting of the Board of Directors held
each year at such time and place as may be determined by the Board. The Board may
establish a schedule of regular meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may
be called by the Chair or at the request of any two Directors. The Chair shall preside at
all meetings of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall
preside. One or more Directors may participate in a meeting through the use of any
means of communicating by which all members of the Board participating in the
meeting may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting.
ARTICLE III -POWERS OF COALITION
Section 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the Coalition shall be managed
by the Board of Directors or by any committee established by this Agreement or as
prescribed by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors in accordance with this
Agreement.
ARTICLE IV -COMMITTEES
Section 1. Executive Committee. An Executive Committee is hereby created which shall
consist of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and two additional members elected by the
Board of Directors from its membership. The Executive Committee shall have the power
to perform ministerial acts on behalf of the Coalition, and, upon the request of the Board
of Directors, to make recommendations to the Board of Directors on matters involving
policy. Meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the Chair of the
Executive Committee, by giving written or oral notice of the meeting at least twenty-four
5
hours before the meeting specifying the time, place, and agenda of the meeting.
Section 2. Other Standing Committees. The Board of Directors may create such
committees as are necessary from time to time to assist in the accomplishment of the
objectives of the coalition.
ARTICLE V -STAFF
Section 1. Appointment. A Director of Governmental Affairs shall be appointed by the
Board of Directors to serve at the pleasure of the Coalition. The Board of Directors shall
establish conditions of employment and compensation for the Director of Governmental
Affairs and a description outlining general responsibilities and job assignment
instructions more specifically defining the duties and tasks of the Director of
Governmental Affairs. The evaluation of job performance of the Director of
Governmental Affairs shall be by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities. The Director of Governmental Affairs shall be
responsible for providing advice and assistance to the Board of Directors, the Chair and
the other officers, and the committees, and shall be responsible for administering the
operations of the Coalition. Lobbying activities engaged in by the Director of
Governmental Affairs shall be accomplished under the direction of the Board of
Directors. Unless otherwise designated, the Director of Governmental Affairs shall serve
as Secretary of the Coalition and shall have such other powers and perform such other
duties as may be provided by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE VI. BUDGET
Section 1. Adoption of Budget. The Board of Directors shall adopt a budget at the annual
meeting of the Coalition. The Executive Committee shall annually prepare a proposed
budget, and shall distribute the proposed budget to the Board of Directors at least ten
days in advance of the annual meeting. The fiscal year of the Coalition shall begin on
July 1 and end on June 30.
Section 2. Disbursement of Funds. The Director of Governmental Affairs may disburse
funds for any purpose authorized under this Agreement and by the action of the Board of
Directors, but shall not make a commitment to spend money not otherwise authorized
under the adopted budget for that year without the prior approval of the Board of
Directors or an amendment to the budget.
Section 3. Annual Assessment. The Members shall be assessed annually for the expenses
of the Coalition. Upon approval of the budget, the Board of Directors shall establish the
annual fee for each Member based upon the following formula: (a) each Member shall be
assessed ten cents per capita, based upon the population of the Member's city, according
to the most recent Decennial U.S. Census or any lawful special census, and (b) after
subtracting the per capita assessment, the balance of the expenses shown in the budget
shall be divided equally among the Member cities. Unless otherwise approved by the
Board of Directors, annual assessments shall be billed by the Coalition upon approval of
the annual budget, and shall be paid on or before July 15, except in the first year of the
Coalition, when the annual assessment shall be billed on formal approval of the budget,
and paid on or before January 15, 2008.
Section 4. Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any Officer or Officers, or
agent or agents, to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the
name of and on behalf of the Coalition.
Section 5. Distribution of Assets Upon Dissolution. Upon dissolution of the Coalition for
any reason, the assets of the Coalition, after provision for the payment of lawful debts
and obligations of the Coalition, shall be divided among the Members on the basis of
their pro-rata contributions to the Coalition in the fiscal year in which such distribution is
made.
ARTICLE VII -AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the Directors, or alternates, present, in person or electronically, at any two
regular or special meetings of the Board of Directors. Proposed amendments to this
Agreement must be made in writing and distributed at least seven days in advance of the
first meeting at which a vote on the proposed amendment will be taken. No amendment
shall take effect until it has been filed with the appropriate public agency if required by
law.
ARTICLE VIII -NOTICES
Section 1. Notices. All notices which are required or permitted to be given pursuant to
this Agreement shall be made in writing and may be (1) personally delivered, (2) sent by
ordinary mail, or (3) sent electronically and acknowledged, in each instance to the
address then on file with the Coalition.
Section 2. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required or permitted to be given
pursuant to this Agreement, a waiver of the notice in writing signed by the person entitled
to such notice, whether before or after the time stated in the notice, shall be equivalent to
the giving of the notice.
ARTICLE IX -WITHDRAWAL OF MEMBERS
Section 1. The withdrawal of any Member may be accomplished by the governing body
7
of the Member providing notice of withdrawal in writing to each of the other Members at
least six months prior to the beginning of the fiscal year in which the Member proposes to
withdraw from the Coalition.
ARTICLE X -EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION OF AGREEMENT
Section 1. Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective only upon approval
and execution by two or more of the Members, and filing of this Agreement with the
appropriate public agency if required by law.
Section 2. Duration of Agreement. The Coalition shall exist unless there are fewer than
two Members of the Coalition remaining, in which case it shall be dissolved and the
assets distributed as provided in Article VI, Section 5 of this Agreement.
ARTICLE XI - SEVERABILITY
Section 1. Provisions to be Severable. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of any such provision shall not
affect the other provisions of this Agreement which can be given effect without the
provision determined to be invalid, and to that end the provisions of this Agreement are
severable.
ARTICLE XII -EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT
Section 1. Passage of Resolution. A Participating Community shall become a party
hereto by the passage of a resolution approving this Agreement and authorizing execution
of the same by its statutory officers.
Section 2. Signature Pages. Each Member approving this Agreement shall execute the
separate signature page provided for it.
CITY OF BUBUQUE, IOWA
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
ATTEST:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
STATE OF IOWA )
) ss:
COUNTY OF DUBUQUE )
On this 17th day of December , 2007, before me, the undersigned,
a Notary Public, personally appeared Roy D. Buol and Jeanne F. Schneider, to me
personally known, who, being by me duly sworn, did state that they are the Mayor and
City Clerk, respectively, of the City of Dubuque, Iowa; that the seal affixed to the
foregoing instrument is the seal of the corporation, and that the instrument was signed
and sealed on behalf of the corporation, by authority of its City Council, as contained in
the Resolujion No. 599-07 adopted by the City Council on the17th day of
December , 2007, and that Roy D. Buol and Jeanne F. Schneider acknowledged
the execution of the instrument to be the voluntary act and deed of the municipal
corporation, by it voluntarily executed.
Notary Public in the State of Iowa
Kevin S. Firnstahl
Commission NO.745295
My Commission Expires
2/12/10