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Government Notes: Cedar Rapids receives $6M grant
Also, Clear Creek Amana considering cellphone policy
Nov. 4, 2024 5:30 am, Updated: Nov. 4, 2024 9:24 am
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Cedar Rapids will receive $6 million in federal funding to replace the Eighth Avenue Bridge, which is a key segment of the city’s permanent flood control system.
The funding — part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bridge Investment Program, which was established in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — was announced last week by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, who supported the act.
In April, Grassley announced the bridge project had received $56.4 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Costsaving Transportation (PROTECT) grant program.
The new bridge, called the “Arc of Justice” Bridge, is estimated to cost $76.1 million. it is a single-pier cable stayed bridge that will be elevated above potential floodwaters. It will limit the need to evacuate areas behind the completed flood control system, improve trail access and expand connectivity across the river.
The city likely will enter into a contract for the bridge construction by the end of 2026. Construction likely will start in spring 2027 and take three years. The bridge's completion is necessary for final certification of the east side.
In addition to the Cedar Rapids bridge, Washington County will receive $38.6 million to remove and replace seven bridges in Washington, Hamilton, Buchanan, Jones, Cedar and Monroe counties.
Clear Creek Amana considering cellphone policy
The Clear Creek Amana school board is considering a new policy that would prohibit the use of personal electronic devices — which includes cellphones, headphones and other Bluetooth devices — by students during instructional time.
The policy was reviewed by the school board last month and is continuing to undergo revision at a policy committee meeting Wednesday, at 5 p.m.
The school board is working to develop a cellphone policy based on information from the Iowa Association of School Boards and survey data collected by the district.
The draft of the policy states that students should feel connected to their educational environment and to others in the school community. “Technology has advanced peoples’ ability to connect with one another across a variety of virtual platforms and, when used appropriately, adds value to the learning environment,” according to the policy.
Students will continue to have access to district-owned electronic devices during instructional time as needed and authorized by the classroom teacher, according to the policy.
Students can continue to wear smart or electronic watches, but cannot use any communication applications or features prohibited from use on other electronic devices and all notifications must be turned off.
Students who violate the policy may face disciplinary consequences. The superintendent and building administrators will develop administrative regulations in accordance to the policy.
The policy is in draft form and has not yet been adopted by the Clear Creek Amana school board.
Clear Creek Amana is the latest of many Eastern Iowa schools exploring adopting new policies around cellphones.
At least 13 states have passed laws or enacted policies that ban or restrict students’ use of cellphones in schools statewide or recommended local districts enact their own bans or restrictive policies, according to an analysis by Education Week. While Iowa is not included in that list, many local school districts are pursuing action on their own.
The Clear Creek Amana Community School District includes the communities of Tiffin, Oxford, Amana Colonies and the western edge of Coralville and North Liberty. There are about 3,200 students in the district.
Cedar Rapids breaks ground on infrastructure improvements
Cedar Rapids city officials gathered Friday for an official groundbreaking on major improvements to the city’s aging wastewater treatment system, located at 7525 Bertram Rd. SE.
The $348 million project will modernize the city’s wastewater treatment and curb its environmental impact.
Cedar Rapids has $36.7 million cash on hand to use toward the project, while $318.7 million would be covered by issuing new debt. Cedar Rapids will rely on a 20- to 30-year loan through the State Revolving Fund, which received funds through the bipartisan infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden.
The city has been increasing rates for consumers in recent years in anticipation of having to pay for the upgrades.
In September, city officials gathered with Acting Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Bruno Pigott to announce the State Revolving Fund money. At the event, Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said the project will help make Cedar Rapids a “hub for industry, a reliable partner for businesses of any size” and a “destination for families.”
The long-awaited construction kicks off following nearly a decade of preparations.
“In all my time with the city, Utilities has never taken on a project of this magnitude,” Director of Utilities Roy Hesemann said in a news release. “Over the course of the next 5 years, the improvements to our Water Pollution Control Facility will bring many new features and updates; bringing much of our antiquated equipment up to date and working toward our goals as part of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.”
Construction at the plant is anticipated to end in 2029.
Iowa City, Cedar Rapids offer free Election Day bus transportation
Residents in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City can use free city bus transportation to get to their polling locations on Election Day Tuesday.
In Cedar Rapids, buses will run during regular hours, from 5:30 a.m.-7:15 p.m. Rides will be free to everyone. Riders will not be required to prove voter registration or destination in order to ride for free.
“We hope providing this service to residents will help remove transportation as a barrier, giving those interested the ability to vote,” said Transit Manager Brad DeBrower.
For help planning a Cedar Rapids Transit trip, visit the City’s website: CityofCR.com/Transit.
In Iowa City, bus transportation is always free, including Tuesday for Election Day. Transit riders are encouraged to locate their polling place before boarding the bus. Riders who need help determining the best route to their precinct can use the city’s polling place transit guide at icgov.org, or use the Transit app or call 319-356-5151.
Polling locations are open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday. To determine your polling location, or for more information about elections, visit the Iowa Secretary of State’s website at sos.iowa.gov.
Mount Vernon schools seeking volunteers for roundtable meetings
The Mount Vernon Community School District is seeking volunteers from the community, school board, student body and school employees to hear district needs and help make recommendations and provide feedback on upcoming decisions.
In a newsletter Friday, Superintendent Matt Leeman said the roundtable is an opportunity for stakeholders to learn more about the district through agendas they’ve helped create. It’s an opportunity to learn more about how the school district operates and functions.
The goal is to engage more people in the district and increase participation from the community. The meetings will be hosted and led by the superintendent and other school leaders when topics arise in their expertise.
Meetings will be held from 6-7 p.m. in a location yet to be determined by participation numbers. The first meeting will be Dec. 4. At least three meetings will be held during the 2024-25 school year.
The application deadline is Monday, Nov. 18. Participants will be notified by Friday, Nov. 22, via email of their application’s acceptance.
To apply, visit mvcsd.org, and find the link in the November 2024 District Newsletter.
Tiffin to host Community Input open houses for proposed rec center
Tiffin will host two open houses at its city hall, 300 Railroad St., on Nov. 12 and 20 from 6-7 p.m. for the public to review proposed plans for a recreation center.
The city is looking for resident feedback and staff and council members will be present at the open house to answer questions.
The current plan includes two full sized basketball courts (with the option for four smaller courts), a batting cage and turf area, cardio and weight equipment and a free weights area.
The basketball courts also could be used for volleyball or pickleball games.
The rec center also would include a walking track on the second floor overlooking the gym space and studio exercise rooms.
In addition, a locker room, community meeting space and some Foosball and ping pong tables would be added.
The proposed location for the rec center is near the soccer fields by the roundabout on South Park Road.
The initial phase of the project is expected to cost around $8 million. The city plans to cover the operational cost of the facility through memberships. Capital costs would be paid through the city’s 1-cent local-option sales tax.
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Megan Woolard, Grace King and Sara Konrad Baranowski contributed.