Government Notes: Cedar Rapids Receives $6 Million Grant

Cedar Rapids will receive $6 million in federal funding to replace the Eighth Avenue Bridge, a key segment of the city’s permanent flood control system.

The funding, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bridge Investment Program, which was established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, was announced last week by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, who sponsored the legislation.

Grassley announced the bridge project in April. received $56.4 million under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Promoting Sustainable Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Economical Transportation (PROTECT) grant program.

The new bridge, dubbed the Arc of Justice, is estimated to cost $76.1 million. it is a single-span cable-stayed bridge that will rise above potential flood waters. This will limit the need to evacuate areas behind the completed flood control system, improve access to trails, and increase connectivity across the river.

The city will likely award a contract to build the bridge by the end of 2026. Construction will likely begin in the spring of 2027 and last three years. Completion of the bridge is necessary for final certification of the east side.

In addition to the Cedar Rapids Bridge, Washington County will receive $38.6 million to remove and replace seven bridges in Washington, Hamilton, Buchanan, Jones, Cedar and Monroe counties.

Clear Creek Amana Reviews Cell Phone Policy

The Clear Creek Amana School Board is considering a new policy that would prohibit the use of personal electronic devices, including cell phones, headphones and other Bluetooth devices, by students during instruction.

The policy was reviewed by the school board last month and continues to be reviewed at a policy committee meeting Wednesday at 5 p.m.

The school board is working to develop a cell phone policy based on information from the Iowa School Boards Association and survey data collected by the district.

The draft policy states that students should feel connected to their learning environment and other members of the school community. “Technology has enhanced the ability of people to communicate with each other on various virtual platforms and, when used correctly, adds value to the learning environment,” the policy states.

The policy is that students will continue to have access to district-owned electronic devices during instruction as needed and with the permission of the classroom teacher.

Students may continue to wear smartwatches or digital watches, but may not use any communication applications or features prohibited for use on other electronic devices, and all notifications must be turned off.

Students who violate the rules may face disciplinary consequences. The Superintendent and building administrators will develop administrative policies consistent with this policy.

The policy is a work in progress and has not yet been adopted by the Clear Creek-Amanah School Board.

Clear Creek Amana is the latest of many Eastern Iowa schools to explore adoption of new mobile phone policy.

At least 13 states have passed laws or policies that ban or restrict student cell phone use in schools statewide, or have recommended that local districts enact their own bans or restrictive policies, according to the data. Education Week analysis. Although Iowa is not included on this list, many local school districts are taking action on their own.

The Clear Creek-Amana School District includes the communities of Tiffin, Oxford, the Amana Colonies, and the western edges of Coralville and North Liberty. There are approximately 3,200 students studying in the area.

Cedar Rapids begins work on infrastructure improvements

Cedar Rapids city officials gathered Friday for the official groundbreaking. Major improvements to the city’s aging wastewater treatment systemlocated at 7525 Bertram Rd. SE.

The $348 million project will modernize the city’s wastewater treatment system and limit its environmental impact.

Cedar Rapids has $36.7 million in cash to use for the project, and $318.7 million will be covered by issuing new debt. Cedar Rapids will rely on a 20- to 30-year loan through the State Revolving Fund, which received funds as part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden.

In recent years, the city has raised rates on consumers in anticipation of having to pay for the upgrades.

In September, city officials met with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acting Assistant Administrator Bruno Pigott. declare money from the State Revolving Fund. At the event, Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said the project will help transform Cedar Rapids into a “hub of industry, a trusted partner for businesses of all sizes” and a “destination for families.”

The long-awaited construction begins after almost ten years of preparation.

“In all the time I’ve worked for the city, the utility has never taken on a project of this size,” Utilities Director Roy Hesemann said in a news release. “Over the next 5 years, improvements to our water pollution control facility will bring many new features and upgrades; updating much of our aging equipment and working to meet our Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy goals.”

Construction of the plant is expected to be completed in 2029.

Iowa City and Cedar Rapids offer free bus transportation on Election Day

Cedar Rapids and Iowa City residents can take advantage of a free city bus to get to the polls on Tuesday, Election Day.

In Cedar Rapids, buses will operate at regular hours, 5:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. The trips will be free for everyone. Riders will not have to prove voter registration or destination to ride free.

“We hope that providing this service to residents will help remove transportation as a barrier by giving interested individuals the opportunity to vote,” said Transit Manager Brad DeBrower.

For help planning your transit trip to Cedar Rapids, visit the city’s website: CityofCR.com/Transit.

In Iowa City, bus service is always free, including Tuesday on Election Day. Passengers using transit are advised find your polling station before boarding the bus. Riders who need help determining the best route to their site can use the city’s services. Transit Polling Site Guide at icgov.org or use Transit application or call 319-356-5151.

Polling stations are open on Tuesday from 7:00 to 20:00. To locate your polling place or for more information about elections, visit the Iowa Secretary of State’s website at: sos.iowa.gov.

Mount Vernon Schools is seeking volunteers for roundtable discussions.

The Mount Vernon School District is seeking volunteers from the community, school board, students and school staff to listen to district needs, help make recommendations and provide feedback on upcoming decisions.

In Friday’s newsletter, Superintendent Matt Lyman said the roundtable is an opportunity for stakeholders to learn more about the district through the programs they helped create. This is an opportunity to learn more about how the school district works and functions.

The goal is to attract more people to the district and increase community participation. Meetings will be organized and led by the Superintendent and other school leaders as topics arise within their purview.

The meetings will be held from 18:00 to 19:00 at a location, the number of participants has not yet been determined. The first meeting will take place on December 4th. There will be at least three meetings during the 2024-25 school year.

The application deadline is Monday, November 18th. Participants will be notified via email by Friday, November 22nd that their application has been accepted.

To apply, visit mvcsd.organd find the link in the November 2024 district newsletter.

Tiffin to host Community Input open days for proposed leisure center

Tiffin will host two open houses at City Hall at 300 Railroad St. November 12 and 20 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm for the public to view. proposed recreation center plans.

The city is looking for feedback from residents, so staff and council members will be present at the open house to answer questions.

The current plan includes two full-size basketball courts (with the option of four smaller courts), a batting cage and turf court, cardio and strength training equipment, and a free weights area.

Basketball courts can also be used for volleyball or pickleball games.

The recreation center will also include a walking path on the second floor overlooking the gym and studio exercise rooms.

Additionally, a locker room, community meeting space and several foosball and ping pong tables will be added.

The proposed location for the recreation center is next to the football fields at the roundabout on South Park Road.

The initial phase of the project is expected to cost approximately $8 million. The city plans to cover the facility’s operating costs through memberships. The capital costs will be paid for by the city’s 1-cent local options sales tax.

Government Notes are published on Mondays and contain updates from local government agencies. The Gazette’s Megan Woolard, Grace King and Sarah Conrad Baranowski contributed.