Local Government

The Iowa City Council elected Bruce Teague to serve as mayor for a third time. Mazahir Salih was chosen to serve as mayor pro tem. On the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, Rod Sullivan and Jon Green were appointed chair and vice chair, respectively.

The conference on Jan. 13 in Cedar Rapids will feature 26 panelists, six entertainers and organizers hope more than 1,000 participants from across the state.

Also, Coralville RAGBRAI committee donates $56k

Across Iowa, programs are increasingly drawing residents and visitors outdoors at a time of year when temperatures drop and it may be tempting to hibernate indoors. Winter recreational offerings encourage people to get outside year-round, harnessing the Hawkeye state’s natural assets to keep people active despite colder weather.

At least one council member says there should be changes to what now is a “broken” system in which some council candidates represent geographic districts, but all citizens may vote for all district seats.

Linn County Sustainability is about halfway through a pilot program with the Linn County Emergency Management Agency and four community organizations to create an All-Hazards Emergency Plan Template — an effort to help community groups plan for disasters before they strike.

Cedar Rapids officials are exploring options to potentially build a multimillion-dollar dual-use intergenerational center and sports complex. But the effort remains years away from coming to fruition and would require private funding to bring to life. Here’s how the city’s approaching the possible project.

Also, work planned on 35th Street NE in Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz received a 4 percent pay increase this week to $379,475. “I think the citizens of Cedar Rapids have a tremendous value in having probably one of the best city managers in the country in our city,” said council member Scott Overland, chair of the council’s Finance and Administrative Services Committee.

Cedar Rapids envisions transforming downtown into a mixed-use district with expanded residential and retail offerings. But in the near future, it’s unlikely the skywalk system will shift from its focus of serving the downtown workforce.

Jennifar Bassett, a Cedar Rapids native, has been hired as the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance’s Downtown District program manager.

Staffers will guide interested residents through funding opportunities and a county dashboard during a Tuesday webinar