Government Notes: How Cedar Rapids residents can get vouchers to replant trees

Local nonprofit Trees Forever is working with local nurseries to help Cedar Rapids residents replant trees lost in the 2020 derecho.

Eligible participants can qualify for a $100 or $250 voucher toward the purchase of a tree on the tree species list specified in the ReLeaf plan.

The plan, a partnership between the city and Trees Forever, to replenish the tree canopy on public land and provide resources to guide replanting on private property.

To receive a voucher, residents need to fill out the registration form at treesforever.org/voucher-program/ and attend an hourlong informational session. The session will provide information on the ReLeaf plan as well as resources to help plant and care for newly planted trees.

A limited number of vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Trees Forever will host six informational sessions about the program at these locations:

Session 1: 5:30 p.m. June 14, Ushers Ferry Lodge, 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE.

Session 2: 12:30 p.m. June 28, Beems Auditorium B, downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE.

Session 3: 5:30 p.m. July 17, Indian Creek Nature Center, 5300 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids.

Session 4: 12:30 p.m. July 26, Beems Auditorium B, downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE.

Session 5: 12:30 p.m. Aug. 2, Community Room, Ladd Cedar Rapids Public Library, 3750 Williams Blvd. SW.

Session 6: 5:30 p.m. Aug. 15, Community Room, Northwest Recreation Center, 1340 11th St. NW.

Tree vouchers can be redeemed at Fleming Nursery, 7900 Peterman Lane, Cedar Rapids; Next Generation Landscape Nursery, 831 Vernon Valley Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids; Culver’s Lawn & Landscape, 1682 Old Dubuque Rd., Marion; and Cedar River Garden Center, 2889 Palo Marsh Rd., Palo.

To be eligible for a voucher, people must live in Cedar Rapids and have a home address that is consistent with the ReLeaf plan. Only trees on the ReLeaf master list can be purchased. Vouchers, valid until Oct. 15, can be used only once and cannot be transferred to another person.

Trees purchased with a voucher must be planted in the homeowner’s private yard.

Marion installs informational kiosk

The Marion Parks and Recreation Department last month installed a new information kiosk on the North Plaza on 11th Street between Seventh Avenue and the Uptown Artway.

The kiosk is available day or night and provides information about Marion's history, events, community amenities and Uptown businesses.

The kiosk was placed by the city and the Uptown Marion District, funded in part by Marion’s hotel-motel grants that support tourism.

Tour Cedar Rapids bicycle infrastructure

Residents may join Cedar Rapids’ annual Ride the Districts bike ride at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The 15.1-mile ride starts at Ellis Park near the pool and end at the park, 2000 Ellis Blvd. NW.

All ages and skill abilities are welcome to participate. People may view the route map and RSVP on the city’s website, cedar-rapids.org.

New principals named for Cedar Rapids schools

New principals were announced last month for Harding Middle School and Washington and Jefferson high schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.

Jessica Johnson will become principal of Harding Middle School this fall, pending school board approval. Linda Reysack has been serving as interim principal there.

Johnson has been associate principal at Kennedy High School for the past three years.

“While I have loved my experience at Kennedy, I’m excited for the opportunity to join the hardworking Harding staff who are committed to student success,” Johnson said in a news release. “I look forward to collaborating with all staff, students, and families on continuing their school improvement goals.”

Previously, Johnson was an associate principal at Prairie Point Middle School and the Ninth Grade Academy in the College Community School District. She also served as a science teacher and instructional coach at Washington High School and started her teaching career at McKinley Middle School.

Ian LeMaster will succeed Darius Ballard as principal of Washington High School, pending board approval. Ballard was named the district’s chief of human resources last month.

LeMaster has been an associate principal at Washington High for the past three years. He previously was a teacher and instructional coach at Jefferson High School.

“I am overjoyed to continue to serve this community as the next principal,” LeMaster said in a news release. “I am so proud of all we have collectively accomplished over the past three years and can’t wait to continue to work collaboratively with our staff, students, families, and communities to take Washington to the next level.”

Jessica Luna will become interim principal at Jefferson High, pending board approval and succeeding Michael Hawley, who is retiring this summer.

Luna was director of climate and culture transformation for the district over the last year. She has more than 10 years of experience in education, including experience as a principal.

“It is a privilege to be named as interim principal at Jefferson High School,” Luna said in a news release. “I am excited about the opportunity to continue supporting (Cedar Rapids schools) but at the building level. I cannot wait to work alongside Jefferson staff, students, and families in continuing the work around creating a safe and inclusive environment through strong relationships, engaging instructional practices, and staff efficacy.”

Iowa City schools advisory council seeking 3 members

The Community Education District-wide Advisory Council for the Iowa City Community School District is seeking three representatives to serve three-year terms.

Applicants need to live in the school district. One position is open for an Iowa City resident; one for a Coralville resident; and one for someone who lives in Hills, University Heights and unincorporated Johnson County.

Those interested in serving on this advisory council must live within city limits and the Iowa City Community School District.

Applications are due June 9. Applications can be found online at bit.ly/CEDACapplication.

The District’s Community Education program offers educational, recreational, cultural and other community services and programs in the schools.

Programs and services supported by the program include the Student and Family Advocate program, before- and after-school programs, and services to support Iowa City school’s diverse student and family population.

Advisory council members represent their geographic area in discussing needs, setting goals and recommending funding; participating in quarterly meetings of the council; and visiting with others in the community to get ideas and share what the council is doing.

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Johnson County administrative campus renovation project out for bid

The first phase of the Johnson County administrative campus renovation is now out for bids with a deadline of July 13.

The county Board of Supervisors approved the plans unanimously last week, with no one from speaking against the plan during a public hearing.

Construction is expected to begin in August.

The $10.2 million project includes renovating the Health and Human Services building and the county administration building, which are located along South Dubuque Street in Iowa City. The estimated cost of the portion going out for bid now is $8.7 million.

Other parts of the project — like furniture, design services and moving costs — are in the budget but not part of the bid package.

The campus renovation has been in discussion since 2017. County officials and staff have said the project is necessary to needed to improve safety, customer service and experience and accessibility for county employees and the public.

North Liberty Youth Council accepting applications

The North Liberty Youth Council is accepting applications for its second year.

The youth council began meeting in October 2022.

The program is a way for high school students to connect with elected officials, develop leadership skills, advocate for other young people and participate in the community by leading service projects.

The council has eight to 12 members from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Participation is open to students who will be in grades nine through 12 for the 2023-24 school year. Public, private and home-school students living in North Liberty or attending school in the city are invited to apply.

The Youth Council typically meets 4:30 to 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of the month from September to May. Participation also requires six to 12 hours of service each month, which can include youth council meetings, group service projects and community events.

Interested students should apply online by June 23 at northlibertyiowa.org/youthcouncil. For more information, contact outreach and equity coordinator Micah Ariel James at mjames@northlibertyiowa.org or at (319) 640-8172.

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