Fairfield, Iowa
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FAIRFIELD, IOWA COMMUNITY & POSITION PROFILE Date Prepared – October 28, 2014 Apply by November 10, 2014 Contact: Patrick Callahan Callahan Municipal Consultants, LLC [email protected] 417 Kaitlynn Avenue Anamosa, IA 52205 Phone: 563-599-3708 1 CITY OF FAIRFIELD, IOWA COMMUNITY PROFILE CITY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT The City of Fairfield is currently accepting applications for the position of City Administrator. Persons interested in this position should submit a cover letter, resume, five work-related references and salary history before November 10, 2014 to Callahan Municipal Consultants, LLC, 417 Kaitlynn Avenue, Anamosa, Iowa 52205 or by e-mail to [email protected]. Additional information regarding Fairfield can be obtained by visiting the City’s website at www.cityoffairfieldiowa.com, the Chamber of Commerce site at www.fairfieldiowa.com and at the Fairfield Economic Development Association’s site at www.growfairfield.com. COMMUNITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS Unique. Sustainable. Wonderful. Green. Diverse. Metropolitan. Innovative. Ideal. The attributes echoed around and about Fairfield are more than just community boosterism. Fairfield’s Economic Development Association and Chamber of Commerce cite the community’s many successes as evidence of it being one of the most “philanthropic, entrepreneurial and technological small communities in the nation”. The next city administrator will have the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing improvements to a city that is at the forefront of rural development in technology, advanced manufacturing, 21st century services, and community sustainability. Fairfield was rated by the Smithsonian magazine as one of the nation’s best small towns, and has earned distinction from media as diverse as Oprah and Mother Earth News magazine. The downtown area has been designated as an Iowa Culture District. Fairfield was identified as an Iowa Great Place in 2006. The community earned the Iowa Tourism Award in 2005 and 2008. The Fairfield community is currently seeking the Iowa Blue Zone Certification. Fairfield was recognized as the Most Entrepreneurial City in America for cities under 10,000 population in 2013. The City garnered the Iowa Entrepreneurial City Award in 2004. Smithsonian Magazine recognized Fairfield as the Number 7 “Best City in America to Visit” in 2013. In addition, Buzzfeed.com rated Fairfield as the Number 2 “Best Place to do a Road Trip.” FAIRFIELD, IOWA: LOCATION Fairfield has a population of 9,464 residents within its corporate boundaries. It is the county seat for Jefferson County, located in southeastern Iowa at the intersection of U.S. Route 34 and Iowa Highway 1. Fairfield is 62 miles south of the University of Iowa at Iowa City, 111 miles southeast of the state capital at Des Moines, 235 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri, and 280 miles west of Chicago, Illinois. The closest airport with international service is located 80 miles north at Eastern Iowa Airport, Cedar Rapids. Fairfield also boasts an all-weather General Aviation airport having a 5,500 concrete runway. Amtrak rail service on the California Zephyr line is just 25 miles away at Mt. Pleasant (east) or Ottumwa (west). Freight rail service is provided by the BNSF railroad. 2 Geographically located in the Southern Iowa drift plain, Jefferson County consists of rolling farmland, just 55 miles west of the Mississippi and the Great River Road at Burlington, Iowa. Fairfield and Jefferson County are home to some of the richest agricultural land in the world. Fairfield has an annual growing season of 165 days and receives an average of 38 inches of rain per year. Temperatures range from an average summer high/low of 85/65 F (July) to winter averages of 33/16 F (January). FOUNDING AND HISTORY Fairfield was first settled in 1836 and founded as the county seat of Jefferson County in 1839, recording a population of 110. By 1847, Fairfield reported a population of 651 and was host to numerous businesses including dry goods, grocery, blacksmithing, woodworking and manufacturing businesses, hotels and drug stores. Fairfield was the site of the first two state fairs in Iowa, held in 1854 and 1855. The first grain mill was in operation in 1836, and the railroad (now the BNSF) extended through the community in 1858. During the time leading up to the American Civil War, Fairfield was a stop on the Underground Railroad for escaping slaves. Some 1,600 men from Jefferson County served in the Union Army during the conflict. Fairfield opened the first public library in Iowa in 1853; the first Carnegie Library built outside of Pennsylvania or Scotland was completed in 1893 in Fairfield. Parsons College was founded in 1875 and remained in operation until closing in 1975. The campus was subsequently purchased by the Transcendental Meditation leader Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for what came to be Maharishi University of Management. The City of Fairfield purchased an electric generating plant in 1882. Two Fairfield companies, Louden Machinery Company and Joel Turney and Company Wagon Works, both employed hundreds of workers by the late 1800’s, producing agricultural equipment sold across North America. Fairfield’s growth continued over its history to its present population of 9,464. LOCAL ATTRACTIONS Central Park and Town Square In the middle of the community’s historic downtown district, Fairfield’s manicured Central Park hosts live summer music concerts from the gazebo on the square and other arts and public events throughout the year. Fairfield Arts and Convention Center Strategically located in the downtown district, the 30,000 square foot center hosts the performing and visual arts, meeting and convention activities, and is home for the 522- seat Sondheim Center’s performing arts auditorium. The Arts and Convention Center schedules live performances throughout the year, from classical solo piano and orchestral artists, to magic and comedy acts, to Elvis and Buddy Holly tribute bands. 3 Carnegie Historical Museum Formerly the 1893 Carnegie Library, the building was repurposed as a local history museum following the construction of the new public library. The Carnegie Library has displays of Native American artifacts, Civil War photos and memorabilia, Parson College and other items of local historic interest. Park and Recreation Facilities The City of Fairfield’s Park and Recreation Department operates 11 park areas, which combined include walking paths, exercise areas, a skate park, picnic facilities, playground equipment, a Farmers’ Market, and outdoor swimming in Bonnifield Lake at Waterworks Park. Most of the community’s parks are linked by the 16-mile long Fairfield Loop Trail. The Roosevelt Recreation Center features weight and cardio workout rooms, indoor pool and sauna and hot tub facilities. The Loop Trail is integrated with the JeffersonCounty Trail System, and connects with Jefferson County Park, which features eight miles of its own hiking trails, picnic and camping areas. Abundance EcoVillage Leading edge techniques of community sustainability are on display on this 15 acre development, featuring solar and wind generation, passive heating and cooling, water and storm water management systems. Fairfield Transcendental Meditation Center Two large golden domes located adjacent to the internationally-known Maharishi University of Management located on the north side of Fairfield, constructed in Vedic-style architecture, provide daily opportunities for Transcendental Meditation (TM) for community members and visitors. The Center practices TM as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. COMMUNITY EVENTS Fairfield Fairfest There is a three-day annual music event in late June with national and regional artists performing on the town square, the Sondheim Center and other downtown venues. The 2014 event drew some 15,000 visitors for the music, food and vendor booths. All Things Italian This event includes Italian food, music, art and games in the town square, held annually on a Saturday in mid- June. It also includes Opera, accordions and cannoli by the thousand, magicians, jugglers and chalk artists. This family event draws thousands each year. Picture from Facebook page: All Things Italian Street Festival 4 Vintage Power Wagon Rally Week long gathering of vintage Dodge Power Wagon owners and enthusiasts during the first week in June, drawing hundreds of the iconic vehicles for demonstrations, parts and info swapping and a parade. Art Walk Event held the first Friday of every month, with a seasonal focus on art, music, performance and holiday events are at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center, town square, and other downtown venues. Oktoberfest and German Heritage are celebrated at the October Art Walk, a juried art show in November, and a Gingerbread and Christmas lighting extravaganza in December are favorites. Fairfield Farmer’s Market It’s an event and a local attraction. The Farmer’s Market is held at Howard Park, at the north side of the downtown district, from May through October on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Maasdam Barns Museum and Visitor Center Located at the south side of town, the restored barns were originally home to the largest Belgian draft horse in the world. The barns were recently restored to their early 20th Century condition. The Visitor Center is a restored 1928 home with displays highlighting Fairfield-area industry. Dining and Lodging Fairfield’s Chamber of Commerce lists 43 eating establishments in the community, from the convenience of franchised fast-food restaurants, to