Waste/Recycling

The City of Cedar Falls offers automated yard waste collection yearround. Residents are charged $10 each time the cart is emptied. During April, October, and November, the carts are collected for a reduced fee of $5 per dump. Carts should be placed to the curb for service by 7 a.m. on the day of collection, and removed no later than 8 p.m. July through September 2022, yard waste is collected every other week as follows:

Yard waste IS collected on:

July 11, 25; August 8, 22, 29; and September 12, 26

NO yard waste collected on:

May 30, July 4, and September 5 December through March service is provided on a call-in basis. To schedule a pick-up, call 319-273-8629.

Yard Waste at the Transfer Station—524 State Street

Monday–Friday 7 am–5:45 pm

Saturday 8 am–2:45 pm The Cedar Falls Transfer Station accepts yard waste exclusively on Mondays. They also accept yard waste in smaller quantities throughout the rest of the week. There is a charge of $29.50/ton or $0.75/bag. A $7 minimum fee applies for quantities under 400 lbs.

As we work to keep our community looking beautiful, we need your help! Please remember grass should not be more than 8 inches in height according to the Cedar Falls City Code. Always dispose of grass clippings properly and do not discharge them into storm sewers, trails, municipal sidewalks, drainage easements, storm sewers, outside of your property line, etc. Never dispose of clippings into the streets as they can be dangerous for motorcyclists. To contact City Code Enforcement if you see a violation or if you have questions, please call 319-268-5186.

Thank you for being a good neighbor!

Please put your cart out on the makeup day prior to 7:00 a.m.

Holiday Garbage Collection Schedule

REGULAR DAY RESCHEDULED DAY

Monday, July 4, 2022 No Yard Waste Collection Monday, September 5, 2022 No Yard Waste Collection Thursday, November 24, 2022 Tuesday, November 22, 2022 Friday, November 25, 2022 Wednesday, November 23, 2022 Friday, December 23, 2022 Thursday, December 22, 2022 Monday, December 26, 2022 No Yard Waste Collection Monday, January 2, 2023 No Yard Waste Collection

Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Drop-off Event—September 17 REGISTRATION REQUIRED

The Black Hawk County Solid Waste Management Commission is partnering with the City of Cedar Falls to sponsor a household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronics drop-off event to properly dispose of cleaning supplies, lawn and garden chemicals, LED and fluorescent bulbs, and related materials and electronic items from all Black Hawk County residents. The event will be held on Saturday, September 17 (rain or shine)

from 9 am–2 pm at the City of Cedar Falls Public Works Complex,

2200 Technology Parkway. Businesses are not permitted to participate. Fees may apply. Volunteers will unload items for you. Registration is required to reduce wait time and vehicles idling. Registration is anticipated to open August 26, and close at 3 pm on September 16. To register and for additional details visit WasteTrac.org.

Acceptable Items Include:

• Household cleaners, mercury To make this community event thermometers, LED/fluorescent possible, approx. 40 volunteers bulbs, etc. (age 16+) are needed to assist • Liquid lawn and garden with directing traffic, surveying products including fertilizers, participants, and unloading items. herbicides, and pesticides Two volunteer shifts are available: • Automotive batteries and 7:45 am–2 pm OR 7:45 am–12:15 pm. chemicals such as engine To volunteer, contact John Foster cleaners, brake fluid, waxes, etc. at jfoster@wastetrac.org or call • Hobby products including stains, 319-234-8115. Find more details varnishes, paint removers, at WasteTrac.org/volunteer. adhesives, etc. • Propane tanks and other flammables • Electric items like vacuums, holiday lights, power tools, humidifiers, lamps, etc. • Flat panel TVs/computer monitors and other audio-visual equipment including stereos, VCR’s, DVD players, game systems and speakers • Computer equipment including towers, laptops, tablets, and other handheld devices. All hard drives are shredded after the event. • Each vehicle may bring two Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) containing devices for free; additional CRTs are $5 each (with no limit). Please bring exact cash only. Bills larger than $20 will not be accepted.

CRTs are TVs/computer monitors with a big bump in the back.

Not Accepted:

• Paint, laundry detergents, soaps, cosmetics, and medications • Automotive oils, oil filters, and antifreeze • Grills, lawn mowers, tires, or non-hazardous waste • Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, radioactive materials, asbestos, or ammunition • Any container larger than 5-gallons (no drums) • Appliances (including microwaves, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, water heaters, refrigerators, etc.) • Items from schools, businesses, farms, non-profits, or governmental entities • Find tips for managing these materials (and more) at:

WasteTrac.org/FAQs Residents interested in participating should register and view the list of accepted items at WastetTac.org/fall-drop-off-event or call the Waste Trac Education Team at 319-266-8722 BEFORE SEPTEMBER 15.

Previous events served 400 residents, resulting in the collection of over 75,000 pounds of electronics for recycling! The next event will be in Waterloo in Spring 2023. Visit WasteTrac.org/spring-drop-off-event for more details as the event approaches.

The City Council passed Ordinance No. 3001 in December 2021, to increase monthly sewer charges by 7% each year, for the next five years. The new rates will be effective on your August 2022 billing. The rate schedule adopted by Council is as follows:

Current Rate 1st Year Rate 2nd Year Rate 3rd Year Rate 4th Year Rate 5th Year Rate

Base (1st 200 cu. ft. of water used) $21.44 $22.94 $24.55 $26.26 $28.10 $30.07 Incremental (per 100 cu. ft. of water used) $3.84 $4.11 $4.40 $4.70 $5.03 $5.39 For the average household (based on 700 cu ft. of water used), this means on your August bill there will be an increase of $2.85 per month. These increases were necessary to fund upgrades to our treatment facility which will aid in the City’s efforts to adhere to EPA and DNR standards. The Council approved using the City’s ARPA funding to help lower the increases needed for the upgrades. If you have questions regarding sewer increases, please feel free to contact City Hall at 319-273-8600.

FY23 BUDGET

On March 7, the City Council held the public hearing on the FY23 budget. The fiscal year 2023 runs from July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023. At the hearing, the Council approved a tax rate of $11.51, which is an increase from the $11.38 tax rate in FY22. However, the residential rollback (the amount of property taxed) decreased from 56.41% to 54.13% for FY23. In addition to these changes, Black Hawk County on average reassessed residential property in the County by 6.35%. Therefore, taking into account the combination of all three factors, residential properties on average will see an increase of 3.22% for FY23. The rollback on commercial and industrial properties remained the same at 90%, so those classes of property will see a 1.14% increase. The rollback on multi-residential properties decreased from 67.50% in FY22 to 63.75% in FY23; the effect will be a 4.48% decrease. There were no reassessments on commercial and industrial property by Black Hawk County. Effects on all classes of properties vary based on reassessments by the County and rollback percentages set each year by the State of Iowa. If you are interested in viewing the full budget document, contact the Department of Finance & Business Operations at 319-273-8600 or visit www.cedarfalls.com and use the “Finance” link under “Departments.”

Land Use Permits for Sheds, Fences, Decks, and Swimming Pools

Did you know you need a Land Use Permit to build or install a shed, fence, deck, or swimming pool? This permit protects your investment in the improvements and will help you avoid conflicts with underground utilities, changes to stormwater drainage patterns that may cause flooding, and disputes with your neighbors. When you or your contractor apply for a Land Use Permit, Planning staff will review the site plan showing where a new shed, fence, deck, or swimming pool is proposed to determine if it meets code requirements and avoids conflicts with easements. Planning staff is happy to look up an address or property ID number to see what easements are on file. Avoid placing improvements in easements! There are generally two types of easements: utility easements and stormwater drainage easements. Structures or improvements like a shed, pool, or deck are not allowed within a utility easement. In some circumstances a fence may be allowed if it doesn’t interfere with the underground utilities. However you do so at your own risk, understanding if the City or CFU must do work in an easement that improvements you made are subject to removal and replacement at your expense. A drainage easement indicates the location of a drainage swale or ditch, which may seem like just a low spot in your lawn. When it rains, water will flow to this low area and drains toward a storm sewer or stormwater detention basin to help control flooding. Development of any kind is prohibited within a drainage easement. Any building, structure, fence, or even raised garden beds built in this area may act like a dam and block the flow of water during a rainstorm causing damage to your property or neighbor’s property, and may even affect drainage patterns in your neighborhood. Keep in mind that if you place any improvements in a drainage easement you may be responsible for the damage caused. In addition to obtaining a Land Use Permit, the improvement you are planning may require a Building Permit. Please check with the City’s Inspection Services Division at 319-268-5161 on these permits. Last, but not least, always call “Iowa One Call” (dial 811) before you do any digging so underground utilities can be marked and avoided. For more information on Land Use Permits, call the Planning Division at 319-273-8600 or email planning@cedarfalls.com. You can also apply online at www.cf1stop.com or in person at City Hall, 220 Clay Street.

Code Enforcement

Cedar Falls Code Enforcement enforces City Ordinances two different ways: reactively and proactively. Reactive code enforcement is the result of a complaint. When the code enforcement officer receives a citizen complaint, it is investigated and a notice is sent if a violation is found. Neighboring properties are also reviewed to ensure similar compliance. Proactive enforcement is visiting all our neighborhoods to encourage and promote maintenance and safety. To do this ten zones were created. The code enforcement officer walks every street in one or two zones each year. Each property is reviewed to ensure compliance of all of city ordinances, especially the nuisance ordinance (Chapter 15). These visual inspections are completed from public property only. A few examples of what may be observed include long grass, non-compliant placement of a sump pump discharge, damaged siding or roofing, numerous areas of peeling or chipping paint, parking on the grass, and exterior storage. The goal of these proactive inspections is to work with property owners to encourage and promote well-maintained and safe neighborhoods by focusing on improving the community appearance. This helps maintain your property value and neighbors. You may see the code enforcement officer walking your neighborhood, occasionally stopping and taking notes or pictures. Feel free to ask questions about City codes related to property maintenance. This work is for our community betterment!

GRANT NEWS

Grants to Be Awarded

The Cedar Falls Community Foundation annually accepts applications from nonprofit organizations April 15–June 30. This year the CFCF accepted applications to three funds— Rownd Trust, Diamond Arts & History Fund, and Children and Families Fund. Grant recipients are announced in August and recipients participate in the 2022 Community Builder Celebration on September 1.

$5,000 Eller Study Abroad Scholarships Awarded

The CFCF has awarded seven scholarships to UNI students who will study abroad Fall semester 2022. Each student receives a $5,000 scholarship to assist with costs in diverse places as Italy, Australia, Spain, Greece, South Africa, and Costa Rica. The scholarships are made possible through the Robert Eller Study Abroad Scholarship Fund, established with the CFCF in 1994. The seven outstanding students include: Bre Eigenheer, Speech Communication and Theater Teaching major from West Des Moines. Bre will study at the University of Newcastle in Australia. Natalie Lawrence, Spanish Teaching major from Ames. Natalie will study at the University of Oviedo in Oviedo, Spain. Raegan Christanson, double major in Sociology and Communication from Altoona. Raegan will study at the American College of Greece in Athens, Greece. Carly Drenth, Music Education major from Alta. Carly plans to study at Nelson Mandela University in Summerstand, Gqeberha, South Africa. Mitchell Pregler, double major in Finance and MIS with a minor in Entrepreneurship from Dubuque. Mitchell will study at The American College of Greece in Athens, Greece. Megan Robinson, Political Science major from Decorah. Megan will study at Veritas University in San Jose, Costa Rica. Elle Waskow, Elementry Education major with a TESOL minor, from Coggon. Elle will study at the Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Every year the CFCF elects a new board of directors to lead the foundation. We are excited to announce the changes in members occurring this year! Three new individuals have been elected to serve alongside re-elected members. Aaron Sannes, Ann Lyons, and Kim Bear will be joining. Russ Curtis, Frank Esser, Angi Farley, Shirley Merner, and Tom Paulsen have been re-elected. Ryan Cose, Dan Deaver, and Joanne Latta Reeves will be retiring after their successful time with the CFCF.

Dave Deaver and Joanne Latta Reeves have been elected to the Emeritus Board, alongside Judith Harrington, Robert Beach, Judith Cutler, Robert Dieter, Miller Roskamp, and Jan Andersen. We value the time Dave and Joanne have dedicated to the Cedar Falls Community Foundation and are happy to continue to have them with us.

515 Main Street (Farmers State Bank bldg —By appt ) PO Box 546, Cedar Falls, IA • 319-243-9170 cf-communityfoundation org Email: director@cf-communityfoundation org Facebook: CedarFallsCommunityFoundation

Mayor Rob Green proclaimed 2022 the Year of College Hill.

The College Hill Partnership was proud to receive the proclamation on behalf of College Hill. For more than a decade the College Hill Partnership (CHP) has served businesses and neighbors alike in the College Hill area. Over the last year the CHP completed several projects and hosted many events. New tables were added to Pettersen Plaza, thanks to the Friends of Pettersen Plaza and the Community Betterment Grant awarded to the CHP by the Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau. The CHP co-hosted neighborhood clean-ups with Green Iowa AmeriCorps, and the Illuminate Light Festival with UNI students from Dana Potter’s class. The CHP also organized the first College Hill Neighborhood Garage Sales, and hopes to make it an annual event. A favorite neighborhood event is continuing from last year in Seerley Park. On Saturday mornings neighbors gather to enjoy coffee and pastries from College Hill businesses, Sidecar Coffee, and Milkbox Bakery. All are welcome every second Saturday of the month at 9am through October. Saturdays in Seerley gives neighbors the opportunity to have conversations about the neighborhood, talk with elected officials, and build lasting relationships. The CHP is working with several partners to revitalize Seerley Park with updates such as accessible play equipment, a fence around the play area, and a new shelter. Fundraising is scheduled to begin later this summer. In collaboration with neighbors, business owners, landlords, and Cedar Falls residents, the CHP has worked with City staff on the Imagine College Hill! Vision Plan. The hope is this plan will lead to new housing and business opportunities, stabilize the mix of owner occupied and rental homes in the neighborhood, and the continued value of the historic nature of the area.

The CHP is also excited to be in the planning stages of doing some much needed placemaking on ‘The Hill’—College Hill’s Business District. The City is moving ahead with the Pettersen Plaza expansion & Olive Street box culvert, while the Partnership is focused on bringing an iconic light display to The Hill. While many volunteers devote countless hours to clean-ups, care for the numerous plant beds around The Hill, and participate in one— often more than one—of the committees working to better the area, it’s not just our volunteers who make College Hill such a special place to be. From those who pick up fresh produce at the farmers market on Wednesdays, grab a sandwich or a slice of pizza at one of The Hill’s restaurants, get their first tattoo or monthly haircut, or play in Seerley Park, anyone who visits College Hill makes an impact. Whether you have lived in the neighborhood for 25 years or only a semester, work at or own a business on The Hill, or just stop to have some fun, all are welcome to join the College Hill Partnership as a member, a volunteer, or both!

For more information visit www.collegehillpartnership.org.

Email: collegehillpartnership@gmail.com | Phone: 319-273-6228

EVENTS:

Saturdays in Seerley:

9am—June 11, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 8

College Hill Farmers Market:

Every Wednesday, 4–6pm— 22nd St. between College & Olive

Cedar Valley Leadership Graduation

Congratulations to the Cedar Valley Leadership Institute 2022 Graduates. Cedar Valley Leadership Institute is designed to foster community awareness while developing individual leadership skills, giving leaders a broader view of civic leadership responsibilities and opportunities here in the Cedar Valley.

2023 Registration opens on Monday July 18, 2022.

Class size is limited to 40 participants. https://www.growcedarvalley.com/ community/talent-workforce/cedar-valley-leadership-institute/

FEMA Flood Maps Update

The City of Cedar Falls participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). As part of the program the City adopted a floodplain ordinance, which included Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The City’s first flood maps were adopted in 1985. In 2011, a revised set of maps were adopted. As many will recall, in May 2019, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and FEMA held public open house events to present a new set of preliminary FIRMs for Cedar Falls and Black Hawk County. Following the 2019 public meetings, errors in mapping for two tributaries of Dry Run Creek were discovered. As a result, the maps had to be redrawn and undergo a new review period. In September 2020, IDNR and FEMA hosted online meetings with affected property owners to discuss the revisions to the preliminary maps resulting in a new public review process. In July, 2021, FEMA published a notice in the Courier newspaper beginning a 90-day appeal process, the first step in the new maps adoption process. After the appeal period was closed, the City was notified by IDNR that FEMA would issue a Letter of Final Determination on April 13, 2022, notifying the City that the maps would become Effective on October 13, 2022. In May IDNR explained that due to some errors, another public review period will take place for all of Black Hawk County, including Cedar Falls. New maps should be available in July for public review. If there are no errors or appeals to the maps, a Letter of Final Determination should be issued on June 1, 2023, with the new maps becoming effective December 1, 2023. If you have questions, please contact Thom Weintraut, Planner III, at 319-268-5184 or email Thomas.Weintraut@cedarfalls.com.

Center Street Streetscape

The City of Cedar Falls is currently bidding the Center Street Streetscape Project and will begin this summer in July. The project is derived from the Center Street Framework Plan which provided an outline for a phased improvement plan for the Center Street corridor. The objectives for this project included: • creating a sense of place in a core area of Northern Cedar Falls; • integration of natural systems that would include construction methods that are low impact green infrastructure; • preserving open space with natural beauty and critical environmental areas that will strengthen the surrounding neighborhoods; • providing streetscaping elements (that will include pavers, landscaping, decorative lights, signs, benches, etc.); • improve pedestrian access with new sidewalk infill along the east side; • improve street crossings at key intersections; • and to improve stormwater management along the corridor with the focus on green infrastructure.

Construction for the project will be staged in two phases. The contractor will work on half of Center Street while the other lane is left open for north bound traffic. An overall detour will be established prior to start of construction utilizing Lone Tree Road to US-218 to HWY-57 to Franklin/Center Streets. The following phasing plan has been integrated into the City’s developed engineering plans and will be vetted with the hired contractor:

Phase I: East Side of Center

Tentatively July–September: to complete as much as possible before school starts

Phase II: West Side of Center

Tentatively September–November: final stabilization could carry over to May of 2023

As a contractor is selected and schedules are finalized, additional information and updates will be provided at www.cedarfalls.com. For ongoing active projects, sign up for e-mail notifications through “Notify Me” at www.cedarfalls.com/NotifyMe.

Olive Street Box Culvert

Plans are being finalized and prepared for public bidding to remove and replace the existing two span slab bridge at Olive Street with a twin box culvert. The existing bridge will be replaced with a box culvert extending from the existing College Street Culvert to the east side of Olive Street. The project will include downstream channel improvements, sidewalk improvements for walkability to the College Hill corridor, and placement of a new road above the culvert. The project will also include improvements to the water main, storm sewer, and sanitary sewer along Olive Street adjacent to the proposed culvert. A few of the improvements that the City is evaluating include rumble strips within the box culvert to assist with fish passage, pool and riffle structures to provide habitat for aquatic communities, and pollinator plantings along the downstream channel for increased channel stability and pollinator habitat. Pettersen Plaza will be the focus for construction crews after the new culvert is placed. Crews will be working on extending the plaza to the edge of Olive Street with tie-ins and amenities for the College Hill corridor. This proposed work is schedule for fall and winter of 2022. Work and construction will be done around low flow conditions on the University Branch of Dry Run Creek. During construction, additional information and updates will be provided at www.cedarfalls.com. For ongoing active projects, sign up for e-mail notifications through “Notify Me” at www.cedarfalls.com/NotifyMe.

W. 27th Street Reconstruction

Reconstruction of W. 27th Street west of Hudson Road to the west end of the new Cedar Falls High School has started. Work is being done by Peterson Contractors Inc. of Reinbeck, Iowa. The project will include improvements to the water main, storm sewer, sidewalks, trails, and other miscellaneous roadway items. Also included as part of the project, is the construction of three new roundabouts at the intersections of Greenhill Road and the two drive entrances to the school. Below are the limits of construction for each phase:

Phase I: W. 27th Street at Panther Parkway (2022)

Phase II: Hudson Road Improvements & Greenhill Road

Roundabout (2022–2023)

Phase III: 2024: W. 27th Street School Connections with

Roundabouts (2023–2024) During the summer, crews will rebuild the section adjacent to Panther Parkway, in front of the UNI-Dome. Crews will be working on removing pavement, extension and placement of storm sewer, placement of new underground utilities, and repaving W. 27th and its intersection with Panther Parkway. The goal of Phase I will be to complete construction prior to the first UNI Football home game to limit impact during the fall semester. Starting this fall after Phase I is complete, crews will close down the intersection of W. 27th and Greenhill Road in order to start constructing the new roundabout.

Additional information and updates for this project will be provided at www.cedarfalls.com. For ongoing active projects, sign up for e-mail notifications through “Notify Me” at www.cedarfalls.com/NotifyMe.

West Viking Industrial Park Expansion

The City of Cedar Falls has started construction for the expansion of the West Viking Industrial Park. The City’s contractor, Peterson Contractors, Inc. of Reinbeck, Iowa, is currently working to mass grade the site located south of Viking Road and East of Union Road. Other crews are also actively working on placing new underground utilities for sanitary sewer and storm sewer. Later in the construction season, crews will continue to place the remaining underground utilities in order to start paving operations for the new roadway network. In this overall phase of the industrial park expansion, construction will be focused around the extension of Venture Way, Technology Parkway, and a new north/south road called Innovation Drive. This will complete the first loop into the new Industrial Park providing new industrial building lots along Venture Way and Innovation Drive. Work includes new storm sewer, sanitary sewer, watermain, regional stormwater detention ponds, a multiuse trail system, and other underground utilities. During construction additional information and updates will be provided on the City’s webpage. For ongoing active projects, sign up for e-mail notifications through “Notify Me” at www.cedarfalls.com/NotifyMe.

Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan Updated

The Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan outlines where trails, bike lanes, and other bicycle infrastructure have been built, and where they may be built in the future. It functions as a guiding document for infrastructure planning, and is considered in the planning process when streets in the City are slated to be developed, reconstructed, or otherwise maintained. This ensures opportunities for improving the network are not missed at the point when improvements make the most sense. After considerable public input, and collaboration with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the latest update of the Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan was adopted by the City Council on May 16, 2022. The City adopted its first Bicycle Plan in 2009. After a few years of improvements a second iteration or update to that plan was made in 2015, specifically to propose changes or additions to the plan map. Similarly, this update in 2022 was focused solely on the plan map. The Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan is intended to be updated over time as needs and preferences change in the community—so input is always welcome! If you encounter any bicycle infrastructure issues within the City, or are just curious about efforts to make Cedar Falls more bicycle and pedestrian friendly, you are welcome to attend the monthly Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meetings on the first Tuesday of every month at 5:15 pm. Agendas (with meeting location) and the latest version of the plan can be found at www.cedarfalls.com/862/Bicycleand-Pedestrian-Advisory-Committe.

Barbeque Safety

Summer is the time of year when we want to be outside for all our activities, including starting up the barbecue for an evening meal. Remember these safety tips to create a great experience for everyone: • Grills create very high temperatures; keep your grill away from combustibles to prevent a fire. • Make sure children and pets stay at least three feet from the grill to prevent burns. • Clean your grill often to prevent grease buildup.

Make sure to open the grill before lighting. • If you use charcoal or another solid fuel, make sure embers are completely cooled before disposing in a metal container.

• Charcoal lighter fluid can be dangerous if added after the coals are lit. Charcoal chimney starters and electric charcoal starters can be much safer.

• Propane gas grills give you a quick start up, but make sure your connections are tight by checking with a light soap and water solution. If you smell gas, turn off the grill right away. • About half of all grill injuries are the result of a thermal type burn.

Have a wonderful outside adventure and stay safe!

Cedar Falls Public Safety is once again teaming up with 4 Queens Dairy Cream this summer to offer a sweet incentive for families who practice safe bicycle etiquette. Cedar Falls is home to over 100 miles of hard-surfaced, multi-use trails, an abundance of soft trails, and emerging water trails. Cedar Falls Public Safety Bike Patrol helps monitor the areas to ensure all users have a safe experience. Officers are identified by their bright yellow shirts which are marked with the words ‘Bike Patrol’ alongside the Cedar Falls badge. During the upcoming months, they will also be carrying coupons for free small ice cream cones from 4 Queens Dairy Cream in Cedar Falls. The coupons are part of the Cedar Falls Public Safety ‘Cover Your Cones’ campaign and officers will distribute them to kids they see wearing their bike helmets.

“It’s just an extra way to positively reinforce the importance of helmet use, which is particularly important for kids so they can continue the habit as they grow,” said Cedar Falls Captain Jeff Sitzmann. “Due to the success of last year’s campaign, we are also happy to announce are doubling the number of coupons to give out this year!”

Bike Safety

For ideal protection, parents should always check to ensure their child’s helmet is properly fitted. To do this, put on the helmet and rock it back and forth to make sure it does not move too much. After that, grab the bottom of your chin strap; if you can only fit one or two fingers through the strap, you are all set! Cedar Falls Public Safety also reminds all trail users to stay safe by adhering to the following guidelines: • Stay on designated trails. • Keep dogs under control and on a leash of six feet or less. Always clean up after your pets. • Help keep the trails clean and preserved. • Teach children not to run ahead of bicyclists and always be on alert. • Bicyclists must keep to the right and call out when passing.