Iowa City Council Candidate Profiles: Mayor Matt Hayek

In today's profile, Iowa City Mayor Matt Hayek is an incumbent running At Large for another term on Iowa City City Council. Hayek, who replaced Regenia Bailey as mayor, is seeking one of the two At-Large seats up for grabs in Tuesday's election, filling the slot by At-Large council member Mike Wright, who decided not to run.

Iowa City Patch: Where are you from originally and what is your tie to Iowa City?   

Mayor Hayek: I was born and raised in Iowa City. My family's roots date to roughly 1867 when our Czech ancestors settled in the historic Goosetown neighborhood. We have been here ever since.

Iowa City Patch: How old are you and how long have you lived in Iowa City for?

Hayek: I am 41 years old. I left Iowa City in 1988 after graduating from City High.  I received a Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in 1992 and then served as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years in the mountains of Bolivia. I graduated from Michigan Law School in 1997 and then spent several years in Atlanta and Chicago. I returned to Iowa City in 2001 and have lived here ever since. 

Iowa City Patch: What is your profession?

Hayek: I am an attorney. My work focuses primarily on business, real estate, litigation and family law. I am a partner at Hayek, Brown, Moreland & Smith, LLP, a law firm located on Washington Street since 1926.

Iowa City Patch: What motivated you to run for city council?

I ran for city council in 2007 because I wanted to be part of the decisions that affect my community. By then I had served in a variety of capacities:  president of the Englert Theatre board of directors, chair of the Housing and Community Development Commission, and chair of a special taskforce for the city council. My work with non-profits and the business sector gave me a sense of community needs, and my interaction with city staff exposed me to the functions of city hall.  I was encouraged by numerous community members to run for city council and I decided to give it a shot.

Iowa City Patch: What would your priorities be as a council member?

Hayek: I have many interests, including support for our arts/culture/music scene, environmental sustainability, a vibrant downtown, and strong neighborhoods. Due to national, state and local factors, however, the city's budgetary outlook is increasingly dire.  Like many communities, Iowa City's biggest challenge will be to manage its way through the toughest budget climate in several decades. Investments we make now to grow the tax base and control costs will make a difference in the future.

Iowa City Patch: Why do you think you are qualified to be on the city council? What voters in Iowa City do you think you will appeal to and why?

Hayek: I have worked hard for four years to learn the functions of city council:  budgets, policy, personnel and the like. In 2010, my fellow city councilors selected me to be mayor. I possess the knowledge base to do the job and I take the responsibility seriously.

My Iowa City existence is, I believe, relevant to different parts of the community. My wife and I have three young children and see the importance of strong neighborhoods and safe streets. I am a small business owner (our firm has 15 employees and attorneys), and I know the impact of taxes and fees on those who pay them.  Through my Englert Theatre work, I saw the critical role played by arts/culture/music venues. And through my commission work for the city, I came to appreciate the many non-profit groups that benefit the community every day.

I care deeply about Iowa City and have served it in multiple ways. I am not a one-issue candidate and have always been careful not to appeal to any particular group or demographic. The city council needs intelligent, reasonable citizens who will take the position seriously and apply common sense to the decision making process.  I believe I fit that bill.

Iowa City Patch: Which issues do you feel will be the most important in the upcoming election?

Hayek: It's hard to say which issues will rise to the top.  There are no special ballot items this year, and so far the council candidates have discussed a variety of issues.  I do think there is a growing appreciation of the tough budget decisions that face the next city council regardless of who joins it.

Background of the profile series:

Iowa City Patch sent the current Iowa City Council candidates a list of the same seven questions to provide people with a greater understanding of the individuals who are running in the Nov. 8 election for the Iowa City Council.

The seven council members serve four year terms, with four seats up in November (effective 2012) for one District A, one District C and two At-large slots on the council. The remaining three slots are up in 2013 (effective 2014).  City elections are held every two years.

Click here to read the profile of , another At-Large candidate.