Cedar Rapids City Council Meeting Summary – January 27, 2026
Cedar Rapids City Council Meeting – January 27, 2026
The Cedar Rapids City Council met on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 4:00 PM (presumed) in Council Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation by Public Safety Chaplain Rick Gale, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members Scott Olsen and Tyler Olson were absent. The agenda included a proclamation, two presentations, six public hearings, regular agenda items, and two public comment periods.
Proclamation
- Mayor Anne Poe proclaimed February 1, 2026, as George Washington Carver Day in Cedar Rapids, recognizing Carver’s scientific, civil rights, and culinary achievements. Representatives from the African American Museum of Iowa and Veterans for Peace accepted the proclamation.
Presentations
- FY 2025 Annual Audit: Brad Tyson of I Bailey presented the audit results. The city received unmodified (clean) opinions on its financial statements, federal programs (three major programs), and airport revenue. No internal control findings or material weaknesses were identified. New GASB standards (103, 104, 105) will be adopted in 2026 with minimal expected impact.
- Relief Plan Update: Carol Teeter (Parks & Recreation) and Molly Stolke (Trees Forever) reported progress on the post-derecho tree planting initiative. The city has planted 18,400 trees (43% of the 42,500 goal), ahead of schedule by 4,500 trees. Trees Forever has engaged 2,000 volunteers, partnered with 45 local businesses (94% returning), and will host a 2026 planting season kickoff on February 19. Councilmembers discussed mortality rates (8% replacement under warranty), watering plans, and the need for private-sector participation. No formal action was taken.
Public Hearings (Items 1–6)
All public hearings were held with no objections from the public. The following actions were taken:
- Central Reinvestment District Plan Amendment: Approved an amendment to remove the Eighth Avenue Pump Station and Mixed Use Development projects (due to conflict with federal flood control funding) while retaining $6 million for the First & First West parking ramp. The amendment passed on first reading unanimously.
- ITC Midwest Transmission Line Easements: After a public hearing and council debate, the council voted 6-1 (Van Orney opposed) to adopt a resolution approving the route and granting eminent domain authority for two remaining easements (out of 13). ITC had secured 10 voluntary easements and expected one more. Councilmember Todd noted the grid’s critical role after the 2020 derecho. The resolution authorizes the city to proceed to compensation hearings in Linn County District Court.
- SPARC Program Property Disposition: Approved the sale of a vacant lot at 413 Fifth Avenue SW to Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity for construction of a single-family home. The property had been vacant since the 2008 flood and had 41 code violations.
- Tree of Five Seasons Park & First Street Two-Way Conversion: Approved plans and estimated cost of $2,790,000 for the project, which includes a two-way conversion of First Street NE, a park with an overlook, and enhanced lighting. The project is funded by the flood control system, Paving for Progress, and other sources.
- Cedar Lake Amenities Playground Equipment: Approved $600,000 for a playground with synthetic turf, a challenge course, and ADA-compliant features. Bids will be scored on design and cost.
- West Side Library FF&E: Approved $1,500,000 for furniture, fixtures, and equipment for the new library branch on Sanburg Lane, funded by the library foundation.
Regular Agenda Items
- Item 24R Removal: Removed from the agenda at the request of Public Works (paving for progress item).
- Consent Agenda: Approved as amended. Councilmember Poe recused herself on item 18C (ID 49 and 195).
- Item 25 – 42nd Street NE Pavement Improvements: Awarded bid to Roche Construction for $3,970,202.38 (nine bids received).
- Item 26 – Mount Vernon Road & Wilson Avenue Tank Reconditioning: Awarded bid to O&J Codings for $1,243,000 (nine bids).
- Item 27 – Flood Control System Plan Revision 11: Approved the revision, which updates the financial plan to extend bonding through FY2035 and allows a potential debt levy increase of up to $2.00 per $1,000 valuation (from $1.47 to $3.47). The total cost of the flood control system is estimated at $1.25 billion, with 65% currently funded. Renderings of the new Eighth Avenue Bridge (a four-lane cable-stayed bridge) were presented.
- Item 28 – Plum Supply LLC Incentives: Approved a 10-year declining tax exemption for a $15.2 million warehouse and logistics building at 4690 Bowling Street SW. The project will retain 30 jobs and create 7 new jobs.
- Item 29 – Rose Cottage 2 Urban Revitalization Area: Approved on second and third readings, establishing the area for property along Prairie View Lane SW.
Public Comments – First Period
- No public speakers came forward (Sherry Monahan had already spoken during the ITC hearing; Dusky Terry did not speak).
Public Comments – Second Period (Residents and Property Owners)
- Joshua Candler spoke about rental property issues, specifically the lack of a local contact for out-of-state property managers. He requested an ordinance requiring property management companies to have an in-city contact. He cited problems at the Five Seasons Apartments (formerly Hardwick) on Oakland Road, owned by Arrow Midwest of Lincoln, Nebraska.
- Bronson Beals spoke about traffic delineators installed on East Robins Road and Marquette Drive NE. He argued the installation was a hazard, citing 30% of the delineators already damaged or missing after two months, with debris causing safety risks. He asked the council to direct the Streets Department to remove the delineators.
Key Outcomes
- Audit: Clean opinion received; no material weaknesses.
- Relief Plan: On track; 43% of public tree planting goal achieved.
- Eminent Domain: Resolution passed 6-1; ITC to proceed with compensation hearings.
- Flood Control: Revision 11 approved; bonding authority extended to $300 million over nine years; debt levy may increase up to $2.00 per $1,000.
- Public Safety: No action taken on public comments; staff directed to follow up with Mr. Candler on rental property concerns.
- Meeting Adjourned at approximately 6:34 PM (presumed).
Meeting Transcript
This meeting of Cedar Rapids City Council will come to order. Welcome everybody. The Cedar Rapids City Council meeting for Tuesday, January 27th, 2026. I'd like to note that my colleagues Scott Olsen and Tyler Olson are absent from today's meeting. I want to welcome our city manager, our city clerk, and our city attorney, and thank you as always to city staff for being here and available to answer questions. A reminder to those who are visiting today to turn off any cell phones or electronic devices that might distract us from our meetings today. And note that all of our city council meeting agendas, minutes, and videos are always available on our city's website as well as via Facebook Live. We'll begin as we always do here with an invitation by public safety chaplain Rick Gale today, and that will be followed immediately by the Pledge of Allegiance. Father, I just want to take a minute and say thank you for the quality of leadership that we have in this community for our mayor, city council, our de God, the administrative offices, and our department leaders. God, I pray that you will honor them and God give them the wisdom and knowledge that they need every day to deal with the situations that come their way. Father, we say thank you again for the quality, and God, we ask you to honor them as they serve this community. Amen. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, beginning with a proclamation today for George Washington Carver Day, I'd like to invite those of you who are here for that to join my council colleague Anne Poe at the Dais. That's all right. We were under the impression we couldn't come in here. Guess what? I'm gonna let you end. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. Thanks, mixed up, you guys. You guys are mixed up. Go on up and turn around and we'll face the audience. Are you ready? Well, thank you all. Thank you all so much for being here today. This is a real honor, and we're happy to have you. This is a proclamation for the city of Cedar Rapids, whereas George Washington Carver was born into slavery in Missouri and overcame racial barriers to pursue his education, eventually coming to Iowa. And whereas Carver was a prolific inventor, artist, and civil rights champion, who devised hundreds of novel uses for crops, championed conservation of natural resources, and as one of America's foremost agricultural scientist during the first half of the 20th century, made a significant contribution to civil rights and left an indelible mark on Cedar Rapids, showcasing his extensive artwork in 1892. And whereas Carver's educational path included study in Iowa, where he earned both a bachelor's and master's degree and eventually became a member of the Iowa State faculty. Going on to dedicate himself to assisting the South's most impoverished farmers through research, education, and information outreach at Tuskegee University. And whereas in 2003, the permanent home of the African American Museum of Iowa was established in the city of Cedar Rapids, where it has been dedicated to fostering a community that understands, appreciates, and celebrates Iowa's African American history and culture. And whereas the City of Cedar Rapids celebrates the month of February as Black History Month, recognizing the rich history, achievements, and resilience of African Americans through our community and the nation's history. Where as in light of his extraordinary accomplishments, Carver deserves to be recognized as Iowa, as Iowa's and Cedar Rapids most illustrious citizens. Therefore, I, Anne Poe, on behalf of Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell and the entire Cedar Rapids City Council hereby proclaim February 1st, 2026 as George Washington Carver Day, and encourage all residents to commemorate the myriad of scientific civil rights and culinary achievements of George Washington Carver. Congratulations. Thank you all. Thanks to the City of Cedar Rapids for its uh current leadership. And very specifically, we want to thank the Cedar Rapids Police Department for its professionalism during these last few months of stress that's going on. So thanks for having us. Melick is an upcoming scholar. Uh for the student representation. And three years ago wrote an excellent order, excellent commentary on George Washington Carver. Larry is one of our officers, and Bill is one of our officers for Veterans for Peace. And I'm Joe O. President. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Joe.
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