Government Notes: Cedar Rapids contributes $50,000 to clock tower renovation

The Cedar Rapids City Council last week signed off on a $50,000 contribution of city hotel-motel tax dollars to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library for the repair of the existing museum clock tower and addition of an Orloj Clock.

Established in 1974, the museum preserves the historic and cultural heritage of the Czech and Slovak people in North America. Congress recognized it in 1992 as the official national Czech and Slovak museum and library.

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In celebration of the museum’s 50th anniversary, the museum is undergoing a project to repair the clock tower and add an orloj clock. This clock will be modeled after the famous Prague Orloj, a medieval astronomical clock attached to the Old Town Hall in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.

“The Orloj Clocktower will be a major tourist attraction for the entire historic and cultural district in an area that is undergoing revitalization,” according to council documents. “The Orloj along with adjacent projects will bring economic development to an area that qualifies for Community Reinvestment.”

Hiawatha to hold State of the City event

Hiawatha’s State of the City sponsored by the Hiawatha Economic Development Corp. will be held from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 22.

Crystal Group, 855 Metzger Dr., will host the event. City staff will take attendees on a tour of Hiawatha’s new Fire Station No. 2 at the end of the program.

Beverages and appetizers will be served starting at 4 p.m. The program begins at 4:20 p.m.

There will be updates on the city’s progress over the year. A panel discussion will focus on workforce issues and solutions. HEDCO Chair Emily Kaiser, Crystal Group CEO Aaron Maue, Hiawatha Mayor Steve Dodson, HEDCO Coordinator Liz Mathis and workforce panelists will deliver the update.

Businesses do not need a HEDCO membership to attend. To register and buy a $45 ticket, visit eventbrite.com (Hiawatha State of the City). Tickets may be purchased until the day before the event. Metro Studios will record the event with playback on the City of Hiawatha’s YouTube Channel and HEDCO’s website.

Marion mayor appointed to Iowa Finance Authority board

Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly was recently appointed to the Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors. The board oversees the state agency that works to finance, administer and advance affordable housing and homeownership as well as community and economic development.

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State board members are appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds and confirmed by the Iowa Senate.

Cedar Rapids hosting Back-2-School Bash

The Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department will hand out school supplies geared toward children entering kindergarten through fifth grade at the annual Back-2-School Bash on from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. July 27 at Old MacDonald’s Farm in Bever Park.

Admission is $5 per child ages 3-17. People must register in advance for program No. 103602-01 at CRREC.org, as a limited number of spots are available.

Participants will receive core school supplies including notebooks, markers, crayons, glue sticks, pencils and scissors. There will be activities and games with the Rollin’ Recmobile and Cedar Rapids Police and Fire Departments, inflatables, face painting, balloons and Old MacDonald’s Farm animals. Z102.9 will be there. Kona Ice will have cool treats available for purchase.

County health departments encourage early well-child screenings

Local health departments of Benton, Iowa, Johnson, and Linn counties are urging parents and guardians to schedule well-child visits for their children now — especially those entering kindergarten, seventh grade and 12th grade — so they meet state health requirements before starting the next school year.

Appointment schedules are already filling up in many provider offices, according to a news release.

Under Iowa Code, students attending licensed child care centers and elementary or secondary schools shall receive required immunizations and submit the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Certificate of Immunization, or have a valid certificate exemption, or provisional certificate to the child care center or school before the start of the school year. A certificate of vision screening and dental screening from the child’s primary care physician also may be required before the school year starts.

Well-child visits serve as an opportunity for health care providers to:

For more information on immunization and health requirements for school attendance, visit the Iowa HHS website or contact your local health department at:

Linn-Mar schools hosting career fair

The Linn-Mar Community School District is hosting a career fair 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at Indian Creek Elementary School, 2900 Indian Creek Rd, Marion.

Current openings include student support associates, nutrition services, bus drivers and riders and more, according to a news release from the district.

To learn more about the openings, visit the district’s human resources website linnmar.k12.ia.us/district/departments/human-resources.

Downtown Iowa City donation drive-thru

The City of Iowa City is partnering with local nonprofits to host a donation drive-thru Sunday, July 21, 12-4 p.m. on the lower level of the Chauncey Swan parking ramp.

All donations will go to nonprofit partners Table to Table, Antelope Lending Library, Crowded Closet and Houses to Homes.

The drive-thru also will offer recycling services for select items.

Items accepted for donation:

Donation items must be in good condition to be donated or they may be turned away by volunteers and event staff.

Items accepted for recycling:

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporters Marissa Payne, Grace King and Megan Woolard contributed.