May 15th, 2023  Meeting Agenda | Call to Order: 7:01pm
Attendance: George Heeren, Amy Hall-Haney, Lt. Matt Welsh, Chief Greg Smith, Matt Wagner, Denise Klemp, Jessica English, Donna Anderson, Mayaken Yoder

• Treasurer's Report - Amy Hall-Haney - Ending balance on 4/30/23: $2,071.18. This amount includes a $250 CANA Connect sponsorship from HyVee and postcards. We have checks out for $176 (post office box) and $80 (safety fair city permit fee). Our balance with those outstanding checks taken into consideration is $1,715.18. We have a $400 pending payment for insurance. Amy will be submitting that payment soon. 
• CRPD Update - Lt. Welsh - Review of CRPD Calls for Service through 5/15/23. 15 recruits for CRPD’s current class of potential officers. No details on Williams Blvd at this time, but two deaths in the motor vehicle accident were reported. 
• CRFD Update - Chief Smith - Review of Neighborhood News. CRFD is one short of full capacity on firefighters right now. There are multiple upcoming retirements that will lead to open positions this summer. CRFD will be coming to the Safety and Wellness Fair as Megan will be stepping in for Sydney in Public Education/Events this summer while Sydney is out on maternity leave. 
  • George Heeren asked about high school training/education opportunities to get students interested at a younger age. CRFD only has a connection with Kirkwood Workplace Learning Connection at this time. 
• SAFE-CR/City Update - Matt Wagner - There are a couple of hundred active nuisance properties in all of Cedar Rapids right now. The biggest issue this time of year is grass height and lack of mowing. City does not observe “No Mow May” so all properties should be mowed. Have you seen a property that is overgrown with noxious weeds or tall grass? If you have, call 319-286-5897 and report the address. SAFE-CR will send an Official Notice to the property owner, and then a Nuisance Abatement Worker will do a follow-up inspection within 4 days of sending the Official Notice. If a property owner has failed to mow their property, the City of Cedar Rapids will authorize the mowing of the property and bill the property owner. If the property owner fails to pay their bill for the mowing, the charges are assessed against the property. 
• Community Safety & Wellness Fair 2023 - George Heeren - Saturday, June 10th from 10am to 1pm at Cleveland Park! Park reservation permit is paid for. Waiting for a new certificate of insurance for the City. HyVee has been confirmed for food as we will be hosting a free picnic lunch. Jessica English and friends from Hillside Church will be helping prepare the food. Mr. Shucks has also been confirmed as an additional mascot. We will have one more planning meeting. Marketing materials are going out this week. Sponsorships are still available. Questions should be directed to Nicole Schroeder at [email protected]. 
• Other Business
  • Neighborhood Clean-Up Day Recap - George Heeren - Neighbors picked up four bags of trash. It was rainy, but it was a good morning to clean up the neighborhood! 
  • Mayaken Yoder - Cleveland PTA would love to get more involved in CANA efforts. PTA is currently taking food donations and delivering them to students/families as food insecurity is a major issue at Cleveland Elementary School. 
  • Donna Anderson - Christ Church Presbyterian - Hosting VBS this summer as well as neighborhood picnics on 6/3, 7/11, and 8/8. Interested in opportunities to connect with CANA and share information online and in the park. 
  • Nicole Schroeder will be back at our June meeting. We are still seeking volunteers to assist with the live streaming setup at meetings. 

Next Meeting: Monday, June 19th, 2023 at 7:00pm

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The Cleveland Area Neighborhood Association is beyond excited to partner with Safe Kids Linn County again in 2023 to bring back our 4th Annual Community Safety & Wellness Fair at Cleveland Park on Saturday, June 10th. This year's fair will run from 10am to 1pm for families in Linn County.

Admission is FREE. No pre-registration or tickets required. Registration will be at the welcome tents at the event.

Children and families will have the opportunity to check out safety stations with information on pedestrian and bicycle safety, poison and drug safety, heart health, fire safety, and a variety of local agencies providing community resources, including Cedar Rapids Police Department, Cedar Rapids Fire Department, Central Furniture Rescue, Heart and Solutions, UnityPoint, HACAP, and more. There will be yard games, crafts, and other fun activities for families to participate in.

​Those who attend will have the opportunity to enter to win a car seat, bicycle helmets, gift cards, and other special prizes. Special guests at the fair will include some of our local mascot friends - and a few other surprise guests!

The Cleveland Area Neighborhood Association welcomes families to enjoy the splash pad and playground at Cleveland Park as well as join us for lunch. Lunch will be served from 11am to 1pm. This picnic lunch includes a hot dog, chips, cookies, and bottled water for FREE!

Donations are also welcome and will go back to the association to continue to produce free community events in the neighborhood. For sponsorship information or if you have any questions, please send inquiries to [email protected].

Q: When is the event? Where is the event?
A: The fair is scheduled for Saturday, June 10th from 10am to 1pm at Cleveland Park. 

Q: How much does it cost? Who can attend? 
A: Event admission is free! Registration will be at the event at the welcome table. Children and families of all ages are welcome. 

Q: Is there food?
A: There is a FREE picnic lunch available. Lunch will be served between 11am and 1pm in the pavilion. The meal includes a hot dog, chips, cookie, and a bottle of water. 

Q: Are there bathrooms?
A: Yes, Cleveland Park has a pavilion with restrooms. 

Q: What happens if there is bad weather? 
A: The fair will be held in the event of good weather or even in slight rain. If there is a risk of severe weather, the fair will be canceled. It will not be rescheduled in 2023. 

Q: How do I enter to win the prizes?
A: To enter to win the prizes, you’ll be asked to submit your “Event Passport” completed with your name and contact information after visiting all of the booths. When you arrive, stop by the registration table to pick up your Event Passport. With the Event Passport, you will need to stop at each booth and get a signature or sticker from a booth representative. 

Q: Who is eligible to win the prizes?
A: Prizes will be given away at 11:30am and 12:45pm. You must be present to win. 

Q: What organizations will be represented at the fair?
A: Organizations will include, but are not limited to, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Cedar Rapids Fire Department, HACAP, Central Furniture Rescue, Amerigroup Iowa, and more 

Q: What activities are there? 
A: There will be booths with kids’ activities and information for families, yard games, and crafts. The playground and splash pad will also be open at Cleveland Park.

Q: Who do I contact with questions?
A: Feel free to contact [email protected] and your question will be directed to the best event volunteer. 
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