Government Notes: Linn County supervisors ask USDA for summer EBT funds that Reynolds rejected

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to disburse to the county federal summer EBT funds Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds rejected to meet the nutritional needs of food-insecure children and families.

In a 2-1 vote last week, Supervisor Ben Rogers and Kirsten Running-Marquardt, both Democrats, signed onto the letter Rogers drafted to send to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. It formally asks to receive and disburse funds in partnership with local nonprofit providers.

Reynolds opted instead for a state-funded program to avoid spending $2.2 million a year on administration and offer better nutrition, administration officials have said.

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The letter cited a recent Iowa State Extension report on food insecurity in Linn County that found more than 24,000 residents experience food insecurity, including 7,550 children under age 18.

“This figure includes almost 4,000 children who are likely income-ineligible to receive federal nutrition assistance,” the letter states. “This number will surely increase with Governor Reynolds’ decision to end the Summer EBT Program for children... The Linn County Board of Supervisors welcomes a collaboration with the USDA to find common sense solutions to a growing problem that affects our community’s most cherished and vulnerable population: children.”

Polk County, the state’s largest, also sent a similar letter requesting the USDA instead send aid to the county, the Des Moines Register has reported. According to Local 5, an ABC affiliate in Des Moines, Vilsack said the law prohibits the USDA from working with individual counties.

“We are limited to working with states, territories and tribes. so we can't work with any other political subdivision,” he told the TV station.

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Marion named Community of the Year

Marion was named the Community of the Year for 2023 by Community Playmaker, a media platform that provides news, features and trends highlighting American communities and civic leaders.

The city of 41,864 residents was chosen out of nearly 100 small, mid-size and large communities that entered the nationwide contest. It honors cities and leaders who spark progress, and have initiatives that fuel economic development, foster community engagement, support public safety, amplify arts and culture, and build inclusive, high-quality environments.

Cities from around the country submitted entries for the Community of the Year Award. The size of communities ranged from towns with a little more than 1,000 residents to some of America’s largest and most well-known cities, and everything in between.

An expert panel reviewed entries for criteria including the scope of the “quality-of-life” projects that were launched and each project’s impact, among other items.

“Marion is a great example of what can happen when a community, both its leaders and citizens, cast a vision for a tremendous quality of life for everyone. And the power is not just in the vision, it’s also in the determination Marion leaders showed driving these projects through to completion,” said Ashley Whittaker, editor-in-chief of Community Playmaker.

The recognition specifically acknowledged city and civic leaders’ efforts on:

“We are grateful for the recognition as it places Marion on a national stage and endorses our focus on serving residents and giving them the best opportunities for an unequaled quality of life,” Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly said in a statement. “Marion’s success is hard-earned by an energized team that works together and engages the entire community in moving the city forward.”

Iowa State Education Association names new executive director

Coy Marquardt was named the new executive director of the Iowa State Education Association, which represents more than 50,000 PreK-12 educators and promotes public education by advocating for education professionals.

Marquardt — whose wife is Linn County Supervisor Kirsten Running-Marquardt — will begin in his position March 1.

“I have dedicated my career to fighting for the best possible education for every child in Iowa,” Marquardt said in a news release. “I am excited to continue working alongside our dedicated members, promoting and protecting our profession, students and public schools.”

Marquardt said he has “large shoes to fill” in replacing Mary Jane Cobb, who has led the organization for more than 15 years.

"Her passion and commitment to ISEA members and students have helped build ISEA into the powerhouse we are today. I look forward to continuing her legacy of excellence,” Marquardt said.

Marquardt’s career in public education spans over two decades, beginning as a special education paraprofessional and later as a junior high school teacher. He joined ISEA in 2006 as a UniServ Director, serving local associations in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area. In 2016, Marquardt became Associate Executive Director of Field Services. In this role, he supported ISEA’s local affiliates and developed innovative programs to attract and retain new members.

“Coy is a passionate advocate for educators and students, and his deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing public education in Iowa makes him the perfect person to lead ISEA into the future,” ISEA President Mike Beranek said. “His proven track record in bargaining, recertification, and membership engagement will be invaluable.”

Westdale Mall housing units reduced

The developer behind Westdale Mall’s redevelopment is reducing the number of residential units in a housing project that received state workforce housing tax credits in 2023.

Frew Development Group was awarded $1 million in tax credits from the Iowa Economic Development Authority last year but is reducing its initially proposed 200 units to 148 as part of Parkway West Apartments.

The $25.5 million housing project includes the construction of three multifamily buildings — two 52-unit buildings and one 44-unit building. There will be 58 one-bedroom units, 78 two-bedroom units and 12 three-bedroom units. Instead of a fourth residential building, the developer is looking to build a 6,000 square-foot restaurant pad and associated parking.

The council approved these changes last week as part of the meeting’s consent agenda, where matters considered routine are approved in a single bloc and are not discussed.

Iowa City homebuilders, developers invited to lunch and learn session

The City of Iowa City and Greater Iowa City Inc., will host a joint lunch and learn event to discuss recent changes to Iowa City zoning code and incentive programs relevant to residential developers and homebuilders.

The program will be Thursday, Feb. 1 at MERGE Iowa City, 136 S. Dubuque St. Lunch is provided and sponsored by the Greater Iowa City Home Builders association. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. with the program to follow.

Speakers will include city staff from Neighborhood & Development Services and Climate Action & Outreach. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Pre-register online through the Greater Iowa City Inc. website at member.greateriowacity.com.

Preschool, kindergarten registration opens in February

Preschool and kindergarten registration for the 2024-25 school year for students in the Cedar Rapids Community School District will open Feb. 1.

The district offers a variety of options for local children, including 3- and 4-year-old preschool, alternative kindergarten, and traditional kindergarten.

Full-day kindergarten is offered at all 20 elementary schools in the district Monday through Friday from 8:50 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. The elementary school each child will attend is determined by their family’s home address. To enroll in kindergarten for the next school year, a child must be 5 years of age on or before Sept. 15, 2024.

If a 4-year-old attends one of the district’s preschool programs with an address in the Cedar Rapids school district boundaries, the family will receive an email from the district with special registration instructions.

If a child needs an additional year to grow and develop before entering kindergarten, a full-day alternative kindergarten program might be the right option for them.

Families interested in pursuing this option, can complete the regular kindergarten registration form and indicate an interest in alternative kindergarten.

Cedar Rapids schools also offers both 3- and 4-year-old preschool. Students are eligible to apply for preschool for the 2024-2025 school year if they are turning 3 or 4 years old on or before Sept. 15, 2024.

Half-day 3- and 4-year-old preschool is free and offered Monday through Thursday. The morning session is from 8:50 to 11:50 a.m., and the afternoon session is from 12:50 to 3:50 p.m. The 3-year-old classes are very limited and only available at Cedar River Academy and Grant Wood.

Four-year-old preschool, on the other hand, has several classes at eight different buildings around the district. Families are responsible for transportation for students attending a half-day preschool program.

Cedar Rapids schools’ full-day 4-year-old preschool is free and located at Truman Early Childhood Center. It is offered Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Busing is offered to and from school for 4-year-olds participating in this program.

Jefferson High School students named finalists in Iowa State Bar Association Competition

Ten students from Jefferson High School have been named finalists in The Iowa State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division “Know Your Constitution” Project.

Lucas Barger, Danielle Boche, Anna Fultz, Rachel Johnson, Sophia Kevitt, Mya Kirchoff, Himidi Kuundu, Joseph Peters, Chase Thompson-William, and Hina Zeeshan — all students in Chris Rolwes’ College U.S. History course at Jefferson High School — are among the 100 finalists selected from across the state.

The “Know Your Constitution” Project aims to enrich students’ understanding of the Constitution. As part of the contest, students must familiarize themselves with Constitution-related issues, complete a quiz and respond to an essay question. This year’s essay topic focused on a legislative proposal to raise the voting age in the U.S. to 21.

The finalists were honored at an award luncheon Friday in Des Moines, where five of the finalists were randomly chosen to receive a scholarship in recognition of their efforts. This marks the 20th consecutive year that Jefferson has had a student named as a finalist in this prestigious competition.

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