Government Notes: Cedar Rapids City Council signs off on UTV ban

The Cedar Rapids City Council last week gave final approval to a ban on utility task vehicles — or UTVs — on streets inside the city of Cedar Rapids.

Under the new Cedar Rapids ordinance, which is now in effect, all-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, golf carts and snowmobiles are not allowed to operate on city streets, right-of-ways and other public property.

A state law enacted in 2022 allowed cities to regulate usage of the vehicles.

There are exceptions allowing use of the vehicles for survey by a licensed engineer or land survey, by emergency personnel or by a governmental entity or political subdivision in the course of employment duties, such as Park Cedar Rapids’ work downtown.

Private parties could use them for snow removal on their sidewalk and driveway apron. A licensed business also could use them for landscaping, maintenance, and snow removal, but the vehicles would need to be taken by trailer to the location where work is contracted.

Allowable uses of a snowmobile under Iowa code also would be permitted, such as upon city highways that have not been plowed during the snow season.

Those who violate the ordinance would be penalized with a traffic citation. According to the city, total fines and court costs would be:

Retired Cedar Rapids police chief honored at RoughRiders game

Recently retired Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman was honored in March as the Geico Philanthropic Difference Maker for the year at a Cedar Rapids RoughRiders hockey game.

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Jerman’s career in law enforcement began in 1974 when he started as a dispatcher for the Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department. In 2012, he came to Cedar Rapids, where he was sworn in as the city’s 43rd police chief. He retired last April after he aged out of his certification when he turned 66 years old in March 2023.

His accomplishments included the creation of the Police Community Action Team, a specialized unit with an emphasis on community and neighborhood issues, as well as the Police Chief’s Advisory Committee. He led the establishment of a partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness to provide training and assistance to officers through the Crisis Intervention Team, which responds to incidents involving mental health crises.

In 2022, the Iowa Police Chiefs Association named Jerman the Law Enforcement Executive of the Year.

At the hockey game, he was presented with a personalized RoughRiders jersey and rode on a Zamboni as a thanks for his service to the community.

Iowa City seeks input on redevelopment of downtown lot

The City of Iowa City is seeking community input on the redevelopment of a vacant, city-owned lot at 21 S. Linn Street.

The city purchased the property for $4.5 million in July 2023. The property formerly housed a U.S. Bank drive-through. It also was previously the site of city hall, which was demolished in 1962.

“Through the acquisition of 21 South Linn, we can work to identify the exact uses that we would like to see on that property,” City Manager Geoff Fruin said at the time of the purchase. “We can identify some high level goals and partner with the private sector to develop that in a way that's going to add some long term stability and vibrancy to downtown Iowa City.”

Residents are invited to share their experiences in the downtown area and their thoughts on the redevelopment project, which is targeted as a mixed-use development and public-private partnership.

The City is offering several options for residents to submit feedback:

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In partnership with the Iowa City Downtown District, downtown visitors and pedestrians in the area of 21 S. Linn can also text “Hello, 21 S Linn” to 1-319-346-3443 to share their thoughts on the proposed project.

Residents are asked to submit feedback using one option by May 1. Resident feedback will be used to help the City understand what type of building uses and benefits are needed to meet the needs and desires of the community.

Cedar Rapids mayor to deliver State of the City address May 23

Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell will present the State of the City address at noon on May 23 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cedar Rapids Convention Center in the Exhibit Hall, 350 First Ave. NE. The event will be hosted by the City of Cedar Rapids.

Doors open at 11 a.m. Lunch service begins at 11:30 a.m. O’Donnell’s State of the City address starts at noon.

Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Luncheon reservations cost $75 per individual and $750 for a table of 10. Visit CityofCR.com/SOTC for more information and to reserve a table. A limited number of free, reserved seats are available upon request by emailing communications@cedar-rapids.org. A recording will be available for viewing online after the event.

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Accessible parking is available in the Convention Center Parking Ramp, 361 First Ave. SE. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of procedures to participate, should contact Rachel McCracken at 319-286-5148 or email r.mccracken@cedar-rapids.org as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event. TTY users may also call 711 (Iowa Relay Service).

Clear Creek Amana High School receiving Carrie Chapman Catt Award Monday

Clear Creek Amana High School will be presented with the Carrie Chapman Catt Award Monday from Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate. The award goes to any school that registers at least 90 percent of eligible students to vote.

The high school registered 94 percent of eligible senior students to vote. They are one of 126 high schools in Iowa who have signed up to participate in the program, and one of 39 high schools who have met the requirements to receive the award.

This is the high school’s first year receiving the award.

The Carrie Chapman Catt Award is named after the famous Iowan who was instrumental in securing the passage of the 19th Amendment, granting woman access to the ballot box 100 years ago.

Clear Creek Amana schools names new elementary school principal

Clear Creek Amana High School’s dean of students Ryan Paulson was named the first principal of the school district’s new elementary school, East Ridge Elementary.

The school is located on 30 acres of land west of Coral Ridge Avenue and east of the intersection of Interstate 380 and Highway 6 in Coralville.

“I am eager to begin my work as principal of East Ridge Elementary, where I will be working with an amazing instructional staff moving from Oak Hill Elementary with a history of consistent classroom success,” Paulson said in a news release. “I am most excited about working with our students and developing the next generation of school and community leaders.”

Before coming to the Clear Creek Amana Community School District four years ago, Paulson was a high school social studies teacher in the Waterloo Community School District.

His wife, Joanna, is an English Language Learner teacher in the Clear Creek Amana School District, and they have two daughters in the district.

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