Government Notes: Cedar Rapids high schoolers can apply to first Mayor’s Youth Conference

Cedar Rapids-area high school students may apply to attend the city’s first Mayor’s Youth Conference — an initiative aimed at educating youth about local job opportunities.

The conference will take place Oct. 9 at the downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE.

Participants will spend the day exploring area educational and career opportunities, networking with the next generation of young professionals and learning how they can grow in Cedar Rapids after graduation.

“We have a responsibility to guide our youth to success and empower them to become leaders who will shape our community,” Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said in a statement. “The Mayor’s Youth Conference will bridge the gap between uncertainty and the bright future that awaits high school graduates right here in Cedar Rapids.”

Registration is free and open to students entering their sophomore, junior or senior years this fall. Those who want to attend are encouraged to apply soon as capacity is limited. Applications are on the city website at CityofCR.com/MYC.

“This event will be a steppingstone for our youth, an investment in their personal and professional development, and an opportunity to become part of the next generation of leaders in Cedar Rapids,” O’Donnell said.

Cedar Rapids seeks money for Cedar Lake trails

The city of Cedar Rapids is seeking $500,000 from the Iowa Department of Transportation to support development of the trail network around Cedar Lake.

The city plans to add approximately 7,000 feet of 15-foot wide trail, 3,000 feet of a pedestrian walking path and 600 feet of fishing trails, running from Shaver Road NE around the west side of the lake. A trail head will be added with parking, according to Cedar Rapids City Council documents.

All trail elements would comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The trail enhancements would connect with the National American Discovery Trail, regional Cedar River Trail, local CeMar Trail, Cedar Lake Loop walking path and the local on-street bike network.

“This area acts as a connection hub to the expansive trail network and will grow economic development.,” council documents stated. “These improvements will create place-making and improve quality of life for the residents of Cedar Rapids.”

This amount would cover roughly 30 percent of construction costs.

Improvements to the trail network coincide with the city’s permanent flood control system construction in the area, including a levee being built at Cedar Lake.

The grassroots ConnectCR project — which will add a pedestrian-bike bridge over the Cedar River and revitalizing Cedar Lake — also is aimed at revitalizing the area.

C.R. City Council signs school resource officer contracts

The Cedar Rapids City Council last week approved a new contract for the upcoming school year for school resource officers — police — in schools.

With two members absent, the nine-member council unanimously approved the contract, which was on the consent agenda and approved without discussion. The contract runs July 1 through June 30, 2024.

The contract was approved by the Cedar Rapids school board in a 6-1 vote June 12, with Dexter Merschbrock opposing.

Last year, school board and council members were at odds on how to proceed with school resource officers. City officials opposed removing them from middle schools, but the school board proceeded with reducing the number of officers in schools from seven to five and no longer having them patrol middle schools.

Meanwhile, Cedar Rapids Community School District leaders plan to examine the district’s disciplinary practices and how students are supported on campus as Superintendent Tawana Grover — who joined the district in April — looks to her first full year at the helm.

The council also approved an amendment to the city’s contract with the College Community School District to add one additional school resource officer to its program.

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Johnson County joins Middle Iowa River watershed authority

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors last week voted unanimously for the county to join the Middle Iowa River Watershed Management Authority.

This is one of the state’s newest watershed management authorities and has a goal of addressing pollution in the Iowa River watershed. Supporters hope it also can reduce the flow of sediment into Coralville Lake, which threatens the future of recreation there.

The watershed management authority runs from Marshall County to Johnson County, encompassing 10 counties, 33 cities and 10 soil and water conservation districts. North Liberty is among the cities that has already joined.

The nonprofit Friends of Coralville Lake has been advocating for a watershed management authority as a potential solutions to the increased sedimentation in the lake. The lake’s volume has decreased from 492,000 acre-feet when it was built in 1958 to 421,000 acre-feet in 2000.

If nothing is done, the Army Corps of Engineers has said the lake could become unusable for boating and other types of recreation within 20 to 30 years.

Once the watershed management authority is official, one of the next steps is to apply for the watershed management plan grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Utility rates increase in Iowa City

Utility rate increases are now in effect in Iowa City.

The water rate will increase by 4 percent, or about $1.42 more per month per home. The wastewater rate will increase by 2 percent, which is about 75 cents more per month.

There will be a $2 per month increase for the refuse and recycling rate, as well as a 50 cent per month increase for the stormwater rate.

These changes are part of the city’s fiscal year 2024 budget, which went into effect July 1. The Iowa City Council approved the budget earlier this year.

Penn Meadows north lot closing Wednesday in North Liberty

The north parking lot at Penn Meadows Park in North Liberty will be closed beginning Wednesday beginning as the city expands the lot.

The $1.85 million project will improve connectivity and add a second entrance, increasing parking to 252 stalls and trail connections, along with improving stormwater drainage. Completion is expected by mid-November, with seeding next spring.

The North Liberty City Council approved the project in May.

The park’s other amenities, including ball fields, tennis courts, playground and shelters, will remain open. Parking is available on the south side of the park, accessible from Dubuque and Cherry streets.

New English test for students with cognitive disabilities

A new assessment test is available for students with significant cognitive disabilities who are learning English, according to a news release from the Iowa Department of Education.

The new assessment is called the Alternative English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century. Iowa is one of nine states in the nation to be the first to use the assessment through a federal grant, according to the news release.

“We are really excited about the assessment,” Terri Schuster, a consultant at the Iowa Department of Education, said in a news release. “We’ve been doing field tests in schools, and everyone really likes what they see.”

The alternative assessment enables students to answer the questions in their most familiar communication mode.

“The communication mode might be an eye gaze, sign language or a communication device,” she said. “The assessment offers a whole range of possibilities in order to take the assessment.”

Training for administering the alternative test is expected to be widely available to educators by the spring.

An existing assessment test was created for the general student population and doesn’t provide tools for educators to assess the progress of students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Anamosa schools launch virtual academy

The Anamosa School District is launching a new virtual academy for grades 7 through 12 this fall.

The program will be operated by Edgenuity, an online learning platform, according to a news release Students will be responsible for weekly check-in meetings with the online student group and a program supervisor.

All courses offered to middle and high school students in-person might not be offered through Edgenuity. However, the district is working to expand classes offered online.

Students enrolled in the Anamosa Virtual Academy also will have the opportunity to take classes on-site or at Kirkwood Community College. They also can participate in extracurricular activities.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporters Marissa Payne, Izabela Zaluska and Grace King contribute.