Our CR Magazine - November 2019

C I T Y

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SPOTLIGHT ON

SAFETY

The many ways we keep our city safe

NOVEMBER 2019

FROM THE CITY MANAGER • SPECIAL SECTION • PLAY! GUIDE •

FROM THE

CITY MANAGER

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S

afety is an essential pillar that supports the overall

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vibrancy and economy of any city. There are many factors that contribute to the safety of a city beyond crime

statistics. Clean water, sanitary waste treatment and disposal, well-planned roads and infrastructure, accessibility for all, safety

ON THE COVER:

education, and effective emergency response are just a few

The Peterson family plays in Cherry Hill Park.

community for citizens.

city services that contribute to the overall safe enjoyment of a Departments throughout the City of Cedar Rapids work together, along with other government entities and community partners, to create a community our residents and visitors can

CONNECT

safely enjoy. This issue highlights a few of the many projects, programs and initiatives taking place in Cedar Rapids to ensure

WITH CEDAR RAPIDS

a safe and secure community. As a resident, you can help by getting to know your neighbors, being aware, and becoming

City of Cedar Rapids Iowa Government

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@CityofCRIowa

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City Source Email Newsletter

involved with your community.

Our staff and elected City Council members are committed to providing all our residents with a community where they feel safe to live, work and spend leisure time. Together, we can all play a role in supporting a safe and thriving community.

www.CityofCR.com/Subscribe

Jeffrey Pomeranz Cedar Rapids City Manager

Interested in Advertising With Us? Contact the Our CR Communications Coordinator at 319-286-5742.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

hile many people think of Police and Fire Departments as the most obvious sources of public safety initiatives, the City works across all departments to create a safe city. Community safety goes beyond injuries and crime prevention; it makes you feel welcome, satisfied and secure. It produces a strong and vibrant place to live, work and play.

We want you to feel confident in the water you drink, protected in the home you live in, comfortable in the parks you use, and secure when traveling on roads. In this issue of Our CR we spotlight a few of the ways we work daily to ensure your family’s safety.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

SMOKE ALARM

BLITZ

When Rosellen Elvidge had a grass fire melt the siding on her home in August, she was appreciative of the quick response by firefighters and was relieved that the fire did not spread into her home’s interior.

E

lvidge's level of satisfaction with the Fire

to fire safety and are a vivid reminder why smoke and

Department was already high, but the service

carbon monoxide alarms are so important. The Fire

that she received the next day was what made

Department recognized that immediately after a fire,

“our Fire Department uniquely special among fire

there is an increased neighborhood receptiveness to

departments in the country,” according to Elvidge.

fire safety issues, so firefighters created the Smoke Alarm Blitz program.

Firefighters visited her

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house the next day to

Elvidge said she and her husband would have never

make sure that the home

known that they needed new smoke alarms. “We

had working smoke

replaced the batteries every year, but we didn’t know

alarms. Neighborhoods

we lacked the proper number of smoke alarms, or the

often come together

one in the basement was too old. We feel so much

when a family

more secure knowing that we have up-to-date smoke

experiences a tragedy

alarms. It is such good community relations by our

such as a house fire. Fire

firefighters. We watched the firefighter who helped us

trucks on your street

take their ladder and knock on doors throughout the

certainly draw attention

neighborhood to see if anyone else needed help.”

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NOVEMBER 2019

We feel so much more secure knowing that we have up-to-date smoke alarms. It is such good community relations by our firefighters."

Firefighters canvass area homeowners to identify those willing to have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms checked, and upgraded when appropriate. Firefighters will typically canvass a neighborhood within 72 hours of a house fire and see if neighbors need smoke alarms installed or replacement batteries for existing smoke alarms.

In recent months, the Fire Department has visited 44 homes in proximity to a residence that sustained fire damage. Fire crews installed 122 smoke alarms and replaced 32 batteries. Smoke alarms were not present in 55 percent of the homes, underscoring the program’s importance and the need to remind residents that smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home as well as inside and outside of sleeping areas.

The majority of the homes visited had citizens who statistically are at more than twice the risk of dying in a house fire — residences with adults 60 years of age or older, or families with children less than 10 years old.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

CREATING A

CLEANER, SAFER CEDAR RAPIDS

S

usan Beahm has a special needs child who rides

This is just one example of the efforts of SAFE-

a school bus every day. Unfortunately, along

CR. SAFE-CR started in October 2013 to improve

Beahm’s southwest side residential street, there

the quality of life in our community by addressing

were vehicles parking near the closest intersection and

nuisance issues. Each resident is entitled to the

the school bus couldn’t navigate the turn. This resulted

quiet enjoyment of their home and does not need

in her child having to walk to the corner, a potential

to tolerate criminal activity, overgrown grass or

safety concern for the family due to reduced visibility

weeds, excessive trash, or noise complaints in their

at the intersection.

neighborhood.

Beahm contacted SAFE-CR, short for Secure and Friendly Environments in Cedar Rapids, who coordinated with other City departments to find an equitable solution. It was determined that many vehicle owners may not be aware that they are not to park within 25 feet of an intersection.

Street signage indicating no parking was

Over the past five years that SAFE-CR has been

an effective way to increase awareness

reviewing police calls for service, there have been

and allow police officers to enforce the ordinance.

complied with City ordinances and are no longer

Today, Beahm’s child is picked up right in front of their house and a potential safety concern has been alleviated.

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769 nuisance property designations. Most properties

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considered a nuisance. SAFE-CR teams up with other City departments and works with rental, owneroccupied, and commercial property owners to resolve issues.

NOVEMBER 2019

Property owners have 15 days to submit a nuisance abatement plan. After SAFE-CR receives the plan, the property owner then has 30 days to address the nuisance without being billed for additional police calls for service. If the owner of a nuisance property fails to submit an abatement plan or remedy the issues, they are billed for those excessive service calls to police at a rate of $94 per hour.

Steve Nylin, President of Taylor Area Neighborhood Association, said, “SAFE-CR is an important part of community policing and nuisance abatement. Recently an individual who owns properties in my neighborhood was notified by SAFE-CR of calls for service at one of his houses. When the property owner looked into the matter, he found several lease violations as well as criminal infractions that affected not only his property, but also the immediate neighbors as well. The information that he received from SAFE-CR and the Police Department allowed him to address the activity and remedy the issues.”

Nylin notices that police officers, SAFE-CR, Building Services, and other representatives of City departments are at most neighborhood association meetings to give updates and address questions and concerns from residents. Nylin said, “Our neighborhood benefits greatly from the team approach that these City departments use.”

WHAT IS NUISANCE ACTIVITY? Tall grass or weeds

Loud music

Police calls for service as outlined by Chapter 22A (Nuisance Properties)

Trash, debris, or junk

Inoperable or abandoned vehicles

Sidewalks that have not been shoveled

Excessive barking of dogs

If you are unsure if it is nuisance activity, call SAFE-CR. 319-286-5720 | SafeCR@cedar-rapids.org 505 1st St SW | Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

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SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

COMMUNITY POLICING

The Police Department’s Police Community Action Team, or PCAT, has been operational since January 9, 2016, and has been deployed into neighborhoods to address problems, specifically crime and quality of life issues.

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our police officers and a police sergeant are assigned to the highly visible, proactive geographic and group-based law enforcement team. PCAT is using strategies that have been shown to be successful in other cities, which includes addressing individuals and groups that

have been involved in violent criminal activity. PCAT officers are not assigned to a specific shift or police beats, but rather have the flexibility to get at the root causes of neighborhood issues based on crime trends and collection of intelligence information.

The first task that was assigned to PCAT was to reduce the amount of violence where a firearm had been used. Besides concentrating efforts on identifying individuals responsible for criminal activity, PCAT built partnerships with the Linn County Attorney’s Office, Juvenile and Adult Probation, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force, United States Attorney’s Office, and other community-based resources. PCAT officers then took actionable intelligence and implemented a plan to contact offenders to let them know that if they continued their criminal activities, enforcement action would be necessary.

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NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS RECOGNIZE CR AS A SAFE AND THRIVING COMMUNITY Cedar Rapids ranked the #1 best place in America for Children three years in a row.

SmartAsset

The combination of messaging and enforcement has resulted in 85 illegally possessed firearms being seized from January 2016 through August 2019.

The majority of the firearms confiscated were in the possession of juveniles

Cedar Rapids named #18 Most Secure Place to Live for mid-sized cities in the U.S. Farmers Insurance Group

or young adults and were stolen guns. The unit has also had 23 firearms cases taken federally and filed 123 weapons charges. There have been 1,069 warrant arrests and 524 narcotic-related charges filed.

Crime prevention is a key component of the success of PCAT. PCAT officers have devoted significant time in neighborhoods where violence has occurred. Officers have been actively engaging citizens, whether by walking a foot patrol, playing basketball with kids, or just stopping by to help someone. The goal is to build relationships and trust in the community. Many citizens who have been frustrated with violence in their neighborhoods have been sharing information which PCAT officers. This intelligence information has been used to prevent several potentially violent and criminal incidents.

According to Police Chief Wayne Jerman, “PCAT is just one strategy that the Police Department is using to reduce violence and demonstrates the City’s commitment to improving safety and quality of life for all citizens.”

Cedar Rapids named the 2019 15th best run city in America WalletHub

Cedar Rapids is #8 in the ranking of Top 10 Cities for Living the American Dream.

SmartAsset

Cedar Rapids ranked #12 in list of Best Cities to Buy a House in America.

Niche.com

VIOLENT CRIME DROPS

Violent crime rate has dropped 7.9 percent from 2013 to 2017, the last 5 years

recorded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reports.

Violent crime includes murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault reports.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

COMFORTABLE AND SECURE

Safe park spaces that are inviting and encouraging provide many benefits. While studies have proven that time spent in natural surroundings helps with wellness, inattentiveness, irritability, and mental fatigue, park use is directly linked to the public's perception of comfort and security. When parks are viewed as not being safe, the public misses out on the benefits they provide.

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PARKS

P

ark departments across the country have gone to extreme lengths in protecting park spaces from undesirable activity. While some cities like West Palm Beach have gone as far as blasting the music “Baby Shark�

from loud speakers to prevent people from sleeping at parks overnight, most municipalities utilize park design and programming to keep parks safe.

In Cedar Rapids, the City has used design elements including clear sightlines to help people feel comfortable using parks. When the riverfront park spaces along 1st Street were improved several years ago, trees that were not healthy were removed which added the benefit of the park sightlines being opened up from the street to the river for several blocks. Trail users feel safer being able to see others using the park near them. Lighting and wayfinding signs are other elements that help people feel at ease and relaxed.

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Research by The Citizens’ Taskforce on the Use and Security of Central Park found a direct correlation between the level of park use and perception of security. When parks were very active with a high numbers of visitors, antisocial behavior decreased. Therefore, municipalities often use recreational programming to increase park safety.

In 2018, Cedar Rapids provided children’s activities at Greene Square to encourage positive park use. Those activities were expanded in 2019 through a "Game On Greene Square" program.

For six weeks, every Thursday, the Parks and Recreation Department brought youth and family programming to the park. Activities ranged from bubble play, music and games, to bringing animals from Old MacDonald’s Farm to Greene Square. Attendance in the park doubled.

“We were excited to see how the community responded to the programs at Greene Square. It improved the feel of the park and people started asking for similar activities to be brought to their neighborhood parks,” said Scott Hock, Parks and Recreation Director.

Another recent initiative to increase positive park activity is the downtown ambassador program that began in June.

This cooperative effort by the Downtown District, City of Cedar Rapids Police, and Parks and Recreation Departments, Cedar Rapids Public Library, and Willis

Dady was modeled after comparable initiatives in other communities.

Ambassadors were hired to spend time in the downtown area and Greene Square engaging with individuals, keeping areas clean, reminding people of park rules, connecting individuals to resources, and de-escalating situations before conflict.

The Parks and Recreation Department is currently planning for the 2020 summer season. As part of those plans, the Department is looking into opportunities to bring more programming into neighborhood parks. These programs will not only benefit kids without transportation, but keep the parks safe with positive neighborhood activity.

Security cameras, park programming, community policing and the Ambassador program have already reduced the number of police calls for service to both Greene Square and Redmond Park in 2019 compared to the previous year. The number of disturbances, park rules violations, and violent offenses have decreased. The City remains committed to enhancing the safety of our area parks so all citizens can peacefully enjoy these spaces.

SECURITY CAMERAS IN GREENE SQUARE AND REDMOND PARK Security cameras were installed in Greene Square and Redmond Park earlier this year to increase park safety.

Police Lieutenant Tony Robinson, a district lieutenant who coordinated the security camera program, said, “The cameras are active 24 hours a day, so if we have an incident that occurs at Greene Square or Redmond Park, police officers can review the footage and determine what happened.”

At the same time, the presence of security cameras can be a deterrent for illegal activity. Police officers were able to hold two juveniles accountable for damaging decorations in

Greene Square in January — just five days after the cameras were installed in the park. Officers have also been able to view cameras and address alcohol or illegal drug use before these activities escalated into further, or even more serious, issues.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

T

SAFE SWIMMING he Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department

The City takes precautions by maintaining proper

has been acknowledged throughout the state

chemical levels to assure safe swimming. Daily water

for its comprehensive aquatics training program.

tests and cleaning is done to protect against recreational

Lifeguards must complete classes (which include passing

water illnesses. Water illnesses are caused by germs and

tests in lifeguarding, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR),

bacteria in water that people swim in. They are spread

automated external defibrillator (AED), and first aid) to

by swallowing infected water. The public can help avoid

be hired. Prior to working each summer, staff receives 30

the spread of these illnesses by staying home for two

more hours of training and are tested again. Additionally,

weeks after being sick with diarrhea, showering each

staff attend weekly inservice training and are tested mid-

time they enter the facility, and not putting pool water

summer to make sure they retain the highest level of life

in their mouth. If the Linn County Health Department

saving skills.

reports that an individual who has been diagnosed with a recreational water illness has swum at a Cedar Rapids pool, the City closes the pool for intensive cleaning to make sure that the public is safe.

Bender Pool Gets Upgrades

Bender Pool recently underwent extensive remodeling, costing more than $700,000, to make ADA improvements. Renovations to the facility’s interior included upgrading and replacing restroom fixtures, partitions, and baby changing areas with ADA compatible ones; regrading all the floors and decks to proper slopes; replacing the floor tile throughout the building; and redesigning the front entry. Exterior improvements were removing, modifying, and regrading sidewalks to conform to slope requirements, adding steps, and removing trees and parking strips.

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BUILDING CODES SUPPORT LIVABLE, SAFE HOMES

I

t’s hard to measure the number of disasters that are prevented from happening, but that’s the role of a building inspector. These dedicated and detailoriented individuals work hard to remove hazards from buildings before they ever become a safety issue. Every year, their work helps prevent house fires, electrical or plumbing issues, structural deficiencies, and other threats to life and property.

“Building a home, remodeling, or adding onto your home is one of the largest investments a family can make,” says Building Inspector Daryl Carson. “I want to help ensure that what you are building will keep you and your family safe.”

Cedar Rapids’ building inspectors are trained and certified to identify safety hazards before disaster strikes, making sure all residential and commercial structures are built to national building code standards. Following these standards reduces the risk of injury or death due to a structural hazard. Inspectors are on site early in the project’s development, reviewing everything from electrical, to plumbing, to mechanical.

“Many times, we’ll inspect a home before the wall is finished, and find issues that could become either a structural, electrical, or other safety hazard down the road,” says Carson. “Whether it’s insufficient structural support, a plumbing waste line that allows sewer gas into the home, or an undersized wire that could potentially be over-heated and cause a fire — building inspectors routinely catch and correct hazards that could turn into problems later.”

Having these standards in place, and a team of professionals committed to upholding them, ensures that structures are built to high standards that meet safety and building code regulations. Without them, homes and commercial buildings

could potentially be built to lower quality standards that lead to higher safety risks.

“To me, code enforcement is all about safety, and thinking of the family who is going to be living in the house one day,” says Carson, who has worked in code enforcement for 19 years. “My job is to make sure their home is built to quality standards that meet code.”

The Building Services Department offers the following community services: building permits and fees, electrical permits and fees, housing inspections, land development, mechanical permits and fees, plumbing permits and fees, zoning, and fire inspections.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

TROUNCING THE STANDARDS FOR WATER QUALITY

Y

ou might start your day with an energizing shower, a hot cup of coffee, or brushing your teeth. In Cedar Rapids

we’re fortunate for a water supply that tastes incredible. Just ask the Iowa chapter of the American Water Works Association, which twice named Cedar Rapids the best-tasting water in the state. We are also able to take for

granted the reliability and safety of our high-quality water system.

That’s by design. Communities rarely pause to reflect on the delivery of life’s most precious resource. We know that when we turn on the tap, we can expect more than a few drips. That’s why the events that unfolded in Flint, Michigan, in 2014 were so eye-opening. Clean water utilities and their customers around the globe took note.

Cedar Rapids has drawn its source water the same way since 1963. The city's water comes from shallow alluvial wells under the influence of the Cedar River. In Flint, the city had been receiving their water from Detroit.

Then, they changed to a water supply with lower pH. This happened at the same time as moving treatment to a plant that had not operated in decades. During the transition, corrosion inhibition — meant to keep lead service lines, indoor plumbing, and individual faucets from releasing lead at the tap — was not effectively implemented.

Water plant operators and the Utilities laboratory staff ensure the City of Cedar Rapids’ water quality is always top-notch. Amy Knudsen, utilities water quality specialist, has an integral role in monitoring water quality standards.

“We routinely test above and beyond the established national and state standards,” Knudsen says with pride.

Explaining the lead sampling program in Cedar Rapids, Knudsen offered some enlightening statistics. “The regulatory requirement for lead/copper sampling is once every three years, but we do it every year.”

Cedar Rapids adds zinc orthophosphate — a corrosion inhibitor — to its water supply in trace amounts. The compound, which is safe for consumption, adds a coating to the water mains, service pipes, and fixtures in the distribution system and in homes and businesses. The coating becomes a barrier between the drinking water supply and the pipes and fixtures it flows through.

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An annual sampling program tests water from fifty-

This attention to detail isn’t unique to lead contamination.

three participating Cedar Rapids houses. The program

Scientists are constantly discovering new trends and

offers a statistical snapshot of the zinc orthophosphate’s

challenges affecting water supplies. Meanwhile, the

performance. “We’re on a reduced monitoring program

Cedar Rapids Utilities

because we’ve maintained such low levels,” Knudsen

Department remains

explained. She continued to share other ways the City goes

steadfast in its obligation

above and beyond regulatory requirements. “With atrazine,

to keep the city’s drinking

we need to sample once per year. We test for that monthly.

water safe.

Sodium — one sample is required per year. We monitor it weekly.”

When the United

Cedar Rapids has been honing the craft of water treatment

Protection Agency (EPA)

since it became one of the first American cities to adopt

issued drinking water

rapid sand filtration in 1896. The Water division has kept

health advisories for

pace with modern trends, installing chlorination equipment,

per- and polyfluoroalkyl

fluoridation, and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection in line with

substances (PFAS) in 2016, the Cedar Rapids Water division

contemporary treatment plants over the past several

had already tested for the contaminants in 2013. No PFAS

decades.

have been detected.

To ensure the water system remains safe from lead

Each year the division samples and analyzes more than

exposure, the division is in the midst of a several-year “lead

530,000 data points at each of its two water treatment plants

loop” study. The study consists of observing the current

and more than 6,000 points within the distribution system.

corrosion-fighting process. The process will help the City

Customers can find many of the results from this analysis

identify any remaining opportunities to enhance or improve

in the Water Quality Consumer Confidence Report online at

internal standards.

www.cityofcr.com/waterreport. The City also mails the new

States Environmental

report annually in the May issue of Our CR magazine.

AMY'S WATER TIPS

The Cedar Rapids Water division is always looking for ways to enhance the quality of the water delivered to the tap, and is pleased to assess water quality concerns for all its customers. Amy Knudsen, utilities water quality specialist, has some tips for questions she frequently receives from customers: My water is white and cloudy.

What can I do?

My water smells funny.

What’s going on?

When in doubt, run your water for a while!

This may happen due to the seasonal change of temperatures, which causes air to build up in your line. If white, cloudy water clears from the bottom up or has a “carbonated look,” run your water through the line until the issue clears up. It may also help to remove and clean your aerator.

We take this concern very seriously and are happy to help investigate.

What we usually find is that there is something in the drain causing this smell. Try pouring some bleach down your drain, let it sit, and then flush it down with clean water.

Many issues can be cleared up by letting new water flow into your pipes. You may choose to run a faucet for a minute every morning before consuming, or just as needed if any issues arise.

If you experience any problems or have questions about your water supply, please contact customer service at 319-286-5900.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

I

t takes the Cedar Rapids Fire Department an average of five minutes to arrive on the scene of an active blaze. As a burning structure is

threatened, responding firefighters tap into a trusty fire hydrant only yards from the scene.

The Fire Department can rely on our hydrants to function quickly and powerfully. This dependability is thanks to routine inspections and maintenance that each device receives on a five-year rotation.

Every year, several of the hydrants around Cedar Rapids are upgraded and equipped with new STORZ Quick Connectors. These fastopening connections shave valuable seconds off the Department’s response times. Instead of requiring a firefighter to fuss with a large wrench as the seconds tick higher, the new quick connectors can slip off with an easy snap.

“Roughly every thirty seconds, a fire doubles in size,” explains Fire Chief Greg Smith. “The time saved by these new connectors helps firefighters apply fire suppression efforts more quickly and increases the chances that the fire can be contained to the room or object of fire origin.”

SAFETY ON EVERY CORNER

The Department’s response times also have a major impact on the City’s fire insurance classification. The classification was upgraded to 2/2X in February 2018, and can save residents and businesses valuable dollars on their insurance policies. This rating places the City in the top three percent of all communities nationwide for its fire suppression delivery system.

Many tasks of the small, but mighty, fire hydrant

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ONE DEVICE, MANY SAFETY FUNCTIONS Jeff Kortenkamp, water system maintenance repair

“Nobody knows the City as well as the water distribution

worker, has been outfitting the hydrants with the new

team. We’re responsible for more than 670 miles of

quick-release connectors. His team inspects every

our City water system,” Kortenkamp reports. With fire

hydrant in the city.

hydrants on every block, it is his team’s task to ensure each public hydrant works reliably. The water distribution team also provides quick response times to water main breaks and automobile-impacted fire hydrants. “We keep the water on,” Kortenkamp offers casually.

Hydrants also play an important role in keeping water quality consistent. “We routinely need to open hydrants at the end of a line to flush any stagnant water out,” explains Kortenkamp on his drive to the next job. With 300 hydrants to flush each month, his team is constantly finding new opportunities to work efficiently in the field.

Flushing ensures chlorine levels in the water supply do not dip too low and compromise the safety of your drinking water.

IN ANOTHER PART OF CEDAR RAPIDS, a sewer truck

hydrant to route water to their worksite. They can use

connects to a fire hydrant and starts jetting water into the

this water for various purposes, like nurturing fresh turf.

sewer. This operation blasts fats, oils, greases, and even tree roots off the sewer walls. Such residuals can build up, clogging the sewer system. Fire hydrants provide convenient access to a high-pressure water supply needed to keep the sewer system clear from blockages that result in basement backups.

Across town, a new development is rising. Here, after obtaining proper permits and installing a monitoring meter, construction workers can tap into a nearby

Adopt-A-Hydrant

Overnight, a street sweeper passes by your house. To fill the sweeper’s water reservoir, operators can connect to a nearby hydrant and continue quickly to their next destination. This important maintenance keeps the roads free of debris and safe for motorists and bicyclists.

All of these operations keep our city running smoothly.

All are connected by the humble fire hydrant — a critical safety device on every block in Cedar Rapids.

The Fire Department encourages residents and community businesses to adopt their neighborhood fire hydrants.

The winter months, which typically see an increase in the number of house fires, bring a special concern to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department. Significant snow accumulation and drifts can hide fire hydrants making them impossible to locate quickly. In the event of a fire, firefighters have to locate and shovel out fire hydrants before being able to connect to them. Precious time is lost locating and digging out the hydrants.

The Fire Department is asking citizens and community businesses to help us by keeping the fire hydrant closest to

your residence or business clear of snow. It is best to have three feet of clearance on all sides of the fire hydrant. When shoveling snow, please be aware of vehicle traffic. Do not stand in the street. Use caution so that you do not slip and fall into the roadway.

There are over 5,000 public fire hydrants and about 1,600 private fire hydrants in the city limits.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

ROADWAY DESIGNS

ENHANCE SAFETY Many people may think of roadway safety as predominantly the driver's responsibility, but roads themselves play a huge role in public safety.

C

onsider how instinctively you slow down as you drive past a group of youngsters playing near the roadway. That same reflex often comes into play if the roadway width narrows, includes bike lanes, or is tree-lined.

These intentional design elements give cues to drivers that help curtail excessive speeds, especially through residential neighborhoods.

Engineering professionals employ a wide array of safety measures like these as they design, build, and monitor our roadways. We invite you to take a deeper dive into these design choices that work behind-the-scenes to improve the safety of our roadways.

BEFORE

Road Diets

A four-lane to three-lane conversion, more commonly referred to as a “road diet,” reduces the total number of travel lanes and improves safety. A four-lane undivided road consists of two travel lanes in each direction, with no median or center turn lane separating the travel lanes. After a road diet, the road transitions to one travel lane in each direction, with a new dedicated left-turn lane.

This shared middle lane moves slower cars out of the travel lane while the driver turns left. The result is fewer rear-end crashes and fewer sideswipes that often occur when drivers unexpectedly slow down to make a left-hand turn. Cars attempting to turn left now only have to cross one lane of oncoming traffic, instead of two lanes.

Studies in Iowa have shown that road diets can reduce crash rates by nearly 50 percent — resulting in fewer crashes and fewer injuries, saving time and money.

While the safety benefits speak for themselves, there are other positive offshoots: narrower travel lanes provide opportunity for additional roadway enhancements, such as sidewalks or bike lanes.

In Cedar Rapids, road diets have been used on Johnson Avenue NW, 10th Street SE near the MedQuarter, Wiley Boulevard, Mt. Vernon Road SE, and are being considered on segments of 6th Street SW.

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AFTER

Two-Way Conversions

Two-way street conversions have taken place downtown and

construction of the interstate, one-way streets were often

in other neighborhoods for a variety of reasons, primarily

used to move high volumes of commuter traffic. Today, a large

safety, efficiency, and quality of life. One-way streets with

volume of traffic has been pulled off these streets and onto

multiple travel lanes encourage higher travel speeds due

I-380, enabling residential or downtown streets to better serve

to motorists’ ability to pass slower vehicles, creating unsafe

local destinations. Urban environments with two-way streets

conditions for residential or downtown environments. One-

encourage slower traffic speeds, support biking opportunities,

way streets are also outdated, and often do not support

make it easier to access public gathering spaces, and increase

current traffic volumes. Built decades ago before the

business access and visibility.

Roundabouts

It’s a simple design, but roundabouts have proven to be champs when it comes to roadway safety. The circular intersection forces vehicles to slow down and yield upon entry, eliminating severe right-angle (t-bone) crashes and significantly reducing fatalities and serious-injury crashes. Because of their design, accidents that do occur at roundabouts are low speed sideswipes or rear-ends, which result in far fewer injuries and less damage to personal vehicles. Compared to traditional signalized intersections, when cars can still accelerate through the intersection, roundabouts reduce fatalities by more than 90 percent, and reduce injuries by 70 percent. The once-signalized intersection of Johnson Avenue NW and Wiley Boulevard would see on average 7 crashes a year. Upon installation of the roundabout, there has been only one documented rear-end collision. Cedar Rapids has five roundabouts, located at Johnson Avenue NW and Wiley Boulevard, Johnson Avenue NW and Jacolyn Drive, Stoney Point Road NW and E Avenue, Kirkwood Boulevard SW in front of Prairie Point Middle School, and 16th Avenue SE at 5th Street in NewBo.

HOW TO DRIVE A ROUNDABOUT

Cedar Rapids’ current roundabouts are all single-lane, which means drivers only have one lane entering and exiting, not multiple through-or-turn lanes.

Navigating a roundabout is easy once you learn the basics:

Driving a Roundabout – Key Steps

1 APPROACH: Slow down. Yield to pedestrians.

2 ENTER: Yield to vehicles in the roundabout. Wait for a gap in traffic, and merge into traffic in a counterclockwise direction.

3 PROCEED: Continue through the roundabout until you reach your street. Never stop in the roundabout.

4 EXIT: Exit the roundabout to your right. Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

For more safety tips and tutorials, visit www.CityofCR.com/Roundabouts.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

ENHANCING ROADWAY SAFETY T H ROUGH AUTO MATE D TR AF F I C E N F O R CE ME N T

Signage at I-380 Southbound at 1st Ave. SW

Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) is an important law enforcement tool and safety countermeasure used to enhance roadway safety in our community.

T

he City of Cedar Rapids uses

where the Police Department has

ATE to enforce red-light

received concerns from citizens

running and speed violations

about speeding motorists, such as

at five signalized intersections

neighborhoods, school zones, and

throughout the City and uses ATE

construction zones.

to enforce speed violations at four locations along U.S. Interstate 380.

The Police Department also uses a mobile photo radar vehicle for traffic projects. Typically, the mobile photo radar vehicle is deployed to locations

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Traffic cameras were installed in 2010 at dangerous intersections and at the entry and exit points of the “S-curve� on U.S. Interstate 380 where there were a number of

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serious injuries and fatal collisions.

Since then, the use of ATE has resulted in a reduction in both crashes and crashes with injuries.

From May 2017 through June 2019, when the ATE system was not activated or only issuing warnings, the number of injury crashes per month averaged 1.35 and the total number of crashes averaged 6.54.

This is a significant increase from .84 crashes per month and 3.22 total crashes per month when the ATE system was active from 2010-2017.

At the same time, the system advances public interests of traffic

Signage at I-380 Northbound at Diagonal Dr. SW

Signage at I-380 Northbound at J Ave. NE

Signage at I-380 Southbound at J Ave. NE

safety and safety of emergency responders. Traffic cameras monitor the speed of motorists on the interstate more efficiently and safely than police officers patrolling the dangerous “S-curve.” The use of ATE allows police officers to respond to other calls for service and public safety concerns. The ATE system also reduces the need for law enforcement officers to make traffic stops in particularly dangerous areas of the interstate. The interstate, especially within the S-curve, is a particularly dangerous location for first responders to assist crash victims.

Local results of the positive effect of Automated Traffic Enforcement is supported by national studies: • On July 25, 2017, the National Transportation Safety Board stated, “Automated speed enforcement is an effective countermeasure to reduce speeding-related crashes, fatalities, and injuries.”

• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety published a report that “speed cameras yield long-term safety benefits.” The study released in September 2015 showed that traffic cameras led to long-term changes in driver behavior and substantial reductions in deaths and injuries.

Cedar Rapids police officers review all images and video, if available, from events identified by the ATE system to determine whether a citation is issued.

Speeding violations from the ATE system are issued to motorists traveling 12 miles per hour (mph) or greater over the posted speed limit. A driver speeding 67 mph in a 55 mph zone is exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 percent. Higher speeds carry a greater risk for injury if the motor vehicle occupants are involved in a crash.

Revenue from ATE has been used to hire 10 more police officers, including 8 patrol officers and 2 Police Community Action Team officers. These police officers will be working to proactively address neighborhood concerns and community policing issues.

For more information about the ATE program, including the location of all traffic cameras and monthly reports, please visit www.CityofCR.com/ATE.

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NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

WEATHERIZE YOUR HOME FOR WINTER Taking a few steps to prepare your home for cold weather now can keep you warm and save you money in the months ahead.

AIR LEAKS Check for air leakage around windows and doors, especially near water pipes. Use caulk, insulating foam, or weather stripping to seal any cracks.

FURNACE Replace old and dirty furnace filters, usually once per month or based upon your furnace and the instructions on your filter. Consider having a professional check your furnace to ensure it is ready for winter.

WATER AND DRAIN PIPES Insulate water pipes that may be vulnerable to cold air drafts with wrap that contains fiberglass or other known insulating materials. If outdoor temperatures fall below 10 degrees, you might leave a thin stream of water running from the tap furthest from your water meter.

Cover your meter with a blanket or rug to protect it and open cabinet doors under sinks to help circulate warm air near pipes. Always keep your home’s temperature above 55 degrees, even if you are not home for an extended period.

WINTER WEATHER DRIVING TIPS Love it or hate it, winter is coming.

Snow, ice, drizzle, and freezing temperatures spell dangerous driving conditions, and we want all our residents to stay safe this winter season.

Hone up on your defensive driving skills by reviewing these important safety tips:

Don't forget outdoor pipes and lawn sprinkler systems. If possible, turn off the water supply to outdoor fixtures and blow compressed air through sprinkler lines to prevent freezing and pipe bursts. Protect outdoor faucets/hose bibs by disconnecting any hoses and storing them indoors during the winter.

• Exercise caution during snow events, especially in residential neighborhoods or side streets.

GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS

• Use caution in turns.

Extra debris in your gutters can create ice dams that prevent drainage and damage your home. Ensure gutters and downspouts are clear of debris before heading into winter.

• Avoid sudden movements.

FIRE PREVENTION Make sure there is a fire extinguisher on each floor and in your garage.

This is a great time to re-check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years and carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced every 5 years.

THAW WITH CARE Be prepared with a winter shovel and any de-icer you may need now so you're ready when winter hits. When snow and ice melt, the water runs off into our rivers and streams. De-icers can affect the quality of water for wildlife and even cause pavement, sidewalk, and foundation deterioration. Choose environmentally friendly de-icing products and follow the instructions so you use only as much as you need. A little goes a long way — applying more salt won't make the ice melt faster.

Remove any resulting slush to prevent refreezing.

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• Reduce your speeds and drive for the conditions.

• Accelerate and brake carefully and slowly.

• Leave more room between vehicles — give yourself plenty of room to slide to a halt if necessary.

• Don’t follow plows too closely — please give our drivers plenty of room to maneuver their truck and blade as they fight winter weather.

EMERGENCY SNOW ROUTES If a Snow Emergency is declared, cars should not be parked on Emergency Snow Routes. Find a list of these routes online at cityofcr.com. Snow routes are often found near hospitals and schools.

Residents are also asked to follow the odd/even parking rule in residential neighborhoods during Snow Emergencies: Park

www.crbt.com

on the odd-address side of the street on odd calendar days;

MEMBER FDIC | EQUAL HOUSING LENDER

park on the even-address side of the street on even calendar days. The odd/even parking rule provides snow plow operators with enough room to safely and efficiently plow residential areas, where on-street parking is common.

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

HELP KEEP SIDEWALKS CLEAR During the winter months,

BRINGING THE

it is important to maintain

best OF

MENT live ENTEARTRARIN APIDS

clear and safe sidewalks and sidewalk ramps in order to ensure that

TO CED

residents can access their sidewalk, bus stop, or routes to businesses.

Property owners and private businesses are responsible for their sidewalk and adjacent sidewalk ramps at intersections.

After a storm ends, residents and businesses have 48 hours to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice accumulations.

To report a sidewalk concern, call 319-286-5897.

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CITY SERVICES DIRECTORY CITY SERVICE

LOCATION

Animals

900 76th Avenue Drive 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

SolidWaste&Recycling@Cedar-Rapids.org

Housing Assistance Programs

City Hall, 101 1st Street SE

319-286-5872

HSG-Admin@Cedar-Rapids.org

th

th

PHONE

EMAIL ADDRESS

319-286-5993

AnimalControlMgmt@Cedar-Rapids.org

Land Development

st

City Hall, 101 1 Street SE

319-286-5822

DevelopmentServices@Cedar-Rapids.org

Park Rentals

Northwest Recreation Center, 1340 11th Street NW

319-286-5566

Recreation@Cedar-Rapids.org

Potholes and Street Maintenance

City Services Center, 500 15th 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

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

b.hart@cedar-rapids.org

m.hoeger@cedar-rapids.org

s.overland@cedar-rapids.org

Martin Hoeger

Brad Hart

DISTRICT 3

Dale Todd

DISTRICT 5

scott.olson@cedar-rapids.org

a.vanorny@cedar-rapids.org

Ashley Vanorny

AT LARGE

AT LARGE

AT LARGE

t.olson@cedar-rapids.org

ann.poe@cedar-rapids.org

s.weinacht@cedar-rapids.org

Tyler Olson

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DISTRICT 4

Scott Olson

dalet@cedar-rapids.org

Scott Overland

Ann Poe

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Susie Weinacht