Cedar Rapids City Council Meeting – February 10, 2026

The Cedar Rapids City Council met on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at City Hall, with Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell presiding. Council members Scott Olson and Ann Poe were absent; Councilmember Ashley Van Orney arrived later. The meeting included an invocation, a Black History Month proclamation, a detailed homeless systems update, multiple public hearings on zoning amendments, urban renewal plans, development agreements, and infrastructure projects, as well as bid reports and a public comment on the Czech clock tower.

Proclamation & Presentations

• Black History Month Proclamation: Mayor O'Donnell proclaimed February 2026 as Black History Month. Anthony Bedder, board president of the African American Museum of Iowa, accepted and encouraged community engagement and donations.
• Homeless Systems Update: Laura Shaw (Community Development) and Janae Peterman (Housing Fund for Linn County) presented 2025 accomplishments and 2026 goals. Key statistics: 12% decrease in homelessness (point-in-time count: 125 in July 2025, 172 in January 2025; unsheltered count dropped from 111 to 58). The winter weather shelter served 234 individuals, nightly average 66 (down from 110 last year). The landlord-tenant success initiative housed 37 individuals. The street outreach team responded to 120 encampments. Council members praised progress and discussed Green Square Park usage, noting it is a congregate area for services, not solely for homeless individuals. Goals for 2026 include improving coordinated entry response time, expanding housing opportunities, formalizing peer support, and targeting prevention.

Public Hearings

• Zoning Code Amendment (Chapter 32): Haley Sevening presented annual amendments including accessory dwelling unit updates (state code compliance), commercial service uses, vehicle service repair clarifications, alcohol/tobacco enforcement, RV parking on large lots, tree preservation (reduced minimum size to 1-inch caliper, off-site planting allowed), and sign regulations (feather signs permitted, roof sign height limit of 20 feet). No public comments. Council approved first reading.
• CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan: Laura Shaw presented planned funding allocations for FY26 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). Estimated funding: CDBG ~$1.1 million, HOME ~$365,000. No public comments.
• Urban Renewal Plan Amendment #9 (I-380 Corridor): Scott Mather presented adding 18th Street infrastructure projects (overlay, gravel-to-concrete road, roundabout). No public comments. Approved.
• Urban Renewal Plan Amendment #10 and Three Development Agreements (Ellis Revitalization Group, Mods Enterprises, KN Properties): Scott Mather presented a $3.25M investment (13 residential units) by Ellis Revitalization Group; a $1.5M investment (7 townhomes) by Mods Enterprises; and a $4M redevelopment of the former Black Stock Building (13 market-rate units) by KN Properties. All include 10-year tax abatements. No public comments. Approved individually.
• South Hoosier Lift Station & Force Main: Ben Morrill presented a $4.5M project to increase sanitary sewer capacity. Construction expected April–October 2026. No public comments. Approved.

Regular Agenda Items

• Item 27B – Landfill Memorandum of Understanding with Marion: Councilmember Olson moved the item from consent to regular agenda. He defended the Solid Waste Agency's record of diversion and financial strength, noting the agency's success in preserving landfill space. Council expressed full support. Approved.
• Item 28 – Report on Bids for Tree of Five Seasons Park and First Street NE Two-Way Conversion: Three bids received, low bid $2,395,977.40. Staff reviewing. No action taken.
• Item 29 – Report on Bids for Cedar Lake Amenities Playground Equipment: Three bids received, low bid $596,000.35. Staff scoring proposals on play value. No action taken.
• Item 30 – Report on Bids for Westside Library FF&E: Seven bids received for multiple furniture packages; no bids for packages 25-27. Six contracts awarded totaling $1,110,018.52. Approved.
• Item 31 – Resolution for Garfield Elementary School Redevelopment Incentives: Scott Mather presented a $7M investment by Evolution LC (Steve Emerson) to convert the former school into 30 market-rate rental units. 10-year declining tax exemption. Councilmember Van Orney thanked the developer for allowing police training in the building. Approved.
• Ordinance 32 – Amending Central Reinvestment District Plan: Second reading approved; then Councilmember Todd moved to suspend the three-reading rule, and third reading was adopted unanimously.

Public Comments

• Brittany Henry: Spoke against the Czech clock tower, calling its astronomical/astrological elements idolatry and referencing biblical passages. She also criticized the city's "Welcome is our language" signs as promoting lifestyles contrary to her religious beliefs. No other speakers.

Key Outcomes

• Approved first reading of zoning code amendment.
• Approved urban renewal plan amendments #9 and #10.
• Approved three development agreements (Ellis Revitalization Group, Mods Enterprises, KN Properties).
• Approved South Hoosier Lift Station project.
• Approved landfill MOU with Marion.
• Approved six Westside Library furniture contracts.
• Approved incentives for Garfield Elementary redevelopment.
• Adopted ordinance 32 on third reading.
• All votes were unanimous with ayes from all present council members.