The Cedar Rapids City Council met on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM (ending after 6:00 PM) to consider a range of items including major public hearings on animal control ordinance overhaul, a $123 million bridge replacement project, and several development incentives. The meeting began with a proclamation declaring October 11, 2026, as Cedar Rapids Marion Crop Hunger Walk Day.
This meeting of the Cedar Rapids City Council will come to order. Welcome everybody to the Cedar Rapids City Council meeting for Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026. I'd like to welcome our uh deputy city manager Angie Charper here today, our city clerk, our city attorney, and thank you as always to city staff for being here and available for citizens should they have questions after. And a reminder to those of you here in the gallery to turn off any cell phones or electronic devices that might distract us from our meetings today. And as a reminder, the city uh the city council must have an orderly meeting. So we'll ask you in advance to review the rules of conduct for persons in attendance that are available for you to read at the entry as well as projected onto the screens during the comment periods. Disruptions to council proceedings will not be tolerated. Please note that city council meeting agendas, minutes, and videos are also available on our city's website. Regular sessions are also available to watch live and on replay via Facebook Live. So we'll begin now with an invitation by public safety chaplain Jim Coyle, followed immediately by our Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Mayor. Council. God, we thank you for another opportunity for the city to learn and to grow. And I ask that you would bless the decisions that are being made today. And uh may we just all uh come together as one. And I pray these things in your name. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic of Stan. Liberty. All right, we'll begin today with a proclamation on the Cedar Rapids and Marion Crop Hunger Walk. So I'd like to invite anyone who's here on behalf of the Crop Walk to please join Councilmember Anne Poe here at the Daisy. Thank you for being here. This is a proclamation for the city of Cedar Rapids, whereas hunger and poverty continue to affect millions of people throughout the United States and around the world, including individuals and families in our own community. In Iowa, approximately one in six children and one in eight adults experience food insecurity, demonstrating the continuing need for compassion, action, and community partnership to ensure that everyone has access to sufficient nutritious food. And whereas the 54th annual Cedar Rapids Marion Crop Hunger Walk, to be held Sunday, October 11th, 2026, brings together people of all ages, faith traditions, and backgrounds to take action against hunger locally and globally. And whereas a portion of the funds raised through the Crop Hunger Walk remains in our community to support local food pantries, meal programs, and other organizations working to alleve hunger and food insecurity. And whereas local faith-based congregations and many other community partners have demonstrated long-standing commitment to addressing hunger and serving our neighbors through the Crop Hunger Walk and other hunger relief efforts. And whereas the Crop Hunger Walk is more than a gathering of people in one place. Therefore, I, Anne Poe, on behalf of Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell and the entire Cedar Rapids City Council do hereby recognize and hereby comput um hereby proclaim Sunday, October 11th, 2026 as Cedar Rapids Marion Crop Hunger Walk Day in the City of Cedar Rapids as Cedar Rapids Marion Crop Hunger Day walk. And encourage all residents to support the 54th annual Crop Hunger Walk. Participate in its activities and join with neighbors in the ongoing work to reduce hunger and poverty in our community and throughout the world. No one in this world should be hungry. Thank you, Ann. Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell, David Meyer, and members of the City Council. For proclaiming Sunday, October 11, 2026, that's Crop Walk Hunger Day. This is our 54th crop hunger walk, 54th annual crop hunger walk. So for the past 53 years, our chapter has raised over a million dollars for to relieve hunger. And 25% of that money is returned to three local food programs. Churches of Marion Food Pantry, Lynn Community Food Bang, and Green Square Meals. So one in six children and one in eight adults still do not have enough to eat. And so we hope that you come and support us on Hunger Walk Day, Sunday, October 11. And we appreciate that Councilmember David Mayer will be reading the proclamation at the walk. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. We'll now get underway with public hearings. So I'll remind everybody who wishes to speak today, whether during a public hearing or during uh the public comment or public input periods of a few matters to ensure that we have an orderly meeting. First, remain at the lectern. If you have any documents you want to share with us, please give them to the officer. He will get them to us.