Government notes: Coralville to move forward with estimated $50M rec center

The Coralville City Council is moving toward construction of a new recreation center — instead of renovating and adding onto the current center. The council made its decision after being presented with two options as part of a master plan adopted in August.

The new build plan is estimated to cost $50-55.4 million. The space would be 109,700 square feet and include three gymnasiums, an elevated track, a spa and three pools: a competition pool with spectator seating, a leisure pool and a recreation and community lap pool.

Community meeting rooms and strength, cardio and fitness rooms also would be available in the facility.

A funding source for the project has not been finalized.

The city in February announced plans to partner with the Iowa City Community School District to create a new recreation center and indoor competition pool, to replace the 50-year-old existing facility.

The new build concept will create an entirely new recreation center, to the east of the existing facility in ST Morrison Park. The plan is to have the existing center stay open throughout construction of the new building. It would then be demolished once construction is complete.

The other concept, which would have renovated and added on to the current facility, had an estimated price tag of $52-$56.2 million.

Coralville and the school district worked with Iowa City area architects Neumann Monson. Development of the master plan cost around $150,000. Those expenses were split, with the city paying $90,000 and the school district paying $60,000.

Earlier this year the city put out a survey asking for feedback on amenities residents want to see in the new building. The survey also asked how often residents use the center and whether they participate in rec center programming.

Cedar Rapids schools hosts meetings about College and Career Pathways

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Three informational meetings this week are open to families of current eighth-graders in the Cedar Rapids Community School District to learn more about a new College and Career Pathways program launching next fall.

The district is transitioning to a new College and Career Pathways program — beginning with Freshman Academies — that will “enhance students’ opportunities to engage in college and career readiness curriculum while developing transferable skills for the workforce, military or college,” according to a news release from the district.

These pathways will provide students with a “supportive, focused learning environment” where they can earn college credit or industry-recognized certifications.

These informational meetings are designed for middle school students, parents and guardians whose children will be directly impacted by these changes, but anyone is welcome to attend and learn about the College and Career Pathways Model.

The meetings will include information about the Freshman Academies, how this approach prepares students for success, and scheduling and class offerings.

Current 9-12th grade students will continue on their existing academic structure.

The meetings are being held:

Johnson County begins FY26 budgeting process

Johnson County is beginning its budgeting process for fiscal year 2026, and is planning a series of meetings that are open to the public.

Each year, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, coordinating with other county elected officials and department heads, conducts a budgeting process. The first meeting will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 9. Department-specific meetings will wrap up in February.

There will be two public hearings — one at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, and a second at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16. The board will discuss the budget at a work session at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, and will vote on it at the formal meeting which begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 24. County budgets must be filed with the State of Iowa by April 30, 2025.

All budget work sessions are in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building, 855 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. All budget work sessions will be livestreamed via the Johnson County website and Zoom. Check the website to confirm the schedule and view meeting agendas at bit.ly/jocomeeting.

The full schedule of Fiscal Year 2026 budget meetings is available at johnsoncountyiowa.gov/finance/budget-documents.

Linn County accepting Witwer Trust Grant applications

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications for the fiscal year 2025 Witwer Trust Grant Program. Eligible nonprofit organizations in Linn County may apply for grant funding for projects that benefit Linn County residents.

Find the online application, eligibility requirements, and a list of frequently asked questions at LinnCountyIowa.gov/Witwer. The application deadline is Dec. 15.

Funding for the competitive grant program comes from a trust established by Weaver Witwer, a prominent Cedar Rapids grocer and landowner who died in 1979. The trust provides $80,000 annually for this grant program.

Iowa City recycling containers relocated

Iowa City announced that the recycling containers previously located at South Riverside Recycling Center in Iowa City, 1200 South Riverside Dr., have been permanently moved to the new Sturgis Ferry Park Recycling Center, 1700 South Riverside Dr.

The new location is approximately one-half mile south of the existing location on South Riverside Drive on the same side of the street.

Materials accepted will remain the same: flattened cardboard, mixed paper and cartons, plastic bottles and jugs, metal cans/foil, and glass bottles and jars.

These recycling services are available to all service area residents living within Johnson County, Kalona, and Riverside.

For more information on recycling, visit icgov.org/recycle.

DNR awards fire assistance grants to 138 rural fire departments

Nearly $416,000 in 50 percent cost-share grants were recently awarded to 138 Iowa rural fire departments to help their efforts to protect Iowans and their property from wildfires.

The grants offer valuable funding assistance for wildfire suppression, personal protective and communications equipment.

The following Eastern Iowa fire departments will receive 2024 Volunteer Fire Assistance grants: Amana, Andover, Atalissa, Belle Plaine, Birmingham, Colesburg, Delhi, Denmark, Donahue, Elkader, Harpers Ferry, Hartwick, Hills, Jesup, La Motte, Lisbon, Luzerne, Manchester, Maquoketa, Marengo, Monticello, Montpelier, New Vienna/Luxemburg, North English, Norway, Olds, Olin, Oxford Junction, Oxford, Palo, Readlyn, Sigourney, Solon/Tri Township, Springbrook, Saint Olaf, Tama, Tiffin, Toledo, Tripoli, Van Horne, Vining, Vinton, West Union and Wyoming.

The grants are made possible through Iowa DNR Forestry, in cooperation with U.S. Forest Service — State and Private Forestry.

Fire departments are required to submit Wildland Fire Reports when they respond to wildland fires or provide assistance to a prescribed or controlled wildland fire. The reports are compiled locally and nationally and are reported to Congress.

Adventure Pass program suspended indefinitely beginning Dec. 31

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The Iowa Libraries Adventure Pass program will be suspended indefinitely beginning Dec. 31 due to the discontinuation of the program’s reservation software.

The adventure pass program allows cardholders at participating libraries across the state access to attractions such as the African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids, Reiman Gardens in Ames and the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines for free.

The suspension of the program will affect all participating libraries across the state. Program administrators are in the process of finding a new system to continue the service “as soon as possible.”

Any reservations already made for dates in 2025 will be honored. However, pass users are encouraged to print out any passes for 2025 by Dec. 31 as staff will not have access to print them.

Trust fund offers $2.9 million for affordable housing in Johnson County

The Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County is offering $2.9 million in funding to nonprofits, businesses, builders or developers, and government agencies to support affordable housing access.

The trust fund is offering funding for the creation or rehabilitation of rental units, owner-occupied and emergency or transitional housing in Johnson County. The housing would be for individuals under 80 percent of the area median income.

Anyone interested in applying can visit www.htfjc.org or call 319-358-0212. Applications for potential projects are due Jan. 3.

A minimum of $386,000 is reserved for housing projects within North Liberty.

Iowa City Mercer Aquatic Park gym resurfacing

Mercer Aquatic Park’s Scanlon Gym is undergoing a resurfacing project, beginning Monday. The project is expected to be completed by Dec. 15. The gym will be closed for the duration of the project.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Megan Woolard, Grace King and Sara Konrad Baranowski contributed.