Yeah, I think that's it.

This meeting of the Cedar Rapids City Council will come to order.

I want to welcome everybody for our meeting for today, Tuesday, July 14th, 2026.

I'd like to welcome our city manager or city clerk, our city attorney, and thank you as always to city staff for being here and available to us.

A reminder for all of you here and you here in attendance to turn off any electronic devices or cell phones that might cause a disruption to the meeting today.

And as a reminder, the city council must maintain an orderly meeting.

So I'd like to make sure and invite everybody to read the rules of conduct for persons in attendance that are available.

That's right.

We ask everybody to make sure that they've read all of those rules to make sure we're all on the same page, and we'll make sure that those rules are also projected onto the screen during those public comment periods.

Are we already disrupting the meeting?

Okay, good.

Disruptions to the council meetings will not be tolerated.

All right, I note that all of our city council meetings agendas and minutes are also available at all times on our city's website.

Regular sessions are also available to watch live and on Facebook live.

We will begin as we always do with our invocation.

So I'd like to invite public safety chaplain Ken Glandorf to do that for us, and that will be immediately followed by our Pledge of Allegiance.

Let us pray.

God, we do thank you for our city of Cedar Rapids.

We thank you for the city uh the city council and all those that serve the city.

We pray for wisdom, clarity, and courage as they make decisions that affect all of us.

And Lord, we would also remember our men and women overseas, especially those that are serving in harm's way, we ask for your protective grace.

Amen.

We'd now like to begin our meeting with a proclamation marking parks and recreation months.

So I'd like to invite anybody who's here to mark this to join Councilmember Ann Poe up here at the dais so we can read our proclamation.

Thank you so very much.

This is a proclamation for the city of Cedar Rapids.

Whereas parks and recreation play an integral role in the community in communities across our nation, including Cedar Rapids.

And whereas spending time in nature through parks and recreation positively impacts mental health by enhancing cognitive performance, overall well-being, and immun um mitigating conditions such as depression, attention deficit disorders, and Alzheimer's.

And whereas park and recreation programs such as out-of-school activities, youth sports, environmental education, nutrition services are essential for childhood development.

And whereas parks and recreation contribute significantly to the environmental well-being of our community.

And whereas these resources enhance economic prosperity by increasing property values, expanding local tax space, attracting tourism, retaining businesses, and reducing crime.

And whereas parks and recreations serve as adaptable infrastructure, making our communities resilient in the face of natural disasters and climate change, while also providing an ecological beauty and opportunities for people of all ages to connect with nature.

And whereas Cedar Rapids recognizes the numerous benefits derived from parks and recreation resources.

Therefore, I am I and Poe on behalf of Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell and our entire Cedar Rapids City Council hereby recognize the month of July 2026 as parks and recreation month.

Thank you all.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Council.

Thank you, leadership, and thank you, citizens.

A couple quick talking points.

My name is Jerry Kirk.

I'm recreation maintenance manager for this beautiful community up here.

Comprehensive plan open house tonight at Jones Lodge in our beautiful down on Jones Park.

From 4 30 to 6 30, we're in the development stage of a comprehensive plan.

It'll take us in the next uh 10 to 15 years, I believe, director.

And um that'll we're doing public input as far as staff, management, everybody.

So please come by to tonight from 4:30 to 6 30 to Jones Lodge and see what we have to offer and tell us what you'd like to see.

Also, tomorrow picnic in the park from 11 to 1 at Green Square.

Uh we'll be free lunch.

My supplies less.

Come on down, enjoy one another, one of our beautiful parks downtown, and uh meet some of our staff and uh have a fellowship with some other folks.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you for your service.

All right, it's now time for a public hearings.

Thank you so much.

So uh 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 out of respect for all here today.

A reminder to remain at the lecture.

And if you have any documents you wish to share, please give them to the officer, and she will get them to us.

Second comments are limited to three minutes per speaker, so you'll notice the light on the console.

If it turns yellow, that means you have one minute.

When it turns red, we'll invite you to take your seat once again.

And third, please be aware that all comments must be directed to the matter of the public hearing, and that abusive, obscene, loud, threatening, or relevant comments will not be allowed.

Finally, we need to hold an orderly meeting.

So we ask for no applause, cheering, booing, or other noise or disruptive conduct from the audience today.

Thank you so much.

Does the clerk have any written comments or objections in regard to any of the public hearings on today's agenda?

Your Honor, there are no written comments or objections filed.

Thank you.

Adam number one is a public hearing to consider amending chapter 61 of the municipal code traffic regulations to establish revised speed restrictions on various streets in section 61.029 and authorize temporary speed restrictions within construction zones.

Carrie Paulie and Luke Miller are here.

I'll recognize you both.

I do the good morning.

I'm the city traffic engineer.

I'm here with Luke Miller, who's one of our traffic engineering technicians.

He's going to speak to you about uh considering amendment to section 61.029 of the ordinance for speed restrictions.

Hi, I am Luke Miller.

Uh our purpose of the ordinance changes was to review speed limits on selected roadways.

Uh, this could have been uh from my CR requests, uh public work staff or uh the CRPD recommendations.

Uh our goal was to ensure posted speed limits match the roadway condition and design, improve consistency across the roadway network, and the ordinance change uh adds authority for temporary construction zone speed limits.

How are speed limits were evaluated?

Uh, we used a nationally recognized speed limit setting tool developed through the National Cooperative Highway Research Program.

So instead of just looking at vehicle speeds, uh, we also looked at traffic volumes, roadway design and access, nearby homes, businesses, land use, crash history, and pedestrian and bicycle activity.

So once again, so we looked at speeds on a segment, like how many crashes were there, access points, driveways, and then like the presence of trails or on street bike lanes or sidewalks.

So then we plugged all that information into the speed limit setting tool, and it it gave us back a recommended speed limit considering all those factors.

So here was the process on how we determined the speed limits we were proposing to change.

So we first we identified the roadways for review.

We spent about five or six years, the last six years gathering speed and roadway data.

Um we probably completed over a hundred speed studies.

Um we evaluated using we evaluated that data using the speed limit setting tool.

Uh then public work staff along with the police department had a meeting and we reviewed all the results.

Um after that meeting, we came up with the recommended uh changes we were going to propose for the speed limit ordinance.

So our overall goal again was to match the posted speed limits to the current roadway conditions using a consistent data-driven process.

So we looked at 41 different roadway segments, um, which is what we originally reviewed.

We did over 100 speed studies within those 41 segments.

Uh, we are proposing to do 21 speed limit changes.

Uh a few of these changes have already been posted following recent construction projects, um, such as 6th Street Southwest, which uh previously in some of these areas was just you know rural farm ground and is now developed, like in in, for example, the BAE area.

Um that was previously 55, and we've already posted that at 45.

Um so the benefits of the speed limit update uh we're the speeds we're proposing, help align the speed limit better with current roadway conditions and how the roadways are currently functioning today, and it ensures the posted speed limits reflect the roadway design, operating conditions, and driver expectations.

So, of those 21 changes we're proposing.

We are going to uh we're proposing eight speed limit decreases, 13 speed limit segment increases, and we're establishing one new speed limit.

So, which means that road previously didn't exist before, and that's uh the south section of Earhart Lane Southwest.

Additionally, the ordinance change would add a new authority for temporary construction zone speed limits.

So our current city code does not provide authority to establish an enforceable temporary speed limit within construction zones.

So this ordinance change would allow us to make temporary speed limits during active construction, and that'll help us match speed limits to the changing work zone conditions.

Uh this will help us improve safety for workers and drivers, provide clear authority in the city code, and construction projects often change lane configurations, alignment or traffic patterns, uh, making at times a lower temporary speed limit appropriate.

So staff recommends the approval of the proposed revisions to the municipal code section 61.029 speed restrictions, which included the 21 revised speed limits on the identified roadways and the new construction zone speed limit provisions.

All right.

Thank you.

This time and a place for public hearing on this item.

Does anyone here wish to address council?

All right, let the record show.

Public hearing has been held with no objections for the record.

Council, Councilmember Van Rourney.

Thanks, Mayor.

Um Carrie, Luke, thanks for your work on this.

Just looking over my district area.

I think this is going to be really helpful.

Um, some of the roads that we're increasing, people are already going that speed.

So I think it just helps to clear out um any of that question.

And then along um 6th Street, for example, usually people are zooming on there.

We need to slow it down because it has narrowed.

So just keeping up with the trends.

So I appreciate your thoughtfulness on this.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else on council?

All right.

If not, no further questions.

The approval of this ordinance on its first reading has been moved by council member Scott Olson, seconded by council member Todd.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, say no.

Okay, we that passes.

Thank you.

Two is a public hearing to consider the proposed plan, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost for the third street southeast from 8th Avenue to Fifth Avenue pavement rehabilitation project.

This has an estimated cost of 590,000 dollars.

Doug Wilson is here.

Doug, I'll recognize you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Doug Wilson, Public Works Department.

This project includes asphalt resurfacing, curb and gutter replacement, and enhanced uh crosswalks at Sixth Avenue and Southeast, Sixth Avenue and Seventh Avenue Southeast.

Uh storm sanitary and water main improvements, driveway and alley approach replacement.

The engineer's estimate of probable cost for this is $590,000.

The bid opening is scheduled for tomorrow with construction starting this fall and to be completed this fall.

A public information meeting was held on May 24st for this project.

We've worked closely with the area businesses to make sure that we uh limit disruptions during this project.

Public works department recommends approval resolution.

Thanks, Doug.

Time and a place now uh for a public hearing.

Does anyone here wish to address council on this item?

All right, let the record show a public hearing has been held with no objections for the record.

Council.

Okay, seeing nothing.

The adoption of this resolution has been moved by councilmember Todd, seconded by Councilmember Van Orney.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed say no.

And the motion carries three is a public hearing to consider the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost for the FY27 Sanitary Sewer Point Repairs Project.

This has an estimated cost of 250,000 dollars.

Ben Warrell is here.

Ben, I'll recognize you.

Thank you.

Ben World, Public Works Department.

This is an annual project that the city does to repair damage to sanitary sewers at various locations around the city.

Those issues are primarily found through routine inspections.

This package includes replacement of 167 feet of sewer main and seven manholes.

Also includes the correction of two protruding taps, uh, which an image of one of those is shown on the right in preparation for future lining of the main.

And then also replacement of pavement as needed for that work.

Here's a map showing the project locations all over town.

Engineers' opinion of probable cost is 250,000.

Bid lending is scheduled for July 22nd.

Construction is expected from September through next spring with minimal traffic impacts.

Public works department recommends approval of the resolution.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ben.

This is a time and a place for public hearing on this.

Does anyone wish to address council?

All right, let the record show public hearing has been held with no objections for the record.

Council?

All right, seeing nothing further.

The adoption of this resolution has been moved by Councilmember Ban Orney, seconded by Councilmember Poe.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed say no.

And the motion carries.

Here in the city of Cedar Rapids, we have two public comment periods.

The first is a chance for the public to address the city council on any subject pertaining to council action scheduled for today.

A second public input period comes at the end of the meeting for residents, property owners, and business owners to speak on issues that are germane to this city but may not be on the agenda today.

Council members and city staff make themselves available by phone or email.

Is this at this time though, as a council, we are here to listen to you.

Please remember that all the matters we discussed prior to the first public hearing do apply to the public comment periods as well.

Stay at the lectern when the light turns yellow.

You have one minute left.

When it's red, you have to turn to your seat.

But um all comments directed to the matter you wish to address and abusive, obscene, irrelevant comments are not allowed.

Uh there should be no participation or disruption from the audience as well.

If you've signed up to speak, please approach the microphone when called upon.

And it looks like today we have two speakers.

I'm sorry, just one here.

Dorothy DeSouza Guedes.

Mayor, City Council, thank you for this opportunity to um speak.

Um none of this that I'm talking I'm mentioning here is um will seem like a major issue.

I just I have a lot of questions.

On the consent agenda, um, there's a railroad crossing and pavement on 2nd Street Southeast to 6th Street Southeast on 12th Avenue.

Kudos.

Yay.

When I was a neighborhood association president, right road crossings were probably the number one road complaint that I heard.

And I wanted to say the Eighth Avenue project.

I've heard a lot of positive comments about that one.

So now I'm going to um make a comment, ask a question about change orders.

This is we um I just happened to notice this a 21 T under the consent agenda.

Um, this is change order number 23.

And I understand construction projects are very complicated and things happen.

Tariffs enacted during a project, that sort of thing.

But in my limited research, um the 10% is the average that is expected of change orders overall for a pricing.

Shouldn't that be built into the contracts?

I've seen some ridiculous inflated amounts on supposed low bid contracts.

Is anyone at the city tracking change orders at increased cost to taxpayers by company name?

Tracking which, if any, frequently bid low than increase costs by more than 10%.

Curious.

Um another comment on 21 AE.

Why are taxpayers spending $350,000 for an empty lot at 1723 Ellis Boulevard Northwest?

When I looked on the assessor site, it's appraised at $86,900.

Where all property purchases related um to flight control project paid multiples of the assessed value?

Just curious.

Umops, already commented on that.

Um this is in regard to um 26 under the regular agenda, public infrastructure reimbursement to a developer.

Um sounds like a great project, but why offer incentives to projects that don't include affordable housing?

Yes, this is for streets, basically, but taxpayers are gonna be on the hook for plowing, maintaining those streets forever.

So why are we giving some um 50% or whatever of their money back that they spend on that?

The developer plans to build houses there that will be two times or more greater of the average home price in Cedar Rapids.

So I'm pretty sure they could afford to pay for the whole thing.

Um and then on 27.

That's that's it.

Yes.

Thank you, Dorothy.

Um I don't have anyone else listed to speak during this public comment period.

City Manager Pomerance, do you have any changes to the agenda?

No change.

Do any council members need to recuse themselves on any agenda items or make any changes?

All right.

That brings us to a motion to approve the agenda.

The approving agent approval of the agenda has been moved by council member Poe, seconded by Councilmember Overland.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Those opposed say no.

And the motion carries thank you, council.

That brings us to our consent agenda.

The approval of the consent agenda has been moved by council member overland, seconded by councilmember Tyler Rolson.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Those opposed say no.

And the motion carries thank you, council.

That brings us now to our regular agenda.

So item number 22 is a report on bids for the FY26 downtown sidewalk repair project with an estimated cost of 110,000 dollars.

Eric Turnquist is here.

Eric, I'll recognize you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh Eric Turnk was with Public Works.

Um reporting on bids for the downtown solidwork repair project.

Uh the city does an annual um solidwork repair project.

Um with that, we do uh based on inspections as well as complaint base with my CRs.

Uh, this project includes 19 properties in the downtown area, which have been identified for damage and replacement.

Um, the city sends out letters notifying the property owners when the notary owners and do not like to repair the sidewalk on their own, they are added to the contract to be uh repaired and assessed for the sidewalk.

Uh the bid date was on June 24th, and the city received four bids.

These bids ranged um from 83,482.50 cents to 134,812.

Um, the public works recommends to award to hunt construction, the low bid for the 830,482 and 50 cents.

Thanks, Eric.

Council questions.

All right, seeing nothing there.

The adoption of this resolution has been moved by council member Tyler Olson, seconded by Councilmember Hager.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed say no.

And the motion carries 23 is a report on bids for the railroad surface crossing improvements for first, second, and third avenues southeast at 4th Street Southeast.

This has an estimated project cost of 290,000.

Eric, I'll recognize you again.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, this project is for the replacement of um the crossings at first, second, third avenue southeast.

This project is in um coordination with Union Pacific.

Uh, this project was brought to the city's attention when Union Pacific um expressed interest in replacing uh their panels and track, which were in excessive uh deterioration.

The city has been working with UP to address some drainage issues at these crossings that are impacting the uh durability of these crossing panels as well as the sensors for the railroad gates at these crossings.

Uh this project will install um concrete and asphalt at those approaches to make a smooth transition from the roadway to over the railroad panels.

Um, as noted, these panels are in extreme um uh deterioration.

This picture on the left is from First Avenue crossing.

Uh you can see on the deterioration, even patching um of asphalt done there.

Um the picture on the right is for 2nd Avenue.

These panels were installed in the early 2000s.

The life expectancy of these panels is between um 15 and 20 years, so they've met their life expectancy, which is why UP's electing to replace them.

Um the city received one bid from Pierce Tobin construction and a total of $630,000 and $604.61.

Um, Public Works is making the recommendation to approve the resolution to award the contract to the low bid of Pierce Tobin.

Thanks, Eric.

Council questions, Councilor Van Ordy.

Thanks, Mayor.

Um Eric, my question really is just about timing of uh these projects with the construction we already have downtown.

What does that look like so that we can I know that the team the city team does a really nice job of mitigating that, but what is a realistic timeline do since we've got some bridge work done obstructing some of the other um avenues already?

Yeah, that's kind of shown the kind of reflection of the cost.

We have a tire timeline on when the construction can be done with those closures.

So the uh construction can occur on second and third with closures there while keeping first half open.

Um public works has been in communication with farmers market on the impacts there, and we're trying to avoid those dates.

So their window for construction um is to avoid that, and if anything, to have temporary um patching to make sure there's no impacts to farmers market.

Um First Avenue will occur um after the specialty for you race that occurs in October.

Um, this is also avoid impacts to that, um, and that will then um like I said, a shorter time frame um to get that crossing back open since this is a full closure and we try to mitigate any impacts to the traveling public.

Consider Olson.

Thank you, Mayor.

You know, according to uh there was an estimate here, but I watched you know how difficult it was on the Eighth Avenue, which was much simpler and much smaller than these.

The concrete panels in there, we know that the railroad is in charge of replacing any signals, those kind of things.

So uh at times the the rails are theirs.

My assumption is then we're doing the concrete panels as well.

Uh the concrete panels, I'll go back to the photo.

So the concrete panels there are the railroads, it's the asphalt, and then like sidewalking concrete leading up to as well.

So it's not the full panels, the um the panels and track are the responsibility for UP.

Yeah.

Now the on eighth, you use more asphalt.

There were not concrete panels there.

Is that just because of the the way that intersection or those crossings are laid out?

Uh that and then also um there's not as much concrete existing there.

There's kind of existing asphalt.

So for a speed, we're able to mill and remove some material versus removing full concrete and then just the nature asphalt.

Um, you don't have to wait for as long for cure time.

So trying to get a quicker opening on 8th Avenue with that asphalt there.

And just a quick follow-up on the question that was asked previously.

So uh with these intersections when we fully close them, that went very well on 8th Avenue.

So, how is that gonna is the time frame about the same or is this more complicated?

Uh a little bit longer.

Um, as well as just doing the flat work on top of the surfacing, includes installing subdrain.

So we're um coring into some existing manholes and adding some perforated subdrain to try remove some of the moisture away from the tracks.

Um that moisture is kind of what's leading to deter take your yeah, the causing condition of the tracks that deteriorate as well as kind of some issues that um UPs experience with their sensors for the gate crossings.

Okay, thank you.

Thanks, Eric.

Any other questions from council?

All right, seeing nothing further.

The adaptation of this resolution has been moved by councilmember Hager, seconded by Councilmember Meyer.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye, opposed say no.

And the motion carries 24 is a report on bids for the 7th Avenue at Cedar River Water Main Improvements Project.

This has an estimated cost of $2,610,000.

Grace Gutenkop is here.

Grace, I'll recognize you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good afternoon, City Council.

Grace Gutenkop with the Utilities Department.

This project includes installation of 1,000 feet of 16-inch water main across the Cedar River to replace the existing water main attached to the 8th Avenue Bridge in advance of the bridge replacement project.

Construction is expected to begin this fall and be completed by the spring of 2027.

The bid opening was held on Wednesday, July 8th, and the Utilities Department received four bids for this project.

The bids range from $2,642,938.31 cents to $4,523,770 and zero cents.

The low bidder was Langman Construction from Rock Island, Illinois.

The utilities department recommends approval of the resolution to award the contract to Langman Construction.

Thank you.

Thank you, Grace.

Council, any questions?

All right.

Saying no further questions.

The adoption of this resolution has been moved by Councilmember Meyer, seconded by Councilmember Scott Olson.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye, opposed say no.

And the motion carries 25 is a presentation and resolution accepting a proposal from Wen Enterprises, an entity of NIC WEN for the redevelopment of three city-owned properties at zero, 1126, and 1132 Ellis Boulevard Northwest.

Jeff Wosencraft is here.

Jeff, I'll recognize you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Jeff Wosencraft Community Development.

Uh as stated, this is a resolution to award three parcels to Win Enterprises.

Um just aerial view here of the parcels in question uh running down the center of the image is Ellis Boulevard.

The upper east west street is K Avenue Northwest.

Um this is Kid Caddy Corner, uh Flamingo Restaurant.

Um so three parcels just under a half acre in total.

Um they all are within the hundred-year floodplain, so new development would need to meet our floodplain ordinance.

Um, and they are all currently zoned UVG, which is a mixed-use zoning up to three stories in height.

Um, so the request for proposal objectives, um, alignment with our Northwest Neighborhood Action Plan that was adopted in 2017.

Um, in particular for this area, this was noted as an important commercial node with along the Ellis Boulevard corridor.

So wanting to preserve that um and uh encourage commercial uses there.

Um, the plan also called for higher intensity development along Ellis Boulevard Northwest.

And then we'd also look for design that meets our urban form standards there, and that's financially feasible.

Um so the city received one proposal recommending the proposal submitted by Win Enterprises, um, an entity of NICWEN.

Um the proposal is for three retail units on the first floor and three residential loft units on the second.

A couple renderings here.

Uh the rendering on the left is along Ellis Boulevard Northwest.

Uh, the rendering on the right is from K Avenue Northwest.

And then we have a site plan here.

Um, as with all our uh competitive dispositions, they're reviewed by staff and stakeholder review group that includes a non-competing developer, neighborhood representative, and commercial enitor.

Um, in this case, I'll provide a unanimous recommendation to award the proposal, um, noting that it fits the neighborhood aesthetic and scale uh of development in the neighborhood, um, like the addition of additional commercial retail space.

Uh, there was a note that wanting to make sure retail tenants have the ability to drive foot traffic as important there.

Um, and all excited about continued redevelopment along the Ellis Boulevard corridor.

With that, staff would recommend approval of the resolution to award the proposal to win enterprises and authorize staff to negotiate a development agreement.

With that, I'll pass it back to the mayor.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Um, council, any questions on this or comments?

Councilmember Todd.

Thank you.

Uh Jeff Refresh my memory in this area.

Do we have overlay district in place so that we can sort of prohibit vape stores, those kind of things.

So the restrictions limiting alcohol and tobacco sales relates to the uh distance from residential zoning.

Um, and I believe in this area it would require a conditional use permit because the two blocks away on eighth street is residential zoning.

Uh so it would require another public process if that was proposed.

Thank you.

Yeah, anything else?

Councilman Rolson.

Well, I know the site is set vacant for quite a while, and a lot of people looked at different ideas, but I think it adds a just a different element to Ellis Boulevard as we're seeing development, this housing is looking great along there, and it having some commercial opportunities, I think is pretty important for that total redevelopment.

And I know it's going to continue to change, but it's uh I think this is a nice plan compared to some of the others we've seen.

And uh hopefully they'll this will all come together in a quick manner because I'm sure it's uh there'll be some more interest for commercial, especially with the casino down in that area.

Yes, thank you.

Thanks so much.

If there are no further questions, the adoption this resolution has been moved by councilmember Todd, seconded by Councilmember Van Orney.

All those in favor say aye.

I oppose say no.

And this motion carries 26 is a presentation resolution authorizing financial incentives under the city's new single family home subdivision economic development program for the construction of public infrastructure at 7217 Underwood Avenue Southwest, as requested by Midwest Development Co., which is an entity of Scogman companies.

Scott Mather is here.

Scott, I'll recognize you.

Thank you, Mayor Council.

Scott Mather with the city manager's office.

I will just note this is the uh first uh new single family subdivision uh project that we brought since council adopted that into our economic development um so a little bit of background here.

We were uh requested by Midwest uh development company, an entity of Scogman companies for standard incentives for the construction of public infrastructure at 7217 Underwood Avenue.

The project does qualify under the city's new single family home subdivision program.

It fits into the city council priority of providing housing options and affordability.

Annual Maxfield Housing Study, we procure um, like I said, every year shows the need for significant increase in single family home construction over the next five years to meet demand.

The incentive provides a reimbursement of up to 50 percent of the public infrastructure costs associated with the project help simulate an increase in new single family home construction.

This is a 3.9 million dollar investment for the public infrastructure installation to support new single family homes.

It includes grading, public utilities, and public roads.

City engineer has reviewed and approved the cost list.

This is a three-phase project with a total of 60 lots, around 20 per phase, homes in the 400 to 450,000 range, and the developer has committed to reduce the cost of the lots to home buyers.

The construction of phased public improvements would begin here in August of 26 and complete by August of 34 with the 50 percent rebate of demonstrated uh and documented uh cost of public improvements.

We estimate 3.9 million in improvements with 1.95 million being rebated back to the developer, uh, which is generated by new tax increment created uh with the new homes constructed.

So here's the project location.

We have uh highway 100 to the west and highway 30 to the south.

Here's a site plan just kind of mapping out the three phases um that are involved with the project.

Here's a bird's eye view rendering of what this will look like when it's complete.

And these are actual homes that would be very similar to what would be constructed in this subdivision.

So today we're here to consider the resolution of support.

If approved, the next step would be to create an urban renewal area and TIFF ordinance, and I would also bring a development agreement back to council.

With that, I'll return it back to any questions.

Thank you, Scott.

Council, any questions?

Okay, Councilmember Poe.

Um, Scott, what's the closest school to that to this area?

Well, this would be uh it's over.

Didn't know, I guess, what level you were talking about, but yeah.

Okay.

This is the 28th edition is the actual title.

So yeah, it's close to it's right up next to West Willow City.

Jeff, okay.

All right, all right, thank you.

Any other questions?

All right, if there's nothing further, that oh, Councilmember Scott Olson.

Yeah, since this is the first time we've done this, and with I think it's an because infrastructure infrastructure costs are so prohibitive today, causing us not to get as many new homes as is needed in the market, no matter what the price range is, it's just so expensive.

What is how do we compare the lot costs?

How do we confirm that?

Because this is the first time, how is that tracked?

We look at the cost and compare it to other similar lot costs, and and then that shows if there's been a savings passed on to the homeowner.

How does that work?

Yeah, I mean, anecdotally, what I've heard is similar lots in the area are going for roughly 70,000.

And so I would expect, you know, I've heard uh numbers around the 40,000 range, which haven't been seen in quite a while.

And so while you know it's not an absolute requirement that a developer pass that on, um that's been the commitment with this project that uh this there would be reduced, you know, lot costs associated to make it more affordable to be able to build that home.

And I think that's the process is important since they're prov providing our first example of this to encourage other developers to access and build some more homes inside the city limits.

So this will be a good test.

Councilmember Todd.

I but I think that being said, in essence, what we've done here in terms of the public policy piece is that we've we've incentivized the the these you know the construction of these properties, and you know, it it sets a pretty significant precedent.

So for me, I I guess I have to ask myself the question, why and if it's to meet the demands in the Maxfield study and to continue to provide housing to that subset, then I can justify it.

But again, it is a precedent.

It's present, yeah.

And I think it's also um important to note that we tried to let the market figure itself out for lack of a better word, and the the market wasn't figuring it out, and we continued to have housing numbers dwindle, specifically single family housing, just didn't make sense for developers to do that.

I mean, we hear we see a lot of multifamily housing and a lot of shared roof opportunities.

We have to remember we're a city of 183,000 people, and we want to continue to grow, meaning not all of us want or can't afford the same housing.

So it's important that we continue to provide options for everyone, and that also includes for our developers.

So I appreciate the council's you know efforts to to let the market attempt to figure itself out in this case.

Um when it appeared that we were seeing significant challenges and getting feedback like that, you know, not only from developers from homeowners as well.

Um this was a an important step for us to make.

And again, I I commend the council for our commitment when we say that housing matters to us, affordability and market rate, we mean it.

So thank you for that.

If we don't have any further comments on this, we'll go ahead and pass the adoption of this resolution by councilmember Poe, seconded by Councilmember Overland.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed say no.

And the motion carries 27 is a presentation resolution authorizing financial incentives under the city's community benefit economic development program for an affordable housing project at 410 20th Avenue Southwest, as requested by PedCorps Investments.

And Scott, I'll recognize you again.

Thank you, Mayor.

So with some background here, we received a request from PEDCOR Investments, ALLC, an entity of PEDCOR investments uh for above standard incentives for construction of new affordable housing at 410 20th Avenue Southwest, which happens to be right next door to the city's new West Side Library.

Just for some background on PEDCOR, they are headquartered out of Carmel, Indiana.

They have over 39 years of experience in uh affordable housing development, uh over 37,000 housing units in 22 states and 200 communities to include Iowa.

There's about four other developments.

It's been a while, but they have developed in Iowa.

For this project, they were awarded the 4% tax credits through Iowa Economic Development Authority for Light Tech.

And so the project qualifies under the community benefit economic development program and fits into the city council priority of providing housing options and affordability.

This is a $30 million project for the construction of one, two, and three bedroom affordable housing units, 192 total units, um, all of which will be at the 60% AMI target market, eight buildings, three-story buildings, uh 24 units in each, with a fully staffed clubhouse, uh community and TV room, exercise facilities, and a bark park.

Construction would begin here fourth quarter 26, complete by fourth quarter of 28.

The city incentive provides a 15-year, 100% rebate of increased taxes.

Um we estimate around 8 million in total taxes over 15 years, of which 6.7 million would be rebated back to the developer.

The area in red uh identifies the project location uh again, right next to the uh which is no longer dirt, there uh the the uh library is is ready to go, but Edgewood Road there to the east, and we have Wiley Boulevard right adjacent to the west.

Here's the uh site plan showing the the where the various buildings will be as well as the playground, bark park, uh clubhouse.

A couple of renderings of the uh apartments as well as the clubhouse.

So today we're here to consider a resolution of support.

If approved, then we would return uh with creation of an urban renewal area TIF ordinance and a development agreement for council to consider.

With that, I'll return it back to you with any questions.

Thank you, Scott.

Council questions, comments?

Councilmember Van Rooney.

Yeah, I think this is great for that area.

Um we've been investing a lot in our walkability.

Um that library is incredible, and I can't wait for people to see it.

Um, the only thing that I would say is if we haven't already put this on uh on the the radar of our community school partners, they need to know because this is a serious influx potentially of you know students into that area.

Um, and I just want them to start preparing for that as soon as possible.

So thank you.

Councilmember Todd.

I I appreciate the developers' uh persistence.

I believe it was a project that had to go two rounds to try to get funding.

And uh uh looking at the numbers, and uh I think they've done a good job.

It's uh uh at 60 percent of the AMI and hits a part of the population that we don't have a lot of housing for.

And so I I fully support this this one.

Thank you very much.

Uh, if there's no further questions on this one, the adoption of this resolution has been moved by councilmember overland, seconded by councilmember Tyler Wilson.

All those in favor say aye, aye, opposed say no, and this motion carries.

And that now brings us to ordinances.

Item number 28 is an ordinance granting a change of zone for property at 2400 37th Avenue Southwest from agricultural district to suburban residential low single unit district, as requested by Curtis and Colleen Baines.

The approval of this ordinance on its second reading has been moved by Councilmember Poe, seconded by Councilmember Overland.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Those opposed say no.

And the motion carries, thank you, council.

Councilmember Poe.

Thank you, Mayor.

I move the role requiring three readings on three different days be suspended and the ordinance be adopted on its third and final reading.

The adoption of this ordinance on its third and final reading has been moved by council member Poe, seconded by Councilmember Tyler Olson.

All those in favor say aye.

And this motion carries, thank you.

And that's gonna close out our formal business today and brings us to our final public input period.

This is a chance for Cedar Rapids residents, property owners, and Cedar Rapids business owners to address the city council on any subject pertaining to council business.

If you're not a resident of Cedar Rapids or a property owner within Cedar Rapids or a business owner within Cedar Rapids, uh you will not be permitted to speak at this time, but we encourage you as always to email or call council members and city staff with your comments and questions.

As with the earlier public comment period, at this time we're here as a council to listen.

I'll remind everybody who wishes to speak to remain at the lectern.

Comments are limited to three minutes, and we ask for no abusive, obscene, loud, threatening, or personal comments.

And if you sign up to speak, approach the microphone when called upon.

So I'm just gonna call in the order that I have here.

Um and our very first speaker, um, Dorothy De Sosa Guedis here to speak on neighborhood associations.

Thank you, Mayor and Council.

Um FY, I don't think most Cedar Rapidians would consider 400,000 to 500 or 450,000 affordable housing.

Um about neighborhood associations.

Um June 1st, I requested from community development um reimbursement forums and copies of checks issued for any ad hoc group rep representing Oak Hill Jackson.

Then I went on vacation for over three weeks.

So that's why I'm here today.

I know that we dissolved it last June.

That wasn't my request.

My request was related to any ad hoc group purporting to represent the neighborhood.

Um that group never made any financial reports to the members the entire of the year.

Um behalf of the neighborhood, I repeat my request for a reimbursement forms and checks that is copies, submitted by any ad hoc group or individual from May 2025 to the president, present.

Um, Oakill Jackson once again has a self-appointed leader.

No meetings to discuss leadership, no election.

This individual only communicates with residents they choose to talk to.

Not all of Oakill Jackson.

Aren't neighborhood associations supposed to represent all of the residents in the neighborhood?

Otherwise, it's just a private club that doesn't deserve taxpayer funds.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Timothy Pugh, Cedar Rapids.

Well, I'm surprised you people let me speak.

So I will let you know.

I can be as aggressive to you guys as I want.

I can say whatever I want to, pretty much.

I can't say fighting words.

That's my first amendment rights.

So fuck all you Nazis.

Fuck me.

Fuck you, fucking you fucking.

You frumpy Nazis.

Shut your mouth.

Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, fuck you.

Officer, I'd like to have him remember.

You're an overall.

This is the second time he was notified after the first time.

This is the second time.

I'm gonna ask you to leave.

Thank you very much.

No, you don't, Mr.

Pugh.

You're being escorted out.

You can either go out by yourself.

All right.

Thank you.

Um next up, Mr.

Lee.

What happened to my only thing?

Mr.

Lee, you are up next.

I do not sensing.

I'm gonna ask our audio visual team.

Okay.

Let's just show that.

Thank you.

I am not gonna recess.

I am not gonna recess.

Mr.

Pugh, you're out.

Mr.

Lee, you're up.

Nazi whore.

Well, with that intro, Mr.

Lee, I apologize to those of you respectfully here in the gallery.

The microphone is yours.

Good afternoon.

I won't do anything like that.

My name's John Lee.

Today I'm here on behalf of Save Morgan Valley.

For two and a half months, I've stood up here asking you guys for one thing, and that's to hold a public meeting on the water that you guys are going to supply or plan to to the Morgan Valley Power Plant.

Last time I was here, I asked you, or I said if you wouldn't hold the meeting that our group would.

Now I'm here to let you know that on August 11th at Usher's Ferry Lodge, we plan to hold that meeting.

And I'll tell you why.

The public can't see what you've decided on almost anything about the water deals sealed in the IO Utilities Commission.

The one page we're allowed to see is vague.

It says the city will support.

Excuse me, Mr.

Lee.

I'll give you your time back.

I asked for no participation or distractions from the audience, and I continue to see it from one member in the gallery.

This is your first warning.

Mr.

Lee, you have time is back.

Thank you.

Uh it says the city will supply between 500 and a thousand gallons a minute.

That could be up to 1.4 million gallons a day.

Uh that's the people's water.

Uh, and one page is all we get to see.

Uh, it doesn't say where the water or sewer lines will run or how big they'll be.

Nobody can see that.

Uh or what it's being planned.

Uh their NDAs, private deals with the data centers here in town.

I filed open records request weeks ago that I'm still waiting.

So the families who live here are being told nothing.

That's why we're bringing in people.

A water expert will explain what using this much water really means.

A clean air expert will who studies how population is affected, people's health will explain what gas plants and data centers do to the air you and your kids breathe.

Here's what I want to leave you with.

No one on this council has a right to lead.

You guys are give being given the privilege to represent the people here.

Hold the meeting, answer the hard questions in the open, not the easy ones about the jobs this year and next year.

The hard ones about 10, 15, 20 years from now.

Will our power bills go up?

How about our gas bills?

Will companies use eminent domain to take people's land away?

The transmission lines, anything.

Uh the developers of the power companies all say the same thing.

Don't worry, it'll be better.

But the studies say over and over that things that the bills are gonna go up.

It's a fair question.

Uh can anyone answer that?

That isn't being paid by any part of these projects or benefiting for them.

That's what the people really want.

Straight answers, and right now we're not getting them.

So we're holding this meeting on August 11th, Usher's Ferry.

Everyone's invited, including all of you.

There'll be more information on Save Morgan Valley Facebook page and the Save Morgan Valley.com.

Uh, we're finalizing the details in the next coming days.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Lee.

Roger Slade, here to talk about the safety committee.

So uh first off, I want to uh thank David Meyer here.

Um last time I spoke, I heard him talking to a group of people in the back of the room, and he referred to me as a Christian nationalist.

So thank you for that compliment, David.

As you know, CR Pride's family-friendly event at Newboard last month allowed the Satanic Temple to perform demonic rituals in front of children.

Again, and as you know, the satanic temple openly supports child sacrifice and has fought in court for the right to conduct their rituals at abortion clinics before children are murdered.

I expected our public safety and youth services committee to immediately recognize this threat to our kids.

Instead, you join them and supported them.

Scott Overlin, Dale Todd, Ashley Van Orney.

You're the committee members.

And obviously, that should disqualify you.

Prior to June 27th event, I confirmed with CR Pride that the Satanic Temple would be a vendor.

When I asked them and Nubo what they were doing to protect the children from being exposed to demonic activities, they went silent.

Because that's the purpose.

It's a criminal organization.

CRPD posted mugshots last week of child groomers.

Yet the city council proudly endorses and celebrates events tied to the same dangerous ideology.

This is criminal negligence, aiding and abetting.

Chief Dostel, I hope you're listening.

Mayor, last week you posted your data center sales pitch online.

It's time you use that same energy and make a post explaining why grooming children and partnering with the Satanic Temple every year is acceptable and make that open to public comment.

They can't comment on the stream.

Right now.

We just get censored.

Even gestures you saw were censored.

Also, next month you'll vote on renewing the flux surveillance system, which expires on Halloween.

Ironically, I strongly urge you strongly urge you to vote no.

You don't need to track someone, you get a warrant, follow the law.

Your dreams of a communist China style geofence, 15 minutes city of 2030.

Your campaign promise is not happening.

As a Christian nationalist, I want to remind you that your job is to serve the public, not your political party, not the devil.

But I understand if you'll sacrifice a child, you'll sacrifice anyone, including yourself.

Thank you, Mr.

Slade.

Robert Mullen here to speak on Data Center.

It says data center.

I'm not sure if you mean one or centers, yeah.

So similar concerns.

So again, uh, I share some of the same concerns that have already been voiced today by other concerned citizens.

Just understand the full impact to the community on our on our water, on our electric bills, a full study, as you know, Lynn County has put a moratorium uh for the next 18 months, I believe, or so on data centers.

I would just include just encourage, like if you want to lead this community to lead with transparency, right?

And so get it down on paper.

Help the community understand how what you're doing is benefiting us, right?

For the long term.

People are here for you know multiple generations.

They expect you, they're entrusting you as elected officials to represent them.

So I would also ask uh for you to look at the uh the approval process and how do you engage the citizens to make sure that they support what you're doing, right?

And so look at making ballot measures when you have big things like investments and supporting data centers, put those things out there for the citizens to vote on.

We're part of a democracy here who expect you to lead that and represent the people, as was mentioned in a few other uh speakers ago.

And then I think the other big concern is outside money.

Like transparency in politics today is at an all-time low.

Like, we we don't trust anyone.

There's very low trust, and how do you get trust is through transparency?

Transparency, I would include encourage everyone on this council to disclose any kind of financial information related to these dentists data centers, whether you're getting it personally, whether your campaigns are getting it, whether your favorite charity is getting it, wherever the money is going, and then what is it costing the citizenry?

Like you're drilling a bunch of new wells, right?

Who's paying for that?

How's the money flowing?

Just represent the people and do it in a way that's transparent, that we establish some trust and that you ensure the people that are electing you are supportive of what you're doing as leaders.

So I just really appreciate your time and consideration today.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Kelly Mullen here to speak on data centers.

Hello, thanks for your time.

I've never been here.

I have no idea what I'm really doing, but um, it started to get real.

These data centers are they're real, they're happening, they broke ground.

And I don't I don't understand the incentive.

And now I just listened to point 26, I believe.

That you guys are waiting for the market to figure itself out, but it hasn't, and this is why affordable housing is 450,000.

But like, aren't the data I'm on datacenters.com.

I am looking at the one that's um going to be it's the Google one at Edwood Road and Southwest and 76th Avenue.

It looks like uh this is covered.

They've they've already figured out they're working with partner, you guys have agreed to it, the city council, allegiant uh power, alliant power, got a partnership with them.

Um so it looks like if you if you go to this datacenters.com that this is gonna this is gonna solve all our problems.

We're gonna create hundreds of jobs and construction worker.

I mean, so what's with the housing shortage?

Like, I isn't that built into the plan.

I I don't understand the math, like the math doesn't, it's not working.

And just like anyone said it, if you're not concerned, who paid for you to agree?

Why did we have to vote on the casino?

Like that, everyone cared about that, but a data center, that's not the prior.

Does anyone know what these things do?

Are you allowed to answer questions even?

Is it pointless if I ask a question?

We can just maybe afterwards or something.

Okay, I'm just gonna know I'm like, are they just ignoring me?

Because I at this point we're just here to listen to your concerns, and we're happy to you can follow up with us, or we can follow up with you.

Yeah, because I'm just now curious, like lots, yeah.

But there's a ton of things that I had no idea walking in to hear the agenda items, but like you guys are asking for a lot of money to do a lot of things, and then manipulating the market, yellow light, one minute, I got it.

Um but then you go to the data center and it tells you like there's a whole section of who it serves, you know, the enterprises, the all it's it just sounds evil, and it sounds like you're purposely not being transparent.

I don't know when we agreed to this.

I didn't vote for this, I pay taxes, I have got no benefits from them, I pay for daycare.

Like it just sucks that I'm paying for tax, my taxes, my share.

I'm a good citizen, I'm a good neighbor.

And I don't know who's benefiting from any of this.

Because if you can't find people to be in your affordable housing, you're like manipulating the market, but the data center, it's gonna take that's just one of three.

It's the only one I had time to look at um today.

But I'll come back more prepared next time.

So thank you.

Thank you.

But it's too hard to listen to a whole five minutes in the air conditioning.

I had to come back because three minutes wasn't long enough to tell my story last time.

I drove all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, spent time with my friends, drive all the way back to be pulled over by a police officer here and accused of things.

Can I get out of my car now?

She's like, oh, sure.

So I jump out of my car and I take a photograph of my license plate light.

Lit up.

That's the reason I was pulled over.

So I yell at the cop that's jumping in his car.

Oh, it must have come back on.

I'm sorry.

I've been driving around this town since I was 16 years old.

I've worked on all my crappy little cars, and I never had license plate light, just go and come back on.

They also accused me of some pretty serious stuff, too.

Because they were like, oh, you know, you cross the middle yellow line, and oh, now your car smells like marijuana.

My problem is if I wasn't a whistleblower, if I didn't come up here and telling you guys all the time, if I didn't tell on that cop that that used to stalk me.

Would I be standing here with an OWI right now?

All on lies.

Would I?

Why was my license given back with my license plate light on?

I recommend everyone in this city to have dash cams, and I recommend everyone turn on their telephone and record any of their interactions with police officers.

Because I don't trust you guys.

You just got all these drones and all these body cams and all these cameras, but you go and erase your deeds.

Yeah.

Okay.

And that's gonna close out our second public input period.

City Manager Pomerance, do you have any communications for today?

All right.

If there's no further business to come before council, Councilmember Tyler Olson moves to adjourn, seconded by Councilmember Overland.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed say no.

And the motion carries.

We are adjourned.