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October 2025 Quarterly Meeting Notes

10/21/2025

October 20, 2025 Meeting Minutes | Call to Order: 7:03pm
Attendance: George Heeren, Nicole Schroeder, Amy Hall-Haney, Denise Klemp. David Maier, Lt. Welsh, Matt Wagner, Trey Wentzien, Mitch DeGroot

Treasurer's Report - Amy Hall-Haney - Current balance in checking: $3,901.71 with pending reimbursements of $1,079.97. Submitted the reimbursements in September. George will check the mail this week and report back to Amy so Betsy is in the loop.
CRPD Update - Lt. Welsh - CRPD reports overall, 2025 crime is down. 30 weapons stolen from vehicles this year. CRPD recruits graduated on October 3rd from the academy. Lt. Welsh is moving to the East District of Cedar Rapids to serve neighbors. Lt. Denni Randall (she/her) will be reporting on the West District of Cedar Rapids and will be attending CANA meetings in the future.
SAFE-CR - Matt Wagner - Citywide stats from September: responded to 162 founded calls for service. With lawn mowing season ending, calls for service will increase for snow removal. Snow Buddies program has been opened for 2025-2026, so applications are now being accepted. Reminder of MyCR app functions. One of the biggest issues right now are the “do not occupy” structures being inhabited by squatters. These approx. 60 properties need to be reported to keep individuals and first responders safe. SAFE-CR is working with Willis Dady to coordinate the street outreach to find shelter or assistance for the unhoused individuals. Winter shelter in the 1200 block of 10th St SE will be opening soon.
Letter to Neighbors (mailed 10/5) - Nicole Schroeder - Over 900 letters were sent to neighbors. We had more than 15 new email newsletter subscribers, more than 10 Facebook followers, and two neighbors who had not participated in neighborhood happenings before supported the efforts of our letter by attending tonight’s meeting.
- CANA leaders took time to explain the history of the NA and current neighborhood initiatives.
- Nicole made a motion that we resend another variation of the letter in January this year to invite neighbors to our February meeting. Denise Klemp seconded.
  - David Maier added a discussion to move to a postcard or a shortened version of the letter. We will plan for a shortened version of the letter as postcards have not been well-received in the past.
  - All in favor, none opposed. Motion passes. Nicole will prepare another letter for the committee to review and submit to Allegra for print by January 15th and send the second half of January.
2026 Event Plan
- Easter Egg Hunt with Central Church of Christ - March/April 2026
- Community Safety & Wellnes Fair - July 2026
- National Night Out - Tuesday, August 4th - 5:30PM to 7:30PM
- NEW - Playtime Poppy - George Heeren - Looking to bring a performance of Playtime Poppy to Cleveland Park in June 2026 in honor of its 75th anniversary. There is an approximate cost of $1,500 for this to happen, which includes hiring the staff, the mascot, an activity with the kids on-site, a permit for the park, and the logistics of bringing the performance space to Cleveland Park. George Heeren makes a motion to support this initiative for June 2026 at an approximate cost of $1,500. Amy Hall-Haney seconds.
  - David Maier asked about the timing of the event. This would be in June 26, on the final day of the week-long summer camp.
  - All in favor, none opposed. Motion passes.
Other Business
- Succession planning for President position
- City Week Open House on Wednesday, October 22, from 4–6 PM at the City Services Center! Get a behind-the-scenes look at City vehicles and equipment, explore the building, meet adoptable animals from Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control, and enjoy kids’ activities, games, prizes, and more! Plus, grab a FREE Cedar Rapids tote bag—while supplies last! There’s something for all ages, so bring the whole family for this fun, interactive event!
- City has hired a new Parks Director. George Heeren met with her last week. He asked about the pavilion roof at Cleveland Park. Our pavilion is not the top priority as it’s in better shape than others that need to be replaced. She said the average bid is coming in about $100,000.00.
- David Maier reminded us of City voting on November 4th. Polling places can be searched at https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/157/Election-Services.

Meeting adjourned at 7:55pm.

Next Meeting: Monday, February 16th, 2026 at 7:00pm

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We Need Your Support

10/6/2025

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Dear Neighbor,

In times of challenge and in times of celebration, it has always been neighbors who bring strength to the Cleveland Area. That is how our story began.

After the devastating floods of 2008, a small group of caring neighbors gathered near Cleveland Park to talk about how we could recover, rebuild, and move forward together. From those conversations, the Cleveland Area Neighborhood Association (CANA) was born in 2013. What started as just six or seven committed individuals has grown into a movement that has touched the lives of countless families right here in our neighborhood.

Over the years, CANA has helped to create lasting change. Together, we have:

Raised nearly $90,000 to help redesign and rebuild the Cleveland Park playground
Hosted National Night Out in partnership with our city’s first responders
Offered free trees of different varieties to over 1,200 households through our partnership with Trees Forever
Brought dozens of organizations and hundreds of neighbors together for the annual Community Safety & Wellness Fair
Kept neighbors informed and connected when connection was needed most through postcards, email newsletters, and Facebook information, like during the COVID-19 shutdown and the derecho

While this doesn’t include all of our community work over the years, these are a few reminders of what is possible when neighbors come together. They show what happens when people decide to invest their time, their voices, and their care into a community worth fighting for.

But today, our neighborhood association is at a crossroads. Many of the same dedicated neighbors who have carried CANA forward for more than a decade are asking for help. For CANA to continue its mission, to keep building a stronger, safer, more connected Cleveland Area, we need more neighbors like you to step forward and participate in our organization’s efforts.

This is not just about meetings. It’s about protecting the sense of community that makes our neighborhood special. It’s about ensuring that families today, and the families who will live here tomorrow, have the same opportunities to thrive. It’s about being part of something bigger than ourselves.

Will you join us? Will you help carry this mission forward?
Will you be part of shaping the future of our neighborhood?

Your time, your energy, and your ideas matter. Whether you can serve in a leadership role, volunteer at events, or simply show up and lend your voice, there is a place for you in CANA.

Let’s not lose what so many worked hard to build. Let’s come together, neighbors helping neighbors, to keep the Cleveland Area strong.

With hope and determination,
The Cleveland Area Neighborhood Association Board of Directors
George Heeren, President
Gaylon Heetland, VP/Secretary
Amy Hall-Haney, Treasurer

P.S. Our next neighborhood meeting is on October 20th at 7:00 PM at Central Church of Christ. This is your chance to meet neighbors, share your ideas, and help shape the future of our community through conversation. We would love to see you there!

Get Involved

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