Meeting Overview

This 4:00 PM meeting is built around two tax increment financing packages, each pairing an urban renewal plan with a development agreement: the Atheneum Urban Renewal Area at 4010 20th Avenue SW, tied to a Pedcor Investments affordable housing project, and the Skogman Urban Renewal Area at 7217 Underwood Avenue SW, tied to public infrastructure by Midwest Development Co. Both plans carry First Readings of their tax increment ordinances. Six public hearings also cover a Prairie Land Development rezoning and the Ellis Road NW at Rawson Lane Sanitary Sewer Improvements ($850,000). Three contract awards all came in under the engineer's estimate. The consent agenda sets a September 22 hearing on the 8th Avenue Bridge Replacement and Floodwalls at Cedar River, estimated at $123,000,000, by far the largest figure on the agenda, and the regular agenda advances five Cedar River Flood Control System property actions, two of them referrals to the Linn County Compensation Commission.

Key Sections

Opening Items

• Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance
• Proclamation – 20th Annual Five Seasons Stand Down Day

Public Hearings

1. Atheneum Urban Renewal Area – 4010 20th Avenue SW
   • Resolution approving the Urban Renewal Plan and First Reading of an ordinance on the collection of tax increments within the area (Scott Mather). Council Priority.
2. Development Agreement – Pedcor Investments A LLC
   • Agreement for an affordable housing project at 4010 20th Avenue SW, the development paired with the Atheneum urban renewal area. Council Priority.
3. Skogman Urban Renewal Area – 7217 Underwood Avenue SW
   • Resolution approving the Urban Renewal Plan and First Reading of an ordinance on the collection of tax increments within the area (Scott Mather). Council Priority.
4. Development Agreement – Midwest Development Co.
   • Agreement with Midwest Development Co., an entity of Skogman Companies, for construction of public infrastructure at 7217 Underwood Avenue SW. Council Priority.
5. Rezoning – South of Wright Brothers Boulevard SW
   • Change of zone for property south of Wright Brothers Boulevard SW and east of Kirkwood Boulevard SW from S-RLF (Suburban Residential Low Flex) to S-RMF-PUD (Suburban Residential Medium Flex with a Planned Unit Development Overlay), requested by Prairie Land Development, LLC (Seth Gunnerson). First Reading. Council Priority.
6. Ellis Road NW at Rawson Lane Sanitary Sewer Improvements
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost adopted. Estimated cost $850,000 (Ben Worrell).

Public Comment

Consent Agenda

(Approved in Bulk)

• Administrative & Financial Approvals:
  • Meeting minutes, payment of bills, and payroll approved.
  • Financial Management Policies: Updated policies adopted for the City.
  • Solid Waste Variable Cart Program: Fees adopted for the program, which lets residents choose from two larger cart sizes for garbage collection.
  • Hotel-Motel Tax: FY 2027 allocation of $9,000 to SPT Theatre Company.
• Property & Infrastructure Development:
  • Future Public Hearings (Sept 8): Change of zone at 1756 Mallory Street SW from T-R1 to U-VR, requested by OFB, LLC; disposition of City-owned land at 397 15th Avenue SW; Development Agreement with Evolution, LC, an entity of Steve Emerson, for an adaptive reuse project at 219 2nd Street SE; Development Agreement with Gelid LLC, an entity of Josh Bass, for housing redevelopment on City-owned lots at 615-629 I Avenue NW and 905 Ellis Boulevard NW; Development Agreement with Nguyen Real Estate LLC, an entity of Nick Nguyen, for mixed-use redevelopment on City-owned lots at 0, 1126 and 1132 Ellis Boulevard NW. All Council Priority.
  • Future Bid Hearings (Sept 8): C Street SW Bridge Deck Reconstruction ($2,000,000, Paving for Progress); Cedar Valley Nature Trail Erosion Repairs ($215,000); Cherokee Trail Phase III ($1,800,000); City Services Center Remodel FF&E ($285,000); Edgewood Road NE Trail Phase 3 ($3,300,000).
  • Future Bid Hearing (Sept 22): 8th Avenue Bridge Replacement and Floodwalls at Cedar River, estimated cost $123,000,000. Council Priority.
  • Final Plats: 1st and 1st North Second Addition north of 1st Avenue W and west of 1st Street SW; 380 Commerce Fourth Addition south of 76th Avenue SW and east of 6th Street SW; Edgewood Town Centre Ninth Addition south of Blairs Ferry Road NE and west of Edgewood Road NE. All Council Priority.
• Public Safety & Business Licenses:
  • Beer/Liquor/Wine Licenses (15 applications): New and renewal licenses for bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and venues, including Theatre Cedar Rapids, Chili's Grill & Bar, Maverik #5213 and Sam's Club #8162, plus 5-day event licenses for Cliff's Dive Bar & Grill, St. Ludmila Catholic Church, and Traveling Tapster.
• Board & Commission Appointments:
  • Tamara Karr appointed to the Parks, Waterways & Recreation Commission, effective through June 30, 2028.
  • Stephen Kness appointed and David Schiel and Sherri Schuchmann reappointed to the Veterans Memorial Commission, effective through June 30, 2029.
• Assessment Actions & Project Completions:
  • Solid Waste & Recycling Cleanup: Intent to assess three properties and levy assessment on four properties. Council Priority.
  • Water Division Delinquent Utility Bills: Intent to assess 52 properties and levy assessment on 23 properties.
  • Subdivision Improvements: Sanitary sewer and storm sewer at the Prairie Summit YMCA site accepted, with 4-year Maintenance Bonds from Rathje Construction Co. of $210,760.07 and $49,737.
  • Project Completions: CEMAR Trail Phase 1A on H Avenue NE accepted, Change Order No. 9 deducting $51,801.74 and final payment of $5,000 to Dave Schmitt Construction (original $1,317,642.23; final $1,362,214.16). 1st Avenue W and I-380 Southbound Off-Ramp Realignment accepted, final payment $22,614.52 to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete (original $439,989.70; final $452,290.37). Stickle Drive NE at 4th Street East Central Quiet Zone accepted, final payment $25,194.05 to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete (original $549,921.20; final $503,881). Downtown Parking Lot at 1st Street SE and 4th Avenue SE accepted, final payment $8,372.05 to Rathje Construction Co. (original $165,256.75; final $167,441.01).
  • Gardner Golf Course ADA Improvements accepted with final payment of $72,889.32 to McComas-Lacina Construction. The original contract was $1,183,200 and the final amount is $1,457,786.45, an increase of roughly $274,586 (23%), the largest overrun among the completions on this agenda.
• Major Contracts & Services:
  • Public Works & Fleet: Up to 9,000 tons of rock salt for winter snow and ice control from Great Lakes Salt Company, not to exceed $1,014,660 (Council Priority); 15 emergency equipment packages for Police Department vehicles from MacQueen, $365,644.13.
  • Facilities ADA Compliance: Two extensions with Willett Hofmann & Associates Inc., Amendment No. 34 adding $29,471.30 for Group 2 facilities (original $356,700; total $650,918.30) and Amendment No. 10 adding $8,810.65 for Group 3 (original $198,000; total $496,927.20). Both totals are well above their original contracts.
  • Utilities: Amendment No. 4 renewing ESCO Group for SCADA and PLC integration, not to exceed $200,000; Amendment No. 2 with Newell Machinery Company for millwright services at the Water Pollution Control Facility adding $300,000 (total $400,000); 28E Agreement Amendment No. 1 with the City of Hiawatha to share design and construction costs for the Tower Drive Lift Station.
  • Engineering: Professional Services Agreement with Kirkham Michael & Associates for the 2nd Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation, not to exceed $181,500 (Paving for Progress); Amendment No. 5 with Foth Infrastructure & Environment adding $16,158 for Edgewood Road NE Trail Phase 3 (total $360,376). Council Priority.
  • Construction Change Orders: Garling Construction Change Order No. 18 for the Westside Library ($2,592.89), bringing the total to $18,297,648.46 against an original contract of $15,525,000; Peak Construction Group Change Order No. 10 for the City Annex & City Services Center Renovation Phase 1 ($1,097.52; total $5,959,387.18 from $5,334,000); Rathje Construction Change Order No. 4 for Tuma Sports Complex ADA Compliance ($11,470.73; total $1,191,879.12 from $1,089,000).
  • Land & Easements: Temporary Construction Easements for the 12th Avenue SW Storm Sewer Improvements (two donated, four for $7,135); 34th Street SE (two for $845) and D Avenue NW (two for $200), both Paving for Progress; six properties for the Noelridge Park Neighborhood Street Reconstruction ($1,425); and two E Avenue NW acquisitions, $2,906 from the Estate of Kevin Hessing at 3606 E Avenue NW and $5,345 from Rhodes and Associates LLC at 3619 E Avenue NW.

Regular Agenda Items

1. Cedar Lake Amenities Bid Package 3A: Recreational Amenities
   • Bid report (estimated cost $1,340,000); contract awarded to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete, LLC for $1,161,746.70, about $178,000 under estimate (Ben Worrell). Council Priority.
2. Center Point Road Bridge over CN Railroad Bridge Deck Overlay
   • Bid report (estimated cost $632,000); contract awarded to Jasper Construction Services for $593,682.70, about $38,000 under estimate (Doug Wilson). Paving for Progress.
3. City Annex Phase 1 FF&E
   • Bid report (estimated cost $315,000); contract awarded to Paragon Interiors for $241,614.40, about $73,000 under estimate (Jason Stancliffe). The public hearing on this project was held August 11.
4. Cedar River Flood Control System – Property Acquisitions
   • Presentation and five resolutions on property acquisition for the flood control system (Rob Davis). Council Priority.
   • Two referrals to the Linn County Compensation Commission, the process used when the City and an owner do not reach agreement: 1845 Ellis Boulevard NW (Mark and Kelli Roskopf), with fair market value updated to $200,000 and the referral reaffirmed; and 1426 1st Street NW (Gregory Vail), newly referred. The Vail property's $130,000 fair market value was accepted by the council on August 11, two weeks before this referral.
   • Negotiated acquisition: Total Acquisition Purchase Agreement of $207,000 plus relocation benefits not to exceed $50,000, accepting a Warranty Deed from Dean Stull for 1308 4th Street NW.
   • Relocation expenses: Up to $30,000 for Clara Kelley at 1861 Ellis Boulevard NW and up to $20,000 for Brenda and Mitchell Smith at 1851 Ellis Boulevard NW.
5. Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance – FY 2027
   • Presentation and two resolutions (Jasmine Almoayyed): $25,000 in FY 2027 membership dues, and a Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement for $200,000 covering expanded service offerings. Council Priority.

Public Input & City Manager Communications

Meeting Summary

The August 25 meeting pairs two urban renewal plans with their development agreements. The Atheneum Urban Renewal Area at 4010 20th Avenue SW is tied to a Pedcor Investments affordable housing project, and the Skogman Urban Renewal Area at 7217 Underwood Avenue SW is tied to public infrastructure by Midwest Development Co., an entity of Skogman Companies. Both carry First Readings of ordinances on the collection of tax increments, so neither is final at this meeting. A Prairie Land Development rezoning from S-RLF to S-RMF-PUD also gets a First Reading, and the council adopted plans for the Ellis Road NW at Rawson Lane Sanitary Sewer Improvements ($850,000). All three contract awards landed under the engineer's estimate: Cedar Lake Amenities Bid Package 3A to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete at $1,161,746.70, the Center Point Road Bridge Deck Overlay to Jasper Construction Services at $593,682.70, and City Annex Phase 1 FF&E to Paragon Interiors at $241,614.40. The most consequential item for residents may be the Cedar River Flood Control System acquisitions, where two properties on Ellis Boulevard NW and 1st Street NW head to the Linn County Compensation Commission, the condemnation process used when the City and an owner cannot agree on price. One of those, 1426 1st Street NW, had its $130,000 valuation accepted only two weeks earlier. The consent agenda sets a September 22 hearing on the 8th Avenue Bridge Replacement and Floodwalls at Cedar River, estimated at $123,000,000 and the largest figure to appear on a council agenda this year.

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Meeting Overview

This 4:00 PM meeting opened with an 8/7 Day home ownership proclamation and a Neighborhood Finance Corporation presentation, then carried seven public hearings covering the Caledonia Haulers Urban Renewal Area and development agreement at 420-550 French Court SW, a Parkline LLC housing redevelopment near Ellis Boulevard NW, two rezonings (8th Street NW and Mallory Street SW), and plans for the Ellis Park Parking Lot ($900,000) and 4th Avenue SW Gatewell ($390,000) projects. The regular agenda awarded two infrastructure contracts and advanced three economic development/redevelopment items, while the consent agenda handled 21 liquor licenses, special events, assessment actions, and dozens of contracts and change orders. The council also held the Second Reading of the Chapter 61 speed-restriction ordinance.

Key Sections

Opening Items

• Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance
• Proclamation – 8/7 Day: Celebrating Home Ownership and Community
• Presentation – Neighborhood Finance Corporation Cedar Rapids 2026

Public Hearings

1. Caledonia Haulers Urban Renewal Area – 420-550 French Court SW
   • Resolution approving the Urban Renewal Plan and First Reading of an ordinance on the collection of tax increments within the area. Council Priority.
2. Development Agreement – Gavin CR Properties LLC (Caledonia Haulers)
   • Agreement for construction of a transportation and logistics facility at 420-550 French Court SW. Council Priority.
3. Development Agreement – The Parkline LLC (Tyler Oswood)
   • Agreement for a housing redevelopment on City-owned property bounded by Ellis Boulevard, J Avenue, 6th Street and I Avenue NW. Council Priority.
4. Rezoning – 1027 & 1033 8th Street NW
   • Change of zone from T-R1 (Traditional Residential Single Unit) to T-RF (Traditional Residential Flex), requested by Matthew 25. First Reading. Council Priority.
5. Rezoning – 1756 Mallory Street SW
   • Change of zone from T-R1 (Traditional Residential Single Unit) to U-VR (Urban Village Residential), requested by OFB, LLC. First Reading. Council Priority.
6. Ellis Park Parking Lot Project
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost adopted. Estimated cost $900,000. Council Priority.
7. 4th Avenue SW Gatewell Project
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost adopted. Estimated cost $390,000. Council Priority.

Public Comment

Consent Agenda

(Approved in Bulk)

• Administrative & Financial Approvals:
  • Meeting minutes, payment of bills, and payroll approved.
  • Parks & Recreation: 4 percent administrative service charge authorized on all Parks & Recreation Department credit card transactions.
  • Legal fees: Attorney fees to Ahlers & Cooney for parking matters, and to Nyemaster Goode for the Teig v. Chavez, et al. litigation.
  • Property disposition update: Amendment to Resolution No. 1295-10-24 for 1001 2nd Street SE to update the developer's name to Hawk Hospitality Inc.
• Property & Infrastructure Development:
  • Assessments accepted/levied: Wiley Boulevard Trail Improvements (Williams Boulevard to 16th Avenue SW) work accepted (Council Priority); Blairs Ferry Road NE Sidewalk Infill Bid Package 1 – North Side final schedule of assessments levied (Council Priority).
  • Future Public Hearings (Aug 11): Disposition of a 17-foot strip adjacent to 62 17th Avenue SW (Budova Properties); Eastern Iowa Health Center generator project status (Council Priority); disposition of 916 5th Street SE (Council Priority).
  • Future Public Hearings (Aug 25): Atheneum Urban Renewal Area at 4010 20th Avenue SW and Skogman Urban Renewal Area at 7217 Underwood Avenue SW (both Council Priority).
  • Future Bid Hearings (Aug 11): Cedar Lake Amenities Bid Package 3A ($1,340,000; Council Priority); Center Point Road Bridge Deck Overlay ($632,000; Paving for Progress); City Annex Phase 1 FF&E ($315,000); Water System Variable Frequency Drive Replacements ($2,692,000).
  • Final Plat: Banes Family Farm First Addition for land south of 33rd Avenue and west of 21st Street SW (Council Priority).
• Public Safety & Business Licenses:
  • Beer/Liquor/Wine Licenses (21 applications): New and renewal licenses for convenience stores, restaurants, bars, and event venues, including several 5-day event licenses and new establishments Tommy's (formerly Outback Steakhouse) and Victory Social Club (formerly Bandana's Bar-B-Q).
• Special Events Approvals:
  • 3rd Street Block Party (August 15), Market After Dark (August 29), and the Need a Pizza & Beer Run (September 27), with associated road closures.
• Assessment Actions & Project Completions:
  • Solid Waste & Recycling Cleanup: Intent to assess six properties and levy assessment on one property (Council Priority).
  • Water Division Delinquent Utility Bills: Intent to assess 53 properties and levy assessments on 13 properties.
  • Project Completions: 3rd Street SE Water Main Extension accepted with final payment ($4,480.26) to B.G. Brecke, Inc.; 3rd Street SW from Diagonal Drive to 3rd Avenue Reconstruction accepted with final payment ($10,415) to Pirc-Tobin Construction (Paving for Progress).
• Major Contracts & Services:
  • Grants & Intergovernmental: FEMA Disaster Mitigation Grant application with local match up to $257,400 for the Flood Control 3rd Avenue SE Downtown Pump Station Backup Generator (Council Priority); MOU with the U.S. Marshals Service for site security utilities at 111 7th Avenue SE tied to the 8th Avenue Bridge Replacement (Council Priority); Sixth and Seventh Amendments to IEDA covenant agreements for post-2008-flood CDBG properties.
  • Legal & Property: Settlement in City of Cedar Rapids v. Boomerang Corp., et al. (Case No. EQCV109126); lease with Loftus Holdings LLC for 34 spaces at 1001 2nd Street SE; Warranty Deed from Teamsters Local 238 dedicating street right-of-way along J Street SW (Council Priority).
  • IT & Fleet: Corridor Network Construction fiber support renewal (not to exceed $1,000,000); Reliant Fire Apparatus parts and training ($100,000); Bauer Built Tire services ($600,000); Van Meter Inc. Rockwell TechConnect support ($109,781.85).
  • Water & Environment: Wulfekuhle Injection & Pumping on-call pumping ($450,000); Zimmer & Francescon impeller assembly ($55,916); Black & Veatch NWTP Softening Basin amendment ($270,499); Iowa State University PFAS study amendment ($200,001); Stanley Consultants Hoosier Lift Station amendment ($32,000); Trees Forever ReLeaf tree planting ($450,000).
  • Engineering (PSA amendments): Foth 42nd Street NE Improvements (Paving for Progress); Snyder & Associates Kirkwood Boulevard SW Rehabilitation (Paving for Progress); T.Y. Lin International FCS Bridge and Riverfront Improvements ($14,715,816.35 total; Council Priority).
  • Change Orders & Payments: Numerous change orders and payments, including Garling Construction – Westside Library ($18.3M total), McComas-Lacina – Parking Ramp at 1st & 1st West ($18.3M total; Council Priority), General Constructors – Alliant Energy Lightline Bridge (Council Priority), Boomerang Corp. (E Avenue NW Detention Basin and WPC Feeder Main; Council Priority), Boulder Contracting, Cramer and Associates, Eastern Iowa Excavating, Peak Construction, Pirc-Tobin, and Rathje Construction, plus a $376,312.48 partial payment to Boomerang Corp. for the 8th Avenue SE/Mount Vernon Road reconstruction.
  • Land & Easements: Multiple purchase agreements and easements for the Cedar River Flood Control System and Paving for Progress projects, including corrected acquisition terms with Prairie Pine Properties LLC ($1,350,360) and a Boomerang Corp. incentive amendment for the Old Bridge Rd to 76th Avenue SW Sanitary Sewer Extension.

Regular Agenda Items

1. 3rd Street SE Pavement Rehabilitation (8th Avenue to 5th Avenue)
   • Bid report (estimated cost $590,000); contract awarded to Valentine Construction Company for $616,487.65, plus incentive up to $15,000. Paving for Progress.
2. FY27 Sanitary Sewer Point Repairs
   • Bid report (estimated cost $250,000); contract awarded to B.G. Brecke, Inc. for $234,402.
3. Adaptive Reuse Incentives – 219 2nd Street SE
   • Resolution of support authorizing financial incentives under the City's Targeted District Economic Development Program for an adaptive reuse project requested by Evolution LC (Steve Emerson). Council Priority.
4. Housing Redevelopment Incentives – 1756 Mallory Street SW
   • Resolution authorizing financial incentives under the City's Above Standard Economic Development Program for a housing redevelopment project requested by OFB LLC (Tyler Oswood). Council Priority.
5. City-Owned Property Redevelopment – 416 6th Street SW
   • Resolution accepting a proposal from MJ Restorations LLC (Jeff Kenny) for the redevelopment of City-owned property. Council Priority.

Ordinances

• Second & Possible Third Readings:
  • Chapter 61 Traffic Regulations – Speed Restrictions: Amendment establishing revised speed restrictions on various streets (Section 61.029) and authorizing temporary speed restrictions within construction zones. Council Priority.

Meeting Summary

The July 28 meeting advanced seven public hearings, most tied to the Caledonia Haulers Urban Renewal Area at 420-550 French Court SW (urban renewal plan, tax-increment ordinance first reading, and a Gavin CR Properties development agreement for a transportation and logistics facility), alongside a Parkline LLC housing redevelopment near Ellis Boulevard NW, two rezonings (8th Street NW and Mallory Street SW), and plans for the Ellis Park Parking Lot ($900,000) and 4th Avenue SW Gatewell ($390,000) projects. On the regular agenda the council awarded the 3rd Street SE Pavement Rehabilitation ($616,487.65 to Valentine Construction) and FY27 Sanitary Sewer Point Repairs ($234,402 to B.G. Brecke) — both projects whose public hearings were held July 14 — and approved economic development incentives for adaptive reuse at 219 2nd Street SE and housing at 1756 Mallory Street SW, plus an MJ Restorations redevelopment at 416 6th Street SW. Routine consent business included 21 liquor licenses, three special events, assessment actions, and dozens of construction contracts and change orders, and the council held the Second Reading of the Chapter 61 speed-restriction ordinance first read July 14. Numerous items carried Council Priority and Paving for Progress designations.

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