April 2025 Meeting Minutes

April 21, 2025 Meeting Agenda | Call to Order: 7:04pm
Attendance: George Heeren, Amy Hall-Haney, Nicole Schroeder, Gaylen Heetland, Rose Heetland, Lt. Welsh, Matt Wagner, Denise Klemp, Richard

• Treasurer's Report - Amy Hall-Haney - We are solvent. We have some expenses coming up, including the $200 permit for Safety Fair reimbursement to Nicole Schroeder, $192 to USPS post office box, and $206 for Easter Egg Hunt reimbursement to Amy. We have also received sponsorship checks from David Maier in the amount of $500 for the Safety Fair picnic lunch, and also $500 from Stewart Baxter for helmets. 
• CRPD Update - Lt. Welsh - CRPD offered conditional offers to 10 applicants. 3 of those applicants are already certified. The start date for those new officers will be May 28th. Overflow shelter closed on March 31st, so the uptick in homeless individuals across the city may be more obvious. Shots fired trend down in 2025 on the five-year average, with 9 in 2025. 
  • Denise Klemp asked about the recurring police visits to the white house on 17th St SW. This property is being monitored regularly by CRPD. Most recently, the resident was visited for fireworks usage during daylight hours. 
• CRFD Update - Chief Smith - CRFD is in the middle of its hiring process. They will be making job offers later this week with 7 or 8 potential hires for a summer start date. Sunday, April 27th, is the CRFD Spring Open House from 1 to 3pm at Central Fire Station. There will be tours and activities. There is no charge for this, but donations to Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control are appreciated. Information is available on Facebook.
  • George Heeren asked about the garage fire in the Taylor Area Neighborhood. Chief Smith did not have a report this week from the investigator. It’s been a windy and dry spring, so there have been more brush fires than structure fires this spring. 
• SAFE-CR - Matt Wagner - March 2025 had 106 founded calls for services, including 58 owner-occupied properties and 47 rentals. Reminder that May 1 begins lawn care season with the City. Tall grass reporting should happen as you see it; don’t wait until mid-summer to address the issue in your neighborhood. SAFE-CR is working with Waypoint to monitor and offer assistance to encampments of non-housed individuals around Cedar Rapids on public or private properties. Resources are to be offered within 12 business hours. 
  • Rose Heetland asked about the small encampment near the Kernels stadium last fall. That individual was assisted, and the City cleaned up that encampment. 
  • Gaylen Heetland mentioned the nuisance property on 15th St/8th St SW. It has been purchased by Mike Graf. He’s cleaned it up, and it’s been rented. He’s purchased another commercial property inside CANA limits. 
  • Rose Heetland asked about SAFE-CR handling evictions. Matt explained that landlords aren’t advised by SAFE-CR staff on how to handle evictions. They can only offer data to landlords to help make that decision. 
• Tree Program - Denise Klemp - If you live within the boundaries of the Cleveland Neighborhood Association (CANA), you are eligible for a free tree. This project is funded by CANA and in collaboration with Trees Forever. The Tree Delivery Date is May 29, 2025. The trees are between 2 and 6 feet tall. A bucket with a drainage hole and filled with mulch will be included with delivery. An email with planting instructions and details will be sent before delivery. Tree orders are due by Wednesday, May 14th, 2025.
• Easter Egg Hunt Recap - It was another hit! Very positive feedback from all participants. The format is really preferred to keep parents engaged and kids focused with a bit of competition. We had about 90 kids this year. All nine prizes for ages 3 and under were gifted. Cold weather didn’t deter anyone! Central Church of Christ’s volunteers were so helpful at the event! 
• CANA Community Wellness & Safety Fair 6/21/25 - George has confirmed our food order with HyVee and put in mascot requests. Nicole has eight confirmed booths with three sponsors. Helmets and car seats are TBD. Waiting to hear back from the Safe Kids Linn County rep. Hillside may also grill again this year. George will connect with CR Chain Reaction Bike Hub to get two bikes to give away. 
• Other Business 
  • Succession planning for the President position
  • Vice President/Secretary position vacant 

Meeting adjourned at 7:46pm.

Next Meeting: Monday, May 19, 2025 at 7:00pm

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS/LINKS TO REVIEW

• CANA offers free trees!
• Neighborhood News
• Coordinated Entry Street Outreach Coalition (Waypoint)​
• CRPD Report