Izabela Zaluska

The Iowa City Council increased membership of the community police review board from five to seven and also decreased the waiting period before a former police officer may be appointed to the board.

The Iowa City Council on Tuesday unanimously agreed to require all farmers market vendors carry liability insurance. Previously, only grilling vendors were required to carry that insurance.

“So far, so good” for the first week of rolling out four electric Proterra buses in Iowa City. Meanwhile, Cedar Rapids officials plan to assess at least a few years of data from pilot programs before deciding how to move forward.

The North Liberty City Council voted at its last meeting to fill a council vacancy by special election instead of appointment. The vacancy was created when Chris Hoffman took office as mayor and resigned from his council seat.

Demolition work started Thursday morning on The Mill. The demolition is another step in the new plans for a multipurpose development at the 120 E. Burlington St. location.

The North Liberty City Council at its Tuesday evening meeting unanimously approved a site plan for Field Day Brewing Company, another endeavor for restaurant owner Brian Flynn.

The four-week “Behind the Badge” program is a shorter version of the Citizens Police Academy, which will not take place this year due to the pandemic.

The Johnson County compensation board is recommending a salary increase of 18 percent for elected officials in an effort to remain competitive with other counties’ increases and respond to state law changes.

Sheriff Brad Kunkel said the program, which has a targeted start date of April 1 and is funded with pandemic relief dollars, continues the county’s effort to find ways to divert people from jail and reduce the jail population, while also keeping victims safe.

The discussions surrounding the proposed $194 million fiscal 2023 budget will be some of the toughest the council has had due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and state property tax reforms, City Manager Geoff Fruin told council members earlier this month.

Lance Cpl. Gabe Heefner has “progressed a lot” since arriving at a rehabilitation hospital in Chicago two months ago but has likely plateaued, his father told The Gazette. The family hopes a cranioplasty surgery will “jumpstart his recovery.”

Iowa City property owners are reminded to clear the full width of the sidewalk of any snow and ice within 24 hours of a snowfall to avoid getting fined. Individuals who are out of town should make arrangements to have their snow cleared.

Johnson County has been developing its direct assistance program intended to help low-income residents impacted by COVID-19 or previously excluded from pandemic relief payments.

The Iowa City Council unanimously approves a taxing district in the city’s South District that will be used to spur economic development.

Last month, the city launched a yearlong effort — “Connected to Tomorrow” — to gather public input and build a vision for the city in 2040. Residents can get involved by taking a survey or participating in the first in-person opportunity on Wednesday, Jan. 19.