Here’s the text from my press release:

Councilman Charles Schneider Formally Files for Re-Election

West Des Moines – West Des Moines Councilman Charles Schneider officially filed paperwork today seeking re-election to his Ward 2 seat.  With this action, Councilman Schneider will have his name on the ballot this November.

“I want to build on the success we’ve had in spite of the recession.  We’ve tightened the city’s budget but at the same time continued to attract new businesses, provide quality services, and enhance the quality of life,” noted Schneider, 38, who works as legal counsel at Principal Financial Group.

“Today I’m submitting 61 signatures from constituents who are encouraging me to seek re-election.  I’m honored and humbled by those who have placed their confidence in me and support my candidacy,” remarked Schneider, who was first elected in 2007.

Schneider attended school at Sacred Heart and Dowling High School in West Des Moines.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Creighton University and his law degree and MBA from the University of Iowa.  Prior to being elected to the city council in 2007 he served on the West Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission.  He recently received the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute’s 2011 Distinguished Government Leadership Award.

New Key Bridge Now Links Waukee To WDM - Des Moines News Story - KCCI Des Moines.

Jeff has accomplished much in WDM. He has been instrumental in moving WDM from a quiet suburb to a thriving entertainment, retail and employment center. WDM has become a source of growth in a state that has been battling for decades to plug its “brain drain.”

I think it’s fair to say that all of us on the Council wish Jeff were not leaving. I am excited for him, however, as he enters into a new chapter in his professional career. I can certainly understand his enthusiasm for taking on a new challenge, and wish him well.

I attended the March 31 DART meeting with City Managers. I am pleased to report that DART and the other City Managers in attendance agreed to support West Des Moines’ suggestions to limit the amount of bonds that DART can issue, and to limit the purposes for which they can be issued. Specifically, those in attendance agreed to:

• Limit the amount of bonds that DART can issue to $3.5 million, which DART believes to be the maximum amount it will need to pay in legal settlements resulting from recent accidents;

• Limit the purpose for which the bond proceeds can be used to paying settlements for accidents incurred prior to March 1, 2010;

• Provide that this is a one-time grant of authority to DART to issue bonds.

Additionally, DART agreed that it will not raise taxes to pay bondholders.

I’m pleased with this agreement for many reasons. First, it protects taxpayers by ensuring that DART will not raise taxes, limiting the amount of bonds that will be issued, and limiting the purpose for which the bonds can be issued. Second, it lets DART free up enough resources to not have to close additional routes. Third, all parties showed flexibility in the discussions. This agreement is a testament to the ability of our communities to work together.

Bicycle Master Plan Steering Committee

The Steering Committee met with our consultant from ALTA on March 24. The purpose of the meeting was for ALTA to share with us the results of: (1) their review of previous and ongoing planning efforts affecting WDM and its streets, and (2) their assessment of the current trail and on-street bikeway network in WDM.

The next meeting is scheduled for April 28. At this meeting, ALTA will present its initial draft recommendations to the Steering Committee. The next day (April 29), there will be a public workshop to share information that ALTA has gathered up to that date, and to collect public input.

As I reported at the Council meeting, I have serious reservations about letting DART issue $6 million of bonds:

• DART has not explained why it wants to borrow $6 million from taxpayers when it believes that it only needs up to $3.5 million to pay the remaining settlements. I am concerned that DART will use the additional money for existing (or new) operating or capital expenses that it can’t support with existing revenues. This would result in higher taxes.

DART may want the extra money to serve as a cushion in case settlements will cost more than $3.5 million. If that’s the case, then that appears to me to be a poor strategy. DART would basically be inviting larger settlements, at taxpayers’ expense.

• DART hasn’t told us whether or not it will increase its tax levy to pay for the bonds. I am not going to support a tax increase.

• DART hasn’t asked that this be a one-time, or even a sole-purpose, issuance. Thus, DART is asking us to give it the power to issue general obligation bonds at any time in the future and for any purpose. I am not comfortable giving DART more sources of tax revenue than it already has.

To be clear, I do want to help DART find cost savings if it can be done in a fiscally responsible way. A more fiscally responsible approach, in my mind, would include the following:

• DART issuing no more than it believes it will need to fund the settlements. It has told us that it will need no more than $3.5 million.

• DART agreeing that it will not raise its tax levy to issue the bonds.

• DART not be allowed to issue bonds at any other time or for any other purpose.

Issuing bonds with these conditions in place will let DART save money by using the bond proceeds to pay down an existing line of credit with its bank. Its bank charges DART more interest than DART will have to pay to bondholders. Thus, DART will immediately save money in interest payments, which in turn will save DART from making additional service reductions. At the same time, it will also protect taxpayers.

Public Works Director Bret Hodne typically sends Council Members regular updates on what his department is doing to prepare for and handle snowstorms. With the large amount of snow we’ve seen in recent weeks, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about some of the same issues that Bret discusses in his emails. Here is an excerpt from an email Bret sent to Council Members earlier this afternoon regarding preparations for the latest snowstorm:

“Currently we have staff assigned on a 24/7 shift basis and will be in that mode until most of the post storm activities are completed. With the snow starting just prior to the afternoon rush hour today, the timing is not ideal. We will have crews out on the street during this period, but will have to stay off many of the major arterials until traffic lightens up. On these busy streets, we oftentimes can either create significant traffic flow issues with our plow trucks or traffic delays can hinder our ability to provide effective services in other areas.

We will be plowing streets throughout the duration of the event. Snow is forecasted to be over tomorrow but it appears the wind will be a significant issue once again with this storm. Crews will focus on keeping the arterial streets open at all times and will work into the collector and residential streets as the conditions allow. Due to lack of storage on adjacent right-of-ways, we will probably be doing a lot of post storm work with blowing and hauling of snow. With the current conditions, we have implemented a contingency plan in the event we have to haul a considerable amount of snow. We have secured pricing and commitments from various contractors to assist if the conditions warrant this work. At this point the cul-de-sacs are the biggest area of concern. In the event we get on the strong side of the predicted snowfall totals, contract plow operators may have to plow the snow to the center of some of the cul-de-sac streets and then we will have to haul out the snow after the storm. Our contractors are on stand-by to assist with this operation and staff has identified and secured both public and private property to dump the snow in various areas of the City. By having this plan in place, it will allow us to handle the snow expediently with minimal disruption to the residents who reside in these areas.

On another note, the high tomorrow is predicted to be extremely cold. This will once again mean that the effectiveness of any deicers we may use will be greatly diminished. If you hear any comments about snow and ice on streets, this will be the reason why. We will use rock salt with heavy applications of liquid calcium chloride in limited areas where heavy traffic or hazardous conditions may occur.”

I’ve been impressed with how our Public Works Department has handled the snow storms we’ve experienced since I’ve been on City Council. I know they put in long hours during these events and they work hard to exceed expectations. Bret’s email illustrates how much planning they do to prepare for and handle snowstorms.

I hope everyone stays safe during this latest storm. As always, please contact me with any questions or comments.

MOODY’S, S&P AFFIRM CREDIT RATINGS

As most of you probably know, cities typically fund their capital improvements by issuing bonds and paying back the debt over a period of time. Having a high credit rating is important for taxpayers because it allows cities to issue debt with low interest rates.

S&P recently affirmed its ‘AAA’ long-term rating assigned to West Des Moines. AAA is S&P’s highest rating. It based its rating for West Des Moines on the following credit factors:

• Status as an employment and residential center for the entire Des Moines metropolitan area,

• Access to the large and diverse Des Moines area economy,

• Economic indicators that compare favorably with state and national averages, and

• A historically strong financial position with conservative management.

Moody’s also recently affirmed its Aa1 rating for West Des Moines. Moody’s stated that the rating is indicative of West Des Moines’ sizable tax base experiencing ongoing diversification and supported by individuals with a favorable socioeconomic profile; and solid financial operations bolstered by sizable General Fund reserves.

REFINANCING SAVES TAXPAYERS $1.3 MILLION

I voted with the rest of the Council members at the October 5, 2009, Council meeting to issue refunding bonds to take advantage of a favorable interest rate climate and save taxpayer money. The bid we voted to approve will result in a net savings of almost $1.3 million to taxpayers.