CANA June 2021 Meeting Minutes

CANA Meeting Minutes 6/21/21 | Call to: 7:02pm
Attendance: George Heeren, Nicole Schroeder, Amy Hall-Haney, Tiffany O’Donnell, Annette Lorenz, Chief Greg Smith, Jeff Wozencraft, Sue Graham, Ashley Vanorny

• We are doing our third live stream meeting tonight. It can be viewed live on Facebook or you can re-watch the meeting on our website tomorrow.  We had over 40 views on our May Meeting live stream. We currently have over 300 community members following CANA on Facebook. 

• Treasurer's Report - Amy Hall-Haney - Current balance is $915+change. We just paid our insurance. Outstanding reimbursements from the City, including insurance reimbursement of $400 and reimbursement for our bluetooth microphone for live streaming in the amount of $96.29, due to Nicole, and we have a payment for the kiosk board  cost of $149.27, which is due to George. Outstanding/upcoming payments due include the permit for the Safety Fair (approx $275) and yard signs ($161.97). Yard signs cost is due to Nicole. 

• CRFD - Chief Smith - CRFD is in the starting week of Fire Academy with the 8 new hires. These new hires help CRFD reach 100% hire capacity. Sydney Henderson is the new Public Education Specialist who will be our contact for the Safety Fair. CRFD is also assisting with the Rollin’ Recmobile this summer. The rain this weekend was very nice this weekend! There is a potential for a burn ban, if any drought risk continues. County officials work with the City Fire to discuss the risk and determine best steps to reduce residential risks. A friendly reminder that fireworks are illegal. CRPD is enforcing this local law. 
  • George Heeren asked about the fire at PMX Industries. Chief Smith let us know that there were some metal shavings that caused a fire in a pallet pile. Injuries were reported. 
• CRPD - Lt. Welsh - Shared neighborhood crime activity report as well as Rollin’ Recmobile schedule. 17th St SW has had several vehicle break-ins with nothing stolen, just “looked through.” CRPD is still in the hiring process to hire additional certified officers. This is the first time that the CRPD has hired certified officers from other agencies. Another reminder that fireworks are prohibited in the City. 
  • George Heeren suggested that Cleveland Park as a “home base” for officers this summer since we had so many fireworks offenses in 2020. Lt. Welsh commented on the risk of fireworks being sold locally, yet being unlawful. CRPD is actively addressing the issue, but the issue is ongoing. 

• SAFE-CR - Annette Lorenz - Annette did not bring any numbers to report tonight. She again commented on fireworks in the area. Please call non-emergency police to report any firework offenses with as much detail as possible. CRPD has to have proof of the act or witness the act to file any charges. Disturbing the peace is an offense that is applicable to fireworks, barking dogs, etc. Annette again commented that neighbors can also utilize the MyCR app: https://www.cedar-rapids.org/mycr  Landlord training is coming up on 7/20. 
  • George Heeren commented on the property at 15th St / 8th Ave SW as there has been a lot of late night activity at this property. Annette made a note of this to check in.
  • George Heeren also let us know that Denise Klemp is not in attendance as she was attacked by two rottweilers that were loose in the area about 12:30am last night. George asked about the repercussions of this type of incident. Annette commented that CRPD / Animal Control provides a statement or warning with quarantine if it is a first offense or further action could be taken if this is a recurring offense. George asked what type of action that Denise can take. Annette and Lt. Welsh commented that it cannot be handled with the animal owner to recover medical expenses as that is a civil matter handled through homeowner’s insurance. Any other action regarding the dogs specifically has to be handled with CRPD / Animal Control. George will share this information with Denise. 
  • George Heeren also commented on the six thefts of potted plants, bird feeder, electric fountain, etc. stolen on the 17th St SW block. 
  • Nicole Schroeder asked about neglected derecho properties. Annette suggested that Nicole connect with Kevin Ciabatti regarding these properties. Annette will be sending information to the CANA email.

• City Update - Jeff Wozencraft - Rollin’ Recmobile has been very well received. Cleveland Parks’ events last week were very well attended. Wednesday 6/9 was the first visit and it was BUSY!! The Rollin' Recmobile will visit on Wednesdays from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Mobile Tech Lab with the Cedar Rapids Public Library will also be at Cleveland Park with Rollin' Recmobile on Wednesdays. Rollin' Recmobile is also at Cleveland Park on Saturdays from 2pm to 3pm. City pools are still in dire need of lifeguards. Jones, Ellis, and Bever Pools will be opened as the positions are filled. Tree debris is picked up on the SW side, but clean up continues. 

• City Council - Councilwoman Ashley Vanorny - Council meeting is tomorrow at 4pm. Highlights in District 5 will be noted on Ashley’s Facebook page. The Citizens Review Board is being finalized tomorrow. The Freedom Festival parade is this Saturday! Ashley commented on Cleveland Park having a great playground for kids to play on again this summer. Jeff Wozencraft also commented that the family swing at Cleveland Park has received great feedback. CR Kernels baseball is back at full capacity. FedEx announcement of new warehouse space will be tomorrow. Average salary is $26 for full-time and part-time employees, which will be in District 5. As Ashley understands, part-time employees are eligible for benefits at this new warehouse. 

• Candidate for Mayor - Please welcome Tiffany O'Donnell to our meeting. Tiffany shares her “why” and comments on her engagement in the City. Any questions can be directed to Nicole to pass along to Tiffany or you can contact her directly at https://tiffany4mayor.com/. 

• Splash Pad at Cleveland Park has been closed since Friday for resurfacing. It should re-open this week. New colors will be blue and green. New surface is very thick and it could be done tonight or tomorrow! 

• Safety Fair Update - Tentatively scheduled for Saturday 8/14 from 10am to 1pm. Lunch vs. breakfast fundraiser for CANA. We will be connecting with HyVee for donations for this and need to determine what to charge. Likely looking at hot dog, chips, cookie, and bottled water for $5. We have more booths scheduled for this year, and Susan is taking charge of arranging those as they will be directed towards wellness / social services for neighbors. We may have less actual safety booths and more social and health services booths, due to unavailability from Safe Kids Linn County volunteers. Nicole will share more information and start advertising ASAP. 
• Kiosk Update - Brett with Parks Department is assisting George with this. George has reported expenses to Amy for processing. 

• Tree update - More than 40 trees were planted at Cleveland Park, thanks to Boy Scout Troop 42. George has also been in contact with the Parks Department about adding a shaded area near the splash pad. Kids and parents are expected to utilize this shaded space a lot. 

• Paving for Progress on 20th St SW / Chandler St SW Update -  Nicole is still working to have Lee Tippe or Doug Wilson from the City attend our July meeting with an update on this project. Please send any questions to Nicole to pass along to the City or reach out to Lee Tippe directly. This is the most recent update from the City on 6/16: "Reconstruction at Chandler Street, 20th Street and the entrance to Jefferson High School is progressing nicely. Weather permitting, utilities and pavement prep will be completed by the end of this week, with new pavement going in next week. The new pavement and sidewalk should be constructed by the end of July, well in advance of the start of the school year. While pavement placement at the high school entrance is underway, storm sewer and water main will be installed along the Chandler Street SW loop. The contractors have nearly completed reconstruction of the pedestrian crosswalk at 20th Street and 16th Avenue, and have begun reconstructing driveways off 16th Avenue, which is precursor work to adding a new sidewalk on the north side of 16th Avenue. This new sidewalk will close a sidewalk gap and provide improved pedestrian access to Jefferson High School and businesses."   
  • Comments from Lee Tippe, Project Engineer with the City of CR: 
    • “Some of your members may already receive the bi-weekly email updates for the project.  Attached is the most recent one, dated 16 June 2021.
    • Placing  new concrete pavement in the intersection of 20th Street and Chandler Street at the entrance to Jefferson High School should begin Tuesday or Wednesday this week.  
    • After storm sewer has been installed on the Chandler Street loop, the water services on 20th Street will be connected to the new water main, after testing and disinfection are completed.
    • We expect all new pavement on 20th Street, plus new driveways will be completed by the end of October. 
    • Pavement construction on both 20th Street and the Chandler Street loop will be in short segments to minimize access restrictions to residents. 
    • We expect to complete all water main, storm sewer and sanitary sewer work this construction season, along with a considerable portion of new pavement.  Remaining pavement construction will occur in Spring and early Summer 2022.
    • Temporary concrete pavement will be placed in roadways and driveways where needed to provide hard-surfaced temporary access through Winter 2021-2022.” 

• Kwik Star Update - The gas pumps have been installed, landscaping is complete, and interior finishes are happening now. Still unsure of the scheduled opening date. 

• Yard signs have been printed! Nicole will be contacting neighbors to display those in yards to promote CANA awareness. Allegra was affordable and did a great job with printing. 

• CANA logo and apparel -  Is anyone interested in getting CANA shirts or jackets made? We can look at screen printing or embroidery. 

• Nicole set up the first draft of the Business Listings / Directory on the CANA website. She will be reaching out to 38 businesses to start, but all ideas and local business contacts are welcome. Businesses do NOT have to be in our neighborhood to be a listing donor. 

• Reminder of CR Museum of Art exhibits and on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM, you can visit all 16 galleries for free!
• Cedar Rapids Public Library has an adult and youth reading program this summer. Adults and youth can sign up on the Cedar Rapids Public Library website: https://www.crlibrary.org/summer-dare/
• Sue Graham asked about the Cedar River and King’s Material work done prior to the 2008 flood to reduce flooding. Councilwoman Vanorny commented that the flood recovery committee has discussed this and the free work does not have enough benefit to relieve the need for the additional flood control measures to be added. Sue Graham commented that it is a wish that this information was publicly announced. Councilwoman Vanorny will verify that this information is public on the City websites and pass the information along to neighbors. 

 
Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.

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Review Neighborhood News

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Cedar Rapids Public Library Summer Reading Program

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art Exhibits

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June Meeting Updates 6/22/21

SAFE-CR Update from Annette Lorenz RE: properties mentioned at meeting:
I will be entering complaints for tall grass for:

• 818 12th St. NE
• 868 12th St. NE
• 884 12th St. NE
• 888 12th St. NE
• 890 12th St. NE

 
As for 159 15th St. SW,

• I will be entering complaints for the garbage and debris on the property and the what appears to be inoperable vehicles in the driveway. 
• I will be also be entering complaints for the vehicles parked on the grass at 149 15th St. SW. 

Flood Management Information from City Council RE: questions about dredging with King's Material: