Government Notes: Coralville open house features plans for renovated or new rec center and pool

The public is invited to an open house Tuesday to review the master plan for an updated Coralville Recreation Center and Indoor Pool.

The city of Coralville and the Iowa City Community School District have been working with Neumann Monson Architects to evaluate current conditions of the existing recreation center and indoor pool and plan for either a renovation or a new facility.

The open house Tuesday — held 4:30-6 p.m. at Coralville City Hall — will offer plans for two options: a renovated and expanded facility, or a new recreation center with indoor pool and competition center.

The event will be open house style and visitors are invited to provide feedback and comment.

The Coralville Recreation Center was built in 1972 and is the hub of operations for Parks and Recreation. In 2024, more than 150,000 visitors used the Recreation Center and more than 14,000 people attended classes and programs.

The Indoor Pool was an addition to the Recreation Center in 1988 and serves both public swimming and as the pool for both meets and practices for West High School, Liberty High School, and Northwest Junior High. A new recreational pool and a new competition pool is being considered as part of this master plan.

Linn County launches healthy home repair program

Linn County Public Health is partnering with Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity and Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) to launch the Safe Home Program.

The program offers eligible residents and/or landlords financial assistance to make healthy home repairs, including lead, pest control and other fixes. Funded with a share of Linn County’s federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars, it is intended to address disproportionally impacted children and residents who were exposed to lead, cockroaches, mold and other home hazards during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Safe Home Program is an exceptional opportunity for Linn County residents and landlords to receive financial assistance for necessary home repairs,” Linn County Public Health Director Pramod Dwivedi said in a statement. “This program is aimed at ensuring our local residents have access to a safe and healthy living environment. Where you live can have significant impacts on your overall health and well-being.”

  Buy Photo

Residents and/or landlords must financially or geographically qualify to receive aid. If the application is approved, households could receive approximately $6,000 in funding for eligible home repairs. Additional funding may be available to assist with elevated blood lead level cases in children.

The Linn County Board of Supervisors last fall established fines for property owners who have failed to work with Linn County Public Health officials to reduce lead hazards and codified the county’s ability to inspect homes where lead-poisoned children live or frequently visit.

Once approved for the program, households will undergo a Healthy Homes Assessment and a short-term radon test to identify home hazards such as lead, radon, pest control, cleanliness and mold/moisture. The top one or two hazards will be identified and corrected through this program as funding allows. Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, HACAP and/or Linn County Public Health will facilitate contractors to repair properties as deemed necessary.

Additionally, residents approved for the Safe Home Program will receive a Healthy Homes Toolkit. This includes a Healthy Homes Guide, cleaning supplies and other items used to keep the home clean and healthy.

Application information is available at LinnCountyIowa.gov. Applications will be reviewed in the order they were received. To submit applications, individuals can do so via email at PHHealthyHomes@LinnCountyIowa.gov, via mail to: Linn County Public Health, 1020 Sixth St. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401; or via drop-off at the Linn County Public Health office.

Cedar Rapids’ annual Water Quality Report now available

The Cedar Rapids Water Division has issued its annual comprehensive water quality report, also known as the Consumer Confidence Report. The report is distributed to all water users and gives information about the water treatment process and drinking water quality.

Information about Cedar Rapids' water quality in 2023 was distributed in the May edition of OurCR and is available at CityofCR.com/WaterQuality.

Coralville searching for new police chief

  Buy Photo

The city of Coralville is advertising for a new police chief.

Chief Shane Kron has announced plans to retire from his role at the end of the summer. Kron has been chief since 2017, when he was appointed to replace Chief Barry Bedford, who retired after 42 years with the city, 28 of which were spent as chief.

Kron was hired by Coralville in 1990. During this time with the city, he has served as a police officer, patrol sergeant, patrol lieutenant and administrative lieutenant.

The city is working with Clayer Consulting LLC to find its next police chief. According to an announcement about the job on the city’s website, candidates should have a minimum of a four-year degree, with a master’s degree preferred, with coursework in the areas of police science and administrative methods and techniques. They also should have “extensive experience in police work, which should include experience in management of personnel and job-related tasks.”

The salary is negotiable, depending on experience, and the range is listed as $126,885 to $165,103.

Marion’s Hoth Flats developer seeks workforce housing tax credits

Hoth Flats is seeking workforce housing tax credits through the Iowa Economic Development Authority to support the project that will add housing in Uptown.

The Marion City Council last week approved the application for tax credits and signed off on a letter of support for the project taking shape at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 10th Street.

The project holds 24 units with an average of 750 square feet. There are 12 two-bedroom, one-bathroom units and 12 one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments. The development also includes a parking garage.

According to the city, Marion’s 2022 Housing Study reported Marion had a 1.3 percent overall vacancy rate — below the usual 5 percent vacancy rate for a healthy rental market, which promotes competitive rates, provides consumer choice and allows for unit turnover.

“This project will begin to address our basic housing needs, adds to our rental housing stock and enhances our housing opportunities which in return helps support our local businesses and their employee recruitment,” according to a council memo.

As a local match, the city is using funds it already matched when the project received funding through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program. The federal government awarded those funds primarily to Linn County for use toward 2020 derecho recovery. Dollars were allocated by the IEDA.

New principal at Franklin Middle School

The Cedar Rapids Community School District has selected James Richardson as the next principal of Franklin Middle School beginning July 1, pending board approval. Richardson is currently the principal of Palo Verde Middle School in Phoenix, Arizona.

Outgoing principal Abbie Parker — who has been at the school for two years — is leaving the district for a new opportunity in the Linn-Mar Community School District, where she worked previously, she told The Gazette last month.

"Jay stood out among all candidates due to his experience of building a school culture around a mission, vision and collective commitments with his current staff. Jay also has experience with (multitiered systems of support) for positive behavior systems and a laser-like focus on student achievement," Chief of Schools Mark Timmerman said in a newsletter from the district.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporters Marissa Payne and Grace King contribute.