May 2026 Meeting Minutes

May 18, 2026 Meeting Minutes | Call to Order: 7:00pm
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Attendance: Amy Hall-Haney, George Heeren, Nicole Schroeder, Treyner Wentzien, Gaylon Heetland, Rose Heetland, Jackie MacLaren, Lt. Denni Randall, Matt Wagner, Carl Rowles, Tara Olsen, Chief Smith, Mayaken Yoder
 

• Treasurer's Report - Amy Hall-Haney - $4,177.25 in the account, with all money received as of today, except the pending reimbursement from the egg hunt. All safety fair expenses will be handled in FY26. 
  
• CRPD Update - Lt. Denni Randall - CRPD reports “nothing new” happening! Stats for 2026 reports are reporting 55% lower than 2025. Violent crime’s 5-year average is still down. Thefts from autos are creeping up. CRPD is building a new dashboard online with an open forum available to community members. 
  
  • George Heeren asked about hiring status. CRPD has recently retired a few officers, so 10-11 spots are being filled. The next five years will be filled with many retirements in CRPD. 
    
• CRFD Update - Chief Smith - Five new hires with 7/6 start date! Once they are hired, CRFD will hire at least four more this fall. CRFD calls for service are increasing about 1-3% year-over-year. CR has already had one drowning this spring. Safety note: Respect the Cedar River. It’s NOT a lazy river. 
  
  • Chief is retiring in June after 32 years of service to CRFD! An open house is on Friday, June 18th, at 4PM at the Central Fire Station. RSVP on Facebook. 
    
• SAFE-CR - Matt Wagner - Last month, CR only had 70 calls for service in 59 properties. Placarded properties should be respected. DO NOT ENTER. Call CRPD if you see any properties where individuals should not be entered. All placarded properties should have permits to enter during daylight hours. Reminder to call in Veo scooters that are discarded improperly. Call or email any scooters that aren’t in their proper place: 855-VEO-2256 or [email protected]. Report any unmowed yards through the MyCR app. Download the app here: https://www.cedar-rapids.org/mycr/   
  
• Jefferson High School Band - Carl Rowles & Tara Olsen - The current band program at Jefferson High School Band of Blue has 120 total members. Final Tuesday of the school year in 2026-2027 would be perfect for “Pops in the Park.” The band would be interested in renting the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band Shell. CANA could look into requesting this and cover this expense for the band. 
  
• 2026 Event Plan & Committee Sign Up 
  
  • Community Safety & Wellness Fair - Saturday, June 13th
    
  • National Night Out - Tuesday, August 4th - 
    
  • Playtime Poppy - September/October 2026 performance in the park
    
• Other Business 
  
  • Jackie MacLaren - Chandler St SW Neighbor - Jefferson High School kids are coming through her neighbors' (2198 Chandler) in droves throughout the school day to get to McDonald’s. These kids are coming and loitering for up to hours at a time. Jackie wants to know how to handle this issue. 
    
    • Tara Olsen (Maple Dr NW Neighbor) commented on Jefferson’s cell phone rules in the school. Students must be off the school premises to use their cell phones. This is likely a large push on this issue. This is usually between 11am and 1pm. 
      
    • The best course of action for this issue is to discuss it with Lt. Randall regarding trespassing or loitering laws in the area. Nicole Schroeder will reach out to Lt. Randall about this, as she had already left the meeting. 
      
  • Gaylon Heetland - 8th Ave SW Neighbor - The 15th St and 8th Ave SW garbage cans are missing or have not been placed in the park yet. George Heeren will check on these. 
    
  • Nicole Schroeder thanked neighbors who cleaned up the flower garden at the park entrance. 
    
  • Mayaken Yoder - Highland Dr NW Neighbor - Fast driving is a remaining concern in the area closer to Johnson Ave NW, with kids on dirt bikes at night.
    
    • Nicole Schroeder explained the speed patrol evaluation process briefly and how the data would likely be too skewed to rectify with any special speed signage. It was suggested that any dirt bikes be called in immediately to capture the drivers and address the issue. 
      
    • Trey Wentzien recommended buying yard signs to raise awareness of the speeding issue, with messaging and the posted speed limit. It will be worth asking Lt. Randall about this. Nicole Schroeder will inquire about this. 
      
  • Tara Olsen asked about the stop signs that are lighted in the neighborhood, as so many people blow through the stop sign near Haskell Park. 
    
    • Trey Wentzien asked about painting a walkway or a white line at Maple Dr and Johnson Ave NW at Haskell Park.  Nicole will inquire about this with City Streets Department. 
      
  • Trey Wentzien asked about the gravel and sand cleanup in the neighborhoods.. George Heeren shared information on the street cleaners. It was suggested to put in a request with MyCR app. 
    

Meeting adjourned at 8:14pm. 


Next Meeting: Monday, July 20th, 2026, at 7:00PM at Central Church of Christ