116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Government Notes: Cedar Rapids opens new roundabout on Mount Vernon Road
Also, meet the Marion police chief finalists at Wednesday open house
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A lengthy construction project has wrapped up on Cedar Rapids’ Mount Vernon Road.
After long-lasting traffic disruptions, the city recently opened a new roundabout to traffic on Eighth Avenue/Mount Vernon Road SE and the surrounding streets near Mercy Medical Center.
The Eighth Avenue SE & Mount Vernon Road reconstruction project between Eighth and 14th streets began in 2023.
In addition to the roundabout, improvements included reconstruction of the roadway within the project limits; installation of raised medians with aesthetic improvements; and the replacement of sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water mains. Further, ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps with pedestrian beacons were installed at the roundabout crosswalks.
Per a city news release, a few work items still need to completed outside of the travel lanes, and plantings are scheduled for the fall.
Meet the Marion police chief finalists at Wednesday open house
Marion residents have a chance this week to meet and provide feedback on the four finalists vying to become the city’s next police chief.
The city will host a community open house from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Lowe Park Arts & Entertainment Center, 4500 N. 10th St.
The event will take place in a come-and-go format with no formal presentations. Residents will be able to converse with the finalists and are invited to share their feedback with the city through a brief survey.
The city is seeking a new department lead to replace former Marion Police Chief Mike Kitsmiller, who retired this spring. Finalists include one internal and three external candidates:
- Chad Nott, deputy chief at the Marion Police Department. Nott was named interim chief after Kitsmiller’s departure.
- Douglas Riniker, chief deputy at the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
- Jeremy Sprague, lieutenant at the Des Moines Police Department.
- Schonella Stewart, commander at the Oak Park (Ill.) Police Department.
Hiawatha to host ‘State of the City’ address
The Hiawatha Economic Development Corporation will host the annual State of the City address next month.
The annual address will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at McGrath Hyundai, 1040 N. Center Point Road in Hiawatha, according to a city-issued press release.
The event will follow the theme “Hiawatha’s 75th Birthday: Reflecting its Past, Present and Future” to honor the city’s recent 75th anniversary.
Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham will present the keynote address with additional remarks from Hiawatha Mayor Steve Dodson and Hiawtha Economic Development Corporation Chair Emily Kaiser.
Speakers’ remarks will focus on the evolution of economic development in Hiawatha and the broader Cedar Rapids region, as well as notable projects and ongoing initiatives.
The event is open to the public, although tickets must be purchased ahead of time. Tickets are $50 each and can be reserved at bit.ly/StateofHiawatha.
Water feature activated in Marion’s Central Plaza
Marion’s Central Plaza project is one step closer to completion with the activation of a summer water feature.
The city recently activated the dancing water feature, which runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily in City Square Park to help area residents beat the summer heat.
The interactive display was installed as part of the larger $8.35 million Central Plaza renovation that celebrated substantial completion this spring. Other improvements include the addition of an interactive play sculpture, extra seating, public art and more.
The water feature is a seasonal amenity, and it is located in a concrete loop that can be transitioned into additional seating during the spring and fall.
In the winter months, the space will undergo yet another transition to offer a refrigerated ice loop where visitors will be able to rent skates to glide around the oblong sheet of refrigerated ice.
Linn County now taking appointments for vehicle title transfers
The Linn County Treasurer’s Office is now taking appointments for vehicle title transfer services.
The new online system is meant to streamline the title transfer process and reduce wait times. Walk-in service will still be offered, although appointments are preferred.
When an appointment is made, visitors will be asked several questions and provided a list of documents to bring to the appointment based on the answers. Visitors will then receive automatic appointment reminders via phone.
Currently, appointments are only available for vehicle title transfers, and other Treasurer’s Office services will continue on a walk-in basis.
To schedule an appointment for a vehicle title transfer, visit the Linn County Treasurer’s Office website.
Johnson County launches pocket prairie program
Through a partnership between Johnson County and the Master Gardeners of Johnson County, homeowners in unincorporated parts of the county can add a pocket prairie to their property.
Eligible homeowners can apply online. If selected, homeowners must attend a training workshop and commit to prairie maintenance for three years.
In return, homeowners will be given enough pollinator plants to establish a 10-foot by 10-foot pocket prairie. Pocket prairies are small gardens filled with pollinator plants that help to provide habitats for pollinators and improve soil health
Coralville begins Phase 4 of 5th Street reconstruction project
Beginning Monday, part of Fifth Street in Coralville is closed from the Fifth Street and Seventh Avenue intersection on the west, to east of the Coralville Fire Station near city hall.
The Fifth Street reconstruction project is part of Coralville’s plans to reconstruct the street from 12th Avenue to 20th Avenue in phases. In addition to the reconstruction of the streets, the project also includes adding wider sidewalks, water mains and storm sewers as well as trees and other landscaping.
The project began construction in 2024 and is expected to be completed sometime in 2026.
New district leadership begins at Linn-Mar
The Linn-Mar Community School District is welcoming six people into new leadership roles this month.
Anne Faber is joining Linn-Mar as the new executive director of student support services following the retirement of Melissa Frick.
Faber comes to Linn-Mar from the Cedar Rapids Community School District, where she worked as director of special services since 2016.
New principal of Linn Grove Elementary School Colleen Fangman replaces Lori Manley, who is moving to a new role in the Linn-Mar district.
Fangman previously worked for the Cedar Rapids district and most recently served as an associate middle school principal and early learning program administrator.
Manley will serve as the district’s new director of elementary teaching and learning following the retirement of Karla Ries.
Chris Fechner is replacing Tonya Moe as athletic director following Moe’s move to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.
Fechner most recently was the district’s assistant athletic director and previously worked as an engagement specialist at Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids.
Associate athletic director is Dan Hammes, who brings more than 17 years of experience to the role in athletic administration, coaching and operational leadership.
Chad Lang is the new director of high school teaching and learning following the retirement of Mark Hutcheson.
Lang has worked at Glenwood Community School District as the assistant superintendent of school improvement and human resources since 2021. He also has experience as a district activities director and assistant middle school principal in Missouri.
Iowa City receives financial reporting award
For the 40th consecutive year, Iowa City has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. It is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.
The award was bestowed by the Government Finance Officers Association for the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, ACFR, for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024.
The ACFR is the document prepared after the fiscal year ends to report the city’s actual income, incurred expenses, and financial position in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The FY2024 report is available at icgov.org/budget.
Annual financial reports submitted to the program for consideration for the award are reviewed by selected members of the GFOA professional staff and Special Review Committee, comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector financial reporting.
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Grace Nieland and Megan Woolard contributed.
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