Coralville Courier

Coralville Hosts Public Open House for 5th Street Improvements

CORALVILLE -- 5th Street will be getting a face lift from 12th Avenue to 20th Avenue and the City of Coralville would like community input.  Attend the open house for 5th Street and City Civic Campus Improvements on Monday, June 20 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.  This open house format will be held at S.T. Morrison Park, Fireside Shelter, near City Hall.  In case of inclement weather, or extreme heat, the open house will be held at Coralville City Hall.  

Consultants from Shive Hattery and Confluence have been guiding a team of residents and staff to develop plans for street improvements, lighting, overwide sidewalks, and storm water treatment opportunities.  Also included are plans to provide exciting, vibrant, interactives spaces on the lawns at the Public Library, City Hall, and S.T. Morrison Park.  Residents will be able to review draft plans and give feedback on final renderings.  Drop in any time during the event.  

Cedar Rapids City Council Adopts Display of Flags Policy

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – June 14 is marked in the United States as Flag Day, recognizing the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777. During today’s council meeting, the Cedar Rapids City Council adopted a Display of Flags policy to govern when commemorative, special occasion and other ceremonial flags may be flown on flagpoles at City-owned properties.

The City of Cedar Rapids values diversity, equity and inclusion. As an expression of these City values, the new policy provides for commemorative flags to be flown during 11 special occasions: Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Arab American Heritage Month, Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Juneteenth, Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Native American Heritage Month, and National Veterans and Military Families Month. Under the policy, other commemorative, special-occasion and ceremonial flags may be displayed to recognize Federal or State holidays, to commemorate any period recognized by local proclamation, to accompany any official action or ceremony of the City, or in conjunction with an event involving any official Cedar Rapids Sister Cities.

“The policy directs all flags must express the views, values and goals of the City as determined by City Council,” said Elizabeth Buch, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager for the City of Cedar Rapids. “This is another way we can show our commitment to creating meaningful relationships with all residents who call Cedar Rapids home while listening to — and showing support for — historically marginalized voices in our community.”

The Juneteenth flag will be the first flag flown under the new policy. It will be raised at the City Hall flagpole at the corner of 2nd Avenue SE and 1st Street on June 16 and fly throughout the weekend.

Juneteenth is a Federal holiday commemorating the anniversary of an announcement proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas. June 19, 1865 is recognized as the date when the last slaves in America were freed — nearly two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

“While symbolic gestures only go so far, this will be an exciting and visible moment recognizing our City’s commitment to inclusion for all. The City of Cedar Rapids continues to share the message that all are welcome in this community,” said Buch.

Traffic Alert – N. Clinton Street

IOWA CITY -- Weather permitting, North Clinton Street between Market and Jefferson streets, will have lane shifts on Friday, June 17, 2022.

It is anticipated normal traffic will resume by the end of the day.  This change in traffic pattern will facilitate the delivery of materials to the UI Pappajohn Business Building.

For information on road construction in Iowa City, visit www.icgov.org/travelalerts. 

Traffic Alert – Seventh Avenue Court

IOWA CITY -- Weather permitting, travel on Seventh Avenue Court, between Bradley and E streets, will be closed to through traffic beginning Thursday, June 16, 2022.

Access to residences on the street will be maintained. It is anticipated normal traffic will resume by the end of the day. This closure will facilitate the removal of ash trees in the area.

For information on road construction in Iowa City, visit www.icgov.org/travelalerts. 

Noelridge Aquatic Center to Open Saturday

Cedar Rapids, IA – Noelridge Aquatic Center will open to the public on Saturday, June 18. It will be the fifth outdoor pool in Cedar Rapids open for summer swimming. The pool has been closed for a mechanical repair. While temperatures are hot this week, opening prior to the 18^th is not possible due to completion of the repair and necessary staff training. All other pools are operational and able to accommodate increased attendance. Splash pads are also available at Cedar Valley Park, Cleveland Park, Daniels Park, Greene Square, Hayes Park, Hidder Park, Jacolyn Park, Noelridge Park, Redmond Park, Time Check Park and Twin Pines Park. Ellis Pool will return to normal operating hours on June 24. Find pool schedules at https://bit.ly/CRpools.

Johnson County Direct Assistance Program application appeal process to take place through June 23

The Johnson County Direct Assistance Program application appeal process began on Monday, June 13, and will end at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2022.

The appeal process is for applicants who need to provide additional documentation or information to be considered eligible for the program. All individuals who applied for the program have received notification of the status of their application through the email address they submitted when they applied.

Johnson County received 2,596 applications for the program. Of those applications, 2,067 have been determined to be eligible for the program based on documentation and information provided. There are 529 applicants who need to provide additional documentation and information through the appeal process in order to be determined eligible.

Individuals seeking assistance with their application appeal can contact Johnson County at [email protected] or 319-688-5988 between noon and 4 p.m. Additionally, applicants may come in-person to room 214 of the Health and Human Services Building, 855 S. Dubuque Street on the following days and times:

• Tuesday, June 14 – noon to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 15 – noon to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, June 16 – 9 a.m. to noon
• Tuesday, June 21 – noon to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 22 – noon to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, June 23 – 9 a.m. to noon

Applications for Johnson County’s Direct Assistance Program were accepted from Monday, April 25 through 2 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2022. No new applications will be accepted.

Eligibility for the Direct Assistance Program is not a guarantee of funding. The Johnson County Direct Assistance Program will notify all applicants of funding decisions when the appeal and selection process conclude.

Johnson County’s Direct Assistance Program provides one-time, financial assistance to eligible residents who have suffered hardship due to COVID-19. Only Johnson County residents are eligible for the Direct Assistance Program. Based on Iowa Code, someone who lives in Johnson County for the purpose of receiving services; residing in a hospital, correctional facility, halfway house, nursing facility, intermediate care facility; or for the purpose of attending a college or university is not considered a Johnson County resident.

More information is available on the Direct Assistance Program website in English at https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/direct-assistance-program or in Spanish at https://johnsoncountyiowa.gov/programa-de-asistencia-directa. 

More information about the American Rescue Plan Act and how it impacts Johnson County is available at https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/arpa.

Coralville Utility Rate Changes Begin July 1

Increases go into effect on July 1, 2022, for the City of Coralville’s solid waste and water rates. The changes were approved by the City Council following a review and public hearing in February for the budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

Monthly Solid Waste (Trash/Recycling) Rates
A solid waste rate increase will help fund increased operating costs and compensate for lower values for recyclable materials. 

Until June 30, 2022:

• $17.17 (35-gallon trash cart); $20.00 (65-gallon trash cart)

Effective July 1, 2022:

• $18.92 (35-gallon trash cart); $21.75 (65-gallon trash cart)

Monthly Water Rates
A water rate increase will allow the City to finance significant planned water system and capacity improvements.

Until June 30, 2022:

• Residential: $7.00 (first 200 cubic feet of use) and $1.80 (each additional 100 cubic feet of use)
• Commercial: $12.00 (first 200 cubic feet of use) and $1.80 (each additional 100 cubic feet of use)

Effective July 1, 2022:

• Residential: $7.44 (first 200 cubic feet of use) and $1.92 (each additional 100 cubic feet of use)
• Commercial: $12.80 (first 200 cubic feet of use) and $1.92 (each additional 100 cubic feet of use)

Learn More 
The sewer and stormwater rates remain unchanged. To learn more about Coralville utility rates, visit www.coralville.org/utilityrates or contact Utility Billing at 319.248.1715.

Novel Conversations on Zoom

Join us for a discussion of… Read on

Date	June 16, 2022
Time	7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location	Coralville Public Library 1401 5th St. Coralville, IA 52241
Cost	Free and open to the public

Senior Center closed at noon on Tuesday, June 14

IOWA CITY -- The Senior Center building will close at noon on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, as staff prepares a member, volunteer, and donor appreciation party for later that day. 

The Center will still host a 2 p.m. Zoom program that day, but there will be no in-person activities or access to the building after noon. Stay up-to-date on Senior Center news at icgov.org/seniorcenter. 

Iowa City Police Department announces return of Downtown Liaison Officer

Thanks to a return toward pre-pandemic staffing levels, the Iowa City Police Department is pleased to announce the return of the Downtown Liaison Officer position. Officer Colin Fowler - who was appointed Downtown Liaison Officer in 2017 - will return to that role. The Downtown Liaison is a sworn and uniformed officer assigned to the department's Community Outreach division. The Downtown Liaison is tasked with fostering positive relationships with Downtown businesses and patrons through public education, pro-active patrols, and homeless outreach. Officer Fowler has served with the Iowa City Police Department since 1999. In addition to his roles on the department's Special Response Team and as a field training officer, Officer Fowler is one of ICPD's two Crisis Intervention Training instructors. Officer Fowler will typically work daytime hours Monday through Friday in order to be accessible to businesses during their hours of operations. However, Officer Fowler's schedule is flexible in order to be available for Downtown events, as needed.