Government Notes: Cedar Rapids releases draft plan for community gardens

Following in-person public engagement events and online surveying last fall, a draft of the Community Garden in Parks Plan has been completed.

The draft plan document is available here and includes an overview of the planning process; concept plans for potential future garden sites; and discussion regarding the management of the garden program, including plot fees, maintenance, operations, programming, community partnerships and funding opportunities.

Residents may offer feedback online. Community Development staff held an open house for the plan at NewBo City Market earlier this month.

TreeKeepers classes start March 28

Marion-based nonprofit Trees Forever is offering a four-part class series to help people become effective environmental volunteers.

The nonprofit’s TreeKeepers classes for those in the Corridor will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays from March 28 to April 18. The $30 class fee ($15 for students) includes all sessions and class materials, a T-shirt, light snacks and refreshments.

Night One: March 28 at Ushers Ferry Lodge, 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE in Cedar Rapids

Night Two: April 4 at Ushers Ferry Lodge, 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE in Cedar Rapids

Night Three: April 11 at Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center, 4500 10th St. in Marion

Night Four: April 18 at Taube Park, 2200 31st St. in Marion

TreeKeepers will learn about:

To learn more and register, visit treesforever.org/treekeepers/.

Johnson supervisors express support for Iowa City schools’ preschool program

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors last week unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Iowa City Community School District’s preschool program plan.

The school district is working on a plan to expand preschool and wrap around services for its students and is asking local municipalities to help fund the new program.

Johnson County supports the project and will consider how to best provide financial support as the project moves forward, according to the resolution approved Thursday.

The supervisors heard a presentation from the district early last month. District officials said the program would cost between $4.4 million and $5.5 million, depending on enrollment.

Local municipalities would be responsible for covering $1.7 million, which would be divided up depending on the projected number of students from each area.

The municipalities listed in addition to the county include North Liberty, Coralville, Iowa City, Hills and University Heights. Johnson County would be responsible for the number of students living in unincorporated areas of the county.

The Iowa City Council will be discussing the preschool program at its work session Tuesday.

Johnson supervisors likely to increase wages for county employees, elected officials

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors discussed an additional wage increase for county employees and elected officials in the fiscal 2024 budget.

During last week’s work session, Supervisor Lisa Green-Douglass said county wages have not kept up with the high inflation rate. She suggested a 4 percent wage increase, which the other supervisors agreed with.

"It’s important that we value our people,” Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz said.

Supervisor Royceann Porter added that the county needs to increase wages if it wants to remain competitive when recruiting and retaining employees.

The supervisors last month first discussed wages for fiscal 2024, which starts July 1. It was mentioned county employees would get an adjustment of 2.5 percent.

Three of the five supervisors supported the following salary increases for elected officials of 2.5 percent for the county attorney; 1.875 percent for the sheriff; and 1.5625 percent for the supervisors, auditor, recorder and treasurer.

The board is expected to vote on two resolutions to increase the wages from the initial recommendation — one for employees and another for elected officials. Last week’s discussion was during a work session, so no formal action was taken.

Iowa City police review board hosting annual forum

Iowa City’s community police review board will host its annual public forum next month.

The community forum is a way for the board to hear views on the Iowa City Police Department’s policies and procedures. The forum will be at 5:30 p.m. April 20 in the Iowa City Public Library’s meeting room A.

The community is invited to submit questions and comments ahead of the event. Questions and comments need to be submitted by April 10 and can be emailed to CPRB@iowa-city.org or mailed to City Hall, 410 E. Washington St.

Individuals should include their full name and address since the submissions are public, the city said in a news release. The board will try to address all questions and comments received.

A replay of the forum will be available for viewing on the City Channel 4 website.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area government bodies. Marissa Payne, Izabela Zaluska and Grace King of The Gazette contribute.