Cedar Rapids City Council Meeting – September 23, 2025

The Cedar Rapids City Council met on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, with Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell presiding. Council members David Meyer, Marty Hager, and Ann Poe were absent. The meeting included two proclamations, a public hearing on the consolidated annual performance evaluation report (CAPER) for CDBG and HOME programs, discussion and approval of a final plat for American Prairie Fifth Edition, several ordinances, and two public comment periods with extensive testimony on police funding, traffic safety, tree planting, fire code enforcement, human trafficking allegations, police accountability, child welfare, bus service, and noise pollution.

Proclamations

• National Week Without Driving (September 29 – October 5, 2025): Proclaimed by the Mayor; speakers Garrett (ADA advocate) and another representative emphasized the importance of alternative transportation and accessibility.
• Hope Community Development Association (Hope CDA) 15th Anniversary: Recognized for its work in addiction recovery, housing rehabilitation (nearly three dozen homes in Wellington Heights), and community revitalization. Ron Ziegler spoke on behalf of the organization.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously. Items included:
  • Establishing all-way stop controls at 6th Street SE and 4th Avenue SE, and 6th Street SE and 5th Avenue SE (agenda item 8).
  • Authorization for the Fall 2025 tree planting program at a cost of $227,920 (agenda item 23C).
  • A grant funding resolution for the Cedar Rapids Police Department under the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grant program, which included $28,000 for red dot pistol sights (agenda item 23C).

Public Hearings

• Item 1: CAPER Report (CDBG/HOME) – Laura Shaw and Crystal Cole presented the consolidated annual performance evaluation report for July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. CDBG expended nearly $1.1 million (95% of grant), and HOME expended $367,000 (106% including prior-year funds). Accomplishments included free healthcare services for over 4,200 individuals, shelter and case management for over 2,100 homeless individuals, rehabilitation/construction of 22 homes, and homebuyer assistance for 7 households. The public comment period runs through September 29, with submission to HUD due September 30.
  • Public Comment: Dorothy DeSouza Geddis expressed an objection to the process, urging broader distribution of funds across low-income neighborhoods and better communication about eligible programs. She noted that Hope CDA and Matthew 25 serve limited areas and that committee representation should include core neighborhoods.
• Item 2: This public hearing was canceled at the request of the city manager’s office. No speakers addressed the published item.

Public Comments (First Period)

• Kim Donahue (owner of Cedar Cleaners LLC, Airbnb operator) spoke on agenda item 23C, opposing the $28,000 expenditure for red dot pistol sights for the police department. She argued the funds should be directed to trauma-informed sensitivity training, an independent citizens’ oversight board, and other de-escalation measures. She stated that the police force is “already out of control” and that such equipment could lead to more shootings.
• Dorothy DeSouza Geddis spoke on consent agenda items 8 and 23C:
  • She supported the all-way stop controls but questioned why similar four-way stops had not been installed in the Oak Hill Jackson neighborhood at a busy intersection (7th Street SE and 10th Avenue SE).
  • Regarding the Fall 2025 tree planting, she expressed concern that the same contractor hired earlier in the year had planted trees improperly (shallow holes, roots cut, no watering), resulting in numerous dead trees along a two-block stretch. She urged reconsideration of the expenditure if the same organization was involved.

Discussion Items

• Item 22A – Final Plat for American Prairie Fifth Edition – Seth Gunnarson (Zoning Administrator) presented a 50-lot subdivision on 12.6 acres at the south end of the American Prairie development (southeast of Wright Brothers Boulevard and I-380). The plat includes single-family lots and a public right-of-way parcel. Street lights will be installed consistent with city standards; trail segments and wetland retention areas are included. Staff recommended approval.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmember Van Orney raised concerns about buildout progress, park space, wetland flooding, lighting impacts on adjacent agricultural neighbors, and resident notification. Staff clarified that a park parcel is planned east of the first edition and that wetland retention areas are shown on the map.
  • Vote: Motion to approve the resolution carried unanimously.

Ordinances (Second and First Reading)

• Item 24 – Ordinance vacating portions of B Street, 17th Avenue, 19th Avenue, and 20th Avenue Southwest (second reading): Approved unanimously.
• Item 25 – Ordinance renaming 16th Avenue Southeast from 5th Street Southeast to 10th Street Southeast (second reading): Approved unanimously.
• Item 26 – Ordinance renaming a private portion of XL Drive Northeast to Reserveway Northeast (second reading): Approved unanimously.
• Item 27 – Ordinance amending city codes to permit use of a digital city seal on official documents (first reading): Approved unanimously.

Public Input (Second Period)

Multiple residents addressed the council:

• Tom Pape and Corey Martin (residents of 1624 and 1618 O Avenue NW) objected to the enforcement of fire lane no-parking signs on their private lane, arguing that the signs were excessive (8 signs in 138 feet on the west side) and that three of four affected households opposed them. They requested a negotiated solution rather than unilateral code enforcement.
• Emilia Wingo (self-identified ADA-protected material witness) alleged a wide-ranging human trafficking and conspiracy involving city officials, businesses, and individuals, including the Mayor. She claimed to have evidence of drugging, rape, surveillance, and abuse, and stated that she has been repeatedly targeted. Her remarks were also directed at the council and police.
• Kim Donahue (second appearance) described a personal incident of harassment and an attempted assault on the interstate, stating that the police refused to take a report. She called for an independent oversight committee, comprehensive training, and proper documentation of all reports.
• Kristen Mitchell (Iowa team leader for the Family Justice and Accountability Act of 2025) described a federal bill to reform family court and child protective systems. She alleged that Cedar Rapids and Linn County are violating constitutional rights and misusing foster care funds, specifically stating that her own children were being separated despite a safe home with siblings.
• Melissa Duffield read a formal notice to the city regarding constitutional violations, called for the resignation of Mayor O'Donnell and Chief of Police, and demanded preservation of all records for future litigation. She mentioned a September 12 police raid near her residence as a retaliatory act.
• Dorothy DeSouza Geddis (third appearance) criticized the police department’s handling of neighbor disputes, asked why a street near a Montessori school is designated no parking 24/7, and raised concerns about the representation of her neighborhood (Oak Hill Jackson) on the CDBG/HOME committee, noting a persistent vacancy despite her application.
• Rob Hogue (Cedar Valley Rompot neighborhood) played audio recordings of noise pollution from the Cargill rail yard, which he said has worsened after the city rezoned and sold a 27-acre prairie pollinator zone to Cargill for industrial use. He requested city action to mitigate noise and other environmental harms.
• Joshua (unclear last name) advocated for increased bus service hours (weekdays until 10 p.m., Saturdays 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday service) and free fare, citing the needs of disabled and low-income residents. He encouraged the council to expand access.

A disruption occurred when a speaker named Dustin refused to comply with rules; the council took a brief recess and later had the individuals removed before reconvening.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda, including the police department grant (with red dot sights) and tree planting program, was approved unanimously.
• The final plat for American Prairie Fifth Edition was approved.
• All four ordinances passed as presented (three on second reading, one on first reading).
• No action was taken on the public comments; the meeting adjourned without further business.