News You Need to Know

The City of Cedar Rapids needs volunteers for the Snow Buddies snow removal program, which pairs residents in need of assistance with “Snow Heroes” volunteers who help clear public sidewalks of snow and ice accumulations. While the sign-up for those needing assistance is closed, we still need Snow Heroes, especially for the Taylor and Cleveland Park neighborhoods, as well as the northwest quadrant.

The Snow Buddies program benefits residents who are not physically able to remove snow from public sidewalks and do not have other resources to do so. Snow Heroes must be at least 18 years old and provide their own snow-removal equipment — though loaner snow blowers and shovels are available from the Matthew 25 Tool Library, located at 201 3rd Avenue SW, at no cost for Snow Buddies program volunteers. Snow Heroes will be paired with residents based on factors such as location and availability. They are only asked to clear public sidewalks after a snowfall of two inches or more, and they will not be allowed to solicit or accept money, tips, or gifts for their volunteer activities.

Our City’s vision includes ensuring we all have access to basic needs, asking our residents to come together to help one another, and helping our residents get connected to community resources. Removing snow and ice keeps our community safe and accessible.

Municipal Code Chapter 9.11 — Clearing Snow & Ice from Sidewalks — requires property owners and residents to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks within 24 hours after a snow event. It is important to the City to provide a safe, walkable community for all residents, regardless of age and ability. Snow Buddies is a great way to help others and to keep our sidewalks clear in the winter months.

Find out more and sign up at CityofCR.com/SnowBuddies.

The Parks and Recreation Department has updated the low-income assistance program, offering discounts to individuals and families with financial need. The program is called RecAssist.

ReAssist provides qualifying families and individuals, living in Cedar Rapids, with a 50 percent reduction on swim passes and up to eight eligible recreation programs per year. Non-eligible programs include pavilion or facility rentals, daily admission to the pools, team entry fees, garden plots, trips, and punch passes.

Applications must be completed each calendar year with participation ending December 31.

Find eligibility requirements and application information at CityofCR.com/RecAssist.

Election season is over, yard sales are (mostly) done and the leaves are getting sent to the curb. It’s time to pick up yard signs, too. You’re encouraged to remove signs when they’re no longer relevant.

If you’ve ever wondered, the basic rules for yard signs are quite simple:

• Signs must be on the property owner’s side of the sidewalk and not impede normal foot traffic.

• Signs should be placed a minimum of 10-12 feet from the road when no sidewalk is present.

Improperly placed signs can be reported using the My CR reporting tool online or through the Mobile CR application on your smart phone.

Report a sign concern at CityofCR.com/MyCR.

If a Snow Emergency is declared, cars should not be parked on Emergency Snow Routes. Snow routes are often found near hospitals and schools.

Residents are also asked to follow the odd/even parking rule in residential neighborhoods during Snow Emergencies: Park on the odd-address side of the street on odd calendar days; park on the even-address side of the street on even calendar days. The odd/even parking rule provides snow plow operators with enough room to safely and efficiently plow residential areas, where on-street parking is common.

Residents and businesses are asked not to push snow from their driveways/parking lots into public streets, as this places an additional burden on City crews trying to clear the roadways, and is against City code.

Find a map of Emergency Snow Routes and more snow removal information at CityofCR.com/Snow.

Cedar Rapids Police officers are making Christmas and holiday dreams come true for about 120 kids in need this year with the ever-popular “Santa Cop” event. On November 14, officers with the Cedar Rapids Police Department (CRPD) and partners from Marion Police, will take deserving kids shopping for gifts at the Target on the southwest side of the city.

Officer Charity Hansel, Treasurer of the Cedar Rapids Police Protective Charity, says Santa Cop 2022 carries on a 20-year tradition for its members and has a been given an exceptional opportunity by one of Santa’s very special helpers. “Santa Cop is a passion for the employees of the Cedar Rapids Police Department. We love this project! It’s beyond believable to have had the good fortune of a private donor come forward this year and make a one-time donation that will allow us to shop for 120 kids. We are beyond thankful for this partnership.”

The Cedar Rapids Police Protective Charity (CRPPC) provides funding and volunteer support at this time every year and works to assist families experiencing challenges with buying gifts. The CRPPC focuses its efforts on addressing youth programs in the community and frequently offers assistance in the form of volunteers to help when needed to provide those programs and opportunities.

If you’d like to donate to the Cedar Rapids Police Protective Charity, you can do so online at CRPoliceCharity.com or you can send a check to: 501 First Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 c/o Officer Charity Hansel.