Cedar Rapids City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025
Cedar Rapids City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025
The Cedar Rapids City Council met on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at City Hall. The meeting opened with an invocation by Public Safety Chaplain Sam Anderson, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A proclamation was issued declaring October as Community Planning Month, acknowledging the contributions of city planners and volunteers.
Consent Calendar
- Mayor O'Donnell recused herself on consent agenda item #15.
- All remaining consent items were approved unanimously on a motion by Councilmember Tyler Olson, seconded by Councilmember Hager.
Public Comments & Testimony
First Public Comment Period (on agenda items):
- Dimitri Nikolev stated he had no comments and was present only for item #30 (housing incentive).
Second Public Comment Period (general topics – focus on ICE fence at 3351 Square D Drive):
- Frank Knighty (retired attorney, former Mount Vernon city attorney) opposed the proposed fence, arguing it would violate First Amendment rights. He stated that demonstrations have been peaceful and that the reason given (two vehicles blocking an exit two months ago) does not justify a front fence.
- Eileen Chang Mattis expressed concern that the fence curtails free expression and limits public observation of ICE activities. She argued that characterizing immigrants as dangerous is unfair and that the fence would be incendiary.
- Nell Marie Barrios (resident of Franklin Avenue) asked council to clarify its relationship with ICE. She reported that ICE no longer allows translators or accompaniments inside the building, leading to increased detentions. She questioned whether private building rights override human rights and urged council to protect residents.
- Pastor Jesse Lent (Hope United Church of Christ, Hiawatha) opposed the fence, citing First Amendment rights. He asked council to reject the fence, hold a public hearing before approving any permit, and reopen the public lawn.
- Brittany Henry (speaking on systemic issues) argued that ICE is retaliating against whistleblowers and violating constitutional rights. She called for reform, quoting biblical passages on justice.
- Rev. Jonathan Hefner (Cedar Rapids citizen) thanked council for engagement but said more action is needed. He noted that DHS has already taken over public right-of-way without permits, pushing protesters into the street. He called for council to assert citizens’ rights and reject the fence.
- Abby Long Williams (resident of 6th Street SE) described escalating ICE actions: blocking public property since September, denying translator access, detaining people, and driving unmarked cars. She said the fence is a way to hide unjust actions and deny immigrants resources. She asked council to prevent the fence and reopen the lawn.
- Courtney Ball (founder of Matthew 25) urged council to welcome strangers and protect the vulnerable, citing Matthew 25. He asked council to push boundaries instead of giving way to ICE.
- Sarah Mason (resident of 6th Street SW) shared personal stories of immigrants (e.g., an 18-year-old Vietnamese boy) seeking comfort. She reported that ICE threatened to deploy chemical and sound weapons against peaceful protesters that morning. She asked council to reject the fence.
- Doug Anderson (resident of 50 years) emphasized the importance of assembly and free speech, noting that demonstrations are nonviolent. He asked council to reject any fence on public right-of-way and hold a public hearing.
- Joshua Candler (Candler) agreed the fence is unnecessary, asserting the constitutional right to redress grievances. He criticized ICE as the "American Gestapo" and argued that the country was founded by immigrants.
- Mimi Dowd (resident 52404) noted that ICE is arresting Black American citizens in Chicago, and that similar actions could happen in Cedar Rapids. She called on council to exercise municipal power to protect citizens, referencing Chicago’s executive order limiting ICE activity. She reported that ICE used a sound cannon at a protest and shoved protesters.
Discussion Items
1. Disposition of City-Owned Properties under SPARC Program
- 1222 20th Avenue SW: Property was placarded and vacant since 2021; demolished after acquisition. One proposal received from Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity for a single new unit home. The project must commence within six months. Staff recommended approval. Councilmember Van Ordy praised the program for reusing existing spaces. Approved unanimously.
- 1238 N Street SW: Property placarded in 2024 after a fire; demolished. Same proposal from Habitat for Humanity. Councilmember Meyer asked why only one bid was received. Jeff Boisencraft (Community Development) explained that the program requires nonprofit affordable housing developers and that Habitat for Humanity has capacity for two homes this year. Approved unanimously.
2. Jackland Drive NW Reconstruction
- Project: Full reconstruction from Midway Drive NW to E Avenue NW, including water/sewer, storm, bus pad, and sidewalk ramps. Estimated cost: $1,480,000. Public meeting held December 3, 2024. Bid opening October 22, 2025; construction spring 2026 to fall 2026. Approved unanimously.
3. Generators One and Five Control Panel Isolation and CEMS Replacement
- Project: Electrical/controls upgrades at water pollution control facility; includes two medium voltage isolation switches and a new continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS). Estimated cost: $1,130,000. Bid opening October 22, 2025; construction December 2025 to April 2027. Approved unanimously.
4. Financial Incentives for Housing Project at 918 8th Street SE
- Applicant: Rosa Holds LLC (Grace Gutenkop) under the Targeted District Reinvestment Economic Development Program. $730,000 investment for three market-rate rental units (one single-family home, one attached ADU, one detached ADU) with a two-stall garage. City incentive: 10-year 100% rebate of increased taxes (estimated $77,000 total; $62,000 rebated). Construction December 2025 to June 2026. Councilmember Poe asked about an alley; confirmed. Approved unanimously.
Ordinances (Third Reading):
- Item 31: Vacating portions of B Street, 17th, 19th, 20th Avenues and alleys (Southwest). Approved.
- Item 32: Renaming 16th Avenue SE. Approved.
- Item 33: Renaming private portion of XL Drive NE to Reserveway NE. Approved.
- Item 34: Amending municipal code to permit digital city seal (second and third reading). Motion to suspend three-reading rule passed; ordinance adopted on final reading.
Key Outcomes
- Mayor recused on consent agenda item #15.
- All four public hearing resolutions (SPARC properties, Jackland Drive, CEMS project) were approved unanimously.
- Resolution of support for housing incentives at 918 8th Street SE approved unanimously.
- Four ordinances (vacation, two street name changes, digital seal) were adopted on final reading—all by voice votes with no dissent.
- No action taken on the ICE fence permit; public comments were received for council consideration. No further discussion or vote occurred.
- Meeting adjourned on motion by Councilmember Tyler Olson, seconded by Councilmember Overland.
Meeting Transcript
This meeting of the Cedar Rapids City Council will come to order. Welcome everybody to the City of Cedar Rapids City Council meeting for Tuesday, October 7th, 2025. I want to welcome our city manager, our city clerk, and our acting city attorney. And thanks to city staff for attending and being available to us. Reminder in the audience to please turn off any cell phones or electronic devices that might interrupt this meeting. Please 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 replay via our Facebook live. We'll begin now with an invocation by public safety chaplain Sam Anderson, followed immediately by our Pledge of Allegiance. And as a note, the council will be facing our American flag, which is now in the back of the gallery. Thank you, Mayor, City Council members, city staff, and also the citizens of this great place that we call home. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, God, we thank you for this day. God, we thank you that you have provided us with our life, our breath, and our very being. God, everything we have and everything we are comes from you. God, we pray today for safety. God, we are thankful for the opportunity to voice opinions and freely express ideas. And Father, we pray for wisdom and discernment to make decisions for the good of all. Thank God for the flourishing of this place we call home. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Hi, team. Come on over here. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. We really appreciate all the work you do every day on behalf of our community. So thank you very much. Okay, this is a proclamation, whereas change is constant and affects all cities, towns, suburbs, countries, and other places. Whereas community planning and plans help manage this change in a way that provides better choices for how people live, work, and play. And whereas community planning provides an opportunity for all residents to be meaningfully involved in making choices that determine the future of their community. And whereas the full benefits of planning requires public officials and community members who understand, support, and demand excellence in planning and plan implementation. And whereas Community Planning Month is an opportunity to highlight how planning is essential for growth, revitalization, and recovery, and how planners can lead communities to a more safe, resilient, equitable, and prosperous outcomes. Whereas the celebration of community planning month gives us an opportunity to publicly recognize the participation and dedication of members of the planning commissions and other resident planners who have contributed their time and expertise to the improvement of our city. Therefore, I and Poe, on behalf of Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell, and the entire Cedar Rapids City Council do hereby proclaim October 25th as community planning month and recognize the many valuable contributions, contributions made by planners of the city of Cedar Rapids and to extend our heartfelt thanks for the continued commitment to public service by these professionals. And yes, you guys do an amazing job. So thank you. Um as director of community planning, um, just again, so uh wonderful to be in a community that values planning from our city manager to all of our council members, the support we get, um, as well as all of the volunteers and the people that come to our open houses, people in the community that really have pride and ownership in this community. So again, um, we are so thankful to be in Cedar Rapids. Thanks. Thanks, everybody. Okay, we'll move on to our public hearings. I remind everybody who wishes to speak today, whether during a public comment period um or during this public hearing or during our other public comment periods today of a few matters that we need to have to ensure an orderly meeting for all of us. Um, first a reminder to um remain at the lectern. If you have any documents you want to share with us, give them to the officer and he'll uh make sure that we get them here at the dais. Um have five minutes per speaker, and there are a couple of lights on there. When you see the light turn yellow, that indicates you have one minute. And when it turns red, we'll invite you to take your seat once again. And then third, please be aware that all comments must be directed to the matter of the public hearing since this is the public hearing section, and that abusive, obscene, loud, threatening or relevance comments will not be allowed.
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