City of Cedar Rapids

The City Council met in a Special Session, closed pursuant to Iowa Code Section 20.17(3), which exempts strategy meetings of public employers from the Iowa Open Meetings Law. The sole discussion topic involved collective bargaining strategy.

The City Council meeting included several public hearings concerning amendments to the Municipal Code Zoning Chapter 32, updates regarding Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership programs for the upcoming fiscal year, and approvals for amendments to the Urban Renewal Plans for the Consolidated I-380 Corridor and Central Consolidated Urban Renewal Areas. Several Development Agreements were authorized for housing redevelopment projects along Ellis Boulevard NW, and for a mixed-use redevelopment project at 611 2nd Avenue SE. The Council also approved plans, specifications, and estimated costs for the South Hoosier Lift Station and Force Main Improvements project. Other key actions included approving fee increases for Parks & Recreation and Golf Division amenities, establishing a two-way stop control, accepting work for the 35th Street NE Pavement Reconstruction project, setting future public hearing dates for various items including code repeals, property dispositions, and development agreements, awarding contracts for the Westside Library FF&E project, approving financial incentives for the Garfield Elementary School redevelopment, and adopting an ordinance amending the Cedar Rapids Central Reinvestment District Plan.

The key discussion topic for this special session of the City Council was the goal setting process for the Council.

The City Council meeting included several public hearings and agenda items. Key discussions involved amending the Cedar Rapids Central Reinvestment District Plan, approving the acquisition of easements by ITC Midwest via eminent domain for a transmission line project, and authorizing the disposition of City-owned property to Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity for housing construction. The Council also addressed proposed plans and estimated costs for infrastructure projects, including the Tree of Five Seasons Park and 1st Street NE Two Way Conversion, Cedar Lake Amenities Playground Equipment Package, and Westside Library FF&E project. Further actions included adopting work plans for the Active Transportation Advisory Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and Public Art Commission for 2026; authorizing execution of limited amendments to utility license agreements; approving assessment actions for cleanup costs and delinquent utility bills; accepting subdivision improvements and associated maintenance bonds; awarding contracts for pavement rehabilitation and tank reconditioning projects; authorizing financial incentives under the Community Benefit Economic Development Program; and establishing the Rose Cottage 2 Urban Revitalization Area.

The City Council meeting included several public hearings and discussions on various agenda items. Key topics involved the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Amendment, which addressed changes to revenue and expense projections, fund transfers, and adjustments related to capitalization definitions. The Council also considered Amendment #1 to the Rose Cottage 2 Urban Revitalization Area. Further agenda items covered initiating a Request for Proposal (RFP) for property disposition at 604, 614, and 620 I Avenue NW, considering two voluntary annexation requests (4750 Woodview Drive NE/3920 Emerson Avenue NE and 76th Avenue/Tissel Hollow Road), reviewing plans for the 42nd Street NE Pavement Improvements Project, and adopting plans for the Mt. Vernon Road and Wilson Avenue Tank Reconditioning Project. Additionally, bids were reviewed for the Ellis Road NW at Rawson Lane Sanitary Sewer Improvements.