The Cedar Rapids City Council met on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, for its regular session. The meeting included invocations, proclamations, multiple public hearings, approval of consent and regular agenda items, and two public comment periods. Key actions included approval of a $983 million amended budget for FY26, adoption of the FY26 federal annual action plan for CDBG and HOME programs, a fireworks ordinance update to comply with state law, several zoning changes and property vacations, and approval of bids for infrastructure projects. During public input, residents raised concerns about the proposed Morgan Valley power plant, animal control policies, and city transparency regarding large-scale developments.
Item 1 – FY26 Budget Amendment (Final)
Item 2 – FY26 Federal Annual Action Plan for CDBG and HOME
Item 3 – Amending Fireworks Ordinance (Chapter 63.10B)
Item 4 – Zone Change: 650 Walford Road SW (Ag to Light Industrial)
Item 5 – Zone Change: 16th Avenue & 80th Street SW (Ag to Suburban Mixed-Use Center)
Item 6 – Vacation of Osborne Avenue SE
Item 7 – 2nd Street SE Vault and Sidewalk Repairs Project
Item 8 – J Avenue Water Treatment Plant Roof Replacements
Item 9 – Jordan Well No. 1 ASR System
No speakers were signed up for the initial public comment period on agenda items.
Item 30 – FY27 Sanitary Sewer Lining Project – Ben Worrell reported bids; low bid of $1,587,521.35 from Municipal Pipe Tool Company for lining over 25,000 linear feet of pipe. Approved.
Item 31 – 3rd Street SW Pavement Rehabilitation – Doug Wilson reported bids; low bid of $445,882.85 from an unnamed contractor. Work includes curb, gutter, sidewalk, and resurfacing. Approved.
Item 32 – Czech Village Riverside Trail Project – Rob Davis reported seven bids; low bid of $197,403.34 from Rochie Construction (Marion, IA) for 1,075 linear feet of trail. Approved.
Item 33 – City Hall First Street Doors Replacement – Jason Stancliffe reported one bid of $194,000 from Tricon General Construction (estimated cost $226,000). Approved.
Item 34 – Vacation of 20-foot alley right-of-way adjacent to 900 L Street SW – Requested by Interstate Power and Light. Second reading approved, then third reading waived and adopted (moved by Poe). Resolution approved.
This meeting of the Cedar Rapids City Council will come to order. Welcome everybody to the council meeting for Tuesday, May 26, 2026. I'd like to welcome our city manager, our city clerk, and our city attorney, and as always, thanks to city staff for being here today. A reminder to turn off any cell phones or electronic devices that might distract from our proceedings today. And note that all of our city council meeting agendas, minutes, and videos are available online on our city's website. Regular sessions are also available to watch live and on replay via Facebook Live. We will begin now with our invocation by public safety chaplain Josh Kent, followed by our Pledge of Allegiance. Our gracious Heavenly Father, Lord, we do come to you again, Lord, as we open up another session. Lord, I pray that all that we say and do would bring honor and glory to you and to Cedar Rapids. Lord, for without you, we can do nothing. Lord, thank you for our mayor and our city councilman, all of our administrators, all of our public safety workers, and all those that are in charge. Lord, I pray that you would give them wisdom, discernment, and understanding. Thank you for all that you've done and all that you're going to do, especially in this meeting for this hour. We ask all these things in your name. Amen. All right, we'll begin with our proclamations beginning with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. So please join us here up at the Dais, Council Member Ashley Van Orney will be reading that proclamation. All right. Whereas the City of Cedar Rapids recognizes the rich cultural heritage, resilience, and significant contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander or AAPI communities to our city, state, and nation, and whereas AAPI individuals and families represent diverse cultures, languages, traditions, and histories that enrich the social, economic, and civic fabric of Cedar Rapids, and whereas the observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May commemorates the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in May 1843 and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in May 1869, to which many Chinese immigrants contributed under challenging conditions. And whereas AAPI residents have played and continue to play vital roles in advancing education, health care, business, the arts, public service, and community leadership, we're uh within Cedar Rapids and beyond, and whereas the City of Cedar Rapids is committing to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that celebrates diversity, promotes cultural understanding, and stands against discrimination and bias in all forms and whereas Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month provides an opportunity to honor the achievements, traditions, and ongoing contributions of AAPI communities while encouraging residents to learn, reflect, and celebrate together. Now, therefore, I, Ashley Van Orney, on behalf of Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell of Cedar Rapids and the entire Cedar Rapids City Council to hereby recognize May 1st through 2026, 2026 through May 31st, 2026 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and encourage residents to recognize and celebrate the important contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities through education, engagement, and cultural appreciation. And next up, we'd have a proclamation about gun violence awareness day. So if you're here to represent that proclamation, please join us here at the Daisy. Oh, come in. Do we do? Come all the way up. Ready for your close-up. All right. Whereas every day in the United States, nearly a hundred and thirty people are killed by gun violence, and more than 200 are shot and wounded, with Americans being 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high income countries. And whereas in Iowa, an average year sees 362 gun deaths with a rate of 11.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, resulting in devastating emotional, social, and economic impacts on families and communities across the state. And whereas cities across the nation, including Cedar Rapids are working to reduce violence through evidence-based public safety strategies, community partnerships, violence intervention efforts, and responsible gun ownership education. And whereas protecting public safety is among the highest responsibilities of local government leaders, law enforcement, community organizations, and residents working together to prevent violence and keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who may pose a danger to themselves or others. And whereas in January 2013, 15-year-old Hadia Pendleton was tragically shot and killed, inspiring her friends to begin the wear orange movement, as you can see, uh guests here are honoring to honor victims and survivors of gun violence and raise awareness about the value of human life. And whereas on Friday, June 5th, 2026, communities across the United States will observe National Gun Violence Awareness Day by wearing orange in remembrance of victims of gun violence and in support of safer communities for all. Now, therefore, I, Ashley Van Orney, on behalf of Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell and the entire Cedar Rapids City Council do hereby recognize Friday, June 5th, 2026 as gun violence awareness day and encourage residents to participate in activities that promote awareness, remembrance, responsible gun ownership, and efforts to reduce gun violence in our community. Thank you. I am going to be Caleb. Thank you. Thank you so much. All right, and now it is time for our public hearings. So I'll remind everybody who wishes to speak today, whether during a public hearing or during the public comment or public input periods, of a few matters to ensure we have an orderly meeting. First, remain at the lecture. And if you have any documents you'd like to share, please give them to the officer. He will get them to us. Uh, second comments are limited to three minutes per speaker speaker, and you'll note that is a change. When the light on the console in front of you turns yellow, you'll have one minute left. And when it's red, we'll invite you to take your seat. Third, be aware that all comments must be directed to the matter of the public hearing, and that abusive, obscene, loud, threatening, or irrelevant comments are not allowed. Finally, we need to hold an orderly hearing, so we ask for no applause, cheering, booing, or other noise or disruptive conduct from the audience. And we thank you in advance.