Cedar Rapids City Council Meeting - July 14, 2026
Cedar Rapids City Council Meeting - July 14, 2026
The Cedar Rapids City Council met on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, to discuss and vote on multiple agenda items including speed limit revisions, infrastructure projects, economic development incentives, and a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month. The meeting also featured public comments on neighborhood associations, data centers, and police conduct.
Proclamation
- Councilmember Ann Poe read a proclamation declaring July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month, highlighting the benefits of parks on mental health, childhood development, economic prosperity, and community resilience.
- Jerry Kirk, Recreation Maintenance Manager, announced a comprehensive plan open house on July 14 from 4:30-6:30 PM at Jones Lodge and a picnic in the park on July 15 from 11 AM-1 PM at Green Square.
Public Hearings
- Speed Limit Amendments (Chapter 61): Traffic Engineer Carrie Paulie and Technician Luke Miller presented a review of 41 roadway segments leading to 21 recommended speed limit changes (8 decreases, 13 increases, 1 new). The ordinance also authorizes temporary construction zone speed limits. No public objections. Vote: Approved on first reading (moved by Councilmember Scott Olson, seconded by Councilmember Todd; all ayes).
- 3rd Street Southeast Pavement Rehabilitation: Project from 8th Avenue to 5th Avenue, estimated cost $590,000, includes resurfacing, curb/gutter, enhanced crosswalks, storm/water improvements. No public objections. Vote: Resolution adopted (moved by Councilmember Todd, seconded by Councilmember Van Orney; all ayes).
- FY27 Sanitary Sewer Point Repairs: Annual project, estimated cost $250,000, includes replacement of 167 feet of sewer main and seven manholes, correction of two protruding taps. No public objections. Vote: Resolution adopted (moved by Councilmember Van Orney, seconded by Councilmember Poe; all ayes).
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda included routine approvals such as railroad crossing and pavement work on 12th Avenue, and change orders. Vote: Approved (moved by Councilmember Overland, seconded by Councilmember Tyler Rolson; all ayes).
Public Comments & Testimony
- First Public Comment Period: Dorothy DeSouza Guedes raised questions about the consent agenda, including a railroad crossing project, change orders (noting 10% average expected, asking if city tracks cost increases by company), a property purchase at 1723 Ellis Boulevard NW for $350,000 (assessed at $86,900), and a public infrastructure reimbursement for a developer planning homes at 2x the average home price without affordable housing.
- Second Public Input Period:
- Dorothy DeSouza Guedes again spoke about neighborhood associations, requesting financial records for an ad hoc group claiming to represent Oak Hill Jackson.
- Timothy Pugh made disruptive, obscene comments and was escorted out after repeated warnings.
- John Lee (Save Morgan Valley) criticized the city's water supply plans to the Morgan Valley Power Plant, citing secrecy and NDAs. He announced a public meeting on August 11, 2026 at Usher's Ferry Lodge with water and air quality experts. He urged the council to hold open meetings and provide straight answers about long-term impacts.
- Roger Slade accused the council of endorsing events with the Satanic Temple at CR Pride, calling it a threat to children. He urged a "no" vote on renewing the Flock surveillance system and described himself as a Christian nationalist.
- Robert Mullen expressed concerns about data centers' impacts on water and electric bills, called for transparency, a moratorium like Linn County's 18-month pause, and ballot measures for major decisions. He asked council members to disclose financial ties to data centers.
- Kelly Mullen questioned the incentives for data centers, the math behind housing shortages, and lack of transparency. She noted she found information on datacenters.com and felt citizens were not consulted.
- A final speaker (unnamed) described being pulled over by police and accused of false charges, advising citizens to use dash cams and record interactions with police.
Discussion Items
- Item 22 – Downtown Sidewalk Repair: Eric Turnquist reported bids for FY26 downtown sidewalk repair (19 properties). Low bidder: Hunt Construction at $83,482.50 (engineer's estimate $110,000). Vote: Resolution adopted.
- Item 23 – Railroad Surface Crossing Improvements: Replacement of crossings at 1st, 2nd, 3rd Avenues SE at 4th Street SE, coordinated with Union Pacific. Low bid from Pierce Tobin Construction at $630,604.61. Vote: Resolution adopted.
- Item 24 – 7th Avenue at Cedar River Water Main: Installation of 1,000 feet of 16-inch water main to replace existing on 8th Avenue Bridge. Low bid from Langman Construction (Rock Island, IL) at $2,642,938.31. Vote: Resolution adopted.
- Item 25 – Redevelopment of City-Owned Properties at Ellis Blvd NW: Jeff Wosencraft presented a proposal from Win Enterprises (NICWEN) for three retail units and three residential lofts on three parcels (under half acre). Staff and stakeholder review group unanimously recommended approval. Vote: Resolution adopted.
- Item 26 – Single-Family Subdivision Incentives (Underwood Ave): First use of the city's new single-family home subdivision program. Scott Mather presented a 60-lot, three-phase project with $3.9M public infrastructure, 50% rebate ($1.95M) via TIF. Homes estimated $400,000-$450,000. Developer committed to reduce lot costs (estimated $40,000 vs $70,000 typical). Council discussed precedent and need for housing. Vote: Resolution adopted.
- Item 27 – Affordable Housing Incentives (20th Ave SW): PedCorp Investments proposed 192 affordable housing units (1-3 bedrooms) at 60% AMI, eight buildings, $30M project. City incentive: 15-year 100% tax abatement, estimated $6.7M rebated of $8M total taxes. Council member Van Orney noted need to inform school partners. Vote: Resolution adopted.
- Item 28 – Zone Change (2400 37th Ave SW): Ordinance granting change from agricultural to suburban residential low single-unit district. Approved on second reading, then rules suspended and adopted on third reading. Vote: All ayes.
Key Outcomes
- All public hearings were held with no objectors from the public.
- Consent agenda and all regular agenda items (22-28) were approved by unanimous votes.
- The council approved the first use of the new single-family home subdivision program and a major affordable housing tax abatement.
- No action was taken on public comments, but the council listened.
- A disruptive speaker (Timothy Pugh) was removed from the meeting.
- John Lee announced a public meeting on August 11, 2026 regarding water supply to Morgan Valley Power Plant.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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