Government Notes: Public hearing planned for Hills Elementary demolition project

The Iowa City School Board is holding a public hearing Tuesday, Oct. 22, on the proposed plans and specifications for the Hills Elementary School demolition project.

The school in the Iowa City Community School District closed to students at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

The Iowa City Community School District and the city of Hills together made the decision to have the building at 301 Main St. in Hills demolished, according to a news release from the school district in August.

The city determined the former school building does not meet its needs, according to the release. The decision was made after consideration of various factors including potential uses for the building, costs associated with maintenance and renovation and a long-term vision for the structure.

The decision to close Hills Elementary School was made by the Iowa City school board earlier this year to save the district $1.66 million annually and preserve educational programs and staff as Iowa schools continue to face budget shortfalls.

The district will receive bids on the demolition project at 2 p.m. on Oct. 29, at the Facilities Management Conference Center, 1137 S Riverside Dr., Iowa City.

Cedar Rapids hosts city services open house

  Buy Photo

The City of Cedar Rapids is hosting an open house at the City Services Center this week to give the public a chance to look behind the scenes, learn about the different equipment, visit adoptable animals and enjoy family-friendly games and activities.

The event will be held at the center, 500 15th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 5-7 p.m.

Children can climb in city vehicles and get a close-up view of the equipment different departments use to keep the city running safely.

Attendees can redeem a coupon in Mobile CR, the City’s mobile app, for a free Cedar Rapids T-shirt while supplies last, with many other prizes and giveaways also available.

Iowa City participating in drug take-back day

Johnson County residents are invited to dispose of unwanted or outdated pharmaceuticals and needles during a drug take-back event Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event will be held in the parking lot of the East Side Recycling Center, 2401 Scott Blvd. SE.

The drug take-back day is organized nationally by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The Iowa City Police Department and the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center partner to offer the local event. Find information about drug take-back events in other communities online at dea.gov/takebackday.

Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Misuse of prescription drugs has led to an increase in emergency room visits, treatment admissions for prescription drug use disorders and overdose deaths over the past 15 years, the agency reported in June 2020.

Pharmaceuticals should be in the original containers with names blacked out or in plastic baggies with no personal patient information.

South of 6 Iowa City Business District appoints new director

  Buy Photo

Maurice A. Davis has been named at the next executive director of the South of 6 Iowa City Business District.

He succeeds Angie Jordan, who stepped away from the position in May citing health reasons.

The South District self-supported municipal improvement district — or SSMID — is an economic development tool intended to revitalize businesses and support local entrepreneurs in the area. The money collected from the levy — which started in 2022 — is used to revitalize the Pepperwood Plaza area south of Highway 6 between Broadway and Keokuk streets.

Davis received his bachelor’s degree in finance at Upper Iowa University and a master’s in Business Administration from Capella University.

“Maurice brings a unique business operations, marketing, and community development perspective to So.6,” South of 6’s hiring announcement said.

Davis has invited community members to meet him Oct. 30 from 3-7 p.m. at the South District Market, 947 US-6 in Iowa City.

Marion schools requesting survey participation

Families and community members in the Marion Independent School District are invited to complete a survey intended to assess the district’s strengths and areas where it could improve.

The Needs Assessment Survey is being conducted through the Iowa Association of School boards. Anyone who lives in the district or is affiliated with the district is asked to share their opinions.

The survey can be found at bit.ly/MarionSurvey. It will be open through Oct. 25.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Megan Woolard and Sara Konrad Baranowski contributed.