Cedar Rapids City Council Meeting – August 26, 2025

The Cedar Rapids City Council met on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, with Councilmember Anne Poe absent. The meeting included a proclamation, multiple public hearings, approval of several development and infrastructure projects, and a contentious discussion on commission appointments. Public comments addressed fire lane enforcement and constitutional concerns.

Proclamation

• 19th Annual Five Seasons Stand Down Day: Councilmember Scott Olson read a proclamation declaring September 4, 2025, as the 19th annual Five Seasons Stand Down Day, honoring an event that provides services to homeless and near-homeless veterans and non-veterans. The stand down will be held at Veterans Stadium.

Consent Calendar

• Items 26A and 26B (resolutions appointing/reappointing individuals to commissions) were moved to the regular agenda by Councilmember Van Orney. The amended consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Hearings & Testimony

• Item 1 & 2 (Combined): Public hearing on Amendment No. 8 to the Central Consolidated Urban Renewal Area Plan and a development agreement with Capitol B LLC for two four-plex units (3-bed, 2-bath, market-rate rentals) at 1100–1106 and 1417–1423 Ellis Boulevard. The $1.6 million capital investment includes a 10-year, 100% rebate of increased taxes (estimated $210,000 rebated of $250,000 total). No public comments. Resolutions approved unanimously.
• Item 3: Public hearing on status of CDBG-DR funded single-family and multifamily new construction projects (16 units by Abode Construction, 25 units by TW Homes, 41 units by Greyhawk LC). No public comments. Council discussion noted progress and timelines.
• Item 4: Public hearing on CDBG housing rehabilitation program administered by ECICOG, assisting 53 low-to-moderate income households with repairs. $2.5 million contract, $1,038,849.72 spent to date. No public comments. Councilmembers praised the program's impact.
• Item 5: Public hearing to vacate and dispose of a 0.10-acre portion of right-of-way on 4th Street SE (between 8th and 9th Avenues) for $12,600 to Loftist Holdings LLC for additional parking. No public comments. Ordinance approved on first reading.
• Item 6: Public hearing for an underground electric line easement at 309–329 F Avenue NW for Interstate Power and Light Company (serving the Cedar Crossing Casino project). Councilmember Olson recused. No public comments. Resolution approved.
• Item 7: Public hearing for the 26th Street SW over Prairie Creek Bridge Deck Overlay project (estimated cost $410,000). Emergency repairs needed after overlay failure. No public comments. Resolution approved.
• Item 8: Public hearing for the Jones Dog Park project (estimated cost $1.8 million). The 10-acre off-leash area will include a main dog area, small dog area, training area, rentable shelter, accessible parking, and restrooms (portable initially). The project is part of the Jones Park redevelopment following the 2020 golf course closure. Council debated the cost and priorities, with Councilmember Meyer opposing due to maintenance needs elsewhere, but the resolution passed 5-1 (Meyer dissenting).

Discussion Items

• Item 33 (F Avenue NW & Levy Project): Rob Davis reported on the bid results for Stage 1 of the F Avenue reconstruction and levee project. The city received a $25 million BUILD grant, requiring removal of 2026-2027 work from the current bid. Low bid from Trader Excavating Grading Company was $576,738.61 for Stage 1 (to be completed by November 2025). The remaining work will be rebid. Resolution approved unanimously.
• Item 34 (Redevelopment of City-Owned Properties): Noah Zeker presented a proposal from Prairie Rose Rental Company and Horizons (a family service alliance) to develop a single-family home with two ADUs and extended parking for NTS buses at 916 5th Street SE and 512 10th Avenue SE. The stakeholder review group unanimously recommended the project. Councilmember Todd requested a clawback clause in the development agreement. Resolution approved unanimously.
• Commission Appointments (Items 26A & 26B): Councilmember Meyer moved to discuss separate items from the consent agenda. For Item 26A (appointment of Lauren White to the Affordable Housing Commission), she questioned why current vice-chair Alicia Faust was not reappointed, alleging a personal reason. Mayor O'Donnell defended the choice, stating new energy and ideas are needed. The motion to approve the appointments passed on a roll call vote (5-1, with Meyer dissenting). Item 26B (other appointments) passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Pape: Resident of 1624 O Avenue NW, age 74, spoke about a recent fire department enforcement action designating a no-parking fire lane on their private road. He argued the action was arbitrary, targeted due to a complaining neighbor, and inconsistent with other city roads. He requested mediation and consistency. Mayor O'Donnell noted Fire Chief Smith was present and would connect with him.
• Melissa Duffield: Self-identified civil rights advocate, provided public notice alleging unconstitutional actions by the city and state (e.g., charging by information instead of grand jury indictment, emolument violations). She criticized the council for approving the dog park, surveillance, and alleged conflicts of interest. She claimed to have won a federal case and stated she would pursue further legal action. Her comments were allowed but not responded to.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamation: September 4, 2025, declared as Five Seasons Stand Down Day.
• Approved Resolutions: All items on the agenda were approved, with the following votes:
  • Items 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 33, 34: Unanimous.
  • Item 8 (Jones Dog Park): Passed 5-1 (Councilmember Meyer dissenting).
  • Item 26A (Affordable Housing Commission appointment): Passed 5-1 (Councilmember Meyer dissenting).
  • Item 26B: Passed unanimously.
• Next Steps:
  • The F Avenue/Levy project will proceed with Stage 1 work starting by September 22, 2025; remaining work will be rebid in approximately three months to preserve the $25 million BUILD grant.
  • The development agreement for the Capitol B LLC housing project and the Prairie Rose/Horizons project will return to council for final approval this fall.
  • The City Manager will follow up on the fire lane enforcement issue with the Fire Chief.