The panel reviewing Cedar Rapids’ charter moved to more clearly define that a conflict of interest includes nonfinancial benefits, but opted to study ranked choice voting before deciding whether the city should look to switch its electoral system.
The Cedar Rapids City Council this week approved tax incentives for two new warehouses in the southwest quadrant for Hy-Vee and Worley Warehousing.
With the Country Club’s expansion receiving the OK from five voting City Council members, questions remain over whether the city should tighten language in its ethics policy guiding how the part-time elected officials declare conflicts of interest
After City Council tabled action to allow time to meet neighbors’ concerns, the Cedar Rapids Country Club’s expansion plans are on the agenda for the council’s 4 p.m. Tuesday meeting.
With four of nine City Council members recusing themselves from voting on the Country Club’s expansion plans, five voting members tabled consideration of the project to give the Country Club more time to meet conditions addressing neighbors’ concerns
At least four of nine Council members may recuse from voting on the Cedar Rapids Country Club’s expansion plans, raising questions about how the part-time officials declare conflicts of interests when city business intersects with private lives.
Frew Development is seeking workforce housing tax credits to support a $34 million housing project to add 200 units as part of the Westdale Mall redevelopment. City Council also OK’d projects in NewBo, the northwest quadrant and former TaxAct site.
The city is preparing to distribute hotel-motel tax revenue to nonprofits, which will reboot a funding source that was halted at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. But there will be some changes to the grant application process.
Prompted by a contentious and costly local election cycle, the panel reviewing Cedar Rapids’ charter is exploring whether to recommend doing away with runoff elections and instead establish ranked-choice voting -- should Iowa lawmakers allow it.
The Charter Review Commission now has until June 30 instead of May 1 to complete its review of the city charter and consider recommending changes such as language to adopt ranked-choice voting if it becomes allowed under state law.
The redevelopment of long-vacant city-owned property known as First and First West will start this spring, bringing a mix of restaurants, housing, a Big Grove and other uses online now that the City Council has approved a development agreement
Council will consider rezoning land and right-of-way vacation for Cedar Rapids Country Club expansion plans. The proposal worries some who fear increased traffic, light pollution, and impacts to the area’s historic character.
The City Council has extended its contract with VeoRide, the vendor that owns and operates Cedar Rapids’ bike and scooter rental program. With the deal comes changes intended to promote safety and reduce the amount of clutter of the devices.
Love them or hate the devices, the City Council is slated to consider keeping electric scooters and bikes. The city may OK a three-year contract extension with VeoRide for the device rental program with changes to address safety and clutter concerns.
The citizen panel completing a once-a-decade review of Cedar Rapids’ charter anticipates extending the deadline to recommend changes to the city’s foundational document to leave ample time to review and weigh feedback.
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