Looks like someone took out a flock camera 29th street and 380 by loose chain.Cop was there filling out the report.

Meeting Overview - Pretty boring one:

tldr: This noon meeting holds two public hearings: the C Street SW Bridge Deck Reconstruction, awarded to Boulder Contracting, LLC for $1,499,280.85, and a rezoning of 3750 16th Avenue SW for the Housing Fund for Linn County. The council is asked to consent to Brent Smith as Fire Chief and to accept redevelopment proposals for City-owned land at 220 Ellis Boulevard NW and 916 5th Street SE. The consent agenda sets November 3 hearings on five proposed urban renewal areas.

Key Sections

Opening Items

• Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance
• Proclamation – Arts and Humanities Month
• Proclamation – A Week Without Driving

Public Hearings

1. C Street SW Bridge Deck Reconstruction
   • Boulder Contracting, LLC awarded $1,499,280.85 (est. $2,000,000) (Doug Wilson). Re-set after being held September 8. Paving for Progress.
2. Change of Zone – 3750 16th Avenue SW
   • From I-LI (Light Industrial) to S-MC (Suburban Mixed-Use Community Center), requested by the Housing Fund for Linn County (Seth Gunnerson). First Reading. Council Priority.

Public Comment

Consent Agenda

(Approved in Bulk)

• Administrative & Financial Approvals:
  • Meeting minutes, payment of bills, payroll and transfer of funds.
  • Hotel-motel tax – FY2027 allocations of $4,050,000 for outstanding City commitments.
  • Vote of thanks to Frank Afflitto, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Resident Advisory Board.
• Property & Infrastructure Development:
  • Upland Drive SE and 23rd Street – two-way stop control, stopping Upland Drive.
  • Urban renewal plan hearings, Nov 3 – five proposed areas: Airport #1 and Airport #2 (Wright Brothers Boulevard SW), Mallory (1756 Mallory Street SW), Parks (Earhart Lane SW), Stone Ridge (Stoney Point Road SW). Council Priority.
  • Future hearing, Oct 20 – corrected address for the Underground Electric Line Easement at 101 First Street SE granted to Interstate Power and Light (Resolution No. 0258-03-25).
  • Future hearing, Oct 20 – renaming G Avenue NW (1st to 2nd Street) and 2nd Street NW (G to F Avenue) to F Avenue NW for the Cedar Crossing Casino roadway configuration. Council Priority.
  • Future hearing, Oct 20 – status of the Fruitland project under the CDBG-DR ROOTs single-family new construction program. Council Priority.
  • Future hearing, Oct 20 – change of zone at 475 10th Avenue SE and 1015 5th Street SE to T-RF-PUD, requested by Tyler Oswood, OFB LLC. Council Priority.
  • Future bid hearing, Oct 20 – FY27 Large Diameter Sanitary Sewer Inspections ($900,000).
  • Future bid hearing, Oct 20 – FY 2027 Tree & Vegetation Removal ($270,000).
• Public Safety & Business Licenses:
  • Beer/liquor/wine licenses – 17 applications, including three new premises (Frank's Bar and Gallery, Gyro Hut and Groceries, The Crows Nest), two outdoor service area expansions and 5-day event licenses for St. Jude Catholic Church and Tycoon.
• Special Events:
  • NewBo Czech Village Howl-O-Ween Full Moon Parade, October 24 – application and road closures.
  • Cedar Rapids Turkey Trot 5K, November 26 – application and road closures.
• Assessment Actions & Project Completions:
  • Intent to assess – Solid Waste and Recycling cleanup, nine properties. Council Priority.
  • Levy assessment – Solid Waste and Recycling cleanup, two properties. Council Priority.
  • Intent to assess – Water Division delinquent bills, 61 properties.
  • Levy assessment – Water Division delinquent bills, 25 properties.
  • Wax Excavating Inc. – Blairs Ferry Road NE water system improvements accepted; 4-year maintenance bond $59,262.
  • B.G. Brecke, Inc. – Rockvalley Ln NW Sanitary & Storm accepted. Final payment $3,210, 4-year bond; total $57,599.60, unchanged from original.
• Major Contracts & Services:
  • Midwest Concrete, Inc. – Cherokee Trail Phase III awarded $1,466,625.79 (est. $1,800,000). Bid report September 22.
  • Peterson Contractors Inc. – Edgewood Road NE Trail Phase 3 awarded $3,749,533.17 (est. $3,300,000). Bid report September 22. Council Priority.
  • Stanley Consultants, Inc. – Flood Mitigation System East Side Phase 1 consulting. Amendment No. 30 adds $309,100; total $52,890,448, original $3,959,599. Council Priority.
  • T.Y. Lin International – FCS Bridge and Riverfront Improvements. Amendment No. 15 adds $633,419.88; total $16,151,996.85, original $3,287,086. Council Priority.
  • Strand Associates, Inc. – Utilities SCADA Master Plan. Not to exceed $319,000.
  • PFM Financial Advisors LLC – Finance Department financial advisor, five years. Amendment No. 1 renews at not to exceed $1,000,000, original $1,000,000.
  • Murphy Tractor Waterloo – two used motor graders for the Streets Division. $594,000.
  • Fleet Services – purchases of vehicles and equipment from dealership lots, not to exceed $300,000 per item through October 5, 2027.
  • Iowa Soybean Association – water monitoring and conservation agronomy for the WPCF. Amendment No. 1 adds $208,000; total $997,525, original $789,525.
  • AssetWorks, Inc. – software maintenance for IT and Fleet, three years. Amendment No. 6 renews at not to exceed $199,035.31, original $40,771.94.
  • MB Lawn Care – Fall 2026 ReLeaf ROW Tree Planting. Not to exceed $187,577.
  • MB Lawn Care – Fall 2026 ROW Tree Planting, U.S. Forestry Grant. Not to exceed $196,565.
  • Core & Main – Sewer Division castings. Annual not to exceed $145,355.
  • Abdo LLP – Human Resources pay practices audit. Not to exceed $135,000.
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – grant application and agreement for two Family Self-Sufficiency Program Coordinator positions. No amount stated. Council Priority.
  • Craig Hlas – service line reimbursement affidavit for 1314 K Avenue NE. No amount stated.
  • Boulder Contracting, LLC – FY 2025 Bridge Maintenance. Change Order No. 7 adds $1,358.76; total $2,479,433.52, original $2,181,399.40. Paving for Progress.
  • Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete – Advance FCS Grading, Utility, and Concrete Repair. Change Order No. 11 adds $10,218.70; total $1,427,945.81, original $1,106,942.50. Council Priority.
  • Garling Construction – Westside Library. Change Order No. 19 adds $7,028.38; total $18,304,676.84, original $15,525,000.
  • Midwest Concrete Inc. – 2026 Pavement Milling and Curb Repair. Change Order No. 3 adds $68,963.44; total $5,589,593.79, original $5,395,094.50. Paving for Progress.
  • Peak Construction Group, Inc. – City Annex and City Services Center Renovation Phase 1. Change Order No. 12 adds $53,648.88; total $6,019,136.01, original $5,334,000.
  • Pirc-Tobin Construction Inc. – Tree of Five Seasons Park and 1st Street NE Two Way Conversion. Change Order No. 5 adds $84,644.90; total $2,715,097.78, original $2,413,477.40. Council Priority.
  • Possibilities Unlimited LLC – FY26 Sidewalk Repair. Change Order No. 2 adds $7,240.71; total $120,860.42, original $81,365. Council Priority.
  • Rathje Construction Co. – 5th Avenue SE, 5th to 19th Street. Change Order No. 10 adds $36,107.97; total $4,295,143.31, original $4,048,613.03. Paving for Progress.
  • Rathje Construction Co. – 42nd Street NE, Pine View Drive to Wenig Road. Change Order No. 6 adds $115,235.58; total $4,191,382.91, original $4,015,202.38. Paving for Progress.
  • Rathje Construction Co. – Czech Village Riverside Trail. Change Order No. 2 adds $46,193.64; total $246,496.98, original $197,403.34. Council Priority.
  • Wendler, Inc. – NW Water Treatment Plant Lime Slaker Replacement. Change Order No. 4 adds $51,318.92; total $4,339,977.72, original $4,122,000.
  • WRH, Inc. – Horizontal Collector Well No. 7 Wellhouse. Change Order No. 9 extends the contract; total $14,205,500, original $13,888,000.
  • GreatAmerica Building, LLC – construction damages at 535 1st Street SE, Cedar River Flood Control System. $10,000. Council Priority.
  • Interstate Power and Light – temporary easement extended at 915 and 1001 Shaver Road NE, Cedar River Flood Control System. $1. Council Priority.
  • Hy-Vee Food Stores, Inc. – three acquisitions for Johnson Avenue NW (32nd to 18th Street): $2,800, $3,362 and $57,405. Paving for Progress.
  • E Avenue NW Improvements – four acquisitions and easements (3622, 3700, 3823 and 3926 E Avenue NW), $19,625 total. Paving for Progress.
  • Temporary construction easements – four properties on Evergreen Street NE ($5,821). Paving for Progress.

Regular Agenda Items

1. Lincolnway Village Intake Replacements
   • Bid report, estimated cost $840,000 (Ben Worrell). No award resolution listed.
2. Fire Chief Appointment – Brent Smith
   • Consent to the City Manager's appointment of Brent Smith as Chief of the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, effective October 7, 2026 (Jeff Pomeranz).
3. Redevelopment – 220 Ellis Boulevard NW
   • Accepting a proposal from Allan Development Company, an entity of Paul Brundell, for City-owned land (Jeff Wozencraft). No amount stated. Council Priority.
4. Redevelopment – 916 5th Street SE
   • Accepting a proposal from Prairie Rose Rental Company, an entity of Sandy and James Locke, for City-owned land (Noah Zeker). No amount stated. Council Priority.

Ordinances

• Second & Possible Third Readings:
  • Chapter 23 – repeal of Cats, Dogs and Other Animals and enactment of a new Animal Control, Animal Laws, and Other Regulations. First read September 22.
  • Alley vacation – 1018 6th Street NW – 0.06-acre parcel, with a resolution authorizing its disposition, requested by The Parkline, LLC. First read September 22.

Public Input & City Manager Communications

Meeting Overview

This noon meeting holds ten public hearings, five of them bid hearings on projects totaling roughly $7.6 million, and three development agreements or dispositions of City-owned land. An eleventh hearing, a Development Agreement with Gelid LLC for housing on City-owned lots at 615-629 I Avenue NW and 905 Ellis Boulevard NW, was cancelled at the request of the City Manager's Office – while a separate proposal from the same company for four other City-owned parcels on Ellis Boulevard NW and 6th Street NW sits on the regular agenda. The regular agenda also carries two resolutions declaring contractor default and terminating two street contracts with Shift Companies, LLC, and two bid awards that both came in under the engineer's estimate, including $640,700 under on the Water System Variable Frequency Drive Replacements. Three ordinances first read on August 25 – the Atheneum and Skogman tax increment ordinances and the Prairie Land Development rezoning – return for Second and possible Third Readings, which would make them final.

Key Sections

Opening Items

• Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance
• Proclamation – Start a Conversation: Changing the Narrative About Suicide
• Proclamation – Hispanic Heritage Month
• Presentation – Homeless Systems Initiative Update

Public Hearings

1. Central Consolidated Urban Renewal Area – Amendment No. 12
   • Resolution approving Amendment No. 12 to the Urban Renewal Plan for the Central Consolidated Urban Renewal Area, the City's largest downtown TIF district (Scott Mather). Council Priority.
2. Development Agreement – Nguyen Real Estate LLC
   • Agreement with Nguyen Real Estate LLC, an entity of Nick Nguyen, for a mixed-use redevelopment on City-owned lots at 0, 1126 and 1132 Ellis Boulevard NW (Scott Mather). The hearing was set on the August 25 consent agenda. Council Priority.
3. Development Agreement – Evolution, LC
   • Agreement with Evolution, LC, an entity of Steve Emerson, for an adaptive reuse project at 219 2nd Street SE (Scott Mather). Council Priority.
4. Rezoning – 1756 Mallory Street SW
   • Change of zone from T-R1 (Traditional Residential Single Unit) to U-VR (Urban Village Residential), requested by OFB, LLC (Seth Gunnerson). First Reading. Council Priority.
5. Disposition of City-Owned Land – 397 15th Avenue SW
   • Resolution authorizing the disposition of City-owned land at 397 15th Avenue SW (Jeff Wozencraft). Council Priority.
6. C Street SW Bridge Deck Reconstruction
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost. Estimated cost $2,000,000 (Doug Wilson). Paving for Progress.
7. Cherokee Trail Phase III
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost. Estimated cost $1,800,000 (Erik Turnquist). Council Priority.
8. Edgewood Road NE Trail Phase 3
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost. Estimated cost $3,300,000, the largest of the five bid hearings (Erik Turnquist). Council Priority.
9. Cedar Valley Nature Trail Erosion Repairs
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost. Estimated cost $215,000 (Steve Krug).
10. City Services Center Remodel FF&E

• Plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost. Estimated cost $285,000 (Jason Stancliffe).

11. Development Agreement – Gelid LLC (CANCELLED)

• Hearing on an agreement with Gelid LLC, an entity of Josh Bass, for housing redevelopment on City-owned lots at 615-629 I Avenue NW and 905 Ellis Boulevard NW. Cancelled at the request of the City Manager's Office, so no vote will be taken. The hearing had been set two weeks earlier, on the August 25 consent agenda.

Consent Agenda

(Approved in Bulk)

• Administrative & Financial Approvals:
  • Meeting minutes, payment of bills, and payroll approved.
  • Retirement and Release Agreement: $191,096.80 to David Dostal, covering six months' salary, accrued and unused flex leave, and COBRA. The single largest personnel figure on the agenda.
  • Legal Fees: Attorney fees to Nyemaster Goode, P.C. for general employment matters.
  • Vote of Thanks: Jacquie Montoya for service on the Active Transportation Advisory Commission.
• Property & Infrastructure Development:
  • Water Main Easement: A 20-foot permanent easement on City-owned property at the dead ends of 30th, 31st and 32nd Streets NW for the E Avenue NW Stormwater Detention Basin project.
  • Future Public Hearings (Sept 22): Vacation and disposition of a 0.06-acre alley parcel north and west of 1018 6th Street NW, requested by The Parkline, LLC (Council Priority); vacation of a utility easement at 4300 76th Avenue SW, requested by QTS Cedar Rapids I DC6 LLC; repealing Chapter 23 of the Municipal Code, Cats, Dogs and Other Animals, and enacting a new Chapter 23, Animal Control, Animal Laws, and Other Regulations, in its place (Council Priority); and public comment on the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report for the CDBG and HOME programs for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 (Council Priority).
  • Future Bid Hearing (Sept 22): Lincolnway Village Intake Replacements ($840,000).
  • Final Plats: Grey Hawk 1st Addition north of Wright Brothers Boulevard SW and east of Interstate 380; Kestrel Estates First Addition and Kestrel Heights Second Addition, both north of Otis Road SE and east of Cole Street SE. All Council Priority.
• Public Safety & Business Licenses:
  • Beer/Liquor/Wine Licenses (16 applications): New and renewal licenses for bars, restaurants, stores and venues, including Coe College, The History Center, Sacred Cow Tavern, Boulder Tap House, Pub 217, two Hy-Vee locations and Target Store T-1771, plus 5-day event licenses for Traveling Tapster and VenuWorks of Cedar Rapids.
• Special Events:
  • Applications and road closures approved for BrewNost on September 18 and the College Community School District Homecoming Parade on September 25.
• Assessment Actions & Project Completions:
  • Solid Waste & Recycling Cleanup: Intent to assess five properties and levy assessment on five properties. Council Priority.
  • Water Division Delinquent Utility Bills: Intent to assess 21 properties and levy assessment on 53 properties.
  • Project Completions: Upgrade HVAC Controllers at Veterans Memorial Stadium accepted with a 2-year Performance Bond from Basepoint Building Automation ($98,600, unchanged from the original contract); Modification of Structural Bases for Fall Arrest System accepted from Newell Machinery Company ($59,995, also unchanged); 6th Street SW Railroad Crossing Improvements accepted with final payment of $77,246.70 to Tschiggfrie Excavating Co., below the original $83,735.90 contract. All three closed at or under contract, unusual on this agenda.
• Major Contracts & Services:
  • Grants: Amendment to the Destination Iowa grant agreement with the Iowa Economic Development Authority adding $60,100 for the LightLine Loop project (Council Priority); a Certified Local Government grant application to the State Historic Preservation Office for a maintenance and preservation plan for the Seminole Valley Farmstead and Ushers Ferry Historic Village.
  • Litigation: Stipulation of Settlement in Michael S. Augustine v. City of Cedar Rapids and Linn County, Linn County District Court Case No. CVCV102906. The agenda states no dollar amount.
  • Utilities & Purchasing: Amendment No. 1 renewing Roto-Rooter for jetting and cleanout services, not to exceed $200,000; Amendment No. 1 renewing Municipal Collections of America for debt collection for three years, not to exceed $2,000,000; contract with Hawkins, Inc. for sodium silicofluoride for the Water Division, not to exceed $233,840; Preconstruction Services Agreement with Rice Lake Construction Group, not to exceed $542,390, for the Northwest Water Treatment Plant Expansion.
  • Construction Change Orders (ten): The largest by dollar is $120,564.15 with Midwest Concrete for the 2026 Pavement Milling and Curb Repair project (total $5,520,630.35 from $5,395,094.50). The largest by share is Change Order No. 1 with Possibilities Unlimited LLC for the FY26 Sidewalk Repair project, $32,254.71 on an original contract of $81,365, a 40% increase to $113,619.71. Others: General Constructors on the Alliant Energy LightLine Bridge ($4,050.81; total $15,221,630.25 from $14,994,902.80); Pirc-Tobin on the 5th Avenue SE Gatewell and Pump Manhole ($1,969) and the Tree of Five Seasons Park and 1st Street NE Two Way Conversion ($26,416.48); Rathje Construction on 5th Avenue SE Pavement Rehabilitation ($19,425.22), 42nd Street NE Pavement Improvements ($11,750.40) and the Sludge Storage Area ($10,241.01); Boulder Contracting on FY 2025 Bridge Maintenance ($9,625); and Boomerang Corp. on the Water Pollution Control Feeder Main Extension ($258.06).
  • Flood Control Acquisition: Total Acquisition Purchase Agreement of $165,000 plus relocation benefits not to exceed $90,000, accepting a Warranty Deed from David Montague for 1841 Ellis Boulevard NW, for the Cedar River Flood Control System. This is another property in the same Ellis Boulevard NW block the council has been buying through: 1845, 1851 and 1861 all came before it on August 25. Council Priority.
  • Land & Easements: Temporary Construction Easement of $615 from Robert Caldwell at 1700 1st Avenue NE; Temporary Easement Purchase of $14,731 from Richard Stewart and Mary Bann at 116 34th Street SE; easements with the owners of 14 properties totaling $6,458 for the Evergreen Street NE Improvements; $10,474 from Iowa Wash LLC at 1822 Johnson Avenue NW; and $4,880 from Christina and Kevin Jones at 1500 Highwood Drive NW.

Regular Agenda Items

1. Ellis Road NW at Rawson Lane Sanitary Sewer Improvements
   • Bid report (estimated cost $850,000); contract awarded to American Excavation and Concrete for $761,434, about $89,000 under estimate (Ben Worrell). The public hearing on this project was held August 25.
2. Water System Variable Frequency Drive Replacements
   • Bid report (estimated cost $2,692,000); contract awarded to ESCO Electric Company for $2,051,300, about $640,700 under estimate (Casie Meyer). The largest gap between estimate and bid on this agenda.
3. Contractor Default – Shift Companies, LLC
   • Presentation and two resolutions declaring contractor default and terminating contracts with Shift Companies, LLC (Shift General Contracting, LLC) (Taylor Burgin). Paving for Progress.
   • The two projects are 34th Street SE from Bever Avenue to north of Terry Drive and Richard Drive NE from Evergreen Street to Nancy Jane Lane, with Nancy Jane Lane NE from Richard Drive to Brookland Drive.
   • A default termination is rare on a council agenda; the City is ending both contracts rather than amending them. The agenda states no replacement contractor and no cost of completion.
4. City Manager's Sustainability Grant Program
   • Presentation and resolution approving the program (Sara Maples). The agenda states no funding amount. Council Priority.
5. Redevelopment Proposal – Gelid LLC
   • Presentation and resolution accepting a proposal from Gelid LLC, an entity of Josh Bass and Tyler Oswood, for redevelopment of City-owned land at 1026, 1221 and 1223 Ellis Boulevard NW and 1216 6th Street NW (Jeff Wozencraft). Council Priority.
   • This is a separate transaction from the Gelid LLC development agreement whose hearing was cancelled earlier on this same agenda, and it involves different parcels.

Ordinances

• Second & Possible Third Readings:
  • Atheneum Urban Renewal Area: Collection of tax increments at 4010 20th Avenue SW, the district paired with the Pedcor Investments affordable housing project. First read August 25. Council Priority.
  • Skogman Urban Renewal Area: Collection of tax increments at 7217 Underwood Avenue SW, paired with public infrastructure by Midwest Development Co. First read August 25. Council Priority.
  • Rezoning – South of Wright Brothers Boulevard SW: Change of zone from S-RLF (Suburban Residential Low Flex) to S-RMF-PUD (Suburban Residential Medium Flex with a Planned Unit Development Overlay), requested by Prairie Land Development, LLC. First read August 25. Council Priority.

As of the most recent (August 20, 2026) IPIB meeting, 128 complaints are marked as "Pending Complaints. Informational Only". Some of these complaints were filed years ago.

IPIB's current chair, Catherine Lucas, is also the general counsel for the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Barry Lindahl, the board's most senior member pushed for the recent move to ban "vexatious requesters" from accessing public records. He was also senior counsel for the City of Dubuque while it installed 1600+ AI-enabled cameras, and built a "Precision Policing Center."

IPIB has not handled a single contested case in nearly a decade. It dismisses (or ignores) all complaints it receives. The board has never used its subpoena powers as part of an investigation (e.g. to get records to determine if they were properly withheld).

If you're wondering why Iowa officials get away with everything, and how they can keep hiding Flock cameras and other commercial police technology: the answer is the Iowa Public Information Board. Complaints that aren't dismissed will sit and linger with the 128 already on the list.

If nothing else, Iowans deserve to at least know how the government is fucking up our state. Tell your legislator we need to do better. You can find yours here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

Meeting Overview

This 4:00 PM meeting is built around two tax increment financing packages, each pairing an urban renewal plan with a development agreement: the Atheneum Urban Renewal Area at 4010 20th Avenue SW, tied to a Pedcor Investments affordable housing project, and the Skogman Urban Renewal Area at 7217 Underwood Avenue SW, tied to public infrastructure by Midwest Development Co. Both plans carry First Readings of their tax increment ordinances. Six public hearings also cover a Prairie Land Development rezoning and the Ellis Road NW at Rawson Lane Sanitary Sewer Improvements ($850,000). Three contract awards all came in under the engineer's estimate. The consent agenda sets a September 22 hearing on the 8th Avenue Bridge Replacement and Floodwalls at Cedar River, estimated at $123,000,000, by far the largest figure on the agenda, and the regular agenda advances five Cedar River Flood Control System property actions, two of them referrals to the Linn County Compensation Commission.

Key Sections

Opening Items

• Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance
• Proclamation – 20th Annual Five Seasons Stand Down Day

Public Hearings

1. Atheneum Urban Renewal Area – 4010 20th Avenue SW
   • Resolution approving the Urban Renewal Plan and First Reading of an ordinance on the collection of tax increments within the area (Scott Mather). Council Priority.
2. Development Agreement – Pedcor Investments A LLC
   • Agreement for an affordable housing project at 4010 20th Avenue SW, the development paired with the Atheneum urban renewal area. Council Priority.
3. Skogman Urban Renewal Area – 7217 Underwood Avenue SW
   • Resolution approving the Urban Renewal Plan and First Reading of an ordinance on the collection of tax increments within the area (Scott Mather). Council Priority.
4. Development Agreement – Midwest Development Co.
   • Agreement with Midwest Development Co., an entity of Skogman Companies, for construction of public infrastructure at 7217 Underwood Avenue SW. Council Priority.
5. Rezoning – South of Wright Brothers Boulevard SW
   • Change of zone for property south of Wright Brothers Boulevard SW and east of Kirkwood Boulevard SW from S-RLF (Suburban Residential Low Flex) to S-RMF-PUD (Suburban Residential Medium Flex with a Planned Unit Development Overlay), requested by Prairie Land Development, LLC (Seth Gunnerson). First Reading. Council Priority.
6. Ellis Road NW at Rawson Lane Sanitary Sewer Improvements
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost adopted. Estimated cost $850,000 (Ben Worrell).

Public Comment

Consent Agenda

(Approved in Bulk)

• Administrative & Financial Approvals:
  • Meeting minutes, payment of bills, and payroll approved.
  • Financial Management Policies: Updated policies adopted for the City.
  • Solid Waste Variable Cart Program: Fees adopted for the program, which lets residents choose from two larger cart sizes for garbage collection.
  • Hotel-Motel Tax: FY 2027 allocation of $9,000 to SPT Theatre Company.
• Property & Infrastructure Development:
  • Future Public Hearings (Sept 8): Change of zone at 1756 Mallory Street SW from T-R1 to U-VR, requested by OFB, LLC; disposition of City-owned land at 397 15th Avenue SW; Development Agreement with Evolution, LC, an entity of Steve Emerson, for an adaptive reuse project at 219 2nd Street SE; Development Agreement with Gelid LLC, an entity of Josh Bass, for housing redevelopment on City-owned lots at 615-629 I Avenue NW and 905 Ellis Boulevard NW; Development Agreement with Nguyen Real Estate LLC, an entity of Nick Nguyen, for mixed-use redevelopment on City-owned lots at 0, 1126 and 1132 Ellis Boulevard NW. All Council Priority.
  • Future Bid Hearings (Sept 8): C Street SW Bridge Deck Reconstruction ($2,000,000, Paving for Progress); Cedar Valley Nature Trail Erosion Repairs ($215,000); Cherokee Trail Phase III ($1,800,000); City Services Center Remodel FF&E ($285,000); Edgewood Road NE Trail Phase 3 ($3,300,000).
  • Future Bid Hearing (Sept 22): 8th Avenue Bridge Replacement and Floodwalls at Cedar River, estimated cost $123,000,000. Council Priority.
  • Final Plats: 1st and 1st North Second Addition north of 1st Avenue W and west of 1st Street SW; 380 Commerce Fourth Addition south of 76th Avenue SW and east of 6th Street SW; Edgewood Town Centre Ninth Addition south of Blairs Ferry Road NE and west of Edgewood Road NE. All Council Priority.
• Public Safety & Business Licenses:
  • Beer/Liquor/Wine Licenses (15 applications): New and renewal licenses for bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and venues, including Theatre Cedar Rapids, Chili's Grill & Bar, Maverik #5213 and Sam's Club #8162, plus 5-day event licenses for Cliff's Dive Bar & Grill, St. Ludmila Catholic Church, and Traveling Tapster.
• Board & Commission Appointments:
  • Tamara Karr appointed to the Parks, Waterways & Recreation Commission, effective through June 30, 2028.
  • Stephen Kness appointed and David Schiel and Sherri Schuchmann reappointed to the Veterans Memorial Commission, effective through June 30, 2029.
• Assessment Actions & Project Completions:
  • Solid Waste & Recycling Cleanup: Intent to assess three properties and levy assessment on four properties. Council Priority.
  • Water Division Delinquent Utility Bills: Intent to assess 52 properties and levy assessment on 23 properties.
  • Subdivision Improvements: Sanitary sewer and storm sewer at the Prairie Summit YMCA site accepted, with 4-year Maintenance Bonds from Rathje Construction Co. of $210,760.07 and $49,737.
  • Project Completions: CEMAR Trail Phase 1A on H Avenue NE accepted, Change Order No. 9 deducting $51,801.74 and final payment of $5,000 to Dave Schmitt Construction (original $1,317,642.23; final $1,362,214.16). 1st Avenue W and I-380 Southbound Off-Ramp Realignment accepted, final payment $22,614.52 to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete (original $439,989.70; final $452,290.37). Stickle Drive NE at 4th Street East Central Quiet Zone accepted, final payment $25,194.05 to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete (original $549,921.20; final $503,881). Downtown Parking Lot at 1st Street SE and 4th Avenue SE accepted, final payment $8,372.05 to Rathje Construction Co. (original $165,256.75; final $167,441.01).
  • Gardner Golf Course ADA Improvements accepted with final payment of $72,889.32 to McComas-Lacina Construction. The original contract was $1,183,200 and the final amount is $1,457,786.45, an increase of roughly $274,586 (23%), the largest overrun among the completions on this agenda.
• Major Contracts & Services:
  • Public Works & Fleet: Up to 9,000 tons of rock salt for winter snow and ice control from Great Lakes Salt Company, not to exceed $1,014,660 (Council Priority); 15 emergency equipment packages for Police Department vehicles from MacQueen, $365,644.13.
  • Facilities ADA Compliance: Two extensions with Willett Hofmann & Associates Inc., Amendment No. 34 adding $29,471.30 for Group 2 facilities (original $356,700; total $650,918.30) and Amendment No. 10 adding $8,810.65 for Group 3 (original $198,000; total $496,927.20). Both totals are well above their original contracts.
  • Utilities: Amendment No. 4 renewing ESCO Group for SCADA and PLC integration, not to exceed $200,000; Amendment No. 2 with Newell Machinery Company for millwright services at the Water Pollution Control Facility adding $300,000 (total $400,000); 28E Agreement Amendment No. 1 with the City of Hiawatha to share design and construction costs for the Tower Drive Lift Station.
  • Engineering: Professional Services Agreement with Kirkham Michael & Associates for the 2nd Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation, not to exceed $181,500 (Paving for Progress); Amendment No. 5 with Foth Infrastructure & Environment adding $16,158 for Edgewood Road NE Trail Phase 3 (total $360,376). Council Priority.
  • Construction Change Orders: Garling Construction Change Order No. 18 for the Westside Library ($2,592.89), bringing the total to $18,297,648.46 against an original contract of $15,525,000; Peak Construction Group Change Order No. 10 for the City Annex & City Services Center Renovation Phase 1 ($1,097.52; total $5,959,387.18 from $5,334,000); Rathje Construction Change Order No. 4 for Tuma Sports Complex ADA Compliance ($11,470.73; total $1,191,879.12 from $1,089,000).
  • Land & Easements: Temporary Construction Easements for the 12th Avenue SW Storm Sewer Improvements (two donated, four for $7,135); 34th Street SE (two for $845) and D Avenue NW (two for $200), both Paving for Progress; six properties for the Noelridge Park Neighborhood Street Reconstruction ($1,425); and two E Avenue NW acquisitions, $2,906 from the Estate of Kevin Hessing at 3606 E Avenue NW and $5,345 from Rhodes and Associates LLC at 3619 E Avenue NW.

Regular Agenda Items

1. Cedar Lake Amenities Bid Package 3A: Recreational Amenities
   • Bid report (estimated cost $1,340,000); contract awarded to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete, LLC for $1,161,746.70, about $178,000 under estimate (Ben Worrell). Council Priority.
2. Center Point Road Bridge over CN Railroad Bridge Deck Overlay
   • Bid report (estimated cost $632,000); contract awarded to Jasper Construction Services for $593,682.70, about $38,000 under estimate (Doug Wilson). Paving for Progress.
3. City Annex Phase 1 FF&E
   • Bid report (estimated cost $315,000); contract awarded to Paragon Interiors for $241,614.40, about $73,000 under estimate (Jason Stancliffe). The public hearing on this project was held August 11.
4. Cedar River Flood Control System – Property Acquisitions
   • Presentation and five resolutions on property acquisition for the flood control system (Rob Davis). Council Priority.
   • Two referrals to the Linn County Compensation Commission, the process used when the City and an owner do not reach agreement: 1845 Ellis Boulevard NW (Mark and Kelli Roskopf), with fair market value updated to $200,000 and the referral reaffirmed; and 1426 1st Street NW (Gregory Vail), newly referred. The Vail property's $130,000 fair market value was accepted by the council on August 11, two weeks before this referral.
   • Negotiated acquisition: Total Acquisition Purchase Agreement of $207,000 plus relocation benefits not to exceed $50,000, accepting a Warranty Deed from Dean Stull for 1308 4th Street NW.
   • Relocation expenses: Up to $30,000 for Clara Kelley at 1861 Ellis Boulevard NW and up to $20,000 for Brenda and Mitchell Smith at 1851 Ellis Boulevard NW.
5. Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance – FY 2027
   • Presentation and two resolutions (Jasmine Almoayyed): $25,000 in FY 2027 membership dues, and a Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement for $200,000 covering expanded service offerings. Council Priority.

Public Input & City Manager Communications

Meeting Summary

The August 25 meeting pairs two urban renewal plans with their development agreements. The Atheneum Urban Renewal Area at 4010 20th Avenue SW is tied to a Pedcor Investments affordable housing project, and the Skogman Urban Renewal Area at 7217 Underwood Avenue SW is tied to public infrastructure by Midwest Development Co., an entity of Skogman Companies. Both carry First Readings of ordinances on the collection of tax increments, so neither is final at this meeting. A Prairie Land Development rezoning from S-RLF to S-RMF-PUD also gets a First Reading, and the council adopted plans for the Ellis Road NW at Rawson Lane Sanitary Sewer Improvements ($850,000). All three contract awards landed under the engineer's estimate: Cedar Lake Amenities Bid Package 3A to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete at $1,161,746.70, the Center Point Road Bridge Deck Overlay to Jasper Construction Services at $593,682.70, and City Annex Phase 1 FF&E to Paragon Interiors at $241,614.40. The most consequential item for residents may be the Cedar River Flood Control System acquisitions, where two properties on Ellis Boulevard NW and 1st Street NW head to the Linn County Compensation Commission, the condemnation process used when the City and an owner cannot agree on price. One of those, 1426 1st Street NW, had its $130,000 valuation accepted only two weeks earlier. The consent agenda sets a September 22 hearing on the 8th Avenue Bridge Replacement and Floodwalls at Cedar River, estimated at $123,000,000 and the largest figure to appear on a council agenda this year.