The curfew has been rescinded. Electrical power has been restored to nearly all customers in Cedar Rapids and the curfew is no longer needed. We continue to ask residents to be vigilant during the evening and overnight hours when it is more difficult to see debris on sidewalks or roadways.

The burn ban will remain in effect indefinitely. With the elevated temperatures and tree debris drying out very quickly, there is an enhanced fire risk in our community. While outdoor cooking is allowed, we ask residents to exercise caution and ensure the cooking fire is completely extinguished.

Please continue to monitor the weather forecast with severe thunderstorms possible on Friday, August 28. The Linn County Emergency Management Agency will be activating the outdoor warning siren if winds exceed 40 mph because of the significant number of damaged trees and debris from the August 10 derecho.

Residents of Linn County can apply for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program. Assistance can come in the form of grants, low-cost loans, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Apply for assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 for TTY users. Users of 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CST, seven days a week, until further notice. Applications can also be submitted at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. ​

​As a reminder, recycling collection resumed this week. Yard waste will be collected again starting the week of Monday, August 31. We continue to collect carts from the street and not the alley at this time. Storm-damage debris pickup will begin the week of August 31.

Get updates on the City website: www.cedar-rapids.org. Subscribe to text and email alerts at www.CRNewsNow.com.

The City and its contractors continue to work on picking up curb-side tree debris from all areas of the community. As of August 26, crews have completed the first pick-up on approximately 22 percent of roadways, and have collected approximately 58,000 tons. Crews will return to each neighborhood multiple times to remove both tree debris and storm damage debris such as shingles, siding, etc. ​​

IMPORTANT NOTE! If a City tree, limb or debris has fallen into a street, move the limb to the side of the road if possible and contact Forestry (319-286-5747). The City will first clear the street and then return at a later time to pick up any debris or leftover city limbs. The City will clear alleys but not remove private debris.

​

"... big Thank You!!! to everyone that helped make the new playground happen.  We are very pleased on how the playground looks in the park and we know it will be a great addition for all the kids in the neighborhood.  All of this would not have been possible without all the groups coming together for the project." - Scott Hock, Director of Parks & Recreation

CANA July 2020 Meeting Minutes | Call to order: 7:00pm
Attendance: George Heeren, Sue Graham, Henrietta Mueller, Rose Heetland, Kristina Roth-Klinck, Amy Hall-Haney, Carleta Cherry

• Treasurer's Report - Received reimbursement from HyVee food purchase for $269.37. We still have just under $1,000 in pending reimbursements. After the benches and trees' costs are removed from the budget, we will end the year with only $55.01 left from the $10,000 we had to start FY2020. The current account balance after today’s reimbursement was deposited is $994.47. George is owed a check for $250 to hold over our account from the low point this spring, plus $83.95 for the second HyVee trip during the food drive. Nicole will be issuing him a check this week. Nicole is working on taxes with Michele Matt at St. John & Gielau, LLP. We are working to add Nicole to the CCCU savings account as well as adding Amy to both the checking and savings accounts since she will be taking over. Nicole is also working to set up online banking with Collins CCU. We will give an update on this at the next meeting.
• CRPD Report - Review of Police Calls for Service by Lt. Matt Welsh. Discussed fireworks charges in our area as well recent notable crimes in our neighborhood. 

• City Report - Neighborhood News link. Because city facility closures have been extended to September 8th, city staff will not be in attendance in July or August.  Jeff Wozencraft did ask us to encourage neighbors to complete the census, if we haven't already. Based on the map he provided in an email, we are between 51% and 63% complete in our neighborhood. The City would like us to be closer to 70-75% complete. 

• COVID-19 resources are still available on our website and Nicole is sending that updated City link with information in all email correspondence for neighbors to review. 

• The Rollin' Recmobile has been at Cleveland Park on Wednesday mornings between 9:30am and 11:30am. They will continue their time at Cleveland Park throughout the summer. Please share with neighbors and friends. Free and fun activities for kids! 

• Paving for Progress Update - Installation of water main on Chandler Street SW between 10th Avenue and 9th Avenue will be completed early next week and connected to the new line. If weather cooperates, work may also begin on the installation of new storm sewer at the intersection of Chandler Street and 10th Avenue. The contract requires this intersection be fully reconstructed and open to traffic by August 17, in advance of the school year. 

• Cleveland Park Playground is almost complete! We filmed the virtual ribbon cutting footage last week. Review of progress and funding. Netclimber, concrete braces, and wood chips should be installed yet this week and the City hopes to open the playground on Friday. Nicole will finish the paperwork required by our grants once the build is complete. 
  • Sue Graham asked about how CANA gets $10,000 for our neighborhood and park, but other neighborhoods do not. George Heeren explained how the neighborhood association programs work in Cedar Rapids as well as the city funding and private funding projects. Not all neighborhoods have leaders who step up to form the non-profit and obtain city funding. It is on a case-by-case basis, including higher risk neighborhood areas who receive more funding through private grants and other financial assistance programs. 

• Benches & Trees - With the remaining funding in our FY20 budget, we will be installing three benches in the playground ($1,500 total) and splash pad area as well as trees ($600 total)  in the splash pad area. The total cost of these two projects is $2,100. This is being handled by the City Parks Department once the Playground Improvement Project is complete.    

• Update on the Kwik Star project on 16th Ave / 20th St SW -  The site plan for Kwik Star has been approved and construction could start this summer. For safety, the plan includes sidewalks along both streets and new driveways will be placed further away from the intersection than the existing driveways. Nicole is following up regularly with Ken in the Development Services Department at the City. 

• Trash cans along 8th Ave & additional dog signs - Nicole Schroeder has not received a response to the inquiry about the three additional trash cans to be added along 8th Avenue or the additional "off-leash dogs" signage. Rose Heetland reported that one trash can was installed, but not on her side of the street. George Heeren will be following up on this as well as the dog signs. 

• Safety Fair substitution - Since we had to cancel the 2020 Safety Fair, Susan Johnston suggested that we look at providing safety material kid friendly and masks in backpacks for local schools. Nicole and Susan will be reaching out to the Cleveland PTA to see what their greatest needs are to start the school year and if we could offer any type of information package to families.  
• Info Kiosk - George will be following up on the quote and installation for a small information kiosk in the park for CANA. 

Meeting adjourned.

​

Check out the progress on the playground  Look at how much more space that all families will have to play safely on the new design! The rain we had a couple of weeks ago put the crew just a little behind - and now we are patiently waiting for the net climber to be installed as soon as it arrives. We hope to open the playground by the end of July. Thank you for your patience as we anxiously anticipate opening day! 

The Rollin’ Recmobile provides flexibility to offer youth recreation activities while following health guidelines for COVID-19. Programming will follow recommendations from the CDC and Linn County Public Health. Changes in activities will be based on social distancing guidelines.
- Phase I: Come by, pick up some food, use the WIFI, and grab an activity kit to do with your family at home or in the park.
- Phase II: As social distancing requirements ease, we will offer small activities in small groups.
- Phase III: Finally, when safe to do so, we will provide large group recreation activities including sports, playground games, fitness, and visits from organizations in the community.

Rollin’ Recmobile is supported by: 
City of Cedar Rapids Iowa Government
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
Cedar Rapids Kiwanis Club
Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation

Questions? Contact Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation at 319-286-5566 or email us at recreation@cedar-rapids.org.

CANA June 2020 Meeting Minutes
ATTENDANCE: Henrietta Mueller, Amy Hall-Haney, Ltd. Welsh, George Heeren, Rose Heetland, Gaylon Heetland, Jackie MacLaren, Nicole Schroeder, Denise Klemp, Ashley Vanorny, Marlene Hunt

Meeting starts at 7:02pm.

• Treasurer's Report - Nicole Schroeder / Amy Hall-Haney
  Balance: $108.07?? Have not received June statement to confirm this balance.
  + $24.22 reimbursement today
  + $1,268.18 in pending reimbursements (USPS, ink from Office Express, annual insurance, HyVee food purchases)
  = $1,400.47 sub total
  - $333.95 owed to George ($250 deposit to cover expenses + $83.95 from HyVee)
      Remaining balance = $1,066.52
  

• City Report - Neighborhood News will be in email. Bike Share program is back in action this summer. 
  

• New CRPD Contact for CANA / West District: Lt. Welsh - Introduction of Lt. Welsh. Review of Neighborhood reports. Review of current world events. Review of current CRPD standing and rules of incident relating to George Floyd incident in Minneapolis. Review of safety protocol for protests. 
  

• COVID-19 Resources on website / Facebook page. Review of City protocols with Councilwoman Vanorny.
  

• Cleveland Elementary School Food Drive received $425 in monetary donations plus six LARGE boxes of food donations. In total, CANA donated almost $700 worth of food from HyVee, plus the donated items, to Cleveland Elementary Students on June 1st. 
  

• Paving for Progress Update on Chandler St SW - Crews are beginning work with the water main between 9th and 10th Ave SW, which will include connecting homes to the new water main. Watch for door hangers for more information as the project progresses. The intersection between Chandler St SW and 10th Ave SW will be closed for the water main work and all work should be completed by early August.
  

• Splash Pads will be reopening by Wednesday 6/17. Cleveland Park Splash Pad was opened today. 
  

• HACAP Mobile Food Pantry is scheduled for Wed 6/17 from 12:30-2:30pm at Vets Memorial Stadium. 
  

• Safety Fair postponed indefinitely
  

• National Night Out cancelled for 2020
  

• Cleveland Park Playground Project has started construction! Between now and the end of June, the new playground should be constructed with two play structures plus the additional upgrades we requested. 
  

• Rose Heetland inquired about city parks restrooms as she had an incident with a  person urinating in her garden. George Heeren mentioned that the parks department came to clean today, but they were locked tonight. Councilwoman is going to inquire about the current status of public park restrooms. She mentioned the city is working to get facilities open, but compliance with COVID-19 rules and regulations has been difficult to navigate. 
  

• Rose Heetland also reported off-leash dogs in the park. She asked about getting additional signs along 8th Ave. Nicole Schroeder will contact Annette with SAFE-CR about this. 
  
• Rose and Gaylon Heetland also requested a trash can along 8th Avenue nearer the fence closer to Vets Memorial Stadium. 
  
• Nicole Schroeder reported that the vacant duplex at the bottom of the Jefferson hill that was damaged in a fire in 2019 has had activity for repairs and regular exterior maintenance. 
  
• George Heeren spoke with a city representative about transferring the $6,000 to the park playground project. He would like to look into confirmation of this and find out the remaining balance that we can spend before the end of June. Nicole Schroeder will look into this with Jeff Wozencraft. We would like to look into additional trees along with the additional trash cans, dog signs, or perhaps some sort of shade feature nearer the 1st Ave side of Cleveland Park to keep kids that play on the splash pad close to their families. 
  
• George Heeren reported on the quote for the information kiosk for the park. The quote is $1,129 and the size would be 35x46 double-sided in glass. Neighbors collectively decided that it may be too large and too breakable. George will look into a single sided kiosk that could be attached to the park building.
  
• George Heeren spoke with Karen, a neighbor on 17th St SW. They are having issues with the drainage tile that the City installed last summer. George will look into this concern with the city officials personally.
  
• Jackie MacLaren asked about the status of the Kwik Star remodel on 16th Ave SW and 20th St SW. Neighbors did not know anything about this development. Nicole Schroeder will look into who at the city who may have this information available. 
  
• George Heeren inquired with the city about resurfacing the parking lot at Cleveland Park. The city said it would be between $5,000-$6,000. He would like to ask the city if we could contribute to speed up the resurfacing process.
  
• Ashley Vanorny mentioned that Cedar Rapids has a supply of tear gas. Ashley is advocating for different policies in our city, and she asked about our opinion about the city police department having the tear gas in possession. Gaylon Heetland asked when the last time our CRPD deployed the tear gas and how the police feel about our supply. Ashley mentioned it has been well over a decade since it was used in our community. The civilian review board unanimously agreed that tear gas cannot be accepted as a use in our community. CRPD Chief Wayne Jerman mentioned that he has no plans to dispose of the tear gas, but agreed to continue to be 100% transparent that we have the supply and CRPD has no plans to use it. Jackie MacLaren and Amy Hall-Haney were both concerned that there is no purpose to the tear gas to "protect and serve" the community. Gaylon Heetland commented that the city could use the disposal of the tear gas as a piece to accommodate the requests of community members for the CRPD. Ashley asked that neighbors who want to continue the conversation as citizens please email her to set up a time to talk. 
  

Meeting adjourned at 8:27pm.

Kwik Star project on 20th St SW / 16th Ave SW
"The site plan for Kwik Star has been approved and construction could start this summer. For safety, the plan includes sidewalk along both streets and new driveways will be placed further away from the intersection than the existing driveways."
Update provided by: Ken DeKeyser, P.E. - Development Services Manager
​
Remaining balance for CANA FY20 budget

• Budget: $10,000
  • Expense: $558.59 (National Night Out 2019)
  • Expense: $24.22 (Easter egg hunt / animal crackers)
  • Expense: $106.00 (Annual USPS box)
  • Expense: $486.81 (ink for printer)
  • Expense: $269.37 (HyVee / food drive)
  • Expense: $400.00 (Annual insurance payment)
  • Expense: $6,000 (park playground improvement project) 
• Remaining balance as of 6/16/2020: $2,155.01

Trees in Cleveland Park for shade near splash pad
With the remaining funding in our FY20 budget, we will be installing three benches in the playground ($1,500 total) and splash pad area as well as trees ($600 total)  in the splash pad area. The total cost of these two projects is $2,100. This is being handled by the City Parks Department once the Playground Improvement Project is complete. 

Trash cans along 8th Ave & additional dog signs
Nicole Schroeder has not received a response to the inquiry about the three additional trash cans to be added along 8th Avenue or the additional "off-leash dogs" signage. She will be following up on these items in the coming weeks.  7/17/2020

CANA will be hosting our June monthly meeting on Monday, June 15th, 2020 at 7pm. June's meeting will be held at Cleveland Park - NOT Central Church of Christ.

We ask that attendees observe social distancing as much as possible. You are encouraged to wear a mask, but it is not required. We look forward to seeing you there!