[Call to Order] [00:01:41] >> [BACKGROUND] THIS MEETING OF THE CEDAR RAPID CITY COUNCIL WILL COME TO ORDER. WELCOME, EVERYBODY TO THE COUNCIL MEETING FOR TUESDAY JUNE 24. COUNCIL MEMBER DALE TODD WILL BE JOINING US HE WILL BE A FEW MINUTES LATE TODAY. I WANT TO WELCOME OUR CITY MANAGER, OUR CITY CLERK, AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY, AND AS ALWAYS THANK YOU TO CITY STAFF FOR BEING HERE AND AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM CITIZENS. RENDER THAT ALL OF YOU WHO ARE HERE TODAY TO PLEASE TURN OFF ANY CELL PHONES OR ELECTRONIC DEVICES THAT MIGHT TAKE AWAY FROM OUR PROCEEDINGS TODAY. NOTE THAT ALL OF OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDAS, MINUTES, AND VIDEOS ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR CITY'S WEBSITE. [Proclamations/Presentations] REGULAR SESSIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE VIA OUR FACEBOOK LIVE. WE WILL BEGIN NOW WITH AN INVOCATION BY MAYOR PRO TEM AND POE, FOLLOWED BY OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. PLEASE STAND AND JOIN ME. THANK YOU. DEAR GOD, GRANT US GRATITUDE FOR YOUR GIFT OF THIS DAY FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, AND COMMUNITY. GOD, WE PRAY YOU CONTINUE TO BLESS THE PEOPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY WITH HOPE, LOVE, AND ACCEPTANCE, FOR ONE ANOTHER, NO MATTER OUR DIFFERENCES. GOD, WE ASK THAT YOU REMIND US TO COMPASSION KINDNESS, AND PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING, LIFT UP OUR HEARTS WITH MERCY TO THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED OF OUR GRACE. GUIDE THIS COUNCIL AS SERVANT LEADERS TO DO YOUR PEOPLE'S WORK WITH OPEN HANDS AND WELCOMING HEARTS. WE PRAY GOD YOU KEEP OUR POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL AND FIRST RESPONDERS SAFELY IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND, AND YOU CARRY WITH THEM THE SHIELD OF BLESSINGS FROM A GRATEFUL COMMUNITY FOR THEIR SERVICE. WITH GRATITUDE, WE ASK THESE BLESSINGS IN YOUR HEAVENLY NAME. AMEN. OF ALLEGIANCE]. >> WE'LL BEGIN WITH A PRESENTATION TODAY BY OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FINANCE CORPORATION. STEPHANIE MURPHY IS GOING TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ALONG WITH DIRECTOR PRATT. I WILL RECOGNIZE YOU. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. JENNIFER PRATT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. I AM GLAD TO BE HERE TODAY TO INTRODUCE STEPHANIE MURPHY. SHE'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD FINANCE CORPORATION, WHICH HAS OPERATED IN THE DES MOINES AREA SINCE 1990, AND THEN HAS COME TO CEDAR RAPIDS AND OPENED UP AN OFFICE IN 2018 AND BEEN, AGAIN, A GREAT PARTNER WITH THE CITY. I WILL SAY, I HAVE ALWAYS SAID HOW IN ALIGNMENT THEIR ORGANIZATION IS WITH THE CITY IN THAT THEIR EMPHASIS IS ON NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION, AND THAT'S A CORE PRIORITY FOR CITY COUNCIL IS STRENGTHENING AND STABILIZING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO STEPHANIE. >> I THINK IS FOR THE PRESENTATION. >> PERFECT. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANKS, JENNIFER. AS INTRODUCED, I'M STEPHANIE, [00:05:01] AND I'M EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NEIGHBORHOOD FINANCE CORPORATION, AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE. CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? PERFECT. I JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE OUR LENDING AREA BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY WHAT DRIVES WHERE WE DO OUR LENDING, WE'RE A NONPROFIT THAT DOES RENOVATION LENDING. THIS IS THE LENDING MAP THAT WE'VE WORKED WITH THE CITY STAFF TO COME UP WITH. IT INCLUDES ALL THE LOW AND MODERATE INCOME CENSUS TRACKS WITHIN THE CITY AS WELL AS SOME OTHER CENSUS TRACTS WHERE THE HOUSING IS OLDER AND IS AT RISK OF DETERIORATING. WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP THE NEIGHBORHOODS STRONG. BUT WE CAN CHANGE IT. IF YOU'RE OUT AT NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS AND SOMEONE SAYS, WHY ARE WE PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD FINANCE AREA, WE'RE INTERESTED IN HEARING THAT? IF YOU'RE HEARING THAT CONSISTENTLY FROM NEIGHBORS, AND IF THERE'S SOMEWHERE ELSE, WE SHOULD BE. WE DID START IN 2018, 2019, WITH OUR FIRST LOAN CLOSE. LAST YEAR, WE CELEBRATED SEVEN YEARS OF LENDING. WE AS YOU'LL THINK OF THOSE DATES. OUR EARLY DAYS WERE INCLUDED THE DERECHO, AND SO REALLY WE PIVOTED FROM OUR PROGRAMS FOR A FEW YEARS TO WORKING WITH PATCH AND THE PROGRAM WITH ALL THE OTHER NONPROFITS AND DOING THAT. WE'VE BUILT UP THE STEAM THAT WE HAD GOING PRIOR TO DERECHO, BUT WE WERE GLAD WE'RE HERE DOING DERECHO BECAUSE WE HELPED A LOT OF FAMILIES THEN AS WELL. THESE ARE THE PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER. WE DO A PURCHASE AND A REFINANCE PROGRAM WITH RENOVATION, A HOME IMPROVEMENT, AND A FRONT PORCH EXTERIOR REPAIR PROGRAM. BUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT EVERY LOAN THAT WE DO INCLUDES A RENOVATION COMPONENT. THE AVERAGE AMOUNT IS AROUND $30,000 PER LOAN, AND THEN A $15,000 UP TO $15,000 FORGIVABLE LOAN, AND THAT IS FUNDED THROUGH OUR AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE ALSO BRING CAPITAL TO THE TABLE AS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION AND A MEMBER OF NEIGHBORWORKS AMERICA, AND THAT'S SHOWS UP AS OUR DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE. WE HAVE TWO PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER TO BORROWERS, AS WELL AS THE ENERGY ADVANTAGE PROGRAM, WHICH IS ARPA MONEY THAT WE RECEIVE THROUGH THE CITY TO HELP PEOPLE MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR HOME TO REDUCE THEIR ENERGY BILLS. THIS JUST GIVES YOU A ACTIVITY IMPACT IN 2024. TWO OF THOSE BORROWERS WERE OUR LAST TWO PATCH HOME OWNERS THAT WE HELPED, BUT WE DID 20 DOWN PAYMENT LOANS, 17 PURCHASES. THE LEVERAGE RATIO, I THINK, IS REALLY GOOD TO UNDERSTAND THAT FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE'RE GETTING FROM YOU ALL, WE'RE LEVERAGING THAT WITH ALMOST $7 OF OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDS TO RESULT IN $1.4 MILLION OF RENOVATIONS LAST YEAR THAT WE JUST THROUGH OUR LENDING, WE'RE SPURRED. THIS JUST GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF WHERE WE LEND, THE ZIP CODES, THE 45, BECAUSE IT JUST INCLUDES OUR CORE BORROWERS, NOT THE TWO PATCH BORROWERS. THEN REALLY WHAT DRIVES OUR BUSINESS IS WE DON'T HAVE A HUGE MARKETING BUDGET, WE'RE A SMALL NONPROFIT IS THE FEEDBACK THAT WE GET AND THE CUSTOMERS THAT USE OUR PROGRAM, OUR NUMBER 1, WAY THAT PEOPLE FIND OUT ABOUT OUR PROGRAM IS FROM THEIR NEIGHBORS. IT'S REALLY HELPFUL IF YOU ARE AT A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING, THEN YOU'RE IN AN AREA WHERE WE LEND TO SHARE THAT AND GET THE WORD OUT TO KNOW THAT WE ARE A RESOURCE. WE CAN'T HELP EVERYBODY, BUT WE CAN HELP A LOT OF FOLKS. WE REALLY BELIEVE LIKE THESE CONTINUAL FIVE STAR REVIEWS AS WELL AS GETTING SIGNS OUT IS HOW WE WERE ABLE TO INCREASE OUR LENDING BY ALMOST 300%, FROM 23 TO 24, AND WE'RE ON TRACK TO BEAT THOSE NUMBERS IN 2025. WE DO HAVE THE ENERGY ADVANTAGE PROGRAM, WHICH IS AN ADD ON. WHEN PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE 15,000 FORGIVABLE, THEY CAN GET AN ADDITIONAL 10,000 IF THEY'RE WILLING TO DO ENERGY STAR RELATED IMPROVEMENTS. WE DO AN ENERGY AUDIT, SO WE'RE DOING A LOT OF INSULATION, WEATHERIZATION, REALLY LOWERING ENERGY BILLS, AND WE HAVE IT IN TURN RIGHT NOW WORKING ON ALL THE DATA, SO WE HOPE TO HAVE MORE DATA FOR YOU. THEN I TALKED ABOUT OUR OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER, THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, AND THE ACCESS TO OTHER DOWN PAYMENT PROGRAMS, ALMOST A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS TO THE HOME BUYERS LAST YEAR. PROBABLY SINCE I TALKED TO ALL OF YOU LAST, WE LAUNCHED OUR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LENDING PROGRAM, AND LINE OF BUSINESS, THIS IS MONEY THAT WE HAVE. WE PROVIDE 0% CONSTRUCTION LOANS FOR SMALL DEVELOPERS, NONPROFIT DEVELOPERS. THE PROJECT AT ON THE TOP IS DOWN AT KIRKWOOD VILLAGE, THAT'S A ROOTS 2.0 PROJECT, SO WE'RE PROVIDING A 0% CONSTRUCTION LOAN FOR THEM TO REALLY MAKE THAT DEAL COME TOGETHER. THE WHITE HOUSE HAS JUST WENT ON THE MARKET LAST WEEK. IT'S NEAR DOWNTOWN, AND IT WAS A PRIVATE DEVELOPER WHO BUILT THE HOUSE. THERE'S NO SUBSIDY IN THAT HOUSE. THEN WE DID TWO HOMES WITH MATTHEW 25. IF YOU'RE TALKING TO FOLKS AND THEY'RE LIKE, [00:10:03] IT SAVES ABOUT $20,000 PER UNIT TO NOT HAVE ANY LOAN FEES OR INTEREST ON IT. IF YOU'RE TALKING TO DEVELOPERS AND THEY'RE LIKE, WE JUST CAN'T MAKE IT WORK, HAVE THEM CALL US. IF IT'S IN A CERTAIN CENSUS TRACK, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO HAVE OTHER SUBSIDY OR BE SOLD TO A LOW INCOME PERSON. IT JUST NEEDS TO BE IN THE CENSUS TRACK. AS FAR AS OUR LENDING GOALS, WE PLAN TO CLOSE 45 LOANS FOR 2.5 MILLION OR 2.4 MILLION OF REPAYABLE PLUS ALL THE FORGIVABLE AND ALL THAT ADDED IN. THIS YEAR, WE WILL EXCEED THAT. WE PROBABLY NOW, I THINK WE'RE AT 20 LOANS. THIS WAS IN APRIL. THE OTHER BIG THING THAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING, AND I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING WE'LL BE GOING OUT TO DO OUR SECOND PHASE OFFERING WITH THE LOCAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, AND THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF OUR LENDING CAPITAL COMES FROM IS LOCAL COMMUNITY BANKS, AND SO WE HOPE TO RAISE 6-10 MILLION WITH THAT. THEN WE ALSO INCREASED OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO INCLUDE CEDAR RAPIDS REPRESENTATION LAST YEAR. BEFORE WE HAD THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THEN THE NFC BOARD, BUT WE INTEGRATED THE TWO. WE STILL HAVE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY. I'LL SKIP OVER THIS THAT AS A NEIGHBORS ORGANIZATION, OUR DATA IS PRESENTED ON THE FISCAL YEAR, BUT JUST TO SHOW WHAT WE'RE DOING. I DID WANT TO TELL YOU THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL FUNDING, THAT'S A HOT TOPIC. SO FAR, WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY MONEY, AND SO WE'RE FULL STEAM AHEAD. SOME MONEY HAS BEEN SLOWED DOWN, BUT WE HOPE THAT WE WILL GET IT. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH REPRESENTATIVE HENSON'S OFFICE. THEY'VE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE. SHE SERVES ON THE APPROPRIATION SUBCOMMITTEE THAT HANDLES THE CDFI FUNDING. IF YOU'RE TALKING TO HER, TELL HER ABOUT OUR 0% CONSTRUCTION LOAN PROGRAM BECAUSE THAT FUNDS THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT SHE'S AWARE OF HOW IMPORTANT THAT MONEY IS TO THE COMMUNITY. THESE ARE THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAM. WE ARE LENDING THEIR MONEY OUT ON THEIR BEHALF THROUGH AN AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE WITH THEM CALLED THE PHASE OFFERING. COLLINS ALSO PROVIDES US OUR SPACE FOR FREE, SO BE SURE TO THANK THEM. THEN WE'RE VERY THANKFUL FOR OUR REALLY ACTIVE AND ENGAGED ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THOSE FOLKS WITH THE ASTRIC, INCLUDING COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND, SERVE ON OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ALSO SERVING ON OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. HE'S IN LOTS OF MEETINGS WITH US, AND WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE THAT. I THINK THAT'S IT. >> THANKS SO MUCH FOR THAT. DUE TO A FULL AGENDA, COUNCIL, IF IT'S ALL RIGHT WITH YOU, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON OUR NEXT PRESENTATION. THE NEXT PRESENTATION IS ON THE COLLABORATIVE GROWTH INITIATIVE, FIRST YEAR FUNDING. JODDY SCHAFFER IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT. JODDY, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU. BILL MICHAEL. >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE TO INTRODUCE JODDY SCHAFFER. SHE'S THE DIRECTOR OF TALENT ATTRACTION AT THE ECONOMIC ALLIANCE, WHICH IS, OF COURSE, A PARTNER OF OURS WITH THE CITY ON THE STRATEGIC GROWTH INITIATIVE WITH LEADERSHIP FROM MAYOR O'DONNELL, AS WELL AS MAYORS FROM HIAWATHA AND MARION. COLLECTIVELY, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS INITIATIVE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR, AND JODDY IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT SHE'S BEEN DOING. >> THANK YOU, BILL. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. THANK YOU, MAYOR. WE'LL GET RIGHT INTO IT. WHAT IS IT? >> LET'S SEE. I'M HOPING IT'S BEFORE THIS ONE. OTHERWISE, IT DIDN'T MAKE IT. WE MAY JUST HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT. >> NO PROBLEM. I'M JUST GOING TO WING IT, AND THAT IS JUST FINE. AGAIN, JODDY SCHAFFER, I'M THE TALENT ATTRACTION DIRECTOR, AND I WAS HIRED EARLIER THIS YEAR IN JANUARY. AS BILL MENTIONED, JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND, THE COLLABORATIVE GROWTH INITIATIVE IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, LONG BEFORE I WAS HIRED. THE CITIES CAME TOGETHER, RECOGNIZED THAT POPULATION WORKFORCE WAS A CHALLENGE FOR THE REGION. THIS IS NOT UNLIKE THE ENTIRE STATE OF IOWA, AND THE STATE IS DOING TALENT TRACTION INITIATIVES AS WELL, AND THE MAYORS AND THE ECONOMIC ALLIANCE CAME TOGETHER AS A GROUP AND SAID THIS IS IMPORTANT, AND SO THAT'S WHY THIS CAME TO BE. I ACTUALLY HAVE A SLIDE SO I CAN LOOK AT THIS. THE COLLABORATIVE GROWTH INITIATIVE TIMELINE IS BASICALLY IT STARTED IN AUGUST 2023. THEY LOOKED AT HIRING DCI INTERNATIONAL. IT'S A PLACEMAKING FIRM OUT OF NEW YORK CITY, [00:15:01] AND THEY DID END UP HIRING THEM IN MARCH OF 2024. FROM THAT STUDY, IT BASICALLY LAID OUT A BLUEPRINT FOR HOW WE MARKET THE REGION, SOME OF THE PERCEPTIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE. IT ALSO SHOWED US ALL THE FUNDING THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO FUND THIS INITIATIVE. THAT'S PART OF WHY I'M HERE TODAY. I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE FUNDING FOR THE FIRST YEAR AND THE SOURCES OF THAT FUNDING. IN APRIL 2024, THE EA AGREED TO FUND THE TALENT ATTRACTION POSITION, SO MY POSITION, AND THEN I STARTED IN JANUARY OF 2025. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT I DID IS I BROUGHT TOGETHER A GROUP OF WORKFORCE INDIVIDUALS, A WORKFORCE COUNCIL, AND SO THAT KICKED OFF IN APRIL 2025. WE'VE HAD TWO MEETINGS. THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IMMERSED IN WORKFORCE ISSUES. THEY'RE FROM FOR PROFIT, NOT-FOR-PROFIT, HIGHER EDUCATION, INSTITUTIONS, AND SO THEY ARE HELPING TO ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE NEED ANSWERED AS WE MARKET THIS REGION. THEN IN MAY OF 2025, WE PUT OUT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR MARKETING AGENCIES TO DO A TALENT ATTRACTION WEBSITE, AND WE HAD 11 ORGANIZATIONS SUBMIT PROPOSALS, AND WE HAVE HIRED A FIRM TO DO OUR MARKETING FOR US FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR AND THE UPCOMING TWO YEARS. FOR THE NEXT YEAR, TALENT ATTRACTION IS REALLY A TWO. WE'RE LOOKING AT IT AS A TWO PRONGED APPROACH. THE REASON FOR THIS IS THE MAYORS REALLY SHARED THAT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF GOALS IN MIND. ONE IS QUICK WINS. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE WITH TALENT ATTRACTION, IT'S HARD TO FIND QUICK WINS BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE TO QUIT WORKING FIND ANOTHER JOB AND MOVE. THAT'S THE TRADITIONAL WAY TO DO THAT. I STARTED LOOKING INTO QUICK WINS, BUT ALSO THE OTHER GOAL WAS, LET'S HAVE A TALENT ATTRACTION WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING BY THE END OF 2025 SO THAT OUR EMPLOYER PARTNERS CAN SEE SOMEWHERE THEY CAN SEND PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES AT THEIR ORGANIZATIONS, OR ANYBODY WHO'S LOOKING AT THE AREA JUST TO GENERALLY RELOCATE. THERE IS A PLACE FOR THOSE PEOPLE TO GO, FIND RESOURCES, FIND HOUSING, FIND ALL THE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED TO MOVE. HEAR FROM EMPLOYERS THAT THIS IS A CHALLENGE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT THEY ALWAYS NEED TO PRESENT TO THEIR CANDIDATES. THEY ALSO WANT TO SHOWCASE THEIR JOBS, AND THEY DON'T HAVE A COMMON PLACE, BESIDES INDEED IN SOME OF THOSE SPACES, BUT A COMMON PLACE FOR GREATER CEDAR RAPIDS TO SHOWCASE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES. THIS GETS THEM FRONT AND CENTER IN FRONT OF CANDIDATES THAT ARE LOOKING AT OUR AREA. WITH THAT, THE TWO INITIATIVES ARE TO CREATE A TOWN ATTRACTION WEBSITE AND ALSO THAT REQUIRES SOME BRANDING OF THE REGION. THE SECOND THING IS WE LOOKED AT A REMOTE WORKER CAMPAIGN. >> THERE'S MANY AREAS THAT ARE DOING SOME REMOTE WORKER CAMPAIGNS. THIS IS THE QUICK WIN. THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT CAN MOVE WITHIN SIX MONTHS, AND THEY ARE COMING TO OUR AREA AND THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO OUR ECONOMY AND TO THE TAX BASE. SOME AREAS THAT ARE DOING THIS WELL ARE TULSA REMOTE. IF YOU LEAVE TODAY, YOU CAN LOOK UP TULSA REMOTE, YOU CAN LOOK UP INDIANA. INDIANA IS ACTUALLY BEING FUNDED BY THEIR STATE. MULTIPLE COMMUNITIES WITH INDIANA ARE BEING FUNDED AND THEY'VE MOVED 01,600 HOUSEHOLDS SINCE 2021. A GREAT DEAL OF SUCCESS. IT'S CONTRIBUTING, LET'S SEE. I HAVE THE NUMBER HERE, 63.5 MILLION TO THE INDIANA ECONOMY IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THEN SEVEN MILLION IN TAXES. WE'D LIKE TO KICK UP A CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR TO MOVE 15 HOUSEHOLDS. I KNOW IT SOUNDS SMALL, BUT IT'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT BOOST ECONOMICALLY, AND THERE IS A PRICE TAG ATTACHED TO THIS SO THAT'S WHERE THAT CAME FROM. FOR THE NEXT YEAR, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE CITIES CONTRIBUTING THE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDING OR ALL OF THE FUNDING, ALONG WITH THE ECONOMIC ALLIANCE. THE PLAN FOR THIS WAS BECAUSE WE NEED TO SHOW THESE WINS SO THAT WE CAN FUND RAISE. WITH THAT, WE CAME TOGETHER, THE MAYORS, THE CITY MANAGERS, THE ECONOMIC ALLIANCE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE FAIR AND REPRESENT EACH CITY ACCORDINGLY. WE LOOKED AT PER CAPITA AND TIF SPECIAL REVENUE COMBINED AS A MEASURE FOR HOW WE WOULD ALLOCATE THAT FUNDING. THE ALLOCATION REALLY SPLITS UP TO TOTAL $436,000. THE CEDAR RAPIDS CONTRIBUTION WOULD BE 327,500, MARION 87,000 AND HIAWATHA 21,600. AGAIN, THIS IS FOR THE FIRST YEAR, AND THEN WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IS WE GO OUT AND FUND RAISE THE REST OF THIS YEAR, AND IN FISCAL YEAR '27 AND '28, YOU WOULD SEE AN INVERSE RELATIONSHIP. THEN WE WOULD FIND MOST OF THE FUNDING FROM PRIVATE FUNDING, AND THEN THE CITY FUNDING WOULD GO DOWN. [00:20:01] THERE WOULD STILL BE A NEED FOR CITY FUNDING IN YEAR 2 AND 3 JUST TO SHOW THAT COMMITMENT, BUT IT WOULD BE AN INVERSE RELATIONSHIP. IN THE END, WHAT YOU WOULD BE LOOKING AT IS CITY FUNDING WOULD BE MOST LIKELY LESS THAN PRIVATE FUND RAISING. WE HOPE PRIVATE FUND RAISING WILL BE MORE. BUT AGAIN, SOME OF THIS IS AN EDUCATED GUESS BASED ON HOW MUCH FUND RAISING WE THINK WE CAN DO. THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY AS WELL FOR GRANT FUNDING, SO WE WILL BE SUBMITTING SOME GRANTS AND POTENTIALLY FOR THE STATE OF IOWA. THAT BEING SAID, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN WILLING TO COMMIT FOR THIS FIRST YEAR, BUT IF WE SHOW SUCCESSES, THERE MIGHT BE OPPORTUNITY THERE AS WELL. THE NEXT STEPS ARE REALLY THE CITY FUNDING APPROVAL. I'LL BE GOING TO MARION AND HIAWATHA IN TWO WEEKS TO SIT WITH THEIR CITY COUNCIL AND ASK FOR THAT APPROVAL. WE WOULD LIKE TO GAIN SOME EARNED MEDIA AND GENERATE PUBLIC CONVERSATION AROUND THIS INITIATIVE. OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THIS CAMPAIGN, AND THEN WE WILL START FUND RAISING AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. THANK YOU. [1. A public hearing will be held to consider repealing Chapter 34 of the Municipal Code, Electrical Code, and enacting a new Chapter 34 in its place to adopt by reference the 2023 National Electrical Code with modifications (Duncan McCallum). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #BSD-003- 2025] >> THANK YOU. NOW IT'S TIME FOR PUBLIC HEARING. I REMIND EVERYBODY WHO WISHES TO SPEAK TODAY OF A FEW MATTERS TO ENSURE WE HAVE AN ORDERLY MEETING. FIRST OF ALL, REMINDER TO STAY AT THIS LECTURE IN HERE. IF YOU HAVE DOCUMENTS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US, WE INVITE YOU TO GIVE THEM TO THE OFFICER AND SHE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THEM. SECOND, COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES PER SPEAKER. WHEN THE LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE IN FRONT OF YOU TURNS YELLOW, THAT MEANS YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE, WHEN IT TURNS RED, WE'LL INVITE YOU TO TAKE YOUR SEAT ONCE AGAIN. THIRD, BE AWARE THAT ALL COMMENTS MUST BE DIRECTED TO THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THAT ABUSIVE, OBSCENE, LOUD, THREATENING, IRRELEVANT COMMENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED. ALSO, IN ORDER TO HOLD AN ORDERLY MEETING, WE ASK FOR NO DISTRACTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE. THAT MEANS BOOING, CHEERING, OR OTHER NOISE OR DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR. WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. DOES THE CLERK HAVE ANY WRITTEN COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS IN REGARD TO OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON OUR AGENDA TODAY? >> YOUR HONOR, FOR PUBLIC HEARING NUMBER 6, THERE WERE TWO OBJECTIONS FILED. FOR PUBLIC HEARING NUMBER 7, THERE WERE FOUR LETTERS AND A PETITION CONTAINING 30 SIGNATURES IN OBJECTION. >> WAIT. I'M GOING TO JUST ASK YOU TO BACK UP. WE HAVE TWO FOR ITEM 6, AND ITEM 7 IS? >> FOUR LETTERS, AND ONE PETITION CONTAINING 30 SIGNATURES IN OBJECTION, AND THEN ONE COMMENT WAS FILED. NO OTHER WRITTEN COMMENTS OR OBJECTIONS WERE FILED. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ACTUALLY WE'RE GOING TO COVER ONE, TWO AND THREE. THANK YOU, DUNCAN. PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD TO CONSIDER REPEALING CHAPTER 34 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, ELECTRICAL CODE, AND ENACTING A NEW CHAPTER 34 IN ITS PLACE TO ADOPT BY REFERENCE, THE 2023 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE WITH MODIFICATIONS. DUNCAN MCCALLUM IS HERE. DUNCAN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. DUNCAN MCCALLUM, BUILDING AND TRADES MANAGER. I'M HERE TO PRESENT NOT ONLY THE ELECTRICAL CODE, BUT THE PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL CODES, AGENDA ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3. IF POSSIBLE, CAN I COMBINE THOSE [OVERLAPPING] >> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. >> WITH THAT, OUR CODE UP DATE TODAY, WE'RE HERE TO UPDATE THE LOCAL MECHANICAL CODE WHICH ADOPTS THE STATE MECHANICAL CODE AND THE LOCAL PLUMBING CODE, WHICH ADOPTS THE STATE PLUMBING CODE. THEN LASTLY, OUR LOCAL ELECTRICAL CODE ADOPTS THE 2023 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, WHICH IS ADOPTED BY THE STATE ELECTRICAL CODE. FOR BACKGROUND EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE STATE PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL BOARD MET AND ADOPTED A NEW STATE MECHANICAL AND NEW STATE PLUMBING CODE. THIS WENT INTO EFFECT LATE IN MARCH, AND THE STATE ELECTRICAL EXAMINING BOARD ADOPTED A NEW STATE ELECTRICAL CODE THAT GOES INTO EFFECT JULY 1ST. WITH THIS ACTIVITY, BUILDING SERVICES IS MANDATED TO ADOPT THE NEW STATE CODES. THIS WILL BRING US INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THAT STATE CODE LANGUAGE. THIS ACTION, IT ALSO BENEFITS US AS IT UPDATES OUR CODES TO ADDRESS NEW TECHNOLOGY AND TO MAINTAIN OUR ISO RATINGS. IN THIS PROCESS, STAFF MET AND REVIEWED THE LOCAL ORDINANCE, THE NEW STATE CODE LANGUAGE, AND THE LATEST REFERENCE CODES. WE ALSO WORKED WITH OTHER LOCAL JURISDICTIONS TO REVIEW AND MATCH LOCAL AMENDMENTS, AND WE TRY TO DO THAT AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE. FROM THIS EFFORT, OUR PROPOSED CHANGES IN LANGUAGE RELATE TO CLARIFYING REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE ALREADY IN EFFECT. NONE OF THESE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO OUR LOCAL ORDINANCES HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO THE BUILDING COMMUNITY. THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE ADOPTING THE STATE PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL CODES AND THE 2023 NEC WITH STATE AMENDMENTS. CHAPTER 36 OF OUR MECHANICAL CODE ALSO [00:25:01] INCLUDED CLARIFIED LANGUAGE AS IT PERTAINS TO TEMPORARY HEATING PERMITS. CHAPTER 35 OF THE PLUMBING CODE ALSO CLARIFIED TWO SECTIONS OF LANGUAGE. [2. A public hearing will be held to consider repealing Chapter 35 of the Municipal Code, Plumbing Code, and enacting a new Chapter 35 in its place to adopt by reference the State of Iowa Plumbing Code and the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code with modifications (Duncan McCallum). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #BSD-002-2025] ONE IS ON RESTRICTIONS OF A SPECIFIC TYPE OF PIPE USED IN DRAIN WASTE AND VENT PIPE. ANOTHER IS A LOCAL AMENDMENT RELATED TO CLEAN OUT LOCATIONS ON LARGE PROJECTS. LASTLY, CHAPTER 34, THE ELECTRICAL CODE, WE REMOVED SOME REDUNDANT LANGUAGE IN THAT LANGUAGE TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR OUR CUSTOMERS TO UNDERSTAND. FEEDBACK. WE PRESENTED THESE CHANGES TO OUR BOARDS OF APPEAL AND GAINED THEIR APPROVAL. [3. A public hearing will be held to consider repealing Chapter 36 of the Municipal Code, Mechanical Code, and enacting a new Chapter 36 in its place to adopt by reference the State of Iowa Mechanical Code and the 2024 International Mechanical Code with modifications (Duncan McCallum). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #BSD-001-2025] WE HELD THREE OPEN HOUSES, HAD MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE SHOW UP AND VISIT WITH US ABOUT THESE CODE CHANGES. GENERALLY, WE HAD GOOD COMMENTS. WITH THAT BUILDING SERVICES RECOMMENDS APPROVAL, I WILL NOTE THAT WE WILL HAVE TO RETURN TO COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR TO WORK ON OUR BUILDING CODE, WHICH WE HAVEN'T STARTED YET. WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT BACK TO THE MAYOR. >> DUNCAN, THANK YOU. THIS IS THE TIME AND A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER. [4. A public hearing will be held to consider the disposition of a 0.40-acre portion of City-owned property northwest of and adjacent to Rosedale Road SE as requested by Linn County (Rob Davis). CIP/DID #00-25-102] DOES ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER IS HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS. COUNCIL? COUNCILMEMBER VANORNY? >> THANKS, MAYOR. DUNCAN, THE ONLY THING THAT I HAD WITH THESE IS THAT I NOTICED THAT THIS ONE IS 2023 FOR READING NUMBER 1, THAT IS THE MOST CURRENT, THOUGH. THERE ISN'T A 2024 LIKE THE OTHERS? >> THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE IS ALWAYS A YEAR BEHIND. THEY WORK ON A DIFFERENT SCHEDULE. >> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. >> SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE HAS BEEN MOVED BY VANORNY, SECONDED BY POE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. NOW, FOR ITEM NUMBER 2, THIS IS THE TIME IN A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER. DOES ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD. COUNCIL, THIS IS REPEALING CHAPTER 35. SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER POE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER 3 NOW. THIS IS THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REPEALING CHAPTER 36. THIS IS THE TIME AND A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL ON THAT? LET THE RECORD SHOW PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD. COUNCIL? SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE, SECONDED BY OVERLAND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. ITEM NUMBER 4 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE DISPOSITION OF A 0.40 ACRE PORTION OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY NORTHWEST OF AND ADJACENT TO ROSEDALE ROAD, SOUTHEAST AS REQUESTED BY LINN COUNTY. ROB DAVIS IS HERE. ROB, I WILL RECOGNIZE YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. ROB DAVIS WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. THIS PROJECT, AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED IS ON ROSEDALE ROAD. YOU CAN SEE A MAP HERE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. IN THE LOWER CORNER OF THE MAP, IT BASICALLY SHOWS A ONE LANE BRIDGE THERE THAT LINN COUNTY WILL BE REPLACING. THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS OWNS THE PROPERTY ALONG ROSEDALE ROAD ON THE EAST SIDE. IT'S ROUGHLY A 25 FOOT ACQUISITION BY ABOUT 400 FEET THAT THEY'VE REQUESTED SO THAT THIS BRIDGE CAN BE REBUILT. CERTAINLY, IT'S LIVED ITS GOOD LIFE AND IS READY FOR REPLACEMENT IF YOU LOOK AT THAT AGING TRUST STYLE BRIDGE. WE'VE CONFIRMED THAT IT'LL MEET THE DNR FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS, IT'LL IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW, ENHANCE SAFETY WITH THE TWO LANE BRIDGE. THIS HAS ALSO BEEN RUN BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THIS LOCATION HERE, THIS IS ACTUALLY THE SAC & FOX TRAIL. THAT'LL ACTUALLY ENHANCE THE TRAIL USERS AS [5. A public hearing will be held to consider a change of zone for property at 1310 11th Street NW from T-R1, Traditional Residential Single Unit District, to P-IN, Public – Institutional District, as requested by the Cedar Rapids Community School District (Seth Gunnerson). CIP/DID #RZNE-000214-2025] WELL AS AGAIN FIRE IS APPRECIATIVE OF IMPROVED ACCESS TO THAT AREA. BOTH OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS ENDORSE THAT. LINN COUNTY USED THE CROP SUITABILITY RATING METHOD FOR THE 0.4 ACRES THAT THEY'VE REQUESTED, AND THEN ROUNDED UP TO $500. CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IS CERTAINLY FINE WITH THAT AND AGAIN, ENDORSES THIS PROJECT AS A SAFETY AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT, AND WOULD RECOMMEND COUNCIL APPROVE. >> THANK YOU, ROB. THIS IS TIME AND A PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER. DOES ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD. COUNCIL? SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY OVERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT FEW ITEMS HERE. I WANT TO BE CLEAR, FIVE, SIX AND SEVEN ARE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON LAND USE. [00:30:04] THIS IS WHAT THE COUNCIL IS DECIDING TODAY. WE'RE DECIDING FOR THE MOST PART, TO CHANGE OF ZONE FROM TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL SINGLE UNIT DISTRICT TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT, WHERE A SCHOOL ALREADY EXISTS TODAY. I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR FOR COUNCIL, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE HERE. THE COUNCIL'S JOB HERE TODAY IS NOT TO DISCUSS THE DESIGN OR THE FACILITY THAT'S THERE. WE AS A COUNCIL ARE HERE TO MAKE DECISIONS ON THE ZONING. AGAIN, MOVING THAT FROM RESIDENTIAL TO WHAT WOULD BE OFFICIALLY BE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT, WHICH IS WHERE A SCHOOL CURRENTLY EXISTS. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 5, THIS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR PROPERTY AT 1310 11TH STREET, NORTHWEST FROM TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL SINGLE UNIT DISTRICT TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT AS REQUESTED BY THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. BILL MICHAEL AND SETH GUNNERSON, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU. >> THANK YOU. SETH GUNNERSON, ZONING ADMINISTRATOR WITH BILL MICHAEL, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. JUST ON THE FRANK HERE, A COUPLE OF SLIDES TALKING ABOUT REALLY THIS AND THEN THE NEXT TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS. SINCE ALL OF THEM DEAL WITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECTS BY THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA TODAY ARE RE-ZONINGS FOR THE FOURTH, FIFTH AND SIXTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS UNDERTAKEN IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. THEY'RE TARGETING BUILDING NEW FACILITIES TO MAXIMIZE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES, ADDRESS SHIFTING DEMOGRAPHICS WITHIN THEIR ATTENDANCE AREAS, AND CREATE MORE EFFICIENT AND MODERN EDUCATIONAL SPACES. SOME OF THE DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS THAT GO INTO THIS INCLUDE KEEPING EXISTING SCHOOLS OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION. THEY ARE REQUIRED BY THE STATE TO SEPARATE BUS AND PARENT TRAFFIC IN THESE SCHOOL DESIGN AND MEETING ADOPTED CODES. WHY WE DO THE REZONING FOR THESE. SCHOOLS ARE GENERALLY IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. THE MOST RECENT CITY CODE REWRITE, ESTABLISHED BUILDING FOOTPRINT LIMITS AND BUILT RESIDENTIAL ZONES, WHICH MEANS THAT SCHOOLS REQUIRE EITHER A DESIGN EXCEPTION, WHICH WOULD BE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OR REZONING, WHICH WOULD BE APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR LARGE NEW STRUCTURES. SOME OF THE FIRST SCHOOLS THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DID REQUIRED A REZONING IN A REAL ESTATE SWAP BECAUSE THERE WAS PARK LAND THAT WAS INVOLVED WITHIN THE PROJECT. AS A RESULT, WE HAVE KEPT THE PROCESS CONSISTENT FOR ALL NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS, JUST TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY FOR EACH ONE AS IT GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS. THIS IS JUST AN OVERVIEW OF THE THREE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. THIS IS WEST WILLOW. THIS IS ON 1ST AVENUE SOUTHWEST OUT NEAR STONEY POINT. MAPLE GROVE ELEMENTARY, WHICH IS JUST NORTH OF CRESTWOOD DRIVE AND NEAR JACKSON PARK. THIS IS TRAILSIDE ELEMENTARY, WHICH IS JUST NORTH OF THE FORMER ARTHUR ELEMENTARY IN THE NORTHEAST SIDE. FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING, THIS IS HARRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT 1310 11TH STREET, NORTHWEST. THIS IS A 5.8 ACRE PARCEL, THE PROPOSED RENOVATION TO AN EXISTING SCHOOL, AND THEN IN ADDITION ONTO THE WEST OF THE SCHOOL TO INCREASE CAPACITY. A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING ON THIS WAS HELD ON MAY 13TH. HERE'S A ZONING MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION IN THE NORTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD AT THE CORNER OF 11TH STREET BETWEEN L AND M AVENUE. THE NORTHWEST REC CENTER IS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE SITE. THIS IS AN AERIAL SHOWING THE LOCATION. HERE'S A SITE PLAN THAT WAS PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL SHOWING THE NEW ADDITION IN [6. A public hearing will be held to consider a change of zone for property at 2525 29th Street SW from S-RL1, Suburban Residential Low Single Unit District, to P-IN, Public – Institutional District, as requested by the Cedar Rapids Community School District (Seth Gunnerson). (Council Priority) CIP/DID #RZNE-000095-2025] THIS TAN COLOR TO THE WEST OF THE GRAY EXISTING SCHOOL FOOTPRINT. THE NORTHWEST REC CENTER IS LOCATED UP HERE TO THE NORTH NEXT TO A SCHOOL YARD. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PROVIDED A COUPLE OF RENDERINGS SHOWING WHAT THE NEW ADDITION WILL LOOK LIKE ONTO THE WEST OF THE HISTORIC STRUCTURE. >> IN TERMS OF REZONING CRITERIA. THE REZONING TO THE PUBLIC AND INSTITUTIONAL ZONE DISTRICT IS PERMITTED IN ANY AREA. THIS REQUEST DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH ANY ADOPTED PLAN. CITY STAFF HAS RAISED NO CONCERNS WITH PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT. STAFF FINDS NO ISSUES WITH THE ABILITY OF THE SITE TO HANDLE THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT. IN TERMS OF CHARACTER, THE DISTRICT REQUIRES THAT NEW STRUCTURES FOLLOW STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO ADJACENT NON RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES, INCLUDING BUILDING MATERIAL SCREENING AND OTHER ZONING STANDARDS. WENT TO THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION ON JUNE 5 AND WAS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. CITY PLANNING COMMISSION AND STAFF RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING, PENDING TODAY'S ACTION, THE SECOND AND POTENTIAL THIRD READINGS WILL BE JULY 8. WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT BACK TO THE MAYOR. [00:35:02] >> THANK YOU. THIS IS TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER. DOES ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD, COUNCIL. SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING, HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HOEGER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER 6 IS THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR PROPERTY AT 2525 29TH STREET, SOUTHWEST, FROM SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL LOW SINGLE UNIT DISTRICT TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT AS REQUESTED BY THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. GENTLEMEN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU ONCE AGAIN. >> THANKS AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN, SOUTH GUNDERSON DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. THIS IS A REQUEST TO REZONE AN APPROXIMATELY 9.3 ACRE SITE. THE REASON FOR THE REZONING IS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SOUTH OF THE EXISTING SCHOOL, VAN BUREN ELEMENTARY. NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING WAS HELD ON MAY 21, 2025. IT WAS ATTENDED BY A LARGE NUMBER OF NEIGHBORING RESIDENTS. AS A RESULT, SOME OF THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THE RESIDENTS, AND WERE ALSO RAISED AGAIN AT THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING. RESPONSES TO THOSE ARE INCLUDED IN THE SLIDES HERE. JUST AS A NOTE, THE AREA SUBJECT TO REZONING IS ONLY THE SCHOOL PARCEL, WHICH IS OWNED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THEIR PROPOSED SITE PLAN DOES INCLUDE DRIVEWAY ACCESS TO 28TH AVENUE, SOUTHWEST THROUGH THE PARK. THAT IS NOT PART OF THE ZONE CHANGE. I WILL TALK ABOUT THAT ACCESS THROUGH THE PRESENTATION, AND WHAT NEXT STEPS WILL COME BACK TO COUNCIL AT A FUTURE DATE AS PART OF ACCEPTING AN EASEMENT THROUGH THE PARK. HERE'S THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION. THIS IS IN SOUTHWEST CEDAR RAPIDS. WESTDALE MALL AREA IS TO THE WEST OVER HERE. 28TH AVENUE, SOUTHWEST IS TO THE FAR SOUTH OF THE SITE. THE AREA TO BE REZONED IS THIS RED POLYGON. THE YELLOW DOTTED AREA IS OF THE PARK IN QUESTION. 29TH STREET, SOUTHWEST IS THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE PARK. HERE'S A ZONING MAP SHOWING PREDOMINANTLY WITHIN THE SRL 1, SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL LOW SINGLE UNIT ZONE DISTRICT. WESTDALE MALL AREA IS ALL MIXED USE ZONING TO THE WEST. AGAIN, SHOWING THE AREA TO BE REZONED IN THE ADJACENT PARK PARCEL. HERE'S AN AERIAL SHOWING THE OVERALL SITE. THIS IS A STREET VIEW ALONG 29TH STREET, SOUTHWEST, SHOWING THE EXISTING SCHOOL, THE PROPOSED SCHOOL WOULD BE BUILT IN THE FIELD TO THE SOUTH OF IT. THIS IS A VIEW FROM THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE SCHOOL PROPERTY LOOKING BACK AT THE AREA WHERE THE SCHOOL WILL BE CONSTRUCTED. THEN THIS IS A VIEW FROM 28TH AVENUE, SOUTHWEST, WHERE THE ENTRANCE TO THE REAR DRIVEWAY WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED. HERE'S A SITE PLAN THAT'S PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT. YOU CAN SEE IN THIS DOTTED LINE HERE IS THE EXISTING FOOTPRINT OF THE SCHOOL THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE TO BUILD A NEW TWO STORY SCHOOL BUILDING TO THE SOUTH, SOUTH IS TO THE RIGHT ON THIS MAP OF THE EXISTING SCHOOL, ALLOWING THE EXISTING SCHOOL TO OPERATE WITH ITS PARKING LOT DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD. THIS DRIVE TO THE BACK HERE IS REQUIRED FOR FIRE ACCESS AS IT'S NECESSARY TO HAVE A PLACE TO PARK A FIRE TRUCK WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE OF ALL POINTS OF THE SCHOOL, AND IS ALSO PART OF THE STRATEGY TO SEPARATE BUS AND PARENT TRAFFIC DURING PICKUP AND DROP OFF. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PROVIDED THESE RENDERINGS OF THE FACILITY. THIS IS THE FRONT ENTRANCE FACING 29TH STREET. THIS WOULD BE THE NORTH ENTRANCE FROM THE PARKING LOT IN THE EARLY LEARNING CENTER WING OF THE BUILDING. THEN HERE A COUPLE INTERIOR RENDERINGS OF THE BUILDING THAT WERE PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. STORMWATER WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS BROUGHT UP DURING NEIGHBORHOOD FEEDBACK. WE ASKED THE SCHOOL TO PROVIDE A RESPONSE TO THAT. IN SUMMARY, THIS IS THE EXISTING CONDITION WHERE NONE OF THE WATER ON SITE IS GOING TO A DETENTION BASIN. THEY TOOK A LOOK AT THE SITE PLAN AND HOW IT WOULD BE HANDLED, AND ESSENTIALLY EVERYTHING IN THIS WHITE BOUNDARY HERE WOULD BE DETAINED ON SITE AND THEN RELEASED AT A LOWER RATE GOING FORWARD. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DID SOME HOMEWORK BASED ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS AND IS DEMONSTRATING THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO IMPROVE EXISTING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AS A RESULT OF DEVELOPMENT. THIS SLIDE JUST SHOWS EXISTING DRAINAGE PATTERNS INTO THE OPEN CHANNEL CREEK LOCATED TO THE SOUTH THAT COMES OUT OF WESTDALE MALL. IN TERMS OF THE CONNECTION TO 28TH AVENUE, SOUTHWEST, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT APPROACHED THE CITY LAST YEAR ABOUT OPTIONS TO BUILD A NEW SCHOOL ON THE SITE, WHICH INCLUDED OPTIONS SUCH AS A LAND SWAP, WHERE THE PARK WOULD BE RELOCATED TO [00:40:02] NORTH AND THE SCHOOL WOULD ACQUIRE THE EXISTING PARK, GETTING ACCESS THROUGH THE PARK, USE OF THE PARK FOR STORMWATER DETENTION, OR USE OF THE RIGHT AWAY. THERE'S A NARROW STRIP OF RIGHT AWAY GOING OUT TO 27TH STREET FOR ACCESS. THE PROPOSED SITE PLAN IS WHAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS DETERMINED THE BEST FIT FOR THEIR NEEDS. IN REVIEW WITH CITY PARKS AND REC STAFF, THE CITY REQUESTED THE ADDITION OF PARKING SPACES IN THE PARK FOR PARK USERS, AS LONG AS PAVING OF WHAT'S CURRENTLY A LIMESTONE TRAIL THROUGH THE PARK AND MAINTAINING A PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION TO 29TH STREET, SO THAT THERE'S CIRCULATION FOR THAT PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION. AT THE MEETING, MOST OF THE CONCERNS HEARD RELATED TO THE CONNECTION THROUGH THE PARK AS WELL AS POSSIBLE STORMWATER IMPACTS AND THEN NOISE AND TRAFFIC THAT WOULD COME FROM THE LARGER SCHOOL AND THE CONNECTION THROUGH THE PARK. AS I NOTED EARLIER, ACCESS TO THE REAR OF THE BUILDING IS REQUIRED BY FIRE CODES AND MEETS THE REQUIREMENT TO SEPARATE BUS TRAFFIC. BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING AND GOING INTO THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, WE DID ASK THE SCHOOL TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL HOMEWORK ON WHY ACCESS TO 29TH STREET OR 27TH STREET WAS NOT FEASIBLE. THEY LOOKED AT THE ACCESS TO 29TH STREET, AND ESSENTIALLY, THERE'S A STEEP GRADE DROP OFF BETWEEN THE STREET AND THE REAR DROP OFF, WHICH WOULD MAKE THAT DIFFICULT ALSO ADDING A DRIVE AT THIS LOCATION WOULD MIX BUS AND PARENT TRAFFIC, EXITING THE SITE AND PUT ALL OF THE TRAFFIC FROM THE SITE ONTO 29TH STREET. THERE IS A NARROW 40 FOOT STRIP OF RIGHT AWAY OUT TO 27TH STREET SOUTHWEST. THE SCHOOL'S RESPONSE TO THAT IS THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT GRADING TO GET A DRIVE OUT TO THAT STREET. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER 7-10 BUSES, WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED FOR SCHOOL PICK UP IN THIS SPACE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE SITE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL LARGE MATURE TREES YOU'LL SEE ON THE NEXT SLIDE, THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED AS A RESULT OF THAT. IN ADDITION, THE CITY REVIEWED THIS AND HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF THE TREES. 27TH STREET IS A RURAL CROSS SECTION STREET. THERE'S A HILL HERE, THE CARS WOULD BE COMING OVER, AND THERE'S NOT ADEQUATE SITE DISTANCE, IF YOU CAN IMAGINE A SCHOOL BUS COMING OUT HERE, NEEDING TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT ONTO THE STREET TO REACT TO CARS, WHICH MIGHT BE CRESTING THE HILL. ALL THE ALTERNATIVES WERE SUGGESTED BY NEIGHBORS AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, INCLUDING GOING THROUGH THE SCHOOL FROM 27TH STREET IS DEPICTED BY THE RED ARROW. THE SCHOOL'S RESPONSE IS THAT THERE'S SIGNIFICANT GRADE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE UP IN THIS AREA AND THIS WOULD DISRUPT ACCESS TO THE PLAYGROUND AND HAVE CARS ESSENTIALLY GO THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE SCHOOL GROUND. OR HAVING A ONE WAY DRIVE OUT TO 28TH, WHICH WOULD ESSENTIALLY MAKE THIS ONE WAY TRAFFIC, AND THE RESPONSE TO THAT IS THAT IT WOULD STILL REQUIRE A LOT OF DISRUPTION IN THIS RIGHT OF WAY, AND IT WOULD CREATE ISSUES WITH ACCESS TO THE PARK. OVERALL, THE PARK PROPERTY, WHICH I'VE TALKED ABOUT, IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE REZONING REQUEST. AN EASEMENT THROUGH THE PARK WILL NEED TO BE APPROVED BY COUNCIL. THAT WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD AT A FUTURE DATE. ESSENTIALLY, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS PRESENTATION OR WHAT STAFF PRESENTING THIS PRESENTATION IS DESCRIBING WHAT THE ISSUE IS AND WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS. THE SCHOOL HAS, IN GENERAL, AGREED TO DOING ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING ALONG THE DRIVE THROUGH THE PARK, WHICH WAS ALSO A RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION. THE CITY AND THE SCHOOL WILL CONDUCT ADDITIONAL OUTREACH WITH NEIGHBORS, AND FINAL PLANS WILL BE REVIEWED BY PARK AND REC STAFF FOR APPROPRIATENESS, AND THAT WILL COME BACK TO CITY COUNCIL AT A FUTURE DATE FOR CONSIDERATION. IN TERMS OF REZONING CRITERIA FOR THE PROPERTY UNDER QUESTION, SCHOOLS WITHIN NEIGHBORHOODS ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. STAFF FINDS THAT THIS IS CONSISTENT. STAFF HAS NO CONCERNS WITH SERVICE TO THE SITE WHEN MORE DETAILED SITE PLAN COMES FORWARD, THE APPLICANT WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A MORE DETAILED TRAFFIC STUDY AND STORMWATER PLANS. IN TERMS OF NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER, THE BUILDINGS IN SIMILAR CHARACTER TO OTHER NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, WHICH HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED IN CEDAR RAPIDS BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OTHERS. THE REZONING IS NECESSARY. IT DOESN'T LIMIT FUTURE USE OF THE LAND ANY FUTURE, SAY, CONVERSION TO RESIDENTIAL AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE WILL REQUIRE COUNCIL ACTION. THE ZONE DISTRICT THAT'S REQUESTED IS PERMITTED ALL LOCATIONS AND INTENDED FOR INSTITUTIONAL USES SUCH AS THIS. ADDITIONALLY, STAFF, JUST IN RESPONSE TO SOME OF THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SITE PLAN, FINDS THAT LOCATION IS ADEQUATE AS IT MAINTAINS THE SCHOOLS GOALS OF MAINTAINING OPERATIONS DURING CONSTRUCTION, MEETS CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESS AND ACCESS TO 28TH [00:45:02] IS THE BEST FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVE AS PRESENTED BY THE SCHOOL. THIS WENT TO CITY PLANNING COMMISSION ON JUNE 5, WHO RECOMMENDED APPROVAL. CITY PLANNING COMMISSION AND STAFF RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE FIRST READING OF THE REZONING ORDINANCE WITH SECOND AND THIRD READINGS, POTENTIALLY OCCURRING ON JULY 8. WITH THAT, I'LL TURN BACK TO THE MAYOR. >> THANK YOU. THIS IS THE TIME AND TO PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER. DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? PLEASE APPROACH THE MICROPHONE AND GIVE ME YOUR NAME AND THE CITY WHERE YOU'RE FROM, PLEASE. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS ISAAC HODGINS. I'M FROM CEDAR RAPIDS I WORK FOR SHIVE-HATTERY, WHO IS THE ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT ON THIS PROJECT. I THINK SETH POINTED OUT QUITE A BIT OF THE INFORMATION THAT I HAD PREPARED FOR TODAY. I APPRECIATE THAT SETH, AND THAT PROVIDED A LOT OF THE BACKGROUND AS WELL. A LOT OF MY POINTS PROBABLY GO TO THE DESIGN ASPECTS OF THE GROUND, SO I WILL NOT REALLY DIVE INTO THAT. I DID WANT TO SAY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, ONE OF THE MAIN AREAS OF CONCERN IS THE ACCESS DRIVE THAT WILL NEED TO BE CONSTRUCTED FOR BUS DROP OFF AND DELIVERIES AND FIRE TRUCK ACCESS THAT WILL GO THROUGH THE PARK AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS VERY WILLING TO PUT IN SCREENING AND POSSIBLY RAISE BERMS TO HELP SCREEN THE NEIGHBORS VIEWS OF THE DRIVE ON BOTH THE WEST AND THE EAST SIDE OF THAT NEW POTENTIAL DRIVEWAY. JUST IN GENERAL, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS STRIVING TO CREATE A NEW SCHOOL THAT WILL BE WELL INTEGRATED INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY WELL. I BELIEVE THAT IS ABOUT IT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> MICHAEL KLEEN WITH SHIVE-HATTERY, ARCHITECT OF RECORD. OUR DESIGN TEAM ASSESSED VAN BUREN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND IT'S CLEAR REPLACING THE BUILDING WOULD PROVIDE FAR GREATER BENEFITS THAN ANY RENOVATION WOULD PROVIDE. THE CURRENT FACILITY PRESENTS SIGNIFICANT ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGES, MAJOR SPACE CONSTRAINTS, AND ITS LAYOUT NO LONGER SUPPORTS THE WAY WE TEACH CHILDREN IN THIS 21ST CENTURY. TRANSPORTATION PATTERNS HAVE ALSO CHANGED. WHAT ONCE WAS A BUS TO SCHOOL AND A WALK TO SCHOOL MODEL IS NOW DOMINATED BY PRIVATE VEHICLES, CREATING CONGESTION AND SAFETY CONCERNS DURING DROP OFF AND PICKUP. SPLITTING STUDENTS ACROSS MULTIPLE CAMPUSES WOULD BE DISRUPTIVE AND DETRIMENTAL TO THEIR DEVELOPMENT. RENTING OR RENOVATING A TEMPORARY FACILITY WOULD COST MILLIONS AND EXPENSE THAT WOULD BE HARD TO JUSTIFY. THE ONLY FISCALLY AND EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBLE SOLUTION IS TO BUILD ON THE GREEN SPACE THE DISTRICT OWNS NOW. DELAYING OR DENYING THIS PROJECT WOULD MEAN MORE PORTABLE CLASSROOMS ON THE SITE. THERE'S ALREADY ONE. NEIGHBORS COULD EXPECT MORE TRAFFIC BACKING UP ONTO 29TH STREET. WORST OF ALL, IT COULD WIDEN THE ACHIEVEMENT GAPS FOR THE STUDENTS WHO LIVE IN CEDAR RAPIDS. THE PLAN BEFORE YOU MAINTAINS EDUCATIONAL CONTINUITY FOR THE STUDENTS AND STAFF WHILE A NEW SCHOOL IS BEING BUILT. THIS PROJECT IS A DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE GROWTH OF CEDAR RAPIDS IS EXPERIENCING. A SCHOOL HAS BEEN ESSENTIAL ON THIS SITE FOR THE PAST 55 YEARS. THIS PROJECT JUST ISN'T ABOUT REPLACING A BUILDING, IT'S ABOUT INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF CEDAR RAPIDS STUDENTS, AND IT'S ABOUT ENSURING THE CITY CONTINUES TO GROW WITH PURPOSE AND PRIDE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. CHAD SCHUMACHER, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. OUR TEAM HAS SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME WORKING WITH ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO CAREFULLY DEVELOP THE CURRENT SITE PLAN, AND AS WE DID THAT, WE ALSO WANTED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF AS WELL. THE PLAN REFLECTS A BALANCE BETWEEN MULTIPLE PRIORITIES, STUDENT SAFETY, ENSURING SAFE AND EFFICIENT PICKUP, DROP OFF, AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FOR OUR GROWING STUDENT BODY. OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, MAKING THE BEST USE OF AVAILABLE LAND TO REDUCE LONG TERM COST AND PRESERVE GREEN SPACE WHERE POSSIBLE. COMMUNITY FEEDBACK, WE'VE INCORPORATED NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MEET WITH [00:50:02] THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO HEAR THEIR CONCERNS AND TO INCORPORATE THOSE CONCERNS INTO THE DESIGN, AND WE REMAIN OPEN TO FURTHER DIALOGUE AS WE MOVE FORWARD. SOME CONSEQUENCES OF DENIAL OR DELAY OF THIS PROJECT ARE WE MAY BE FORCED TO CLOSE PORTIONS OF THE EXISTING BUILDING DURING CONSTRUCTION, DISRUPTING EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. OUR DISTRICT WIDE FACILITY PLAN IS INTERCONNECTED, DELAYS HERE WILL RIPPLE THROUGH MULTIPLE FUTURE PROJECTS AFFECTING HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS ACROSS OUR DISTRICT. DELAYS INCREASE CONSTRUCTION COSTS, OBVIOUSLY, AT A TIME WHEN MATERIALS AND LABOR PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE, ULTIMATELY PLACING GREATER FINANCIAL STRAIN ON THE DISTRICT. AS WE WORK THROUGH THE CHANGES TO THE VAN BUREN SITE, WE ARE COGNIZANT OF THE CONCERNS OF THOSE THAT LIVE ADJACENTLY TO THE CURRENT HOOVER BUILDING. WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL NEIGHBORS TO SET ANOTHER MEETING DATE, AND WE'RE ACTIVELY WORKING ON THAT MEETING DATE. WE ARE OPEN TO DISCUSSING REMEDIATION OPTIONS TO INCREASE PRIVACY FOR THE DRIVE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE SCHOOL, AND WE WANT TO WORK WITH THE NEIGHBORS KNOWING THE IMPORTANCE THIS BUILDING HAS FOR THAT COMMUNITY IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF VAN BUREN, AND THE IMPACT THE NEW BUILDING WILL HAVE ON THE FAMILIES, AND THE NEIGHBORS, AND THE KIDS OF THE SCHOOL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. >> DOES ANYONE ELSE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? >> HI, MY NAME IS JULIE RODFORD. I'M A MEMBER OF THE VAN BUREN COMMUNITY, AND A PROUD MOM OF A VAN BUREN CHARGER WHO'S ACTUALLY HERE WITH ME TODAY, BUT TOO NERVOUS TO COME UP AND TALK. BEING PART OF THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR MY DAUGHTER. SHE GOT TO MEET WITH THE ARCHITECTS, GIVE HER INPUT AS A MEMBER OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM AT VAN BUREN, AND IT'S BEEN EXCITING. I THINK THE NEW PLANS ARE AMAZING, BUT I THINK THAT IT HAS BEEN RUSHED. WHEN I LOOK AT THIS, I BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE REQUEST BY THE CEDAR RAPID SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR REZONING AT TODAY'S MEETING. THIS PROJECT IS NOT ONLY REQUIRING REZONING APPROVAL FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, THE PROJECT ALSO REQUIRES APPROVAL FOR AN EASEMENT FROM VAN BUREN PARK FOR THE ACCESS DRIVE THAT WAS MENTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE ENTIRE PROJECT AND BOTH REQUESTS BE PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL TOGETHER TO ALLOW BOTH THE REQUIRED PUBLIC COMMENT, AS WELL AS DUE DILIGENCE BY THE CITY DEPARTMENTS IN REGARDS TO THE IMPACT OF THE ENTIRE PROJECT, INCLUDING THE EASEMENT FOR THE ACCESS DRIVE. WE ARE A SILOED CITY GOVERNMENT, AND IT IS MY CONCERN THAT THIS DISJOINTED PRESENTATION FOR APPROVAL IS DESIGNED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS. YOU ARE PRESENTED TODAY WITH THE REZONING REQUEST BECAUSE THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WAS LIMITED IN SCOPE, AND UNABLE TO TAKE THEIR EXTENSIVE CONCERNS RELATED TO THE FULL PROJECT INTO CONSIDERATION. THE REQUEST FOR PARK EASEMENT HAS YET TO EVEN GO BEFORE THE PARK'S COMMISSION, IF IT EVEN DOES. WHEN REVIEWING THE ENTIRE PROJECT, BOTH THE REZONING AND THE PARK EASEMENT, A MULTITUDE OF CONCERNS ARISE, DRAINAGE, WATER MANAGEMENT, TRAFFIC FLOW, AND ROAD MAINTENANCE, EVEN SAFETY CONCERNS. THESE ARE ALL CITY ISSUES REQUIRING DUE DILIGENCE OF THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THIS OCCURS. TODAY, I'M GOING TO ASK THAT YOU NOT APPROVE THE REZONING REQUEST FROM THE CEDAR RAPIDS SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 2525 29TH STREET, SOUTHWEST. INSTEAD, I ASK THAT YOU TABLE THE REQUEST UNTIL WHICH TIME THE EASEMENT REQUEST IS ALSO BROUGHT BEFORE YOU. IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOR THESE TWO REQUESTS TO BE REVIEWED TOGETHER. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE WISH TO ADDRESS, COUNCIL? THAT BRINGS US TO COUNCIL COMMENTS. WE HAVE SOMEONE. COME ON UP. NAME AND CITY. >> MY NAME IS STEVE DOTY, AND I LIVE AT 2718 28TH AVENUE, SOUTHWEST, WHICH IS AT THE BOTTOM OR THE NEW ENTRANCE OF THE NEW VAN BUREN SCHOOL. I'M UNCLEAR ABOUT WHAT I CAN TALK ABOUT THERE, [00:55:01] THOUGH, BUT I'LL JUST BRING THIS UP, THOUGH, BUT I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN OF THE TRAFFIC FLOW, ESPECIALLY AT THE BUS FLOW GETTING INTO AND OUT OF THE NEW SCHOOL. AM I ALLOWED TO MAKE A COMMENT? LIKE I SAID, I'M STEVE DOTY, AND I LIVE AT 2718 28TH AVENUE, SOUTHWEST, WHICH IS JUST WEST OF THE PROPOSED ENTRANCE OF THE BUS, WHICH IS TO THE WEST OF THE PROPOSED ENTRANCE FOR THE BUSES. I HAVE A FEW BULLET POINTS. THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TYPICALLY USE BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUSES IN THEIR INVENTORY. A BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS IS TYPICALLY ABOUT EIGHT FEET WIDE. THE LENGTH IS 41 FEET LONG FROM THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE BACK OF THE BUS, AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND THE CURB WEIGHT IS 33,000 POUNDS. WHEN A BUS TURNS EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, YOU HAVE A TAIL SWING OF ABOUT 43 FEET PLUS. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU HAVE LOOKED AT THE SITE AT ALL FOR THE VAN BUREN ZONING AREA UP THERE, BUT IF YOU STAND, I'M IN THE VAN BUREN SCHOOL SITE ON THE PROPERTY, AND I'M LOOKING TOWARDS 27TH STREET. >> SETH DID PUT IT UP, AND SETH, ARE YOU CIRCLING HIS HOUSE RIGHT THERE? THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. >> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU IF YOU COULD SHOW THE DIFFERENT SLIDES. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. IF YOU'RE ON THIS VAN BUREN PROPERTY, AND YOU'RE LOOKING TO THE EAST, YOU'LL SEE A 40 FOOT EASEMENT. WHEN I LOOK AT THAT, I'M LOOKING AT THE TERRAIN, AND THE ELEVATION IN THAT 40 FEET, IT HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A CURVE TO IT, A LITTLE BIT OF HEIGHT, AND IT SEEMS TO APPEAR TO BE A LITTLE HIGHER IN THE CENTER THAN IT IS TO THE NORTH AND TO THE SOUTH OF THE DIFFERENT PROPERTIES THERE. [NOISE] THERE ARE SEVEN TREES, SEVERAL OF THEM ARE DEAD, SEVERAL OF THEM ARE DAMAGED, AND THEY WERE ALL DUE FROM THE DERECHO, AND THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED AT THE TIME OF THE STORM OR AFTER THE TIME OF THE STORM. TWENTY EIGHTH AVENUE WHERE I LIVE AT, 28TH AVENUE IS 30 FEET WIDE. REMIND YOU THAT 27TH STREET EASEMENT IS 40 FEET, SO ON 28TH AVENUE, IT IS 30 FEET WIDE. THE PROPOSED ENTRANCE ELEVATION IS LOWER THAN THE CENTER OF 28TH AVENUE AND THE CURB FOR WATER ISSUES. [NOISE] IT'S BEEN STATED THAT 27TH STREET WAS A POOR CHOICE FOR THE BUS DROP OFF, WHICH IS TO THE EAST OF THE ENTRANCE AT THE SCHOOL. PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, WE CURRENTLY SEE BUSES USING 27TH STREET ALL THE TIME BECAUSE IT'S THE SHORTEST AND THE EASIEST ROUTE. BUS DRIVERS WILL NOT BE USING 31ST STREET TO GET TO THE NEW SCHOOL. THE FACT IS, I KNOW BECAUSE I DROVE A 72 PASSENGER BUS FOR FOUR YEARS. I KNOW WHAT WE DO. THE 72 PASSENGER BUS, I I DROVE A SCHOOL BUS FOR FOUR YEARS FOR CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL, AND IT WAS 41 FEET LONG, 33,000 POUNDS, AND EIGHT FEET WIDE. THE DRIVERS WILL TAKE THE SHORTEST AND EASIEST ROUTE TO GET TO THEIR DESTINATION, FACT. BETWEEN THE PLAYGROUND AND THE TWISTING WALKING TRAIL THAT IS THERE, THE EXISTING TRAIL IS 21 FEET AWAY FROM THE PLAYGROUND. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE DISTANCE IS TO THAT NEW BUS ROUTE THAT [INAUDIBLE] HAD OR WE HAD DESIGNED, BUT THE WAY THAT IT IS NOW IS ONLY 21 FEET. >> MR. DOTY. IT'S TIME. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO SPEAK WITH SOME OF OUR DISTRICT FOLKS WHO ARE HERE TODAY AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. >> YES, THANK YOU. PLEASE JOIN US AT THE PODIUM. [01:00:03] >> LORI JOHNSON, 2620 29TH STREET, SOUTHWEST. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS ALL THE EXTRA TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY IF THERE WAS A FIRE OR MEDICAL CALL. THE CARS WILL BE COMING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, AND YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH NOW. EVEN GETTING OUT OF YOUR DRIVEWAY SOMETIME, IT'S HARD TO GET OUT, AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TWO LANES GOING INTO THE SCHOOL. I DON'T LIKE TALKING. ALSO CEDAR RAPIDS SCHOOLS HAD IN THE GAZETTE, IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS, VAN BUREN COULD SEE 100 ADDITIONAL STUDENTS, THAT'S ONLY 10 A YEAR. DO THEY NEED A NEW SCHOOL FOR 10 STUDENTS A YEAR? THEY'RE BRINGING IN SEVEN BUSES NOW, CAN'T THEY BUS SOME OF THEM TO SOME OF THE NEWER SCHOOLS THAT THEY BUILD ALREADY. I LIVED THERE FOR 50 YEARS NOW, AND THEN I'LL GET TO LOOK OUT AT A HUGE SCHOOL AND A PARKING LOT. WOULD YOU WANT THAT? THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS SHARON CLARK, AND I'M HERE TODAY AS A HOMEOWNER ON 28TH AVENUE, SOUTHWEST, WHERE I LIVE WITH MY HUSBAND AND OUR PROUD JAYHAWK 14-YEAR-OLD. WE'VE PROUDLY CALLED THIS NEIGHBORHOOD HOME FOR 20 YEARS, AND OVER THAT TIME WE'VE BECOME VERY FAMILIAR WITH VAN BUREN ELEMENTARY, BOTH AS A NEIGHBOR AND AS A FREQUENT VISITOR. I WANT TO BEGIN BY EXPRESSING MY SUPPORT FOR THE DISTRICT'S PLANS TO REPLACING THE AGING VAN BUREN SCHOOL BUILDING. IT'S LONG OVERDUE AND A MUCH NEEDED INVESTMENT IN CEDAR RAPIDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. AS A FAMILY, WE'RE GENUINELY EXCITED TO SEE THE NEW FACILITY THAT WILL BETTER SERVE OUR NEXT GENERATION OF LEARNERS. HOWEVER, I'M HERE THIS AFTERNOON BECAUSE I DO HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS ABOUT THE CURRENT SITE PLAN AND PROPOSAL. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY VOICE TO MY NEIGHBOR, JULIE RODFORD'S IDEA OF COMBINING THE PROPOSALS FOR THE REZONING OF THE SCHOOL AREA, AND THEN ALSO THE PARK EASEMENT, WHICH IS REALLY A BIG CONCERN OF MINE. BY THE CONVERTING A PORTION OF THE VAN BUREN PARK INTO A DRIVEWAY FOR SCHOOL BUSES AND CHANGES TO THE STUDENT PICKUP AND DROP OFF ZONE, I UNDERSTAND THE LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES OF DESIGNING A NEW SCHOOL, HOWEVER, THESE PARTICULAR CHANGES WOULD HAVE SOME SERIOUS NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR BLOCK AND BROADER NEIGHBORHOOD. RIDING SCHOOL BUSES THROUGH THE PARK WILL LIKELY RESTRICT TRAFFIC FLOW ON 20TH AVENUE, COMPLICATE ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS, AND REDUCE ALREADY LIMITED STREET PARKING. MORE TRAFFIC FLOW WILL ALSO BE IMPACTED BY MOVING THE PARENT PICK UP FURTHER SOUTH ON 29TH STREET, CAUSING A LINE THAT I WOULD ANTICIPATE WILL ALSO ARRIVE ON 28TH AVENUE. MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT CHANGES THE CHARACTER OF THE PARK THAT SO MANY OF US TREASURE. SEVERAL OF MY NEIGHBORS CHOSE THEIR HOMES BECAUSE THEY OVERLOOK GREEN SPACE, NOT A BUS LANE. FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN WHO CURRENTLY WALK TO THE PARK WILL NOW HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS AROUND INCREASED TRAFFIC AND LARGE VEHICLES PASSING NEAR PLAY AREAS. WE ALL WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR STUDENTS, BUT WE ALSO WANT WHAT'S SAFE AND FAIR TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. I'M ASKING THAT THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS AND THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT WORK TOGETHER TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES FOR BUS ACCESS AND PARENT PICKUP, THAT WON'T DISRUPT OUR COMMUNITY OR DIMINISH THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE OF US THAT LIVE THERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> MISS CLARK, JUST FOR CLARITY, ARE YOU OBJECTING TO A CHANGE OF ZONE? >> AT THIS TIME I AM, YES. >> THANK YOU. >> HI, MIKE COOK, 2719 28TH AVENUE, SOUTHWEST. I HAD AGREED WITH SOME OF THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS THAT THE REZONING EASEMENT WORK, MORE COMPLETE PLANS FOR THE SCHOOL CAMPUS SHOULD ALL BE TAKEN TOGETHER AS A UNIT AND NOT BE PARCELED OUT ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER, SO THAT A COMPREHENSIVE AND COHESIVE PLAN CAN BE DETERMINED IN KEEPING WITH RESIDENTIAL CONCERNS. I TOO CONCERNED ABOUT TRAFFIC INCREASE ON 28TH AVENUE, AND THERE'S PLENTY OF TRAFFIC THERE ALREADY. OF COURSE, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WATER RUNOFF AND SNOW MELT RUNOFF. IT DOES CHANGE THE CHARACTER OF THE PARK, WHICH IS A VERY NICE PARK, EVEN THOUGH IT'S FAIRLY SMALL. I THINK THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF WHERE THE ACCESS FOR TRAFFIC, AND BUSES, [01:05:02] AND SERVICE VEHICLES NEEDS TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WITH THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I THINK THAT THE CURRENT PLANS, THE CURRENT DIRECTION THINGS ARE GOING, IT'S GOING TO DISRUPT AND JUST CHANGE THE WHOLE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU. >> VOICING AN OBJECTION? >> I'D BE OPPOSED TO THE REZONING TODAY. >> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER HAS HELD, AND TO MY COUNT, WE HAD SEVEN OBJECTIONS, INCLUDING OUR LETTERS. THAT BRINGS US TO COUNCIL COMMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION. COUNCIL MEMBER HOEGER. >> I STRUGGLE SOMETIMES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT REZONING BECAUSE WE DO DIVE INTO THE DETAILS OF SITE PLANS AND WE LOOK AT DESIGNS, BUILDING DESIGNS, AND WE SIT THERE AND WE CRITIQUE IT ALL. BUT THE REALITY IS WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT DOES A SCHOOL BELONG ON THE SITE OR NOT, AND THAT'S THE REZONING. I'M IN FAVOR OF HAVING A SCHOOL ON THIS SITE BECAUSE IT'S BEEN THERE FOR 55 YEARS, AND I BELIEVE A LOT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAS MOVED IN THERE HAVE DONE THAT BECAUSE THE SCHOOL IS LOCATED THERE. HAVING SAID THAT, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SITE PLAN, IT WAS PROPOSED TO US THAT THE ACCESS OFF OF 27TH STREET IS TOO STEEP. ON THE CITY ASSESSOR SITE, IT GIVES US AN OPTION TO PICK THE TOPOGRAPHY. THAT 40 FOOT STRETCH IS 322 FEET. FROM 27TH STREET TO THE SCHOOL LOT, IT'S ABOUT A 10 FOOT GRADE. IF I GO DOWN TO THE 28TH AVENUE SIDE, AND I TAKE 322 FEET AND STRETCH IT OUT, IT'S ABOUT 62 FOOT DIFFERENT IN GRADE. I'M IN FAVOR OF THE REZONING, BUT I DO THINK THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE ENGINEERS NEED TO WORK WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THE GOOD ACCESS IS FOR THIS AREA, BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE GRADE IS THE REASON WHY THE TRAFFIC PATTERN IS SUCH. AGAIN, I'M IN FAVOR OF THE SCHOOL BEING BUILT HERE. I'M A BIG FAVOR OF THE NEW SCHOOLS AND THE REINVESTMENT INTO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, HAVING SAID THAT I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE'S OTHER OPTIONS WHEN YOU LOOK AT IF GRADE IS THE ONLY REASON WHY THE ACCESS IS THE REASON WHY. THANK YOU. >> COUNCILOR VANORNY. >> THANK YOU. WITH THIS BEING IN MY DISTRICT, JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS. ONE, I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY HERE TO THIS MOMENT BECAUSE IN 2018, THIS SCHOOL WAS ON THE CHOPPING BOX TO BE CLOSED, WHICH I DON'T THINK IS BETTER THAN ANY PLANS FOR REZONING TO BE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR. SOME OF THAT, QUITE HONESTLY, WAS BECAUSE OF THERE WERE CIRCUMSTANCES HAPPENING AT THAT TIME THAT WERE SCARING PEOPLE AWAY FROM SPEAKING UP AT COMMUNITY MEETINGS. THIS IS A VERY DIVERSE SCHOOL, AND QUITE HONESTLY, THAT THE BUILDING IS NOT IN GOOD CONDITION. I WAS NOT PERSONALLY FIGHTING TO KEEP THIS SCHOOL IN ITS CURRENT STATE NOT BECAUSE THAT NEIGHBORHOOD DIDN'T NEED BUT SIMPLY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT BUILT WELL. IT WAS NOT BUILT TO LAST LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER SCHOOLS. I'M EXCITED THAT WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REZONE THAT. TO COUNCIL MEMBER HOEGER'S POINT, WE HAVE TO BE EXTREMELY LIMITED AND SPECIFIC IN OUR SCOPE HERE. IT DOES ABSOLUTELY GET CONFUSING WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BROADER TOPICS. SUCH JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, WHY WOULD WE NOT BE PRESENTING THE EASEMENT DISCUSSION AS PART OF THIS AS A CONCURRENT BUNDLE? >> TYPICALLY, EASEMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT ARE HANDLED USUALLY ON CONSENT AGENDA LATER ON. I THINK IN PART, WE'VE HAD THERE'S NEW STAFF IN THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS WANTING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT. WELL, WE'VE MADE SURE THAT AS THEY WENT THROUGH THE REZONING, THE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING THAT WE REQUESTED, AND THROUGH TALKING TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL THAT WE MADE SURE THEY WERE SHOWING THIS PROPOSAL SO THAT WE COULD GATHER INPUT FROM RESIDENTS AS WE WENT THROUGH THAT. >> JUST ADD ONE OTHER THING. THERE'S A BIT OF A CHICKEN AND EGG HERE. IF YOU WERE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE EASEMENT FIRST, AND THEN THE REZONING DID NOT PASS, THEN YOU HAVE A SITUATION IN WHICH YOU HAVE TO REPLAT AGAIN TO GET RID OF THE EASEMENT. THIS ORDER OF OPERATIONS MADE MORE SENSE TO AVOID THAT SITUATION AS WELL. [01:10:05] >> JUST TO FOLLOW UP TO, OFTENTIMES, COUNCIL WILL HAVE A STRONG APPETITE IN CASES LIKE THIS WHERE WE ARE ASKING TO SEE A FINAL PLAT BEFORE IT COMES BACK. I THINK THERE IS AN APPETITE FOR THAT, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE HAVE THIS MUCH NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT. ADDITIONALLY, I SHARE THE SAME CONCERNS AS COUNCIL MEMBER HOEGER, WITH REGARD TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I HAVE SPENT THE ENTIRETY OF MY LIFE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, WHICH WAS 98% OF IT IN THE 5244 DISTRICT, AND SO I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS AND QUITE HONESTLY, 27TH IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THAT WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD. ALL OF REAL HEIGHTS DIDN'T USED TO EXIST. 33RD DIDN'T USED TO GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO CONNECT WITH SIXTH STREET AND J STREET. ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO CHANGE. BUT I REALLY DON'T BUY. I THINK ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT CHANGES THAT ARE HAPPENING ALONG 18TH AS WELL. WE HEARD THE SAME COMMENTS IN TERMS OF GRADING. I DON'T PERSONALLY BUY THE GRADING STORY. I'VE HEARD THAT FAR TOO MANY TIMES IN THE CONVERSATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WHERE WOULD SCHOOLS GO? WE WOULD THE GROWTH BE EVEN IN WESTDALE YEARS AGO, SAYING THINGS JUST COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE DONE. I HAVE SEEN LOTS OF DIRT BE MOVED IN INCREDIBLE WAYS. I THINK THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS IN TERMS OF THE ORIENTATION IN THIS CASE, IS FAVORABLE TO ALLOW US MORE TIME TO HAVE THE EASEMENT, WHICH IS REALLY WHAT THAT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO AS WELL AS THE EASEMENT FOR THIS TO GO BACK AND ASK THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DO ITS PART. BECAUSE IT IS REALLY THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO TALK WITH THE NEIGHBORS IN TERMS OF THE ORIENTATION AND MAKE SURE THAT WE GET TO BE SPECIFIC IN OUR SCOPE, WHICH IS TO TALK ABOUT THE REZONING. I DO SUPPORT THE REZONING BECAUSE I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE'RE AT THIS POINT THAT WE GET TO KEEP A SCHOOL IN THIS AREA, BECAUSE I WAS EXTREMELY DEVASTATED TO THINK THAT QUITE HONESTLY, BECAUSE OF IMMIGRATION PEOPLE WERE SCARED OFF FROM REPORTING A LONG TIME AGO WHEN WE HAD THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS CONVERSATION TO THIS STATE WHERE WE ACTUALLY GET TO KEEP THIS SCHOOL AND IMPROVE UPON IT, AND REALLY BRING VIBRANCY BACK INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. BUT IT IS ESSENTIAL TO TALK ABOUT THE EASEMENTS AND HOW THIS IS GOING TO BE ORIENTED, AND I REALLY NEED OUR OTHER GOVERNMENT BODY, OUR CRCSD, TO BE ON TOP OF THAT AND CIRCLE BACK WITH ALL THE NEIGHBORS THAT ARE HERE TODAY BEFORE WE SEE MUCH MORE OF THIS AGAIN. >> ANYTHING ELSE? ANYTHING FURTHER? COUNCILOR OLSON. >> AGAIN, I THINK THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IS THAT WE NEED NEW SCHOOLS, AND WE WANT TO KEEP THESE AS NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS. I'VE WATCHED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD OR IN MY AREA ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE, THESE TYPE OF BUILDINGS, THEY HAD MORE SPACE TO WORK THAN WHAT WE HAVE HERE, AND SO THE GOAL IS TO KEEP THE SCHOOLS OPEN AND WORKING TOGETHER. I SUPPORT THE REZONING, THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO KEEP THE SCHOOLS. I THINK THE ISSUE HERE IS THAT THIS BUILDING DESIGN, I THINK NEEDS SOME MORE TLC. I THINK THE CONCEPT OF USING AN EASEMENT VERSUS A PARK IS GOOD. I THINK THAT MAYBE THE SHAPE, THE LOCATION OF THE BUILDING, SO THAT SLIDES TIGHTER TO THE OTHER BUILDING OR WHATEVER. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO FACE THIS IN ANOTHER ONE, BUT I WATCHED WEST WILLOW GO UP, SAME ISSUES WERE CONCERNED. BUT THEY RESOLVED EACH OF THOSE BY BARNING ACCESS. IT'S POSSIBLE. LANDSCAPING, IT'S POSSIBLE, LIGHTING, IT'S POSSIBLE, AND EVERYBODY LOVES THE NEW SCHOOL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAD THIS SAME ISSUE, THEY BUILT BEHIND ANOTHER BUILDING. I THINK YOU LOOK AT THE OTHER SCHOOL ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE. SAME THING. HARRISON IS DIFFERENT, AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE HISTORIC SCHOOL BEING SAVED. WE NEED A SCHOOL HERE, I THINK TO SERVE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH IS GROWING AND CHANGING, ET CETERA. BUT I THINK WE NEED A BETTER PLAN. NUMBER 2 IS, THIS IS A REZONING ISSUE. THEY'VE HEARD FROM US. I THINK PARTS OF THIS WILL COME BACK, CORRECT TO US? >> THE BASICALLY, WHAT WE'LL DO IS ASSUMING THE REZONING IS APPROVED, MOVE FORWARD, WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL ON THAT. OUR INTENT IS, I MENTIONED EARLIER, TYPICALLY EASEMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT OR ON CONSENT AGENDA WITH COUNCIL. OBVIOUSLY, WITH THIS ONE, [7. A public hearing will be held to consider a change of zone for property at 4141 Johnson Avenue NW from S-RL1, Suburban Residential Low Single Unit District, to P-IN, Public – Institutional District, as requested by the Cedar Rapids Community School District (Seth Gunnerson). CIP/DID #RZNE-000096-2025] WITH THE SCHOOLS COMMITTED AND WE'VE COMMITTED TO. >> THAT IS NOT A CONSENT AGENDA ITEM. >> WE'LL REPORT BACK, SO WE WILL WORK WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ON SPECIFICS. BILL AND I'VE HEARD QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL ABOUT ACCESS TO 27TH. THAT WILL BE AN ITEM THAT WE WILL COMMUNICATE BACK TO COUNCIL, OPTIONS FOR THAT. [01:15:04] ESSENTIALLY, WHAT'S OUTSIDE OF THIS YELLOW BOX ON YOUR SCREEN IS NOT THE REZONING, BUT IT IS HOW CITY PROPERTY, WHETHER IT'S RIGHT AWAY OR A PARK IS USED. WE WILL CONTINUE. >> I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE HAVE A CITY STAFF, GREAT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND WE HAVE ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS THAT KNOW HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS. I THINK WE'VE HEARD SOME OF THOSE ISSUES, AND SO WE JUST NEED TO FIND A WAY TO GET THIS SCHOOL BUILT HERE, AND KEEP THINGS GOING, AND I THINK ALL OF US ARE EXCITED ABOUT HAVING A SCHOOL AT THIS LOCATION, AND THE NEW SCHOOLS ARE FABULOUS. I'VE BEEN IN ALL THREE OF THEM. I MEAN, THEY'RE JUST FABULOUS. WE NEED THOSE SCHOOLS FOR OUR CITY. FOR OUR CITY TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND OUR NEIGHBORHOODS TO REMAIN STRONG. WE JUST NEED TO SOLVE A PROBLEM HERE. I THINK WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE THAT CAN SOLVE THAT PROBLEM, AND SO LET'S DO THE REZONING SO THAT THEY CAN KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND LET'S FIND A WAY TO SOLVE THOSE AND WE GET TO SEE THOSE AGAIN. THAT'S MY THOUGHTS. I WANTED TO ADD BECAUSE I THINK WE WANT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. >> WELL, LET'S JUST FIND OUT NOW. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? MR. OLSON, SECOND, TYLER OLSON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> AYE. >> THE OPPOSED SAY NO. THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. ITEM NUMBER 7 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR PROPERTY AT 41 41 JOHNSON AVENUE, NORTHWEST FROM SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL LOW SINGLE UNIT DISTRICT TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT. ONCE AGAIN, AS REQUESTED BY THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. GENTLEMEN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU AGAIN. >> THANK YOU. AGAIN, SEF CERSON ZONING ADMINISTRATIVE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. THIS IS A SIMILAR REQUEST. THIS IS FOR THE HOOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON THE CORNER OF JOHNSON AVENUE AND WILEY BOULEVARD, NORTHWEST. IT'S AN APPROXIMATELY 11.7 ACRE SITE. THE LAST ONE, THEY ARE PROPOSING TO BUILD A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SOUTH OF THE EXISTING SCHOOL. A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING WAS HELD ON MAY 21, WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY SEVERAL NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS. HERE'S THE CITY'S FUTURE LAND USE MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION. IT'S IN THE URBAN MEDIUM INTENSITY LAND USE TYPOLOGY AREA. THERE'S ALSO A NOW VACANT FORMER SINGLE FAMILY PARCEL AT THE CORNER THERE, WHICH IS PART OF THE SITE. HERE'S A ZONING MAP SHOWING THE ENTIRE AREA, ZONED SRL ONE, WHICH IS SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL SINGLE UNIT, AS IS MOST OF THE SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE PERIMETER OF THE SITE, TO THE SOUTH AND THE EAST. HERE'S AN AERIAL FROM THE SOUTH SHOWING THE SITE. THIS IS THE EXISTING SCHOOL AND EXISTING SCHOOL YARD. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THERE ARE A COUPLE TEMPORARY TRAILERS ON THE SITE TO DEAL WITH INCREASED CAPACITY OF THE SCHOOL, WHICH IS SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS ONE IS WHY WE'RE LOOKING AT CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SCHOOL THAT'S NOT PAIRED WITH AN ANOTHER ELEMENTARY. THIS IS FOR GROWTH IN THIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND GROWTH ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE. THIS IS STREET VIEW FROM THE CORNER OF JOHNSON AND WILEY, LOOKING AT THE EXISTING FACILITY. HERE'S A STREET VIEW FROM NEAR THE SOUTH PROPERTY LINE OF THE SCHOOL, LOOKING BACK ALONG WILEY BOULEVARD. JUST FOR COUNCIL'S INFORMATION, WE DID RECEIVE A PETITION WHICH I BELIEVE CONTAINED ABOUT 30 SIGNATURES, BUT SPECIFICALLY WAS FROM OWNERS OF 18 PROPERTIES IN RED HERE, WHICH ARE WITHIN 200 FEET OF THE SCHOOL. BECAUSE OF THIS, THAT REPRESENTS JUST UNDER ONE THIRD AND OVER 20% OF THE PROPERTY WITHIN 200 FEET. PER STATE LAW, THIS REQUIRES A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE OF COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE. PREDOMINANTLY, THE RED HOMES, YOU CAN SEE ARE ALONG THE SOUTHERN PROPERTY LINE HERE. THIS YELLOW PROPERTY WAS WE RECEIVED A SIGNATURE FROM SOMEONE AT THAT ADDRESS, BUT DID NOT MATCH THE TITLE OF THE PROPERTY. THE PRIMARY CONCERNS HEARD FROM THE RESIDENTS WERE THE BUILDING LOCATION, THE SITE PLAN, THE PROPOSED LOCATION OVER EXISTING OPEN SPACE, SWAPPING THE EXISTING OPEN SPACE FOR A NEW BUILDING, AND AN ACCESS DRIVE TO THE SOUTH OF THE PROPERTY, AS LONG AS STORMWATER MANAGEMENT CONCERNS. HERE'S A PROPOSED SITE PLAN SHOWN BY THE SCHOOL. YOU CAN SEE THE EXISTING SCHOOL DOTTED HERE, AND THEN ALSO AN EXISTING GEOTHERRMAL WELL FIELD THAT THEY NEED TO STAY OUT OF DURING CONSTRUCTION BEHIND THE PARKING LOT SHOWN. ONE FEATURE OF THE SITE PLAN THAT I'LL NOTE, AND WE WORKED WITH THEM ON THE PREVIOUS SCHOOL AS WELL WAS, YOU CAN NOTICE THIS CIRCUITOUS ROUTE THROUGH THE SITE. THAT IS FOR VEHICLE STACKING FOR PICKUP AND DROP OFF. THAT IS DUE TO JOHNSON AVENUE AND WILEY BOULEVARD BEING HIGHER CLASSIFIED STREETS. WE'RE REALLY PRESSING THE SCHOOL TO MAKE SURE THAT VEHICULAR TRAFFIC DOES [01:20:03] NOT BACK UP AND IMPAIR THE FUNCTION OF WILEY AND JOHNSON DURING PICKUP AND DROP OFF, WHICH IS WHERE THEY LOOKED AT THE SITE PLAN AND CREATED THIS EXTRA STACKING SPACE. THIS ACCESS ROAD TO THE SOUTH IS A LARGE PART OF WHERE PUBLIC COMMENT CAME FROM. THIS IS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THAT FOR FIRE RESCUE THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO GET WITHIN, I THINK IT'S ABOUT 220 FEET OF ALL PERIMETER AREAS OF THE SITE. THIS IS ALSO WHAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL USE FOR SCHOOL BUS PICK UP AND DROP OFF TO KEEP THAT SEPARATE FROM PARENT TRAFFIC. HERE'S SOME ADDITIONAL RENDERINGS, WHICH WERE PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE NEW SCHOOL BUILDING. >> AS NOTED, ACCESS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS BROUGHT UP DURING THE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS. THERE WILL BE A ONE WAY IN AND ONE WAY FROM WILEY BOULEVARD EXITING OUT ONTO JOHNSON AVENUE, AND THEN THE SCHOOL BUS PICK UP AND DROP OFF TO THE SOUTH AND THEN, AS NOTED, THAT PROVIDES FIRE ACCESS AS WELL. QUESTIONS FROM THE NEIGHBORS ALSO WERE ABOUT ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS ON THE SITE. AGAIN, TO MAINTAIN CONSTANT OPERATIONS OF THE SCHOOL. THERE'S NOT SUITABLE ROOM TO BUILD THE SCHOOL IN FRONT OF THE EXISTING SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL LOOKED AT AN ALTERNATIVE LOCATION TO THE EAST OF THE EXISTING SCHOOL BUILDING. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO GET THE NECESSARY FIRE ACCESS ROAD AND TURN AROUND. SPACE BEHIND THE SCHOOL IF THEY WERE TO DO THAT. THE SCHOOLS DETERMINED THAT THE LOCATION TO THE SOUTH OF THE EXISTING SCHOOL IS THE BEST OPTION ON THIS EXISTING SITE. THE BUILDING HEIGHT, THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT. IT WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 28' HIGH IS VIEWED FROM THE SOUTH. THIS WILL APPEAR CLOSER TO 21' BECAUSE THE SCHOOL GROUND IS APPROXIMATELY SEVEN FEET LOWER THAN THE GRADE OF MANY OF THE HOMES ALONG ROXBURY TO THE SOUTH. THE CURRENT ZONING PERMIT STRUCTURES UP TO 35 FEET. BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE REAR OF THE BUILDING WILL MATCH THOSE ON THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING, AND THE PROJECT SETBACK AND SCALE IS SIMILAR TO OTHER CEDAR RAPIDS SCHOOL DISTRICT PROJECTS. SPECIFICALLY, WE ASKED THE APPLICANT AFTER THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON THE BUILDING LOCATION AND PROVIDE A SECTION SHOWING VIEWS OF THE SCHOOL FROM THE SOUTH. THIS IS DEPICTING THE MOST CONSTRAINED PARCEL, THE PARCEL THAT IS CLOSEST TO THE SCHOOL AND THE DRIVE ALONG ROXBURY. IT DOES DEPICT AN EIGHT FOOT FENCE, AND THIS IS SHOWING THAT THE EIGHT FOOT FENCE, WHICH A SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS AGREED TO CONSTRUCT ALONG THE PROPERTY LINE AND ESSENTIALLY WHAT THIS SHOWS IS IT DOES CUT OFF THE VIEW OF MOST OF THE SCHOOL BUS ACTIVITIES AND THE ACTUAL ROAD ITSELF, WHERE THE SITE OPENS UP OUTSIDE OF A PLACE WHERE IT'S CONSTRAINED, THERE WILL BE A 15 FOOT BUFFER YARD WITH TREES AND OTHER VEGETATION, WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL SCREEN FROM HOMES TO THE SOUTH. THEN THIS SHOWS THE LAYOUT AND SETBACKS FROM SOME OF THE ADJACENT HOMES TO THE SOUTH AND TO THE EAST. APPROXIMATELY 53 FOOT SETBACK IS CONSISTENT WITH THE SETBACK OF WEST WILLOW ELEMENTARY TO HOMES TO THE EAST IN THE NORTHWEST CEDAR RAPIDS, OR I GUESS, SOUTHWEST OR SOUTH OF FIRST AVENUE. AGAIN, STORMWATER CAME UP IN THIS MEETING WITH THE RESIDENTS. SO WE ASKED THE SCHOOL TO PROVIDE A EXHIBIT SHOWING HOW THEY WILL ADDRESS THAT. CURRENTLY, A PORTION OF THE SCHOOL YARD DRAINS TO A DETENTION BASIN ON SITE SHOWN BY THIS WHITE OUTLINED AREA. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TOOK A LOOK AT HOW THE SITE WILL BE DEVELOPED, AND THEY ARE SHOWING THAT POST DEVELOPMENT, PRETTY MUCH THE ENTIRE SITE WILL BE DRAINING TO ONSITE DETENTION, WHICH SHOULD GREATLY IMPROVE EXISTING CONDITIONS IN TERMS OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT DURING TYPICAL RAIN EVENTS. GENERALLY, AS WITH THE LAST ONE, THE SCHOOL LOCATION THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS PROVIDED, STAFF FINDS IT'S NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN OPERATIONS DURING CONSTRUCTION. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DEMONSTRATED WHY THEY CHOSE THE SITE THEY DID AND SOME OF THE LAYOUT THEY DID, AS WE DID WITH THE VAN BUREN SITE. ANOTHER NOTE IS THAT SOME OF THE PUBLIC FEEDBACK WE HAD RELATED TO CHANGES TO THE OPEN SPACE, WHICH IS CURRENTLY ADJACENT TO HOMES TO THE SOUTH OF THE SCHOOL IN THE SOUTH OF THE SITE. THE EXISTING OPEN SPACE IS OWNED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IS NOT A PUBLIC PARK. CHANGES TO HOW THAT SITE IS UTILIZED IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. WITH THE ZONING, WE LOOKED AT THE SUITABILITY OF THE SITE FOR THE PROPOSED USE, WHICH WOULD BE AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE BALL FIELDS WHICH ARE AT THE SCHOOL SITE ARE USED BY SOME AFFILIATED CLUBS, [01:25:04] AND THAT ACTIVITY WILL HAVE TO BE RELOCATED ELSEWHERE. IN TERMS OF REZONING CRITERIA FOR THE SITE, STAFF FINDS THAT THIS IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE GOALS OF THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. ADDITIONAL REVIEW OF TRAFFIC AND STORMWATER PLANS WILL HAPPEN WITH THE ADMIN SITE PLAN STAGE. SIMILAR TO THE OTHERS, WE FIND THAT THE SITE PLAN AND THE BUILDING ARE IN CHARACTER WITH OTHER APPROVED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND OVERALL THAT THE DISTRICT REQUESTED IS APPROPRIATE AT THIS LOCATION. CITY PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST ON JUNE 5TH, PENDING TODAY'S PUBLIC HEARING, A SECOND AND THIRD READING ON THIS MATTER COULD OCCUR ON JULY 8TH. WITH THAT, I'LL RETURN TO THE MAYOR. >> THANK YOU, SETH. THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER. DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL? I'LL INVITE YOU TO JOIN AND COME ON UP TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME AND THE CITY WHERE YOU LIVE, PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS JOE BROKAW, AND I LIVE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, SPECIFICALLY 33 ROXBURY DRIVE. MY WIFE AND I GREW UP IN CEDAR RAPIDS, WE MOVED AWAY FOR 26 YEARS, DECIDED TO COME BACK, BOUGHT A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE WITH A BEAUTIFUL BACKYARD, NOT KNOWING ANY OF THIS WAS GOING ON. AT THIS POINT NOW, MY BEAUTIFUL BACK YARD IS GOING TO BE 28' SCHOOL. AN EIGHT FOOT SCREEN WALL ISN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE MY HOUSE IS HIGHER THAN THE SCHOOL. I WILL TELL YOU, I'M AGAINST REZONING IT. THERE'S A FEW THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT SHIVE HATTERY HAS THE BEST INTEREST OF ANYTHING OTHER THAN GETTING PAID. THE DATE ON THE LETTER FOR THIS MEETING WAS WRONG. IT WAS SET UP FOR THURSDAY, NOT TODAY AND SEVERAL NEIGHBORS SAID, YOU'RE GOING TO GO ON THURSDAY, YOU'RE GOING TO GO ON THURSDAY. I SAID, "NO, IT'S ON TUESDAY." A LOT OF PEOPLE WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT BECAUSE THE LETTER WAS WRONG AND WE HAVE PROOF OF THAT, IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SEE IT. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A SCREEN WALL PLAN IN PLACE BECAUSE THE ZONING FOLKS SAID THAT THEY WOULD APPROVE IT CONDITIONALLY UPON HAVING THAT PLAN. WELL, AFTER REACHING OUT TO KAREN LASHAY HATTERY, SEVERAL OF US HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING BACK FROM HER. IN FACT, SOME NEIGHBORS WERE TOLD SHE WAS ON VACATION. THAT'S NOT IN PLACE. IN FACT, WHAT HE SHOWED TODAY WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I'D SEEN ANYTHING IN REGARDS TO A SCREEN WALL OR OUR VIEW. WHEN I ASKED FOR THOSE BLUEPRINTS, KAREN TOLD US THAT WE COULDN'T HAVE THEM, SHE'D HAVE TO GET WRITTEN PERMISSION. WELL, THIS IS PUBLIC, THEREFORE, I DON'T THINK I NEED PERMISSION. NONETHELESS, I WAS NOT PROVIDED ANY BLUEPRINTS. WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BEING BUILT THIS CLOSE TO OUR HOUSE. THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF NOISE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE PICTURE OF WHERE OUR HOUSES ARE, THAT NOISE IS JUST GOING TO REVERBERATE OFF OF HOUSES. PEOPLE WORK FROM HOME NOW. HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GET OUR WORK DONE IF WE'RE HERE BANGING AND DRILLING ALL THE TIME? I'D LIKE PEOPLE TO REALLY CONSIDER THAT. I'M NOT AGAINST A SCHOOL. THAT'S FINE. BUILD A SCHOOL. I JUST DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO BUILD IT THAT CLOSE. KAREN TOLD US THAT WE COULDN'T MOVE THE SCHOOL FORWARD BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE WELLS IN THE GROUND. THEY'RE ALREADY DRILLING NEW WELLS. IT'S ALREADY HAPPENING NOW. COULD WE DRILL A TEMPORARY WELL FOR A YEAR? ABSOLUTELY. THEY'RE ALREADY GOING TO BE IN PLACE. BUT THERE'S NO BUDGING ON ANY OF THIS. NOBODY WILL BUDGE. THEY WON'T COMMUNICATE WITH US, THEY WON'T SET UP OUR MEETINGS. AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT. IT SOUNDS CROOKED, AND IT SOUNDS FIXED. AND A LOT OF US ALONG ROXBURY FEEL THAT WAY. NOBODY'S HEARING US, NOBODY'S LISTENING TO US. NOBODY'S DOING ANYTHING TO HELP US. IT'S JUST THE WILL. THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. I BROKE MY PEN, BUT NOT ON PURPOSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? >> THANK YOU, MAYOR O'DONNELL AND COUNCIL. MY NAME IS GARY DOO. MY WIFE AND I, PAT, HAVE LIVED AT 3934 ROXBURY DRIVE FOR 35 YEARS. WITH THAT, IF YOU HAVEN'T TAKEN A LOOK AT THE SITE, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT YOU DO. I WANT TO THANK ANNE POE, IF YOU DID. YOU FOLLOWED UP ON MY EMAIL, AND I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU FOR DOING THAT. MY CONCERNS ARE OUR REZONING WILL BE A DESTRUCTION OF SOME HISTORICAL BUILDINGS TODAY. [01:30:01] THE HOOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS NAMED AFTER HERBERT HOOVER. THAT BUILDING IS STILL SOLID TODAY. IF THE REZONING GOES THROUGH, THAT BUILDING GOES DOWN, HERBERT HOOVER WAS HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, VISITING THAT SCHOOL, AND HE WAS COMMEMORATED AFTER HIM. THAT'S NUMBER ONE. BUILDING OPTIONS. WHAT OTHER BUILDING OPTIONS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED ON A SOLID BUILDING? I'VE ASKED TO SEE OPTIONS ON JUNE 19TH, I REQUESTED OPTIONS FROM KAREN HARDESTY, SHIVE HATTERY. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER OTHER THAN SHE'LL GET BACK WITH ME. I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE OTHER COST EFFECTIVE OPTIONS TO ADD TO THAT SCHOOL WITHOUT DESTROYING IT AND DESTROYING THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS WE PERCEIVE IT. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. THE REZONING IF APPROVED, WILL DRAMATICALLY IMPACT AND CHANGE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE IMPACT TO OUR EXISTING ENVIRONMENT. WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT A TWO STORY BUILDING RATHER THAN A ONE STORY BUILDING. TRAFFIC. WE WILL HAVE A PROPOSED DRIVEWAY LITERALLY CONSTRUCTED ONLY A FEW FEET ACCESS DRIVE, EXCUSE ME, ACCESS DRIVEWAY, WHAT THEY'RE USING FROM OUR PROPERTY WITH BUS TRAFFIC, DELIVERY TRUCKS, TRASH PICK UP IN EARLY MORNING HOURS CONTINUING THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WE WILL EXPERIENCE POLLUTION EMISSION, SMELLING DIESEL EXHAUST FUMES, NOISE POLLUTION THAT GOES ON AND ON AND ON. GONE WILL BE THE LARGE OAK TREES AND BUSHES THAT HAVE BEEN WELL ESTABLISHED, OVER 75 FOOT TALL, PROBABLY ABOUT 2.5 FOOT, THREE FOOT IN DIAMETER. THAT WILL BE GONE. THEY SURVIVE DURATIO, BUT THEY AREN'T GOING TO SURVIVE THIS REZONING IF COMMITTED. WE LOST 70% OF THE CANOPY IN DURATIO. WATER RUNOFF IS A NUMBER ONE. DURING CONSTRUCTION AND AFTER, PROPERTY OWNERS MAY BE FACED WITH CONTINUOUS DUST, NOISE, FUMES, AND OTHER TOXIC POLLUTANTS, INCLUDING LIGHT POLLUTION. HOW DOES THIS IMPACT US ECONOMICALLY? WHAT DOES THIS DO TO MY PROPERTY VALUE, MY HOME, WHEN IT TAKES TWO YEARS TO BUILD IT, AND WHAT DOES THAT DO TO MY PROPERTY VALUE? I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO IMPROVE IT AT ALL FOR WHAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE INCREASE IN TAXES. WITH THAT, MY FEW SECONDS THAT I GOT LEFT, THAT HOOVER SCHOOL NEIGHBORHOOD WAS NEVER SURVEYED ON SCHOOL BUILDING DESIGN AS SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AND HOOVER TEACHERS WERE SURVEYED FOR THEIR INPUT. WE DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE BUILDING DESIGN UNTIL MAY 25, WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT HOOVER NEIGHBORHOOD WAS INVITED TO REVIEW SHIVE HATTERY'S FINAL HOOVER SCHOOL PLANS, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT INVITATION. HOWEVER, ON JUNE 5TH, WE CAME TO THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, EXPRESSED OUR CONCERNS, AND THE FINAL SCHOOL PLANS TO THE NEIGHBORS WAS DISAPPROVED WITHOUT MAKING REQUEST CHANGES. ON JUNE 6TH, RIGHT AFTER THE JUNE 5TH MEETING, A COMPANY COME IN ON SCHOOL PROPERTY TAKING SOIL SAMPLES, WHERE NEW SCHOOL SITE IS TO BE BUILT. ON JUNE 9, SHIVE HATTERY, WELL DRILLING EQUIPMENT, ONTO THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT, GEOTHERMAL WELL DRILLING, WHICH HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE AND BEING STARTED, AND THE HUMMING AND THE POUNDING AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS TAKING PLACE. JUNE 24 IS OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. PRIOR TO THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING, IT APPEARS BY THE ABOVE TIMELINE OF THE WORK SITE START OF THE NEW HOOVER SCHOOL IS GOING TO BE BUILT REGARDLESS OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. THIS HAS BEEN AND I DON'T THINK THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS HAD AN IMPACT FOR THE ABOVE REASONS WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE REZONING OF HERBERT SCHOOL. AS MY CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR, REPRESENTATIVES, I URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED REZONING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> I'M MARK KRAMER FROM CEDAR RAPIDS, AND I LIVE ON ROXBURY. I HAD A FEW THINGS JOTTED DOWN. ONE IS CONCERNING US ON ROXBURY, IS THE CLOSENESS OF THE SERVICE DRIVE TO OUR PROPERTY LINES. THEY SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE ABOUT 10 OR 12 FEET. NOW, I THINK I HEARD A DIFFERENT ONE TODAY, WHICH LENDS ITSELF TO THE PROBLEM WE HAD WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS [01:35:04] BETWEEN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AND OUR NEEDS AND WHAT WE THOUGHT MIGHT WORK. THERE IS NADA FOR COMMUNICATIONS WITH THEM. WE DID ASK FOR A PRIVACY FENCE IF THEY'RE GOING TO BUILD SOMETHING, BUT AS THEIR DIAGRAM SHOWS US NOW THEIR EIGHT FOOT FENCE, THEY'RE GOING TO DO SHIT FOR US, WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THESE DRIVEWAYS AND THESE BUSES AND LISTENING TO THE NOISE. I THINK TREES ARE A GOOD IDEA. BUT ANY INDICATION WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING THE LAST 25 YEARS WITH TAKING CARE OF THEIR TREES, THAT AIN'T GOING TO BE MUCH HELP EITHER. I PERSONALLY, I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ATTITUDE, WHICH I KNOW YOU GUYS REALLY DON'T CARE ABOUT THIS STUFF. YOU'RE ONLY DISCUSSING REZONING, AND I AGREE THE SCHOOL SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. IT NEEDS TO BE MADE BIGGER. I'M GOING TO SAY, 20, 25 YEARS AGO, THEY BUILT AN ADDITION ONTO IT. THAT'S THERE. WHY CAN'T THEY BUILD ANOTHER ADDITION ONTO IT? THERE IS LOTS OF ROOM. THEY COULD BUILD THEIR DRIVEWAYS FOR THEIR FIRE DEPARTMENT, ONCE AROUND ALL SIDES OF THE BUILDING. THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM. THEY COULD HAVE INVESTIGATED ADDING TO THE BUILDING. I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE BASEBALL DIAMONDS. THEIR INTENTIONS ARE THEY'RE GOING TO REMOVE THEM, AND THEY DON'T CARE. THERE'S GOING TO BE NO BASEBALL DIAMONDS REPLACED THERE. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT OUR CHILDREN DO. I THINK IT SHOULD BE IMPORTANT, BUT AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT PROBLEM, EITHER WHEN YOU CARE, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU'RE DECIDING TODAY. I REALLY AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER OPTIONS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE TO THEM AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED WITH US, AND NONE OF THAT HAPPENED. I'M JUST ASKING YOU TO TABLE THIS UNTIL GREATER COMMUNICATIONS GO ON, AND THEN THE CR'S SCHOOL DISTRICT CAN MEET WITH US, AND WE CAN ALL AGREE WITH THE FINAL PLANS. THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS DON CLARK. I LIVE AT 66 CLIVE DRIVE. I LIVE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL NOW. MY BIG CONCERN IS WITH THE STORMWATER RUNOFF. RIGHT NOW, THERE IS A THREE-FOOT DIKE THAT'S PROTECTING THE EASTSIDE RESIDENTS' PROPERTY. WHEN THEY GO TO BUILD THE NEW SCHOOL, THEY'RE TAKING THAT DIKE DOWN. THERE'S NOTHING THAT'S GOING TO STOP THE STORMWATER FROM RUNNING INTO MY YARD. I'VE BEEN AT THIS RESIDENCE FOR 12, 13 YEARS. IT HAS COME OVER THAT DIKE AND FLOODED MY BASEMENT. NOW THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE OUT THE DIKE TO BUILD A NEW SCHOOL. THERE WILL BE NOTHING TO STOP THE WATER. AS YOU LOOK AT THE PROPERTY NOW, IT SITS IN A BOWL. EVERYTHING RUNS TO MY HOUSE. THERE IS A STORM DRAIN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DIKE. THAT HELPS TAKE THE WATER AWAY, BUT IT WILL COME OVER ON A HEAVY RAIN. I'VE ASKED, I THINK IT WAS ISAAC FROM SHIVE TO COME OUT. I NEED SOMETHING TO PROTECT OUR HOUSES. YOU CAN'T JUST TAKE THAT DIKE DOWN AND START BUILDING. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANYTHING YET. NOT ONLY THAT, THERE'S A WALKING TRAIL THAT GOES AROUND THE PROPERTY, DEDICATED FROM A FAMILY WHO LOST A CHILD THAT WENT TO HOOVER, PAID FOR IT, PAVED IT. IT'S GOING TO BE TAKEN OUT. I FEEL SORRY FOR THAT FAMILY. IT'S GOING TO BE GONE. BASEBALL FIELDS ARE GOING TO BE GONE. THERE WERE PEOPLE PLAYING ON IT LAST WEEKEND WHEN IT WAS 100 DEGREES OUT. IS GOING TO BE GONE. THEY TELL ME BACK TO THE FLOODING THAT TWO-THIRDS OF THE FLOW WILL GO TO THE NORTHWEST, BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE UNTIL THE OLD SCHOOL IS GONE. EVERYTHING'S GOING TO RUN TOWARDS MY HOUSE OR IN MY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. I NEED SOME PROTECTION. WHAT WERE THEY GOING TO DO TO KEEP THAT WATER FROM FLOWING TOWARDS OUR PROPERTIES? MY NEIGHBOR HAS AN IN-GROUND POOL. SO SAD. BUT STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANYTHING BACK, STILL WAITING. I TALKED TO, I BELIEVE IT WAS ISAAC FROM SHIVE. BUT YOU DON'T HEAR NOTHING BACK. THIS WAS DROPPED ON US TWO MONTHS AGO. WE WENT TO THE SCHOOL MEETING, SAW THE PROPOSAL, AND WE'RE ALL LIKE, I WISH WE WERE INVOLVED, BUT WE WEREN'T. NONE OF US WERE INVOLVED. I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL TO VOTE NO FOR THE REZONING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [01:40:10] >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS LINDA HANSMAN. I LIVE ON ROXBURY DRIVE IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF THE SCHOOL. MY COMMENTS TODAY WILL FOCUS ON THE PROPOSED ACCESS ROAD. THIS WOULD CUT THROUGH THE PROPERTY DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO OUR BACKYARD, EXTENDING FROM WILEY BOULEVARD, ALL ALONG THE WHOLE BLOCK OF HOUSES. THE CURRENT SITE PLAN PLACES THE SCHOOL BUILDING, ALONG WITH ITS BUS AND DELIVERY ENTRANCE, JUST STEPS FROM NEIGHBORING HOMES TO THE SOUTH AND EAST. THIS RAISES SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT LIVABILITY, SAFETY, AND THE CHARACTER OF THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD. THE RESULTING BUS, GARBAGE, AND DELIVERY TRAFFIC WOULD BRING NOISE, POLLUTION, AND SAFETY HAZARDS INTO THIS QUIET RESIDENTIAL AREA. I RECENTLY VISITED THE THREE ALREADY BUILT NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, WEST WILLOW, MAPLE GROVE, AND TRAILSIDE. EACH OF THESE HAS DIRECT ACCESS FROM CITY STREETS, PARKS, OR TRAILS. NONE INCLUDES AN ACCESS ROAD BEHIND HOMES LIKE THE ONE PROPOSED HERE. I URGE THE COUNCIL TO DENY OR TABLE THE REZONING UNTIL THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ARCHITECTS REVISE THE SITE PLAN TO MOVE THE SCHOOL BUILDING FURTHER NORTH AND EAST ON THE PROPERTY AND ELIMINATE THE ACCESS ROAD BEHIND RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. THESE CHANGES WOULD IMPROVE BUFFERING FOR NEIGHBORS, REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, AND PROVIDE SAFER, MORE APPROPRIATE CIRCULATION. A ROAD FOR LARGE VEHICLES DIRECTLY BEHIND YARDS WHERE CHILDREN PLAY IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU FOR HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS SARAH HANSMAN, AND I ADDRESS THE COUNCIL TODAY TO SPEAK AGAINST THE REZONING OF HOOVER SCHOOL AS PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL IN SOLIDARITY WITH MY NEIGHBORS. I AM AN ALUMNI OF HOOVER SCHOOL AND GREW UP IN ONE OF THE HOMES ADJACENT TO HOOVER'S PROPERTY, AND RECENTLY RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY. I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY STATING THAT THE REZONING NOTICE SENT TO OUR HOMES CONTAINED INCORRECT MEETING INFORMATION, WHICH IS STILL POSTED ON THE CITY'S DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES PAGE. I AM NOT AN EXPERT, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE CONTRARY TO OPEN MEETINGS LAW, AND THERE COULD BE PEOPLE EXPECTING TO COME TO THIS MEETING ON THURSDAY, AS THE NOTICE STATES, AND THUS WOULD BE DENIED PUBLIC COMMENT. NO CORRECTIONS WERE OFFERED TO CONTACTED RESIDENTS WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THIS MEETING, AND THE IWA PUBLIC INFORMATION BOARD HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS. I WOULD ASK THAT THE REZONING OF HOOVER BE TABLED UNTIL THIS OVERSIGHT CAN BE REVIEWED AND CORRECTED APPROPRIATELY AND LAWFULLY. AS A STUDENT, I WALK TO SCHOOL, CUTTING BETWEEN THE HOMES ON ROXBURY AND ACROSS THE SCHOOL FIELD, AS MANY STUDENTS STILL DO TODAY. NOW, THERE IS A PROPOSAL FOR A HIGH-TRAFFIC ACCESS ROAD IN THAT PLACE, WHICH WAS DESIGNED WITHOUT ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR PRELIMINARY NEIGHBORHOOD INPUT. FURTHERMORE, NO PREVIOUS SCHOOL REBUILD HAS DISRUPTED AN EXISTING NEIGHBORHOOD THIS EXTENSIVELY. NONE HAVE ACCESS ROADS LIKE THE ONE PROPOSED AT HOOVER, IN WHICH BUSES, GARBAGE, AND DELIVERY TRUCKS WILL CIRCLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY, CREATING CONSTANT NOISE POLLUTION AND SMELL FOR NEIGHBORS. RATHER, THEIR ACCESS POINTS ARE ADJACENT TO TRAILS, TIMBER, AND PUBLIC STREETS, NOT IN RESIDENTIAL BACKYARDS. PRESUMABLY, PEOPLE INSIDE THE NEW SCHOOL ON THE SECOND LEVEL COULD LOOK INTO OUR BACKYARDS AND HOMES DURING THE DAY. THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING OF THE NEW SCHOOL AND ITS PROPOSED PROXIMITY WILL NO DOUBT BLEED INTO OUR BACKYARDS AND NORTH WINDOWS AFTER DARK. FROM WHERE THE SCHOOL SITS NOW, WE CAN HEAR ANNOUNCEMENTS IN SCHOOL BELLS, AND I EXPECT THEIR VOLUME WILL INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY AND BE HEARD INSIDE OF OUR HOMES. WHEN THE SCHOOL DAY ENDS, WE REMAIN AS WE HAVE FOR 35 YEARS. WE ARE NEIGHBORHOOD STEWARDS AND ADVOCATES FOR THE SCHOOL AND ITS GROUNDS. I, IN PARTICULAR, HAVE KEPT WATCH OVER A MEMORIAL TO MY BEST FRIEND FROM CHILDHOOD, HER NAME WAS RYAN ALIF, FOR 30 YEARS. SHE DIED SUDDENLY IN THE SUMMER BETWEEN FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADE WHILE WE WERE STUDENTS THERE, AND HER FAMILY, ALONG WITH THEN PRINCIPAL, HENRY SMALL, AND THE HOOVER PTA, ORGANIZED THE INSTALLATION OF A PAVED TRAIL WITH A PERENNIAL GARDEN AND MEMORIAL STONE IN HER HONOR. WE ALSO PLANTED TWO TREES ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE SCHOOL DURING OUR FIFTH-GRADE GRADUATION, ALL IN HONOR TO HER. ONE OF THOSE TREES REMAINS AFTER THE [INAUDIBLE] WE DO NOT WANT ANY OF THESE MEMORIALS DESTROYED AND FORGOTTEN, BUT UNTIL I BECAME AWARE OF THE SCHOOL'S NEW PLANS AND REACHED OUT TO RYAN'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO BEGIN OUR ADVOCACY, THEIR PLAN WAS TO TEAR ALL THAT DOWN. A DISTRICT REP WAS QUOTED IN THE GAZETTE AS SAYING, SOMETIMES WE LOSE SIGHT OF THESE THINGS. WELL, I NEVER LOST SIGHT. I WONDER HOW ANYONE FAMILIAR WITH THE SCHOOL TODAY COULD SAY THAT. [01:45:03] IT'S A LARGE STONE. IT BEARS HER NAME, AND IT'S RIGHT BESIDE THE TRAIL AND THE PARKING LOT, WHICH STUDENTS AND STAFF PASS BY EVERY DAY AS THEY MAKE USE FREQUENTLY OF THIS TRAIL FOR RECESS, PE, AND BREAKS. IT'S LOSS IN FAVOR OF A SMALL CORPORATE, I WILL EDITORIALIZE UGLY. ENCLOSED PLAYGROUNDS THAT THE OTHER REBUILT SCHOOLS NOW HAVE WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND TO THE MEMORY OF THIS DECEASED CHILD OF CEDAR RAPIDS, SOMEONE WE STILL LOVE AND REMEMBER AT THAT PLACE. ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND EVEN ELECTED OFFICIALS COME AND GO, BUT WE STILL LIVE THERE, AND WE DESERVE TO HAVE OUR NEEDS FAIRLY AND GENUINELY CONSIDERED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CITY. WE RESPECT THE NEED FOR A MODERN CAMPUS. WE DON'T CONSIDER OURSELVES NIMBI PEOPLE, BUT WE NEED TO FIND A COMPROMISE TO COEXIST. WE, AS A NEIGHBORHOOD, ARE OPEN TO CONTINUING THESE CONVERSATIONS, WHICH HAVE BEEN PROPOSED BY THE DISTRICT REGARDING THE MEMORIAL AND SHIVE HATTERY, REGARDING THE ACCESS ROAD, BUT THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAVE NOT YET OCCURRED. IT IS APPROPRIATE TO PRIORITIZE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND COMPROMISES BEFORE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS OR ANY ADMINISTRATIVE PRE-AUTHORIZATIONS ARE GRANTED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL ON THIS ISSUE? >> SORRY ABOUT THAT. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, NAME IS ASA BETTY. I LIVE AT 5902 DEAN ROAD, SOUTHWEST. IT'S OUTSIDE OF THE AREA, BUT AS RESIDENTS HAVE STATED, THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH THE ACCESS DRIVE BEING UP AGAINST THEIR BACKYARDS. I'M LOOKING AT THE BUILDING SHAPE AS WELL. THIS SITE IS BIG ENOUGH TO DO DIFFERENT SHAPES VERSUS THE ONE THAT'S CURRENTLY PROPOSED TO ALLOW MORE SPACE BETWEEN THE ACCESS DRIVE AND THE RESIDENTS' NEIGHBORS' BACKYARDS. ALSO, THE AMOUNT OF PAYMENT THAT WILL BE ADDED TO THE SITE MIGHT BE OF A CONCERN BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE PAVEMENT THERE THAN THERE ORIGINALLY IS RIGHT NOW. THE USE OF MAYBE PERMEABLE PAVERS OR SUCH THINGS TO MITIGATE WATER RUNOFF FOR NEIGHBORS AND AFFECTED PARTIES INVOLVED WOULD ALSO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION. AS FAR AS MEMORIALS AND STUFF GO, MAYBE PRESERVING THOSE, MOVING THEM OFF-SITE INTO SAFE STORAGE, AND THEN MOVING THEM BACK ONTO THE NEW SITE WHEN THE NEW SITE IS COMPLETED, WHATEVER IT MAY GO, MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO BE LOOKED INTO. I'M NOT OPPOSED TO HAVING A SCHOOL HERE. NEW SCHOOLS ARE NEEDED. BUT LIKE NEIGHBORS HAVE SAID, DESIGN PLANS NEED TO BE TWEAKED, MAYBE CHANGED A LITTLE BIT TO ACCOMMODATE RESIDENTS' CONCERNS AND NEEDS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, I'M ISAAC HODGINS AGAIN WITH SHIVE-HATTERY, FROM HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS. I JUST GOT SOME POINTS HERE TO GO THROUGH. THE EXISTING SCHOOL MUST REMAIN IN SERVICE DURING CONSTRUCTION, AS WE HAVE HEARD, AND WE'LL HEAR A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT WHEN MICHAEL KLEEN COMES UP HERE. THE EXISTING GEOTHERMAL WELL FIELD THAT IS SOUTH OF THE SCHOOL THAT SERVES THE ADDITION, THAT MUST BE PRESERVED WHILE THE EXISTING BUILDING REMAINS IN SERVICE. ALSO, BUILDING ON TOP OF THIS EXISTING GEOTHERMAL FIELD WHEN IT IS ABANDONED IS UNSAFE DUE TO POTENTIALLY LEADING TO CONSTRUCTION BUILDING FOUNDATIONS ON UNSTABLE GROUND. TO FOLLOW UP ON THE QUESTIONS ABOUT PROXIMITY THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED DURING CPC MEETING AND NEIGHBORHOOD INPUT, WE CONFIRMED THAT ALL GEOTHERRMAL WELLS, THE NEW ONES, WILL BE PLACED FURTHER THAN FIVE FEET, AS BASED ON THE CITY SETBACK REQUIREMENTS. THE SITE'S NORTHEAST CORNER HOUSES MODULAR CLASSROOMS, THE PORTABLES THAT HAS BEEN POINTED OUT, AND THE ONLY PLAYGROUND AREA AVAILABLE DURING CONSTRUCTION IS LOCATED TO THE EAST. TO THE SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ARE AREAS LARGE ENOUGH TO HAVE THE APPROPRIATE ACCESS TO THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEW SCHOOL BUILDING FOOTPRINT, WHICH HAS BEEN DEPICTED. FIRE TRUCK ACCESS AND IOWA STATE CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR A SEPARATE BUS DROP-OFF LOCATION REQUIRE THE DRIVE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE NEW BUILDING, THAT IS NEAR THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ON ROXBURY. WE ALSO DID HEAR CONCERNS ABOUT GASOLINE AND DIESEL EXHAUST IN THE LOCATION, [01:50:04] THE NEW SOUTH DRIVE. THIS IS NOT A THOROUGHFARE. THERE WILL BE EIGHT BUSES MAXIMUM THAT WE USE TO DRIVE TWICE A DAY, AS WELL AS DELIVERIES AND POTENTIAL FIRE TRUCK USE, AND THE DELIVERIES ARE PRETTY SPORADIC. THE NEW SCHOOL WILL HAVE MULTIPURPOSE FIELDS WITH USE SOCCER FIELD DIMENSIONS IN MINE. OUR UNDERSTANDING IS STUDENTS LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING SPACE TO PLAY SOCCER, BUT THOSE MULTI-USE FIELDS CAN BE USED FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES AS WELL. CONCERNING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, MOST STORMWATER WILL BE ROUTED TO A NEW NORTH DETENTION BASIN FROM THE PROPOSED PARKING LOT AND BUILDING WITH A SMALL AMOUNT ROUTED TO THE EAST ALONG AN EXISTING DRAINAGE PATH. THE NORTH DETENTION BASIN WILL PROVIDE NEW STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FOR THE SITE, AND A NEW DRAINAGE BASIN IN BERN WILL CONTROL RUNOFF ON THE EAST SIDE. THE ONES ON THE EAST SIDE WILL BE ADDED TO OUR PLANS IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. DURING CONSTRUCTION, CARE WILL BE TAKEN TO MANAGE CONSTRUCTION STORMWATER MANAGEMENT OR STORMWATER RUNOFF FROM THE EXISTING BUILDING AND NEW CONSTRUCTION THAT MAY TEMPORARILY RAIN EAST UNTIL THE EXISTING BUILDING IS REMOVED. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL DEFINITELY COMPLY WITH THE SCREENING REQUIREMENTS BETWEEN THE DRIVE AND THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. THE DRIVE IS MOSTLY 20 FEET MINIMUM FROM THE PROPERTY LINE. IT MAY HAVE TO CURVE SLIGHTLY AROUND THE PROPOSED BUILDING'S SOUTHWEST CORNER. THERE WILL BE SIGNIFICANT NEW LANDSCAPING THAT WILL BE PLACED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS, INCLUDING TREE ISLANDS, IN THE PARKING LOT AND AROUND THE PARKING LOTS PERIMETER, AS WELL AS MANY TREES THAT WILL REPLACE TREES THAT ARE REMOVED. YES, THOSE WILL TAKE TIME TO MATURE, BUT IT WILL BE DONE IN A VERY CONTROLLED MANNER THAT SHOULD LOOK VERY NICE, AND ALSO MANY SHRUBS AND PLANTINGS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE AS WELL. WE WILL HAVE FOLLOW-UP NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS. SOME OF THE RESIDENCES THAT ARE ADJACENT TO IT HAVE BEEN MAILED ABOUT THAT TO TRY TO FIND DATES THAT WORK BEST FOR THEM SINCE THEY HAVE MANY OF THE MAJOR CONCERNS. THAT IS UPCOMING IN THE NEAR FUTURE. NO, I DO NOT HAVE DATES FOR THOSE YET, BOTH FOR THIS ONE AND THE PREVIOUS ONE, BUT THAT WILL BE COMING SOON. WE DID SUBMIT THE SITE PLANS FOR THE INITIAL REVIEW TO THE CITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THOSE MAKE THOSE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE. IF ANY RESIDENTS WOULD EVER LIKE TO SEE THOSE, THEY CAN GET THEM FROM THE CITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, OR THEY CAN GET THAT FROM OUR SHIVE-HATTERY CEDAR RAPIDS OFFICE. I WOULD BE GLAD TO TALK WITH ANYONE AT ANY TIME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I AM A RESIDENT OF CEDAR RAPIDS. THIS IS MY COMMUNITY. IT MEANS A LOT TO ME. I POUR MY HEART INTO WHAT I DO ON A DAILY BASIS IN BOTH MY PERSONAL LIFE AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE. THESE SITES MATTER TO ME, AND I KNOW WE DON'T DESIGN THINGS IN A VACUUM. >> IT'S TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> HELLO. I'M CINDY GARLOCK. I LIVE HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, AND I'M HERE TONIGHT AS PRESIDENT OF THE CEDAR RAPIDS SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD. AS YOU CONSIDER THE REZONING FOR HOOVER ELEMENTARY, I'D LIKE TO SHARE WHY THIS PROJECT IS SO IMPORTANT. NOT ONLY AS THE SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT, BUT ALSO AS A FORMER TEACHER WHO IS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILIES. HOOVER ELEMENTARY IS FAR MORE THAN A SCHOOL. IT'S A VITAL HUB FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND A SOURCE OF STABILITY FOR MANY OF OUR FAMILIES. OUR STUDENT BODY REPRESENTS MORE THAN 20 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND FAMILIES FROM ACROSS THE WORLD. MANY OF THESE FAMILIES FIND HOOVER AS THEIR FIRST AND MOST CONSISTENT POINT OF CONNECTION TO OUR COMMUNITY HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS. BUT HOOVER DOES MORE THAN JUST EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN. IT BRINGS TOGETHER A BROAD NETWORK OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FAMILIES RIGHT INSIDE THAT SCHOOL BUILDING, PARTNERS SUCH AS IOWA LEGAL AID, HAYCAP, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, ZACH JOHNSON FOUNDATION, LINN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, YOUNG PARENTS NETWORK, MATTHEW 25, AND MANY OTHERS, HELP FAMILIES MEET NEEDS THAT EXTEND FAR BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. HOOVER ALSO OPERATES AN ACTIVE FOOD AND CLOTHING PANTRY THAT SERVES EVERYONE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD WHO NEEDS ASSISTANCE. OVER THE PAST DECADE, THE ENROLLMENT AT HOOVER HAS INCREASED FROM 12 CLASSROOMS TO 20. THAT'S NEARLY 200 ADDITIONAL STUDENTS, [01:55:03] AND WE ALL KNOW THAT WE'RE SEEING STEADY GROWTH IN THAT PART OF CEDAR RAPIDS. THE NEED FOR A MODERN, WELL EQUIPPED FACILITY IS VERY, VERY URGENT FOR OUR STUDENTS. A NEW BUILDING WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE OFFERING AN EQUITABLE, HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION FOR EVERY CHILD WHO WALKS THROUGH HOOVER'S DOORS WHILE ALSO PRESERVING THE ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS THAT SUPPORT THE FAMILIES. I ALSO WANT TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE ISSUE OF TIMING AND CONSTRUCTION. AS A FORMER TEACHER, I'VE EXPERIENCED CONSTRUCTION WHILE STUDENT LEARNING TAKES PLACE. DISRUPTION CAUSED BY CLOSING A SCHOOL BUILDING DURING CONSTRUCTION GOES FAR BEYOND JUST MOVING DESKS. IT INTERRUPTS ROUTINES, IT STRAINS RELATIONSHIPS, AND IT IMPACTS ACADEMIC PROGRESS, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE ALREADY ADJUSTING TO NEW LANGUAGES AND CULTURES. STABILITY MATTERS. DISRUPTION WOULD MAKE IT HARDER FOR THESE CHILDREN TO THRIVE BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. THAT'S WHY IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE COMPLETE THIS PROJECT IN A WAY THAT KEEPS HOOVER OPERATIONAL WHILE THE BUILDING IS BUILT. I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO'VE SHOWN UP HERE TONIGHT TO THIS MEETING TO SHARE THEIR COMMENTS AND CONCERNS. AS BOARD PRESIDENT, ALWAYS APPRECIATE HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT OUR DECISIONS THAT IMPACT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. TO OUR NEIGHBORS, I THANK THEM FOR APPEARING HERE TODAY. TO THE COUNCIL, WE'RE HERE FOR A REZONING REQUEST AND SO I DO ASK THAT YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT REZONING REQUEST WHILE WE ADDRESS NEIGHBOR CONCERNS AND COMMENTS. THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS CLINT STONE, I THE PRINCIPAL AT HOOVER COMMUNITY SCHOOL. I WOULD ECHO A LOT OF THE SENTIMENTS THAT PRESIDENT GARLOCK SAID AND PROBABLY NOT AS ELOQUENTLY AS SHE DID, BUT I'VE HAD THE BENEFIT AND THE PLEASURE OF SERVING AS A PRINCIPAL AT HOOVER FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS. OVER THAT TIME, TO CINDY'S POINT, I'VE WATCHED US EXPAND FROM 12-20 CLASSROOMS TO THE POINT WHERE LAST YEAR WE HAD TO ADD TWO PORTABLE CLASSROOMS OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING. THIS FALL WILL GROW AGAIN UP TO 20 CLASSROOMS. WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE WE ARE SHOVING EVERYBODY INTO ANY AVAILABLE SPACE WITHIN THE BUILDING. I KNOW THIS IS A REZONING CONVERSATION, SO THE ONLY REASON THAT SPEAKS TO THE URGENCY WITH WHICH WE NEED THE BUILDING AND THE TIME FRAME IN TERMS OF MOVING FORWARD AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR KIDS GET WHAT THEY NEED. WE'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE A LOT OF OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH A NUMBER OF THE PARTNERS THAT PRESIDENT GARLOCK REFERENCED. BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ALSO ILLUSTRATE THAT INVOLVES MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST HOOVER FAMILIES AND STUDENTS, AND THAT INVOLVES PARENTING CLASSES THAT TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY NIGHT WITH YPN IN THE BUILDING, THAT INVOLVES LANGUAGE CLASSES FOR ADULTS THAT TAKE PLACE WITH KIRKWOOD ON THURSDAY NIGHTS. THAT'S ONCE A MONTH ON THURSDAY NIGHTS, OR EXCUSE ME ON SATURDAYS, WE RUN A WHOLE NETWORK RESOURCE FAIR THROUGH THE BUILDING WHERE ALL OF OUR PARTNERS COME IN AND WE'RE NOT SOLELY SERVING HOOVER FAMILIES. THAT'S CERTAINLY PREDOMINANTLY WHO WE'RE SERVING, BUT IT'S MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. THE FOOD PANTRY THAT SHE ALLUDED TO SERVES 180 DIFFERENT FAMILIES, MANY OF WHOM ARE NOT HOOVER FAMILIES, BUT ARE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. HOOVER SERVES AS A COMMUNITY BASED SCHOOL WHICH WOULD REQUIRE ANOTHER HALF HOUR CONVERSATION AND YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT RIGHT NOW, BUT WHAT I DO WANT TO ILLUSTRATE IS THIS IS MORE THAN JUST 8-4 AND MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR KIDS. IT'S ABOUT US BEING A CORNERSTONE OF THE COMMUNITY. IT'S THE WORK THAT WE DO FOR EVERYBODY. I TOO APPRECIATE HEARING FROM OUR ROXBURY AND CLIVE NEIGHBORS AND APPRECIATE THEIR CONCERNS AS WELL. BUT THIS IS WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR KIDS AND I'M REALLY EXCITED AS OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF ABOUT WHAT THIS COULD MEAN AS WE LOOK TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR FAMILIES. IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, IF YOU FOLLOW THE I SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PROFILE, WE SERVE THE HIGHEST POVERTY SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT AND WE'VE RECEIVED COMMENDABLE AND ACHIEVABLE EXCUSE ME ACCEPTABLE RATINGS ALL OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS. WE'RE ABLE TO DO THINGS FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE NOT TAKING PLACE AT OTHER HIGH POVERTY SCHOOLS BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORTS. WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE AND THAT'S WHY THIS FACILITY IS SO IMPERATIVE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF NOT JUST OUR FAMILIES, BUT OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING. I APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNSEL, IF NOT I'M GOING TO TURN IT BACK TO COUNCIL. COUNSEL COMMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION, COUNCILOR VANORNY. >> YEAH, THANKS, MAYOR. I WOULD ACTUALLY JUST GIVEN THE CONVERSATION TODAY, MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE THE VOTE ON THIS TODAY UNTIL THERE CAN BE A LITTLE BIT MORE WORK ON IT. THE REASON BEING, SO CORRECT ME ON THE PROCEDURAL HERE, BECAUSE WE DO NEED A SUPERMAJORITY IF WE DO NOT HAVE SEVEN VOTES TODAY WHICH WE'RE ONE DOWN, [02:00:05] THEN THE PROJECT WOULD BE DELAYED A YEAR, IS THAT CORRECT? BEFORE I COULD COME BACK FOR ANOTHER REVISIT. >> ESSENTIALLY, OR WE'D HAVE TO GO THROUGH A SUBSEQUENT APPLICATION WHICH IS PRETTY PAINFUL AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT FOUR MEETINGS. YEAH, WE WOULD GENERALLY, IF COUNSEL IS NOT PREPARED TO TAKE FINAL ACTION, RECOMMEND GIVING GUIDANCE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND TABLING. [8. A public hearing will be held to consider amending the Future Land Use Map in the Comprehensive Plan from U-MI, Urban Medium Intensity, to P, Public/Semi-Public, and a change of zone from A-AG, Agricultural District, to P-AP, Public – Airport District, for property at Walford Road SW between 18th Street and 6th Street as requested by the Airport Commission (Seth Gunnerson). CIP/DID #RZNE-000181-2025] >> I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS VOTE. >> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO CONSULT CITY ATTORNEY. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO RECOMMEND IS THAT YOU CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING UNTIL NEXT MEETING ANYWAYS, GIVEN THAT THERE'S SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE NOTICE AND WE WILL JUST REPUBLISH THE NOTICE AT THAT POINT ANYWAYS. THANK YOU. COUNSEL, ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT? I'M INCLINED TO DEFER THIS VOTE. >> YEAH, I'M SATISFIED WITH THAT. >> I GUESS JUST TO UP. WE'RE JUST GOING TO LEAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN UNTIL WE RECONVENE ON JULY 8TH, HOW DOES THAT WORK BASIC? >> YOU WOULD JUST CONTINUE IT TO THE NEXT, SO IT WOULD JUST APPEAR ON THE AGENDA AGAIN AS A PUBLIC HEARING. YOU WOULD JUST ACCEPT ALL THE HEARING THAT YOU'VE ALREADY RECEIVED TODAY SO NOBODY HAS TO COME AND REPEAT ANYTHING. IT WOULD JUST BE A CONTINUATION. SO ADDITION [OVERLAPPING]. >> CORRECT. >> QUESTION ABOUT THE INCORRECT DATE TOO FOR NOTICE. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT WE HAD THE WRONG DATE OR. >> I AS WE'RE SITTING HERE, I LOOKED UP WHAT WAS ON OUR WEBSITE. IT LOOKS LIKE THE NOTICE SAID THURSDAY, THE 24TH, SO I HAD THE CORRECT DAY BUT IT SAY THURSDAY. >> WE WILL INVITE THEN. WE'LL CORRECT THAT ON THE WEBSITE AND THEN THOSE WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND THIS WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE TODAY ARE NOTED. BY THE WAY, I BELIEVE I HAD FIVE HERE, FOUR LETTERS, ONE PETITION WITH 30 SIGNATURES, AND ONE COMMENT FILED. WE'LL JUST KEEP THIS OPEN AND CONTINUE AT THE NEXT MEETING. ITEM IS DEFERRED. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. ITEM NUMBER 8, PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR URBAN MEDIUM INTENSITY TO PUBLIC SEMI PUBLIC AND A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT TO PUBLIC AIRPORT DISTRICT FOR PROPERTY AT WALFORD ROSE, SOUTHWEST BETWEEN 18TH STREET AND 6TH STREET AS REQUESTED BY THE AIRPORT COMMISSION. SETH, ONCE AGAIN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU. >> THANK YOU. SOUTH GARTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. THIS IS A FUTURE LAND USE MAP AND A REZONING FOR LAND, WHICH WAS RECENTLY ANNEXED INTO THE CITY. THIS IS AN 84 ACRE PARCEL TO THE EAST OF THE EXISTING AIRPORT PROPERTY. ACTUALLY, IT WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED BY THE AIRPORT AND ANNEXED TO THE EAST OF THAT SITE IS THE NEW FEDEX PROPERTY AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT ON COMMERCE PARK DRIVE SOUTHWEST. THIS IS SHOWING THE LOCATION NORTH OF WALFORD ROAD. IT HAS BEEN PURCHASED BY THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPORTS REQUESTING THAT IT GOES TO THE PAP OR AIRPORT ZONE DISTRICT. THAT ZONE DISTRICT IS INTENDED FOR AIRPORT OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT. NO SPECIFIC PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE ARE KNOWN OR ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME. [9. A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the 42nd Street NE and Bel Air Drive SE Pavement Rehabilitation project (estimated cost is $1,600,000) (Doug Wilson). (Paving for Progress) CIP/DID #3012545-02] THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP AMENDMENTS REQUIRED BECAUSE THE CITY CODE STATES THAT MAP AMENDMENT IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO GO TO THE PAP OR AIRPORT ZONE DISTRICT. THE PROPERTY WAS ANNEXED IN 2024, ENSURES CONFORMITY WITH THE AIRPORT'S PLAN. IN TERMS OF CRITERIA, THE PROPERTY SUITABLE FOR THE REQUESTED LAND USE AMENDMENT AND THE LAND USE AMENDMENTS CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS AND THE CITY'S AND AIRPORTS OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY. THEN THE REZONING IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ADJACENT AIRPORT TO THE WEST OF IT. BASED ON THAT, STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF BOTH REQUESTS, PENDING TODAY'S ACTION, SECOND AND THIRD READINGS WILL HAPPEN ON JULY 8TH. >> THANKS, SETH. THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS. DOES ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNSEL? LET THE RECORD SHOW. PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD. COUNSEL? SEEING NONE. THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY MYER, SECONDED BY HOEGER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. MOVING ON, WE DO NEED TO VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE. DOES COUNSEL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS ORDINANCE? IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS, THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON HIS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TODD. [PUBLIC COMMENT ] WELCOME. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 9 IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PLAN SPECIFICATIONS FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATED COST FOR [02:05:02] THE 42ND STREET NORTHEAST AND BEAR DRIVE SOUTHEAST PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT. THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,600,000 MILLION. DOUG WILSON IS HERE. DOUG, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU. >> THANK YOU, DOUG WILSON PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. THIS PROJECT ON BOTH 42ND STREET NORTHEAST AND BELAIR DRIVE SOUTHEAST INCLUDES REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE ASPHALT SURFACE, SOME STORM WATER IMPROVEMENTS, SIDEWALK RECONSTRUCTION ON 42ND STREET, AND ADA COMPLIANT SIDEWALK RAMP IMPROVEMENTS ON BOTH BELAIR AND 42ND STREET, FOR 42ND STREET NORTHEAST. THE ROADWAY TO HARDING MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL REMAIN OPEN TO AT LEAST ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC AT ALL TIMES AND THE PROJECT WILL NOT START UNTIL AFTER THE POOL SEASON IS CLOSED. ENGINEER'S OPINION OF PROBABLE COST IS $1,600,000 MILLION. BID OPENING IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 2ND WITH CONSTRUCTION EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER. THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DOUG. THIS IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER. DOES ANYONE HERE WISH TO ADDRESS COUNSEL? LET THE RECORD SHOW A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN HELD WITH NO OBJECTIONS FOR THE RECORD, COUNSEL. SEEING NOTHING FURTHER, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY TODD, SECONDED BY VANORNY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. HERE IN THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS. THE FIRST IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON ANY SUBJECT PERTAINING TO COUNCIL ACTION SCHEDULED FOR TODAY. A SECOND PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD COMES AT THE END OF THE MEETING FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK ON ISSUES THAT ARE GERMANE TO THE CITY, BUT NOT ON THE AGENDA TODAY. COUNCIL MEMBERS AS WELL AS CITY STAFF MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE BEFORE AND AFTER THE COUNCIL MEETINGS. AT THIS TIME DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, WE HERE IS A COUNCIL TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONCERNS. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL MATTERS I ADDRESSED PRIOR TO THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING APPLY TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS AS WELL. REMAIN AT THE LECTERN. IF YOU HAVE DOCUMENTS TO SHARE, GIVE THEM TO THE OFFICER, THE LIGHT TURNS YELLOW. IT'S ONE MINUTE, RED, WE'LL ASK YOU TO TAKE YOUR SEAT AGAIN. IF YOU'VE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, WE'LL ASK YOU TO APPROACH THE MICROPHONE WHEN CALLED UPON. I'LL GO AHEAD AND JUST READ NAMES IN THE ORDER THAT THEY ARE ON THIS LIST. BEGINNING WITH AYLA BOYLAN, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 26. >> AGAIN, I'M AYLA BOYLAN. I LIVE ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS. COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF. I AM NOT NAIVE ENOUGH TO THINK THAT THOSE OF YOU SITTING UP THERE, SOME OF YOU HALF ASLEEP, WITH YOUR DECISIONS ALREADY MADE ON YOUR OWN SELF INTEREST WILL BE SWAYED BY MY COMMENTS. I'M NOT SURE YOU EVER ACTUALLY LISTENED TO PUBLIC COMMENTS OF OTHER REGULAR FOLKS DEDICATED TO BEING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY. YET HERE WE ARE, AGAIN AND AGAIN, ATTEMPTING TO APPEAL TO YOUR EMPATHY OR YOUR EGOS TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. I'M ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO ON ITEM 26, THE ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE OBSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALKS OR OTHER PUBLIC WAYS. I SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED, YET I STILL FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S NOT COMMON SENSE THAT FINDING PEOPLE FOR BEING POOR DOES NOTHING TO FIGHT POVERTY. I WOULD THINK THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO DEBATE THAT FORCIBLY RELOCATING HOUSELESS FOLKS WITH THE IMPENDING THREAT OF DISPOSING OF WHAT FEW BELONGINGS THEY DO HAVE DOES NOTHING TO HELP OUR HOUSELESS COMMUNITY MEMBERS. I SEE THAT YOU VERY PUBLICLY SUPPORT BUSINESS OWNERS AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE STRESS OF THE RISING HOUSEHOLDS POPULATION SEEKING SHELTER CAN PUT A LOT OF STRESS ON SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS. I AGREE THAT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES SHOULD NOT BEAR THE BURDEN OF THIS CITY, STATE, AND COUNTRY SYSTEMIC FAILURES. BUT YET AGAIN, YOU ELECT TO PUSH A PROBLEM YOU HELP CREATE UNDER THE RUG, ACTING AS IF THESE PEOPLE ARE SOME NUISANCE. >> I DON'T PRETEND TO HAVE EVERY ANSWER, AND FRANKLY, IT'S NOT MY JOB. BUT I MIGHT HUMBLY SUGGEST THAT PERHAPS REALLOCATING A PORTION OF THE BLOATED POLICE BUDGET THAT WOULD BE USED TO ENFORCE THIS HARMFUL ORDINANCE AGAINST THE UNHOUSED TO RESOURCES FOR THE INDIVIDUALS MIGHT BE A GOOD PLACE TO START. PERHAPS CANVASSING PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS THAT RELY ON CITY COUNCIL FOR WHAT LITTLE FUNDING THEY STILL RECEIVE FOR THEIR ALREADY OVERBURDENED RESOURCE PROGRAMS IS NOT AN UNBIASED AND ETHICAL WAY TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON AN ORDINANCE THAT FURTHER CRIMINALIZES THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY. ADDITIONALLY, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT CONSULTING A SMALL FOCUS GROUP OF UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS AND ONLY ALLOWING THEIR FEEDBACK TO MILDLY TONE DOWN THE HARM OF AN ORDINANCE WEAPONIZED AGAINST PEOPLE LIKE THEM DOES NOT MAKE AN ORDINANCE GOOD. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ANY UNHOUSED INDIVIDUAL WOULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH ANY FINE AT ALL, LET ALONE $10 FOR MERELY TRYING TO EXIST. ADDITIONALLY, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE BROAD LANGUAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE [02:10:02] SPECIFICALLY, I 6219A, IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO OBSTRUCT OR OCCUPY WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, ANY PORTION OF THE STREET, SIDEWALK OR HIGHWAY, BIKE TRAIL, ALLEY, CITY RIGHT OF WAY, OR OTHER PUBLIC WAY IN A MANNER THAT HINDERS LAWFUL USE BY OTHERS. I ANTICIPATE THAT THE WORDS OBSTRUCT OR OCCUPY, WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION AND IN A MANNER THAT HINDERS LAWFUL USE BY OTHERS, BEING IN THE NOT SO DISTANT FUTURE USED TO LIMIT AND DISSIPATE THOSE USING THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF FREE SPEECH THROUGH PROTEST. AS I KNOW, YOU HAVE SEEN SINCE THE MAYOR DROVE PAST US IN HER CONVERTIBLE, CEDAR PANS HAVE BEEN SHOWING UP TO PROTEST AGAINST THE STRIPPING OF OUR RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS. IT IS HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS COUNCIL AND THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL NOT WEAPONIZE THIS ORDINANCE AGAINST PROTESTERS IN THE SAME WAY THAT IT WILL AGAINST THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY. PERHAPS YOUR TIME WOULD BE BETTER SPENT ON ORDINANCES THAT SEEK TO PROTECT CEDAR RAPIDS RESIDENTS FROM THE IMPENDING ARM OF FASCISM THAT ENCROACHES ON THIS COMMUNITY FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL. ULTIMATELY, THIS ORDINANCE IS DANGEROUS AND DEHUMANIZING, AND IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO CLAIM THAT YOU SEEK TO ETHICALLY ADDRESS THE HOUSING CRISIS IN OUR CITY OR THAT WELCOME IS OUR LANGUAGE, YOU WILL VOTE NO ON THE SIDEWALK OBSTRUCTION ORDINANCE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. JOE BROKAW, I BELIEVE JOE ALREADY SPOKE. HEATHER SHANE, HERE TO SPEAK ON 26. >> HI THERE. MY NAME IS HEATHER SHANE, 1606 14TH AVENUE, SOUTHWEST CEDAR RAPIDS. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, I'M ASKING YOU NOT TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE OBSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALKS AND OTHER PUBLIC WAYS. READING THE DOCUMENT, I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS. FROM WHOM IS THIS COMING? SPECIFICALLY, WHO OR WHAT GROUP WANTS THIS? WHO IS EXCITED ABOUT IT? WHY AREN'T THE STAKEHOLDERS HERE ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTING IT? WHY IS IT THE OPPOSITE OF ALL THE EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH AND PROGRAMS THAT I'VE SEEN ON THIS ISSUE THAT IS OUT THERE? I DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT I'VE SEEN ALL THE EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH THAT IS OUT THERE. WHO DOES THIS EVEN KEEP SAFE? WHERE DOES THIS BEGIN, AND WHERE DOES THIS END WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SPACE? [LAUGHTER] THERE SOME NOSY NEIGHBOR ARE GOING TO START ABUSING THIS AND START CALLING 911 OR SOMETHING. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR OUR CITY'S WORKFORCE? FOR OUR LABOR, HOW DOES THIS BURDEN THEM? WHAT ADDITIONAL LABOR DOES THAT PUT ON THEM? WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF AN UNPAID FINE ON SOMEBODY WHO CAN AFFORD IT? EVERY TIME THERE'S A NEW RULE LIKE THIS, IT SEEMS TO DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT BY POC PEOPLE AND HOW DOES THIS KEEP THEM SAFE? THE REASON I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS IS BECAUSE THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN AFFORDED THE BAREST MINIMUM OF TIME TO GIVE INPUT ON THIS. FROM MY LIMITED UNDERSTANDING ON THE ISSUE, IT SEEMS THAT MANY OF THE STAKEHOLDERS SEEM TO HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AS FAR AS THEIR INPUT IS CONCERNED, THEIR HONEST INPUT. THE AMENDMENT, IN MY OPINION, SEEMS RATHER RUSHED. I'M NOT SURE WHOSE INTEREST IT IS, AND IT SEEMS TO ONLY CONSIDER VERY SHORT-TERM IMPACTS AND BE VERY LIMITED IN SCOPE. WE DESERVE MUCH MORE THOROUGH CONSIDERATION OF AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. WHEN I SEE SOMEBODY WHO'S EXHAUSTED OR SICK OR SOMETHING ON A SIDEWALK, I JUST WANT TO GET THEM TO A BED, SHELTER, SOME CARE, IF THEY'RE SICK, IF THEY'RE SLEEPING, WHATEVER THEY NEED. THIS AMENDMENT OFFERS WHAT A FINE TICKET. THAT'S NOT HELPING. THAT'S NOT A SOLUTION. THAT'S JUST A BARRIER. HOW DOES GIVING THEM A TICKET HELP IN ANY WAY? I PERSONALLY FIND IT VERY IRONIC TO REFER TO A PERSON LYING ON THE STREET IN NEED OF HELP AS AN OBSTRUCTION. THE ONLY THING BEING OBSTRUCTED BY THIS AMENDMENT WOULD BE OUR LIBERTIES. [02:15:07] I'VE ALSO BEEN ASKED TO READ A STATEMENT BY JEFFREY SHAPIRO FROM CEDAR RAPIDS. I HAVE LIVED IN THIS WONDERFUL CITY FOR 18 YEARS. I INITIALLY CAME HERE TO WORK FOR A MAJOR AEROSPACE COMPANY LOCATED IN THE CITY. I STAYED HERE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE CARING AND KIND. I LIKE MANY AMERICANS PRIZE OUR FREEDOMS AND EXPECT THE SAME OF OUR ELECTED LEADERS. TOO OFTEN, WE HAVE SEEN LEADERS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL STRIP US OF OUR RIGHTS IN THE NAME OF SAFETY. IN REALITY, THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE. THESE RULES ARE CREATED TO SUPPRESS US, AND OFTEN THE WEAKEST OF US. BY VOTING TO SUPPORT REVISION OF SECTION 6219, YOU OPEN THE DOOR TO OPPRESS CITIZENS WITH BROAD DISCRETION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, ENABLING AN AUTHORITARIAN STATE AND A DEGRADATION TO OUR RIGHTS OF FREE ASSEMBLY AND FREE SPEECH. PERHAPS THAT IS THE POINT OF THE CODE CHANGE. HOWEVER, THAT IS NOT THE CITY I WANT TO LIVE IN. I AM FORTUNATE. I HAVE MEANS TO MOVE ELSEWHERE WHERE FREEDOM ISN'T A HOLLOW CONCEPT, BUT RATHER IS HELD TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS. RESTRICTIONS MUST BE THE VERY LAST RESORT OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE FACE OF OVERWHELMING PUBLIC SAFETY INTEREST, WITH SUBSTANTIAL TRANSPARENCY AND DEBATE. THIS CODE CHANGE EMBODIES NONE OF THESE PRINCIPLES. PLEASE VOTE NO. KEEP CEDAR RAPIDS FREE, HONOR THOSE THAT CAME BEFORE US AND DIED PROTECTING THESE IDEALS. >> THANK YOU. SEAN KERRY FROM HIAWATHA. >> HELLO. I'M SEAN FROM HIAWATHA. I AM URGING YOU TO VOTE NO ON THE SIDEWALK AMENDMENT NUMBER 26 TONIGHT. SOLVING THE UNHOUSED PROBLEM IN CEDAR RAPIDS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD ALL LOOK FORWARD TO DOING. WE SHOULD STRIVE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT. UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK THIS SOLUTION THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT TONIGHT PUSHES THAT OFF ONTO THE POLICE. EXACERBATES A PROBLEM WHERE TENSION BETWEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THE POLICE IS GOING TO INCREASE. THE POTENTIAL OF LOSING ALL THEIR BELONGINGS AND HAVING A FINE AS SMALL AS $10 MIGHT BE TO US. THOSE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE $10 TO AFFORD OR MAYBE A BANK ACCOUNT TO STORE MONEY TO PAY THAT FINE. I THINK THAT WILL INCREASE DESPERATION ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHEN FACED WITH THE POLICE COMING UP TO THEM. I WANT TO REMOVE THAT TENSION BY NOT HAVING THESE REPERCUSSIONS. I THINK THERE'S MORE TO BE DONE THAT THE COMMUNITY COULD LOOK INTO, THAT CITY COUNCIL COULD LOOK INTO, THAT HELPS UNHOUSED POPULATIONS FIND MEANINGFUL SHELTER WORK, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO LIVE ON THE STREETS. I THINK THAT SHOULD BE THE GOAL HERE. I THINK SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS AND RESPECTING THEIR DIGNITY AND HUMANITY SHOULD BE A GOAL OF THIS CITY COUNCIL, AND I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. LAURA ARCHER, CEDAR RAPIDS. IS IT LUNA? I APOLOGIZE. >> NO. MY HANDWRITING IS HORRIBLE. >> LUNA, ITEM NUMBER 26. >> SURE. IF IT EXPLAINS IT AT ALL, MY HANDWRITING IS SO HORRIBLE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS FOR THE TIME THAT I'VE LIVED HERE. I'VE ALSO HELD MANY HATS WORKING IN SOCIAL SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN MENTAL HEALTH REHABILITATION IN SIMILAR FIELDS. I'M HERE TODAY SPEAKING FOR ALL THOSE WHO CANNOT. EVEN SOME OF THOSE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO ATTEND, BUT COULDN'T STAY FOR THE DURATION OF THIS MEETING. BUT WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT THOSE WHO AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER IN AGENDA 6, IF I RECALL, THAT THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IMMIGRATION. MANY OF THEM ARE FEARFUL OF COMING INTO THESE SPACES. THIS IS ALSO VERY PREVALENT BECAUSE HOMELESSNESS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS MINORITIES. THOSE THAT ARE IMMIGRANTS, PEOPLE THAT ARE BLACK, PEOPLE THAT ARE QUEER. WE SEE MUCH HIGHER RATES OF HOMELESSNESS AMONGST THESE COMMUNITIES. THIS SENTIMENT OF NOT IN MY BACKYARD THAT IS PROPOSED FROM THIS AMENDMENT [02:20:03] OF OUR SIDEWALKS LAWS SEEMS MINUSCULE IN A WAY, BUT IN THE WAY THAT WE THINK, IT'S JUST $10. THE IMPORTANT THING WE NEED TO REMEMBER HERE IS THAT IT ALSO CARRIES A MISDEMEANOR. IT ALSO CARRIES AN INVITATION FOR POLICE INTERRECTION IN COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH THAT MAY BE FEARFUL OF THE POLICE AFTER YEARS AND YEARS OF THE POLICE NOT BEING IN THEIR CORNER, AS THEY'VE BEEN PROVEN TO BE NOT IN THEIR CORNER, TIME AND TIME AGAIN. POLICE TRAINING IS OFTEN EXTREMELY BRIEF, AND I DON'T FAULT POLICE OFFICERS FOR NOT HAVING THE TRAINING READY TO HELP THOSE WITH MENTAL ISSUES. IN MY FIELD OF WORK, I'VE DISCOVERED THAT I'VE HAD MORE DE-ESCALATION TRAINING THAN THE MAJORITY OF POLICE OFFICERS IN OUR AREA. IN ADDITION TO THE WORRY OF ARREST AND ESCALATING TENSIONS WHEN THERE ARE POLICE CALLED FOR JUST SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE MORE OF AN ISSUE REGARDING SOCIAL SAFETY, THIS MISDEMEANOR CAN BE RATHER RUINOUS. WE USUALLY THINK OF FELONIES AS RUINOUS ONES, BUT MISDEMEANORS CAN AFFECT JOB PROSPECTS, THEY CAN AFFECT HOUSING PROSPECTS. MANY OF THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT I'VE BEEN EMPLOYED AT HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, THERE IS A TICK ON A BOX SAYING, IF YOU'VE BEEN ARRESTED, IF YOU'VE BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME, AND YOU CAN BE DENIED ACCESS TO HOUSING TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND VARIOUS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THOSE THAT HAVE JUST COMMITTED THE CRIME OF BEING HOMELESS, JUST COMMITTED THE CRIME THAT YOU GUYS PROPOSE IF WE CRIMINALIZE THE ACT OF BEING HOMELESS. AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE VAGUENESS OF THIS POLICY. IT SEEMS THAT THE WORDING USED CAN IMPACT THOSE THAT ARE JUST HERE TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR FREEDOM OF SPEECH. THIS IS ONLY MADE POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE SCOTUS DECISION IN 2024, ALLOWING LOWER COURTS, LOWER LEGISLATIVE BODIES TO CRIMINALIZE THESE ACTS. BUT WE HAVE SHOWN HERE AS IOWANS THAT WE DO NOT ALWAYS AGREE WITH SCOTUS RULINGS. IN APRIL OF 2025, WE DEMONSTRATED THAT EXACTLY ABOUT THE DOBBS DECISION. WE WERE 1,000 STRONG THAT DAY, EVEN MORE SO, DEPENDING ON RANGING NUMBERS. WE'RE WORRIED THAT PEACEFUL PROTESTERS LIKE MYSELF. I'M WITH 5051, AND UNITED IOWANS WILL BE PERSECUTED AND PROSECUTED FOR SIMPLY EXERCISING OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. THE INITIAL DATE THAT THIS AMENDMENT WAS PROPOSED, AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 26, WE NOTICED WAS MAY 25TH. THAT WAS ONE MONTH AFTER THOSE APRIL PROTESTS. SORRY, I'M TOTALLY BLANKING ON THE WORD. IT WAS 12 DAYS AFTER ANOTHER PROTEST. ALSO 12 DAYS AFTER THIS SIMILAR BILL HAS FAILED TO GO THROUGH IN THE IOWA LEGISLATURE, SPECIFICALLY HOUSE BILL 286, AND THAT IS WHEN THIS BILL WAS PROPOSED. THE HOMELESS SHELTERS THAT WE HAVE ARE OVERWORKED, ESPECIALLY AFTER DOGE HAS RAVAGED THROUGH MANY SOCIAL SAFETY NETS. THE MORE OF THESE SHELTERS THAT ARE GETTING CLOSED DOWN, GETTING LESS RESOURCES, THEY DIVERT A LOT OF THEIR RESOURCES OVER. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. >> THAT'S TIME. THANK YOU. GRETCHEN LAWYER, CEDAR RAPIDS, ITEM NUMBER 26. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS GRETCHEN LAWYER. I LIVE AT 5770, 1ST AVENUE NORTHWEST IN CEDAR RAPIDS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL TONIGHT AND MAYOR O'DONNELL, REGARDING ITEM NUMBER 26 ON THE AGENDA, THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 62 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, SPECIFICALLY, SECTION 6219, CONCERNING OBSTRUCTING SIDEWALKS OR OTHER PUBLIC WAYS. I AM IN OPPOSITION TO THIS AMENDMENT, AND I URGE YOU TO RECONSIDER ITS ADOPTION. [02:25:01] "SLEEP IS A BIOLOGICAL NECESSITY, NOT A CRIME. " SAID JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMAYOR IN HER DISSENT OF THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION IN GRANTS PASS VERSUS JOHNSON, JUST ABOUT A YEAR AGO. SHE WENT ON TO SAY, "FOR PEOPLE WITH NO ACCESS TO SHELTER, THAT PUNISHES THEM FOR BEING HOMELESS. THAT IS UNCONSCIONABLE, AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL." UNFORTUNATELY, THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT DECIDED THAT CITIES DO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO JAIL PEOPLE FOR BEING POOR AND UNHOUSED, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD DO IT. THE CHALLENGES FACED BY OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS ARE COMPLEX. AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND THE VAST INCOME INEQUALITY RISING ACROSS OUR COUNTRY, AND RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY IS LEADING TO MORE HOMELESSNESS. CRIMINALIZING PEOPLE'S PRESENCE ON SIDEWALKS OR IN OTHER PUBLIC SPACES DOES NOTHING TO ADDRESS THESE SYSTEMIC ISSUES. INSTEAD, IT DEEPENS PEOPLE'S STRUGGLES BY SUBJECTING THEM TO FINES, CRIMINAL RECORDS, AND FURTHER DISPLACEMENT, MAKING IT EVEN HARDER TO GET STABILITY IN THEIR LIVES. THIS POLICY PROPOSAL RISKS INFRINGING UPON THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF ALL RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY THE RIGHT TO PEACEFULLY ASSEMBLE AND PROTEST ON PUBLIC SIDEWALKS AND IN PUBLIC SPACES. OUR PUBLIC SPACES ARE VITAL PLATFORMS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS TO EXPRESS THEIR GRIEVANCES, ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE, AND BUILD COMMUNITY SOLIDARITY. THIS POLICY CHANGE UNDER THE GUISE OF ADDRESSING SAFETY CONCERNS COULD INADVERTENTLY OR INTENTIONALLY BE USED TO SUPPRESS THESE CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED ACTIVITIES. THESE RESTRICTIONS UNDERMINE OUR DEMOCRATIC IDEALS AND SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT TO STIFLE OUR RIGHT TO PEACEFULLY ASSEMBLE. IF YOU'VE EVER READ TIMOTHY SNYDER'S BOOK, ON TYRANNY, YOU'LL KNOW THAT OBEYING IN ADVANCE IS ONE OF THE INDICATORS OF TYRANNY AND A FASCISM, AND IN A WAY, THAT'S WHAT THIS POLICY PROPOSAL DOES, OBEYING IN ADVANCE. MOREOVER, THE LANGUAGE IN THIS AMENDMENT APPEARS TO CAST A WIDE NET, POTENTIALLY TARGETING NOT ONLY THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, BUT ALSO PEOPLE WHO MAY SIMPLY BE ENGAGING IN ORDINARY ACTIVITIES ON SIDEWALKS, TRAILS, OR OTHER PUBLIC WAYS. SUCH AMBIGUITY IN ENFORCEMENT COULD LEAD TO ARBITRARY OR DISCRIMINATORY APPLICATION, FURTHER ERODING TRUST BETWEEN THE CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE PART OF MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES. RATHER THAN PUNITIVE MEASURES, I URGE THE COUNCIL TO EXPLORE COMPASSIONATE AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND PUBLIC SAFETY. AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EXPANDED ACCESS TO SHELTERS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH, SUPPORT, AND JOB TRAINING ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF HOW THE CITY CAN HELP ALLEVIATE HOMELESSNESS. THESE PROACTIVE MEASURES WOULD NOT ONLY ADDRESS THE CONCERNS RAISED, BUT ALSO REFLECT THE VALUES OF EMPATHY AND JUSTICE THAT CEDAR RAPIDS SHOULD PROUDLY UPHOLD AS WELCOME AS OUR LANGUAGE. THE CHANGE TO CHAPTER 62 WOULD DO FAR MORE HARM THAN GOOD. IT MISDIAGNOSES THE ISSUE, DEEPENS THE STRUGGLES OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS AND RISK INFRINGING ON THE RIGHTS OF ALL RESIDENTS. I RESPECTFULLY URGE THE COUNCIL TO VOTE AGAINST THIS POLICY CHANGE AND INSTEAD COMMIT TO MEANINGFUL, COMPASSIONATE, AND INCLUSIVE SOLUTIONS THAT REFLECT THE BEST OF WHAT OUR CITY CAN BE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU, BETTY STRONG. I THINK BETTY MAY HAVE SPOKEN ALREADY ON THE OTHER ISSUE. NO, ON 9926. IS BETTY STILL HERE? NOBODY. KATHERINE FRANZENBERG, HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 26. >> YES, KATHERINE FRANZENBERG, LIVE ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE. I WANT TO SPEAK AGAINST THIS. I APPRECIATED HEARING YOU AS WE CAME IN, HAD THE CALL TO PRAYER AS YOU BEGIN, AND I CAN'T HELP BUT THINKING OF THE FACT THAT JESUS HAS SAID TO US, "AS YOU DO IT TO THE OF THE LEAST OF THESE, YOU DO IT UNTO ME." AND STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE TO NOT HOUSE HOMELESS PEOPLE, THAN IT IS TO FIND HOUSING FOR THEM. I COMMEND THE CITY. I'M SORRY THAT I CAN'T PULL UP THE NAME, BUT THE ARTICLE THAT WAS RECENTLY IN THE GAZETTE ABOUT HIRING SOMEONE TO SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE HOMELESS ISSUE AND BE PROACTIVE. THEN I THINK ABOUT THE OVERFLOW SHELTER, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY YEAR WHEN THAT SHELTER CLOSES, [02:30:02] THE WEATHER GETS COLDER, AND I KEEP THINKING OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THE STREETS AT THAT POINT IN TIME. AS THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS HAVE MENTIONED, THERE ARE MULTIPLE REASONS FOR HOMELESSNESS. TO PROVIDE SOMETHING THAT'S PROACTIVE AND PROVIDE HOUSING FOR THEM IS FAR MORE COST EFFECTIVE, NOT TO MENTION THE EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS FOR THE PERSON. THOSE OF US WHO ARE PRIVILEGED TO HAVE OUR OWN HOMES, LET US BE REALLY SENSITIVE TO THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE THAT. I ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST THAT AND THAT WE CAN FIND THE REASON. ONLY WAIT, ONE OTHER COMMENT. THE TRAIL OF A MISDEMEANOR IS LONG AND PENALIZING. LIKE THEY SAID, THAT AFFECTS YOUR HOUSING, THAT AFFECTS GETTING JOBS, AND THE MISDEMEANOR FOR BEING ON THE STREETS WORKS AGAINST THE VERY ISSUE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO CORRECT, SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST IT. >> I HAVE CINDY GARLOCK NEXT, BUT I THINK SHE ALREADY SPOKE ON ANOTHER ISSUE. SHE'S GONE. BRAD COLTON FROM MARION, HERE SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 26. >> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME. MY NAME IS BRAD COLTON, MY WIFE AND I CURRENTLY LIVE IN MARION, BUT WE HAVE SPENT MOST OF OUR LIVES IN CEDAR RAPIDS. IN FACT, WE STILL GO TO ST. PAUL'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, WHICH IS IN THE WELLINGTON HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD, AND WE HAVE QUITE A FEW UNHOUSED FOLKS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. I WANT TO AFFIRM WHAT THE COUNCIL HAS DONE IN PAST YEARS TO MAKE THIS A WELCOMING, LOVING CITY. I LOVE THAT. I THINK WE HAVE A LOT TO BE PROUD OF. HOWEVER, THIS CHANGE IN THE LAW IS NOT LOVING, IS NOT WELCOMING, IS NOT COMPASSIONATE. I VOLUNTEER AT TWO FOOD BANKS IN CEDAR RAPIDS AND THE WILLIS DADY DAY CENTER, AND IF YOU'VE INTERACTED WITH THOSE PEOPLE, THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE. THEY ARE UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES. THEY WILL NOT BE HELPED BY BEING CRIMINALIZED. I ECHO THE COMMENTS ABOUT WE NEED TO DO POSITIVE THINGS TO HELP THEM AS OPPOSED TO CRIMINALIZE THEM. WHERE WILL THEY GO? THEY ARE WITH US. WE NEED TO HELP THEM. I ALSO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE RIGHT OF PROTESTS, THE RIGHT TO GATHER IN PUBLIC PLACES. HOWEVER YOU VOTE TONIGHT, I WOULD URGE YOU TO MAKE A PERSONAL VISIT TO THE WILLIS DADY DAY CENTER, NINTH STREET, NORTHWEST. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY, IT'S OPEN 9:00 TO ONE O'CLOCK, TO MEET THOSE PEOPLE, TO TALK WITH THEM, TO UNDERSTAND THEM. AT A TIME WHEN OUR STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PUNISHING PEOPLE FOR BEING POOR, I ASKED YOU TO BE COMPASSIONATE AND BE LOVING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. DETRACY ANN BURGE, HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 26. NO. HAS JULIE RODFORD SPOKEN? JULIE, ARE YOU HERE? SAM WILSON, ITEM 26. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SAM WILSON. I'M A RESIDENT HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS IN DISTRICT 1. I HAVE A LONG RUNNING TRACK RECORD WORKING PROFESSIONALLY IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR, AND I AM GRATEFUL TO HAVE SPENT SOME OF THAT TIME WORKING AT WILLIS DADY HOMELESS SERVICES AS THEIR GRANT COORDINATOR. FROM MY TIME THERE, WORKING AT WILLIS DADY, I LEARNED MUCH. A GOOD PORTION OF THAT PERSPECTIVE WAS SPENDING TIME IN THE DAY CENTER, [02:35:04] JUST LIKE THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER. HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AND ASSIST WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE IN UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES WHO LITERALLY DO NOT HAVE A DOLLAR TO THEIR NAME AND RELY ON SOCIAL SERVICES TO HELP THEM GET BY DAY TO DAY. HEARING THE EXTENDED CONCERNS FOR MISDEMEANOR, I AM EVEN MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE CHANGE AND UPDATE. I'M CURIOUS IF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE POINT IN TIME COUNT. YEAH? PERFECT. NOT THE JANUARY COUNT, BUT THE COUNT FOR LAST JULY WAS 174 PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING UNHOUSED, SLEEPING OUTDOORS IN THE STREET, WHICH IS 50 PEOPLE HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THIS IS A CRISIS THAT IS GETTING WORSE AND WILL NOT BE IMPROVED THROUGH FEES, PENALTIES, AND PENALIZING FOLKS WHO ARE UNHOUSED. PENALTIES DO NOT SOLVE PROBLEMS, AS MANY OF MY OTHER FELLOW CITIZENS HAVE OUTLINED TONIGHT. YOU HAVE VERY FORTUNATELY HIRED A NEW PHYSICIAN WHO WAS FEATURED RECENTLY IN THE GAZETTE. I HIGHLY RESPECT J'NAE AND THE WORK THAT SHE IS DOING. SHE OUTLINED SEVERAL PRIORITIES, NONE OF WHICH INCLUDED PENALIZING THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THINGS LIKE BUILDING TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS, GATHERING ACCURATE DATA, AND BRINGING GREATER AWARENESS TO THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS SO THAT WE CAN BETTER MEET THOSE NEEDS, AND ALSO HAVING COUNSEL OF THOSE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVISE ON VARIOUS ISSUES AND OFFERING THEIR PERSPECTIVES THAT SOMEONE LIKE ME WHO'S NEVER EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS THEMSELVES, I COULD NEVER OFFER THE SAME PERSPECTIVES THAT THEY CAN. OTHER PILLARS THAT SHE HIGHLIGHTS ARE THINGS LIKE PREVENTION AND DIVERSION, COORDINATED STRAIGHT OUTREACH, HOUSING-FOCUSED CRISIS RESPONSE, INCREASED ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING EXPANSION. LIKE I SAID, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE NO. IF THERE ARE OTHER PARTICULAR REASONS OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE THAT WE'RE SPEAKING ON TONIGHT THAT ARE GOOD REASONS TO MOVE THIS FORWARD, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE NO TODAY AND POTENTIALLY ADD AN EXEMPTION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AS A COMPROMISE. LAST TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE CITY DID ALREADY HAVE AN ENCAMPMENT POLICY, AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN CEDAR RAPIDS POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND I BELIEVE, SPECIFICALLY THE WILLIS DADY STREET OUTREACH TEAM, WHICH IS A MORE FLEXIBLE AND SUPPORTIVE PROGRAM, AND SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO LEAN ON THAT ALREADY EXISTING ENCAMPMENT POLICY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. LINDSAY ELLICKSON HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 26. >> MY NAME IS LINDSAY ELLICKSON. I LIVE AT 1352 I AVENUE, NORTHEAST IN CEDAR RAPIDS. FOR THOSE OF YOU ON THE COUNCIL WHO DO NOT KNOW ME, I ACTUALLY SPENT NINE YEARS OF MY LIFE WORKING AT WAYPOINT, I JUST QUIT LAST NOVEMBER, AND I SPECIFICALLY WAS A RAPID REHOUSING CASE MANAGER, AND THEN I WAS THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING CASE MANAGER. I SPENT THE MAJORITY OF MY WORK LIFE DOING THAT WORK AND IT IS THE WORK THAT I LOVE. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT COMMUNITY THAT THEY WELCOME YOU IN AND THEY PROTECT EACH OTHER, BUT THEY ALSO PROTECT YOU, AND WHILE THAT WAS JUST MY WORK, THAT IS WHAT I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT. MY LAPTOP DIED, SO I DON'T HAVE ALL THE STUFF THAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. BUT THIS ORDINANCE IS THE ANTITHESIS OF WHAT YOU GUYS ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH BY HIRING J'NAE, BY HAVING THOSE PILLARS, BY BRINGING IN THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE STAND HOMELESSNESS, WHICH I MIGHT ADD DOES NOT RECOMMEND ANY SORT OF FINES OR PENALTIES FOR HOMELESSNESS, IS ANTI ALL OF THAT STUFF, AND IT'S CONTRADICTORY TO ALL OF WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH AND TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THIS, WITH THOSE OTHER PARTS. >> I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME SOME OF YOU HAVE SPENT WITH THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, BUT IT IS A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY, [02:40:02] AND IT'S VERY INTERESTING. I'VE MET A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE WHO SOME OF THEM, UNFORTUNATELY, HAVE ALSO PASSED AWAY BECAUSE LIVING OUTSIDE SHORTENS YOUR LIFESPAN. BUT I WANTED TO ACTUALLY INVITE YOU GUYS TO THE POINT IN TIME COUNT, ANYONE WHO IS AVAILABLE. IT'S ON JULY 30TH THIS YEAR. I STILL GO, EVEN THOUGH I DON'T WORK AT WAY-POINT. I WOULD ALSO SUGGEST THAT FUNDING A LOT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES IS WHAT WE NEED. I LEFT WAYPOINT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF BEING ABLE TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND A LACK OF BEING ABLE TO HONESTLY SUSTAIN MYSELF ON THAT INCOME FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE. THAT HAD BETTER BENEFITS BECAUSE I HAVE A FAMILY AND THINGS LIKE THAT. IT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK NEEDS TO HAPPEN IF WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE TRYING THAT MULTI-PILLAR APPROACH IS PAYING PEOPLE WHAT THEY'RE WORTH. I WAS REALLY GOOD AT MY JOB, NOT HUMBLE ABOUT THAT. YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO KEEP PEOPLE IN THOSE JOBS. I WOULD ALSO JUST ADD SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAD SAID IS, I KEEP HEARING ABOUT THE STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE COME TO AN AGREEMENT OR SIGNED OFF ON THIS, OR DONE THIS. BUT WHERE ARE THEY TONIGHT? THEY'RE NOT HERE SPEAKING FOR IT, THEY'RE NOT MAKING THEMSELVES A PUBLIC FACE FOR IT. THAT IS YOU GUYS ARE MAKING YOURSELVES THE PUBLIC FACE FOR IT. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE NO. >> THANK YOU. SHARON CLARK, ITEM NUMBER 6. MIMI DOWD, ITEM 26. >> HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS MIMI DOWD, AND I LIVE IN CEDAR RAPIDS ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE, SO CODE 52404. I'M HERE TODAY AS BOTH A MEMBER OF IOWA AND THE BROADER JUSTICE AND LIBERATION COALITION IN CEDAR RAPIDS. ANY VIEWS I SHARE REFLECT MY WORK WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS SPECIFICALLY. BUT I ALSO WANT TO NAME THAT IN MY DAY JOB, I WORK IN CRISIS INTERVENTION WHERE I SPEND A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF MY WEEK HELPING THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH HOUSING ADVOCACY, WHETHER THAT'S APPLYING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, COVERING APPLICATION FEES, OR SIMPLY FINDING A SHELTER BED. I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FIRM OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE REGARDING SIDEWALK OBSTRUCTION. I READ WITH GREAT INTEREST THE GAZETTE ARTICLE ON SUNDAY ABOUT THE LONG-TERM PLAN OUTLINED BY J'NAE PETERSON TO END HOMELESSNESS AND THE RELATED REPORT BY KGN ON MONDAY. IT TRULY SEEMED LIKE THE CITY IS TRYING TO MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD CREATING COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS TO HOUSING INSECURITY AND CRAFTING A UNIFIED SYSTEM TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED, ESPECIALLY IN A CLIMATE WHERE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ARE FACING FUNDING CUTS. MAYOR TIFFANY O'DONNELL, YOU REPOSTED THIS ARTICLE SAYING THAT J'NAE PETERSON IS LEADING WITH DATA, COLLABORATION, AND COMPASSION TO ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN REAL LASTING WAYS. WHILE I HAVE MY OWN PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF HER APPROACHES, I ULTIMATELY AGREE. THAT MAKES ME QUESTION, WHERE DID THIS ORDINANCE COME FROM? WHO HAS BEEN ASKING FOR IT? WHY IS IT BEING PUSHED NOW INTO THE CHAPTER TODAY? WHY ARE WE TURNING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHOSE PRIMARY TOOL IS CRIMINALIZATION AS THE RESPONSE TO HOMELESSNESS, RATHER THAN FOLLOWING THROUGH ON THIS COMPASSIONATE DATA-LED SYSTEM? THE GAZETTE ARTICLE IMPLIES THAT WE ARE ON THE CUSP OF A GROUNDBREAKING APPROACH THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO LEAD CEDAR RAPIDS TO BECOME A PLACE WHERE HOMELESSNESS IS RARE, BRIEF, AND NOT RE-OCCURRING. NOT EVEN 24 HOURS LATER, I HEAR ABOUT THE CITY TRYING TO PASS THIS CONTRADICTORY AND HARMFUL ORDINANCE. IT IS INHUMANE AND INFURIATING THAT OUR CITIES CONTINUE TO TREAT UNHOUSED PEOPLE LIKE A NUISANCE, RATHER THAN HUMAN BEINGS WHO DESERVE STABILITY, DIGNITY, AND CARE. FORCING PEOPLE TO TEAR DOWN THEIR ENCAMPMENTS AND MOVE ALONG OVER AND OVER AGAIN DOES NOTHING BUT DEEPEN THEIR TRAUMA AND DISRUPT ANY SENSE OF SAFETY THEY'VE MANAGED TO BUILD. THESE ARE NOT JUST TENTS THAT ARE BEING REMOVED, THESE ARE THEIR HOMES AND THEIR LAST SHRED OF AUTONOMY. THIS CYCLE OF DISPLACEMENT DOES NOT REDUCE HARM, IT DEEPENS IT AND IT TRAUMATIZES PEOPLE ALREADY IN CRISIS. INSTEAD OF INVESTING IN LASTING SOLUTIONS, WE'RE FUNNELING RESOURCES INTO POLICING POVERTY. HOW ABOUT WE ACTUALLY FUND SERVICES THAT WORK? HOW ABOUT WE INVEST IN ORGANIZATIONS LIKE WAYPOINT, THE RIVERVIEW CENTER, FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY, AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT PROGRAMS, PLACES THAT MEET PEOPLE'S NEEDS AND HELP THEM SURVIVE AND REBUILD? I ALSO WANT TO NAME HOW INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT IT IS TO JUST GET A JOB OR JUST FIND HOUSING WHEN YOU'RE UNHOUSED. IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS FILLING OUT AN APPLICATION. YOU NEED AN ADDRESS, YOU NEED ACCESS TO A PHONE AND INTERNET, [02:45:01] YOU NEED A WAY TO SHOWER BEFORE A JOB INTERVIEW TO STORE YOUR DOCUMENTS TO EVEN RECEIVE A CALL BACK, YOU NEED CLEAN CLOTHES, RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION AND IDENTIFICATION, THINGS THAT ARE LOST WHEN YOU ARE REPEATEDLY MOVED OR CONFISCATED BY POLICE. MOST OF ALL, YOU NEED TIME AND STABILITY, TWO THINGS THAT ARE CONSTANTLY DISRUPTED WHEN PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO MOVE FROM PLACE TO PLACE. THIS IS A VICIOUS, PUNISHING CYCLE THAT PEOPLE CANNOT BREAK ON THEIR OWN. THEY NEED A SYSTEM THAT'S DESIGNED TO UPLIFT THEM, NOT KNOCK THEM DOWN EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY'RE TRYING TO STAND, WHICH THIS ORDINANCE WILL CONTINUE TO DO. WE CANNOT CONTINUE PLACING THE BURDEN OF FIXING POVERTY ON THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN IT, WHILE WE PASS ORDINANCES THAT MAKE THEIR LIVES EVEN HARDER. THAT IS NOT JUSTICE, THAT IS CRUELTY, MASQUERADING AS POLICY. IF J'NAE AND THE CITY'S PLAN TRULY BELIEVES IN CONNECTING PEOPLE TO RESOURCES, I DON'T SEE HOW THIS ORDINANCE SUPPORTS THAT GOAL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION YOU ALL CONSULTED WITH TO CREATE J'NAE'S POSITION HAS DATA THAT PROVES OTHERWISE. HOW DOES PUSHING PEOPLE FURTHER INTO POVERTY HELP ANYONE? IT DOESN'T ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES, IT DOESN'T REDUCE HOMELESSNESS, IT ONLY HIDES IT. I ALSO DOUBT THAT THE POLICE ARE VERY EAGER TO ENFORCE THIS. AS WE CONTINUALLY ASK LAW ENFORCEMENT TO STEP INTO ROLES THEY ARE NOT TRAINED FOR, NOT TO THEIR OWN FAULT. THEY ARE ASKED TO ACT AS MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS, SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELORS, AND NOW THEY HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN DESTABILIZING SOMEONE YET AGAIN OR BECOMING THEIR HOUSING ADVOCATE AND FINDING SOMEWHERE FOR THEM TO SLEEP FOR THE NIGHT. THIS HURTS BOTH OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY SERVE. WE'VE SEEN IN OTHER CITIES HOW ORDINANCES LIKE THIS CREATE MORE HARM THAN HELP AND WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS. I ASK YOU, ARE WE GOING TO ESTABLISH A REAL STANDARD OF CARE IN THE CITY, ONE THAT SHOWS WE ACTUALLY GIVE A DAMN ABOUT THE PEOPLE IMPACTED BY POVERTY AND DISPLACEMENT? OR ARE WE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DISAPPOINT OUR CONSTITUENTS? I DON'T HAVE TIME. I HAVE A LOT MORE WORDS TO SAY, BUT I'M SURE THE OTHER PEOPLE WILL FILL IN FOR ME. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. TIESHA BUTLER. ITEM NUMBER 26. YOU CAN CORRECT MY PRONUNCIATION OF YOUR NAME. I'M SORRY. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS TIESHA BUTLER, AND I LIVE IN THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY HERE ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE. I AM A BOARD MEMBER OF ADVOCATES OF SOCIAL JUSTICE, I'M ALSO PART OF A BROADER ORGANIZATION WITHIN ADVOCATES OF SOCIAL JUSTICE CALLED JUSTICE OF LIBERATION COALITION. WE ARE COLLABORATING TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO ENSURE THAT YOU HEAR LOUD AND CLEAR THE VOICES FROM OUR COMMUNITIES. TO THAT END, I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO VOTE NO TO ITEM 26, WHICH IS PROPOSED TO CHANGE THE CITY ORDINANCE ABOUT OBSTRUCTING SIDEWALKS AND OTHER PUBLIC WAYS. I'M ESPECIALLY WORRIED ABOUT HOW THE LAW LIKE THIS IS BEING USED ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO PUNISH PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED. SALLY, I BELIEVE THAT THAT SAME ORDINANCE WILL DO THE SAME IN OUR COMMUNITIES HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS. I DO APPRECIATE THAT THIS VERSION LOWERS THE FINES AND REMOVES THE COURT APPEARANCE REQUIREMENTS. BUT HONESTLY, I BELIEVE THAT THOSE CHANGES MIGHT MAKE IT EASIER FOR POLICE TO GIVE OUT TICKETS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EVEN CITY STAFF HAVE SUGGESTED WOULD BE LIKELY TO HAPPEN AT THE FIRST READING. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, AND AS OTHERS HAVE STATED, EVEN A $10 FINE FOR SOMEONE WHO MAY NOT HAVE IT OR MAYBE DISPLACED CAN BE A BURDEN. WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SPARE. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE KEEPS GETTING FINES OVER AND OVER AGAIN? THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS, WHICH IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT YOU ALL CONSULTED WITH WHEN CREATING J'NAE'S POSITION, LIKE OTHERS HAVE STATED, THEY HAVE DONE THEIR RESEARCH ALREADY, AND IN THEIR REPORTS, THEY HAVE STATED THAT PUNISHING HOMELESS FOLKS DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND MAKES THINGS WORSE. A GROUP OF 57 RESEARCHERS SUBMITTED A LEGAL BRIEF EXPLAINING THAT [MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA] EVEN SMALL FINES OR CONSTANT MOVE-ALONG ORDERS WILL BUILD UP, AND IT HAS PROVEN THAT THEY CREATE ANXIETY, THEY TRAP PEOPLE AND SYSTEMS AS OTHERS HAVE STATED WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING MISDEMEANORS, AND THEY ALSO KEEP THEM STUCK IN THE HOMELESSNESS BECAUSE YOU'RE JUST INCREASING POVERTY INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. THIS ALSO MAKES IT MORE COSTLY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, IT COSTS MORE MONEY TO DO THIS ORDINANCE, AND IT PUTS PEOPLE'S HEALTHS AND LIVES AT RISK. MOST IMPORTANTLY, I BELIEVE THAT THIS POLICY, AS OTHERS HAVE STATED, IS GOING TO BE HARDEST ON PEOPLE OF COLOR AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WHO ARE ALREADY MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS. [CONSENT AGENDA ] [02:50:01] THIS MEANS WORSENING EXISTING RACIAL AND ECONOMIC INJUSTICES THAT ARE OUT. RIGHT NOW, OUR CITY SHOULD BE DOING MORE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES, LIKE OTHERS HAVE STATED, AND NOT PASS POLICIES THAT MAKES THEM WORSE. I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THIS ORDINANCE WILL LEAD TO [23. Report on bids for Gardner Golf Course ADA Compliance project (estimated cost is $1,500,000) (Jeff Koffron). CIP/DID #PUR0525-302] MORE POLICE MONITORING, MORE TICKETS, MORE MONITORING FROM OTHER CIVILIANS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THAT THIS WILL CAUSE MORE ARREST FOR UNHOUSED FOLKS INSTEAD OF HOUSING UNHOUSED FOLKS. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I CAN'T STOMACH AND IT'S NOT A CITY THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF, AND I KNOW IT'S NOT A CITY THAT YOU ALL WOULD LIKE TO LEAD. COUNCIL MEMBERS, I AM ASKING THAT WE TAKE THE APPROACH OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS WHO HAVE LAID OUT A BETTER PATHWAY FOR US, AND LET'S LISTEN TO THE RESEARCH AND DO WITH FRIGHT AND VOTE NO TO THIS ORDINANCE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THAT WILL CLOSE OUT OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. CITY MANAGER POMERANZ, DO YOU HAVE ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA? >> NO CHANGES. >> COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANYONE NEED TO RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM ANY AGENDA ITEMS OR MAKE CHANGES? >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM 16C, PAGES 7 AND 9, AND 17G ON CONSENT. >> ANYONE ELSE? THE APPROVAL OF THIS AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TODD. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THAT MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. THAT BRINGS US TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA. THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED BY TODD, SECONDED BY VANORNY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. MOVING ON TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA, ITEM NUMBER 23 IS A REPORT ON BIDS FOR GARDNER GOLF COURSE, THE ADA COMPLIANCE PROJECT. THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,500,000. JEFF KOFFRON IS HERE. JEFF, I RECOGNIZE YOU. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS. [24. Ordinance repealing Chapter 42 of the Municipal Code, Solicitors and Transient Merchants, and enacting a new Chapter 42 in its place to amend definitions, license requirements, and parking regulations. CIP/DID #PD0060 25. Ordinance repealing Chapter 42A of the Municipal Code, Mobile Food Vendors, and enacting a new Chapter 42A in its place to amend definitions, vending and parking regulations, and license exemptions. CIP/DID #ZONE-0005-2016 26. Ordinance amending Chapter 62 of the Municipal Code, Offenses Against Public Peace and Morals, to better address safety concerns in Section 62.19, Obstructing Sidewalks or Other Public Ways. CIP/DID #PD0080] I'M JEFF KOFFRON OF FACILITIES MAINTENANCE, AND I'M HERE TODAY TO REPORT ON BIDS FOR THE GARDNER GOLF COURSE ADA IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. THE BIDS FOR THIS PROJECT WERE ISSUED ON MAY 28TH. A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD ON JUNE 10TH. THE BIDS WERE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DAY ON JUNE 11TH AT 11:00 AM. ESTIMATED COST FOR THE PROJECT WAS 1.5 MILLION, AND THE PROJECT COMPLETION IS SET FOR SUMMER AND FALL OF THIS YEAR. WE ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO RECEIVE FOUR COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR THIS PROJECT. THE FOLLOWING TOTALS ARE A COMBINATION OF THE MAIN BID AND AN ALTERNATE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDOWS AND SEATING, AS WE WILL BE INCLUDING THAT ALTERNATE IN THE PROJECT AS WELL. TOTAL OF THE BIDS RANGED FROM $1,183,200 AT THE LOWEST TO $1,566,201 AT THE HIGHEST. FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SERVICES RECOMMENDS AWARD TO MCCOMAS-LACINA CONSTRUCTION AS THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER. RECOMMENDS THAT CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT AS DESCRIBED. >> THANK YOU, JEFF. COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCIL MEMBER MAIER. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST ONE QUESTION. DID YOU HAVE ONE BID THAT YOU DEEMED UNQUALIFIED? BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE YOU SAID YOU RECEIVED FIVE BIDS. BUT THEN FOUR WERE LISTED? >> I'M SORRY. THAT WAS A TYPO ON MY PART. I SHOULD HAVE SAID FOUR. I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. >> I JUST MAKING SURE I'M PAYING ATTENTION. >> NO PROBLEM. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ANYTHING ELSE? IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY VANORNY, SECONDED BY POE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THE MOTION CARRIES. THAT BRINGS US TO ORDINANCES, AND I'D LIKE TO AT THIS POINT, INVITE LIEUTENANT OMAR AND CAPTAIN FIELDS AS WE DISCUSS ITEMS NUMBER 24-26, A SERIES OF ORDINANCES. >> FLYING SOLO, MAYOR. >> YOU'RE FLYING SOLO, WE'LL TAKE IT. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> WE WENT A LITTLE LONG TODAY, CAPTAIN, BUT YOU'RE JUST THE ONE THAT SHOULD BE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS. YOU HEARD LOTS OF INTEREST ON THESE ORDINANCES. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT PEOPLE WHO CARED SO MUCH ABOUT IT AREN'T HERE ANYMORE. BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. WE'LL BEGIN WITH ITEM NUMBER 24. THIS IS AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER 42 OF MUNICIPAL CODE, SOLICITORS AND TRANSIENT MERCHANTS AND ENACTING A NEW CHAPTER 42 IN ITS PLACE TO AMEND DEFINITIONS, LICENSE REQUIREMENTS, AND PARKING REGULATIONS. I'M JUST GOING TO ASK COUNCIL. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS PARTICULAR ORDINANCE? THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS THIRD READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE, SECONDED BY OVERLAND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION WILL CARRY. ITEM NUMBER 25 IS AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER 42A OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, MOBILE FOOD VENDORS AND ENACTING A NEW CHAPTER 42A IN ITS PLACE TO AMEND DEFINITIONS, [02:55:03] VENDING, AND PARKING REGULATIONS, AND LICENSE EXEMPTIONS. ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS BEFORE WE MOVE AHEAD? THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE ON THIRD READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY OVERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THE MOTION CARRIES. UP NEXT, WE HAVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 26, WHICH HAS GARNERED LOTS OF ATTENTION TODAY. THIS IS OUR THIRD READING BY THE WAY. THIS COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THIS ORDINANCE. THIS COUNCIL HAS APPROVED IT TWICE. LET'S GO AHEAD AND JUST REFRESH EVERYONE HERE IN LEVEL SET. THIS IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 62 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND MORALS TO BETTER ADDRESS SAFETY CONCERNS IN SECTION 62.19, OBSTRUCTING SIDEWALKS OR OTHER PUBLIC WAYS. COUNCIL, I'LL JUST INVITE YOU TO TALK TO CAPTAIN FIELDS, ADDRESS YOUR QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE THEM. >> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYBODY TO REMEMBER THIS IS A CURRENT ORDINANCE ON THE BOOKS, THIS IS NOT NEW, WE'RE JUST AMENDING WHAT IS CURRENTLY THERE. >> THANK YOU. >> WELL, MAYBE YOU CAN JUST REFRESH US BEFORE WE GO ON. THANK YOU, CAPTAIN. >> BASICALLY, AND WE DO THIS ROUTINELY WITH ALL OUR ORDINANCES. >> REALLY, IT'S OUTDATED. IF YOU LOOK IN THERE, IT ADDRESSES NOTHING ABOUT THE TRAIL SYSTEM, THEN WE HAVE THINGS, WATERWAYS, RETENTION BASINS, ALL ISSUES THAT COME TO OUR ATTENTION, WHERE WE CAN'T ADDRESS PEOPLE BEING IN THOSE PLACES FOR SAFETY REASONS AS WELL. IN ADDITION, WE JUST DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BLOCK THE SIDEWALKS OR BLOCK THE TRAILS, WHERE WE HAVE BICYCLES, PEOPLE RIDING, THEIR PERSON MOBILITY DEVICES, WHEELCHAIRS, IT CREATES AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT. THIS WAS NEVER INTENDED, AND I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S SPEAKING TODAY AND THEIR CONCERNS. BUT THIS ORDINANCE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HOMELESSNESS IN TARGETING THOSE INDIVIDUALS. WE AS A DEPARTMENT HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR ENTIRE POPULATION AND TREAT EVERYBODY THE SAME AND WHEN WE LOOK AT REVISIONS TO ORDINANCES, WE TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT. I HEARD PEOPLE DISCUSSING ABOUT THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. THE ORDINANCE ALREADY ON THE BOOKS. IF WE WANTED TO ENFORCE THAT, WE COULD HAVE DONE THAT DURING ALL THOSE INCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED HERE RECENTLY. ONES THAT HAPPENED AFTER THE GEORGE FLOYD INCIDENT. OUR DEPARTMENT DID NOT TAKE THAT STANCE, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE THAT STANCE. WE UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. BUT WHEN IT BECOMES A PROBLEM AND THINGS GET DESTROYED, THEN WE HAVE TO DO SOME TYPE OF ENFORCEMENT ACTION. BUT ON THE FACE VALUE, THAT'S NEVER OUR INTENT WITH WHEN WE STARTED THIS PROJECT. THIS ISN'T JUST SOMETHING WE DUMPED ON RIGHT AFTER ORDINANCES DIDN'T GET PASSED BY THE STATE. WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR. JULY OF 2024 IS WHEN THE LIEUTENANTS IN MY DIVISION STARTED LOOKING AT THE ORDINANCES AND SEEING WHAT WE NEED TO CHANGE. IT'S NOT LIKE WE JUST DIDN'T PURPOSELY LOOK AT THESE THINGS. WE WORKED WITH SOME OF THE GROUPS THAT WERE MENTIONED TODAY. WE TALKED TO THEM. WE TALK TO PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES, AND WE SPENT TIME AT THEIR MEETING WITH THEM AND TALK TO THEM. IT'S NOT LIKE WE JUST DECIDED TO CHANGE THESE THINGS WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THE RAMIFICATIONS FOR EVERYBODY, BUT WE HAVE TO WEIGH EVERYBODY'S INTERESTS AT THE SAME TIME IN THE CITY. ARE WE MAKING OUR TRAVELED PORTIONS FOR PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLISTS, AS SAFE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN? IF THEY'RE NOT OBSTRUCTING THE SIDEWALK AND THEY'RE JUST SITTING ON A PART OF IT, THE ORDINANCE DOESN'T APPLY. IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE. IF YOU'RE BLOCKING THE SIDEWALK AND OTHER PEOPLE CAN'T USE IT, WE'RE GOING TO COME OUT AND ASK YOU TO MOVE. WE DON'T RIDE EVERYBODY, WE STOP A SPEEDING TICKET. WE DON'T RIDE EVERYBODY THAT PARKS ILLEGALLY, A PARKING TICKET. WE DON'T TOW EVERY CAR THAT'S PARKED ILLEGALLY. WE GIVE WARNINGS, WE ASK PEOPLE TO MOVE, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT. WHEN IT COMES OUT TO THE HOMELESS PEOPLE, WE ALWAYS OFFER OUTREACH. WE HAVE OUR MENTAL HEALTH UNIT THAT'S OUT THERE HELPING WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS TO GETTING THEM SOME HELP THAT THEY NEED AS WELL. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT THINGS OUT THERE THAT ARE FAIR FOR EVERYBODY AND ADDRESS ALL THE ISSUES WE SEE OF AS A DEPARTMENT. WE ARE A LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT, YES. THAT'S OUR JOB IS TO ENFORCE THE LAWS OF THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, THE STATE OF IOWA. THAT IS OUR JOB. DO WE WANT TO BE IN THE BUSINESS OF BEING COUNSELORS AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS THAT WERE DISCUSSED TODAY? I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY, NO, THAT'S NOT OUR ROLE AND SHOULDN'T BE. BUT WE DO THAT ON A DAILY BASIS. WE INTERACT WITH THESE PEOPLE EVERY DAY, AND OUR FIRST TRIP ISN'T TO THE LINN COUNTY JAIL WITH THEM. IT'S OFFERING THEM SERVICES OR HELPING THEM FIND SOME PLACE TO MOVE ALONG TO. THAT'S ALL I REALLY HAVE TO SAY UNLESS YOU GUYS HAVE SOME QUESTION. >> I'M SURE THERE'LL BE SOME THOUGHTS HERE. I'M CURIOUS, THOUGH. I THINK IT'S HELPFUL FOR ALL OF US TO UNDERSTAND THE OUTREACH THAT YOU DID AND THE DEPARTMENT AND CITY STAFF. WHEN YOU MENTIONED OUT THOSE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES, HOW DID THEY FEEL ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE? >> HONESTLY, THEY WERE IN SUPPORT OF IT. [03:00:01] NOW, I DON'T KNOW IF WE TALKED TO EVERY LIVED EXPERIENCED PERSON, IF THEY WOULD HAVE THE SAME OUTCOME, BUT THE PEOPLE THAT WERE AT THAT MEETING THAT LIEUTENANT MCGARVEY TALKED TO WERE IN SUPPORT OF THE ORDINANCE. >> THEN IN TERMS OF, I KNOW COUNSEL STAFF, WE HAD HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU AS WELL. LEADING UP TO THIS, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON THIS LEADING UP TO IT. I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LOT OF TIME WENT INTO THIS. COUNSEL'S DELIBERATED AND I'M GOING TO LET YOU TALK TO CAPTAIN HUSBAND MAIER. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR THOSE CLARIFICATIONS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT AND THEN A QUESTION. MY COMMENT IS AS THIS ORDINANCE WAS BEING REVISED AND UPDATED, AND WE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNSEL. I REACHED OUT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT WILLIS DADY, WHO AT THE TIME WAS MY BOSS, MY OFFICE WAS NEXT TO HERS, AND ALSO J'NAE PETERMAN, WHO WE'VE TALKED I MENTIONED TONIGHT, SO SHE WAS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE GAZETTE ARTICLE ON SUNDAY AND IS THE HOMELESS SYSTEMS MANAGER, NEITHER OF THEM OPPOSED THIS ORDINANCE. BECAUSE OF THAT, I WILL NOT OPPOSE IT AS THE BASIS FOR THE UNHOUSED AND HOW THEY'LL BE TREATED. I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW. THOSE LEADERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHO ARE THE EXPERTS DID NOT OPPOSE THIS. AS THE PART THAT DEALS WITH PEACEFUL PROTESTS OR CONGREGATING ON A SIDEWALK. IT WAS BEFORE I THINK IT WAS CALLED THE NO KINGS PROTEST, BUT I SPECIFICALLY ASKED OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT. I SAID, ARE THOSE PROTESTS THAT WE'VE HAD ON EIGHTH AVENUE? WOULD THOSE BE IN VIOLATION OF THIS UPDATED ORDINANCE? THE ANSWER WAS, NO, BECAUSE THE ORGANIZERS OF THOSE PROTESTS AND GATHERINGS, YOU COULD WALK ON THE SIDEWALK. MAYBE NOT THE WHOLE THING, BUT YOU COULD WALK AND YOU CAN DRIVE. MY QUESTION IS, WE'VE HAD THE MOST RECENT PROTEST ON EIGHTH AVENUE A WEEK OR SO AGO WAS MUCH BIGGER. I JUST WANTED TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON EVEN WITH THOSE LARGER PROTESTS, WOULD THERE BE ANY VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE AS WRITTEN OR AS INTERPRET OR AS APPLIED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. >> I'M GOING TO SPEAK AS A 31 YEAR OFFICER AT THE CEDAR RAPIDS POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND A CAPTAIN OF THE DIVISION THAT HOUSES OUR SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM AND ALL OUR SPECIAL UNITS. I HOPE THE CHIEF DOESN'T GET MAD AT ME FOR SPEAKING FOR HIM. BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO INTERVENE UNLESS THERE'S CRIMINAL ACTS BEING HAPPENING. THAT MEANS VANDALISM, PEOPLE BEING HURT, THINGS BEING DESTROYED. WALKING DOWN THE STREET, EXERCISING YOUR RIGHTS, DOING IT PEACEFULLY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET INVOLVED. IF YOU CAN GO OUT AND WATCH WHEN ALL THESE EVENTS ARE OCCURRING, WE'RE JUST THERE MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S NOBODY IN THERE TO MAKE IT TURN INTO SOMETHING BAD. WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE BAD ACTORS. OUR INTENT IS ALWAYS TO DO THAT. WHEN WE HAD THE INCIDENTS IN 2020, WE WERE VERY COGNIZANT OF HOW WE APPEARED, AND WE WERE ON THAT PERIPHERAL AND ONLY GOT INVOLVED, AND I'LL TELL YOU THIS, THE ONLY PEOPLE I EVER STOPPED WHERE PEOPLE THAT WERE MEMBERS OF THE THREE PERCENTERS THAT WERE HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS DURING THOSE. WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANY INCIDENTS DURING THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED AT GREEN SQUARE PARK OR THE MARCHES DOWN THE ROADS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WE UNDERSTAND OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS A VOICE, AND I KNOW WE NEED TO SUPPORT THAT. BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THERE IS A POINT AT WHICH TIME WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ENFORCE LAWS AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT. WE ARE PREPARED FOR THAT WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN. BUT THAT WAS THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS ORDINANCE IS ABOUT. THAT'S NOT WHAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET CHARGED WITH IF WE HAVE TO GET INVOLVED WHEN A PROTEST TURNS BAD. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN OBSTRUCTING SIDEWALK CHARGE. THAT'S NOT WHAT THE INTENT OF THIS IS. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? >> IT DOES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> I'M CURIOUS, TOO, IF THIS HELPS YOU OUT ON THE WEEKENDS, WE KNOW WITH THE DOWNTOWN, WE'VE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH AFTER PARTIES AND AFTER HOURS, SIDEWALKS, LOITERING DOES. >> THAT'S WHY WE DID IT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FOOD OR THE FOOD TRUCK ORDINANCE AND STUFF WELL, BECAUSE PEOPLE WEREN'T DISPERSING THE DOWNTOWN AREA AFTER BAR TIME. IF YOU HAVE A YOUNG DAUGHTER DOWN THERE AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE CROWD, IT'S NOT SO SAVORY SOMETIMES DOWN THERE. I DON'T HANG OUT ON WEEKENDS DOWNTOWN, SO THAT'S JUST NOT MY THING. BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT'S SAFE FOR EVERYBODY. IT JUST LEADS TO BAD THINGS HAPPENING BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE START GETTING CROWDED ON THE SIDEWALK, [03:05:02] THAT'S WHEN SHOVING STARTS, WHICH TURNS INTO A FIGHT, AND THEN OTHER THINGS ARE UP. THAT'S THE LAST THING WE WANT. THIS GIVES US THE ABILITY TO HELP CLEAR THE SIDEWALKS DOWNTOWN, GET THOSE FOOD TRUCKS OUT OF THERE. EVERYBODY WANTS THEIR LAST MINUTE FOOD, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE BEING MINDFUL ABOUT IT AND NOT CAUSING MORE ISSUES DOWNTOWN. WE'RE GETTING A BIGGER POPULATION THAT ARE LIVING DOWNTOWN NOW, WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT AS WELL. >> COUNCILMEMBER TODD. >> MAYOR, THANK YOU, CAPTAIN FIELDS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT EXPLANATION. A COUPLE OF POINTS I WANT TO MAKE. THERE WERE SEVERAL REFERENCES TO MAYBE THE INTENT OF THE COUNCIL. I WANT TO GIVE COUNSEL SOME CREDIT BECAUSE, WHEN THE SUPREME COURT PASSED THE DECISION THAT THEY HANDED DOWN, GRANTS PASS VERSUS JOHNSON. THAT WAS IN JULY LAST YEAR. WE LOOKED AT WHAT THE CITY OF DES MOINES DID AND WHAT OTHER CITIES DID THAT IMPLEMENTED CHANGES TO ORDINANCES AND AGGRESSIVELY WENT AFTER HOMELESSNESS. WE DIDN'T WANT TO DO THAT. WE KNEW IT WASN'T THE RIGHT WAY TO GO. WE DELIBERATELY TOOK TIME. IT WAS LAST SEPTEMBER, WHEN THE CITY RECEIVED THE INNOVATION AWARD FOR HOMELESSNESS, AND WAS ABLE TO HIRE J'NAE, ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE IS THAT WE'VE LET J'NAE DO HER JOB. WE HAVE NOT INTERFERED WITH HER ABILITY TO PUT IN PLACE THE THINGS THAT SHE THINKS ARE IMPORTANT. I WANT TO MAKE AN ANALOGY TO SOMEWHAT TO WHAT WE DID WITH GUN CONTROL. THAT TOOK US SEVEN, EIGHT YEARS TO ACTUALLY PUT DIFFERENT PIECES OF THAT COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY IN PLACE. WE HAVE NOT LISTED ALL THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE. THAT HAS HELPED ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. BUT I THINK SYSTEMICALLY, WE'VE TRIED TO GO DOWN THE LIST TO THE POINT WHERE NOW WE'VE IDENTIFIED WHERE THE GAPS ARE, AND IT WAS MENTIONED THE SALARIES IN SOME OF THESE PLACES WHERE YOU LOSE THE PEOPLE THAT WITH THE EXPERIENCE, THAT HAVE THE RELATIONSHIPS, THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO WORK THERE BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A DECENT WAGE. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE CONCERNED WITH. WE'RE CERTAINLY CONCERNED WITH THE LOSS AND FUNDS FROM CDBG THAT HAS HISTORICALLY HELP FUND A LOT OF THOSE OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS THROUGH HUD THAT HAVE JUST BEEN CUT. THERE'S A REAL CONCERN ON THE PART OF A LOT OF FOLKS INVOLVED IN HOW DO WE MAKE THIS SYSTEM WORK MORE SEAMLESSLY. I DO NOT APPRECIATE THE ALLEGATIONS THAT THE COUNSEL OR ANYBODY ON HERE IS NOT COMPASSIONATE OR NOT INTERESTED IN TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES WHERE WE KNOW THAT WHENEVER YOU BRING IT UP, THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH, VARYING VIEWS. THEY'RE NOT ALL WRONG. THEY'RE NOT ALL RIGHT. BUT THERE'S AN IN BETWEEN. THERE'S A BALANCING ACT. YOU ALLUDED TO IT EARLIER, EVERY DAY PD DEALS WITH THIS. WHETHER IT'S OFFICERS PROVIDING FUNDING FOR PEOPLE TO GET HOUSE THAT NIGHT OUT ON 33RD OR GAS IN THEIR TANK OR FOOD, YOU'RE ALREADY DOING THAT. THIS WAS NOT THE INTENT. THE OTHER ALLEGATION THAT I REALLY I TAKE SERIOUS IS THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE USED TO QUELL PUBLIC DISSENT OR TO INFRINGE ON FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYBODY ON THIS COUNCIL THAT BELIEVES THAT'S THE CASE. WE TAKE THE FIRST AMENDMENT PRETTY DAMN SERIOUS AROUND HERE, AND WE HAVE OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY IN TERMS OF WHAT WE CAN DO AND WHAT WE CAN'T DO. BUT WHEN WE HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS, WE ARE ALWAYS ERRING ON THE SIDE OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT. THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE'RE HAVING NOW AREN'T NECESSARILY ABOUT THE MARCH THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK OR TWO WEEKS, BUT WE SEE MORE MARCHES OCCURRING AND MORE DEMONSTRATIONS. WHAT DO WE DO TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THOSE PEOPLE TO DO WHAT WE BELIEVE IS THEIR RIGHT, AND HOW DO WE PROTECT THEM AT THE SAME TIME? BECAUSE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, [03:10:01] WE'RE GOING TO BE CALLED ON THE CARPET, WHY DIDN'T WE DO ENOUGH TO PROTECT THEM? I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT WE'RE DOING THOSE THINGS IN THE BACKGROUND. THE OTHER THING THAT IS REALLY REFRESHING IS THAT THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED NUMEROUS ACCOLADES FOR HOW THEY'VE BEEN HANDLING THESE EVENTS. THERE'S A STRONG LEVEL OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ORGANIZERS AND PD, SO THEY HAVE CELL PHONE NUMBERS. THEY HAVE FIRST NAMES. STUFF HAPPENS, PEOPLE ARE TALKING AND PUTTING FACES TO E MAIL ADDRESSES. WE DIDN'T USED TO HAVE THAT. I REALLY RESIST THE EFFORTS TO PAINT THE DEPARTMENT WITH A BROAD BRUSH WHILE WE'RE WELL AWARE OF THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING NATIONWIDE. HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, WE'RE TRYING TO DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY, AND YOUR ARTICULATION OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING NOW AND WHAT THE ORDINANCE MEANS, WAS REALLY APPRECIATED. >> THANK YOU, DAN. >> COUNCILMEMBER VANORNY. >> CAPTAIN FIELDS, CAN YOU I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU'VE ANSWERED THE HEART OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT CURRENTLY EXISTS AND WHAT YOU'RE ATTEMPTING TO AMEND HERE. CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT? >> SURE. IT OUTLINES A LITTLE MORE CLEARLY WATERWAYS, DRAINAGE DITCHES, RETENTION BASINS, THINGS LIKE THAT. ALSO, WHEN YOU READ THE CURRENT ORDINANCE, WHICH I COULD PULL UP FOR YOU IF YOU WANT TO. IT WAS READ TONIGHT AS IT WAS RED, IF I CAN FIND IT HERE. I HAD IT A SECOND AGO. ANY REGARDLESS? >> SPECIFICALLY, THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE IN FINES. >> YEAH. THE WAY IT CURRENTLY IS, IT' UP TO $600, BECAUSE IT'S NOT A SCHEDULED FINE. WITH NEW PROPOSAL WITH THE CHANGE TO THE ORDINANCE, THE FINE HAS DROPPED DOWN TO $10. NOW, THERE'S STILL COURT COSTS AND COURT FEES THAT ARE IN THERE, BUT WE'VE ALSO WORKED WITH THE COURT SYSTEM TO GET THOSE WAIVED FOR THOSE THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THOSE. THERE'S PAPERWORK THAT CAN BE FILLED OUT AND WE'VE TALKED TO THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ABOUT THIS, AND THEY'RE ON BOARD WITH HELPING US GET THAT DONE FOR THOSE THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THAT $10 IN ADDITION TO THE COURT COSTS AND FEES THAT WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THAT. THAT'S REALLY THE BIG CRUX OF IT IS, RIGHT NOW IF SOMEBODY GOT CHARGED WITH A COURT ORDINANCE, THE JUDGE GETS TO SET THAT FINE UP TO $600, THIS LIMITS THAT. PLUS, THIS ALSO LIMITS THEM HAVING TO FIND TRANSPORTATION TO COURT BECAUSE IF THEY GET THE COURT COST, IF THEY GET JUST A TICKET, IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN YOU GETTING A SPEEDING TICKET OR A PARKING TICKET. YOU CAN JUST FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK, SEND IT IN AND PAY IT, AND SUBMITTED WITH THAT PAPERWORK FOR THE REDUCTION ON THE COURT COSTS. THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT GOT HAPPENED THERE. >> THE MAXIMUM $600 IS CURRENTLY A CIVIL VIOLATION? >> NO. IT'S STILL A VIOLATION OF THE CEDAR RAPIDS MUNICIPAL CODE. >> MIS DEMEANOR. >> MIS DEMEANOR. >> OKAY. >> THAT DOESN'T CHANGE THAT. >> I THINK JUST TO THE MERITS OF WHAT IS TRYING TO BE ACCOMPLISHED HERE, I THINK THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART. >> YES. >> IS THAT YOU'RE TAKING THEY'RE BOTH MIS DEMEANORS. IT'S CURRENTLY IN EXISTENCE, A MIS DEMEANOR. >> YES. >> THEN YOU'RE TAKING IT FROM A MAXIMUM OF $600 TO $10 AND ENVELOPING IT IN SOME SUPPORTS TO NOT INCUR COURT COSTS WHICH YOU DON'T HAVE THOSE ASSURANCES NOW. I HAVE BEEN ABUNDANTLY CLEAR AND REALLY DEEPLY EMPATHIZE WITH THE SPEAKERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN TONIGHT. MANY OF THEM, WHO I HAVE WORKED WITH SPECIFICALLY ON SOME LONG TERM ISSUES. LINDSAY IS MY GO TO PERSON IN TERMS OF HOMELESSNESS. THAT WAS THE PERSON ANYTIME, ANYBODY I SAW ANYBODY WHO LOOKED LIKE THEY NEEDED HELP IN WAYPOINT. I WAS CONNECTING WITH HER STILL DO MATTER OF FACT, BECAUSE OF HER INTENSE KNOWLEDGE. I HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY RELIANT ON J'NAE PETERMAN'S EXPERTISE IN THAT KNOWING THAT SHE'S ALSO PRESENTED THIS TO THE HOUSING TRUST FUND FOR LINN COUNTY. HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS AND FOOD INSECURITY CONTINUE TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME AND IN EVERYTHING THAT I DO. I DO THINK IT'S A SHAME THAT SHE DID NOT PRESENT THIS BECAUSE I THINK THAT THAT IS A REAL MISSED OPPORTUNITY IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. I DID EXPRESS CONCERNS AT THE STAFF COUNCIL SESSIONS THAT WE HAD IN TERMS OF THE ORIGINATION OF THIS BECAUSE I DO THINK WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DEEP CONVERSATIONS ON COUNCIL IN TERMS OF CITY STAFF GENERALLY BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATIONS AND COUNCIL BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR GENERATING POLICIES. I DO UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE ARE SAYING, SINCE WHEN WHY DO WE NEED THIS NOW. I JUST THINK THAT AGAIN, [03:15:01] IT WAS A REAL MISSED OPPORTUNITY BY NOT HAVING J'NAE LEADING THIS CONVERSATION BECAUSE I AM SO RELIANT ON HER ENDORSEMENT OF A POLICY LIKE THIS GIVEN ALL THE ISSUES. I ALSO WAS INCREDIBLY POIGNANT IN THE STAFF COUNCIL MEETINGS TO JUST DIRECT IT HEAD ON. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, I SAT IN A WITNESS BOX ALONGSIDE ALA FOLLOWING A ATTEMPT AT FREE SPEECH, AND OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, AND UNFORTUNATELY IT DID RESULT IN AN ADVERSE OUTCOME. I ASKED, IS THIS IN RESPONSE TO MY OWN INVOLVEMENT IN THAT AND WAS REASSURED, NO, AND WAS REASSURED ACTUALLY VERY COMPLIMENTARY OF THE ORGANIZERS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, RALLIES AND PROTESTS WHO ARE OUT THERE TRYING TO SPEAK THEIR OPINION. I AM HEAVILY RELIANT ON THAT AS WELL. I DO KNOW THAT COUNCILMEMBER TODD AND I HAVE AT A MINIMUM, WALKED A LOT OF THOSE RALLIES JUST CHECKING IN MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE THAT THESE THINGS CAN CONTINUE THAT THEY'RE SAFE, AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR THE COORDINATION. THE VERY INTELLIGENT COORDINATION OF THE ORGANIZERS OF THE LAST SIX MONTHS WORTH OF RALLIES, FOR EXAMPLE, IN TERMS OF THEIR PEACEFUL COORDINATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE EXCEPTIONAL AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE PRESENTING ARE KEPT SAFE AND THAT THEY'RE KEPT SAFE IN ANY OF THE CROSSWALKS AND ON THE SIDEWALKS, AND I WOULD ALSO SAY, LINDSAY IS ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH A MORE RECENT EXAMPLE WHERE I THINK IS OTHER THAN THE FINE AND FEE SCHEDULE CHANGE, WHICH IS ACTUALLY SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THIS. THERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF USE OF THIS THAT CAME UP MORE RECENTLY, AND THAT WAS UNFORTUNATELY THE CASES THAT DO NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN TERMS OF BLOCKING ROADWAYS AND TRAILS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS A REPEAT CUSTOMER TO HEALTHCARE WHO WAS REALLY HOPING TO BE HIT BY A CAR BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST AT THE END OF THEIR ROPE. THOSE SITUATIONS ARE VERY EXASPERATING TOO FOR ALL PEOPLE INVOLVED FOR SOCIAL SERVICES FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, THOSE OF WHICH WE USE AT THE CITY AS WELL, INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO INEVITABLY END UP HAVING TO REPORT TO THOSE EVENTS. I THINK THAT THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DELICATE THING. I THINK WE EASILY COULD HAVE AVOIDED THE CONCERNS OF PEOPLE HERE IF WE HAD PRESENTED IT DIFFERENTLY WITH THE PRESENTATION OF J'NAE AND JUST MORE CLEARLY EXPLAINING SOME OF THESE THINGS AT THE GET OF IT. BUT THOSE ARE MY POINTS. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR CAN I JUST FOR A SECOND? >> YES. COUNCIL ALLOWS ON. >> NO, I'M INTERESTING BECAUSE I DO A LOT OF WORK WITH WILLIS DADY AND HELP THEM CREATE THEIR NEW CENTER ON FIRST AVENUE AND BEHIND AND GOT TO KNOW THE STAFF AND ALL THE GREAT THINGS THEY DO. WE HAVE GREAT AGENCIES HERE AND HELP THE COUNTY GET THE OVERFLOW SHELTER AND VOLUNTEERED MY TIME ON THAT, AND WHAT I FOUND IS ALSO WATCHING HOW POLICE REACT BEING A DOWNTOWN OFFICE PERSON AND WORKING WITH PEOPLE DOWNTOWN FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS, 40 YEARS. WHAT'S HAPPENED IS WE'VE HAD TO ADJUST TO PEOPLE THAT ARE HURTING OUR DOWNTOWN AND IN THE STREETS DOWNTOWN WITH THE BARS AND THINGS. I WAS SHOCKED THAT OUR ORDINANCE DIDN'T ALLOW YOU CERTAIN RIGHTS TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE BECAUSE THEY ARE DAMAGING PROPERTY DOWNTOWN, THEY'RE SCARING AWAY PEOPLE, AND WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT POWER, AND ONCE THAT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE AT FIRST UNTIL WE HAD OUR STAFF MEETINGS, AND THEN LEARNED ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING AND I'VE KNOWN THE SERVICES AND THE QUALITY OF THE POLICE WORK DOWNTOWN AND BEING NICE TO PEOPLE THAT ARE HOMELESS. IT HAS BEEN IMPRESSIVE, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ON SEVERAL THINGS WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES AND THE POLICE HAVE JOINED IN, AND YET THEY HANDLED IT PROFESSIONALLY AND DID A GREAT JOB BEING NICE IN A WAY AND HOW THEY HANDLED IT. THE ONLY TIMES THAT I'VE REALLY SEEN THAT WE NEEDED IT IS WHEN PEOPLE GOT OUT OF HAND AND STARTED DAMAGING THINGS. THEN WE NEED AN ORDINANCE LIKE THIS TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND SAVE OUR BUILDINGS AND MAKE PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING DOWNTOWN. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS IN HOMELESS. I THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING IS SECOND TO NONE. THE ISSUE IS IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME, AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE OTHER THINGS. AFTER I HEARD YOUR PRESENTATION ORIGINALLY IN OUR STAFF MEETINGS, I UNDERSTOOD WHY WE NEEDED TO MAKE THESE CHANGES AND GET RID OF THAT $600 AND GO TO $10. THAT WAS CRAZY IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND THE FACT THAT WE'RE HELPING GET RID OF THE COURT COSTS, WE'RE DOING THINGS THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO DO, BUT WE'RE DOING THEM, AND YOU'RE DOING THEM, [03:20:03] AND MANY OTHER OFFICERS ARE. WE SHARE THE CONCERNS. [27. Ordinance vacating public ways and grounds in and to a 0.39-acre parcel of right of way west of and adjacent to 2825 Prairie Ridge Drive SW as requested by Prairie Pine Properties, LLC. CIP/DID #ROWV-000157-2025] WE DO NOT WANT TO HURT FIRST RIGHTS, BUT WE WANT TO HAVE A SAFE COMMUNITY. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY WHEN THINGS GET OUT OF HAND TO BE ABLE TO ACT IN THE RIGHT WAY AND PROTECT THE COMMUNITY, AND SO I APPLAUD WHAT YOU'VE DONE. YET, AT THE SAME TIME, I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING BEHIND THE SCENES TO HELP THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED, AND THE HOMELESS. I'VE WATCHED IT IN PERSON, I'VE WATCHED IT ON THE STREETS. ALL THE OFFICERS I'VE EVER HAD TO INTERMINGLE WITH, IT'S BEEN IMPRESSIVE. I APPRECIATE THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE IN NEED. WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO HELP THEM, AND YOU'RE PART OF THAT EFFORT, AND SO THANK YOU FOR MAKING THESE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE. I APPRECIATE THAT. [28. Ordinance granting a change of zone for property at 4051 River Center Court NE from T-ML, Traditional Mixed Use Limited District, to S-MC, Suburban Mixed Use Community Center District, as requested by Zone Up, LLC. CIP/DID #RZNE-000179-2025] >> THANK YOU. >> ANYTHING ELSE? >> I HAVE NOTHING ELSE. >> OKAY. I DID SIT IN BETWEEN ELISHA FAST AND J'NAE PETERMAN IN MY STAFF MEETING. I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR J'NAE. SHE WASN'T INVITED TO SPEAK TODAY, WE JUST INVITED YOU LAST MINUTE TODAY KNOWING WE WERE GOING TO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. I DON'T WANT TO INTIMATE THAT J'NAE, [29. Ordinance amending Chapter 6 of the Municipal Code, City Administration, to establish an Active Transportation Advisory Commission. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #CD-0111-2025] WE DIDN'T ASK HER TO SPEAK OR SHE DIDN'T COME SPEAK. I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK ON HER BEHALF, BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT SHE WASN'T INVITED TODAY. THANK YOU CAPTAIN. >> THANK YOU MADAM. >> MORTENAN, RATHER CAPTAIN. SORRY, YOU'RE CAPTAIN NOW. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? BECAUSE I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND ASK FOR A MOTION. MOVE. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAUL. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. THANK YOU, CAPTAIN. ITEM NUMBER 27, [PUBLIC INPUT (Part 1 of 2)] IT IS AN ORDINANCE VACATING PUBLIC WAYS AND GROUNDS IN INTO A 0.39 ACRE PARCEL OF RIGHT AWAY WEST OF AN ADJACENT TO 28/25 PRAIRIE RIDGE DRIVE, SOUTHWEST AS REQUESTED BY PRAIRIE PINE PROPERTIES. THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS THIRD READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY PAUL, SECONDED BY OVERLAND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO, AND THIS MOTION CARRIES. BEFORE WE VOTE ON A RESOLUTION FOR THIS ITEM, COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS THE ADOPTION, THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY OVERLAND, SECONDED BY HOEGER, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO, AND THIS MOTION CARRIES, THANK YOU. AT A NUMBER 28, IS THE ORDINANCE GRANTING A CHANGES ZONE FOR PROPERTY AT 40/51 RIVER CENTER COURT NORTHEAST FROM TRADITIONAL MIXED USE LIMITED DISTRICT TO SUBURBAN MIXED USE COMMUNITY CENTER DISTRICT, AS REQUESTED BY ZONE UP LLC. THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS THIRD READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY OVERLAND AND SECONDED BY MYER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO, AND THIS MOTION CARRIES. IDEA NUMBER 25 IS IN THE ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, CITY ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH AN ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION. THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY MYER, SECONDED BY HOEGER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO, AND THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER PAUL. >> THANK YOU MAYOR. I MOVE THE RULE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS BE SUSPENDED AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING. >> ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE ON THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY PAUL, SECONDED BY OVERLAND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO, AND THE MOTION CARRIES. THAT CLOSES OUT OUR FORMAL BUSINESS TODAY AND BRINGS US TO OUR FINAL PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD. THIS IS A CHANCE FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON ANY SUBJECT PERTAINING TO COUNCIL BUSINESS. AS WITH THE EARLIER PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, WE'RE HERE AS A COUNCIL TO LISTEN. I REMIND EVERYBODY TO REMAIN AT THE LECTERN COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES, AND WE ASK FOR NO ABUSIVE, LOUD, THREATENING, OR PERSONAL COMMENTS. IF YOU'VE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, APPROACH THE MICROPHONE WHEN CALLED UPON. THE FIRST PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IS CINDY GARLOCK, AND SHE'S ALREADY SPOKEN, AND YOUR TIMING IS GREAT. MR. ARRINGTON, YOU ARE NEXT ON THE LIST. HERE TO SPEAK ON ARK OF JUSTICE. >> THANK YOU ALL, ANTHONY HARRINGTON, CAR RAPIDS IOWA 5243. I APOLOGIZE. I DON'T HAVE MY NOTES WITH ME, MY PHONE DIED, AND I WAS TRYING TO GET ACCESS TO MY COMPUTER. I'M GOING TO GO OFF THE CUFF AND DO THE BEST I CAN. I USUALLY DO THAT ANYWAY, BUT I ACTUALLY HAD SOME THINGS WRITTEN. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DECISION TO RENAME DARK OF JUSTICE BRIDGE, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE JUSTIFICATION FOR WHY. BUT WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THIS IS A DECISION REGARDING THE POTENTIAL TO LOSE A $56,000,000 GRANT. MY QUESTION IS, WHAT IS ABOUT ARK OF JUSTICE THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH ANTI-DEI, ANTI-DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSION LEGISLATION AND HOW THAT IMPACTS OUR CITY. IN FACT, I WOULD SAY IT'S DOING QUITE THE OPPOSITE. THE ARK OF JUSTICE REPRESENTS EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY. [03:25:02] IT REPRESENTS EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT JUSTICE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT JUSTICE FOR ALL PEOPLE. WHAT DOES THE ARK OF JUSTICE REALLY MEAN? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IS IT JUSTICE FOR THE BLACK PERSON WHO'S BEEN DISADVANTAGED? OF COURSE. IS IT JUSTICE FOR THE LGBTQ PERSON? OF COURSE. IS IT JUSTICE FOR THE POOR WHITE PERSON ON THE STREET WHO'S BEEN TREATED FAIRLY? OF COURSE. IS IT JUSTICE FOR THE ELDERLY, WHO MAY BE TREATED UNFAIRLY? OF COURSE IT IS. DOES IT REFLECT OUR MESSAGE ABOUT WELCOME IS OUR LANGUAGE? OF COURSE IT DOES. ON A VERY PRACTICAL LEVEL, HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS RELATED TO SOME ANTI-DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION LAW OR POLICY THAT REQUIRED US TO MAKE THAT CHANGE. YOU ALL OR SOMEONE IN OUR CITY, SAT AROUND A TABLE, HAD A DISCUSSION, I WOULD THINK ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE OR THIS BRIDGE NAME, AND DECIDED, IT'S NOT RIGHT. IT'S NOT CHANGES. WHERE DOES THAT COME FROM? WHAT LAWS IN PLACE? HELP ME UNDERSTAND THAT. THE OTHER THING IS THAT, AS TAXPAYING CITIZENS, AND IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT AND TODAY'S MOMENT, WHEN WE'RE HAVING CHALLENGES AROUND RACIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY AND EQUALITY FOR ALL AND ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR STATE AND COUNTRY. THE FACT THAT OUR LEADERS GOT TOGETHER AND MADE THIS DECISION AND DIDN'T THINK TO COMMUNICATE IT TO THE PUBLIC. >> THAT BLOWS ME AWAY. IT REALLY DOES, AND ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THIS IS SECOND TIME IN A FEW WEEKS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED, WHERE I FOUND OUT INFORMATION ABOUT A MAJOR CHANGE IN OUR CITY, AND NOBODY TALKED ABOUT IT. POINT NUMBER 1, DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU WOULDN'T HAVE READ YOUR PROCLAMATION AT JUNETEENTH, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR ME? I'M NOT PATTING MYSELF ON THE BACK FOR THAT. IN FACT, WE SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED BY THAT. I HAPPENED TO JUST MAKE A RANDOM PHONE CALL TO FIND OUT WHAT THE CITY WAS DOING AROUND JUNETEENTH, BECAUSE I KNEW WE HAD ALREADY, THAT WE WOULD AT LEAST AT MINIMUM, SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE'VE GOT TO COMMUNICATE. WE NEED TO AT LEAST LET THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT THESE THINGS. THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN A SECOND TIME. HAD I NOT MADE THAT PHONE CALL TO A CITY COUNCIL PERSON, THAT PROCLAMATION WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN READ. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT IT WASN'T IN PLACE BECAUSE YOU HAVE A NEW POLICY THAT YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR PROCLAMATIONS OR FILL OUT AN APPLICATION. THEN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF IOWA WAS PUT UNDER THE BUS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T DO THIS. THEY DIDN'T APPLY, AS IF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM SPEAKS FOR ALL BLACK PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. I DON'T SPEAK FOR ALL BLACK PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. BUT AS A CITY, IF YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT A NEW DIRECTOR AND YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A NEW POLICY, AND JUNETEENTH IS COMING UP, A NATIONAL HOLIDAY AND AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION THAT WE HAVE EVERY YEAR, AND NOBODY ON CITY COUNCIL OR NOBODY IN OUR CITY, JUST AS A HUMAN JUST THOUGHT PROACTIVELY, WE OUGHT TO CHECK INTO THAT. BECAUSE YOU SEE LINN COUNTY HAD A PROCLAMATION. THEY DIDN'T ASK FOR ANYBODY TO APPLY. THEY JUST DID IT. SUDDENLY AFTER MY PHONE CALL, PEOPLE IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM STARTED GETTING CALLS, AND SUDDENLY WE HAVE THE PROCLAMATION READ. [CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS] THAT'S DISTURBING, AND AGAIN, I'M NOT PATTING MYSELF ON THE BACK BECAUSE I JUST MADE A RANDOM PHONE CALL, AND MY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS DID NOT KNOW, COULD NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION. THAT'S DISTURBING. IS AS DISTURBING AS WHAT HAPPENED WHEN YOU REMOVED THE DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSION PROGRAMMING. I THINK SOMEONE READ A QUOTE EARLIER ABOUT MAKING PROACTIVE DECISIONS IS AN INDICATION OF TYRANNY. I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY SAID, BUT THE POINT IS, YOU MADE A DECISION AT THAT POINT AND DIDN'T COMMUNICATE TO THE PUBLIC. I WENT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ASKED, DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS? THE PERSON I TALKED TO HAD NO IDEA WHY THAT DECISION WAS MADE TO REMOVE PROGRAMMING. THEY HAD NO SAY IN THE PROCESS. I WAS TOLD THAT YOU ALL WERE NOT A PART OF THAT DECISION TO END THE DEI PROGRAMMING, SO THIS HAPPENED, THEN NO COMMUNICATION. JUNETEENTH HAPPENS. [03:30:02] WE DON'T HAVE A PROCLAMATION UNLESS I MAKE A RANDOM CALL, AND NOW HERE I AM TODAY, STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU TALKING ABOUT A $57 MILLION GRANT THAT YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT FOR THE WORD JUSTICE. LET ME MAKE SURE I'VE GOT TIME LEFT. IS IT JUSTICE FOR THOSE THINGS I TOLD YOU ABOUT? >> YOU'RE OVER, AND BY THE WAY, I ACTUALLY SENT A TEXT TO SOMEBODY AT THE MUSEUM. YOU ARE OUT OF TIME. >> THIS IS MY ARTIFICIAL LEG. DO YOU THINK WE CARE ABOUT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THIS COMMUNITY? [PUBLIC INPUT (Part 2 of 2)] >> I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO TAKE YOUR SEAT. JUST BECAUSE WE SAY THINGS, DON'T MAKE THEM TRUE. >> SAY THAT AGAIN. >> JUST BECAUSE WE SAY THINGS, DON'T MAKE THEM TRUE. >> WHAT IS THAT? >> CITY MANAGER POMERANZ, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMUNICATIONS FOR COUNSEL TODAY? >> I WAS JUST ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION [INAUDIBLE] THAT'S OKAY IF YOU DON'T. THAT'S RIGHT. >> I DO HAVE ONE ADDITION. I WANTED TO WELCOME OUR NEW PARKS DIRECTOR. IT'S GOING TO BE LONG MEETING [OVERLAPPING] >> WELCOME. [APPLAUSE] >> MS. CARRIE MARDORF IS HERE. >> WE AREN'T NORMALLY HERE THIS LATE IN THE EVENING. >> WE'RE VERY PLEASED THAT CARRIE ACCEPTED THE POSITION. SHE COMES FROM LOTS OF EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP, PARTICULARLY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. SHE HAS HER BACHELOR'S, ALSO HER MASTER'S DEGREE. WHEN THE STAFF INTERVIEWED HER AND OTHERS WERE INVOLVED AS WELL, BETTER AND MORE EFFECTIVE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT. I'M JUST REALLY HAPPY THAT SHE'S HERE. SHE'S AN IOWAN. >> I HEAR A CYCLONE. >> THEN CYCLONE AS WELL. >> THAT'S OKAY. >> HER PARENTS ARE IN MONTICELLO, AND THEY VISIT CEDAR RAPIDS OFTEN. THAT'S WHERE SHE GREW UP, AND SO WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE HER HOME. >> GREAT. WELCOME. GLAD YOU'RE HERE. IF THERE'S NO OTHER FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE COUNSEL, COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON MOVES TO ADJOURN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THE MOTION CARRIES. >> I SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. >> I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE YOU DOWN, STAND BY. >> [INAUDIBLE] AND ON THE LIST. >> HERE STAND BY. HOLD ON. YES. EMMA. OKAY, COUNSEL. MY APOLOGIES, EMMA. WE ARE NOT ADJOURNED. >> THANK YOU. >> YES. >> THANKS FOR BRINGING IT UP. >> YES THANK YOU FOR POINTING IT OUT. MY SINCERE APOLOGIES. >> I'M SURE EVERYONE HERE WOULD LIKE TO GO HOME. >> THAT'S OKAY. >> I WOULD TO GO HOME. WHEN I SHOWED UP, I WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO SPEAK TO A FULL ROOM. APPARENTLY NOT. >> WE ARE HERE AS LONG AS OUR LIST IS HERE. >> I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN, MAYOR O'DONNELL, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS EMMA. MY PRONOUNS ARE THEY/THEM. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF CEDAR RAPIDS SINCE 1999. I'M NON-BINARY BISEXUAL AND A MEMBER OF THE QUEER COMMUNITY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS MEETING IS BEING HELD ON THE TRADITIONAL OCCUPIED LANDS OF THE SAC, FOX, AND IOWA PEOPLES. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN. I'M A LITTLE LESS COLORFUL THIS TIME, BUT I'M STILL SHEDDING GLITTER FROM IOWA CITY PRIDE THIS WEEKEND. I APOLOGIZE IF ANYONE GETS CONTAMINATED. LAST TIME I SPOKE TO YOU URGENTLY, BUT GENERALLY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TRULY SHOW THAT ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT WELCOME IS OUR LANGUAGE. I INVITED EVERYONE TO JOIN US ON JULY 12TH FOR CR PRIDE FEST TO SEE THAT THE LGBTQIA COMMUNITY TRULY EMBRACES EVERYONE WHO COMES AS A FRIEND AND ALLY. THE INVITE STILL STANDS, WE DO HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE. TODAY, I'D LIKE TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE PERSONAL ABOUT WHY IT'S TRULY IMPORTANT THAT THE CITY'S LEADERSHIP SHOWS THAT ALL ARE WELCOME HERE. I WILL BE USING WORDS IN MY ANECDOTE THAT SOME WILL PROBABLY FIND OFFENSIVE. I CERTAINLY DO. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO SAY THESE WORDS SO THAT YOU CAN SIT IN THE DISCOMFORT THAT I AND MANY OF MY QUEER COMRADES EXPERIENCE ON A REGULAR BASIS. SINCE JANUARY 20TH, I HAVE BEEN CALLED A FAGGOT AND A DYKE SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS A CLOSETED TEEN IN THE EARLY 2000S WHEN CALLING PEOPLE GAY WAS COMPLETELY NORMALIZED AND INNOCUOUS. THIS WAS NOT THAT. THE HATRED BEHIND THE WORDS AND THE REST OF THE EXPLETIVES IN THE SENTENCES MADE IT VERY CLEAR. MY VERY EXISTENCE MADE THEM SO UNCOMFORTABLE THEY WANTED ME GONE. I'M GRATEFUL THAT NONE OF THESE INSTANCES HAVE HAPPENED WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS WITH ME. I'VE ALREADY HAD MORE UNCOMFORTABLE AND DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS WITH HER IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS THAN I EVER EXPECTED TO HAVE. I WAS AT THE STATE CAPITOL ALL DAY ON FEBRUARY 27TH, THE DAY IOWA LEGISLATORS DECIDED I WAS LESS OF A PERSON. [03:35:04] I USED A DAY OF VACATION AND I WAS THERE AT 8:30 IN THE MORNING. AT 4:30 PM, I STOOD ACROSS FROM THE SENATE DOORS, TEARS STREAMING DOWN MY FACE, WAITING FOR EVERYONE TO CLEAR OUT OF THAT ROOM. IF THEY WERE GOING TO LEAVE THROUGH THE MAIN DOORS, THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE ME, A PERSON, A PARENT, AND JUST BECAUSE I'M NON-BINARY. THE NEXT DAY, COUNCILMAN MAIER POSTED THE CEDAR RAPID CIVIL RIGHTS CODE ON SOME OF THE COMMUNITY FACEBOOK PAGES, WHICH DOES CONSIDER GENDER IDENTITY A PROTECTED CLASS. I APPRECIATE THAT. BUT SINCE THEN, THE CITY HAS DONE NOTHING TO REASSURE ITS TRANS AND GENDER NON-CONFORMING POPULATION THAT THEY ARE TRULY PROTECTED. THE LAW DENYING TRANSGENDER PEOPLE CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTION GOES INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1ST, A WEEK FROM TODAY, AND I'M WORRIED, AND SO ARE A LOT OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW. LIKELY TO BE UNDER AND UNEMPLOYED, WHICH LEADS TO HOUSING INSECURITY. MANY OF US NOW FEAR OUR EMPLOYERS WILL LET US GO AND THEY ARE JUST WAITING FOR THAT JANUARY 1ST DAY TO TAKE OVER. THEY BELIEVE THAT WE WILL HAVE NO LEGAL RECOURSE AGAINST THEM. IT WILL BE HARDER FOR US TO FIND NEW EMPLOYMENT, BECAUSE THE STATE SAYS THEY CAN DENY US EMPLOYMENT JUST BECAUSE WE ARE QUEER. IF WE LOSE OUR HOUSING, IT WILL BE HARDER FOR US TO FIND THAT TOO, BECAUSE THEY CAN DENY IT TO US, JUST BECAUSE WE ARE QUEER. EVEN IF WE ARE PROTECTED BY CITY STATUTES, WHERE WOULD WE GET THE MONEY TO PURSUE ANY LEGAL RECOURSE WITH NO PERMANENT ADDRESS AND NO INCOME? IN CLOSING, I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HAVING THE COURAGE IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION TO RAISE THE PRIDE FLAG THIS YEAR. BUT I WOULD IMPLORE YOU TO REMEMBER THAT ON JULY 1ST, WE DON'T TAKE OUR RAINBOWS OFF AND PUT THEM BACK IN THE CLOSET. I LOOK LIKE THIS ALL YEAR. OUR LIVELIHOODS, OUR LIVES DON'T BECOME LESS AT RISK THE OTHER 11 MONTHS. PLEASE STAND BEHIND THE CITY SLOGAN, AND MAKE SURE WE KNOW THAT WE ARE WELCOME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. MY APOLOGIES AGAIN, EMMA. I DO HAVE A COUPLE MORE NAMES ON HERE. [LAUGHTER] I HAVE TOO MANY SHEETS OF PAPER UP HERE. BILL DAVIS. IS BILL STILL HERE? HOW ABOUT TESSA MCROBERTS? GREAT. TESSA IS HERE TO SPEAK ON THE PRIDE FLAG. THEN ISSA, YOU'RE ON DECK. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNSEL. MY NAME IS TESSA MCROBERTS, AND I'M SO NERVOUS. YOU GUYS ARE ALL LOOKING AT ME. I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED THAT. MY ZIP CODE IS 52402, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY AND GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE PRIDE FLAG. THIS IS MY SECOND CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AND THE FIRST ONE WAS ON MAY 27TH, AND THERE WAS ABOUT SIX DIFFERENT SPEAKERS THAT SPOKE NEGATIVELY ABOUT THE PRIDE FLAG. SORRY, I REWROTE THIS SPEECH THREE TIMES SITTING IN THE BACK WHILE THIS MARATHON OF A MEETING WAS GOING ON, AND I'M NOT EVEN REALLY REFERENCING IT. I'M JUST GOING OFF THE CUFF, RUNNING THROUGH IT. SOME OF THEIR POINTS THOSE SIX SPEAKERS HAD, AND TO BE AGAINST THE CITY ALL FLYING THE FLAG IN THE PRIDE FLAG IN JUNE. I DON'T SAY ANY OF THESE TO UPSET ANYONE IN THE ROOM. THESE AREN'T ANY VALUES THAT I SUPPORT PERSONALLY, BUT JUST TO REFLECT WHAT THE FEELINGS OF THOSE PEOPLE WERE. THERE WAS COMMENTS THAT TRANSITIONAL SURGERIES ARE 100% FAILURE ON THE BASIS THAT TRANSITION PERSON IS NOT FERTILE AS THE GENDER THAT THEY TRANSITION TO, WHICH DOESN'T FACTOR IN HOW LOW OF A REGRET RATE THIS IS FOR SURGERIES. THE REGRET RATE OF TRANSITIONAL SURGERY IS ABOUT 1%, WHEN KNEE SURGERY IS 7%-30%, DEPENDING ON WHAT STUDY YOU LOOK AT. ALSO IMPLIED THAT MAYOR TIFFANY O'DONNELL MAY BE A PART OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY TO POSSIBLY IMPLY SOME LESSER AUTHORITY OR COMMENTED THAT TRANS PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE A LIFETIME OF DRUGS TO CONTINUE THEIR HORMONE THERAPY, AND THEY SUGGESTED FLYING THE CHRISTIAN FLAG AND SOMEONE CALLED, I HAVE WRITTEN DOWN "ABOMINATION OF GOD", I THINK IN REFERENCE TO LGBTQ PEOPLE. [03:40:05] I THANK THESE SPEAKERS FOR REMINDING ME AND THE COUNSEL THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE SAFETY AND EDUCATION OF ITS MEMBERS. THANK YOU, COUNSEL, FOR UPHOLDING FLYING THE PRIDE FLAG THIS MONTH. I APPRECIATE IT, AND I THOUGHT MORE OF THOSE SPEAKERS WOULD BE HERE TODAY TO HEAR ME, BUT THEY ARE NOT. THANK YOU. >> YOU CAN ALWAYS COME BACK. IT'S EASIER EVERY TIME. ISSA, YOU'RE UP NEXT. >> I HAD ONE REALLY QUICK QUESTION. >> I'M SORRY. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON. WELL, I KNOW WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN. ISSA. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR, TIFFANY O'DONNELL AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M BEFORE YOU HERE TODAY. YOU GUYS REVIEWED STONE CREEK APARTMENTS. YOU GUYS PROBABLY ALL REMEMBER THAT SEVERAL MONTHS BACK. I LIVE IN THE AREA, SO I HAVE PAPERWORK HERE THAT I WILL HAND OVER TO THE OFFICER HERE. IT'S A TWO-PAGE REPORT REFERENCING MY IDEAS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND THE AREA. ONE OF THE MAIN TALKING POINTS IS REDOING THE INTERCHANGE WITH 151 AND HIGHWAY 30 TO A DIVERGING DIAMOND TO ALLOW BETTER TRAFFIC FLOW AND ACCESS TO ALL PARTS OF THAT AREA. THAT IS A GROWING PART OF THE AREA THAT, AS WE ALL KNOW, IS GOING TO KEEP GROWING. SINCE HIGHWAY 30 WAS PUT IN SOMEWHERE, I THINK IN THE MID '80S IN ITS CURRENT CONFIGURATION, THOSE BRIDGES WOULD PROBABLY BE COMING UP ON THE END OF THEIR LIFESPAN BECAUSE BRIDGES ARE BUILT FOR 50 YEARS. BACK THEN, NOW IT'S ABOUT 100. I WILL GIVE OUT THIS PAPERWORK, AND I WILL LET YOU READ THROUGH IT. IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, MY CONTACT INFO IS ON THE PAPERWORK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. DID EVERYBODY SPEAK WHO WAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND ONCE AGAIN, COUNCILMEMBER TYLER OLSON MOVES TO ADJOURN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THE MOTION CARRIES, WE ARE ADJOURNED. [BACKGROUND] * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.