August 21st, 2023 Meeting Minutes | Call to order: 7:01pm
Attendance: Amy Hall-Haney, Nicole Schroeder, George Heeren, Rose Heetland, Gaylon Heetland, Matt Wagner
Meeting adjourned at 8:05pm.
Next Meeting: Monday, September 17th, 2023 at 7:00pm
Attendance: Amy Hall-Haney, Nicole Schroeder, George Heeren, Rose Heetland, Gaylon Heetland, Matt Wagner
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Treasurer's Report - Amy Hall-Haney - Current bank balance is $3,482.56, including expenses from National Night Out. Pending reimbursement of $254.63. Amy will be submitting the reimbursement next week.
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George commented on the solid bank balance we have been carrying the last few years, due to our increased fundraising efforts. He and Nicole have discussed to end the CANA Connect fundraiser.
- Gaylon Heetland commented that he would like to continue to connect with existing sponsors and not continue on with outreach for new sponsors. He will continue his sponsorship commitment. Nicole will reach out to the other sponsors from 2021 and 2022 and not do any mailers or email outreach for additional sponsors. Businesses and organizations can still reach out to CANA to be added to the website or additional advertising opportunities through CANA Connect.
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George commented on the solid bank balance we have been carrying the last few years, due to our increased fundraising efforts. He and Nicole have discussed to end the CANA Connect fundraiser.
- CRPD Update - Lt. Welsh - Not in attendance, no report
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CRFD Update - Chief Smith - Review Neighborhood News. YARDY cart reminders to keep it light and avoid putting in branches and logs that are too big. Fire safety reminders as fall approaches. Recreational fires are allowed in the city and away from structures, but you must have the ability to extinguish the fire. Embers in the ash will continue to smolder for a few days, even if the container is cool. Reminder to neighbors to stay cool and keep an eye out for Linn County Emergency Management Agency will provide cooling shelters in the community.
- George asked about homeless population getting information on the cooling shelters provided by Linn County EMA. Chief commented that Linn County EMA has that information published and agencies communicate those details to shelters and otherwise. George also asked about the overflow shelter. Chief shared that it opens for the winter weather in November. It isn’t open in the summer.
- City Update - Jeff Wozencraft/Ashley Vanorny - Not in attendance, no report
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SAFE CR - Matt Wagner - Majority of current nuisance properties are being reported, due to lack of yard care. Currently 516 active nuisance properties in Cedar Rapids. Weeds are the biggest issue compared to actual grass.
- George started discussion on unkept properties. Comments were shared on how to handle neighbor concerns on unkept properties. Discussion of neighborhood properties that have been approached and handled through SAFE-CR.
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City Councilmember - Scott Olson - Not in attendance, will be attending in September
- Gaylon Heetland is curious on the current sidewalk policy is. 18th St SW does not have any sort of sidewalks installed, so it must not be a part of the Complete Streets Policy. It is one of the most needed streets to help students get to/from Jefferson High School. There are not even sidewalk cut outs for driveways.
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Park Updates - George Heeren
- Pavilion roof - We have not yet heard back on this. We are waiting on a bid and timeframe from Parks and Rec. The roof is sagging now and needs to be replaced.
- Parking lot - Expansion has begun! They have added rock and about eight more spots are available. They will be repaving the lot and adding formal spots.
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Mural opportunity - George is interested in adding a mural on the wall of the pavilion. Betsy Borchardt recommended we connect with Stephanie Schaffer at the city. George spoke with her and shared our vision for the park to be a destination space for all of the City that is inclusive, and he shared that he’s interested in bringing in a local artist to do the work. She estimated that it would be between $3,000-$4,000 for the inside wall in the pavilion to be painted professionally. There are special materials that will be needed for painting it and protecting it from the sun and weather. Since it’s primarily shaded, it would be ideal. There are grant opportunities for paint supplies to be paid for, but we would be responsible for labor/artwork costs. We will need to collect ideas for design and set money aside for the pavilion to be painted by an artist. George will look into this more and report at a future meeting.
- Amy asked about new picnic tables in the pavilion. George shared that the City has a group that’s interested in contributing to new ADA-compliant tables to Cleveland Park. The money we have put aside for that in our budget from past years will be put towards the pavilion upgrades.
- George shared that neighbors are happy with more of the cleanup efforts from those who are participating in activities at the park. The trash cans we’ve added to the park have really come in handy. Rose commented on the extra efforts from the City representative that comes to the park to collect the trash. He walks the park for extra clean up.
- National Night Out Recap - Nicole Schroeder - We had approximately 120 neighbors in attendance on Tuesday, August 1st! Many return neighbors from past years and many who are new to the neighborhood. Burgers and hot dogs were grilled by Hillside Wesleyan Church’s team and side dishes were served by their volunteers. HyVee donated some of the food and CANA took care of the rest. Neighbors were generous in sharing sides and desserts. Many City officials and agency representatives attended. Photos are on our Facebook page and website. The weather was perfect!
- October event ideas - George Heeren - George is interested in hosting one more event this year. He’s interested in organizing a Trunk-or-Treat or some sort of fall festival this year in partnership with one of the local churches on 1st Ave NW. Ideas shared were outdoor games, coloring and craft stations, dunk tank, photo booth, or some sort of meal after the trunk-or-treat event. Nicole commented that it should be in similar size to National Night Out since we have such a short turnaround time. We’re looking at the afternoon of Saturday 10/28 from 3-5pm. Budget, partners, and activities will be finalized at the next CANA meeting.
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Other Business
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Rose Heetland is concerned about the ongoing issue with the dogs that run loose in the park. She is also concerned about the big dogs that are playing on the playground with the little kids playing. Neighbors are encouraged to call the CRPD or Animal Control immediately to come to the park and address the concerns.
- George will be approaching the City about adding more signs.
- HyVee - Johnson Ave HyVee is hosting “Dog Days of Summer Adventure” from 11-3 on Saturday, August 26th with CRPD K9 unit, dunk tank, face painting, cotton candy, games, and bouncy house. Information is on their Facebook page. CANA is invited to host a table with information. George will be attending this event on behalf of CANA.
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Upcoming events with Bridge to Opportunities - Calendar for September senior events will be shared in email post-meeting and on our website.
- Amy suggested that we invite the program organizers to our CANA meeting in September. Nicole will reach out to the Bridge to Opportunities email address about that.
- George is interested in hosting a Playtime Poppy or Theatre Cedar Rapids “theater in the park” event at Cleveland Park. This would include popcorn, a short performance, and everything is free and open to neighbors to attend.
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Rose Heetland is concerned about the ongoing issue with the dogs that run loose in the park. She is also concerned about the big dogs that are playing on the playground with the little kids playing. Neighbors are encouraged to call the CRPD or Animal Control immediately to come to the park and address the concerns.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05pm.
Next Meeting: Monday, September 17th, 2023 at 7:00pm
