November 2021 Meeting Minutes

​CANA November 2021 Meeting Minutes | Call to Order: 7:02pm
Attendance: Nicole Schroeder, Amy Hall-Haney, George Heeren, Annette Lorenz, Henrietta Mueller, Gaylon Heetland, Jeff Wozencraft, Greg Smith, Ashley Vanorny

• Treasurer's Report - Amy Hall-Haney - We began with $1,614.59 and outgoing checks include tax prep expense of $190.00, $397.45 for Allegra printing for Light the Neighborhood postcards, and $211.48 for postage. With pending payment from the City, the balance will end $1,271.49. Jeff Wozencraft is going to look into the pending payment/reimbursement. Gaylon Heetland is interested in looking into the tax forms and potentially doing the taxes next year. Amy will be connecting with Gaylon.
• CRPD Update - Lt. Welsh - City is still in the process of changing the process of coding for crime, so Lt. Welsh provided an overview to neighbors tonight. Review CRPD Report. City opened the overnight shelter tonight, which was originally scheduled to open 12/3. Lt. Welsh recommended NOT leaving your keys in the vehicle while warming your vehicle during the winter months. Vehicle thefts are much higher in the winter months, due to keys being left in cars. 
  • Nicole Schroeder mentioned to Lt. Welsh about the speeding issue on 20th St SW that was reported around 9am on 11/12/21. He will be checking on the 25mph speed limit signs and report the issue with speeding to traffic enforcement for follow up and investigation. 
  • George Heeren followed up on the two homes on 17th St SW that were reported for suspicious activity last month. Lt. Welsh said those addresses reported are part of an ongoing issue with the homeowners/tenants. George and Lt. Welsh will both be continuing to monitor the homes, and George will report any further issues. 
• CRFD Update - Chief Smith - Review Neighborhood News. Winter is the time to check your furnace filters regularly (monthly, or as necessary with larger filters) to ensure that there is a clean filter to reduce fire risk. Recommended installing and checking your carbon monoxide detectors and replacing batteries in smoke detectors. If you put up a Christmas tree in your home this holiday season, please keep them watered and unplug your lights when you leave the home to stay happy, healthy, and safe this holiday season. Neighborhood PACT program information this month is specific to Tornado Safety. Handout was provided to neighbors in the agenda packet. Review the Neighborhood PACT information.
• Paving for Progress Update on 20th St SW / Chandler St SW - 
  • Sue Graham is concerned about the concrete pieces from the road or from the construction trucks. She had a hole in front of her driveway and brought in two chunks of the concrete street that were the concerning pieces. This is likely because 1) the street is deteriorating and 2) the heavy machinery on the roads caused more of an issue with the street. Jeff Wozencraft is reporting back to the City on these concerns, specifically to Lee Tippe. 
• SAFE-CR Update - Annette Lorenz - No major neighborhood updates or concerning properties. Chapter 22A updates are going to the City Council in December. SAFE-CR works closely with social service agencies to help households as needed and potentially reduce police calls for service to concerning properties. 
• City Update - Councilwoman Vanorny - Ashley shared comments regarding the City efforts from derecho clean up in appreciation for their efforts to connect with as many Cedar Rapids neighbors as possible. Recommended reviewing Neighborhood PACT program information to keep households safe in 2022 and beyond. George Heeren shared his comments and shared his appreciation for all City officials, volunteers, etc. who have contributed to the derecho clean up efforts and focus on being better prepared in future disasters. 
• Nominations for 2022-2024 CANA Board - Current nominations include: Nicole Schroeder nominated Amy Hall-Haney as a renewal in her Treasurer 2022-2024. She has accepted.  Nicole Schroeder nominated George Heeren for renewal as President for 2022-2024.  He has not accepted or declined. 
  • Nominations were open for the evening at 7:42pm. 
  • No additional nominations were shared. 
  • Nominations were closed at 7:44pm. 
• Neighborhood Associations Update - Jeff Wozencraft - The City has asked neighbors to contribute to their neighborhood to help make Cedar Rapids a more sustainable community. A questionnaire is available on the City website as well as the CANA website here: https://www.cana108.com/news/sustainable-neighborhoods 
  • Ashley Vanorny commented that the State of Iowa recognized Cedar Rapids with the Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) Award in recognition for the Climate Action Plan that the sustainable neighborhoods initiative includes. Ashley included this information in her Sunday newsletter, which you can sign up for here: https://ashleyvanorny.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=89f261826eb50fd504e047443&id=117826ffa8 
• Light The Neighborhood 2021 - On Friday, CANA launched the “Light The Neighborhood” web page and news article on our website and shared it to Facebook. The postcard went out last week and should be arriving today/tomorrow in neighbors mailboxes. We have had 37 website visitors as of this afternoon to review the event and 7 neighbors have signed up to participate so far! We have over 300 giveaway items, thanks to Kwik Star ($250 in gift cards) and McDonald’s on Williams Blvd SW (300 gift certificates). Doug Elam and Nicole Schroeder will be distributing the winners prizes shortly after the December 15th cutoff for the entries. Please share with neighbors and encourage others in the community to decorate and spread holiday cheer! 
• Other Business
  • Gaylon Heetland has been in contact with Luke Miller with Traffic Engineering regarding the concerns of traffic speeds on 8th Ave SW and 18th St SW. They are looking at crash data and current posted speeds. 
  • Denise Klemp is not in attendance tonight, but wanted to invite neighbors to register for the Trees Forever “Our Woodland Legacy” Symposium in December at Hotel Kirkwood. More information can be found on the Trees Forever website at https://treesforever.org/event/symposium/. 
  • Sue Graham shared a concern with Jefferson students coming in/out of the Jefferson parking lot off 20th St SW at high speeds. One incident was around 4pm and a student pulled out of the Jefferson exit and onto 20th St SW, lost control, and hit curbs on both sides of 20th St SW. Sue said that she saw this incident. There have been two other questionable incidents with Jefferson student drivers. Lt. Welsh asked that we call CRPD immediately if we see anything like this happening. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:04pm. 
​
Next Meeting: Monday, January 17th, 2022 - NO DECEMBER MEETING

Review Neighborhood News

Review CRPD Report

Review Neighborhood PACT Program

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November Meeting Minute Updates 11/18/21
20th St SW Speeding Issue: "Installation of permanent signs, including speed limit signs, is included in the construction contract.  It is possible not all planned signs on 20th Street SW have been installed.  Remaining construction, including sign installation will occur in 2022.  If additional signs are recommended, they can be added by change order to the construction contract."  We will re-visit this  issue once the signs are installed and if speeding issue regularly continues. Jan Coleman on 20th St SW and CANA representatives have reported this to Traffic Engineering for follow up. 

Update from Traffic Engineering - December 2021: 

• The Public Works Department completed a speed study on 20th St SW on Tuesday 11/30 and Wednesday 12/1/2021.  Radar units attached to utility poles were used over this multiple day period to collect data.  One key measure we examine is known as the 85th percentile speed.  This is the speed at which 85 percent of traffic is traveling at or below.  Ideally, the 85th percentile speed matches the posted speed limit, but results within 5 MPH are also acceptable.
• Radar unit 1 was located on 20th St SW collecting speeds 150’ north of the Jefferson HS south entrance (the south intersection with Chandler St).  Speeds were collected continually over the 2 days.  At this location, 85% of traffic was driving at 29 MPH or below.  The average speed at this location was 25 MPH.
• Radar unit 2 was placed to collect speeds on 20th St SW, 300’ south of the north intersection with Chandler St.  Speeds were collected continually over the 2 days.  At this location, 85% of traffic was driving at 29 MPH or below.  The average speed at this location was 24 MPH. 
• We did examine the locations of the 25 MPH speed limit signs on 20th St SW.  There is a speed limit sign on 20th St SW north of the Jefferson HS south entrance (the south intersection with Chandler St) for northbound traffic.  Southbound traffic on 20th St SW does not currently have a speed limit sign.  The City will have a speed limit sign placed so southbound traffic coming from Williams Blvd and 10th Ave SW does have a 25 MPH sign coming from Williams Blvd SW.  The sign will be moved by the contractor completing the Chandler St/20th St SW project, so I cannot provide a schedule for that installation at this time.