Frequently Asked Questions | Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

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Office Hours

We'll be holding regular office hours to address your questions and gather feedback. Keeping our team members informed and up to speed is very important for a smooth transition.

WHO: IDALS employees in the Des Moines office are invited to stop by during this time. Colin Tadlock, Kelley Reece and Haylee Pontier will be available to visit and answer questions.
WHAT: Move Office Hours
WHERE: 1st Floor Conference Room
WHY: This is your chance to ask questions and give feedback
WHEN: Every other Thursday, starting October 10 from 3:00-3:30pm

Feel free to drop by during these times or reach out via email if you prefer. Your thoughts and concerns are important to us, and we appreciate your cooperation and engagement as we work through move logistics.

Moving Logistics

When will we be moving?

All phases of the move will take place between June 26-July 7.

	Bureaus	Last Day at Wallace	Move-in to Hoover
Group 1	Accounting Admin/Comms Ag Diversification Choose Iowa Dairy Feed & Fertilizer IT	Wednesday, June 25	Tuesday, July 1
Group 2	Animal Industries Climatology Human Resources Grain Warehouse Meat & Poultry Pesticide	Wednesday, June 25	Wednesday, July 2
Group 3	Field Services Mines & Minerals Water Resources WQI	Friday, June 27	Monday, July 7

When/how will materials from our offices be moved?

See table above for specific moving dates.

Who will physically move everything to Hoover?

DAS contracts with Iowa Prison Industries to move the majority of our items.

Can we start putting things in totes? Will the moving team be ok with moving totes?

Staff should use the boxes provided by DAS for items that will be in cubicles and paper files. Totes can be used for items that are currently in the storage room or will be kept in storage after moving.

Are hard copy files we use right now going to be moved with by DAS or is this considered personal items? We have hard copy files and binders we will need access to throughout this year, how are these getting to Hoover and who is moving them?

Files that are in your cube will need to be boxed and labeled according to their planned destination. We are awaiting a labeling scheme from DAS and will provide details once those are received. Iowa Prison Industries is contracted to move all boxes and furniture to Hoover.

What will the availability of meeting rooms be like during/right before move week?

They will remain available prior to the move. If there is a meeting that needs to be held between June 26-July 1, consider moving it to virtual or discuss with Colin to see what options might be available. Conference rooms at Hoover are scheduled to be operable upon move-in.

Workspaces/Cubicles

How is the new Hoover space organized? Where are bureaus positioned?

How are cubicles set up? Will people have to share cubes?

Standard cubicle size will be 6x8 and bureau chief cubicle size will be 8x10. Cubicle walls are XX” tall with the top 15” being a glass panel to allow light to flow throughout the space. All employees will have their own cube (no sharing).

Standard cubicle:

Bureau Chief cubicle:

Will we be able to change the layout of our cubicle?

Not at this time.

What does storage in the cubicles look like? Can we bring existing storage systems from Wallace?

All cubicles will have a 2-drawer lateral file (30”W x 18”D) as well as a filing cabinet (15”W x 18”D) on wheels with cushion that can be used as an additional seat.

Standard cubicles:

Bureau Chief cubicles:

Will we have shelves in our cubes?

Not as of now, but we are exploring the possibility of adding these later.

Will there be storage cabinets or storage areas outside of cubicles?

Yes, however, it is significantly reduced compared to what exists at Wallace today. Communal filing storage will be available on the 5th floor for paper files that need to be accessed on a somewhat regular basis. Additional file storage will be available in the Level B storage area for files that are not used as regularly. Allocation of file cabinet storage by bureau has been shared with bureau chiefs.

Are we keeping our current desk chairs?

Yes. DAS is not providing new office chairs, so we will be bringing existing chairs to the new space.

Will the new cubicles have stand desk capabilities?

Yes, all cubicles are equipped with electric stand desk capabilities.

Will we be able to have personal appliances (mini refrigerators, microwaves, coffee pots/Keurig’s, space heaters, etc) in cubes?

No, due to electrical concerns. However, there will be a Keurig machine for coffee (pods not provided), as well as 2 refrigerators and 2 microwaves available for employees to store and heat lunches in the IDALS-specific break area. There is an additional microwave in the shared break area.

Will we be able to have live plants?

Employees will be allowed to have potted plants on their desk. No plants are allowed to be hung or placed on cubicle walls.

What do I do with my old stand desk?

If IDALS purchased your stand desk, it will be placed on GovDeals.

If you purchased it personally, you should take it home.

Can we put post-it notes on monitors?

Yes.

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Hoover Building and 5th Floor Workspace

What will public access to the building look like?

The public will have access through the main entrance and elevators. Access to IDALS workspaces will be secured and require badge access.

Are all copier/printers moving? How will printing work?

We currently have 20+ printers spread across our four main office areas. We will be ordering 7 new printer/copiers for all employees to use. Printer locations and specifications are identified in the floorplan.

How will office supplies be stored and managed?

Commonly used office supplies (pens, paper, sticky notes, paper clips, etc) will be centrally stored and maintained by the Administrative Division. Bureaus will still be able to order specialty or supplies unique to their programs by submitting a purchase requisition.

A strategy for envelopes is still being developed.

Are there refrigerators in the break area for people to keep their lunch/coffee creamer/etc?

There will be 2 refrigerators and 2 microwaves for food in the IDALS-specific break area. There is an additional microwave and sink in the communal break area.

Will Hoover have Wi-Fi?

Yes.

Will there be a sink in the break room?

Yes, there is a sink in the communal break room.

Are we still going to have the ability to receive faxes? If so, when will we know the correct fax number for each bureau? OR will we have the ability to received faxes through our computers when we start using our computers as our phone system?

There will be one fax number with one fax machine for sending and receiving. The fax number is 515-281-4282 (this is the one currently used by Animal Industries). Faxes will not be done through Teams Phone.

When can/should we start updating our forms with our new address? What is our new address?

You should start updating forms now in preparation for the move, but do not start publicizing that externally yet.

New address is:
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Hoover State Office Building
1305 E Walnut St
Des Moines, IA 50319

Storage space in Hoover

Will we have lockable cabinets within the storage area?

Access to the storage areas will require badge access. Further, the storage room will be locked by padlock which will require a key. Lockable cabinets within the storage areas is not part of the current plan.

Parking

Where is employee parking located?

Employee parking is located in lots 1, 2, 3 and 4. Click here to see a map.

Where is accessible parking located?

Accessible parking spots are located in lots 1 and 2. Click here to see a map.

Will I need to get a new parking decal for my car?

No, existing parking decals are not specific to any building on Capitol complex. If you do not currently have a parking decal, you will need to get one from DAS, by emailing dasbadgepark@iowa.gov.

Where will fleet vehicles be stored?

TBD. The future of the parking garage is undetermined at this time. However, there is ample parking for fleet vehicles in the parking lots next to Hoover.