This meeting of the Cedar Rapids City Council will come to order.

Welcome everybody to the Cedar Rapids City Council meeting for Tuesday, August 12th, 2025.

I'd like to welcome our city manager, our city clerk, and our city attorney.

And as always, thank you to our city staff for being available to answer questions of those who are in attendance today.

A reminder to those of you here to turn off any cell phones or electronic devices that might distract from our proceedings today.

And note that all city council meeting agendas, minutes, and videos are available on our city's website.

Regular sessions are also available to watch live and on Facebook live.

We'll begin now with our invocation, Councilmember Poe will do that, followed immediately by our Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you, Mayor.

Please grant me please join me.

Dear God, grant us gratitude for your gift of this day for family, friends, colleagues, and community.

Please, God, guide this council as servant leaders to do your people's work and teach us patience to await your perfect timing.

God, we ask that you bless this council, police, city staff, and community partners as we work hand in hand with transparency, honest conversations, kindness, and moral courage with open heart to build trust for the same common goals of inclusion, accountability, acceptance, and hope.

Lead us, God, with purpose through compassion and integrity, with a balance of humanity, faith, mercy, and grace.

God, we pray you keep our police and fire personnel and first responders safely in the palm of your hand and to carry with them the shield of blessings from a grateful community for their service.

With gratitude, we ask these blessings in your heavenly name.

Amen.

Okay, we're going to begin with a series of proclamations today.

So I first like to invite those here for the water and wastewater workers of Iowa Week to join me, followed by the OSHA Safe and Sound Week, and then our TCR 100th birthday bash and groundbreaking will be our third one today.

So we'll begin with our water and wastewater workers.

Whereas the dedicated professionals who provide more than 140,000 residents, businesses, and major industries with an average of 40 million million gallons of clean water every day, and who responsibly return that water to the environment are essential to the health, quality of life, environmental protection, and economic prosperity of the city of Cedar Rapids.

And whereas water is the foundation of a thriving community and a vital resource that supports public health, daily life, and a strong economy.

And whereas the water and wastewater workforce across Iowa is committed to protecting our natural resources through environmental stewardship, scientific expertise, and the delivery of safe drinking and recreational waters.

And whereas their ongoing dedication to environmental sustainability plays a critical role in enhancing quality of life, safeguarding public health, and preserving the natural beauty of our state for future generations.

Therefore, I, Tiffany O'Donnell, Mayor of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on behalf of our City Council, hereby designate the week of August 17th through the 23rd, 2025, as Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week, and urge all residents to recognize and honor the critical work of our water and wastewater professionals, including engineers, operators, managers, and support staff, and to celebrate their substantial contributions to public health, environmental protection, and the well-being of all Iowans.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Council.

On behalf of the approximately 250 water and wastewater workers who are out busy today making sure that they're delivering clean, safe water and taking care of it and putting it back into the resources, we thank you.

Thank you, Director Husband.

Okay, so those here on behalf of OSHA Safe and Sound Week.

I'm glad.

That's great.

Come on up.

Whereas each year, more than four and a half million workers suffer serious job-related injuries or illnesses, and 5,243 Americans died in work-related incidents in 2023.

And whereas these incidents not only hurt workers and their families, but also negatively impact businesses, the economy, and the community.

And whereas each week, businesses across the country spend over 900 million dollars on workers' compensation, which is money that could be better invested in sustaining and growing small businesses and job opportunities.

And whereas implementing safety and health programs can improve business performance and contribution to the local economy and job force.

And whereas the city of Cedar Rapids is committing to committed to setting the standard for being the safest and most rewarding place to work for the benefit of all its employees and those who are served in the community.

Now, therefore, I Tiffany O'Donnell, mayor of Cedar Rapids, on behalf of our city council hereby recognize the second week of August as OSHA Safe and Sound Week and urge all employers to join in the effort to raise awareness and understanding of workplace safety by being alert, communicating and working safely every minute, every hour, and every day throughout all departments within the city of Cedar Rapids.

First and foremost, I'd like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the mayor and city council for recognizing the importance of workplace safety and health.

This proclamation for OSHA Safe and Sound Week is a testament to our collective commitment to creating the safer work environments.

I'm proud to work in a place where the culture of safety starts at the top.

City Manager Palm Rance recognizes this and is committed to ensuring employees put their safety first.

Workplace safety is not just a regulatory requirement, it is a moral obligation.

Ensuring the well-being of our employees is paramount, and it is through initiatives like Safe and Sound Week that we can raise awareness, share best practices, and foster a culture of safety.

At the city, safety is a collaborative effort involving employees, management, safety professionals, and the community we serve.

As we celebrate this recognition, let us also renew our commitment to continuous improvement in workplace safety.

Let us continue to work together to ensure that every worker returns home safely at the end of each day.

Together we can make a difference.

Safety as a team effort.

Either way.

We are grateful for the support of ARPA funding that goes towards a historic renovation that we will be celebrating the groundbreaking of today.

One hundred years ago, on this day, Grant Wood and his friends hosted a gathering and performed our very first play, and therefore we celebrate our hundredth birthday.

And Tyler will be relieved that I will not be forcing him to perform a one-man play in front of you today, although I did um consider it.

Um we are all so grateful that Theater Cedar Rapids continues to be such an essential part of this community's um cultural fabric, and it is our pleasure and honor to continue its legacy.

Thank you so much.

Tyler, will you pose correct question?

Perfect.

Thanks, everybody.

It's now time for a public hearing.