CHAPTER 1GENERAL265—1.1(16)  Purpose.  This chapter describes the mission, organization, programs and operations of the Iowa finance authority (authority), including the office where and the means by which interested persons may obtain information and make submissions or requests.265—1.2(16)  Mission.  The authority was established in 1975 pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 16. The mission of the authority is to finance, administer, advance and preserve affordable housing and to promote community and economic development for Iowans.265—1.3(16)  Organization, programs and operations.    1.3(1)    Location.  The main office of the authority is located at 1963 Bell Avenue, Suite 200, Des Moines, Iowa 50315. Office hours for the authority are 8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.The title guaranty division (division) of the authority is located at 1963 Bell Avenue, Suite 200, Des Moines, Iowa 50315. Office hours for the division are 8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Additional information concerning the division can be found in Chapter 9 of the authority’s administrative rules (265—Chapter 9).The authority’s website address is www.iowafinanceauthority.gov, and its telephone and facsimile numbers are: (515)725-4900 (general); 1-800-432-7230 (toll-free); 1-800-618-4718 (TTY); and (515)725-4901 (facsimile).  1.3(2)    Authority board and staff.  The powers of the authority are vested in and exercised by a board of nine voting members, appointed by the governor and subject to confirmation by the senate. The authority also includes one ex officio, voting member of the agricultural development board created in Iowa Code section 16.2C, who must be designated by that board. The ex officio, voting member designated by the agricultural development board shall serve at the pleasure of that board. The authority also includes four ex officio, nonvoting legislative members, as set forth in Iowa Code section 16.2(3). A chairperson, vice-chairperson and treasurer are elected annually by the members, generally at the July board meeting each year. Authority staff consists of an executive director, also appointed by the governor and subject to confirmation by the senate, and additional staff as approved by the executive director.  1.3(3)    Meetings.  Regular meetings of the authority shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month, unless another time of meeting is designated by the authority. Meetings may also be held at the call of the chairperson or whenever two members so request. The purposes of such meetings shall be to review progress in implementation and administration of authority programs, to consider and act upon proposals for authority assistance, to establish policy as needed, and to take other actions as necessary and appropriate. The authority will give advance public notice of the specific date, time and place of each authority meeting, and will post the tentative agenda for each meeting at the main office of the authority, as well as on the authority’s website, at least 24 hours before commencement of the meeting. Meetings may occasionally be conducted by electronic means. Any interested party may attend and observe board meetings except for any portion of a meeting that may be closed pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5. Minutes of meetings are available for viewing at the authority’s offices or via the authority’s website. Six members of the board constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting board members is necessary for any substantive action taken by the authority. The majority shall not include any member who has a conflict of interest, and a statement of a conflict of interest shall be conclusive for this purpose.  1.3(4)    Programs of the authority.  The authority’s program subdivisions include: housing, economic development, state revolving fund, and title guaranty division. The authority operates the following programs, among others (this list is not exhaustive), under these subdivisions:  a.  Housing: FirstHome, FirstHome Plus, Housing Assistance Fund, Iowa Housing Assistance Program, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCCs), Multifamily Preservation Loans, State Housing Trust Fund and Section 8 Contract Administration.  b.  Economic development: Main Street Revitalization Loans, Economic Development Loans and Private Activity Bond Cap Allocation.  c.  State revolving fund: Iowa Water Pollution Control and Drinking Water Facilities Financing Program.  d.  Title guaranty division: Issuance of Title Guaranty Certificates.  1.3(5)    Administration of programs.  The authority may adopt manuals, instructions or other statements as necessary to assist its employees in administering its programs and to permit persons and organizations to participate in such programs. Copies of all such manuals, instructions and other statements shall be kept in the authority’s offices and are available for public inspection unless excepted under applicable law.Related ARC(s): 4319C, 5094C, 5643C265—1.4(16)  Location where the public may submit requests or obtain information.  Requests for assistance, information, inquiries, submissions, petitions and other requests may be directed to the authority at the address set forth in subrule 1.3(1). Requests may be made personally or by telephone, mail, email or any other medium available.265—1.5(16)  Forms.  The executive director shall prepare and, as needed, revise and amend such forms as necessary for administration of authority programs. The number and type of forms shall be sufficient to safeguard the interests of the authority. The authority shall annually assess the effectiveness of its administrative procedures, including all forms, and make any modifications which, in the judgment of the authority, are necessary or would facilitate efficient authority operations.These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code sections 17A.3(1) and 16.5(1)“r.”Related ARC(s): 1944C, 4319C, 5094C, 5643C