Aug 12, 2025 City Council

MOVING ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT NOW.

[PUBLIC COMMENT]

HERE IN THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS.

THE FIRST IS A CHANCE FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON ANY SUBJECT PERTAINING TO COUNCIL ACTION SET 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 AND CITY STAFF MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, WE ARE HERE AS A COUNCIL TO LISTEN.

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REMEMBER THAT ALL THE MATTERS I ADDRESS PRIOR TO THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING TODAY APPLY TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS AS WELL.

A REMINDER TO STAY AT THE LECTERN.

IF YOU HAVE DOCUMENTS, GIVE THEM TO THE OFFICER.

WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS YELLOW, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE, WHEN IT'S RED, WE'LL ASK YOU TO TAKE YOUR SEAT.

ALL COMMENTS NEED TO BE DIRECTED TO THE MATTERS YOU WISH TO ADDRESS.

NO ABUSIVE, PERSONAL, IRRELEVANT COMMENTS WILL BE ALLOWED, AND WE ASK FOR NO PARTICIPATION OR DISRUPTION FROM THE AUDIENCE.

IF YOU'VE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, PLEASE APPROACH THE MICROPHONE WHEN CALLED UPON.

TODAY WE HAD QUITE A FEW PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.

I'M JUST GOING TO CALL IN ORDER ON MY SHEET.

I HAVE LEO RIGEL HERE.

RIGEL, LEO, YOU'LL BE FIRST.

IF YOU COULD JUST GIVE US YOUR NAME AND YOUR CITY, PLEASE.

>> HELLO. MY FAMILY OWNS SOME PROPERTY ALFA WRIGHT BROTHERS BOULEVARD.

WE ARE AFFECTED BY THIS LIST STATION IMPROVEMENT.

I GOT A LETTER FROM THE CITY ON JULY 14TH AND I WASN'T SURE IT AFFECTED US BECAUSE THERE WAS NO MAP INCLUDED WITH IT.

THEREFORE, I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS SENT TO US IN ERROR.

I FOUND OUT THAT WE ARE AFFECTED BY TWO WEEKS LATER BY A LADY THAT CALLED ME, HER NAME WAS JENNIFER.

SHE WORKED FOR SOME STANLEY SOMETHING COMPANY.

SHE TALKED ABOUT AN EASEMENT ABOUT THAT SEWER SYSTEM.

SHE ALSO MENTIONED BEING ANNEXED WITHIN THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS, AND I TOLD HER, THIS IS THE FIRST I'VE EVER HEARD OF IT.

IF THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

THIS NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP.

YEAH. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR. RIGAL. ABIGAIL CORNEJO, HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 26.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ABIGAIL CORNEJO.

I LIVE AT 4333 FIRST AVENUE, NORTHWEST.

I HAVE BEEN AN ELL TEACHER, ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER TEACHER AT HOOVER COMMUNITY SCHOOL FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND SIX IN THE DISTRICT.

I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF REZONING AT HOOVER.

AS YOU'RE AWARE, WE'VE OUTGROWN OUR BUILDING EVIDENCED BY THE PORTABLES IN WHICH OUR WHOLE FIFTH GRADE CLASS IS NOW, HOUSED AWAY FROM THE REST OF THE BUILDING.

WE DON'T HAVE CENTRAL AIR IN OUR GYM, CAFETERIA, AND LIBRARY, WHICH MAKES IT VERY HOT AND THEN VERY COLD IN THE WINTER WHERE KIDS NEED TO WEAR THEIR COATS TO GYM CLASS.

IN WINTER ADDITIONALLY, OUR HEATER CAUSES OUR BUILDING TO SMELL LIKE SEWAGE.

NOBODY DESERVES TO HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL IN THAT.

MOLD IS EVIDENT ALSO IN SPOTS IN OUR BUILDING.

CEDAR RAPIDS MOTTO IS WELCOME AS OUR LANGUAGE.

OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THE PHYSICAL BUILDING DOES NOT EMBRACE THAT.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOOVER IS 174 OF OUR 420 STUDENTS RECEIVED ENGLISH LANGUAGE SERVICES AT THE END OF 24, 25.

A TOTAL OF 57% OF OUR STUDENT BODY SPEAKS ANOTHER LANGUAGE, SOME EVEN THREE AT HOME.

TWENTY NINE PERCENT SPEAK SWAHILI, 18% FRENCH, AND 14% HAITIAN KAYLE, AND 100% OF OUR STUDENT BODY IS RESILIENT, CAPABLE, WONDERFUL CHILDREN THAT I'M HONORED TO TEACH.

THEY ARE ALSO MAJORITY OF COLOR.

THESE KIDS ARE OUR FUTURE.

PLEASE ENSURE THEY FEEL WELCOME IN CEDAR RAPIDS BY APPROVING THIS REZONING.

OUR KIDS DESERVE A BIG, CLEAN, SAFE, PHYSICAL BUILDING THEY CAN BE PROUD OF.

A CITY THAT SUPPORTS THEM.

OUR KIDS DESERVE THIS NOW, WHATEVER THE COST. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. MARK KRAMER, HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 26.

>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS MARK KRAMER, AND I LIVE ON ROXBURY.

IT'S ADJACENT TO ITEM NUMBER 26, THE HOOVER REZONING.

I WANT TO FIRST MAKE CLEAR IS WE TOTALLY, I BELIEVE, ALL OF US, APPROVE OF THE NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.

WE HAVE NO ARGUMENT THERE.

ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CONCERNS HAS BEEN WITH THE LACK OF COMMUNICATIONS BY THE SCHOOL BOARD OR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE COMMUNICATING WITH US ABOUT WHAT THE PLAN WAS GOING TO BE.

WE DIDN'T REALLY HEAR ABOUT THIS TIL A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, AND WE'VE ASKED YOU TO POSTPONE THIS SO THAT WE COULD GET FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS AND WHAT THEY PLAN TO DO WITH THIS BUILDING AND HOPEFULLY TO CHANGE IT.

AFTER WE'VE SEEN THE PLANS, THEY PLANNED ON PUTTING THIS SERVICE DRIVE ABOUT 10 FEET FROM OUR LOT LINE,

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AND IT'S A 26 FOOT WIDE SERVICE DRIVE, AND THE SCHOOL DIDN'T LOOK TO BE MUCH FURTHER PAST THAT.

THEY HAVE SINCE TRIED TO ADJUST THAT A LITTLE BIT, BUT OUR PROBLEM MOSTLY IS THAT THEY'RE NOT COMMUNICATING WITH US.

WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO WANT TO LISTEN TO WHAT OUR SUGGESTIONS ARE TO MAKE THIS MORE PALATABLE TO US AS NEIGHBORS.

AGAIN, WE DON'T MIND THE NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.

I'M PRETTY SURE AS THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER SAID, YOU WONDER WHO THEIR MAINTENANCE STAFF IS THAT THEY'RE HAVING THOSE KINDS OF PROBLEMS, BUT WHATEVER IT MAY BE, A NEW BUILDING WOULD NO DOUBT RESOLVE THOSE.

WE ASKED THEM ONE SUGGESTION WAS TO THIS SERVICE DRIVE WAS GOING TO ALSO SERVICE BUS DROP OFF.

THERE'S ONLY TWO BUSES THAT DROP OFF AT THAT SCHOOL BUILDING.

THAT'S ANOTHER NEW ONE THEY BUILD OUT THERE ON THE WEST SIDE, WHERE THEY JUST COME RIGHT OFF THE ROAD, THE STREET AND MAKE A WIDENING THERE WHERE THE BUSES PULL IN AND DROP OFF.

THE OTHER THING WE ASKED THEM TO DO IS TO MOVE THIS DRIVE FURTHER AWAY FROM OUR LOT LINES AND PROVIDE SOME SOUND BERM OR TREES.

THEY HAVE SUGGESTED FENCING.

WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN YET.

THEY HAVEN'T GOT WITH US TO TELL US WHAT THE PLAN WAS.

THIRD THING WE SUGGESTED WAS IF THEY SIMPLY ROTATE THIS BUILDING AROUND, THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY RESOLVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS, BUT THEY REFUSED.

THAT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY'VE ALREADY PUT IN ALL THE DESIGN WORK AND THAT WOULD INCREASE THEIR COST BECAUSE THEY'D HAVE TO REDO IT.

ALL WE'RE ASKING THE CITY COUNCIL TO DO FOR US IS TO TABLE THIS THIRD READING UNTIL THE SCHOOL BOARD GETS WITH US AND MEETS WITH US AND ADDRESSES OUR ISSUES.

WE REALLY DO SUPPORT THE NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.

THEY OBVIOUSLY DO NEED ONE.

THIS IS AN OLDER FACILITY.

IT'S JUST THAT WE DON'T LIKE THE WAY THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON.

I'M SORRY TO PUT YOU IN THIS BECAUSE YOUR ONLY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO APPROVE THIS READING TO CHANGE THE ZONING.

REALLY, MY PROBLEM IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM.

THIS PROBLEM IS WITH OUR SCHOOL BOARD AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT WE'RE NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH THEM, SO WE'RE SIMPLY ASKING YOU TO HELP US GET THEM TO THE TABLE WITH US.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, GARY [INAUDIBLE].

AFTER GARY WILL BE DON CLARK.

THEN SARAH HINTZMAN, AND THEN CINDY GARLOCK.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

GARY [INAUDIBLE], 3934 ROXBURY DRIVE, NORTHWEST.

I LIVED THERE FOR 35 YEARS, SO I'VE SEEN A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT IN THAT COMMUNITY, AND WE'LL LIKE TO SEE SOME CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT IN THAT COMMUNITY.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE ROXBURY NEIGHBORHOOD ARE NOT OPPOSED TO IMPROVING OR ENLARGING THAT SCHOOL.

I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR.

PERSONALLY, I DON'T THINK ALL PLAN OPTIONS TO A LARGE HOOVER SCHOOL HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED.

WE PRESENTED SEVERAL OF THOSE PLAN OPTIONS TO THE SCHOOL.

BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY'VE BEEN SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED.

THEY HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE AND IT'S LIKE TRYING TO TURN THE TITANIC AROUND.

THEY'RE GOING TO GO RIGHT WITH THE PLAN THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE.

INSTEAD OF THE ACCESS DRIVE LIKE MY NEIGHBOR WAS TALKING ABOUT, WEST WILLOW DID A NICE CUTOUT DRIVE, AND THERE'S ROOM TO DO THAT OFF TO THE PARKING LOT, WHERE THE BUSES CAN DROP OFF THE STUDENTS, WHERE THE DELIVERY TRUCKS, WHICH ARE TWICE A WEEK, CAN DROP OFF AND THE TRASH CAN BE PICKED UP.

THERE'S NO BLOCKING THE TRAFFIC ON WILEY IF THEY DID A NICE CUT OFF INTO THAT PARKING LOT ON THE WEST END OF HOOVER SCHOOL.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ALSO THE WAY THE SCHOOL IS BEING BUILT AND PUT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S NOT CONDUCIVE FOR OUR QUALITY OF LIFE THAT WE'VE ENVISIONED AND LIVED ON THE LAST, MY 35 YEARS AND THE OTHER NEIGHBORS SEVERAL YEARS AS WELL.

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WE HAVE TO LOOK AT A 28 FOOT TALL BUILDING IN BASICALLY WHAT I THINK IS IN OUR BACK YARD, LOOKING AT A WALL OF A 28 FOOT BUILDING WHERE TODAY I HAVE NICE TREES ALL ALONG THE LINE.

WITH THE PROPOSED BUILDING, WE'RE GOING TO LOSE TREE CANOPY.

I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO CEDAR RAPIDS.

THEY'RE GOING TO WIPE OUT AND CLEAR CUT ALL THE WAY DOWN THE LINE.

CLEAR FROM ON THE WEST SIDE OF ME, AFFECTING 8-9 NEIGHBORS.

THEY'RE SAY THEY'RE GOING TO PLANT TREES.

WELL, NOT MY LIFETIME, I'LL EVER SEE THOSE TREES GROW AS TALL AS THEY ARE TODAY.

THE OTHER THING IS GEOTHERMAL WELLS ARE BEING DRILLED.

APPROXIMATELY 60 FEET FROM MY PROPERTY LINE AND THE OTHER NEIGHBOR ON CLIVE.

HE'S GOING TO HAVE A WELL DRILLED NO LESS THAN ABOUT 10-15 FOOT, AND THOSE WELLS ARE GOING DOWN 350 FEET.

YOU IMAGINE THOSE DRILLS ARE GEOTHERMAL WELLS BEING DRILLED, AND THAT'S NOT A QUIET BECAUSE I'VE HEARD THOSE ALREADY BEING DRILLED ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER AND THE NORTHEAST CORNER.

NONE OF THAT IS QUIET.

THOSE DRILLS SHOULD NOT BE THAT CLOSE TO OUR PROPERTY LINE.

PUT YOURSELF IN OUR SHOES AS PROPERTY OWNERS, ALONG THE HIGH AND THE LARGE SCHOOL BEING BUILT NEXT TO YOUR PROPERTY.

I FEEL OUR PROPERTY VALUES AREN'T GOING TO BE AS HIGHLY VALUED AS THEY ARE TODAY WITH WHAT WE HAVE TO SEE IN OUR BACKYARD AND OUR SCENERY.

WORK SITE CONSTRUCTION TRAILERS.

I'M GOING TO BE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY, ACCORDING TO THE PLAN, SIX CONSTRUCTION TRAILERS LESS THAN 60 FEET FROM MY PROPERTY LINE.

I'M GOING TO SIT ON MY DECK, DRINK A CUP OF COFFEE, LOOK AT SIX CONSTRUCTION TRAILERS, AND YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO BE COMING AND GOING, ALL THE WORKERS ARE GOING TO BE COMING DOWN THAT LINE REPORTING IN THE MORNING.

THERE'S NO PRIVACY THERE THAT I SEE.

I WOULD LIKE THE CITY COUNCIL TO TABLE THIS AND GO AND TELL THE SCHOOL TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, AND LET'S GET WITH THE NEIGHBORS AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION WHERE WE CAN ALL LIVE ON A WIN WIN SITUATION.

I BELIEVE AND SOME OF THE HOOVER NEIGHBORS BELIEVE THAT WE ARE MORE THAN COLLATERAL TAXPAYERS.

WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE STUDENTS, WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND HOPEFULLY YOU AS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION.

THEREFORE, I'M REQUESTING THE CITY COUNCIL NOT APPROVE THE CURRENT HOOVER REZONING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> DON CLARK.

>> THANK YOU. I'M DON CLARK.

I LIVE AT 66 CLIVE DRIVE.

UNLIKE MY NEIGHBORS ON ROXBURY, THAT HAS THE ROAD, IF YOU WILL.

THE PEOPLE ON CLYDS CONCERN IS, AND I BELIEVE THIS IS PROBABLY THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME I'VE BEEN UP HERE WITH MY CONCERN IS THE STORM WATER FLOW TOWARDS MY HOUSE.

WE'VE GOT THAT EARTHEN DAM THERE, AND IT'S GOING TO BE TAKEN OUT.

WE'VE BEEN ASKING THE CEDAR RAPIDS SCHOOL DISTRICT, THESE ARE OUR CONCERNS.

GET US INVOLVED.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM ANYBODY.

YOU GET, YEAH, MR. CLARK, WE HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

TALK TO OUT FRONT AFTER THE MEETING, BUT THEY NEVER GET BACK TO YOU.

I EVEN INVITE THEM OUT TO SHOW THEM THE CONCERN.

THE OTHER DAY WE GOT THREE INCHES OF RAIN AND YOU CAN JUST SEE THE WATER FLOWING.

THAT THING IS DOWN, MY HOME IS FLOODING.

I DID GET A PROMISE FROM CHAD SCHUMACHER THAT IF MY HOME WAS FLOODED, THE CEDAR RAPIDS SCHOOL DISTRICT WOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS.

THAT WAS A VERBAL THING, PUT IT IN WRITING, AND I'LL BE FINE WITH THIS.

AS YOU HEARD, NOBODY FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS OPPOSED TO A NEW SCHOOL.

WE'RE JUST ASKING TO BE INVOLVED WITH OUR CONCERNS.

THESE ARE OUR CONCERNS.

THIS IS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND WE JUST WANT TO BE INVOLVED SO THAT WE CAN GET A NEW SCHOOL.

I'M GOING TO ASK FOR YOU GUYS TO TABLE IT UNTIL WE ARE INVOLVED. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. SARAH HINTZMAN.

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>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL.

I'M SARAH HINTZMAN.

I'M AN ALUMNI OF HOOVER ELEMENTARY.

I'M ALSO A NEIGHBOR ON THE ROXBURY DRIVE, QUADRANT OF THE HOOVER PROPERTY.

I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES SINCE YOU LAST HEARD FROM US.

>> WE HAD A SIT DOWN MEETING AT MY HOME WITH SOME OF THESE NEIGHBORS, AND SOME OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND SHIVE-HATTERY REPRESENTATIVES.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

IT WAS A NICE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE, BUT I DON'T THINK IT REALLY MOVED US TOO FAR FORWARD IN ADDRESSING OUR CONCERNS, BUT IT WAS A NICE WAY TO START COLLABORATING.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS SCHEDULED THREE UPCOMING MEETINGS FOR NEIGHBORS TO COME, AND PROVIDE INPUT.

NOT EXACTLY SURE ON WHAT, BUT I THINK PRIMARILY THEY WANT US TO COLLABORATE ON OUTDOOR ELEMENTS LIKE SCREENING, AND FENCING. THOSE ARE COMING UP.

I ALSO TOOK OVER THE WEEKEND TIME TO CRAFT A LETTER TO MY NEIGHBORS, AND WALK THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND HIT UP EVERY HOUSE THAT WAS ON THE PHYSICAL SITE PLAN SO THAT THEY ALL KNOW THAT THESE MEETINGS ARE COMING UP BECAUSE THE DISTRICT DOESN'T HAVE ALL THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION.

THAT'S ALL FALLEN ON ME.

I'M HAPPY TO DO IT BECAUSE I'M AN ADVOCATE AT HEART, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS ALSO OCCURRED.

WE RECEIVED AN UPDATED PROPOSAL FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

I DON'T BELIEVE Y'ALL HAVE SEEN IT.

BUT ESSENTIALLY THEIR INTENT IS TO MOVE THE ACCESS ROAD, AND THE SCHOOL BUILDING FIVE FEET FURTHER TO THE NORTH THAN WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED TO YOU.

THANK YOU. FIVE FEET IS NICE.

BUT IT'S STILL REAL CLOSE TO THE PROPERTY LINES ON ROXBURY DRIVE.

FOR US, IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE QUITE THE COMPROMISE WE WERE LOOKING FOR.

TO REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT, AND RESOLVE OUR CONCERNS, ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO THE OUTCOMES THAT WE COULD LITERALLY SEE AT THE OTHER SCHOOLS.

NONE OF THE OTHER SCHOOLS HAVE QUITE THIS INTRUSIVE OF AN ACCESS ROAD RIGHT BEHIND PROPERTY LINES SO WE STILL REMAIN OPPOSED TO THE ROAD.

WE APPRECIATE THAT THE COUNCIL HAS HEARD OUR CONCERNS, AND TAKEN THE ACTION THAT IS POSSIBLE TO GIVE US MORE TIME TO START THIS COLLABORATIVE PROCESS, AND WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE DISTRICT IN EARNEST, ESPECIALLY, I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER VANORNY, AND COUNCIL MEMBER POE FOR YOUR VOTES IN THE PAST.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

I HAVE ONE MORE REQUEST OF COUNCIL TODAY.

I FULLY EXPECT THAT YOU WILL TAKE ACTION TO MOVE THE REZONING BASED ON THE ARGUMENTS THAT YOU'VE MADE, WHICH ARE VALID IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS.

BUT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED ACTION IS TO PUT A CONDITION ON THIS REZONING, AND THAT CONDITION WOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT YOU ALL REVIEW THE SITE PLAN WHEN IT COMES TO THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT, RATHER THAN PERMIT STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL.

THE REASON I'M ASKING FOR THAT IS TO ENSURE THAT THE TRUST, AND TRANSPARENCY WE HAVE BEEN BEGGING FOR CONTINUES REGARDING THE COMPROMISES THAT ARE IN DEVELOPMENT.

THEY'RE NOT FINALIZED, BUT THEY'RE CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN HOOVER NEIGHBORS, AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THAT IS MY FINAL REQUEST OF Y'ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> CINDY GARLOCK.

>> HI. I'M CINDY GARLOCK, PRESIDENT OF THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD.

I DO KNOW THAT YOU DID RECEIVE A COMMUNICATION FROM THE DISTRICT REGARDING THE MEETING THAT WE HAD WITH THE ROXBURY NEIGHBORS ON JULY 28TH.

ALONG WITH THAT EMAIL, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A DOCUMENT CONTAINING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, THAT DO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT YOU'VE HEARD HERE TODAY.

I DO WANT TO JUST REVIEW A FEW OF THOSE WITH YOU.

WE DID SHIFT THE POSITION OF THE BUILDING A LITTLE BIT SO THAT IT ALLOWS AN ADDITIONAL 20 FEET BETWEEN THE PROPERTY LINE, AND THIS DRIVEWAY THAT IS THE POINT OF CONTENTION.

CHAD DID LOOK AT DOING A CUTOUT ON WILEY, AND THAT SEEMS TO BE IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THAT WILEY IS TERMED A COLLECTOR STREET, WHICH MAKES THAT POSSIBILITY UNTENABLE.

WE HAVE MET WITH THE NEIGHBORS ONCE.

CHAD WAS THERE, OUR CFO WAS THERE, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM SHIVE, I WAS THERE, OUR BOARD VICE PRESIDENT WAS THERE TO VISIT WITH THE NEIGHBORS.

WE WENT THROUGH ALL OF THESE POSSIBILITIES, AND TALKED WITH THEM ABOUT WHAT MIGHT WORK, WHAT MIGHT NOT WORK.

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE DO A CUTOUT ON WILEY OR NOT,

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WE STILL HAVE TO HAVE THAT ACCESS ROAD.

IT IS REQUIRED BY FIRE CODE, THAT THE FIRE TRUCKS NEED TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THAT PART OF THE BUILDING.

THAT ACCESS ROAD DOES NEED TO BE 26 FEET.

AGAIN, THAT IS BY CODE, THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE DECIDING.

WE HAVE TRIED TO LISTEN TO THE NEIGHBORS, AND ACCOMMODATE THEIR WISHES AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS BUILDING.

I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A NEW BUILDING ON THE HOOVER SITE, AND WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.

YOU HEARD A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THE INTERIOR OF THAT BUILDING IS LIKE.

IT IS NOT THE BEST LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS.

AS A BOARD MEMBER FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, THAT IS MY PRIORITY TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE GIVEN EVERY OPPORTUNITY, AND GIVEN THE BEST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY CAN PROVIDE FOR THEM.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE NEIGHBORS.

AS YOU HEARD, WE HAVE THREE MORE MEETINGS SCHEDULED WITH THE ROXBURY NEIGHBORS TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT PROVIDING SCREENING, TREES, FENCING, WHATEVER THEIR PREFERENCES ARE.

WE HAVE A MEETING SET UP IN AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER TO WORK ON THAT.

WE DID HAVE AN ARBORIST ACTUALLY COME OUT, AND LOOK AT THE TREES THAT WERE REFERENCED EARLIER.

THEY ARE ALL IN POOR CONDITION, AND DO NEED TO COME DOWN.

THAT CONCERN ALSO HAS BEEN ADDRESSED.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE NEIGHBORS, AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ACCOMMODATE THEM, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE A SCHOOL ON THAT SITE, AND WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROCESS.

WE CAN'T DELAY ANY FURTHER. THANK YOU.

>> DR. GROVER.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR, AND CITY COUNCIL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK, AND ADDRESS THE PROPERTY OVER AT HOOVER.

YOU'VE HEARD FROM PRESIDENT GARLOCK.

SHE'S SHARED A NUMBER OF THE FACTS RELATED TO THE TOPIC AT HAND TODAY.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF ADMINISTRATION.

I AM SO PROUD OF THE HOOVER COMMUNITY.

LAST NIGHT, WE HEARD FROM SOME OF OUR STUDENTS, AS WELL AS OUR TEACHERS, AS WELL AS OUR NEIGHBORS.

WHERE WE CENTER IS CERTAINLY AROUND OUR CHILDREN, HOVER SCHOOL, WHAT IT PROVIDES TO ALL OF US.

JUST WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT AS WE HAVE WORKED WITH OUR DESIGN TEAM, IF THERE WAS ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE COULD DO ON BEHALF OF THIS PROJECT, WE WOULD ABSOLUTELY DO IT.

WE'VE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION ALL OF THE COMMENTS.

I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE MAYOR AS WELL AS THE COUNCIL, YOU CARE ABOUT US LISTENING, TRYING TO FIND SOLUTIONS.

I FEEL LIKE THAT WE HAVE DONE THAT, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO IT.

WE HAVE SET THOSE DATES OUT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THE TRANSPARENCIES THAT PEOPLE CAN PLAN FOR, THAT THEY CAN PARTICIPATE.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CO CREATE THE NEXT STEPS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

TODAY, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME OVER 100 NEW TEACHERS TO CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

ALWAYS A FUN DAY FOR US.

A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THOSE NEW TEACHERS IN THE ROOM, THEY WERE RETURNING BACK TO CEDAR RAPIDS, SOMETHING THAT I KNOW YOU ALSO CARE ABOUT.

AS I LOOK OUT TO OUR TEACHERS, WE'RE THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE MISSION THAT WE HAVE AT HAND, BUT ALSO HOW WE SUPPORT THEM.

ONE OF THE PROMISES THAT WE'RE MAKING TO OUR STAFF MEMBERS IS THAT WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE SAFE, AND SECURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.

ONE OF THE PROMISES THAT I'M MAKING TO THEM IS NO MATTER WHICH SCHOOL THAT THEY'RE IN, NO MATTER THE ZIP CODE, THAT THEY WILL HAVE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING WHERE THEY CAN DO THEIR BEST WORK ON BEHALF OF OUR STUDENTS.

THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY ASKING YOU TO PLEASE HELP US MOVE THIS FORWARD.

THIS HAS BEEN A CONVERSATION WITHIN THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, OUR TEACHER REMINDED US LAST NIGHT, SINCE 2018.

IT IS NOW TIME FOR US TO MOVE FOR THE ACTION THAT IS NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN GET A SCHOOL THE FALL OF 27 FOR THE HOOVER COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, AND YOUR SUPPORT IN ADVANCING IT HERE TODAY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, DR. GROVER. GERALD ROBINSON, HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 27.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS GERALD ROBINSON.

I LIVE ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS WHEN THERE IS NO MEANINGFUL OVERSIGHT, AND THE HARM THAT CAN COME FROM IT.

THE FULL REPEAL OF THE CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD IS NOT JUST A PROCEDURAL CHANGE.

[00:45:03]

FOR MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY, IT IS DEEPLY PERSONAL.

ALTHOUGH I KNOW IT IS NOT THIS BODY WHO SET FORTH A BAN ON THE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD, I DO WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU DO STILL HAVE THE POWER IN HOW YOU RESPOND TO SUCH A DISGRACEFUL LAW.

TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS TIME HERE TO REMIND YOU THAT WHY WE NEED CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT, AN ENTITY THAT CAN BE CONTINUOUSLY WORKING TO MAKE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT MORE REPUTABLE, AND JUST.

I WORRY THAT THE IMPACT IS BEING UNDERESTIMATED HERE.

THE CRB WAS CREATED SO THAT WHEN THINGS GO WRONG, THERE IS CITIZEN OVERSIGHT OF BOTH INDIVIDUAL INSTANCES OF POLICE ACTION, AND SYSTEMIC PATTERNS IN POLICING.

WHETHER IN A SINGLE INCIDENT OR IN PATTERNS OVER TIME, THERE IS AN INDEPENDENT BODY THAT CAN LOOK AT THE FACTS, ASK HARD QUESTIONS, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS WITHOUT FEAR OR BIAS.

IN MY OWN LIFE, I'VE EXPERIENCED WHAT IT'S LIKE TO FEEL THE FULL WEIGHT OF THE SYSTEM PRESSING DOWN WHILE HAVING NO INDEPENDENT BODY TO TURN TO.

I'VE BEEN IN A CASE WHERE THE INFORMATION HAS BEEN MISHANDLED, WHERE THE NARRATIVES ABOUT ME ENTERED OFFICIAL CHANNELS THAT DIDN'T MATCH REALITY, AND WHERE THE PROCESS ITSELF CAUSED REAL HARM EVEN BEFORE THE VERDICT WAS REACHED.

WHEN YOU ARE ON THE RECEIVING END OF THAT, IT FEELS LIKE THE TRUTH IS TRAPPED INSIDE A LOCK-BOX.

AN OVERSIGHT BOARD IS ONE OF THE FEW TOOLS THAT CAN HELP PRIDE OPEN, SHINE LIGHT ON THE FACTS, AND RESTORE JUSTICE.

WE'VE ALL SEEN THE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

GEORGE FLOYD, BREONNA TAYLOR, PHILANDO CASTILE, SANDRA BLAND, TAMIR RICE, ERIC GARNER, AND RIGHT HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, JEREMY MITCHELL IN 2016.

CEDAR RAPIDS IS NOT IMMUNE TO BIAS, INJUSTICE, OR LOSS.

THESE NAMES REMIND US THAT THE STAKES ARE LIFE, AND DEATH.

BUT ALSO THAT HARM HAPPENS IN SMALLER, QUIETER WAYS THAT DON'T MAKE THE NEWS.

IT HAPPENS IN THE WAYS THAT SOMEONE IS TREATED DURING A TRAFFIC STOP.

IT HAPPENS WHEN THE INACCURATE INFORMATION IS PASSED ALONG, AND ACTED UPON WITHOUT QUESTION.

IT HAPPENS WHEN THE PEOPLE MOST EFFECTIVE HAVE NO TRUSTED PLACE TO TAKE THEIR STORY, AND BE HEARD.

OVERSIGHT ISN'T JUST ABOUT PUNISHING WRONGDOING, IT'S ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND CONFIDENCE THAT NO ONE, NO MATTER THEIR POSITION, IS ABOVE REVIEW.

IT'S ABOUT CREATING A SYSTEM WHERE THE TRUTH HAS A FAIR CHANCE TO SURFACE, AND WHERE THE COMMUNITY CAN TRUST THAT IT WILL.

REPEALING THE CRB SENDS A MESSAGE THAT THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE SINCE 2020 CAN BE ERASED AT THE STROKE OF A PEN.

THAT ANY STEP TOWARD ACCOUNTABILITY IS TEMPORARY, AND CAN BE TAKEN AWAY.

THAT IF WE STEP TOO FAR OUT OF LINE, WE WILL BE SNAPPED BACK.

I URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST THE REPEAL OF THE CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD.

IF IT PASSES, I URGE YOU TO ENSURE THAT A TRULY INDEPENDENT REPLACEMENT IS ESTABLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES NOTHING LESS.

IF YOU'RE IN SUPPORT OF WHAT I'M SAYING TODAY, CAN YOU PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND? THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

CIRCE STUMBO, ITEM NUMBER 27.

>> HELLO. I'M CIRCE STUMBO, AND I LIVE ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF CEDAR RAPIDS.

I'M SPEAKING TODAY AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ADVOCATES FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, A COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS THAT INITIALLY CALLED FOR A CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD OR CRB, AND WAS PART OF THE PROCESS TO DESIGN THE ORIGINAL ORDINANCE.

I'M SPEAKING ON THE PROPOSAL TO REPEAL THE CRB, AND HAVE COPIES OF OUR STATEMENT, WHICH I'LL SHARE WHEN I'M FINISHED.

I'M HERE TO AGAIN REGISTER EMPHATICALLY, ASJ'S CALL FOR YOU TO NOT REPEAL THE ENTIRETY OF CHAPTER 74 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, BUT RATHER TO AMEND IT.

I TRUST THAT THIS PROPOSAL IS BEFORE YOU BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO COMPLY WITH SF 311, THAT YOU ALL TRULY DO SUPPORT THE EMBODIMENT OF THE CRB, AS YOU ALL STATED LAST MONTH.

THAT YOU INDEED ARE PROUD OF THE WAY THE CITY CAME TOGETHER TO FORM THE BOARD IN THE FIRST PLACE.

BUT WE NEED TO GO ON RECORD THAT THE DECISION TO REPEAL ALL OF CHAPTER 74 IS OVER COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE STATUTE.

WHEN WE COMBED THROUGH THE CODE AND COMPARED IT TO SF 311, WE FOUND ONLY ONE OF SIX OF THE POWERS, AND DUTIES OF THE CEDAR RAPIDS CRB, AND ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR ARTICLES IN THE CODE WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED AS A RESULT OF THE STATE STATUTE.

EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT WORD COUNT, FULLY HALF OF THE WORDS IN THE EXISTING CODE DESCRIBE ACTIONS, AND PROCEDURES THAT ARE STILL ALLOWABLE BY LAW.

THIS COUNCIL HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO AMEND CHAPTER 74 TO ADDRESS THESE SPOTS,

[00:50:02]

RATHER THAN REPEAL IT ALTOGETHER.

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO COUNCIL MEMBERS MAIER, AND VANORNY FOR RECOGNIZING THIS, AND RESPONSIBLY VOTING AGAINST THE REPEAL LAST MONTH.

NOW, TO BE CLEAR, WE HAVE NO QUIBBLE WITH THE DESIRE TO DELIBERATE THE DETAILS OF HOW THE CURRENT CRB HAS BEEN FUNCTIONING, AND TWEAKING THE DESIGN IN WAYS THAT ARE MORE FEASIBLE, EFFECTIVE, AND ALLOWABLE.

OVER THE PAST MONTH, WE HAVE BEEN SITTING WITH CITY STAFF, INCLUSIVE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS HOW TO GO ABOUT DELIBERATING THESE DETAILS.

WE WANT TO HONOR THE FACT THAT CITY STAFF HAVE STARTED THIS PROCESS OF DELIBERATION, AND WE APPRECIATE THE SPIRIT OF HONESTY, AND COMPROMISE THAT WE HAVE AT THE TABLE TOGETHER.

WE HAVE SAID IN THOSE MEETINGS AND WE'RE HERE TODAY TO SAY TO YOU THAT IF YOU ARE GOING TO REPEAL THE CRB IN ITS ENTIRETY, THEN IT IS VITAL THAT WE START BY WORKING WITH WHAT IS ALREADY IN PRACTICE, AND MAKING IT BETTER FROM THERE.

MIRA O'DONNELL, YOU NOTED LAST MONTH THAT OUR CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD REALLY IS BEST PRACTICE.

COUNCILMAN OVERLAND, YOU SAID, WE WENT THROUGH THAT PROCESS BACK IN 2020, 2021, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT WE ENDED UP WITH WAS OUTSTANDING.

COUNCIL MEMBER HAGER, YOU SAID SOMETHING THAT WAS THEN REPEATED BY OTHERS, WE HAVE NINE CHAMPIONS ON THIS BOARD.

WE APPRECIATE THOSE WORDS TREMENDOUSLY.

NOW, WE DO NOT BEGIN TO CLAIM THAT ALL OF THE SPECIFIC PRACTICES THAT WERE CODIFIED IN CHAPTER 74 ARE SACROSANCT, BUT WE SHOULD USE THAT ORDINANCE AS A STARTING POINT.

IT WAS WHAT THE COMMUNITY COALESCED AROUND, AND IT IS WHAT WE HAVE EVIDENCE ABOUT IN TERMS OF HOW THINGS ARE FUNCTIONING.

THEREFORE TO BE CLEAR, THE IDEA OF A POLICE CHIEF ADVISORY BOARD IS PERHAPS A FINE, AND GOOD ENTITY TO HAVE HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS.

WE APPRECIATE THAT THE CURRENT CHIEF OF POLICE IS WELCOMING INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY.

BUT A CHIEF'S ADVISORY BOARD IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR A CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD.

WE NEED AN ENDURING INDEPENDENT BODY WITH CITIZEN REPRESENTATION NAMED BY OUR CITIZEN ELECTED OFFICIALS, YOU THE CITY COUNCIL, WHO SHOULD BE THE ONES TO OVERSEE ITS ENACTMENT OF THE CORE WORK OF DATA ANALYSIS, RESEARCH REVIEWS, POLICY APPRAISALS, AND PLANNING.

SUCH A NEW BOARD OR COMMISSION CAN COMPLEMENT THE WORK OF A CHIEF'S ADVISORY BOARD.

BUT A BOARD RUN BY THE CHIEF CANNOT REPLACE THE VITAL FUNCTIONS THAT YOU ALL LAUDED AT THE LAST MEETING.

COUNCIL MEMBER TODD, LAST MONTH, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THE ENERGY THAT WAS PUT INTO THE 2020 CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD WAS AN EXERCISE AND COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF A LOT OF PEOPLE.

COUNCIL MEMBER POE, YOU SAID, WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK, WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER JUST LIKE WE DID IN 2020.

ASJ PLEDGES TO WORK ALONGSIDE YOU ALL, AND CITY STAFF TO HELP MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

IT IS OUR HOPE THAT TODAY YOU WILL VOTE AGAINST THE FULL REPEAL OF THE CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD.

IF THE REPEAL PASSES TODAY, WE URGE YOU TO ENSURE THERE IS AN INDEPENDENT REPLACEMENT ESTABLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JONATHAN HAFFNER ARE HERE TO SPEAK ON 27.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

I'M REVEREND JONATHAN HAFFNER, AND I LIVE ON FOREST DRIVE IN SOUTHEAST CEDAR RAPIDS.

I AND MY FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE WATCHING THE DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE REPEAL OF CHAPTER 74 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE WITH GREAT CONCERN.

THE CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD WAS SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER, ACROSS DIVERSE STARTING POINTS, AND CREATED SOMETHING GOOD.

TO HAVE TO DESTROY THE CRB IS A MAJOR LOSS.

IF IT WOULD BE A MAJOR LOSS, IT WOULD BE A MAJOR SETBACK.

LAST MONTH, AS CIRC NOTED, WE HEARD EVERYONE ON THE COUNCIL SAY THAT YOU ARE CHAMPIONS OF WHAT WE HAVE DESIGNED.

I'M SPEAKING TODAY TO ENSURE THAT YOU CARRY THROUGH ON THE PROMISE TO REPLACE THE CURRENT BOARD WITH A NEW ENTITY.

AS YOU LOOK FORWARD TO SPECIFIC LANGUAGE ABOUT WHAT A REPLACEMENT BOARD OR COMMISSION MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

I LIKE TO POINT OUT THE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF OUR CURRENT BOARD THAT SHOULD BE RETAINED AND FEATURES THAT ARE ALLOWABLE BY LAW.

FIRST, THE NEW BOARD MUST HAVE MEMBERSHIP APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR AND CONFIRMED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO ENSURE ITS INDEPENDENCE AND TO ENSURE THAT THE VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE HEARD AT THE TABLES THEY NEED TO BE PRESENT AT.

THE CITY INDICATED THAT THERE IS A PROPOSAL IN THE WORKS FOR A CHIEFS ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH WOULD BE DESIGNED, APPOINTED, AND DIRECTED BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE.

THAT'S A FINE ENTITY TO HAVE. IT'S A GOOD THING.

WE APPRECIATE THAT THE CURRENT CHIEF DOES SEEM TO GENUINELY WANT TO

[00:55:04]

HEAR HOW THE COMMUNITY IS EXPERIENCING POLICING IN CEDAR RAPIDS.

HOWEVER, IT IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE REPLACEMENT FOR OUR CURRENT CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD.

I JOINED THE CALL FOR THE CITY TO ESTABLISH A NEW BOARD OR COMMISSION, ONE THAT CAN WORK IN PARALLEL WITH THE CHIEFS ADVISORY BOARD RUN BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SECOND, THE NEW BOARD OR COMMISSION SHOULD HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY, BOTH POWER AND DUTY TO LOOK DEEPLY AT PUBLIC SAFETY POLICIES, PRACTICES, AND IMPACTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS MEANS HEARING FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FROM POLICE OFFICERS ABOUT WHAT THEY SEE AS CHALLENGES TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOW THEY ARE EXPERIENCING OUR CITY'S RESPONSES TO THOSE CHALLENGES.

THAT MEANS LOOKING AT DATA ON POLICE AND COMMUNITY INTERACTIONS, DELIBERATING HOW TO MAKE SENSE OF THAT DATA.

THIS MEANS REVIEWING RESEARCH ABOUT POLICING AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND BRINGING THE RESEARCH TO THE TABLE WHEN WORKING TO UNDERSTAND THE ROOT CAUSES OF ANY CHALLENGES THIS BOARD OR COMMISSION WOULD IDENTIFY.

THIS MEANS REVIEWING POLICIES TO COMPARE WITH EVER-EVOLVING BEST PRACTICE AND TO IDENTIFY AREAS FOR FURTHER INQUIRY OR CHANGE.

ALL OF THESE FUNCTIONS ARE ALLOWABLE BY STATE LAW AND WILL HELP TO BUILD THE RELATIONSHIPS, TRUST, AND BEST PRACTICES THAT ULTIMATELY WILL KEEP OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAFE.

FINALLY, THIS ALL SHOULD BE FEEDING INTO THE NEW BOARD OR COMMISSION SUPPORT FOR LONG-TERM PLANNING, WHICH IS ANOTHER CRITICAL ROLE TO MAINTAIN FOR THE NEW BOARD OR COMMISSION.

WHAT DO WE WANT PUBLIC SAFETY TO LOOK LIKE IN CEDAR RAPIDS? WHAT MECHANISMS AND PARTNERSHIPS DO WE NEED TO ENSURE THE PUBLIC IS SAFE? WHAT ROLES DOES THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PLAY? WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE, SHORT-TERM, MEDIUM-TERM, LONG-TERM PUBLIC SAFETY GOALS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS? THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY HAS TO BE AT THE TABLE.

NOT JUST TO HOLD DEPARTMENTS ACCOUNTABLE, BUT TRULY SO THAT WE CAN FORGE A NEW FUTURE TOGETHER.

PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THE REPEAL.

IF THE PROPOSAL TO REPEAL PASSES, PLEASE ENSURE THAT THERE IS AN INDEPENDENT REPLACEMENT BOARD OR COMMISSION ESTABLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. MIMI DOWD.

>> HELLO, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS MIMI DOWD, AND I LIVE IN CEDAR RAPIDS.

I WANT TO START BY DISCUSSING REALLY QUICKLY THE REZONING OF HOOVER THROUGH ITEM 26.

IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE UP TO DATE AND ABLE TO SUSTAIN STAFF AND STUDENTS ALIKE.

PUBLIC EDUCATION SHOULD ALWAYS BE EQUITABLE, AND WITHOUT A PROPER BUILDING, OUR STUDENTS SUFFER THEIR EDUCATION AND STABILITY SUFFERS, AND OUR COMMUNITY SUFFERS.

IT IS UNFAIR TO REQUIRE CHILDREN TO BE IN A BUILDING ALL DAY THAT INADEQUATELY SUPPORTS A THRIVING CONSISTENT, AND HEALTHY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

I ALSO BELIEVE WE NEED TO ENSURE BOTH OUR NEIGHBORS, STAFF AND STUDENT OR ALL OUR NEIGHBORS, STAFF AND STUDENTS ARE TAKEN CARE OF DURING THE PROCESS.

I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A SOLUTION HERE WHERE EVERYONE CAN BE SUPPORTED WHILE A NEW BUILDING IS BEING BUILT.

I WANTED TO THANK THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE JOINED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TODAY TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS.

MOVING ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 27, I WANTED TO SHARE SOME THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS FROM THE FIRST READING REGARDING THIS ORDINANCE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK LAST TIME ABOUT HOW WE HAVE NINE CHAMPIONS ON CITY COUNCIL, HOW WE ALL CAME TOGETHER AND ESTABLISHED THE CRB, HOW WAS A JOYOUS AND MEANINGFUL MOMENT OF COMMUNITY IN COLLABORATION.

WHILE THIS IS TRUE, I REMIND YOU THAT THE CLIMATE OF 2020, AFTER GEORGE FLOYD WAS MURDERED, CONTRIBUTED TO, IF NOT WAS THE MAIN REASON OF THE PRESSURE EXPERIENCED BY ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE.

IT WAS BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE PROTESTING, AND THERE WAS A FEELING AND A SENSE OF URGENCY.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR. I'M NOT SAYING WE FORCED YOUR HAND.

BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NAME HOW IN TIMES OF DISTRESS, WE ARE OFTEN FORCED INTO ACTION, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT LED TO THE CREATION OF THE CRB.

I KNOW THAT THE FEAR OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS THAT WITHOUT THIS SENSE OF URGENCY, THAT MOMENTUM WE ARE HOPING FOR MIGHT GET LOST.

I WANT TO CONTINUE TO INVITE YOU ALL TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH ADVOCATES FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.

SHOW US YOUR COMMITMENT.

DON'T JUST TELL US.

ADDITIONALLY, IT IS INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTING TO HEAR THAT ONE OF THE NOTES PROVIDED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY AS TO WHY THIS ORDINANCE WAS INEFFICIENT AND NEEDED TO BE FULLY REPEALED AND THEN

[01:00:04]

REPLACED WAS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICE LIAISONS.

I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT THIS WAS A SUGGESTION BY THE CITY AND WAS INSISTED UPON BY THE CITY AND WAS NOT BROUGHT FORWARD BY THE COMMUNITY LEADERS AT THE TABLE DISCUSSING THE CRB.

I WANT TO ALSO NOTE THAT THESE NOTES ONLY COMING UP DURING THE DISCUSSION OF REPEALING THE CRB CAN COME OFF AS AN ACT OF BAD FAITH.

I KNOW THAT TIFFANY O'DONNELL, YOU HAVE STATED NUMEROUS TIMES THAT YOU DON'T WANT US TO ASSUME ILL INTENT. I UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND AND EMPATHIZE WITH WHY COMMUNITY MEMBERS MIGHT BE FEELING DISTRUSTFUL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS SITTING BEFORE US TODAY.

THAT BEING SAID, I WANT TO THANK CITY STAFF WHO HAVE ALREADY STARTED MEETING WITH US TO DISCUSS WHAT REPLACING THIS ORDINANCE LOOKS LIKE, AND HAVE SCHEDULED FOLLOW-UP MEETINGS AS WELL.

THIS IS WHAT I MEANT BY SHOW US YOUR COMMITMENT.

DON'T JUST TELL US, BUT I HOPE THAT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL ALSO FOLLOW SUIT.

I WANT TO END BY THANKING COUNCIL MEMBERS MAIER AND VANORNY FOR VOTING NO TO THE LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT THE LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

I URGE YOU ALL TO VOTE NO TODAY.

REGARDLESS, I URGE YOU ALL TO JOIN US IN CONVERSATION ABOUT PROTECTING BLACK AND BROWN LIVES AND PROTECTING THE SECURITY, SAFETY, AND TRUST OF OUR COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. THAT WILL CLOSE OUT OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

[MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA]

CITY MANAGER POMERAS, DO YOU HAVE ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA?

>> NO CHANGES.

>> NO CHANGES. DO ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS NEED TO RECUSE THEMSELVES ON ANY OF THE AGENDA ITEMS OR MAKE ANY CHANGES? COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON?

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM AGENDA ITEMS 10 AND 23 AD.

>> TEN AND 23 A AND D? OH, SORRY.

>> TWENTY-THREE AD.

>> TWENTY-THREE AD. NEXT PAGE.

GOT IT. THANK YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON, ANYONE ELSE? THAT BRINGS US A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

THE APPROVE OF THE AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OVERLAND, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POE.

>> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO. THE MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL. THAT BRINGS US TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE, SECONDED BY VAN ORNE.

>> THE OPPOSED SAY NO. THIS MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL. MOVING ON TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA.

[24. Report on bids for the 18th Avenue SW Reconstruction from Wiley Boulevard to Edgewood Road project (estimated cost is $2,790,000) (Doug Wilson). (Paving for Progress) CIP/DID #3012494- 02]

WE'LL BEGIN WITH A REPORT ON BIDS FOR THE 18TH AVENUE SOUTHWEST RECONSTRUCTION FROM WILEY BOULEVARD TO EDGEWOOD ROAD PROJECT.

THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2,790,000.

DOUG WILSON IS HERE, DOUG, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR DOUG WILSON, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THIS PROJECT INCLUDES RECONSTRUCTION OF A SEAL COAT STREET TO A CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER STREET.

IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE NEW STORM SEWER THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH OF THE PROJECT, WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT, AND NEW SIDEWALKS THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH OF THE PROJECT WITH ADA-COMPLIANT SIDEWALK RAMPS TO BE CONSTRUCTED.

WE EXPECT THE WORK TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2025 AND TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2026 PRIOR TO THE OPENING OF THE NEW LIBRARY.

BID OPENING WAS JULY 30, AND EIGHT BIDS WERE RECEIVED.

THE BIDS RANGED FROM $2,194,427.23-2,529,608.47.

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION TO AWARD THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO ROCHE CONSTRUCTION. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, DOUG. COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE.

THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY VAN ORNE, SECONDED BY TODD.

ITEM NUMBER 25 IS A REPORT ON BIDS FOR

[25. Report on bids for the Downtown Library Plaza Refresh project (estimated cost is $230,000) (Jason Stancliffe). CIP/DID #PUR0625-355]

THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY PLAZA REFRESH PROJECT WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $230,000.

JASON STANCLIFFE IS HERE.

JASON, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

JASON STANCLIFFE FACILITIES, AND I'M HERE FOR THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY PLAZA REFRESH PROJECT.

A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD ON JULY 22.

THE BIDS WERE RECEIVED AND OPENED ON JULY 23, 11:00 A.M.

ESTIMATED COST FOR THE PROJECT WAS 230,000.

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE IS SET FOR OCTOBER 31 OF THIS YEAR.

TWO BIDS WERE RECEIVED.

THE FIRST ONE WAS WITHDRAWN, AND THE SECOND ONE WAS FOR $284,900.56.

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SERVICES RECOMMENDS AWARD TO VALENTINE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AS THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER AND RECOMMENDS A COUNCIL AUTHORIZED CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT AS DESCRIBED. THANK YOU.

>> JASON, THANK YOU. COUNCIL. ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCIL TODD.

>> I'D LIKE TO THANK JASON FOR SHARING THE PLANS WITH US.

THEY WERE REVIEWED BY A REAL CROSS SECTION OF FOLKS WHO PUT AN EXTRA SET OF EYES ON IT,

[01:05:01]

AND SO I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO DOWN THERE. THANK YOU, JASON.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> ANYONE ELSE? IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MOVED BY TODD.

SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON.

THAT NOW BRINGS US TO THE ORDINANCES.

THE MOTION CARRIES.

[26. Ordinance granting 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. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #RZNE-000096- 2025]

ITEM NUMBER 26 IS AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR PROPERTY AT 41 41 JOHNSON AVENUE, NORTHWEST, FROM SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL LOW SINGLE UNIT DISTRICT TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT AS REQUESTED BY THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

FOR ITEM NUMBER 26, I'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE IF I CAN HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THIS ORDINANCE ON THE THIRD READING.

MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER WILSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.

MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 27, THIS IS AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER 74 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD FOR COMMUNITY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE MOTION CARRIES.

[27. Ordinance repealing Chapter 74 of the Municipal Code, Citizen Review Board for Community Law Enforcement. CIP/DID #CD-0067-2020]

I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING.

MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER WILSON.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAGER.

>> COUNCIL MEMBERS VAN ORNE AND MAIER REGISTER, NO, AND THE MOTION CARRIES.

>> NO.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER POE.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVE THE ROLE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS.

BE SUSPENDED AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING.

>> THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE ON A THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER WILSON.

>> MAIER AND VAN ORNE, REGISTER NO, AND THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

>> NO.

ITEM NUMBER 28 IS AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE EAST LAWRENCE DRIVE,

[28. Ordinance establishing the East Lawrence Drive SW and West Lawrence Drive SW Water Extension District and related water extension charge. CIP/DID #2025076-01]

SOUTHWEST AND WEST LAWRENCE DRIVE, SOUTHWEST WATER EXTENSION DISTRICT, AND RELATED WATER EXTENSION CHARGE.

THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TODD.

THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER POE.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVE THE ROLE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS BE SUSPENDED AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING.

>> THE ORDINANCE THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE ON THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE, SECONDED BY VAN ORNE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

TWENTY-NINE IS AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CHANGES ZONE FOR PROPERTY AT 13:10 11TH STREET

[29. Ordinance granting 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. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #RZNE-000214-2025]

NORTHWEST FROM TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL SINGLE-UNIT DISTRICT TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT, AS REQUESTED BY THE CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

I'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE AN APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TYLER WILSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAGER.

THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER POE.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVE THE ROLE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS BE SUSPENDED, AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING.

>> THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE ON HIS THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POE.

CAN I GET A SECOND? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT OLSON.

THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

THIRTY IS AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CHANGE OF ZONE FOR

[30. Ordinance granting 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. (Council Priority) CIP/DID #RZNE-000095-2025]

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.

THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE, SECONDED BY OVERLAND.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER POE.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVE THE ROLE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS BE SUSPENDED AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON THIRD AND FINAL READING.

>> THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY POE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAGER.

THIRTY-ONE IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING

[31. Ordinance amending Chapter 6 of the Municipal Code, City Administration, to increase the size of the Civil Service Commission from three to five members. CIP/DID #HR0111]

CHAPTER 6 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION FROM 3-5 MEMBERS.

THE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS FIRST READING HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAGER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MAIER.

THIS MOTION CARRIES. COUNCIL MEMBER POE.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVE THE ROLE REQUIRING THREE READINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS BE SUSPENDED AND THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED ON ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING.

>> THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE ON ITS SECOND AND THIRD READINGS HAS BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MAIER.