Government Notes: Marion to pursue $600K City Hall renovation project

The city of Marion is moving forward with a $606,000 City Hall renovation to “refresh” the nearly 20-year-old building.

Marion City Council members last week approved the project cost and awarded the construction contract to Garling Construction, the lowest of three bidders to try for the project. Work will begin in January with substantial completion expected in June of 2026.

The Marion City Hall building at 1225 Sixth Ave. was constructed in 2006. The renovation will primarily focus on the strategic organization of city departments within the building and the enhancement of both public accessibility and employee safety.

“There’s a few relocations. We’ll move some walls, add some offices … and (this) also provides additional conference room space that we’re definitely in need of,” said Deputy City Manager Kim Downs.

As a result of the upgrades, the Community Development Department and the IT Department will move to the first floor while the City Manager’s Office, Finance Department and Human Resources division will move to the second.

The reorganization allows for the most public-facing departments to be on the first floor while also allowing for a comprehensive review of all work spaces to implement modern safety measures across departments.

Cedar Rapids City Council OKs historic landmark for former school site

A former Cedar Rapids elementary school is now officially considered a local landmark, protecting the structure’s historic facade for years to come.

The Cedar Rapids City Council last week approved the final reading of an ordinance to dub the Arthur Elementary building at 2630 B Ave. NE a local landmark.

In addition to formally recognizing the structure’s significance, the designation comes with requirements around historic preservation review before any changes can be made to a building’s exterior to protect the original historic character and guard against future demolition.

  Buy Photo

The Eastern Iowa Arts Academy, which owns the former elementary school, applied for the designation just months after the grand opening of its new facility at the former school site.

The nonprofit, which provides low- and no-cost arts programming, purchased the Arthur building last year following the district's 2022 decision to decommission the school to maximize operational efficiency.

The building has since been transformed into the main hub for the nonprofit’s programming and is home to everything from art classes and band rehearsals to recording studios and a fiber arts club.

The local landmark designation does not come with any additional requirements for interior alterations, so Eastern Iowa Arts Academy can continue with ongoing efforts to renovate the space and increase accessibility.

Linn County residents invited to budget feedback session

Linn County is seeking resident feedback as staff begin the budgeting process for fiscal year 2027.

Residents and stakeholders are invited to a county-facilitated budget forum today at 5 p.m. to share feedback directly with the Linn County Board of Supervisors.

The forum will take place at the Linn County Public Service Center, 935 Second St. SW in Cedar Rapids, and county staff will be available to provide general information on the budgeting process.

The county holds more than 20 public budget meetings each year, although tonight’s is particularly useful for collecting feedback early on in the budgeting process.

Those who cannot attend can review a meeting recording online at the Linn County website, and more general information is available to residents on the county’s fiscal year 2027 budget planning site.

Third-party review of Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control to be released next year

  Buy Photo

The expected publication of a third-party operational review of Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control has been pushed back following an “amazing response” rate to a citizen survey about the facility.

City staff say the plan will now be available at some point in January 2026, a delay from initial plans to release the results this fall. The timeline was reportedly extended to accommodate “significant” public input from surveys and focus groups.

The city launched the citizen survey last month for compilation alongside additional independent findings from Matrix Consulting Group, a third-party consultant hired to complete the review.

Upward of 1,300 responses were received by the time the survey closed Oct. 31, which Matrix told city staff was an “amazing” response rate.

The city launched the operational review this summer following ongoing staffing issues at the city-run shelter, irregular hours and other operational concerns.

The final report will provide an overview of all Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control operations, as well as identify any immediate improvements and/or long-term investments needed to maximize future performance.

CJ Flynn joins Hiawatha City Council after successful write-in campaign

CJ Flynn has officially joined the Hiawatha City Council after clinching a write-in win on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Flynn was sworn in Wednesday at the City Council’s regular meeting. All Hiawatha City Council members represent the city at large, rather than specific wards or districts.

  Buy Photo

He replaces Bill Bennett, who in February was appointed to fill a vacancy created by former City Council member Aime Wichtendahl’s departure to join the Iowa Legislature. Bennett’s appointment ran through the Nov. 4 election, where candidates were able to run for the remainder of Wichtendahl’s original term.

No candidates formally filed, but Flynn secured the seat after getting the most write-in votes. He ran a campaign focused on “balanced, forward-thinking representation” to promote sustainable growth across the city.

He will now serve out the remainder of Wichtendahl’s term, which runs through the end of 2027.

C.R. schools extends agreement with virtual mental healthcare provider

A virtual mental healthcare provider will provide free care to students in the Cedar Rapids Community School District for an additional two years.

An agreement between the Cedar Rapids Community School District and Hazel Health was extended through the 2026-27 school year to continue providing free mental health services to students at no cost to the district. The Cedar Rapids school board unanimously approved the agreement last week.

The district initially entered into a partnership with Hazel Health in August 2024 through a one-year grant program.

The partnership was the result of a $1.5 million investment from health benefits company UnitedHealthcare into providing the technological infrastructure needed for expanding access to mental health care for K-12 students across Iowa.

Students in the Cedar Rapids school district can access Hazel Health services by contacting their school counseling office. Hazel Health therapists will be available to create personalized, evidence-based, age-appropriate programs for each K-12 student they serve.

Structures to be demolished on C.R. schools land

The Cedar Rapids school board last Monday approved a contract for the demolition of structures on land purchased by the district in January.

The contract is a $44,700 agreement for Midwest Demolition to demolish structures, remove septic tanks and decommission wells at 1 Tauke Ln. Cedar Rapids.

The project is being funded by the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy. This levy is funded by property taxes levied and collected by the school district and can be used for the purchase and improvement of grounds; purchase, construction and remodeling of buildings; and major equipment purchases.

Demolition will begin no later than Feb. 27, 2026, according to the contract.

The land is part of almost 50 acres purchased by the district in January for $7.5 million. It is earmarked as the location of a future middle school. There are no current plans in place to build a school or plans for how construction would be funded.

The property, which was purchased for about $3.39 per square foot, cost drastically less than other property for sale on the northeast side of town, Cedar Rapids district’s operations director Chad Schumacher said in an interview with The Gazette this year.

Johnson County launches pilot community Narcan program

Johnson County Ambulance Services is launching a “Narcan Leave Behind” program meant to provide members of the community with access to opioid overdose reversal medication.

  Buy Photo

Members of the community are encouraged to visit either Johnson County Ambulance Services, at 808 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, or the Guidelink Center, at 300 Southgate Ave. in Iowa City, during business hours to receive a Narcan kit.

The kit includes a two-dose intranasal naxolone, name brand Narcan, and printed addiction recovery information and resources. Community members will also receive a brief training on recognizing the signs of overdose when picking up a Narcan kit.

The program is free to members of the public and no identification or demographic information is required.

“This program reflects JCAS’s commitment to providing proactive, hands-on solutions to save lives,” Paramedic Field Operations Supervisor Andreas Wilz said in a news release. “By increasing accessibility to Narcan, we’re empowering community members to act quickly in an emergency and help prevent avoidable tragedies.”

The program is funded in partnership with the Iowa department of Health and Human Services and Bureau of Emergency Medical and Trauma Services.

Anyone who needs additional training or needs a Narcan kit delivered is encouraged to call 319-356-6013.

“This is another example of how collaboration between EMS, public health, and our community partners makes Johnson County a safer, more prepared place to live,” Wilz said in the release. “Every Narcan kit distributed represents another potential life saved.”

Iowa City seeks public input on North Market Square park

The City of Iowa City is asking for the public’s input on the upcoming North Market Square Park renovation project.

The project, to be completed in the summer of 2026, will replace the playground equipment, build new sidewalks and add artificial turf in the open play area.

The project is estimated to cost $300,000 and is part of the city’s larger park master plan completed in 2017. Iowa City Community School District is partnering with the city on the project, recognizing that the playground is frequently used by students at Horace Mann Elementary.

Community members are invited to fill out an online survey that will be open through Dec. 2 at 5 p.m.

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