116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Government Notes: Cedar Rapids, Marion homeowners may apply for funds to fix derecho-damaged homes
Also, Iowa City bus use up 53 percent in first month of fare free transit program
The cities of Cedar Rapids and Marion are now taking applications for federal funding to assist low- and moderate-income households with rehabilitating homes that were damaged in the 2020 derecho.
For Cedar Rapids’ Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program, the city was awarded $2.5 million through the Iowa Economic Development Authority to help homeowners in Cedar Rapids with remaining derecho-related repairs. The program is being administered by the East Central Iowa Council of Governments on behalf of the city and will remain accessible as long as there is sufficient funding.
The program can assist Cedar Rapids homeowners with up to $24,999 in project-related costs, or up to 50 percent of the pre-disaster assessed property value, whichever is lower.
In addition to fixing derecho damage, homeowners may be eligible for repairs to address safety issues, code corrections and lead-based paint hazards.
The following program requirements apply for Cedar Rapids residents:
- Home must be the household’s primary residence since March 20, 2023 and within Cedar Rapids city limits.
- Home must be located outside the 100-year flood plain.
- The household’s gross income must be at or below 80 percent of the area median income, which is $75,700 for a family of four.
- The property’s insurance, mortgage payments and taxes must be current.
- The recording of a forgivable mortgage on the property will be used to enforce occupancy for at least two years
Homeowners may apply and find more information on the program’s website, www.ecicog.org/derecho-rehabilitation-project.
Similarly, Marion is using funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act for an owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program. The city partnered with the Housing Fund for Linn County to fund the program, which can offer income-qualified Marion homeowners with up to $20,000 in assistance, with additional funding possible. Both interior and exterior repairs are eligible.
To apply:
- Applicant must be the homeowner and own the property on which the home sits.
- The home must be located within Marion city limits
- The home must be owner-occupied.
- The household’s annual gross income must be at or below 80 percent of the area median income.
The program is being administered by the ECICOG and will be open as long as there is sufficient funding available. Interested homeowners may visit www.ecicog.org/housing for more information or contact ECICOG at (319) 289-0060 or by email at deanna.robinson@ecicog.org.
Iowa City bus use up 53 percent in first month of fare free transit program
Ridership on city buses in Iowa City is up after the first month of Fare Free Iowa City, a pilot program that made all bus trips in Iowa City free.
The city reported last week that bus trips in August 2023 were 53 percent higher than August 2022. The total number of trips in August this year was 131,420. August 2022 had 85,672 total trips, for a total increase of 45,748 trips.
“We are thrilled to watch the community embrace the Fare Free Iowa City Transit program," Darian Nagle-Gamm, Iowa City's Transportation Director, said in a news release. "It's clear from the 53 percent increase in ridership that many more Iowa City residents and visitors are opting for transit, taking advantage of this convenient, safe, affordable, and sustainable mode of transportation."
According to the city, every full-time route — except the 7-North Dodge route — saw an increase in ridership. The routes with the biggest growth in ridership were 9-Towncrest, with an 81 percent increase; 1-South Iowa City with 76 percent; 11-Rochester with 73 percent; 13-South Gilbert with 68 percent; and 4-Downtown with 65 percent.
If you’d like help planning your bus trip, download the Transit app, call (319) 356-5151, email ICTransit@iowa-city.org; or visit www.icgov.org/busschedules. To learn more about Fare Free Iowa City, visit www.icgov.org/FareFree.
Cedar Rapids seeks input on Greenway Parks Plan
The city of Cedar Rapids will hold a public open house from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Ellis Clubhouse & Event Center, 1401 Zika Ave. NW, to seek input as staff look to update the original 2014 Greenway Parks Plan.
The city will ask for additional input on preferred park features and themes related to passive uses, active recreation, landscape types, connectivity and water access. Community members may provide feedback on all or some topics by attending the open house or completing an online survey available through Oct. 12 at www.CityofCR.org/GreenwayPlan.
“As construction on flood control is proceeding, we want to take an opportunity to review and revise greenway park plans as needed,” Parks and Recreation Director Hashim Taylor said in a statement. “We encourage past and new participants to provide us with input on desired park and recreation uses along the greenway.”
There will be no formal presentation at the open house, but staff will be available to discuss project details and answer questions. Input will be used to develop a draft plan for greenway parks, and additional feedback will be solicited once the draft has been created.
Residents invited to Cedar Rapids’ City Week open house
Residents of the city of Cedar Rapids are invited to an open house from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 11 at the City Services Center, 500 15th Ave. SW, to see behind the scenes of the City Services building, learn about different vehicles and equipment used by staff, visit with city staff and enjoy games and activities.
Children can climb in city vehicles and get a view of the equipment different departments use to keep the city running safely. Attendees can redeem a coupon in Mobile CR, the city’s mobile app, for a free Cedar Rapids T-shirt while supplies last. Other prizes and giveaways also are available. The event is open to residents of all ages. Visit Cedar-Rapids.org for more information.
Marion seeks participation in parking/wayfinding survey
As Marion pursues wayfinding and parking studies, residents and visitors may respond to an online survey to share input. The two simultaneous projects are intended to improve the user experience for both residents and visitors of Marion.
The first study will result in a wayfinding system designed to guide residents and guests to key locations throughout Marion using vehicular and pedestrian signage.
The second study will identify current and future parking needs for businesses, customers and residents of Uptown Marion.
The survey is now available at www.polco.us/marionIA and will be open through Oct. 15.
Participate in the Healthiest State Walk
Area communities invite residents to participate in the Healthiest State Walk this week.
In Cedar Rapids, the community may meet in front of City Hall, 101 First St. SE, at noon Wednesday and walk to Greene Square for a complimentary lunch provided by AARP.
Marion's Healthiest State Walk will begin at Marion City Hall at noon Wednesday. Mayor Nick AbouAssaly will give a brief welcome, then attendees will take a 30-minute walk on the sidepaths along Sixth Avenue. Participants may enter a drawing for a prize basket provided by the Marion Chamber of Commerce. The winner will be drawn at City Hall after the walk.
Marion honored for streetscape project
The City of Marion and its partners received the Project of the Year Award for transportation projects greater than $2.5 million for its two-year Uptown streetscape project that transformed the Seventh Avenue corridor into a festival street without curbs, improved accessibility and provided other infrastructure upgrades.
The American Public Works Association Iowa Chapter presented Marion with the award at its Fall Conference in Iowa City last week.
Learn about how Cedar Rapids schools approach student behavior
The Cedar Rapids Community School District is hosting a virtual community meeting Oct. 10, inviting participants to ask questions about how the district is approaching student behaviors without using physical restraint.
To register for the Zoom meeting, visit tinyurl.com/524xzeav.
Last year, the district settled with the U.S. Department of Justice after an investigation found that the school district inappropriately and repeatedly secluded and restrained students with disabilities as early as kindergarten in violation of Title II — which prohibits discrimination based on disability — of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Under the settlement agreement, the district has to limit its use of restraints, revise its restraint procedures and practices, and consistently implement those procedures and practices in all schools. All instances of restraint must be reported and evaluated and counseling and other services must be offered to students who are restrained.
The district stopped the use of seclusion in all school buildings and programs beginning Oct. 10, 2022, as a part of the settlement agreement. Seclusion rooms are used in many Iowa school districts as a last resort if students are at risk of harming themselves or others.
“The district has worked diligently with our school buildings to ensure that we are implementing approaches to student behavior that are evidence-based, positive and the least restrictive means of responding to each student,” district officials said in a news release Friday. “As a result, our efforts provide a heavy emphasis on prevention and de-escalation strategies such as truly knowing and understanding the reason for individual student behaviors, giving a student choices, listening to a student and encouraging/collaborating with the student to find a solution.”
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporters Marissa Payne and Grace King contribute.
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