C I T Y
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C E D A R
R A P I D S
CEDAR RAPIDS
National Awards, Rankings and Recognitions
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M A R C H
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Celebrating 75 years in Cedar Rapids On our 75th anniversary, UFG Insurance reflects on the strong community of Cedar Rapids, which we’ve been proud to call our home since 1946. We’ve been through a lot together over the years — from high waters to high winds. But as a company and as a community, we always emerge stronger in the end, thanks to our people. For a company in the business of people, there’s no better place to be. UFG INSURANCE | 118 Second Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401 | ufginsurance.com | 800-332-7977 © 2021 United Fire & Casualty Company. All rights reserved.
MARCH 2021
FROM THE
CITY MANAGER FROM THE CITY MANAGER • SPECIAL SECTION •
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NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW • SPRING PLAY! GUIDE • DIRECTORIES •
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W
ith all that has taken place over the last year, it’s easy to forget to acknowledge the positive aspects of our great community. Cedar Rapids is an amazing city that
continues to overcome even the most difficult obstacles. And not just overcome, but thrive. It is important that we show pride in our
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city and encourage others to do the same. In this issue you will read just a sampling of many of Cedar Rapids’ national accolades and unique offerings that are worthy of a little bragging. We hope you learn something new, and will share what you learn with others; maybe even save and share this magazine
CONNECT
with family and friends from other parts of the state and country.
WITH CEDAR RAPIDS City of Cedar Rapids Iowa Government
Cedar Rapids App
@CityofCRIowa
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CityofCR
City Source Email Newsletter
While we certainly have reason to be proud of how far we’ve come, we are always focused on opportunities for even greater improvement. We will continue to encourage investment, emphasize clean-up, rebuilding, and beautification efforts, and look for opportunities to increase quality of life. We expect more for our City, and this pride radiates out into the community and is reflected by our residents and visitors.
City of Cedar Rapids on Nextdoor
CityofCR.com/Subscribe Jeffrey Pomeranz Cedar Rapids City Manager
Interested in Advertising with Us? Contact the Our CR Communications Coordinator at 319-286-5742.
CEDAR RAPIDS SHINES
RA NKING AMO NG
THE BEST
Cedar Rapids ranked the #1 Best Place in America for Children five years in a row (2015 - 2019) and remains in the top three for 2020 Cedar Rapids has consistently ranked as a top place in the country to raise children in an annual study conducted by SmartAsset.com. They compared the 200 largest U.S. metro areas across several metrics, including percentage of the population who are children, housing costs as a percentage of income, concentration of children’s entertainment establishments, high school graduation rate, daily average air pollution, child poverty rate, percentage of children without health insurance, and violent crime rate. In 2020, Cedar Rapids took the number three spot, ranking well across all categories, including high marks for low housing costs as a percentage of income, and low percentages of children without health insurance.
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Cedar Rapids ranks 14th Best Run City in America in 2020 Managing the City of Cedar Rapids efficiently and effectively is a top priority of Cedar Rapids city leaders. Our residents deserve the best possible services and amenities, while also ensuring financial stability. But it can be difficult to know how your city compares to others, especially if you have been here for several years. This study by WalletHub helps make this assessment by comparing the operating efficiency of 150 of the largest U.S. cities to reveal which among them are managed best. The data determines how well city officials manage and spend public funds by comparing the quality of services residents receive against the city’s total budget. The “Quality of Services” score is made up of 38 metrics grouped into six service categories, which is then measured against the city’s percapita budget. Cedar Rapids is proud to be ranked among the top U.S. cities in this study for the past three years, even moving up in the rankings in 2020.
Cedar Rapids ranked the #2 Best City to Start from Scratch in 2020 Do you know someone who needs a fresh start? Cedar Rapids is one of the best places in the country to start over, according to a study by Zippia.com. Whether you are already here or looking to move to a new place, Cedar Rapids offers affordability, great job prospects, and promising social opportunities — the perfect place for a fresh start.
Awarded the
Cedar Rapids ranks #34 of Cities with the Most Affordable Homes in the U.S. for 2020 The study found that 96 percent of homes are affordable for the average household living here.
2020 Most Caring City in Iowa If you live here, you don’t need a national study to tell you Cedar Rapids residents take care of each other. But it’s still gratifying to see our city’s compassionate and helpful nature confirmed when we were officially named the most caring city in Iowa. According to the data science and research team at Insurify, Cedar Rapids has the highest share of individuals working in altruistic fields statewide, including social work, healthcare, counseling, firefighting, teaching, and more. These are citizens who devote their lives to others, making Cedar Rapids a better place to live for all of us.
- Lendedu
Named #16
Most Livable Mid-Sized Cities 2019
Cedar Rapids made Money’s list of Top 100 Best Places to Live 2019
Cedar Rapids was named #2 on the list of the Ten Best Home Base
Cities for Road Trippers
- Livability
- SmartAsset
Cedar Rapids Named #2 Most Recession-Resistant City 2020 To find the most recession-resistant cities in the U.S., financial technology company, SmartAsset, examined nine metrics across three overarching categories: employment, housing, and social assistance. Cedar Rapids ranked sixth-highest in the employment category, twelfth-highest in the housing category, and tenth-highest in the social assistance category. Cedar Rapids had top-ten rates out of all 264 cities in the study for five individual metrics across the three main categories examined: two in employment, one in housing, and two in social assistance. Cedar Rapids has the sixth-lowest unemployment rate in the study and ranks thirdbest for change in unemployment rate during the Great Recession. The study’s data showed Cedar Rapids with the third-lowest housing cost as a percentage of income, at just above 18 percent. All these and more show a positive outlook for our city’s economic position. CEDAR-RAPIDS.ORG
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CEDAR RAPIDS SHINES
Cedar Rapids is #8 in the ranking of Top 10 Cities for Living the American Dream - SmartAsset
Business Insider named Cedar Rapids #16 in the Top American Cities to Live in after the Pandemic
Cedar Rapids is one of the best places to relocate People seeking a tight-knit community centered around residents should consider Cedar Rapids, according to a 2020 Livability.com article, 6 Reasons to Leave the Big City — and Where to Live Instead. “Cedar Rapids has made a name for itself as a place that celebrates international culture as the city is home to a large population of people who have descended from immigrants from today’s Czech and Slovak Republics and also is home to America’s first mosque, the Mother Mosque of America. In normal times, McGrath Amphitheatre and Veterans Memorial Stadium bring residents together for festivals and concerts.” (Livability.com, 2020)
Cedar Rapids was named the Technology Community of the Year (Large) by the Technology Association of Iowa
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The pandemic has caused many people to rethink how and where they want to live, work, and enjoy their time. As priorities have shifted and working remotely has become more common, many Americans are thinking about moving to less densely populated places. Business Insider recently published this ranking of the best U.S. cities to live in after the coronavirus, using several metrics, including economy, population, unemployment rate, housing affordability, education, commute time, and cost-of-living.
Cedar Rapids was named #4 on the list of Best American Cities to Work in Tech 2019 - SmartAsset
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Cedar Rapids scored a perfect 100 on the Municipal Equality Index Scorecard in 2020 for the fifth consecutive year The Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI) examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are for LGBTQ people who live and work there. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and the city leadership’s public position on equality. The index rated 506 cities across the United States based on 44 criteria. The full report and scorecards for cities nationwide can be found at hrc.org/mei.
Cedar Rapids ranked #13 Best City to Buy a House in America 2020 This ranking by Niche.com determined the best cities to buy a house based on home values, property taxes, ownership rates, housing costs, and real estate trends data from the U.S. Census, FBI, and other data sources.
Cedar Rapids earned a Certified 4-STAR Community designation from the STAR Communities organization for comprehensive sustainability efforts. STAR Communities is the leading, national framework for measuring and designating community performance.
Cedar Rapids was named a ‘Mini Megacity to Watch’ 2020 Construction Dive magazine featured Cedar Rapids as part of their series looking at the most up-andcoming U.S. markets for commercial construction. Here’s what they wrote about Cedar Rapids in their feature article: “From medical marijuana manufacturing to flood protection and infrastructure upgrades, a range of diverse projects is fueling a massive uptick in construction activity in and around Iowa’s secondlargest city. In recent years, 125 projects valued at $1 million or more have been started or completed in Cedar Rapids, and in 2019 alone, the metro area saw $623 million in construction starts, according to Dodge Data & Analytics.”
| Draft concept for a future elevated 8th Avenue Bridge
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CEDAR RAPIDS SHINES
Cedar Rapids has been recognized for its expertise in flood control recovery, management, and planning.
Communities that suffer devastating disasters often walk away with hardearned expertise in recovery and resiliency, and can become models for other communities navigating their own disaster planning. As a river city — and survivor of a catastrophic flood — Cedar Rapids has positioned itself as an expert in the field of flood fighting and flood recovery.
RECOGNIZED FOR SUCCESSFUL ACQUISITION PROGRAM In 2008, more than ten square miles of the city were inundated with floodwater, impacting more than 5,000 houses. The damage to neighborhoods was heartbreaking, and the City set about securing federal funding for a home buy-out program. What followed was an unprecedented property acquisition program — one of the largest purchases of private property by a U.S. city to date. The program used federal dollars from FEMA and the Community Development Block Grant to purchase homes ravished by the flood. When the program closed in December 2014, approximately $128 million had been invested to acquire and safely demolish flood-damaged properties in the city — both residential and commercial. The program has since become a model for other communities facing disaster recovery.
RECOGNIZED FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY Recently, the American Flood Coalition partnered with Johns Hopkins University to publish a report on the economic impacts of flood resilient infrastructure. The report was published in December 2020, and featured a case study on Cedar Rapids’ pursuit of permanent flood control and our positive economic growth following the 2008 Flood. The report explored how investments in flood-resilient infrastructure are associated with local economic development, stating: “This investment and planning (in Cedar Rapids) may have had a significant impact on commercial revitalization and property values in the city as a whole and in areas immediately adjoining the new flood protective infrastructure.” (American Flood Coalition John Hopkins Study, December 2020) Since 2008, more than $360 million in private capital investment has occurred in the flood-impacted area.
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Cedar Rapids ranked #18 Most Secure Place to Live for Mid-Sized Cities in the U.S. - Farmers Insurance Group
RECOGNIZED FOR SUSTAINABILITY In 2019, the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) awarded the Cedar Rapids Flood Control System with the Envision Bronze rating for sustainable infrastructure. Cedar Rapids was recognized for how it ranked in five categories: Quality of Life, Leadership, Natural World, Resource Allocation, and Climate and Risk. The award recognized the flood control project in the NewBo/ Sinclair District, an area previously classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a brownfield site. The flood control project turned otherwise unusable land into a public asset, complete with
stormwater best management practices and recreational amenities such as a 12-foot walking trail. This area is just one example of a system built to incorporate environmental, recreational, and cultural amenities. “We have always wanted our flood control measures to be more than an engineering project,” says Flood Control System Program Manager Rob Davis. “Thankfully, the system won’t be used 100 percent of the time, so it’s important that we embrace the river and incorporate aesthetics, recreational opportunities, and cultural attractions that residents can enjoy.”
LOCAL RESTAURANTS LOCAL DELIVERY
SHARING OUR EXPERTISE Recovering from the 2008 Flood has required forethought and strategy in redevelopment, neighborhood planning, economic recovery, interim flood fighting, and infrastructure design. Many city officials in key leadership roles during the 2008 Flood are still with the City, and share their knowledge base with other communities. The Cedar Rapids team has shared their expertise at conferences such as the Iowa Flood Center, the International Conference on Flood Management, the Iowa Groundwater Association, Iowa Recovery Summit, and the Association of State Floodplain Managers. We are proud to help other communities on their own paths to flood resiliency. CEDAR-RAPIDS.ORG
Free Delivery Code: OURCR www.chomp.delivery 9
CEDAR RAPIDS SHINES
LEADING THE PACK
EARLY ADOPTERS OF BIKEFRIENDLY INFRASTRUCTURE
Cedar Rapids boasts 80 miles of bikeways and trails combined, creating transportation options and recreational activities for all residents.
The City of Cedar Rapids has been recognized with a Walk Friendly Bronze Designation by the Walk Friendly Communities program. Cedar Rapids is the only community in Iowa to have this distinction, and one of only four communities across the country to receive a designation for this round. 10
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edar Rapids is leading the state as an early adopter of bike-friendly infrastructure. We were named a Bicycle Friendly Community in 2014 by the League of American Bicyclists, and have held a bronze
designation since 2018. Every year, we continue to expand our network of on-street bike lanes and multi-use paths available for residents to enjoy. Currently, Cedar Rapids has 80 miles of bikeways and multi-use trails combined, with another 7.5 miles planned for 2021. Additionally, programspecific amenities such as the Bike Share program help unlock transportation access for more residents throughout core economic districts.
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TRAILS: UPCOMING MILESTONES Lindale Trail
CeMar Trail
When complete, the Grant Wood Trail would extend from C Avenue NE to the intersection of 51st Street NE and Center Point Road NE. Construction will begin on the first phases in 2021 between Council Street NE and C Avenue NE, south of Blairs Ferry Road NE.
When complete, the CeMar Trail will provide a connection from Cedar Lake to Marion. The final Cedar Rapids trail segment will be completed in 2021 and will include a pedestrian underpass at 1st Avenue East between 29th Street and 32nd Street, where it will connect with Marion’s segment near Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Edgewood Trail
Sac and Fox Trail Extension
One of the newest trail segments, it provides a connection along Edgewood Road NW between O Avenue NW and Ellis Road NW, tying into the existing Ellis Trail. A segment between Ellis Road NW and the Edgewood Road bridge over the Cedar River will be open in the spring of this year. Future segments will extend the trail from the Cedar River bridge to Glass Road NE and eventually to Blairs Ferry Road NE, Boyson Road and County Home Road.
The Sac and Fox Trail Extension will ultimately connect the Sac and Fox trailhead at East Post Road SE with the CeMar Trail at 20th Street NE. In 2021, an off-street trail segment will be completed on Cottage Grove Avenue SE from 1st Avenue to Forest Drive.
Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Cherokee Trail
Over the next three years, changes to the Cedar Valley Nature Trail will be underway from J Avenue NE to Cedar Lake as permanent flood control comes online. Flood control projects will rework the alignment of the trail and include a separate trail bridge over McLoud Run Creek, an underpass for Shaver Road, and a 15-foot wide trail on top of a levee.
The Cherokee Trail will connect the Ellis Trail and Downtown to neighborhoods and destinations on the far west side including Jacolyn Park, Cherry Hill Park, and Morgan Creek Park near Highway 100. Construction will begin on the second phase of this project in 2021 between Cherry Hill Park and Cherokee Park.
ON-STREET BIKE LANES Points of Pride
Coming 2021 O Avenue NW between Edgewood Road and 16th Street Bowling Street SW between 50th Avenue and Wilson Avenue 6th Street SW between 33rd Avenue and Wilson Avenue Oakland Road NE between Center Street and Regent Street 12th Avenue SE between 7th Street and 17th Street Prioritizing a people-first model of transportation — a philosophy that considers all possible uses of a roadway — provides everyone with safe modes of travel. We are proud of the achievements we have made in inclusive, safe, bike-friendly infrastructure.
First in the state to install green bike lanes First in the state to install protected bike lanes Only community in Iowa with scooter share program Highest ridership for a bike share program in the state Designated an AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in 2019
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CEDAR RAPIDS SHINES
A CITY FOR ALL AGES M
ore than 22 percent of residents are over the age of 60, and rapid growth in this age group is anticipated nationwide. The City of Cedar Rapids joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in recognition of the importance of encouraging and promoting age-friendly plans and policies to address these changing demographics. Membership signifies that Cedar Rapids’ leadership is actively working to make the city a great place to live for people of all ages. AARP engages with local officials, organizations, and community members to help cities improve the quality of life for the very young, the very old, and everyone in-between. Age-friendly communities are inclusive, benefit from diverse citizen engagement, and are considerate of the perspectives of residents of all ages. Member communities develop an action plan that identifies community needs within eight domains of livability that influence the health and quality of life of older adults. Cedar Rapids is in the process of outlining actions that will be undertaken, and identifying target goals, partner organizations, and measurements for progress. The adoption of age-friendly policies results in improved neighborhoods, better transportation options, equitable access to services, housing that is affordable and adaptable, economic growth, and healthier residents.
Cedar Rapids was ranked #50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. by Livability in 2019
Cedar Rapids’ Livability Efforts that Support Aging Updated Pedestrian Master Plan to improve walkability Implemented ADA improvements to Cedar Rapids neighborhoods and parks Completed 2,400 curb ramps to meet ADA standards Became 15th certified Blue Zones Community and part of Healthy Hometown network Named bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community Designated bronze-level Walk Friendly Community Adopted Complete Streets policy, Comprehensive Trail Masters Plan and Comprehensive Plan — Envision CR Launched Municipal Volunteer Program (MVP) to make it easier to get involved with local government Offered recreation programs for adults and seniors
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Partnering with AARP AARP Iowa and FitLot selected Cedar Rapids to be the Iowa recipient of an outdoor exercise space. The national AARP program donated one outdoor exercise area in each state and includes a grant for free fitness classes. The FitLot was constructed in Jones Park, near the playground equipment in the lower section of the park. The exercise area provides the benefits of indoor exercise training in an outdoor setting. As part of the agreement between AARP and the City of Cedar Rapids, the Parks and Recreation Department will offer no-cost, community fitness classes at Jones Park. Programs will incorporate beginning fitness, walking, stretching, and low resistance weights. Classes will begin this summer and participants must pre-register. All classes will comply with local guidelines and CDC guidance regarding COVID-19. Watch for information on the Parks and Recreation Department Facebook page and website.
BUILDING
FOR ALL
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s people eagerly look forward to a return to traditional entertainment activities, there will be a new facility to try. Mini Pines, a miniature golf course built next
to Twin Pines Golf Course, is expected to open this spring. The 18-hole lighted course loops to a pond that includes a nine-foot waterfall with water play incorporated into four holes. The facility will include opportunities for social media photos, parties, and educational information about plantings throughout the course. “We are excited about what this course will offer to the community. Some holes are more difficult and some are easier to play. Everyone in the family will have fun,” said Scott Hock, Parks and Recreation Director.
The new course is among many ADA projects that the City has completed in recent years. Other parks facilities that have been constructed or improved for ADA compliance in 2020 include:
Bender Pool Twin Pines Golf Course NE Quadrant Parks • Noelridge Greenhouse and maintenance
• Shaver Park
• Noelridge Park ball diamonds, and trails
• Kenwood Park
• Noelridge Pool and splash pad • Twin Pines splash pad • Seminole Valley
This facility was constructed with a priority placed on ADA accessibility. It is one of only a handful of courses across the country that is fully compliant with the Americans with
• Daniels Park
• Cedar Lake Park • Mohawk Park • Fox Trail Park • Cemar Trail • McCloud Run • Mohawk Park
Projects anticipated for 2021: NW, SW, & SE Quadrant Parks
Disabilities Act, allowing wheelchair access to the entire course.
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CEDAR RAPIDS SHINES
PARTNERSHIP WITH URBAN DREAMS DEVELOPS WORKFORCE AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
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he City of Cedar Rapids recognizes the need for Economic Development growth that creates opportunities for all in our community. In order to build on current progress, the City contracted with Urban Dreams in 2020 to create and implement a workforce program for Cedar Rapids. Urban Dreams (UD) is an inner-city non-profit that provides substance abuse, mental health, job training and placement, inmate reentry services, community engagement, education, and community advocacy for people of color and low-income individuals and families. The Cedar Rapids UD program works with individuals who have had barriers to success, including high school dropouts or at-risk youth, individuals lacking career guidance or understanding of career opportunities, those with prior criminal records, and those under-or unemployed. “The overarching goal of the program is to create a connection between businesses looking for employees and individuals who could fill those jobs,” said Jasmine Almoayyed, Cedar Rapids Economic Development Manager. “One of the things we hear most often from employers is their struggle to hire enough qualified employees. By providing connections, career services, and mentoring, the Urban Dreams program is helping provide employment for many who might just need a little help, while also filling a vital need for area employers.” Since establishing a location within the Ladd Library in July 2020, the Urban Dreams team hit the ground running— developing a number of positive opportunities here in Cedar Rapids. The group has met with 21 interested area employers to establish candidate referral programs including Travero, Raining Rose,
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ImOn Communications, and Hy-Vee. Participating employers will work directly with Urban Dream staff to incorporate inclusion-based hiring strategies, career guidance for participants, and ongoing progress reporting. The Urban Dreams team is working to establish themselves in the community through a number of community outreach efforts. After the 2020 Derecho, Urban Dreams partnered with Hy-Vee to establish a free meal site located at the 1st Avenue Hy-Vee, and distributed beverages and shelf-stable milk products donated by Atlantic Bottling Company (ABC) through established meal and resource sites. The team also coordinated with Hy-Vee to provide a Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway at Ladd Library. City staff and City Council members assisted with coordination and volunteering at these events. Urban Dreams is also coordinating with HACAP food reservoir to establish a food pantry at their location within the Ladd Library.
“These community outreach programs are vitally important to help us build authentic connections and establish trust with residents,” said Izaah Knox, Urban Dreams Executive Director. “Our number one goal is to help with workforce needs, but I’ve found the best way to do that is by becoming a committed part of the community. Cedar Rapids has welcomed us with open arms, and we are looking forward to many years of service to this community.”
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Watch for more information about these upcoming events on the Urban Dream social media sites and at urbandreams.org/event-calendar:
Career/Job Fairs Expungement Clinic with Iowa Legal Aid
Community Buffet Community Car Checkup Give Joy Toy Store Turkey Basket Summer City Hoops Trunk-or-Treat
Economic Development Opportunities Remain Strong While many companies in our community encountered significant setbacks in 2020, there were still some bright spots and big wins in terms of economic development projects in Cedar Rapids. Large new projects such as BAE Systems, as well as expansion projects, such as JRS Pharma and In Tolerance were noteworthy projects in 2020.
2020 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS:
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projects received City Council approval
402+ MILLION capital investment
new jobs created
1,376
894
jobs retained
new residential units, including
180 affordable units
IN TOLERANCE $3.44 million capital investment • $1.92 million building expansion • $1.52 million in machinery & equipment Demolition of two existing commercial facilities and construction of new 13,090 sq. ft. addition Creation of 6 new jobs which meet the High Quality Wage threshold of $23.20/hr
BAE SYSTEMS $176.6 million capital investment • $55 million – building construction and site improvements • $121.6 million in machinery & equipment, hardware & software, and building furnishing Construction of a new 200,000 sq. ft. classified defense commercial building Retention of 650 jobs acquired from Collins Aerospace, of which 550 must meet the High Quality Wage threshold of $22.27/hr
JRS PHARMA $15.9 million capital investment • $3.6 million building expansion • $11.3 million in machinery & equipment
• $1 million research & development
Construction of a new 9,200 sq. ft. production facility and associated tank farm Creation of 18 new jobs, of which 16 meet the High Quality Wage threshold of $22.27/hr
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CEDAR RAPIDS SHINES
AWARD-WINNING CLEAN WATER F
rom being named Iowa’s best-tasting drinking water — twice in the last decade, according to the American Water Works Association’s Iowa Chapter — to consistently achieving environmental compliance and clean drinking water metrics, Cedar Rapids residents and business owners can take pride in the City’s clean, safe, and reliable water. Clean water is essential to everything we do in our community. We drink water to nourish our bodies, prepare food, wash our hands, and clean our homes. Water is a key ingredient to keeping our local industries running. When we’re done using it, the City of Cedar Rapids cleans wastewater and returns it safely back to the Cedar River to continue on in the water cycle.
U.S. WATER PRIZE
Beyond clean water, the City of Cedar Rapids recognizes the U.S. Water Alliance’s “One Water” mission. The movement acknowledges how various stakeholders have interconnected relationships with water. Stakeholders include water utilities, cities and their residents, businesses and industries, agricultural systems, social and economic interests, and inhabitants of healthy waterways. The City of Cedar Rapids has many partnerships with water users up and down the Cedar River watershed — and across the country — earning the prestigious U.S. Water Prize in 2019. The City won in the Public Sector category for its leadership in the Middle Cedar Partnership Project (MCPP). The MCPP was a 2015–2020 collaboration between downstream water users, upstream conservation entities, and local farmers to improve water quality, water quantity, and soil health in the watershed.
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A CLEAN, SUSTAINABLE FUTURE The City’s Utilities Department boasts many points of clean-water pride. Here are a few more examples: Every year, the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPC) works to meet 3,865 points of compliance toward its water discharge permit. In 2019, WPC earned the North American Clean Water Agency (NACWA) Silver Peak Performance Award for its exceptional compliance, with only one deviation from the standard.
Planned improvement projects at WPC will help to decrease nutrients in the Cedar River that may contribute to the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone. Upgrades will span the next two decades, replacing aging facilities, meeting regulatory expectations, improving sustainability, and furthering the City’s excellent record of watershed stewardship.
In 2020, the Water division achieved 100 percent compliance with Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Water Quality expectations, making 2020 its third-consecutive year to earn that distinction.
The City’s water treatment and water pollution control systems remain in continuous operation around the clock, every day of the year. This is an enormous accomplishment! Residents shared words of gratitude following the August 2020 derecho storm, when water and sewer systems continued to function without issue.
The City has installed several “green infrastructure” projects, including bioretention cells, bioreactors, rain gardens, and permeable pavers in parks and city-owned fields and right-of-way to reduce pollutants in its waterways.
A bioreactor installed in the MCPP target area routes drainage water through trenches filled with woodchips, reducing the amount of nitrates delivered downstream.
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Innovative Response to Opioid Crisis
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he Eastern Iowa Heroin Initiative, an innovative program created in 2015, is making a difference in addressing the drug addiction and overdose
crisis in the state. The Initiative is funded by the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and is a joint venture of the United States Attorney’s Office and the Cedar Rapids Police Department. The Eastern Iowa Heroin Initiative (EIHI) uses a three-part strategy of enforcement, prevention, and treatment. Over the past six years, the EIHI has provided drug awareness programs, community action organizational efforts, first responder training, and detoxification and treatment services.
Camarena Award from the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. The Enrique Camarena Award is presented to law enforcement officers who have made a significant contribution in the field of drug prevention and who personify Agent Camarena’s belief that one person can make a difference.
In 2018, deaths from opioid-related symptoms reached a ten-year low in Iowa. The EIHI, one of only two comprehensive opioid awareness and outreach programs in the country, is viewed as a key contributor to the downward trend in overdose deaths.
The EIHI has conducted numerous town hall events to raise community awareness, training events for first responders to correctly handle an overdose scene and conduct a responsive investigation, naloxone (Narcan) administration training, training to medical professionals, and training to drug treatment and prevention specialists. As part of the enforcement efforts, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has prosecuted over 100 defendants for various felony-level opioid charges since October 2015 throughout the district. These prosecutions involved trafficking in opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and other dangerous drugs. Many of the cases involved drug distributions that resulted in overdose death or injury. The continued success of EIHI initiatives is even more crucial with the ongoing COVID-19 public health pandemic. Overdoses have started to increase again
Recognizing the EIHI efforts, the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area awarded the program the Outstanding Public Safety/Public Health Collaborative Effort award. Further, Cedar Rapids Police Officer Lindsay Powers, who coordinates the EIHI, received the Enrique
since March 2020. Isolation and other mental health factors appear to be contributing to increased drug usage and overdoses. Cedar Rapids Police officers now carry Narcan, an opioid-reversing drug. They have saved 15 lives in 2020 by administrating the medication to unconscious, non-breathing overdose patients.
For more information about the EIHI, please visit www.facebook.com/easterniowaheroininitiative.
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CEDAR RAPIDS SHINES
Accreditation Demonstrates Commitment to Excellence
N
ew technologies emerge and evolve. New research and analysis of programs and approaches to policing are consistently offered. At the same time, new tactics and
strategies are debated. So, how does a law enforcement agency like the Cedar Rapids Police Department advance policing through science and innovation? How do we assure the community that our police officers seek opportunities to advance the profession in a consistent, practitioner-informed way?
As police reform issues came to the forefront last summer, accreditation provided confidence that policies and procedures adhered to the highest qualities of service to the public. CALEA standards address the training of officers, including use of force issues. CALEA accreditation provides a greater level of accountability within the Police Department with cuttingedge best practices as part of written directives, sound training, and clearly defined levels of authority. There is increased community advocacy as accreditation embodies the precepts of community-oriented policing. Evidence has shown government officials are more
Full advanced accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation
confident in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently
for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) provides the Cedar
and meet community needs if they have achieved
Rapids Police Department with a blueprint for development
accreditation. Accredited law enforcement agencies have
of effective and reasonable policies. CALEA standards cover
seen a decline in legal actions and reductions in liability
challenging issues like biased policing, employee rights, deadly
insurance costs because of adherence to best practices
force and associated data collection and analysis, job task analysis
that are based on national, practitioner, and research
and recruiting, transparency and other policies that protect
informed standards.
officers, citizens, the department, and city government from errant decision making, tactics, litigation, and other potential harms. When the Cedar Rapids Police Department was awarded full advanced accreditation by CALEA in May 2019, it was one of only five percent of all law enforcement agencies that have earned this distinction. The Department had to demonstrate 484 agency standards developed by public safety practitioners. Furthermore, it committed to an annual audit and a re-accreditation process every four years.
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Pursuing Accreditation The Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments are currently in the process of achieving national accreditation. Once these accreditations have been received, Cedar Rapids will be among fewer than 50 cities nationwide who have received accreditation for Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works. The Cedar Rapids Public Library is also nationally accredited.
Achieving the Highest Fire-Service Standards
C
redibility is an essential component of a professional fire service. The Cedar Rapids Fire Department is committed to identifying the risk and safety needs of the community, evaluating department performance, and establishing methods for achieving continuous improvement. Achieving accreditation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and the Commission on Fire Accreditation in addition to an improved Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating are two major ways the Fire Department has met the highest
standards in efficiency, technology, equipment, policies, and procedures. The in-depth operational analysis required for accreditation helped the Fire Department improve service delivery. Because of the analysis, fire apparatus are now regularly repositioned when there is a major fire and fire companies are dispatched to other fire districts within the city. For example, if four or five companies respond to the west side of town for a structure fire, then an east side company will need to reposition itself to a central or west location to make sure there is not an extended response time for simultaneous or subsequent events. The Department also assessed high volume users, evaluating certain medical patients and the impact that they had on the system in particular. Data collected about the number of calls and types of needs required of each call was used to communicate with home health agencies and Department of Health agencies to deliver long-term solutions that improve a patient’s quality of life. For instance, if there are multiple emergency calls from someone who keeps falling, firefighters can flag the data and report it to the proper agency to ensure the home has slip guards and bathroom handles to reduce fall risks. Finding a solution and improving patient care also results in fewer calls.
While accreditation is a peer review with adherence to fire industry best practices, the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating is conducted by a for-profit agency to determine property insurance costs. Nevertheless, ISO is still compiling industry best practices and providing a review of independent standards. The City of Cedar Rapids moved to an ISO score of “two” on June 1, 2018. An evaluation of the City’s water supply, emergency communications system, fire department personnel, capabilities, training and equipment, and community risk reduction programming all factor into the ISO fire rating. After analyzing the data it collects, the ISO assigns a Public Protection Classification (PPC) on a scale from one to ten. The higher the ISO fire protection class (with Class 1 being the best), the “better” the department is in the eyes of the ISO. According to City Manager Jeff Pomeranz, “Professionalism, adequate training and equipment, proper preparedness and planning, and identification and mitigation of community risks are benchmarks of an excellent fire department and this has been validated by both accreditation and the high ISO rating.”
Cedar Rapids named #38 in the ranking of Safest Cities in America 2021 - WalletHub
The Parks and Recreation Department will apply for accreditation through the National Recreation and Parks Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) this spring. The accreditation measures parks and recreation agencies quality of operation, management, and service to the community. It signifies that Cedar Rapids is using best management practices in providing park and recreation services. The Department hopes to be accredited in the fall of 2021.
The Public Works Department is pursuing accreditation through the American Public Works Association. This voluntary self-assessment will review, revise, and strengthen internal policies and procedures, following industry standards and best practices from around the nation. Accreditation will serve to verify and recognize that Cedar Rapids Public Works has a culture of continuous improvement, institutional knowledge retention, a central location for documentation, increased efficiencies, and successful staff development. The Department aims to achieve accreditation in early 2022.
CEDAR-RAPIDS.ORG
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CEDAR RAPIDS SHINES
City of Cedar Rapids Receives 100 Best Fleets Award The Cedar Rapids Fleet Division demonstrated excellence in twelve criteria considered universal drivers of change and excellence in fleet operations in order to receive this respected award in 2020. This is the fourth year the City of Cedar Rapids has earned this designation.
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Cedar Rapids for its Certified Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2019. This is the 39th consecutive year that the City has received this prestigious award. In order to be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a government must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report. This report must satisfy both accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and applicable legal requirements. The City submitted its June 30, 2020, Certified Annual Financial Report in December 2020 to GFOA to determine its eligibility for another certificate.
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada awarded its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to the City of Cedar Rapids for its fiscal year budget beginning July 1, 2020. This is the 10th consecutive year the City has received this prestigious award. The award reflects the commitment of the City and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the City must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device. In order to receive the award, the City’s budget document must be rated “proficient” in these four categories and contain fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories.
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Cedar Rapids ranks 14th Best Run City in America in 2020
- WalletHub
Cedar Rapids ranked #15 in the nation of the most popular cities in America to relocate to - MoveBuddha
Cedar Rapids received a Healthy Hometown Community Award, recognizing accomplishments in health improvement initiatives.
Healthy CR
T
he City of Cedar Rapids has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the health and well-being of residents. In 2016, the City of Cedar Rapids became the fifteenth Blue Zones Community®
in the nation. Since then, the citizen-led Wellbeing Advisory Committee has continued to support the on-going work of creating a healthy community and assisting the City Council with matters related to well-being. In 2018, Cedar Rapids was among three Iowa communities that received Healthy Hometown Community Awards recognizing their accomplishments in community well-being initiatives. Cedar Rapids was acknowledged for accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments at farmers’ markets, providing transportation to farmers’ markets for neighborhoods with limited access to fresh produce, and donating food to a food rescue program. Additional health-oriented achievements include planting fruit and nut trees on city property, launching a bike share program, and enforcing smoke-free playgrounds. Cedar Rapids was the first in the state to design streets for all users — not just cars — making it easier for all individuals to walk and bike.
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NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Additional floodgates such as the newly constructed 16th Avenue SE roller gate will be constructed on both the west and east sides of the river.
Tips on Making Home Repairs The Building Services Department offers the following tips on how to find a reputable contractor and navigate the permit process:
Flood Control Projects Coming Online Numerous flood control projects are already underway, including a floodwall segment near the McGrath Amphitheatre, a floodgate on 3rd Avenue SE, and a levee segment in NewBo’s
CONTRACTORS
• All contractors are required to be licensed and registered through the State of Iowa.
parking lot 44. Even more projects are coming
• Contractors should carry insurance.
additional floodgates on both sides of the river.
• Residents are encouraged to get more than one quote for repairs.
View the latest list of projects at
• Do not pay upfront for repairs.
www.cityofcr.com/floodcontrol.
online soon in the coming years, including
• Check Iowa Courts Online to see if a contractor has been sued by unsatisfied customers. Contractor Verification Service To verify your contractor is licensed, call the Building Services Department at 319-286-5929.
EASEMENT
PERMIT REQUIREMENTS • Permits are required for significant roof damage, structural repairs, or substantial interior repairs. Examples include: wall damage or truss damage, anything structural that has been pushed out of alignment, attic rafters that are damaged, significant siding or large portions of roof repairs, anything that touches electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work. • Permits are not required for minor roofing repairs (replacing small portions of shingles), small sections of siding, small roof holes that can be patched with plywood, or other minor maintenance items.
Do your spring plans include adding a new
• Your contractor is responsible for obtaining the appropriate permits from the Building Services Department.
of your property? It’s important to check first
fence, replacing a damaged shed, or tackling other projects that run along the perimeter and make sure you’re not building on a public easement. Easements are primarily reserved
DEMOLITIONS A building permit is required for demolition of any structure. For safety, proper utility disconnections must be verified prior to demolition, which is part of the permit process. For any questions related to the permit process, please contact Building Services at 319-286-5831.
for utilities and water flow. It’s important to keep these areas free of fences, sheds, gazebos, etc. in order to ensure water flow isn’t blocked during heavy rain events, and to preserve utility line access so crews can make
ONLINE RESOURCES Residents can find information on the permit process and links to search for reputable contractors on the City’s website: www.cedar-rapids.org/homerepair.
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Check Your Yard for Easements
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important repairs when necessary. Before you build on an easement, you’ll need to apply for an encroachment agreement. Find details on our website: cityofcr.com/encroachments.
CITY SERVICES DIRECTORY CITY SERVICE
LOCATION
Animals
7241 Washington View Parkway SW
Assessor
City Services Center, 500 15 Avenue SW
319-286-5888
CRAssessor@Cedar-Rapids.org
Bid Opportunities
City Hall, 101 1st Street SE
319-286-5021
Bid-Purchasing@Cedar-Rapids.org
Building and Housing Codes
City Services Center, 500 15th Avenue SW
319-286-5831
Building@Cedar-Rapids.org
Buses
Ground Transportation Center, 450 1st Street SE
319-286-5573
CRTransit@Cedar-Rapids.org
Fire Safety Inspections
713 1st Avenue SE
319-286-5166
CRFire@Cedar-Rapids.org
Garbage, Recycling and Yard Waste Collection
City Services Center, 500 15 Avenue SW
319-286-5897
Solid-Waste-Recycling@Cedar-Rapids.org
Housing Assistance Programs
City Hall, 101 1st Street SE
319-286-5872
HSG-Admin@Cedar-Rapids.org
Land Development
City Hall, 101 1 Street SE
319-286-5822
DevelopmentServices@Cedar-Rapids.org
Park Rentals
City Services Center, 500 15th Avenue SW
319-286-5566
Recreation@Cedar-Rapids.org
Potholes and Street Maintenance
City Services Center, 500 15 Avenue SW
319-286-5826
Street@Cedar-Rapids.org
Recreation Programs
Northwest Recreation Center, 1340 11th Street NW
319-286-5566
Recreation@Cedar-Rapids.org
Sewer Backup or Problems
City Services Center, 500 15th Avenue SW
319-286-5815
Sewer@Cedar-Rapids.org
Traffic Signals, Signs and Markings
City Services Center, 500 15th Avenue SW
319-286-5176
Traffic@Cedar-Rapids.org
Utility Billing
City Hall, 101 1st Street SE
319-286-5900
WaterMail@Cedar-Rapids.org
th
th
st
th
PHONE
EMAIL ADDRESS
319-286-5993
AnimalControlMgmt@Cedar-Rapids.org
For more information about the City of Cedar Rapids and its services, call 319-286-5080 or visit www.cedar-rapids.org.
CITY COUNCIL
To leave a message for a City Council member, call 319-286-5051. Find your district at www.linncountyelections.org.
MAYOR
DISTRICT 1
DISTRICT 2
Martin Hoeger
Scott Overland
DISTRICT 3
DISTRICT 4
DISTRICT 5
Dale Todd
Scott Olson
Ashley Vanorny
Brad Hart
b.hart@cedar-rapids.org
dalet@cedar-rapids.org
AT LARGE Patrick Loeffler
p.loeffler@cedar-rapids.org
m.hoeger@cedar-rapids.org
scott.olson@cedar-rapids.org
s.overland@cedar-rapids.org
a.vanorny@cedar-rapids.org
AT LARGE
AT LARGE
Tyler Olson
Ann Poe
t.olson@cedar-rapids.org
CEDAR-RAPIDS.ORG
ann.poe@cedar-rapids.org
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Member FDIC
