Our Postville Community Heart & Soul

RESOLUTION #1411-23

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF POSTVILLE, IOWA RECOGNIZING OUR POSTVILLE COMMUNITY HEART & SOUL AND THE DISCOVERY OF WHAT MATTERS MOST TO THE RESIDENTS OF OUR TOWN

WHEREAS, the residents of Postville have been engaged in a two-year innovative exploration of community values and prepared value statements for the City of Postville; and

WHEREAS, extensive public input shaped the values through the course of public events, activities, surveys, workshops, and personal interviews; and

WHEREAS, countless volunteer hours were devoted by Postville residents to engage all voices in the community, particularly those who may have been missing from other planning processes; and

WHEREAS, the recognition of these values will provide a framework for value-based decision-making for future policy and strategic planning for the City of Postville,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF POSTVILLE, IOWA, to recognize the following statements as deeply-shared values that can provide helpful guidance and insights as we engage our residents in shaping the future of our town:

1. We value community events that bring us together, help us learn about the diversity of our town and help build a more cohesive community.

2. We nurture our diverse populations, which we see in our schools, businesses and throughout our community. This diversity gives our town a richness of experiences not available in other towns of our size.

3. We value our safe, peaceful community which can be seen through the large number of people and families out walking and utilizing the variety of community amenities we have. This sense of safety motivates residents to stay in town and encourages others to move here.

4. We value our vibrant local businesses where we can eat and shop. These businesses contribute to the uniqueness and economic vibrancy of our community.

5. Our community values our many resources for education that our youth have in town including the schools and early childhood resources. These resources help support the wellness of our families and our community at large.

7. Postville prides itself on being a welcoming community to all newcomers. Established residents, schools, local businesses and the city are invested in services that support the health, wellness and safety of newcomers.
8. We value our strong community leaders and volunteers and are committed to creating pathways for everyone in the community to be involved.

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the POSTVILLE, Iowa City Council on this 13th day of November, 2023.

Originally Signed by Dennis Koenig, Mayor and Darcy Radloff, City Clerk

Core Team Members

Community Events - We value community events that bring us together, help us learn about the diversity of our town and help build a more cohesive community.

Diversity - We nurture our diverse populations, which we see in our schools, businesses and throughout our community. This diversity gives our town a richness of experiences not available in other towns of our size.

Safety - We value our safe, peaceful community which can be seen through the large number of people and families out walking and utilizing the variety of community amenities we have. This sense of safety motivates residents to stay in town and encourages others to move here.

Local Business - We value our vibrant local businesses where we can eat and shop. These businesses contribute to the uniqueness and economic vibrancy of our community.

Education - Our community values our many resources for education that our youth have in town including the schools and early childhood resources. These resources help support the wellness of our families and our community at large.

Welcoming - Postville prides itself on being a welcoming community to all newcomers. Established residents, schools, local businesses and the city are invested in services that support the health, wellness and safety of newcomers.

Volunteerism & Leadership - We value our strong community leaders and volunteers and are committed to creating pathways for everyone in the community to be involved.

Community Events

• Bring back Taste of Postville
• Continue to provide space and financial support for our Farmer’s Market
• Create a system to advertise community events that the entire community can use
• Create a community checklist for how to schedule things so that our entire community feels welcome, and is able to attend (i.e. religious holidays, fasting, etc.)
• Schedule community events throughout the year that help us meet our neighbors and learn more about their culture (ex. cooking classes featuring different ethnic cuisines)

Diversity

• Create a newcomer welcoming committee
• Host ESL classes in town
• Create a welcoming document for newcomers
• Create a committee that works with the city council to ensure the needs of all cultures are being met
• Help immigrants in town on their path to citizenship/permanent residence
• Better advertising for language resources available in town (i.e. free software available at the library, online ESL courses, soon to be in town ESL courses)

Safety

• Ensure that rental properties are well maintained and safe for residents
• Educate our community about renter’s rights
• Clean up derelict properties throughout the community
• Improve lighting throughout town
• Fix sidewalks
• Support tenant rights for renters
• Connect bike path by Norplex
• Create law enforcement programs that involve immigrants

Local Business

• Clean up downtown business windows/entryways
• Ensure all local businesses have signage that can be seen from the front of the business
• Create a community developer position at the city
• Support the local medical clinics and keep them in town
• Provide resources to help local businesses succeed
• Install string lights across Greene St.
• Seek grant funding to do façade improvements

Education

• Expand the library’s ability to connect residents with information, resources and each other
• Continue to support headstart to ensure they will remain in the community
• Continue to support Postville Childcare so that it will remain open
• Host Spanish language classes in town
• Create an internship program to link high school students with local businesses
• Create an early childcare coalition

Welcoming

• Create a welcoming document for newcomers
• Find a permanent location in town for clothes/homegoods/supplies so that we are ready to support folks when they get here
• Recognize and contribute to Postville School’s role in welcoming new arrivals
• Foster partnerships with community groups and social service agencies to serve newcomers
• Create a newcomer welcoming committee
• Put important information on city bills (in relevant languages)
• Improved language access at public events

Volunteerism & Leadership

• Create a community betterment group
• Take intentional steps to ensure there is diverse representation on city council and the welcoming committee
• Educate local (city, county and state) government departments and officials about the demographics of our community and create access to tools to serve these residents
• Create strategies and events to connect residents with volunteer opportunities
• Create a recognition program for organizations and volunteers that provide services in our community