CANA January 2021 Meeting Minutes | Call to order: 7:03pm
Attendance: Nicole Schroeder, George Heeren, Amy Hall-Haney, Denise Klemp, Ashley Vanorny

• CRPD - Lt. Welsh - NOT IN ATTENDANCE - Report by email includes his comments: From a law enforcement perspective, one of the major issues that we are dealing with is towing vehicles for street storage due to them not being moved since the snowstorm.  We are working on getting vehicles moved, but it is time consuming.  If you have any neighbors that have not moved their vehicles, please ask them to do so.  If you have a vehicle that is causing an issue, please feel free to contact me. m.welsh@cedar-rapids.org 319-286-5543
• CRFD - Chief Smith - NOT IN ATTENDANCE - Report by email to review and distribute January Neighborhood News
• City Council - Councilwoman Vanorny - Review of ReLeaf program since derecho. The Linn County Sustainability Coordinator Tamara Marcus is interested in discussing relief efforts in our community. They have a grant program for individual residents as well as commercial properties. Ashley will be getting them in touch with us by email. 
• City of CR - Jeff Wozencraft - NOT IN ATTENDANCE - Report by email includes his encouragement to review the Downtown CR Dollars program with the CR Metro Economic Alliance 
• Treasurer’s Report - Amy Hall-Haney - $474.93 in account as of January 1, 2021. No incoming or outgoing payments currently. Nicole and Ashley will follow up on insurance and tax preparation expenses / reimbursement from the City. 
• Review of FY22 Work Plan - George Heeren - Review of work plan. Discussion of flower garden or decorative shrubbery near the Cleveland Park sign on 1st Ave across from Central Church of Christ. May look at something other than butterfly garden, due to lack of water accessibility. Denise Klemp will research options for this area. Discussion of video marketing efforts on website and social media in 2021 and 2022. George would like to complete one video per month to share about community / city happenings. 
  • Alliant Energy Foundation Grant Program to develop the FY22 Work Plan / trees in the park - Nicole Schroeder - Would like to submit a $4,800 grant request for trees in and around Cleveland Park (8 trees at estimated cost to purchase + install of $600/each). Denise Klemp suggested talking to Scott Hock or Brent with the City of Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation department before requesting the grant. They may have a better idea on what to request and why (i.e. recommended trees for our area) in the grant application. Denise and Nicole will coordinate on the tree quotes / expenses before applying for the grant. Grant information can be found online. 
  • Discussion of adding 3 “block” parties in the neighborhood directly vs. at the park. Post COVID-19, George would like to plan ahead for this type of event for FY23 if we cannot add it safely in FY22. 
  • Discussion of survey in neighborhood - and maybe encouraging all neighborhood associations to participate. Asking neighbors about how they like to be communicated with (email, text, mail) and what events they like to do (free community events, information nights, meals / fundraisers, etc.). Potential for bulk mailing rate if we can coordinate this with the city neighborhood initiative. Jeff Wozencraft would be the best resource to discuss this project with. 
• Future Meeting Options (Live Stream on Facebook or Call-in Options) - Nicole Schroeder - Review of options, including Zoom private or Zoom public and FreeConferenceCall.com. Nicole is willing to set this service up if we can make a decision of what we want to do. Discussion of pros vs. cons and set up possibilities. Discussion of comment moderation in real-time vs. follow up. We will test the Zoom options at the next meeting in February. 
• Light The Block by Doug & Mary Jo Elam - Nicole Schroeder reporting on behalf of Doug Elam (submitted by email): We had 12 out of 20 houses with Christmas lights on our block this year.  Something for the Assn to promote next year.  I’d be glad to head it up if the Assn would throw some bucks at it. 
  • Neighbors were very excited about this project / idea! Very thankful for Doug sharing this idea and information. We would like to revisit this in September to plan for winter 2021. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:10pm.

If having guests to your home, be sure that people follow the steps that everyone can take to make Thanksgiving safer. Other steps you can take include:

• Have a small outdoor meal with family and friends who live in your community.
• Limit the number of guests.
• Have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use.
• If celebrating indoors, make sure to open windows.
• Limit the number of people in food preparation areas.
• Have guests bring their own food and drink.
• If sharing food, have one person serve food and use single-use options, like plastic utensils.

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Due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in our community, our November CANA meeting will be CANCELLED. We hope to meet again December. 

Please contact your CANA board with any questions at clevelandpark108@gmail.com. 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

​The majority of work on the project has been completed. Crews continue to work at the intersection of Chandler Street and 18th Street, as well as remaining sidewalk installation. Chandler Street from 10th Avenue to 8th Avenue is now fully open. We anticipate the portion from 8th Avenue to 18th Street will open by Friday, November 13.

Other remaining work includes grading and sodding on Chandler Street between 8th Avenue and 18th Street, installing permanent roadway signs, and other minor items. Depending on when winter weather begins, some minor items may be completed in the spring, but traffic will not be impacted. 

About the Project: The Chandler Street project stretches from 10th Avenue to 18th Street SW, and includes asphalt resurfacing, drainage improvements, water main replacement, sidewalk extension and sidewalk ramp upgrades. The project is anticipated to be completed Fall 2020. Future improvements include Chandler Street and the 20th Street loop, planned for 2021.
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CANA October 2020 Meeting Minutes | Call to Order: 7:05pm
Attendance: George Heeren, Amy Hall-Haney, Annette Lorenz, Henrietta Mueller, Gaylon Heetland, Denise Klemp, Ashley Vanorny, Nicole Schroeder

• No CRPD report
• No CRFD report
• Treasurer's Report - Amy Hall-Haney - $474.93 + pending reimbursements, including $190 for tax prep and $400 for insurance. Nicole will be following up with Jeff on these reimbursements. 
• Derecho Clean Up

Message from the City: “Crews are wrapping up their initial first pass on picking up tree debris from public right-of-way and will begin additional passes starting sometime next week. While the first pass was intended to grab as many large, bulk piles as possible that were accessible to the hauling trucks and crane, future passes will focus on clearing smaller streets such as cul-de-sacs and dead ends, as well as returning to high volume debris areas to pick up additional material. We will be updating our online map so you can track where crews are working; we will also publish an online form where residents can submit concerns such as missed piles or dangerous intersections. More info will be shared next week. There is not a set number of future passes, we will continue collecting tree debris until we determine a reasonable cut-off date is in sight based on remaining material. Residents still have plenty of time to get tree debris to the curb for pickup. Efforts also continue to remove hazardous limbs from street trees and any hazardous private limbs that are hanging in the public right-of-way. As more tree debris is removed, efforts will also ramp up on the collection of non-tree debris material.”
 
Gaylon Heetland shared his concerns about the lack of clean up on the two-block area around 1600 8th Ave SW. This is a snow route so it should have been cleaned in the first pass. There is also a bus stop at 8th Ave / 18th St that has not been cleared. Ashley and Annette will be following up with the city on these concerns. The Cleveland area has had one pass and some streets have seen the second pass already. Henrietta Mueller is concerned as it is very difficult and unsafe to exit her driveway. Nicole will work to make sure that Gaylon and Henrietta get information from Annette and Ashley’s follow up efforts. 
 
Ashley Vanorny also commented that trees are being tagged and removed in our area. X on the tree means the City will be removing. A dot on the tree means that it will be trimmed. Residents are encouraged to advise against / for any trees that should or shouldn’t be removed. City is also going back to removing strictly ash trees after the derecho clean up is complete. 
 
Tree Debris Removal Map Link
Tree Debris Removal FAQs
Tree Damage Information
General Debris Removal Information
 
Call 319-286-5747 with questions and to report trees blocking streets or roadways and public tree, limbs or debris that needs to be removed.

• Street Lights - George Heeren has been following up on the street lights around Cleveland Park and on 17th St. He has been working with and waiting for information from Alliant Energy on this. He will report back at the next meeting.
• Area Housing - Ashley Vanorny - There is a new housing development on SW side with 2 and 3 bedroom rental units that will be complete in 2021. Shelters are being cleared from families affected by the derecho and assistance is available through the Catherine McCauley Center. 
• 2102 Chandler St SW - Multi-Plex Update

According to permit records, they are moving forward, albeit slowly.  Permits are good for a year, and if making any progress, can be extended.
* Fire February 2019
*Sold to Abel Investments 6/17/19
*Nuisance case closed September 2019, as there was a new owner and permits were in process of obtaining.
*Demolition Reserve released October 2019 to owner@ time of fire
* Building permit issued 12/18/19 to REPAIR FROM FIRE DAMAGE - REPLACE FLOOR TRUSSES WHERE NECESSARY TO 3-UNIT. 
o  Rough-in Framing partial passed 1/8/20 for floor joists only
*Electrical Permit issued 1/13/20
o Service Entrance passed 1/20/20
*Plumbing Permit issued 6/17/20  

• Chandler St SW - Road Construction

Message from the City: “Over the next 2 weeks, the existing road surface between 10th Avenue and 8th Avenue will be removed and a new asphalt overlay placed. While this is underway, asphalt will also be placed between 8th Avenue and 18th Street.
 
Sidewalk and steps for the new ADA-compliant access to the Jefferson High School softball complex are complete. Throughout the project area, grading and sod placement will begin shortly and extend into early November.
 
We expect Chandler Street between 10th Avenue and 8th Avenue will reopen early this week. 18th Street between 1st Avenue and 8th Avenue is expected to reopen by the end of October. Chandler Street between 8th Avenue and 18th Street is expected to reopen early November.  We expect to complete all work well before the Thanksgiving holiday.”

• ReLeaf Tree Adoption Event

In partnership with the City of Cedar Rapids ReLeaf program, Trees Forever is hosting two tree adoptions for residents of Cedar Rapids. A large part of our beautiful but devastated tree canopy is on private land. You may reserve two low-cost native trees or shrubs to pick up at either of the following locations and dates:
 
Veterans Memorial Stadium - Sunday, Oct. 25
1:00pm – 4:00 pm.
(Order by Oct. 23 at 11:00 am)
 
Noelridge Park - Sunday, Nov. 1
1:00pm – 4:00 pm.
(Order by Oct. 30 at 11:00 am)
 
Purchase your beautiful native trees or shrubs at this secure online site. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can purchase by phone. Please call us at 319-373-0650 x110 and speak with Deb Roman.
 
Trees must be purchased before pickup date. There will be limited numbers of each species at both locations. WEBSITE: https://trees-forever-tree-adoption.square.site

• Halloween guidelines by CDC

1. Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.
2. Give out treats outdoors, if possible.
3. Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take.
4. Wash hands before handling treats.
5. Wear a mask.

 

• Trunk-or-Treat at Central Church of Christ - Amy Hall-Haney - Cancelled for 2020. 
• Hillside Community Church - Free community meal on Saturday, October 24th from 4pm to 6pm via drive thru at Hillside on 1st Ave NW.
• Cedar Rapids Museum of Art - Denise Klemp - 125 Masterworks from The Collection is open to the public through January 7, 2021. More information here: https://www.crma.org/exhibitions/current/125-125-Masterworks-from-the-collection 
• Little Library at Cleveland Park - We would like to thank Sheryl Ochs’ friend, Tom Hess, for fixing our little library at the park! He has turned it around so it is facing 1st Ave. Denise is working on fixing the sign that will be put on the backside of the library facing 8th Ave for passersby to see. 
  
  
  

Meeting adjourned at 8:05pm.

CANA September 21, 2020 Meeting Minutes | Call to Order at 7:01pm
Attendance: Henrietta Mueller, Rose Heetland, Nicole Schroeder, Denise Klemp, Jeff Wozencraft, Sheryl Ochs, George Heeren, Sue Graham, Lt. Matt Welsh, Ashley Vanorny

• City Report - Jeff Wozencraft: Review of Neighborhood News as CRFD was not in attendance. 60% of tree debris has been picked up on the first round. Jeff asked if there were any concerns that needed to be addressed, derecho related or otherwise. Nicole Schroeder asked about SAFE-CR duties as they may have shifted since the derecho. Jeff commented that there have been no changes to SAFE-CR’s focus. Sue Graham inquired to an update on the multi-plex rental home at the bottom of the Jefferson hill on Chandler St/10th Ave SW that had been damaged in the 2018 fire. Nicole will follow up with Annette on this. 
• CRFD Report - Chief Smith: No report - not in attendance 
• CRPD Report - Lt. Matt Welsh: Review of police report / calls for service since August 1st. Theft from vehicles and break-ins have increased, due to derecho aftermath. Reminder of Cedar Rapids mask mandate. 
• City Council Report - Ashley Vanorny: Discussion of how neighbors were helping neighbors during derecho clean up. Ashley shared details on how the City worked with utility companies to coordinate efforts to get power and internet back. Internet is still being updated in our area. George Heeren commented about Mediacom or ImOn having poles and cables down on 17th St SW. Ashley and Jeff will take those concerns back to the utility reps, but also encouraged neighbors to submit information to companies directly. Review of current community resources. City Council meetings are indefinitely being held on Zoom vs. in-person. Reminder of indefinite burn ban in Cedar Rapids, per CRFD. George Heeren reported street light concerns as many are not operable in our neighborhood. Ashley and Jeff will be taking those concerns back to City as well. 
• Treasurer's Report - Amy Hall-Haney: Taxes complete! Current bank balance as of 8/31 is $808.88 with pending reimbursements from City of CR, including payment for tax prep. Amy took over all material treasurer items from Nicole today. We are still struggling to get Collins Community Credit Union to set up online banking. Nicole and Amy are displeased with their handling of this request. The original request to set up online banking was made back in July with no success after 5 attempts so far to get this resolved. 
• Students go back to school today! Cleveland Elementary has new pick up and drop off information for families on their Facebook page. Jefferson High School is all virtual learning until building repairs are complete. Cleveland Elementary is seeking donations of paper towels, disinfecting wipes, and disposable masks, if anyone is able to help. Donations can be dropped off at the school or shipped directly there. 
• Releaf Program: The City of Cedar Rapids and Trees Forever have teamed up to focus on fundraising efforts to plant new trees across our city in the coming years. The City estimates that we have lost about 65% of our tree canopy. The two organizations are planning to work together to replenish the downed and damaged trees with a multimillion dollar fundraising campaign.  
• Debris pick up information: "The city has been mapped out into zones, and crews are working their way through the entire city, zone-by-zone, picking up as much debris as they can when they get to each street. Residents can see a map of which zones are underway on our website. It may take several days to clear each zone, depending on the volume of debris. Every street will be reached at least two times for tree debris removal. In the early days of the disaster, we focused on clearing debris off roads to make them passable, using snow routes as a guide. Our current efforts are focused on picking up curb-side debris." Sue Graham had mentioned that there are concerns with the debris piles on the corner of 13th / 18th St near the Jefferson gymnasium entrance. The piles are very large and high and that intersection is already dangerous with the hill. Jeff will be reporting back that area of concern to the City. Ashley mentioned that it will be up to neighbors not to replenish the debris pile there once it is cleared as the city cannot come back again and again to clean up the same area. 
• Right of Way Trees: Reporting damage is only. Surveyors will be out in the coming weeks. Ashley Vanorney will report additional information on this as it becomes available. 
• Veterans Memorial Stadium and Cedar Rapids Ice Arena are undergoing major repairs from the derecho. The RoughRiders have CANCELLED their 2020-2021 season. Kernels will be announcing repair information soon on their stadium. 
• Neighborhood signs project - Nicole Schroeder: Nicole mentioned that our Facebook page and website have seen increased engagement since the derecho. She would like to continue to encourage neighbors to use our online tools as a resource and potentially attend meetings. She proposed that we spend up to $120 on 10 signs to be printed and put around the neighborhood with our Facebook and website on them. Sue Graham asked where we would specifically put the signs. Nicole shared that she was thinking put out 5 or 6 to start near the Jefferson entrance, Cleveland Park, Central Church of Christ, HyVee,  Cleveland Elementary, then we could add signs other places as we need to replenish them. Rose Heetland asked why we would need to spend the money right now on this as it’s expected for neighbors to naturally share about our meetings and information in-person. Nicole shared that many neighbors with young families are engaged online, but choose not to attend meetings or engage with their neighbors regularly. Encouraging neighbors to connect online may drive them to attend meetings or events we host and increase our visibility more than we have in past years. Nicole also mentioned that this is a low cost opportunity to advertise who CANA is and we are not spending much money on anything else this year. Nicole motioned to make this purchase, Amy Hall-Haney seconded. Nicole will design and order 10 signs to start. 
• Central Church Trunk-or-Treat - Update / information from Amy Hall-Haney is that the event is still pending. The church is trying to decide if there is a safe way to do it. 
• Other programs and projects on hold until COVID-19 pandemic restrictions improve. 
• Park improvements on hold until derecho clean up has progressed.
• New fundraising ideas for 2020-2021 are welcome as all fundraising events have been cancelled so far, due to COVID-19. 

Motion to adjourn by Nicole Schroeder, Jackie MacLaren seconds. Meeting adjourned at 7:53pm.


NOTE: We anticipate being back to our regular monthly meetings at Central Church of Christ beginning next month. We ask that those attending wear masks and observe social distancing as best as possible. Thank you!
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