CANA September 2022 Meeting Minutes | Call to Order: 7:02pm
Attendance: Nicole Schroeder, Amy Hall-Haney, George Heeren, Jeff Wozencraft, Lt. Matt Welsh, Chief Greg Smith, Ashley Vanorny, Maya Kehr Yoder, Denise Klemp, Annette Lorenz (virtually)
Meeting adjourned: 8:06pm
Next meeting: Monday, October 17th at 7:00pm
Attendance: Nicole Schroeder, Amy Hall-Haney, George Heeren, Jeff Wozencraft, Lt. Matt Welsh, Chief Greg Smith, Ashley Vanorny, Maya Kehr Yoder, Denise Klemp, Annette Lorenz (virtually)
- Treasurer’s Report - Amy Hall-Haney - $1,722.42 is our current account balance. We have a pending reimbursement for Herky for $250 and HyVee for $166.12. We are waiting on payment from St. Luke’s sponsorship in the amount of $500 from the Safety and Wellness Fair.
- George Heeren met with the City regarding FY23 budget. We have the full $10,000 to spend. Any Safety and Wellness Fair expenses have been billed according to the FY22 budget.
- CRPD Update - Lt. Welsh - CRPD Academy is in week #16. New officers start in October. Citizens Academy begins this Fall. No major issues in the neighborhood to his knowledge after reviewing reports. Overall 885 calls for weapons and 45 firearms have been stolen from vehicles in 2022. He encourages weapon safety and safe weapon storing, due to this increase since last year
- George Heeren mentioned about the increase in burglaries in Benton County. He asked if Cedar Rapids has seen any issues with increase in burglaries from Benton County residents. Lt. Welsh shared that stolen vehicles have been the big thing because of the area of opportunity in rural communities.
- Lt. Welsh commented on the increase in public events with the good weather and improved COVID situation. Councilwoman Vanorny commented that public events will continue to happen as long as everyone is safe and organizations are willing to put them on.
- CRFD Update - Chief Smith - Review of Neighborhood News. Reminder of Fall safety regarding bonfires, furnace safety, and other colder weather hazards. CRFD Citizens Academy is currently happening. CRFD is also hosting their Open House on 10/13 at the Station #1 from 6-8pm. September is P.A.C.T. (Prepare, Act, Communicate, Train) training in observation of National Preparedness Month. Neighborhood events are happening all week long. Events this week (aside from tonight) will include:
- Tuesday, September 20 | 5:00-7:00 p.m. @ Bender Pool, 940 14th Avenue SE
- Wednesday, September 21 | 5:00-7:00 p.m. @ Ladd Library, 3750 Williams Boulevard SW
- Thursday, September 22 | 5:00-7:00 p.m. @ Lindale Mall, 4444 1st Avenue NE
- Friday, September 23 | Noon-2:00 p.m. @ NW Recreation Center, 1340 11th Street NW
- George Heeren asked about the trailer sitting at Station #1. Chief Smith shared that SIM-IA was visiting the station. Simulation in Motion-Iowa (SIM-IA) is a unique program designed to provide simulated clinical learning opportunities in local communities across Iowa. They are built specifically for training in rural Iowa communities, especially those communities with volunteers leading their organizations. There are multiple SIM-IA trailers across Iowa through UIHC.
- George Heeren met with CRFD Public Education Specialist Sydney Wright regarding public training. Schools have an active education program and CRFD stays engaged in the neighborhood.
- Councilwoman Vanorny asked Chief Smith to share a reminder regarding carbon monoxide risks. Chief Smith shared that you can purchase battery operated detectors or wall-outlet ones. Do not place the detectors in the kitchen, furnace area, or areas with gas fireplaces. It is recommended to put it in hallways or close to bedrooms. Menards sells these at a low price.
- SAFE-CR - Annette Lorenz - Not in live attendance in-person, but virtually attending. Reminder of MyCR app.
- City Update - Councilwoman Vanorny - Reminder that Snow Buddies program is launching tomorrow for signup. This week is Welcome Week in Cedar Rapids! Last weekend was Latino Fest, Brewnost, and Ocktoberfest in the Downtown Cedar Rapids area. This weekend is Asian Fest. Reminder that 10/9 is the next Trees Forever tree distribution and signup begins on 9/26 at $25 per tree. Councilwoman asked that neighbors find a place for a new tree, even if maybe they didn’t have one before.
- Jeff Wozencraft reviewed the construction updates in the neighborhood. Chandler St SW is complete. 8th Ave and 6th St SW are still happening, but close to done!
- Denise Klemp asked when the 8th Ave project was to be completed. Jeff said that he can look into a full completion date, but the cul de sac behind the stadium is complete. Lee Tippe with the City will have that information for us. The newsletter estimated at the end of September/beginning of October that it will be reopened.
- Jeff Wozencraft reviewed the construction updates in the neighborhood. Chandler St SW is complete. 8th Ave and 6th St SW are still happening, but close to done!
- Park Equipment & Parking Lot Updates - George Heeren - George met with Tyler in the Parks Department. He let us know that Cleveland Park is scheduled for ADA upgrades, including the upgrades around the splash pad. They will be installing our canopies and benches around the park. They are widening the sidewalk between the splash pad and the pavilion. The bathroom walkways/entries will also be upgraded. Tyler is working on getting new picnic tables (non-wood tables). All new installations will be color-matching to our new playground equipment. George also spoke with Mitch regarding the parking lot at Cleveland Park and the additional swings for the park. Swings should be arriving this month, and the City hopes to still install them this fall. He’s in favor of extending the lot towards 1st Ave and making some adjustments for handicap parking on the other side of the pavilion. Some parks in Cedar Rapids will have gardens installed in unused areas.
- Councilwoman Vanorny commented that she is in favor of the added gardens in city parks. Gardens are lacking in the United States. Lawns do not add a lot to our Earth. Acres of grass across the City could be used for garden areas, including flowers and vegetables. George Heeren is concerned about vegetables being harvested by youth and thrown around and damaging the park and getting the streets and sidewalks dirty. Denise Klemp is concerned about water access in the park area. Jeff Wozencraft said that the City has partnered with a consultant that is helping the City evaluate park space that would work for gardens. More information will be coming as parks are evaluated. Jeff asked that anyone with ideas, questions, or concerns regarding the project could connect with him.
- Denise Klemp asked about how many parking spots will be handicap with the parking lot changes. George Heeren guessed about 3 or 4 spots vs. the 1 single spot we have now.
- Local Business Directory Fundraiser - Nicole Schroeder - Nicole developed this program in 2021 for a networking opportunity between CANA members, CANA businesses, and the public. CANA wants to show their support for neighborhood businesses through this “CANA Connect” business directory online. The feedback from last year was good overall. It was an easy fundraiser, so we will plan to do this again. Amy and Nicole will work on mailing out the letters. Nicole already has them printed.
- Park Inquiry - Denise Klemp - Denise is interested in adding barbecue stands in Cleveland Park. Debris from the charcoal grills is being left in the park and making it dirty. Jeff Wozencraft is going to look into pricing for these and will report at the next meeting.
- Light The Neighborhood - Nicole Schroeder - Nicole worked with Doug Elam (17th St SW) neighbor in 2021 to produce the event. Nicole would like to do it again this year with the same budget/expenses as 2021, which includes postcards and Facebook advertisements as prizes were donated by neighborhood businesses. Website, Facebook, and postcards will be prepared to launch on 11/1.
- Quarterly Postcard Program - Nicole Schroeder - Nicole would like to send our neighborhood/community specific informational postcards four times per year to reach more neighbors and keep them connected to CANA outside of the internet. Nicole is asking for ideas from neighbors for information to share on the postcards.
- Amy Hall-Haney makes a motion to investigate prices/sizing for mailers 4x per year, Nicole Schroeder seconds. All in favor, none opposed. Nicole Schroeder will look into this and report at the next meeting.
- Neighborhood Signs - George Heeren - George will be connecting with the City to install permanent street signs in various spots around CANA limits. Jeff Wozencraft would like to look into this and price this out for us.
- Other Business
- Denise Klemp shared information on the Friday morning presentations at Veterans Memorial Building at 11am. They are presented in the Grant Wood window. The museum inside the building will be changing exhibits in the coming months. There is also an upcoming orchid sale. Information will be shared in the meeting minutes email.
Meeting adjourned: 8:06pm
Next meeting: Monday, October 17th at 7:00pm
