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Painting the Full Picture: Meet Waukee Artists

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Local Waukee Iowa Artists

From Left to Right: Jennifer Hoffmann. Cody Kilgore, and Emily Hartley.

Take a look at a piece of art near you. What do you see? How does it make you feel? Observing, analyzing and enjoying art is something we do every day, often without even noticing we’re doing it. But there’s another dimension to every piece of art: its artist.

Conversing with artists about why they create, what inspires them and how their history impacts their art can be just as interesting as the artwork itself. Another aspect that could be equally thought-provoking is the likelihood that the artist works a “day job” like most of us.

“Nearly every artist I know has other means of support,” said Cody Kilgore, owner of Black Cap Photography. “It’s a pretty big leap of faith to dedicate yourself to your art as your sole means of support.”

Kilgore is in the same boat. In addition to being an in-demand photographer of wedding and senior pictures (among other subjects), he helps his partner run Clarion Sage Farm, and he’s the current president of the Waukee Area Arts Council.

He says that for artists, it’s important to be “careful and disciplined with your time,” as procrastination isn’t the only potential pitfall—so is overworking.  

“It’s very easy to work seven days a week if you aren’t careful. You may not work full days all seven days, but between the creative side and business side, you can easily slide into a habit of never taking a day for yourself,” said Kilgore.

With a front seat view to art in Waukee, he feels the visibility of art and excitement about it is growing.

“Right now, everyone is looking downtown [Des Moines] for the art scene, and reasonably so. We have patrons in and around Waukee, but the rise of artists and the attention to art is just beginning to take shape here. We hope to impact that.” (The Waukee Area Arts Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life through the fine arts in the western suburbs of Des Moines and the surrounding area.)

Jennifer Hoffmann, vice president of the Arts Council, said that being involved with the group really opened her eyes to the wide variety of people that live in Waukee.

“I never would’ve thought a belly dancer, organic farmer/photographer, puppeteer and jouster, singers, artists, and community band members would all live in Waukee and get together every month to plan events to bring the arts to this community,” said Hoffmann. “Waukee is growing quickly and bringing a lot to the table. I’m excited for what the future holds.”

The impact for which the Council strives is certainly visible at the annual Waukee Arts Festival. Last year the family-friendly event saw 55 artists and over 3,000 visitors, as well as 10 different musicians and six local food vendors.

This year’s festival will feature more artists (75 are expected) and easier access to the artists’ booths along the park road. It will also be held on a Saturday instead of a Sunday. Mark your calendars for a fun-filled day on July 8 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Centennial Park, followed by a concert from 6:30-8 p.m.

“This year, our featured artist is Nash Cox, an extraordinary award-winning watercolor artist whose detailed works featuring vintage automobiles are something you have to see to believe,” said Kilgore.

“You’ll have to do a double-take on his watercolor paintings, as they have great detail and look like a photograph,” added Hoffmann.

For artists looking to exhibit at the popular event, the registration form can be found online at waukeearts.org. Student exhibitors were invited for the first time in 2016 and are welcome to register again this year. For Hoffmann, this is one of the most exciting aspects of the festival.

“The high school students of Waukee are very talented and it’s wonderful to see upcoming artists in this community,” she said.

Kilgore added that the Council works hard to find unique food vendors that offer a variety of options. This year, visitors will also be able to buy a cold beer—perfect on a hot summer day or while enjoying the evening concert.

The Waukee Arts Festival is an optimal time to meet local artists in person, but in the interim, read further to get to know four locals with a passion for creating.

Meet Artists in Your Community

Waukee Artist Cody KilgoreCody Kilgore

Photographer, Organic Farmer, President of the Waukee Arts Council

MyWaukee: What’s new in your world of photography?

CK: Twig, stone, and stream photography. It centers on adventure weddings, where people do their engagement sessions or their weddings in remote places. The end goal is to land a wedding at Everest base camp someday!

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists in Waukee?

Develop a plan that’s realistic about how you will sell what you do, and what you can and can’t live without, and then close your eyes and jump. There will be challenging times, hard times and times of doubt. But there will come a point where you will suddenly realize, ‘Wow! I’m making it!’

Visit blackcapphotography.com to get a better taste for Kilgore’s photography style and review his portfolio.

Waukee Iowa Artist Jennifer Hoffman

Jennifer Hoffmann

Painter, Analyst at Wells Fargo, Waukee Area Arts Council VP

Hoffman was first introduced to the Waukee community when she moved to West Des Moines from northwest Iowa about a decade ago, at which time she began working as a substitute teacher for the Waukee Community School District. While teaching, she saw a lot of talented students with a passion for art, and after leaving the school district, she needed to fill her art void. So, she got involved with the Waukee Area Arts Council and has served as Vice President since 2014.

MyWaukee: How would you describe your aesthetic? What artistic medium do you work in?

JH: I enjoy creating abstract art and I also do still-lifes and the occasional portrait. I typically work with acrylic paints but I also use charcoals and other mixed media in my work. The abstract paintings I create are usually multiple canvases and part of a larger series. I like to create paintings that belong together and can be displayed multiple ways. This way, the person that buys my art and hangs it in their home can create a completely different piece of art than another person that has purchased the same series. In a sense, the buyer becomes a collaborator with my art!

How do you balance your day job with your time spent creating art?

I work at Wells Fargo and I’m an avid volunteer with many organizations. I try to focus on doing one creative thing per month. My house has an art/podcast studio in the basement, and my husband, Griffin, motivates me to work on my art while he works on his podcast. Sometimes finding the right balance is about motivating each other and making one another accountable for their goals.

Speaking of motivation, what motivates you most?

What motivates me most is when my friends ask me to create art for their homes. I enjoy creating something that is personalized just for them. I feel so honored when they want my art to be a part of their home. It’s my ultimate goal for all of my friends to own a piece of my art.

Where can someone go to view or buy your work?

My Etsy shop is JH25thStreetStudio, or you can find me on Facebook at JH 25th Street Studio or contact me via email at jennhoffmann12@gmail.com. (I make custom art as well.)

Waukee Iowa Artist Erik RolekEric Rolek

Mixed-Medium Artist, Microvellum Engineer

After graduating from Waukee High School in 2009, Rolek headed to Iowa State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He moved back to Waukee and brought with him an ever-expanding knowledge for beautiful works of art. When not working, he blows glass at the ISU Gaffers Guild (which he joined while in college. Rolek’s works have been in national and local exhibitions, and he’s received several awards and special recognitions at these competitions.

MyWaukee: What inspires your artwork?

ER: My body of work amongst the mediums wood, glass and ceramics is influenced by everything I’ve encountered through my travels and life experiences. From geometric building structures to the most organic shapes in nature, I start with the original form and abstract it to create a new outlook that wasn’t perceived before. The work I create doesn’t portray a deep political or environmental meaning, but simply the essence of well-articulated design and craftsmanship.

I have a love for working with all the different mediums because they all require a completely unique process to get a finished piece of art.

What’s your take on the art scene in Waukee?

Growing up in Waukee, I never saw much public art on display, so I’m really excited to see the push of public art developing in Waukee area.

What’s your “day job,” so to speak?

I work at Performance Displays and Millwork in Grimes as a Microvellum Engineer. At Performance Display, we produce a wide range of architectural millwork and commercial retail displays for clients all around the country.

How do you balance work with your time spent creating and making art?

I work a lot, but the best part of the day is when I get home and get to be in my own shop. I often find myself working late into the night without realizing it. Since I graduated college, I’ve started gathering a variety of tools that I wanted and now have a complete woodworking shop. In my shop, I get to build my own designs and explore my creativity.

You were in the Waukee Arts Festival last year. How was that? What was your favorite part of the festival?

The Waukee Art Festival was the first public crafts show I’ve ever done. It was an amazing experience because of a tremendous amount of planning and preparation. My favorite part was selling a piece of my art to a complete stranger for the first time. The stranger was so amazed and full of joy about finding this piece, like she couldn’t live without it. It really gave me the true feeling of how my work can impact people. I plan on attending again this year with new work.

Do you have any advice for other aspiring artists, or students just starting out?

If you can dream it, you should build it! Spend equal time between designing and building because when you’re building, you’ll discover problems you never would have thought of in the drafting stage.

Where can someone go to view or buy your work?

The majority of my work can be seen on my website, ericrolek.com. (My website is in the process of merging into more of a sale-based site as opposed to portfolio style.) Everything is for sale and all commissions are welcomed.

Waukee Iowa Artist Emily HartleyEmily Hartley

Artist, Merchandising Coordinator

Hartley has lived in Waukee “long enough to remember North Middle School being the high school building at the time.” She graduated from Waukee High School in 2009, received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking with a minor in painting from Drake University, and recently went from working part-time to working full-time as a merchandising coordinator for Right Stuf Anime. While she learns the ins and outs of her job, her studio time has shifted to nights and weekends.

MyWaukee: How would you describe your artistic style? What mediums do you work in?

EH: My aesthetic tends towards the Oriental. Think ancient Chinese paintings and Japanese woodblock prints. As for mediums, I do everything from printmaking, painting, calligraphy and graphic design to building and sculpture. If it’s an art or craft, I want to learn how to do it.

What’s your take on art, specifically in Waukee?

My biggest art experience in Waukee was during school. I love that the Waukee Arts Council offers art to everyone from preschool to adults! It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re good—it matters that you’re able to be creative, expressive and enjoy what you’re making.

I’ve been participating at the Waukee Arts Festival since its first year. It was my first art show and I learned a lot from the experience. I enjoy talking to people about my art as well as to the other artists about their work. I will have my booth at this year’s show.

Any lessons you would give to a fellow aspiring artist?

My best advice is to keep trying. Don’t give up. Go with what you want and what feels right to you. Enjoy it. There will always be someone who doesn’t like your work—and sometimes that may be yourself—but stick to what you love.

How can we find out more about your work?

My website is emilyhartleyarts.com. I do custom works of art. If you have an idea, I’ll do my best to bring it to life. If you order something and you live around the Des Moines area, I’d love to meet you and bring you the piece you bought!

Under Construction: Give Back and Grow

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Kiwanis Club Plants Trees for Kids at Local Park

The newly remodeled and improved Grant Park in Waukee had almost all the elements and amenities of a perfect park—a soccer field and a half-court basketball area ready for friendly competition, picnic tables for snacks, walking paths and even restrooms alongside the new playground. The only thing missing from the 1.5-acre plot was a few big trees to provide shade on hot summer days.  Unfortunately, trees don’t just magically appear in places like this. They need community champions to strategically coordinate and plant them. This is where the Kiwanis Club of Waukee saw a service opportunity.

Playtime at the Park

Nancy Cullen, currently serving as secretary of Kiwanis Club of Waukee, would often take her granddaughter to Ridge Pointe Park in her neighborhood. The 21-acre park is an oasis for children and adults alike with not just one, but two playgrounds, a sand volleyball court, pavilion, and even a “Little Free Library” for book sharing with other park visitors.

As she played with her granddaughter, she noticed the lack of shade trees over the playgrounds. “Children need to be protected from the sun,” said Cullen. “Since our club is dedicated to helping children, we thought of the tree planting idea.”

It was a natural fit, given that the club’s website states, “In Waukee, we have the wonderful opportunity to not only help the children of the world, but more importantly, we can focus our efforts in our own backyard through our service and fundraising efforts.” The club literally decided to dedicate a service project to growing their “backyard!”

After the initial idea, the club reached out to the Waukee Parks and Recreation Department for assistance in selecting the park that was most in need of shade for its playground area, and they decided on Grant Park.

The club then worked with the experts at Earl May to select the trees to be planted.

“We chose two maples because they grow quickly, a pin oak for its beautiful leaves and tallness, and a flowering tree that will also provide some shade,” said Cullen. Earl May did the actual planting of the new trees, explained Cullen.

Abel Shaw, president of Kiwanis Club of Waukee, said the decision to plant trees at a park was the largest financial commitment to any project they have done so far.

Plant the Seed of Inspiration

One unintended consequence of the Kiwanis tree planting project was the inspiration and example it set for other organizations looking to give back to the community.

“Other organizations have planted trees as well,” Cullen shared. “I hope more will join in, not only in playground areas but throughout our community, to help provide shade for children and to add to the beauty of Waukee.”

Cullen added that the club has already voted to plant additional trees in the future.

While the tree planting project was in the works, another club member, Laura Pleasance, and her husband planted trees—and added new playground equipment—at Ridge Pointe Park, in memory of their son.

Growing Impact

Tree planting was by no means the first service project the club has undertaken since its beginning in September 2013 as a chapter of Kiwanis International.

“A past project that we are very proud of involves an opportunity for our local WIC program,” explained Shaw. “We provide a library for parents involved in this program. Currently, this library has over 1,500 children’s books that they can take home and keep. Our goal was to enrich their children’s lives through literacy by making sure that they have this access.”

Shaw said the club plans more involvement with the schools in Waukee in the future.

“Kiwanis offers clubs for school-age kids as well, with Key Club being the largest. Clubs like these give kids an opportunity to learn leadership skills through service,” said Shaw.

The Club’s service projects typically come about by members reaching out to the community to uncover its greatest needs.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Shaw said the club is young and growing, and they’re now accepting new members.

The Kiwanis Club of Waukee currently has 12 members and meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. inside the wine tasting meeting room at the Waukee Hy-Vee. Kiwanis International, as a whole, has close to nearly 600,000 members and raises hundreds of millions of dollars and dedicates millions of volunteer hours toward initiatives that specifically serve chapter communities and children. For more information, visit the club’s website at http://waukeekiwanis.org or search Facebook for Kiwanis Waukee.

 

Three Tiers for Beer

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tom-bottlingFamily-Owned Distributors Mean More Choices on Tap

When sitting down at your favorite local bar to take your pick of brews, have you ever stopped to think about how the beer magically flows from the tap or how all of those bar fridges get perpetually restocked?

That part of the beer’s journey—between the brewer’s fermentation tank and the bar’s beer menu—is the portion that sales representative (and Waukee resident) Andrew Doll and his colleagues at Doll Distributing think about every day.

The Beer Keepers

Doll Distributing, like the name implies, is a distribution company for beverages, and their product selection is as impressive as their reach. Doll Distributing supplies domestics (including well-known Anheuser-Busch brands like Budweiser, Rolling Rock and Michelob Light), craft brews (such as Millstream, Back Pocket and Lion Bridge brewery beers), and imports (like Belgium’s Leffe Blonde and Germany’s Maisel’s Weisse) to 3,269 retailers in 41 of the 99 counties in Iowa. The beer makes its way to the vendors from three locations across the state—Des Moines, Spencer and Council Bluffs. A roster of this depth makes it the largest alcohol distributor in the Midwest!

Three-Tier Distribution

Independent distributors are state and federally licensed to distribute, as the U.S. Constitution denotes it, “intoxicating liquor.” States have regulatory powers over the alcohol in their state, which means each state’s liquor laws and regulations are unique.

Way back when, prior to Prohibition, alcohol producers were directly tied to the bars and venues that sold the alcohol. This created a natural barrier to new brewers and producers who couldn’t enter the market easily without the same sort of direct access to a vendor. High-volume drinking was encouraged through aggressive sales and cheap pricing, made possible from the “tied-house” model. In turn, this brought about pervasive social problems like addiction, gambling and people (typically men) drinking away their wages, leaving nothing for their families.

Then the country went through a dark age in which alcohol was outlawed and also unregulated. Moonshine was brewed in secret at home, the Mob moved in on distribution and speakeasies took consumption underground so their customers could avoid arrest. Luckily, Prohibition didn’t last forever, and following the passage of the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution in 1933, all states could regulate alcohol as they saw fit. This amendment also constructed a tiered system for the alcohol industry.

Unlike the prior system that facilitated over-consumption and monopolistic selling, the three tiers help balance regulations of control with consumer access.

This is where businesses like Doll Distributing enter the foamy fray. Brewers make the beer and sell it to independent distributors. A distributing company can buy different beers from different brewers, so their selling selection is more diversified. In the third tier, the vendor can buy from the distributor what they wish to sell.  

coyxo7evuaaojneIt’s All in the Family

Established in 1965 by Merlin and Edith Doll, Doll Distributing is still family owned and operated. Andrew Doll is a part of the third generation involved with running the business.

Nathan Cooper, Executive Director of the Iowa Wholesale Beer Distributors Association, explained that this familial element is a unique element of the three-tier system. “Part of the three-tier system is designed to prevent or reduce the prevalence of absentee owners,” said Cooper. “Distributors’ operations are required to be in-state, so beer distributors have been local since the repeal of Prohibition. When businesses are accountable to people in their own communities, they’re more likely to give back and be a leader in the communities they serve, and that’s the case with beer distributors. We’re proud of that.”

Raise a Glass to What Works

Can’t wait to try the new seasonal beers at the restaurant down the street? You can thank distributors for the wide variety available to you. Distributors work with brewers big and small to cultivate varied and vast selections for their clients, which means a better, diversified beer selection for everyone.

“More than 120 brewers ship beer into Iowa, plus another 70 more make beer in Iowa. Distributors are proud to display tremendous portfolios of local, regional, national and international beers. If there’s a demand for the beer, there’s a wholesale beer distributor willing to work with the brewer,” said Cooper, citing Peace Tree and Exile as two of the many Iowa brewing companies who work with distributors.

Doll believes this tiered system works, especially if you look at the economics of the U.S. and Iowa beer market.

“We have products from down the street to across the world in many of the retail establishments the consumers visit, and we’ve seen a massive expansion of craft breweries across the U.S. and Iowa. This industry has succeeded under the three-tier system,” said Doll.

In comparison, Doll explained, countries like Mexico or European nations are places where craft breweries have little access to the overall market.

As the head of an association that is focused on providing equal distribution access to both macro- and micro-level brewers, Cooper can attest that the system allows micro-producers a level of access unmatched in any other retail sector.

“The last decade has shown that it’s easier now to start a brewery than at any other time in American history,” said Cooper. “There are more breweries than ever: 70-plus in Iowa and more than 4,500 nationwide and counting.”

Yet, Cooper is not blind to the challenges the beer industry in Iowa is facing overall; he cited Iowa beer consumption peaked in 2008 and is falling.

“Most people don’t believe me when I say that, but it’s true,” he said. So we’ve got more brewers than ever and falling demand. It’s a very competitive marketplace, and much of that is directly attributable to the three-tier system. But we’d be hard-pressed to find major deficiencies in this system.”

Hops vs. Vodka

“Iowa’s three-tier system applies to all types of alcoholic beverages, but you see more beer distributors because the volume is much larger,” said Cooper.

He explained that the state of Iowa is the wholesaler for liquor, and “every bottle of liquor sold in Iowa must be shipped to a central state warehouse in Ankeny to be taxed and distributed.” In this, Iowa’s not alone; there are 17 “control states” in which the state has a distribution or retail monopoly on liquor.

Doll stated that many of the alcohol industry principles are the same across state lines “to ensure the customer has product in stock and in code.” The main differences are the different state laws. For example, in Minnesota, strong beer sales on Sunday are illegal; in Nevada, liquor can be sold at supermarkets and convenience stores; and, in Pennsylvania, wine and liquor can only be sold through 600 state-run stores.

Safety Precautions

Even though most don’t know about the three-tier system, it’s important to the quality of the beer. Because distribution companies are independent, they have to maintain state and federal licenses, which means transparency, accountability and a certain standard of safety.

Doll explained that wholesalers ensure the product they represent is safe and hasn’t been recalled by the producer. “In other countries, that is not the case, and people have died from tainted alcoholic product because of no regulation,” said Doll.

Plus, companies in the alcohol industry pay some hefty state and federal taxes. In Iowa, that results in $2.43 in state and federal taxes generated for every case of beer sold! Along with paying taxes, distributors serve as excise tax collectors of the money that is then used to pay for state and community programs.

The Backpocket Brewing Company has a selection of beers they create on tap Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 in Coralville. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

The Backpocket Brewing Company has a selection of beers they create on tap Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 in Coralville. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

Beyond the Warehouse

Doll Distributing’s role goes beyond being the middle segment of the system. They also act as a sort of community safety guard against the potential issues and dangers that arise with alcohol. Doll said that a motto within the company is that “if we are not part of the solution, then we are part of the problem.”

“We work tirelessly to ensure our message of responsibility is on people’s mind when they make that decision to drink,” said Doll.

That message of responsibility starts with the people in the service industry. Doll Distributing offers training to teach bartenders and wait staff how to identify those who have overindulged and how to intervene in those cases. The company also focuses on preventing drunk driving by collaborating with multiple radio stations to promote a “safe ride home” program. They have even given out more than 175 vouchers for free cab rides home. OWIs don’t just apply to automobiles, so Doll Distributing circulates materials for motorcycle and boating safety and works with the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and Friends of RAGBRAI. Of course, the concern of underage drinking has to be addressed and Doll is “adamantly opposed” and committed to prevention. The company works with parents on conversations to have with children, retailers on identifying fake IDs, and schools and colleges on reinforcing the message that 21 is the legal age to responsibly purchase and consume alcohol. It all goes back to the community-centered heart of the distribution company.

Brewing Accessibility

“No system is perfect,” said Cooper, “but Iowa’s alcohol policy is good about ensuring market access for manufacturers and virtually unlimited consumer choice in every retail outlet. That’s not by accident. It’s because of Iowa’s three-tier system, our system and the independence each tier is provided within that system.”

Brewer, distributor, vendor, or consumer—we can all “cheers” to that!

Under Construction: Waukee Central Commercial Development

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waukee-central-3

While driving down Hickman Road, you may have wondered about the new building taking shape south of the busy street and east of Dartmoor Drive. The 10.57-acre plat, to be known as Waukee Central, was approved by the Waukee City Council in August.

With space for five businesses, ranging from 0.88 to 4.91 acres, Waukee Central is going to be a busy stop. At the time of writing, grading had been completed and three site plans had been approved. The two remaining lots—measuring 2.2 acres and 4.9 acres—were still for sale.

To better serve the new development, Laurel Street will be extended through the plat to Westgate Drive. Additionally, a traffic light was approved and budgeted at the intersection of Hickman Road and Westgate Drive. Development plans show ample parking.  

Burger King will serve up sandwiches and fries in the northeast corner of the development and Waukee Dental and Central Bank will be neighbors in the northwest corner. This new location will be Central Bank’s seventeenth location in Iowa and eighth location in the Des Moines metro area.

Central Bank Vice President Mark Brown said the location was attractive and will allow the bank to better serve the Waukee community.

“Waukee continues to see huge growth with new residents and businesses coming in daily,” said Brown. “We feel our institution’s customer-centric philosophy will be received extremely well. We’re excited and proud to be part of the community, and we’ll continue to work very hard to build long-term relationships with our customers.”

The Central Bank Waukee office is expected to be a full-service bank, offering consumer, commercial, agricultural and mortgage banking.

Waukee Central businesses can expect the area to see significant traffic with a proposed Fridley Theater and space for retail directly across Hickman Road.

No time to Paws: AHeinz57 Capital Campaign to Help Even More Furry Friends

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AHeinz57 Pet Rescue Capital Campaign Staff and Volunteers

When you find “the one,” you just know. Sometimes this sort of love catches you off guard, and you find them in the least suspecting place. Sometimes you’re ready and searching for the right match. Sure, they could be missing a leg, or maybe they don’t have the prettiest coat on the block, but when you meet your perfect pet, you just know.

An avid dog lover and advocate, Amy Heinz just knew she had to help a poor dog she saw abandoned on the side of an I-80 on-ramp in De Soto. After almost two weeks of attempting to find and get near the dog that had multiple broken bones in its foot, Heinz was able to attract the dog to a trap provided and monitored by the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. She took the dog home and aptly named her Grace as she quickly joined Heinz’s other four dogs as a furry member of the family.

This successful search and rescue mission inspired Heinz to help other pets survive, thrive and find loving homes.  In 2008, she launched AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport in her garage and rescued and found homes for 100 pups during her first year of operation.  

A Rescue Worth Barking About

What started off as an initiative of passion inspired by Grace the dog evolved into something much bigger than Heinz expected. Now, the nonprofit is a committed community resource for saving homeless companion animals, assisting other shelters/rescues through rescue transports, offering in-home training to keep dogs in their current homes, and educating the public on the issues of pet overpopulation, responsible pet ownership and puppy mills.

heinz-49The “rescue transport” element differentiates AHeinz57 from traditional animal shelters and no-kill rescues. Volunteers for the organization transport dogs that are set to be put down in traditional shelter environments and take them to no-kill rescues across the Midwest, as well as Canada. The facility serves as an overnight “pit stop” for the pups, and also as a haven for dogs waiting for an open foster spot. Senior dogs and other pups that cannot find foster families also find a home at cage-free AHeinz57.

When homeless or other dogs are brought through AHeinz57, they receive a check-up and are treated to the veterinary works, including vaccines, heartworm prevention, spay/neuter procedures, and a microchip.

Since its founding, AHeinz57 has helped over 5,000 dogs find their “happy tail” (as the organization likes to call an adoption), in addition to transporting even more animals out of danger of death to a hospitable rescue facility. Yet, there will always be animals in need, so there’s a need for AHeinz57 to have additional space to shelter dogs on their journeys to forever homes.

AHeinz57 is currently located in an old vet clinic and has space for about 12 dogs. But, between the dogs’ living area, laundry and medical rooms, and adoption space, it’s difficult to manage noise, ventilation and disease control. Its energy efficiency is also less than ideal, and there’s a need for more space for operations.

That’s why AHeinz57 drew up the blueprints for a new and improved facility.  The new place will offer a more comfortable space for the dogs, as well as for those who come in for adoption processes, education and training.

But, such an expansion is an expensive one that requires a capital campaign to help fund the dream. Heinz and a coalition of volunteers are on a quest to raise $1,250,000 for two buildings that will better serve the needs of dogs and other animals in need of homes.

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Dog Bones and Buildings

Quests like these don’t happen overnight. AHeinz57 Board President, Mark Gilchrist, said the team began the conversation about a new building over two years ago and seriously began planning over a year ago. Four acres were acquired in November 2015 and official capital campaign fundraising began at the beginning of 2016.

AHeinz57 Pet Rescue Capital Campaign Staff with their Dogs“We originally set a very aggressive schedule, but with construction too heavy in the area, we will most likely begin building in the spring of 2017,” Gilchrist said.

Two new buildings will be constructed: a rescue shelter and a boarding facility. The rescue will have 31 suites for dogs, with 16 of those dedicated as “hold kennels” for strays. Two additional suites will be dedicated as “night drop” kennels for local law enforcement to use for homeless dogs they bring in. Plus, there will be a garage for the transport vehicles and additional parking.

The boarding facility, called Gracie’s Place, will feature 23 pet suites. Net profits from boarding services will be put towards the organization’s rescue and transportation efforts, allowing the nonprofit to be less reliant on donations.

“We’ve spent the last two years researching facilities and the needs of customers to ensure our facility has all the newest technology available,” said Gilchrist. “Security will be a big focus, which will also allow us to offer video streaming of kennels/suites so customers can check in on their pooches.”

“We’ll also have a cat boarding section—which is not currently available in the area,” said Gilchrist. “The facility will also feature a grooming center and two training rooms which will complement our adoption services to ensure our adopted pets stay in their forever homes.”

Two suites in the boarding facility will be allocated specifically to pregnant and nursing dogs and their litters.

Beyond the Breeds

To Heinz, Gilchrist, and the rest of the board, the new facility represents a future of community integration at the organization.

“Upon completion of our new facility, we’ll be launching several programs targeted at giving back to the community, educating children and pet owners, and supporting our senior citizens,” said Gilchrist said.

Lend a Helping Paw

Details on events for the capital campaign will be available on the organization’s website (aheinz57.com) and Facebook page. Interested donors can make tax-deductible donations in the form of cash, via the campaign’s website (aheinz57build.org) or mailed to PO Box 188, De Soto, IA 50069.

Looking for a furry friend of your own? Adoption events are generally held on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., but the organization recommends checking its web calendar to verify. Because most dogs are in foster care, if you’re interested in meeting one of the dogs available for adoption, email adopt@aheinz57.com.

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Holiday Helpers: Waukee Police Department Fundraise for Families in Need

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It’s the season of good tidings and cheer, but that collective joy doesn’t always happen naturally. For those struggling to make ends meet, it can be a period of extra stress and pressure. But, with some proper planning and a bit of good-hearted time and energy, all can embrace the wonders of the winter holidays.

The Waukee Police Department makes time during the days leading up to the major winter holidays to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy the holidays. To accomplish this goal, the 22-person department hosts an annual Thanksgiving Holiday Gift Basket and Shop with a Cop programs. Officer Neil Lemke explained both programs are strictly donation-based and the department welcomes donations from the public.

“The Thanksgiving Gift Basket Program is based on donations from businesses and individuals in the community, and the recipients are nominated by the student counselors from the schools within the Waukee Community School District,” explained Lemke. “The counselors nominate families that have fallen on recent hard times, like financial difficulty or a loss in the family.”

The gift baskets, which are stocked with all the ingredients needed for a nutritious, filling meal, are donation-based, so the number of families helped is dependent on donated funds. Each holiday gift basket costs approximately $30 and is prepared by the local Fareway store.

“I’m hoping to set a record number of recipient families this year,” Lemke said.  

The Christmas-oriented fundraiser, Shop with a Cop, is uniquely individualized for families in need of economic assistance.

“The Shop with a Cop Program allows children—also nominated by student counselors in the school district—to buy gifts for their family members,” said Lemke.

Children participating in the program start the day with a warm breakfast cooked by the Waukee Fire Department. Then, they get to take a ride in a squad car to a store, such as Walmart, to go gift shopping for their families. After shopping, the children enjoy a pizza lunch and wrap their presents at the Waukee Public Safety Building.

Lemke said the program typically provides each child with about $100 to spend on their loved ones. Ten families were assisted by the program in 2015.

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Helping Hands

Community service by the Waukee Police Department isn’t restricted to the holiday season. The department is well-versed in community-oriented policing programs, including Safe House, TRIAD, Safety City, Crime-Free Multi-Housing Unit, Neighborhood Watch, Home Alone Camp and Public Safety Day.

Lemke explained that Waukee Officers assist with the other ongoing programs in their own time, but the holiday season fundraisers are truly a time for the community—officers, the school district, businesses, and individuals—to work together to make the programs a success.

In years past, the Waukee Police Department and Dallas County Sheriff’s Office have run holiday programs jointly, but in recent years, the Waukee Police Department took on their own fundraisers.

Get in the Giving Spirit

The Waukee Police Department is happily accepting donations throughout the season. Call the department’s non-emergency phone number, (515) 978-7979, or email police@waukee.org for additional information.

Donations are accepted in-person or by mail at the Waukee Public Safety Building located at 1300 SE L.A. Grant Parkway, Waukee, IA 50263.

Welcome to Waukee

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Bring up Waukee at any work or a dinner party and what you’ll hear most often is amazement at its explosive growth. Everywhere you turn in the city, you’ll find new construction of homes and storefronts and an endless expansion of quality amenities.

Waukee is ascending toward the vision that General Lewis Addison and Major William Ragan had when they laid the first cornerstone of the city on April 30, 1869. Little did these founders—or the area’s coal mining community that developed in the late 1800’s—know that Waukee would develop into the bustling city it is today. What Waukee’s leaders and citizens see today is not just expansion, but exceptional residential growth, and they have a record number of granted permits to prove it.

For the third year in a row, the City of Waukee Development Services Department issued building permits in record numbers. In total, the department issued 1,054 building permits from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. The majority of the permits were for smaller projects that fall within the “other” category, such as a new deck or a home addition. The second-highest number of permits (354) was issued for single-family houses. That’s about one new house built for every day of the city’s fiscal year.

City of Waukee Marketing and Communications Director Summer Evans explained that the residential growth is happening wherever land is available, “primarily in the north and south, as well as western portions of Waukee.”

At the time of interview, 74 Shadow Creek Villas townhomes and 241 single-family lots are currently being platted or surveyed to identify boundaries and important building components such as easements and flood zones. The  Glynn Village subdivision comprises over half of the single-family lots to be developed in addition to Fox Creek Estates, Kettlestone Ridge and The Landing at Shadow Creek.

The rest of the permits issued by the City of Waukee this year included 172 for townhomes, 38 for commercial (business) use, and six for multi-family housing.

Dallas County, in which Waukee resides, is the fastest growing county in the state of Iowa and the 13th fastest-growing county in the U.S. among counties with a population larger than 10,000. That growth is seen in population numbers. The results of a Special Census conducted in the fall of 2015 indicate a population of 17,945. That means 4,155 new residents have moved in since the 2010 Census, which equates to a 30 percent overall increase in residential growth since 2010. For reference, Waukee’s population just over a decade ago, in 2005, was 9,108.

Residential housing has not just increased over the years, but the way in which housing is built has progressed. City of Waukee Development Services Director Brad Deets offered some insight on the trend.

“Ten years ago, I would say that approximately 75 percent of our residential development was what you would call ‘speculative,’ in that a builder was building homes ahead of buyers. While that is still very typical across the Des Moines metro today, I think in Waukee you are starting to see a lot more custom home builders,” said Deets. “If I had to guess, I would say we are probably fifty-fifty today, and in a majority of cases, the speculative homes are sold before they have been finished being constructed.”

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Value Added

Looking at an upward population trend on a chart is one thing, but translating that population into monetary value is another. According to a City of Waukee press release, the total valuation, or estimation of the worth, of these permits equates to

$180.8 million, which exceeds the $131 million valuation of the 815 permits issued in fiscal year 2015.

For Deets, the increase in residential properties comes with an increase in demand for services, as well as an increase in tax revenue.

“The revenue that is generated from increased residential property is used to provide the necessary services that are expected by our citizens, such as good police protection, fire protection, improved roads, snow removal and parks,” said Deets. “Obviously, as the city continues to grow, the demand for services grows as well, which requires the city to hire additional staff and maintain additional public infrastructure, such as streets and parks.”

Over the last year, Waukee saw $9.4 million in commercial developments. The largest of these projects included The Goddard School, Waukee Community School District Transportation and Logistics Center, Central Plaza, a new Kum & Go, Storage Masters and Traditions Daycare.

Why Waukee?

If you live, work or play in Waukee, it’s not hard to answer the question, “Why Waukee?” Bill Peard, who has served as the Mayor of Waukee for a decade, put it best in a press release, citing “desirable quality of life, sense of community and availability of developable land” as the key reasons behind the increase in prosperity and population.

“There are multiple reasons people choose Waukee as their home—the small-town feel, the great schools, the world-class amenities, and so on,” said Peard.

For Deets, the answer to the question of “why” is a combination of things. “We are close enough to the major employment centers, such as downtown and West Des Moines, where it’s an easy commute to those locations,” Deets explained. “We also have a fantastic school system that young families want to be a part of.”

He also added that the community is incredibly family-focused, evidenced by the number of events and festivals with kid-friendly elements.

From enterprising young professionals who share a residence, to two-income households who reside in a single-family home, to retired couples who invest in a townhome, Waukee offers a piece of the modern American Dream.

“The city has a lot to offer in terms of housing types, from those for first-time homebuyers to executive-style lots,” said Deets.

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Education is the Key

Waukee is representative of how expansive residential growth sparks necessary building to meet the demands of enrollment numbers. Anticipated student enrollment in Waukee is roughly 9,497 students for the 2016-17 schoolyear, which is a far cry from the 2,409 students enrolled in the district in 2000. A total of 1,493 new students entered Waukee schools for the 2014-15 school year, of which 624 students were in first grade or older.

The Waukee Public School District currently operates eight elementary schools, including the brand-new Grant Ragan Elementary, which is opening for the 2016-17 school year. These elementary schools condense into two middle schools (Waukee Middle School and Waukee South Middle School), two ninth-grade-only buildings (Prairieview and Timberline) and one high school.

A second high school is slated to open in the fall of 2021, in northwest Waukee.

In an interview with the Des Moines Register, Superintendent of Waukee Schools Dr. Dave Wilkerson said that Waukee High School can currently accommodate 1,800 students, and when the second high school is opened, enrollment for grades

10 through 12 will be around 2,200. Waukee High School’s 2016 graduating class was approximately 550 students, according to Wilkerson, which compares to the elementary school grade classes which each have 800 students spread across the district.

Even though an eighth elementary school was just opened in the district, a ninth school has been approved following a May 9, 2016 land purchase agreement. The ninth elementary school will be located west of Alice’s Road, between Waterford and Meredith, and is expected to open in the fall of 2019.

In addition to the new elementary school and high school, the Waukee Innovation and Learning Center (WILC) opened for the start of the 2016-17 schoolyear. WILC cultivates the education experience for Waukee High School students in the Aspiring Professional Experience (APEX) program. The program combines business and education to further personalize the individual student’s curriculum to include studies in five core subject areas: Business & Finance, Engineering, Technology, Health Services, and Biosciences & Added-Value Agriculture.

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Sustainable Growth

Deets claims that Waukee’s population growth is sustainable, and, in the past, the city has been “successful in keeping up with demand in terms of resources required to run the city.”

“We continue to invest in improving roads and other infrastructure, upgrading parks and trails, building our public safety departments and bringing in more business development,” said Mayor Peard.

With the population expected to grow to over 30,000 by 2030, Waukee is definitely on the precipice of even more visible change.

“We are at the tipping point in terms of residential rooftops where commercial development and businesses are beginning to look at the city as being more attractive for generating enough business to be successful,” said Deets. “This, in turn, will create opportunities for the city to build and maintain infrastructure that is beyond the basic needs of the community, such as parks and trail systems.”

Deets expects the population growth to continue at a “fairly substantial rate” over the coming several years, which means it’s in the city’s best interest to get out in front of any potential issues.

“The city is being proactive in extending infrastructure, such as sanitary sewer and streets, to allow developments to occur,” Deets explained, in addition to the stormwater and park additions that are planned.

Multiple road expansions—like the widening of Alice’s Road between University Avenue and Highway 5—and maintenance projects are either in the city’s long-term plans or currently in construction.

Mayor Peard said that as an elected official, maintaining citizens’ quality of life is a high priority. And, as the number of residents increases in a city that has been named the “Safest place in Iowa” (Movoto, 2014 and 2015), “Number One Best City for Homeownership in Iowa” (NerdWallet, 2014), and one of the “Best Places to Live in America” (CNN, 2013), that focus on quality is going to be even more essential.

Community Policing in Waukee

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With the current nationwide focus on the relationship between the public and the police, community policing initiatives may now be more important than ever before. The 20-officer Waukee Police Department is striving to be a leader in that arena.

Waukee Police Chief John Quinn, who has been at the helm since March of 2014, said the concept of community policing originally came about as a way for police to work with community members to identify crimes being committed and to address resident concerns, but it has evolved to serve an even higher purpose.

“Today, community policing has transformed into policing operations and programs that deal with the department’s interaction with community members,” said Quinn. “It’s about building trust and confidence by providing open, honest and transparent public safety services.”

Under Quinn’s leadership, the Waukee Police Department adopted a community-focused mission. The department has implemented numerous programs that engage all ages of the Waukee population:

  • Bicycle Patrol: Officers on bicycles provide outreach and support on the city’s trails and parks via bicycles.
  • Body Cameras: Waukee’s on-duty police officers wear body cameras that activate each time officers have contact with the public. The cameras hold both officers and citizens accountable for their actions.
  • Citizen Police Academy: This series of ten, three-hour classes gives citizen participants a working knowledge of the police department’s practices, policies and procedures.
  • Community Event and Neighborhood Presence: Officers make a point to be present and visible at community events, such as the Easter Egg Hunt, Celebrate Waukee and Fourth of July festivities. They also make friendly stops in neighborhoods throughout Waukee.
  • Public Safety Day: The Waukee Police and Fire Departments feature public safety-related activities such as a child safety seat checks, child IDs and fire hose demonstrations at this annual event.
  • Safety City: The police department hosts week-long courses for incoming kindergarten students. The children learn about street safety, pedestrian rules, stoplights, safety belts, 911, bus rules and more.
  • School Resource Officer (SRO) Program: The SRO program places police officers within Waukee Community School District buildings to develop relationships with students and parents.  
  • Senior TRIAD Program: TRIAD, a partnership between law enforcement, senior services and seniors to reduce criminal victimization of the elderly, meets once a month for lunch and conversation.
  • Shop with a Cop: Each December, the Waukee Police Department takes low-income children shopping for holiday gifts for themselves and their family members.
  • Thanksgiving Baskets: The department also purchases baskets full of Thanksgiving food for needy Waukee residents. The residents choose from ham or turkey meals.  

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Waukee’s School Resource Officers are some of the most recognized faces in town. Officer Brian Murra spends his days during the school year with students and parents. During the summer, when he’s not dealing with calls or traffic stops, you can find him handing out badge stickers at lemonade stands or tossing a football around with kids at Centennial Park.

“We really aim to build relationships with Waukee youth, and I think we’ll see the impact of our positive relationships carry over into their adult lives someday,” said Murra. “With the SRO program specifically, we are also there to provide a safe learning environment.”

Waukee school leaders say the SRO program has made a huge impact. “The officers have helped educate our students about a variety of safety concerns our youth face in today’s world,” said South Middle School Principal Doug Barry. “They have a proactive presence to help steer our students toward making positive choices in our school and community.”

Moving to the opposite end of the generational spectrum, you’ll find Waukee police officers at the TRIAD program. This engagement luncheon initiative has grown to almost fill the Waukee Community Center each month. Topics discussed with the participants include the officer hiring process, tips on avoiding identity theft and even an annual bus tour to see the new development being built in Waukee.

The most valuable information is about scams and the new things going on around town,” said one TRIAD attendee.

Age aside, the Waukee Police Department aims to provide a safe and comfortable community for all residents. While they’ve added several new programs recently, there’s no sign of stopping.

“I helped develop and implement the Citizen Police Academy, and I’m excited now to work on launching a Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program that will address crime prevention in rental properties,” said Sgt. Jeremy Long.

Chief Quinn said he’s proud of those in the department taking community policing so seriously. And while the main goal is to benefit the community members, he said it’s helpful to put the lives of officers into perspective for the public as well.

“The citizens can see that the men and women of the Waukee PD are fathers, sons, mothers and daughters themselves, just the same as them,” said Quinn. “I hope the public sees how humbled and honored the officers are to protect and serve the citizens of Waukee.”

Please visit www.Waukee.org/Police for more information about these programs.

Under Construction: Autumn Ridge

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Waukee residents are clearly no strangers to new developments, but new properties still bring a twinge of excitement, as they provide fresh places to shop, work, live and play in Waukee and the surrounding area.

The brand-new Autumn Ridge apartments will do just that, as the high-end units are expected to be snatched up by renters eager to experience the Waukee lifestyle.

Located at 1150 SE Olson Drive, the 434 units in 13 buildings will feature tiled backsplashes, birch cabinets, quartz countertops, hard surface flooring in the living areas and carpeted bedrooms. Units won’t be lacking for appliances either; each unit will come equipped with a washer and dryer, dishwasher, microwave, stove and refrigerator.

Residents are likely to make good use of the unit patios, fiber optic cable internet service and 50-inch wall-mounted LED TVs. Parking will be a mix of heated indoor parking and outdoor spaces.

The development will also have a community clubhouse with a rentable party room, a fitness center, an L-shaped pool and free WiFi. A basketball court, playground and dog park will also be in the surrounding vicinity.

Security was also taken into consideration, as all of the buildings will have secured entrances equipped with security cameras. Autumn Ridge is jointly developed by Kimberley Development and Classic Builders and sits at a strategic location ripe for development to the north of the 1,500-acre Kettlestone development that is to be built around Grand Prairie Parkway (formerly Alice’s Road).

Josh Moulton, one of the co-owners of Autumn Ridge, LLC, said the Autumn Ridge apartments are currently available for rent, but they are permitted and built in such a way that they could be sold as condos in the future.

“We were attracted to the site based on its location in Waukee and also because it’s right next door to West Des Moines,” Moulton explained. “There are thousands of jobs within just a couple of miles of this location, and this area will only add more rooftops and jobs in the coming years.”

At the time of interview, 56 units were occupied, and units in the first six (north) buildings are being made available in batches—36 new units will be available in September, and again in November, and again in both January and March of 2017. The final phase of building is expected to be complete in 2018.

Moulton said they expect to see all types of residents move in, including young professionals, couples with and without children, and older couples. The apartments come in a variety of sizes, including:

  • One-bedroom, one-bath units at 845 sq. ft.
  • Two-bedroom, two-bath units at 965 sq. ft.
  • Three-bedroom, two-bath units at 1,217 sq. ft. or 1,307 sq. ft.

Pricing will start at $950 for the one-bedrooms and go up to $1350 per month for the largest three-bedroom apartments.

More than Mr. Fix It – Lyon Lays Business Foundation in Community Service

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Larry Lyon’s dual-focused business—Remodelworks! and Mr. Fix It—has been an influential part of the growing residential neighborhoods of Waukee since its inception in 1996.

But even before that, Lyon had an entrepreneurial spirit. After graduating from the University of Northern Iowa in 1984, he worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb, a pharmaceutical company, for about a decade. While working there, he spent a lot of time in hospitals and nursing homes, where he noticed that wheelchair wheels were always “gunky” and therefore not as functional as they could be.

“I invented a machine that automatically cleans wheelchair wheels,” Lyon said about the invention for which he received a U.S. patent. Back then, he thought that invention was how he was going to make his “millions.” But, the business was based on his onsite machine, which was transported in a huge 24-foot-long cargo trailer, and it hit some operational hiccups, especially in the wintertime. So to make ends meet, he began taking on home improvement gigs for friends and neighbors.

“A friend had gotten back from Colorado to find that a water pipe had burst in his condo, and that was my first big home improvement job. After a few more projects, the business really started taking on a life of its own,” said Lyon.

Fast-forward about two decades and Lyon still runs his small business out of his home, but he now has a fleet of vehicles and an experienced team of contractors to tackle even bigger projects in the “West Metro” area.

In the Family

Fixing problems and creating something new out of something old is in Lyon’s blood. He grew up helping his father and grandfather in their hardware store, Coast to Coast. He saw what it took to be a valuable asset to a community, and to do the same with his own business, he started small.

He traded his minivan for a pick-up truck and strategically began acquiring tools beyond the table saw and vice with which he began. Slowly and steadily, he grew the business. “I would try to take jobs I could complete with the tools I had, and if a job required a tool I didn’t have, I would get the tool and then the job would help cover the cost of it,” he explained.

Dallas County Growth

“We thought we were moving into the country when we moved to Waukee,” Lyon said of his family’s home on a then-gravel road that backed to a field. That lasted for about a year before the major residential growth started to crop up all around them. With substantial growth in Waukee and the surrounding area, Lyon’s Mr. Fix It business rose to meet a growing demand for remodeling.

“Satisfied clients from our home improvement projects would ask us to come back and finish their basements or decks,” said Lyon. That’s when he realized he had a marketing problem—Mr. Fix It didn’t sound like a remodeling company. It sounded like the company you call for smaller (yet still important) property fixes. So in 2008, Lyon launched the other part of his business—Remodelworks!—and invested in a 3-D imaging software program that allows customers to “see” what their projects will look like upon completion.

As a design-built contractor, Lyon and his craftsmen work with clients to help them find solutions to their home issues by helping them determine what they want, as well as what they want it to look like.

“The hottest thing right now is master bathroom remodeling, people want to remove those giant master bath jacuzzis that no one ever uses and they want to install walk-in tiled showers.”

Remodeling now makes up the majority of Lyon’s business. “Our business has been able to grow because of two factors. One, we have a very loyal customer base that calls us for every project they do. In fact, 80 percent of our business comes from repeat and referral, while the other 20 percent is a little bit of print advertising and a small sign in the front of our driveway,” said Lyon. “The other factor is the growth of the city. There are simply more rooftops.”

Lyon added that some of his early clients now have grown children that have their own houses and call Lyon’s crew first for their remodeling needs. “We really appreciate the business and feel blessed that our clients have supported the company for so many years,” he said.

Hammering Out the Challenges

Business has been great, but there have also been some challenges. “Our greatest challenge is finding qualified employees,” he said. “There’s so much construction going on that everyone is in high demand.”

That’s one of the reasons why he says would like to teach a course about the construction trade, perhaps at a local institution like DMACC. “There are so many enjoyable and rewarding careers within the construction industry; I think many potential students just don’t know about them.”

Lyon’s business is currently home-based, and at some point, he foresees the need to move to a commercial location. However, that will present another challenge.

“As a small business, you can’t find a commercial property or building to purchase that’s affordable,” he said. “One of my goals [on the city council] is to develop a business park focused on small businesses. I would also like for us to implement some zoning laws and to find a developer for a development for home-based businesses—homes built with office spaces in them that allow for one or two employees to work out of them.”

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Laying the Foundation Through Community Service

If there’s anyone in a position to tackle the challenges of small businesses, it’s Lyon, who is a familiar face in Waukee, thanks in part to his involvement within the community.

“My dad said that community service is the price you pay for space on the Earth,” said Lyon, and he’s been living that value—especially since he moved to Waukee.

He first got involved in an economic development group and then first ran for Waukee City Council in 1998. He served on the council through 2000 and the Waukee Board of Education for over a decade, from 2004 to 2015.

Now he’s on the Waukee City Council once again, and it’s been a chance for reflection on how much Waukee has grown as a community. “When I was on the council with Bill Peard back in the ‘90s, we didn’t realize it then, but it’s like we were building a city from scratch. It’s been amazing to see everything that’s happened,” said Lyon.

He also translated his father’s teaching into co-founding the Waukee Leadership Institute. Lyon says that when he was on the school board, they saw the district growing at an astronomical rate, but there were only one or two people running for elected positions, which was concerning.

“The purpose of the Leadership Institute was to educate people on how cities and school districts operate. The intent was for the graduates to step forward and serve in leading the city, and I’m proud of how that has grown,” he said, adding that he’s no longer involved with the institute on a daily basis. “My forte is focusing on the big picture, so luckily, other people have stepped forward to execute all the details,” said Lyon.

Don’t Move…Improve!

For Waukee residents, remodeling is oftentimes a more cost-effective choice than moving. “Because the housing market is so strong, prices are going up,” Lyon explained. “We see a lot of young couples who are considering adding onto their home, and they’re trying to decide whether to move or improve. At the current market rates and lot prices, if they want to move, they’re not likely to get much more house for their money. Instead, more folks are staying where they are and fixing what they have.”

He added that many people can reconfigure their homes to create the types of spaces they want and need. Lyons offers the following tips for homeowners who are debating whether to move or improve:

  • Contact a remodeling company. Discuss the project and its feasibility, and obtain a price and time estimate.
  • Call a realtor. Ask how much money you could invest in your home in order to still get a return on investment when you sell the property.
  • Double check the rules and get a green light. If you’re looking to construct an addition to your home, check whether your local neighborhood association will allow it. Also check with the city to ensure you’re not crossing a property line or infringing on any utility operations.
  • When you’re ready to move forward, set up a meeting with the remodeler to clearly define the goal of the project. “I always like to have both partners in the home present when I ask about their goals and needs,” said Lyon.
  • Acknowledge the time the work requires. Remodeling, when done well and with quality craftsmanship, takes time. Lyon said that finishing a basement takes five to six weeks, additions and large kitchen remodels take around eight weeks and a master bathroom takes about four weeks to complete.

 

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