Cedar Rapids City Council Meeting – March 10, 2026

The Cedar Rapids City Council met on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, with Mayor pro tempore Ann Poe presiding, along with Councilmembers Scott Olson, Todd, Van Orney, Poe, Overland, Hager, Meyer, and Tyler Olson. The meeting included proclamations, a presentation on the Wellington Heights Flourishing Neighborhood Index, seven public hearings, approval of the consent agenda, regular agenda items including bids and redevelopment plans, an ordinance adoption, and public comment.

Proclamations

• 319 Local Day (March 19): Councilmember Ann Poe read a proclamation recognizing March 19, 2026, as "Buy 319 Local Day" to encourage residents to support locally owned businesses.
• Transit Employee Appreciation Day (March 18): Councilmember Scott Olson read a proclamation recognizing March 18, 2026, as Transit Employee Appreciation Day, honoring public transit employees for their service.

Presentation: Wellington Heights Flourishing Neighborhood Index

• Presenters: Pastor Keon Carter and Stephanie Carter of Wellington Heights Community Church, introduced by Jeff Wolzencraft (City Community Development).
• The Flourishing Neighborhood Index (FNI) is a comprehensive assessment launched in 2023, involving a parcel survey and neighbor surveys. Surveyors and participants were compensated.
• Key Statistics:
  • 1,800 parcels, approximately 5,000 residents.
  • 204 surveys completed (14% of households), covering age, race, socioeconomic status, rental/homeowner status, and gender.
  • 53% of surveyed residents earn less than $30,000 per year; 31% have lived in the neighborhood for more than 10 years; 49% are renters; 51% are female.
  • Surveys included 13 open-ended questions and covered social, structural, and economic indicators.
  • Neighborhood graded on a scale of 1–5: fragile (1–2.4), straining (2.5–3.4), striving (3.5–4.2), flourishing (4.2–5). Wellington Heights overall score: 3.35 (straining, meaning under pressure with mixed responses).
• Key Findings:
  • Social cohesion: Lack of community gathering spaces, disconnection from leadership, strong pride in neighborhood.
  • Structural integrity: Unease about crime, mixed views on police engagement, need for lighting, sidewalks, and green spaces.
  • Economic vitality: Major concern about lack of grocery access (following closure of Hy-Vee).
• Three Priorities: 1) Community spaces, 2) Security, lighting, and sidewalks, 3) Grocery access.
• Next Steps: Activation teams are forming to co-create solutions for each priority, with a multi-sector response. The process is ongoing and encourages creativity (e.g., not just a new grocery store but improving access to existing options).
• Councilmembers praised the effort, noting the historical redlining in the area, the importance of listening to residents, and the value of the data for future decisions.

Public Hearings

Seven public hearings were held. All had no oral objections from the gallery; one had a written petition (18 signatures, no objections). Each hearing was followed by a unanimous council vote to adopt the associated resolution.

1. Annexation of Land at 80th Street and 16th Avenue SW (requested by AM LLC): Voluntary annexation of ~25 acres (two parcels) to develop to city standards. No objections. Approved.
2. O Avenue NW Elevation / Time Check Project: Flood control levee (700 feet), street/sidewalk/shared-use path, removal of excess infrastructure. Estimated cost $3.36 million (funded by ARPA). Construction June 2026 – October 2027. Approved.
3. Richard Drive NE and Nancy Jane Lane NE Project: Water main, storm/sanitary sewer, roadway reconstruction, new sidewalks. Estimated cost $2.56 million. Construction spring–fall 2026. Councilmember Todd noted a resident's concern about decorative bricks near a driveway but expressed support. Approved.
4. 34th Street SE from Beaver Ave to north of Terry Drive Project: Pavement reconstruction, storm/sanitary sewer improvements, shared-use path. Estimated cost $1.94 million. First of two phases; construction 2026. Approved.
5. Nassau Street SE from Blake Blvd to Linden Drive Reconstruction: Pavement reconstruction, sidewalk extension. Estimated cost $570,000. Councilmember Meyer noted the street was one of the worst and that the city's paving plan ensures no preferential treatment. Approved.
6. Cedar Lake Amenities – Shaver Road NE Roadway Improvements: Cul-de-sac, additional parking, trail connection. Estimated cost $1.05 million. Construction May–September 2026. Approved.
7. FY26 Sidewalk Repair Project: Citywide repair of damaged/misaligned panels at 110 properties. Estimated cost $98,000. Property owners can receive partial reimbursement for self-repairs; financial assistance available for low-income owner-occupied homes. Approved.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (moved by Todd, seconded by Van Orney).

Regular Agenda Items

• Report on Bids – Sludge Storage Area at WPC: Five bids received; engineer’s estimate $480,000. Lowest bid $372,499.54. Staff to evaluate and return with recommendation.
• Report on Bids – South Hoosier Lift Station and Force Main: Estimated cost $4.5 million. Two lowest bidders rescinded; staff evaluating.
• Report on Bids – Mount Vernon Road SE (20th to 26th St): Project awarded to Chick-fry Excavating (lowest of four bids: $6,572,278.77) with an engineer’s estimate of $7.19 million. Approved unanimously.
• Adoption of First Avenue East Corridor Redevelopment Plan: Presented by Noah Zecker (Community Development). The plan updates the 2025 microarea action plan, providing a redevelopment vision for the corridor (Co Road to 17th St). Includes mixed-use, missing middle housing, streetscape improvements. Approved unanimously. Councilmembers praised the plan and community engagement.
• Acceptance of Proposal for Redevelopment of 604, 614, 620 I Ave NW: Presented by Jeff Wolzencraft. Proposal from Parkline LLC (Chad Pelley and Tyler Oswood) for three vacant lots post-flood. Includes 3 townhomes and 1 single-family home (40 units total in the broader project). Staff and stakeholder review group recommended approval. Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance – Repeal of Chapter 33 (Building Code) and Adoption of 2024 International Building Code with Modifications: Second reading approved; then motion to suspend three readings and adopt on third reading (moved by Poe, seconded by Todd). Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rob Hogue (27 Otis Road SE) spoke on rail yard noise, playing an audio recording of noise from Sunday afternoon. He noted the city had sold the plan out. He was allowed to speak but ran over the five-minute limit (11 seconds over). No other speakers signed up.

Key Outcomes

• All public hearing resolutions and regular agenda items passed unanimously (with voice votes; no recorded dissents).
• The Flourishing Neighborhood Index for Wellington Heights will continue with activation teams focusing on community spaces, security/lighting/sidewalks, and grocery access.
• The First Avenue East Corridor Redevelopment Plan was adopted as an amendment to the microarea action plan.
• The city moved forward with infrastructure projects, a building code update, and a small residential redevelopment in the Northwest neighborhood.
• Councilmember Van Orney noted that Jefferson High School won its 26th consecutive state academic decathlon title.
• City Manager Pomranz had no additional communications. Meeting adjourned.