2009 Iowa Code
Title 8 - Transportation
Subtitle 1 - Highways and Waterways
CHAPTER 303 - DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS
303.3C - IOWA GREAT PLACES PROGRAM.

        303.3C  IOWA GREAT PLACES PROGRAM.
         1. a.  The department of cultural affairs shall establish and
      administer an Iowa great places program for purposes of combining
      resources of state government in an effort to showcase the unique and
      authentic qualities of communities, regions, neighborhoods, and
      districts that make such places exceptional places to work and live.
      The department of cultural affairs shall provide administrative
      assistance to the Iowa great places board.  The department of
      cultural affairs shall coordinate the efforts of the Iowa great
      places board with the efforts of state agencies participating in the
      program which shall include, but not be limited to, the department of
      economic development, the Iowa finance authority, the department of
      human rights, the department of natural resources, the state
      department of transportation, and the department of workforce
      development.
         b.  The program shall combine resources from state government
      to capitalize on all of the following aspects of the chosen Iowa
      great places:
         (1)  Arts and culture.
         (2)  Historic fabric.
         (3)  Architecture.
         (4)  Natural environment.
         (5)  Housing options.
         (6)  Amenities.
         (7)  Entrepreneurial incentive for business development.
         (8)  Diversity.
         c.  Initially, three Iowa great places projects shall be
      identified by the Iowa great places board.  The board may identify
      additional Iowa great places for participation under the program when
      places develop dimensions and meet readiness criteria for
      participation under the program.
         d.  The department of cultural affairs shall work in
      cooperation with the vision Iowa and community attraction and tourism
      programs for purposes of maximizing and leveraging moneys
      appropriated to identified Iowa great places.
         e.  As a condition of receiving state funds, an identified
      Iowa great place shall present information to the board concerning
      the proposed activities and total financial needs of the project.
         f.  The department of cultural affairs shall account for any
      funds appropriated from the endowment for Iowa's health restricted
      capitals fund for an identified Iowa great place.
         2. a.  The Iowa great places board is established consisting
      of twelve members.  The board shall be located for administrative
      purposes within the department of cultural affairs and the director
      shall provide office space, staff assistance, and necessary supplies
      and equipment for the board.  The director shall budget moneys to pay
      the compensation and expenses of the board.  In performing its
      functions, the board is performing a public function on behalf of the
      state and is a public instrumentality of the state.
         b.  The members of the board shall be appointed by the
      governor, subject to confirmation by the senate.  At least one member
      shall be less than thirty years old on the date the member is
      appointed by the governor.  The board shall include representatives
      of cities and counties, local government officials, cultural leaders,
      housing developers, business owners, and parks officials.
         c.  The chairperson and vice chairperson shall be elected by
      the board members from the membership of the board.  In the case of
      the absence or disability of the chairperson and vice chairperson,
      the members of the board shall elect a temporary chairperson by a
      majority vote of those members who are present and voting, provided a
      quorum is present.
         d.  Members of the board shall be appointed to three-year
      staggered terms and the terms shall commence and end as provided in
      section 69.19.  If a vacancy occurs, a successor shall be appointed
      in the same manner and subject to the same qualifications as the
      original appointment to serve the unexpired term.
         e.  A majority of the members of the board constitutes a
      quorum.
         f.  A member of the board shall abstain from voting on the
      provision of financial assistance to a project which is located in
      the county in which the member of the board resides.
         g.  The members of the board are entitled to receive
      reimbursement for actual expenses incurred while engaged in the
      performance of official duties.  A board member may also be eligible
      to receive compensation as provided in section 7E.6.
         3.  The board shall do all of the following:
         a.  Organize.
         b.  Identify Iowa great places for purposes of receiving a
      package of resources under the program.
         c.  Identify a combination of state resources which can be
      provided to Iowa great places.
         4.  Notwithstanding any restriction, requirement, or duty to the
      contrary, in considering an application for a grant, loan, or other
      financial or technical assistance for a project identified in an Iowa
      great places agreement developed pursuant to this section, a state
      agency shall give additional consideration or additional points in
      the application of rating or evaluation criteria to such
      applications.  This subsection applies to applications filed within
      three years of the Iowa great places board's identification of the
      project for participation in the program.  

         2005 Acts, ch 150, §87; 2006 Acts, ch 1179, §51--53; 2007 Acts, ch
      43, §1, 2
         Referred to in § 15H.6, 303.3D, 404A.4
         Confirmation, see § 2.32
         Endowment for Iowa's health account, §12E.12
         Community attraction and tourism program, §15F.202
         Vision Iowa program, §15F.302