Government Notes: Cedar Rapids Police Department receives ‘gold standard’ accreditation

The Cedar Rapids Police Department recently received its second certification for advanced law enforcement from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

The city received the certification at a July 28 commission hearing and at a July 29 ceremony in Oklahoma City.

The accreditation is the gold standard for public safety agencies and represents a commitment to professional, accountable and verifiable policies and procedures.

Five city representatives accepted the honor: Acting Police Chief Tom Jonker, Accreditation Program Manager Sherri Hawkins, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz, City Council member Dale Todd and Officer Michael Hass.

“Accreditation is a symbol of the dedication to excellence of the entire Cedar Rapids Police Department to our community,” Jonker said in a news release. The commission’s accreditation, he said, “ensures our techniques and policies are on the cutting edge of modern policing and helps us attract the best possible officer applicants.”

The certification is completed on a four-year cycle and takes into account a department’s compliance and performance across a range of measurable proficiencies, according to the city. Every part of the department is evaluated by independent law-enforcement professionals.

Cedar Rapids seeking mural designs for traffic signal boxes

The Cedar Rapids Public Art Commission is seeking local artists to design vinyl wraps to be put on traffic signal control boxes in the Westdale area.

The goal is to improve the appearance of public spaces in highly visible areas and to foster a welcoming environment — a goal in the Westdale Area Action Plan.

A stipend will be awarded the artist selected for the project. Information about applying for the project is on the city’s website, cedar-rapids.org. Applications are due by 3 p.m. Aug. 18.

The Westdale Area Neighborhood Association will be involved in selecting and working with the artist, whose designs are intended to reflect the neighborhood, according to a memo from the city manager to City Council.

The artist’s designs will be sent to a contractor to create the vinyl wraps. The project is to be completed by the end of the year.

The murals will be put on traffic signal control boxes at Williams Boulevard and 16th Avenue SW; and on Wiley Boulevard at 20th Avenue SW, 16th Avenue SW, Wilson Avenue SW and Williams Boulevard SW.

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Work continues on Prairie 9th Grade Center

Construction and renovation are in full swing this summer for the College Community School District’s 9th Grade Center, which was previously the Prairie Creek Intermediate School at 401 76th Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids.

The renovations to the 9th Grade Center and the construction of the new fifth- and sixth-grade building — which opens to students this month — were part of the $54 million bond issue that district voters approved March 3, 2020.

Renovations to the former Prairie Creek building — designed to accommodate 9th grade students and those in Prairie Delta, the district’s alternative school — will be completed for the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Highlights include a front office addition with a new secured entrance, an enclosed connection from the 9th Grade Center to the high school cafeteria, remodel of the west science classrooms into a band and choir area, updated finishes throughout the existing classrooms, restrooms, library and hallways, renovation of the old study hall to a professional learning space, and safety upgrades throughout the building.

Prairie Delta will have a separate entrance on the south side of the building.

“I am excited to see the continued progress on this project,” Holly Palmersheim, new principal of the 9th Grade Center, said in a news release. “Our goal has been to provide our ninth-graders with a space that best facilitates learning and the opportunities Prairie has to offer as they begin their high school journey.”

“Our relocation to the 9th Grade Center will provide more programming opportunities for our students,” said Kane Thompson, the district’s at-risk programming administrator and administrator of the Prairie Delta site. “The new location provides students with more connections to career pathways which will help meet their individualized learning needs.”

Iowa City recognized again for financial reporting

For the 38th year in a row, the city of Iowa City has received the certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

The Government Finance Officers Association awarded the certificate to the city.

The certificate is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. It was established in 1945 to encourage state and local governments to exceed minimum accounting requirements by preparing reports that provide transparency and full disclosure to residents, according to a news release.

The annual financial report shows the city’s actual income, expenses and financial position. The fiscal 2022 report is available on the city’s website at icgov.org/budget.

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