July 2025 Meeting Minutes

July 21, 2025 Meeting Agenda | Call to Order: 7:01 pm
Attendance: Amy Hall-Haney, Nicole Schroeder, George Heeren, Lt. Welsh, Gaylon Heetland, Denise Klemp, Matt Wagner, Chief Smith, Adam Lindenlaub, Ashley Vanorny

• CRPD Update - Lt. Welsh - CRPD is still working with the current recruitment class. Shots fired calls are trending down from past years in 2025. Since 2016, we have had only one confirmed shots-fired incident. 
• CRFD Update - Chief Smith - CRFD is also working with their current recruitment class. Current retirements scheduled for 2025 are accounted for in this current recruitment class. No major injuries or incidents in 2025 Independence Day holiday week/end.
• City of Cedar Rapids - Adam Lindenlaub - Introduction. Standing in for Betsy Borchardt tonight. Review Neighborhood News here. 
  • George Heeren asked about 5&1 bridge accessibility update at E and F Ave NW. Adam did not have an update on this at this time. He did share information about the traffic control plans nearer the new casino development in that area. $25 million will be spent on the west side of Cedar Rapids for improvements, including the Greenway Parks Plan in the Riverfront area and Time Check area.
  • Nicole Schroeder asked about the Block ‘n Roll trailer usage at other neighborhood events. CANA has used it twice. In 2024, the trailer was used seven times. Current advertising within the city is promoting additional usage. 
• SAFE-CR - Matt Wagner - In the last month, there have been 196 calls for service in Cedar Rapids across 191 properties. There were 126 owner-occupied properties, 55 rental properties, and 15 commercial properties identified. Biggest violation issue this time of year is “tall grass and weeds” at 111 calls, then 44 calls for service due to “disturbance of the peace” (loud music, barking dogs, etc.).. Neighbors are encouraged to report any nuisances through the MyCR app. 
  • Nicole Schroeder asked about any recent updates to the MyCR app. No major updates, but Matt explained that neighbors can use the “Location” feature on the left side of the app to drop a pin for the most precise documented location for property identification. 
• Park Updates - George Heeren - Very few issues so far this summer! Very busy and no significant vandalism. New Parks Director for the City of Cedar Rapids has been announced. Her name is Carrie Mardorf. We haven’t been able to get the Parks Department to assist with the roof replacement that CANA has committed to at the Cleveland Park Pavilion. George will be reaching out to David Maier to help bring this to the City’s attention to get this project moving as the roof is in dire need of repair beyond just cosmetic. 
  • Nicole Schroeder asked about Shekita Tolbert hosting her back-to-school event at Cleveland Park this year. Her and her husband host a free school supply giveaway and free haircut event annually. As of today, we believe the event is still being hosted, but date is unknown. 
• Safety & Wellness Fair - Nicole Schroeder - On Saturday, June 21st, we were able to host 252 neighbors of all ages, serve 250 FREE picnic lunches (with an extra special thank you to John and Jessica from Hillside Community Church for working on that hot grill!), give away FIVE bicycles from Chain Reaction Bike Hub, TWO FREE car seats from Safe Kids Linn County, FREE first aid kits thanks to Wellpoint, nearly $800 in FREE school supplies from Staples, and over $300 in FREE gift cards and activity vouchers from local businesses and organizations. We had zero complaints (aside from the heat and wind). We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, and community partners who made this event possible. We plan to bring it back in June 2026. 
• Treasurer’s Report - Amy Hall-Haney - Current balance $4,371.22 as of the June statement. We still have checks coming and going for the safety fair. Current outstanding balances are for our annual insurance and Idea Queen Marketing expenses. Quarterly City report has been submitted and is available for neighbors to review. 
• CANA Future Questions/Bylaw Review -  David Maier has rescinded his nomination acceptance for the CANA President position. George Heeren agreed to stay on as CANA President until a suitable replacement is found, assuming the bylaws are amended to reduce the number of meetings. It was previously discussed at meetings to hold four meetings per year. 
  • Gaylon proposed a motion to change the bylaws to change “5.02: REGULAR MEETINGS section to read “Regular meetings by the Association shall be held four times per year in the months of July, October, February, and May on the third Monday, or at a time and place designated by the President.” Denise seconded. Discussion of changing annual meeting bylaw verbiage; no changes at this time. It was also identified that we need to change the bylaws to update all of the verbiage identifying 10 meetings per year to 4 meetings per year.  All in favor, none opposed. Bylaws will be updated and published ASAP to the website and in CANA email communications. 
  • No new nominations for current President occupancy were shared at this meeting. We will continue seeking nominees to replace George Heeren.
  • No new nominations for VP/Secretary were shared at this meeting. We opened voting for the uncontested position as VP/Secretary. Gaylon Heetland has been voted in as the CANA VP/Secretary through July 2026. 
  • Ashley Vanorny shared her concerns with the viability of the neighborhood association without finding individuals who are committed to supporting the organization. She encourages CANA to reach out to as many neighbors as possible to come together and grow the interest in CANA moving forward. George Heeren asked how we can communicate to neighbors that we need to find a President by January 2026. Nicole Schroeder proposed a motion to spend to accommodate the costs for a letter with envelopes and postage to notify neighbors of the call for nominations. George Heeren seconded this motion. Discussion included Denise Klemp’s concerns of needing to share the impact of CANA in the last 13 years. Gaylon Heetland suggested a sub-committee meeting before the end of August to send the letter by early September. All in favor to support the original motion with the sub-committee to meet before the end of August. None opposed. Motion passes. Letter will be drafted and prepared for committee review by Nicole Schroeder with Idea Queen Marketing. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:12pm. 


Next Meeting: Monday, October 20th, 2025 at 7:00pm
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