Government Notes: 6th Cedar Rapids city department wins accreditation

Cedar Rapids now has six accredited city departments.

The Code Enforcement Division in the city’s Building Services Department is the latest department to win accreditation, he ninth agency in the nation to attain the distinction.

The five other accredited departments are fire, police, parks and recreation, public works and the public library.

Accreditation — similar to that achieved by colleges and hospitals — is a lengthy process and attaining it is a badge of professionalism and accomplishment.

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“Six departments within a municipal government to have earned accredited agency status is a rare feat,” City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said in a statement.

“Accreditation serves as a valuable resource for our departments and the entire city in delivering the highest standard of professional and accountable services to our community,” he said. “This accomplishment reflects the dedication and commitment of our skilled staff to improve the quality of life in Cedar Rapids and serve our residents.”

In attaining accreditation, the Code Enforcement Division met or exceeded 50 scoring standards, set by the American Association of Code Enforcement, in administration, professional development, enforcement, case management and other categories. It tied for the top score in the nation among accredited agencies, earning a four-star accreditation.

The division has five code enforcement officers, seven rental housing inspectors, an administrative assistant and a code enforcement manager. It began the accreditation process in early 2023.

The division created a code enforcement policy and procedure manual, codes of ethics and of conduct, and a field training manual to promote equitable code enforcement. All code enforcement staff are certified by the International Code Council in the International Property Maintenance Code, which is the foundation for the city’s own Housing and Property Maintenance Code.

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“Accreditation attests to our Code Enforcement Division's commitment to delivering excellent services for Cedar Rapids,” Building Services Director Kevin Ciabatti said.

“A four-star rating … recognizes our staff's hard work and adherence to industry standards,” he said. “It also reflects our ongoing efforts to safeguard the community's health, safety and welfare. I am proud to work alongside such talented colleagues, who contribute daily to improve our community.”

During the accreditation process, city staff developed 51 new policies and procedures, including obtaining consent and securing a warrant, standardizing photographic evidence, creating administrative citations and investigation of unregistered rental properties.

“This process demonstrated the organizational health of our city government,” Code Enforcement Manager Greg Buelow said in a statement. We had outstanding support from numerous city departments in making our successful accreditation application.

“Accreditation is about the process and affecting change, enhancing professionalism and improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. This was a significant team-building exercise and learning experience that will position the Code Enforcement Division to excel over the next several years.”

Training set for Iowa City Climate Ambassadors

The Iowa City Climate Ambassador training program is seeking applicants who want to become local climate action leaders. The program is intended to empower effective climate change leaders within the Iowa City community.

As local leaders, ambassadors will:

Ambassadors participate in an eight-week course that involves a mix of online, self-paced learning modules and weekly group meetings with fellow trainees. The first meeting will take place on Zoom. Other meetings will take place in-person at city buildings. Meetings are scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays.

The training runs from March 7 to April 18, with a break on April 11. Group meetings last between 1.5 and 2 hours.

The meetings will be guided by staff from the city’s Climate Action and Outreach Division. Ambassadors can expect to spend two to three hours per week on training activities.

The program will take applicants through Feb. 18. To learn more and to apply, visit the Climate Ambassador's webpage on the city’s website, icgov.org.

If not selected for the upcoming training session, applicants will be alerted when the next application window opens in case they would like to reapply.

Early voting begins for Linn-Mar, Marion PPEL request

Requests are now being accepted from residents in the Linn-Mar Community and Marion Independent school districts ahead of the special election March 5 on renewing the school districts’ Physical Plant and Equipment Levy.

Voters wishing to receive an absentee ballot must complete a request form found at linncountyiowa.gov/842/7130/Vote-By-Mail.

All ballot requests must be received by the Linn County Auditor’s Office by 5 p.m. Feb. 19. Completed ballots must be returned to the Auditor’s Office or ballot drop box before the polls close at 8 p.m. Election Day to be counted.

In-person absentee voting will begin Feb. 14 at the Auditor’s Office, 935 Second St. SW, during regular business hours and end at 5 p.m. March 4.

Voters need to show a valid ID before casting their ballot.

Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 5. Voters can find their polling locations online at sos.iowa.gov/elections.

On the ballot is the renewal of Linn-Mar and Marion school district’s Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, of PPEL. The levy provides the districts with funds that can be used only for infrastructure and equipment repairs, purchases and improvements.

Linn-Mar and Marion school districts each have had voter-approved PPEL in place for more than a decade. If the measures are approved in March, PPEL would be extended through 2035 at the existing rate of $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable property value.

More than 83 percent of Iowa schools rely on a PPEL to provide funds to address projects like roof repairs, HVAC system maintenance, school security and transportation upgrades.

A PPEL must be renewed every 10 years by a school district’s voters for it to continue.

United Way taking appointments for tax preparation

United Way of East Central Iowa has opened its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance center and is making appointments over the phone.

Appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis by calling (319) 382-5685 Monday through Thursday.

To be eligible for the free service, people must be a resident of Linn, Jones, Benton, Cedar or Iowa counties and earning less than $64,000 per year as an individual or family.

Last year, VITA volunteers donated more than 500 hours and filed more than 200 refunds, according to United Way.

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