

City Council Priorities Quarterly Report
City Council Priorities
The Cedar Rapids City Council meets annually to establish goals for the City’s overall direction. City staff track progress in the resulting key priority areas listed below on pages 4–11. The following report provides public transparency with an emphasis on communication; ensures alignment with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Envision CR; and assists in the effective prioritization of resources.
JAN–MARCH 2025
Flood Control System

Cedar Crossing Casino Coordination
With the Cedar Crossing Casino gaming license approved, staff began working with the development team to integrate City needs for traffic, utilities, and flood control into the site plan. Regular coordination meetings started this quarter to keep the project on track for the planned December 31, 2026, grand opening.

We will open bids on Flood Control System improvements in the area this summer, with construction starting this year and scheduled for substantial completion by the opening date. Reconstruction of F Avenue NW, which will cross over a new levee, is a key access point to the site.
Downtown Improvements
Parking Lot at 1st Street SE & 4th Avenue
We are creating 35 temporary parking spaces, paving an area near the Paramount Lot, to replace those displaced by upcoming Flood Control System construction.
5th Avenue SE Gatewell
We bid a gatewell project near 1st Street SE at 5th Avenue this quarter. Gatewell systems protect against flooding by controlling the connection between the storm sewer and the river, preventing floodwaters from backing up underground, beneath the levees and walls. A portion of the project is funded through the Federal Community Project Funding program.
installation in Czech Village
Gatewell

Housing Options & Affordability
First-Time Homebuyer Program
Our First-Time Home Buyer Program opened for the year, with two closings in March. The program, funded through the City’s HOME Investment Partnership Program through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, provides closing-cost assistance and up to $14,999 in downpayment assistance. Nine more households are expected to receive assistance this year. Learn more at CityofCR.com/FTHB
ROOTs Program
The ROOTs program built, and closed on, an additional five homes this quarter. Three additional homes are built and await closing. ROOTs, which stands for Rebuilding Ownership Opportunities Together, was a program initially created after the 2008 Flood which returned with funding received following the 2020 Derecho. A total of 76 homes will be built for sale to low- to moderate-income households, with a sales price of $175,000 and up to $35,000 of down payment assistance. Learn more at CityofCR.com/ROOTs
Strengthen & Stabilize Neighborhoods

Code Enforcement
Division Recognized
The Building Service Department’s Code Enforcement Division earned the Iowa Code Enforcement Department of the Year and Creative Ideas in Code Enforcement awards from the Iowa Association of Code Enforcement (IowACE). IowACE is a statewide organization of code-compliance agencies. The awards recognize the City for achieving several major accomplishments, including becoming the ninth community in the United States to earn accreditation through the American Association of Code Enforcement. We tied for the top score ever achieved by any code-compliance agency in the United States through the accreditation process.
Other achievements include the development of an online rentalbusiness training program; a community-outreach campaign to encourage residents to be good neighbors and maintain their properties; a carbon monoxide alarm-monitoring program; innovative training programs ranging from personal safety to pest control and legal aspects; and a door-hanger warning program for illegally parked vehicles on private property.
Another recognition from the American Association of Code Enforcement awarded Greg Buelow, code enforcement manager, with the Excellence in Leadership Award. They honor the nation’s top code enforcement official for leadership qualities — including innovation, accountability, and results — with this award each year.
Growing Our Urban Forest
Plantings at Single-Family New Homes
We bid plantings for 90 trees, which will be installed in April at single-family new homes and along streetimprovement projects.
Pruning
Pruning is an important part of caring for our urban forest, especially as new ReLeaf trees begin to establish. This quarter, our Forestry Division completed the first cycle of pruning for young trees planted in the first and second years of ReLeaf.

Rental Property Registration
Staff identified 201 unregistered rental properties in the past year through an important initiative to ensure all rental business property owners are following the City’s Rental Business Program code requirements.
Property Acquisition
We successfully acquired a fourth property through Iowa Code 657A.10B. The home at 413 5th Avenue SW was the last remaining home abandoned after the 2008 Flood. It will be demolished, with the parcel sold or granted to a nonprofit organization with the purpose of constructing a new single-family dwelling in its place.
Code Enforcement staff at IowACE Awards
Reducing Flash Flooding in Neighborhoods
E Avenue NW Detention Basin
We awarded a contract for this project, west of 28th Street NW, that improves flood management and restores natural habitat. An expanded detention basin will reduce flash flooding and improve water quality through features like shallow and deep pools, wetland pockets, meandering swales, and native plantings. During rain events, the basin can hold water onsite until storm sewers have capacity to take on additional water. The project received grant funding from Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
10th Street NW Storm Sewer Cross Connection
We awarded a contract for a new box culvert along 10th Street NW, a priority project in the Stormwater Master Plan to reduce flood risk in the E Avenue watershed. The new culvert will connect to existing culverts under B and D Avenues, increasing storm sewer capacity. The project received State and Federal Hazard Mitigation Grant funding.

Transit Stop Improvements
Cedar Rapids Transit identified eleven bus stop locations for prioritized accessibility improvements. We will install new boarding pads, benches, and shelters at these locations. The MedQ will receive a higher profile transit stop. We will also apply a custom mural to a transit stop shelter in Wellington Heights through a public art project made possible by an American Rescue Plan Act grant. We awarded the construction contract this quarter.

E Avenue NW Detention Basin
Recreational & Cultural Amenities
Successful Ice Rink Season
We brought two natural ice rinks online this winter, one at Hughes Park and one on the McGrath Amphitheater stage. As part of the fun, our Rollin’ Recmobile ventured out four times per week to provide free skates and skate trainers, allowing visitors to more easily enjoy winter recreation. The Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation supported the program, funding about 50 pairs of skates and 4 skate trainers.

Increasing Youth Access to Swimming Lessons
We gave more youth in the community access to formal swim instruction this year. Through our partnership with several Cedar Rapids Community School District elementary schools, the Parks & Recreation Department offered free swim lessons to nearly 350 second-grade students from six elementary schools. The Free Swim Lesson Program breaks down common barriers that often prohibit children from accessing formal swim instruction and water-safety education, such as financial, transportation, proper swim attire, and general aversion to water. The program is made possible thanks to support from the Cedar Rapids Kiwanis and Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation in collaboration with the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Financial support from the Cedar Rapids Kiwanis, through the Parks Foundation, allows each student to receive proper swim attire to participate in the program. The schools provide transportation and assist with general supervision. Parks and Recreation staff provide swimming lessons.
Bicycle-Friendly Status
We submitted applications nominating four City facilities for Bicycle-Friendly Business recognition through the League of American Bicyclists. The program recognizes employers for their efforts to encourage a more bicycle friendly atmosphere for employees and customers. Levels of designation include honorable mention, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Businesses must resubmit applications every four years to maintain their designation and to possibly earn a higherlevel status. City Hall (silver level), Water Administration (bronze level), and Water Pollution Control (bronze level) are seeking renewal of their existing designations. City Services Center is seeking its first designation this year. Staff will work to renew the City’s Bicycle-Friendly Community
designation this summer. This designation recognizes communities that welcome bicyclists with safe bicycling accommodations and encourage people to bike for transportation and recreation. The City currently holds a bronze-level Bicycle-Friendly Community designation.
Trail Improvements
We completed Edgewood Road Trail Phase 2C, closing a gap between the Edgewood Road bridge over the Cedar River and Glass Road NE. The result is a continuous two-mile trail along Edgewood Road, from O Avenue NW to Glass Road NE.
Public Art
Conservation work is complete on two pieces of public art: Double Arcs by Esther Randall (1) and Again by Cara Briggs Farmer (2). Double Arcs was placed in its new home at the Mount Trashmore Trailhead, away from future Flood Control System construction near its former location on the Cedar River Trail near the Federal Courthouse. Again has moved from the UFG Pocket Park on Second Street SE to Mays Island Plaza Park.


Music Census Community Summit
We held a Community Summit to review the results of the Music Census on Tuesday, 3/4. More than 40 members of the local music community participated, including musicians, producers, arts journalists, venue owners, and music educators. Participants joined facilitated small-group discussions on the proposed Community Actions and gave feedback on how to prioritize the actions and identify stakeholders to move them forward. The Music Census is a collaboration between the City, Economic Alliance, VenuWorks, Cedar Rapids Tourism, and Sound Music Cities to better understand the existing music ecosystem, challenges faced, and opportunities to gather, grow, and showcase Cedar Rapids’ music talent and offerings.

McGrath Ampitheatre Ice Rink

Homelessness
Coordinated Entry: Street Outreach Collaboration
Homeless Systems Manager J’nae Peterman brought together six local nonprofits to form a coordinated Street Outreach Team. While each organization was already active in this work, the collaboration improves service coordination, maximizes limited resources, and enhances support for people experiencing homelessness. Using a person-centered, compassionate, and proactive approach, the team connects individuals with essential resources, healthcare, and long-term housing. It also strengthens data collection to guide future decisions. The program focuses on building trust, promoting dignity, addressing root causes of homelessness, and creating paths to stability and self-sufficiency.
Point-in-Time Survey
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires communities receiving Federal funding to complete an annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. This is a count of those with and without shelter experiencing homelessness on a single night. In Linn County, nonprofit staff conduct two counts each year.
A recent 2024 Point-in-Time survey showed decreases over 2023; State and National numbers continue to trend higher. In Linn County, the count showed a 35% decrease in homelessness and a 19% decrease in family homelessness. There was a 23% increase in chronic homelessness, underscoring a continued need to collaborate with our County and nonprofit partners on innovative ways to serve those in most need.

Clean & Safe City
Derecho Debris Cleanup
Stump Removals
Stump grinding began in mid-February, with approximately 100 stumps ground out so far. Topsoil restorations began in March, with seeding set to begin in April.
Greenway Site
Staff from our Public Works, Parks & Recreation, and Utilities Departments completed final debris cleanup on greenway sites in the Northwest Area Neighborhood. Since the 2020 Derecho, these areas had become overgrown with weeds, brush, and trees. Crews also removed leftover wood chip piles left from the mulching process. The estimated cost to contract the project was $300,000; our staff completed the work, including labor, equipment, and materials costs to restore and reseed the area, for less than $70,000. The sites are now ready to be maintained by our Parks staff as they were prior to the Derecho.
Efficient Winter Weather Materials Usage
Using liquids in snow removal provides more effective and cleaner operations. Each snow event requires different treatment methods. Things like air and pavement temperature, event duration, surface type, wind, and snowfall amount must all be considered. Liquids allow for the pretreatment of pavements to prevent bonding between the pavement and snow or ice.
Liquid pretreatment saves time and materials, as crews can plow rather than treat during a snow event, saving money on materials and post-storm cleanup. Using liquids introduces sugar, which lowers melting temperatures; this has resulted in a 30% reduction of salt and sand used during snow and ice events. Any solid that is applied requires moisture to initiate the melting process; using the material in a wet state starts that action immediately. It also reduces the amount of dry salt that hits the pavement and scatters/bounces off.
Annual Crash Review
The Public Works Department completed its annual crash review, analyzing crash severity and trends at intersections citywide. We focused on locations with high crash rates, changes in crash patterns, and opportunities to reduce crash severity.
One improvement was installing high-visibility backplates on traffic signals at the Highway 100 westbound ramp from Center Point Road NE northbound. This intersection had more crashes than similar ones, often caused by red light running. The backplates help make signal lights more visible, especially where the overhead bridge limits sightlines. We will continue to monitor crash data at this location to measure the impact of this change over time.

Business-Friendly
Business Outreach & Education
Q3
Existing Industry Program
After conducting 13 business retention and expansion calls this quarter, staff provided technical assistance to eight of the companies (62%). Examples include: United Fire Group, Red Star Yeast, and Nordstrom
City-Iowa
State University Partnership
This quarter, partnership meetings and touchpoints focused on enhancing connections between Cedar Rapids industries and the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Science talent pipeline. Companies participating in Q3 included Diamond V, Red Star Yeast, and CCR Technologies.
Promotion & Outreach
We placed a full-page business-attraction ad in the CBJ Iowa 500 publication. Staff assisted the Downtown District in completing a full retail trade area assessment.
Downtown Concrete Repairs
Public Works crews continue to collaborate with downtown businesses and community leaders to identify curbs, sidewalks, and curb ramps that require replacement and make repairs. Over the winter, we made safety or structural repairs at 30 locations when temperatures allowed.
Q3 Economic Development Agreements
Downtown Tree Pruning
Forestry completed year two of the three-year pruning cycle for trees in the downtown district. Christmas lights are removed from 1/3 of the trees each year for pruning to prevent long-term damage. Trees are pruned for structure, safety, and clearance for traffic, pedestrians, and buildings.