Izabela Zaluska

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.

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.

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.

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.

A new performance venue part of a “multipurpose development” anticipated on Burlington Street in Iowa City is in the early design stages. Developer Marc Moen has been in discussion with local arts, entertainment and design people to help shape the direction of the new cultural venue.

The five supervisors unanimously voted down the sheriff’s request to buy a $240,000 Lenco BearCat armored vehicle to replace to larger one used since 2014.

The three-month program will help the selected entrepreneurs turn their ideas into a reality as they tackle potential solutions to issues in education, childcare and other topics.

The winter shelter opened this week, a month later than usual due to staffing challenges. Despite the challenges, Shelter House has not turned away individuals at its emergency shelter due to a lack of space.

The council was unanimous in supporting hybrid meetings during a discussion at its Tuesday night work session. The council also discussed how to connect with residents as the pandemic continues and how to handle disruption at council meetings.