February 16, 2026 Meeting Minutes

February 16, 2026 Meeting Minutes | Call to Order: 6:58pm
Attendance: George Heeren, Nicole Schroeder, Amy Hall-Haney, Betsy Borchardt, Matt Wagner, Jane Kolek, Lt. Randall, Gaylen Heetland, Rose Heetland, Trey Wentzien, Mitch DeGroot, Denise Klemp

• Treasurer's Report - Amy Hall-Haney - Current balance in checking: $3,901.71 with $4,541.02 with total outstanding reimbursements. We have $6,486.69 remaining in our $10,000.00 from the City. We will reserve $1,500 for Playtime Poppy expenses, $1,500 for the Community Wellness & Safety Fair, and $300 for the Easter Egg Hunt (total $3,300 pending expenses). We have a remaining balance of $3,186.19 available through June 30, 2026. 
• City Updates - Betsy Borchardt - Neighborhood News review. Please plan to join the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to provide feedback at one of its upcoming meetings; your input is helpful when applying for federal transportation grants. Dog park permits are available now for 2026. City of CR is inviting neighbors to apply for new/larger garbage cart sizes through February 26th. Residents can apply through the MyCR portal or by calling (319) 286-5899. 
• SAFE-CR - Matt Wagner - Review of calls for service. Encouraged the use of the MyCR app to report issues in neighborhoods. 
• CRPD Update - Lt. Denni Randall - Introduction. Review of PD stats. Review of warming shelter data for 2025-2026. Shelters will close in late March or early April. 
  • Denise Klemp asked about the current number of unhoused individuals in the Cedar Rapids area. Lt. Randall did not have that data. CRPD can offer services to unhoused individuals, but some decline for various reasons. 
• 2026 Event Plan & Committee Signup 
  • Easter Egg Hunt with Central Church of Christ - March/April 2026
    • Led by Amy Hall-Haney on Saturday, April 4th at 10:00AM (done by 11:30am)
    • Volunteers from Central Church of Christ help with setup
    • Volunteers from CANA to help with egg collection/toy giveaways
      • Denise Klemp and Heetlands will help with coloring pages and activity pages. Nicole Schroeder will print those. Amy will collect pencils and crayons for the event from the church. 
      • George, Jane, and Amy will help with toy giveaways 
  • Community Safety & Wellness Fair - Saturday, June 13th from 10:00AM to 1:00PM
    • Volunteers
      • Amy Hall-Haney & Cathy Heeren: manage lunch 
      • Denise Klemp: manages school supply giveaway
      • Mitch DeGroot & Trey Wentzien: manage setup for registrants 
      • Jane Kolek: Welcome table/registration for guests
      • George Heeren: manage food pick up from HyVee, mascots
      • Rose & Gaylen Heetland: manage helmets
      • Nicole Schroeder: email organizations, sponsors, apply for permit, apply for Block ‘n Roll trailer 
  • National Night Out - Tuesday, August 4th - 5:30PM to 7:30PM
    • Potluck - food provided by neighbors + Fareway
    • Need to make the Block ‘n Roll reservation 
    • Need to hire Eastern Iowa Arts Academy for a live performance 
    • Need to ask Jessica & John about Hillside Community Church and their participation 
  • NEW - Playtime Poppy - George Heeren - June 2026 - Discussion regarding $1,500 contribution. CANA members ultimately decided to support only the June or October events if they are hosted within CANA's boundary limits (i.e., at Cleveland Park, Jefferson, Cleveland, etc.). Rose is going to ask Trinity Lutheran about renting their gym/stage as Playtime Poppy is looking to host the June 26th event indoors only. Unsure on details of the October event at this point. 
• Other Business 
  • Succession planning for the President position - Mitch DeGroot is interested in this, depending on commitments in the role
  • Neighborhood communications - October letter, January postcard, no further communications planned at this time
  • CR Parks Foundation Mini Grant Application - Interested in applying for the funds to support our mural in the pavilion. George will get a quote from the City’s art group and approval from the Parks Department to submit this grant request. 
    • Nicole Schroeder makes a motion to commit up to $1,000 of CANA’s remaining FY25 budget to this project to ensure that the Parks Foundation understands our commitment to this project. Rose Heetland seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passes.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm. 

Next Meeting: Monday, May 18th, 2026 at 7:00pm