Government Notes: Marion City Council backs projects vying for disaster recovery grants

The Marion City Council has voted to approve letters of support for all of the housing projects looking to get Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds, including the Marion Methodist Church project.

The council voted Thursday to approve letters of support for the Belltower Lofts, Hoth Flats, Winslow Senior Living Apartments and Ridge at Indian Creek. Letters of support from the city are needed for a state authority to seriously consider the project applications.

The federal disaster funds were allocated to the Iowa Economic Development Authority through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to aid in recovery from the 2020 derecho.

Linn County will receive 80 percent of the overall $57.6 million, while the other 20 percent — about $11 million — will be used in Marshall, Tama and Benton counties. The state authority has six years to fully spend the funds.

In Marion, projects will go through the East Central Iowa Council of Governments. Money is funneled through the entity because it previously used Community Development Block Grant funding.

Marion Chamber of Commerce President Jill Ackeman said the chamber is committed to the Conlon Construction project at the old church, Belltower Lofts.

“We are very thankful for them stepping forward to save the building,” Ackerman said. “It houses thousands of stories of Maronites over the years.”

Conlon is applying for $3.385 million to go toward the $5.42 million renovation project.

“I think supporting this grant application meets the primary goal of taking any and all action in order to preserve this historical structure in our Uptown area,” council member Grant Harper said.

“I am 100 percent in favor of saving this church, but I want to go on record stating that I think there is a serious parking concern with 30 units in this building,” council member Steve Jensen said.

IEDA is looking at awarding grants in late January or in February.

Iowa City seeking input for next public art location

Have an idea of where in Iowa City a new public art project is needed? The city wants input.

Iowa City’s public art advisory committee is seeking feedback on eight potential locations for a public art project. Residents are encouraged to take the online survey and rank the locations.

The survey is at: surveymonkey.com/r/3578TQL

The eight locations are: bus stops, Court Hill Park, Scott Park, American Legion Road and Scott Boulevard roundabout, Highway 6 trail, trail by Iowa City Animal Shelter, McPherson Park and Hunter’s Run Park. The locations include a photo or map, along with what type of art might work best there.

Each location can be ranked with one to five stars, with one being “not at all important to me” and five being “highest priority.”

The location with the highest score will be chosen for a new project. Once the location is selected, a request for qualifications from artists will follow.

Where to recycle old holiday lights in Iowa City area

The city of Iowa City is encouraging residents to reduce their waste this holiday season, including recycling old holiday lights. Burned out holiday lights can be recycled at locations in Iowa City and Coralville through Jan. 9.

In Iowa City, residents can go to:

In Coralville, residents can go to:

Cedar Rapids prepares for Christmas tree disposal

The city of Cedar Rapids will accept curbside disposal of live, unflocked trees beginning Jan. 3 and ending Jan. 27.

Trees may be placed at the collection area and set at least 3 feet from collection carts, but collections may not occur on the resident’s regular collection day. They must be prepared for pickup following these requirements:

Trees also are currently being accepted at Prairie Park Fishery, 2125 Otis Road SE, until Jan. 15. The site is open to receive trees from 6 a.m. to dusk (one half-hour after sunset). Signs are posted identifying the location. Trees dropped off here will be recycled as fish habitat and trail surfacing. The site previously used on Bertram Road is closed this year for a bridge project.

To prepare trees for collection or recycling, remove all tinsel, ornaments, decorations, stands, watering packets, tree wrap and netting. They cannot be placed in plastic bags. Flocked trees, wreaths and garland cannot be recycled.

Poe reappointed Cedar Rapids mayor pro tem

Cedar Rapids City Council member Ann Poe was reappointed last week as mayor pro tem through Dec. 31, 2023.

Poe has served alongside Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell this year to make up the city’s first female mayor-mayor pro tem duo.

Poe holds an at-large seat on the nine-member council and her term ends in 2023. She is the chair of the council Development Committee and is a member of the Finance and Administrative Services Committee.

The Cedar Rapids native has worked as a physical therapy technician with UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital for a number of years, and in the marketing/communications/public relations and event planning fields for over 25 years. She served as the executive assistant to Iowa Gov. Chet Culver and community liaison for the Rebuild Iowa Office after the 2008 flood. She previously was the executive director of NewBo City Market.

Linn-Mar plans next steps in diversity, equity and inclusion

Linn-Mar Community School District officials are continuing to study how to address diversity, equity and inclusion concerns among students and staff.

The district launched new equity initiatives last year. Associate superintendent Nathan Wear was named equity director and an advisory committee was convened to discuss equal educational opportunities and equity in school programs, review progress reports regarding equity programs and make recommendations to the school board and administrative cabinet.

According to a school climate survey from December 2021 administered to seventh- through 12th-grade students, nearly 20 percent of students report being bullied, 32 percent of Black students are less likely to feel physically safe always or most of the time, and 26 percent of Black students and 22 percent of Latino students report they feel unable to share in class because of their race or ethnicity.

Using data, subcommittees are being formed to address building relationships across the community; student agency in discipline and consequences; communication; and respect and anti-bullying, according to a Dec. 12 school board meeting.

Linn-Mar Special Olympics girls’ bowling team takes first

The Linn-Mar girls and doubles teams took first place last month in the Special Olympics Bowling state competition.

Although bowling is not an Olympic sport, it is among the most popular sport in Special Olympics, according to Special Olympics Iowa. People with intellectual disabilities, regardless of age or sports abilities, are able to play, exercise and socialize.

Girls on the team that took first place are Sienna Cooper, Katie Erlacher and Addie Harlan. The Linn-Mar Special Olympics bowling doubles teams that also took first place last month are: Brianna Kelley and Braeden Clark, and Julie Bishop and Devon Gardner. Singles who took second place were Damien Perez and Anthony Pulczinski.

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