Government Notes: Taft, Harding domes to reopen by February

One of the domes at Taft Middle School — closed for repairs because of deteriorating wood beams — reopened last week, and students will be able to access the space again in January after the holiday break.

Four domes — two each at Taft and Harding Middle School in the Cedar Rapids Community School District — were closed in October as a safety precaution, and students were moved to other parts of the building.

The two middle schools were constructed in 1965 using the same design that features two domes.

Repairs to a dome at Harding is expected to be completed Jan. 12, with the dome reopening to students Jan. 15.

The last two domes — one at Taft, 5200 E Ave. NW, and one at Harding, 4801 Golf St. NE — are expected to be completed in February.

Each dome has 16 beams supporting it. Metal plates are being installed to the wooden beams, welding them to metal anchors attached to concrete footings around the domes.

Closure of the four domes has impacted more than 1,000 sixth- through eighth-grade students, with students eating lunch in hallways and learning in portable classrooms.

Work planned on 35th Street NE in Cedar Rapids

The Cedar Rapids City Council last week awarded a $3.65 million contract to Marion-based Rathje Construction Co. for pavement reconstruction of 35th Street NE from Oakland Road to F Avenue NE.

The project is funded through Paving for Progress, the city’s 1 percent local-option sales tax street-repair program. The two-year project is slated to start in March 2024 and wrap up in the fall of 2025.

Paving for Progress Program Manager Doug Wilson said the project includes reconstructing the pavement, storm sewer extension, sanitary sewer repair, new sidewalks on both sides, minor water main improvements and sidewalk ramps in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Seven bids were received for the project, with Rathje’s coming in as the lowest. The highest was $4.43 million from Dubuque-based Tschiggfrie Excavating Co.

Council member Scott Overland, who represents District 2 covering parts of eastern Cedar Rapids, said it will be good to get the street rebuilt.

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“People have been waiting for it for a long time,” Overland said.

Wilson said the project will be phased to ensure people have access to their homes throughout the project.

Cedar Rapids, Marion appoint mayor pro tems

For a third year since Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell stepped into office in 2022, the Cedar Rapids City Council last week approved appointing council member Ann Poe to serve as mayor pro tem.

A mayor pro tem fills in for a mayor at functions when the mayor is unavailable.

Poe, 71, is program manager of The District: Czech Village and New Bohemia. She was re-elected in November to her fourth four-year term as an at-large council member on the part-time, nine-member council.

In Marion, Mayor Nick AbouAssaly — with the Marion City Council’s approval — appointed council member Sara Mentzer to serve as mayor pro tem in 2024. Council member Gage Miskimen will serve as deputy mayor pro tem in 2024, then mayor pro tem in 2025. Mentzer will become deputy mayor pro tem in 2025.

Mentzer, 55, was first elected to represent Ward 4 in November 2021. She is the director of development and marketing for the Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA network.

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Miskimen, 27, was elected in November to a full term representing Ward 1. He was appointed by the council earlier this year to fill the vacancy created when Colette Atkins resigned. Miskimen is a former county and Marion reporter for The Gazette. He now works as community engagement coordinator at Four Oaks.

Iowa City suggests water line insurance

For property owners interested in the Iowa City’s lead reduction program, an optional insurance program from Service Line Warranties of America is open for enrollment by Iowa City residents.

Iowa City’s ban on the repair of leaded water service lines takes effect Jan. 1. Having insurance will help lower the cost of a broken water or sanitary service line that requires replacement.

The average cost of a water service line replacement ranges from $7,600 to $12,500, depending on the length and depth of the line and pavement restoration, the city said in a news release.

Those interested in the water line insurance can visit the Service Line Warranties of America website or call 1-(866) 922-9006.

Residents also are encouraged to ask their homeowner’s insurance provider about service line insurance products before considering a new insurance product.

More information about your home’s potential for having a lead or lead-contaminated service line is available on the city’s service line inventory map, available at https://shorturl.at/rxBDX. If your home has a water service line categorized as Lead Service Unknown (LSU), or Tier 1 through Tier 3, then insurance is likely a beneficial investment, the city advised.

Residents can contact the Water Division with questions at (319) 356-5160. I

Cedar Rapids seeks artists for garbage trucks

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The city of Cedar Rapids is seeking artists or artist teams to make garbage and recycling collection trucks “vibrant, rolling” works of art.

The city is taking proposals for designs that can be reproduced as vinyl wraps and applied to five Cedar Rapids garbage and recycling collection trucks.

This project is open to visual artists, illustrators, designers and creative individuals working in any medium, as long as the final artwork can be translated and digitally reproduced on a horizontal vinyl wrap.

The art project’s theme is sustainable neighborhoods, inspired by the city’s Community Climate Action Plan. Those pillars include local food; urban forestry; neighbors supporting neighbors following a natural disaster; actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; building resiliency in neighborhoods from floods and extreme heat; beautifying neighborhoods and reducing waste; and social equity and celebration of diversity of the community

Submissions are due to the Public Art Commission by 3 p.m. Feb. 1, with information at CityofCR.com/PAC.

Cedar Rapids honored for Code Enforcement Division marketing

Cedar Rapids’ Code Enforcement Division received the 2023 American Association of Code Enforcement Innovative Program & Creative Marketing award for several initiatives.

The national nonprofit association — which fosters code compliance through its certification program, education, training and enforcement — received 53 nominations for the award.

One Cedar Rapids initiative mentioned in the nomination was the Be a Good Neighbor campaign promoting kindness and encouraging residents to maintain their properties.

Other initiatives included a carbon monoxide monitoring program where inspectors carry a personal carbon monoxide alarm during inspections to encourage owners to address issues creating carbon monoxide in homes before people become ill.

The nomination also cited having city staff earn their International Property Maintenance Code certification and several staff achieving Certified Code Enforcement Officer status. The division also implemented training to promote inspector personal safety, identification of home hazards such as pest infestations and a legal workshop.

Additional programs include a task force to address dilapidated properties that can be acquired through tax sale. The City Council signed off on the program this year to help redevelop vacant, blighted properties by taking ownership of the buildings to redevelop for purposes including affordable housing.

“In order for us to continue serving the community, we need to be innovative about our approaches,” Building Services Director Kevin Ciabatti said in a statement.

Cedar Rapids, Marion garbage pickup delays

Garbage and recycling collection will be delayed by one day in Cedar Rapids and Marion this week and the week of Jan. 1.

Marion’s Public Services Department allows one extra free bag of garbage the week between Christmas and New Year’s. The Yard Waste Facility and Recycling Drop-off Center at 195 35th St. in Marion will be closed today and Tuesday and Jan. 1-2.

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