Q&A with Cedar Rapids City Council candidate Scott Olson

Scott Olson is running for the District 4 seat on the Cedar Rapids City Council. He is an incumbent. Here are his answers to a survey we sent to all of the candidates.

Occupation & Employer: Semi-retired real estate broker/Architect (R)

Why are you seeking a seat on city council?

During my 11.5 years on the City Council, I have worked to show leadership; accepted committee assignments on finance/administration, Linn County Solid Waste Agency & Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization. I have been an active voice in moving the city forward from flood & derecho recovery to a strong & vibrant city. As a 62 year resident, I have had the experience & drive to get things done while maintaining a focus on what really matters - MAKING CEDAR RAPIDS A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

What are the three largest issues facing the community and what will you do to address them?

As reflected in the latest city council strategic plan update, my priority issues are very similar:

1) Affordable housing will require our council to be part of a coalition of local, state and national efforts. With inflated construction costs and high interest rates, it will take a broad base of funding sources and local partners to create truly affordable housing options. I have been and will continue to develop the broad based options needed to create housing. New housing coming on line over the next 6 months include almost 40 units developed by the city and Willis Dady.

Homelessness is a growing national problem. Our 125-150 living outside of shelters is more than ever but it is a number that can be reduced with city, county and non-profits working together. That effort is underway with my full participation. We can provide way to transition homeless to a sustainable future for those in need.

2) Paving for Progress is working to provide better streets for the future funded by a 1% local option sales tax that was extended for an additional 10 years. The best part is we are paying cash versus interest bearing bonds, 30% is paid by individuals living outside Cedar Rapids and 70% plus is being spent on long neglected residential streets.

What is most exciting is that street conditions throughout the city are improving as verified by our bi-annual lasering of all 650 plus miles of city streets. This computer analyzed data provided to city staff allows them to adjust the street repair plan every 2 years versus making road projects a political decision. Its success was confirmed by a 70% voter approval to add 10 more years to the program.

3) The flood protection system is just over 1/3 completed. It has become more expensive due to inflation. Thus, it is important we look at ways to complete the system with cost effective adjustments. When completed, the savings in flood insurance to our property owners will be substantial and the protection will be forever to our great city and future residents.

What do you see as the greatest affordable housing needs, and how could the city facilitate more affordable housing options for homeowners and renters?

This is more than the shortage of units available which is occurring all over the country. Until interest rates lower and construction costs retreat, it will be difficult to create new units unless the city provides large incentives or state/national grants are available.

On top of that, we are a growing city with many job opportunities which is continuing to create higher rents and higher residential sale prices.

Even though we are ranked as one of the most affordable cities in America, we are still out of reach for many of those in need.

As homelessness increases in Linn County, what solutions would you plan to explore to expand or streamline services and housing access for those experiencing homelessness?

As our homeless population has expanded, we have many services available to them. One is a transitional housing program to give homeless and near homeless time to find a sustainable future and job opportunities. The city, county and agencies are working to create permanent housing options versus overnight shelters. We have landlords and non-profits willing to offer housing with long term government rental funding to those who are willing to move from the streets to a permanent space of their own. Even with our increasing numbers, a program like this will dramatically help many of those who are homeless.

What do you see as priorities when it comes to the city's economic development? In what areas do you think the city has growth potential? What's most at risk and what would you do about it?

The city has an aggressive and growing talented economic development team in the city manager’s office.

By teaming with other agencies like the Economic Alliance, we can continue to grow our community in a variety of diverse sectors.

An even bigger issue is filling the many job openings, due to our growing industrial/business sectors and retiring baby boomers.

Cedar Rapids is ranked as a top 15 fastest growing midsize cities in American.

To continue that trend, we need to create and attract additional workforce.

As local partners work to finalize the updated Downtown Vision Plan, what would you say are the greatest needs to revitalize Cedar Rapids' downtown? How would you propose taking action?

The downtown, after the pandemic, does require a much needed update to the Vision Plan. It is likely that less people will work downtown and more people will live there. With over 1,000 apartment units coming on line through renovations and new construction in the next 2 years in our downtown core, evening and weekend amenities will be developed as evidenced by the First on First development. In my opinion, older areas of the core need improved maintenance so that people working, living and visiting downtown have a positive experience.

The city needs to provide resources to maintain public infrastructure teamed with the SMIDD and downtown property owners to maintain our services and amenities. To be a successful city, we need to have a quality, vibrant downtown core.

Since passing its community climate action plan, which calls for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Cedar Rapids has taken steps to implement the plan such as creating community gardens. Are there other things you'd like to see the city do to address climate change?

The city was one of the first in the state to have a climate/sustainability staff member. His effort in 2021 to develop the city’s first Community Climate Action Plan is making a difference to city efforts to address climate change. The city is pursuing solar on public buildings, creating more energy efficient buildings, planting trees and making all of city equipment more energy efficient. I believe we are a powerful example to the state and nation.

City Manager Jeff Pomeranz is 65, and has not indicated any plans to retire yet. It seems possible the council members elected this year would be involved in appointing his successor sometime during their term. How would you approach the task of selecting the person who runs day-to-day operations of the city and implements the policy you set on council? What traits are most important to you in the next city manager?

As we have with any city department directors and their key staff, we set the expectation high and search the state, region and nation to attract top talent. That will be a tested city process through a selected recruiting firm to bring us the best and brightest candidates. The next city manager will need to show creativity, experience, management talents for a city with diverse business base and the ability to manage a team while building employee skills. Our successes in Cedar Rapids under Jeff will make this future job opening very attractive to national city manager talent.

Recent state legislation has challenged local governments' budgets. If you had to cut the city's budget or reduce proposed spending, what areas would you look to for savings and why?

The new state legislation will be limiting future city budgets throughout Iowa. To meet the demand for services needed in a growing city, it will require cost saving measures in all facets of city government. We have the right team in place to bring creative ways to address reduced funding without jeopardizing the quality of services our citizens expect. It will create hard decisions for the city council and staff but we have shown - through floods, a derecho and a pandemic - that we are up to the task.

What options do you think the city could pursue to fill gaps in the transportation network (buses, bikeways/trails, streets), especially to support low-income households, those without easy access to a vehicle, and/or people with mobility issues?

We have long adopted the Complete Streets program that emphasizes a creative and complete network of sidewalks and bus access that services all our citizens. The city is providing a strong transit system that is constantly adjusting routes and timing to serve those needing transportation in cooperation with Linn County’s LIFTS program. All of our buses are designed to serve those with mobility issues. Working with Linn County Trail Association and others, we are continuing to expand access to bikeways and trails for all our citizens to enjoy while planning for future connections to make it even better.

The Corridor MPO is funding the cost of a scanning unit that will allow us to measure trail conditions annually so we keep the ever expanding system well maintained and safe.