Disaster Recovery Information

City Makes Repairs After Flood Debris Removal
The City of Cedar Rapids Solid Waste amp; Recycling Division is working with the Water Division to repair water pipe stop valves damaged during flood debris removal operations. City crews have worked with the Iowa Department of Transportation and several contractors to remove more than 70,000 tons of debris from flood-impacted residential areas since the June flooding disaster. The City believes the stop valves were damaged during the emergency phase of debris removal, within the first six weeks of flood recovery. During these operations, crews used debris collection trucks with large claws to scoop and skid loaders to scrape the debris from the Citys right-of-way areas. In some cases, this equipment caught the water pipe head at ground level and broke the stop valves. City crews and contractors are repairing those broken valves as they are reported. The average cost of repairing each stop valve is $1000. So far, 60 stop valves have been found damaged. The City will submit these repair costs to FEMA for reimbursement. If residents find a broken water pipe stop valve in a flood-impacted area, please report its location to the Water Division at (319) 286-5900.

City to Remove Documents from Veterans Memorial Building for Annual Audit
The City of Cedar Rapids will be retrieving documents from the Veterans Memorial Building on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. The City has hired a moving company and a crane operator to remove financial documents from the second, third and fourth floors of the building. The crane will be positioned on the First Avenue Bridge in Downtown Cedar Rapids. These documents will be used for the Citys annual audit. The City is using this unusual moving method because the Veterans Memorial Building does not have electricity or a working elevator and because of the large amount of financial documents needed. Two lanes of the First Avenue Bridge will be closed for most of the day on Wednesday.

City to Remove Documents from Veterans Memorial Building for Annual Audit
The City of Cedar Rapids will be retrieving documents from the Veterans Memorial Building on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. The City has hired a moving company and a crane operator to remove financial documents from the second, third and fourth floors of the building. The crane will be positioned on the First Avenue Bridge in Downtown Cedar Rapids. These documents will be used for the Citys annual audit. The City is using this unusual moving method because the Veterans Memorial Building does not have electricity or a working elevator and because of the large amount of financial documents needed. Two lanes of the First Avenue Bridge will be closed for most of the day on Wednesday.

Overnight Fire Destroys K Avenue NW Home
The Cedar Rapids Fire Department was dispatched at 2:22 AM this morning to a reported house fire at 124 K Avenue NW.The first incoming fire engine company could see flames showing from the structure from several blocks away. Upon firefighters arrival, they found a one and one-half story home fully involved with fire.Due to the extent of the fire involving all four sides of the structure, firefighters fought the blaze in defensive mode, which seeks to minimize damage to surrounding structures.Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the 124 K Avenue NW parcel.The house was a total loss and a boat, which was parked next to the home, was also severely damaged. The home, which did not appear to be occupied at the time of the fire, is owned by Laurie L. Jaeger.The home is a flood-damaged property that was placarded yellow, but does not appear to have any occupancy or construction permits.There are no reported injuries at this time. Firefighters were on scene for several hours putting out hot spots within the debris.There did not appear to be any electrical or gas service to the home.The cause of the fire is under investigation.

City of Cedar Rapids to Observe Veterans Day
The City of Cedar Rapids will be observing Veterans Day, November 11, 2008. All offices and departments will be closed. The following City services will still be in operation: Water Pollution Control servicesSolid Waste amp; Recycling will be collecting garbage, yard waste and recyclingWater Divisions 24-hour emergency service number at (319) 286-5910 Note: Downtown parking meters will not be enforced on November 11, 2008.

City to Hold Meeting About Construction Parking Zones on Nov. 14
The City of Cedar Rapids Parking Division and Traffic Engineering will hold an informational meeting about the Construction Parking Zone plan for downtown Cedar Rapids on Friday. All downtown building owners and contractors are invited to provide feedback at the meeting, scheduled for November 14, 2008, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Board Room, 424 1st Ave NE. Maps of the plan and outlines of the process will be available for review. The Construction Parking Zone plan was approved by the City Council on October 8, 2008.

City Council Community Conversation on Nov. 11
Hosted by City Council Members Tom Podzimek amp; Pat SheyAll Cedar Rapids residents are invited to the second of four Community Conversations hosted by City Council Members Tom Podzimek and Pat Shey on Tuesday, November 11, at 6:00 p.m. in the Flaherty Community Room of Basile Hall on the Mount Mercy College campus. This informative discussion titled Rethinking Neighborhood Development will be facilitated by Mr. Podzimek. Residents are encouraged to ask questions and participate in feedback activities about redesigning neighborhoods in flood-impacted areas and across the city. Seating is limited to 135, so please arrive early. We will begin by looking at current patters of development and opportunities to change our course as we begin to rebuild our community, said Mr. Podzimek. As we look to rebuild flood-torn neighborhoods, we need to look at our neighborhoods as a system connecting homes with recreation, schools, work, retail stores and other neighborhoods. We should also consider how we consume and conserve energy, how we implement sustainable home design to lower heating and cooling costs and how we create sustainable infrastructure of streets, sewers, storm water and trash removal, said Mr. Shey. Future Community Conversations will be held at the same time and place on November 25 and December 9, 2008. Future topics include designing neighborhoods of the future, sustainable design and neighborhood revitalization.

City of Cedar Rapids Retains Triple-A Bond Rating Despite 2008 Flood
Despite the flood of 2008, Moodys Investors Service has affirmed the City of Cedar Rapids Aaa rating of its outstanding general obligation unlimited tax debt, affecting $255 million. Moodys highest quality Aaa rating is based on the Citys stable economy that is expected to withstand near-term devaluation challenges, the Citys history of stable financial operations with satisfactory fund balance policies, and its average debt burden with future borrowing anticipated. Major factors in the Citys post-flood economic and financial stability include: the Citys flood recovery and reinvestment plans and financial planning, the commitment of Cedar Rapids businesses to stay in the community, and the progress of the process to receive federal reimbursement for flood-related expenses. Were extremely pleased about retaining our Aaa rating because it is so important to keeping the cost of City borrowing down for our taxpayers, said Mayor Kay Halloran. This affirmation of our credit rating displays Moodys confidence in our communitys continued economic vitality and flood recovery. Moodys cited the following: Seven hundred Cedar Rapids businesses were affected by the flood in some way. Four hundred fifty of those are in the downtown area, and 90 percent have already returned or plan on returning.Six of the Cedar Rapids top ten largest employers were not affected by the flood and the top ten largest businesses are all back in full operations. A few major businesses are taking the opportunity to expand.Based on the Citys strategic plan for redevelopment, management is working with a third-party intermediary, FEMA, and the State to begin the reimbursement process.The City is submitting an application for the federal hazard mitigation buyout program for some of the substantially damaged housing stock in the flood plain.The City drew down its reserves in fiscal 2008 by about $9.8 million to address one-time flood-related capital and personnel costs, but expects about $8.8 million to be reimbursed through federal funds and insurance.Any devaluation in the tax base is expected to impact the 2010/2011 fiscal year, and is currently estimated to fall by 3 percent, as the Citys valuation will be reassessed in January 2009. However, any commercial development and/or residential appreciation is expected to mitigate any risk of significant devaluation over the near term. The Citys ability to recover has been and is impacted by its ability to recover flood expenses with FEMA, which is why the City has enlisted outside help in expediting that process, said City Manager Jim Prosser. Moodys said it expects the Citys financial operations to remain sound given a demonstrated record of prudent management, conservative budgeting practices and healthy reserves. It was noted that Cedar Rapids serves as the county seat for Linn County and a regional center for commerce, industry and transportation for the surrounding eight-county area. However, Moodys also commented that the City derives the bulk of its revenue from property taxes, comprising 54.1 percent of core revenues during fiscal 2007. The City has worked on a state-level during the past year for diversification of municipal revenue sources coupled with smart growth policies. We have to become less dependent on property taxes and seek to capture new revenue from people who visit or work in the community but dont necessarily pay property taxes, said Council Member Pat Shey. Moodys visited Cedar Rapids August 28 and the City was assisted in its presentation to the credit rating agency by Clay Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer at Rockwell-Collins, and Don Chizek, Plant Manager, Quaker Food amp; Snacks, Quaker Oats Company. The City really owes thanks to Clay Jones and Don Chizek for assisting the City and meeting with Moodys, said Prosser. They both expressed their commitment, and the commitment of the business community, to Cedar Rapids. We believe that made a big impact on Moodys.

City of Cedar Rapids Retains Triple-A Bond Rating Despite 2008 Flood
Despite the flood of 2008, Moodys Investors Service has affirmed the City of Cedar Rapids Aaa rating of its outstanding general obligation unlimited tax debt, affecting $255 million. Moodys highest quality Aaa rating is based on the Citys stable economy that is expected to withstand near-term devaluation challenges, the Citys history of stable financial operations with satisfactory fund balance policies, and its average debt burden with future borrowing anticipated. Major factors in the Citys post-flood economic and financial stability include: the Citys flood recovery and reinvestment plans and financial planning, the commitment of Cedar Rapids businesses to stay in the community, and the progress of the process to receive federal reimbursement for flood-related expenses. Were extremely pleased about retaining our Aaa rating because it is so important to keeping the cost of City borrowing down for our taxpayers, said Mayor Kay Halloran. This affirmation of our credit rating displays Moodys confidence in our communitys continued economic vitality and flood recovery. Moodys cited the following: Seven hundred Cedar Rapids businesses were affected by the flood in some way. Four hundred fifty of those are in the downtown area, and 90 percent have already returned or plan on returning.Six of the Cedar Rapids top ten largest employers were not affected by the flood and the top ten largest businesses are all back in full operations. A few major businesses are taking the opportunity to expand.Based on the Citys strategic plan for redevelopment, management is working with a third-party intermediary, FEMA, and the State to begin the reimbursement process.The City is submitting an application for the federal hazard mitigation buyout program for some of the substantially damaged housing stock in the flood plain.The City drew down its reserves in fiscal 2008 by about $9.8 million to address one-time flood-related capital and personnel costs, but expects about $8.8 million to be reimbursed through federal funds and insurance.Any devaluation in the tax base is expected to impact the 2010/2011 fiscal year, and is currently estimated to fall by 3 percent, as the Citys valuation will be reassessed in January 2009. However, any commercial development and/or residential appreciation is expected to mitigate any risk of significant devaluation over the near term. The Citys ability to recover has been and is impacted by its ability to recover flood expenses with FEMA, which is why the City has enlisted outside help in expediting that process, said City Manager Jim Prosser. Moodys said it expects the Citys financial operations to remain sound given a demonstrated record of prudent management, conservative budgeting practices and healthy reserves. It was noted that Cedar Rapids serves as the county seat for Linn County and a regional center for commerce, industry and transportation for the surrounding eight-county area. However, Moodys also commented that the City derives the bulk of its revenue from property taxes, comprising 54.1 percent of core revenues during fiscal 2007. The City has worked on a state-level during the past year for diversification of municipal revenue sources coupled with smart growth policies. We have to become less dependent on property taxes and seek to capture new revenue from people who visit or work in the community but dont necessarily pay property taxes, said Council Member Pat Shey. Moodys visited Cedar Rapids August 28 and the City was assisted in its presentation to the credit rating agency by Clay Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer at Rockwell-Collins, and Don Chizek, Plant Manager, Quaker Food amp; Snacks, Quaker Oats Company. The City really owes thanks to Clay Jones and Don Chizek for assisting the City and meeting with Moodys, said Prosser. They both expressed their commitment, and the commitment of the business community, to Cedar Rapids. We believe that made a big impact on Moodys.

City Council Agendas Now Posted Online on Mondays
The Cedar Rapids City Councils weekly Wednesday meeting agendas will be published online on Mondays at 4:00 p.m., beginning next Monday, November 10, 2008. City Council members decided to move the publication date from Fridays to Mondays during a City Council Briefing earlier this week. The weekly meeting agenda and City Council packet will be posted on the Citys website, specifically on the Council Meetings page: http://www.cedar-rapids.org/clerk/council_meetings.asp.

Downtown Parking Registration and Enforcement Update
The City of Cedar Rapids Parking Division will begin enforcing all parking regulations and fee requirements in downtown Cedar Rapids on Monday, November 3, 2008. Individuals registered for a monthly parking space are required to display hang tag permits from that day forward. All parking meters, no parking zones and reserved parking restrictions will also be enforced beginning Monday. In addition, the Five Seasons Parkade will begin charging 60 cents per hour for parking on Saturday, November 1. During the Citys special parking registration sessions earlier this month, 84 businesses and 624 individuals registered for monthly downtown parking lot and parkade spaces. There are still approximately 1500 monthly parking spaces available for registration. To register as an individual, stop by the Water Department Administration Office, 1111 Shaver Road NE, to complete the registration form and provide payment. To register for a group of spaces for a company, call the parking department at (319) 286-5003 or email l.haskell@cedar-rapids.org. The registration forms are also available online at www.cedar-rapids.org/parking.

Emergency Demolition Air Quality Testing Results for Oct. 27 and 28
The City of Cedar Rapids began demolishing flood-damaged houses that sustained extensive structural damage on October 28, 2008. The City hired Family Environmental Compliance Services to monitor air quality and conduct daily tests for asbestos during the demolition process. These daily air quality tests are taken in three locations on the downwind side of the demolition site of the day. The samples are analyzed and results are produced the day after the demolition. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a clearance level of .01 fibers per cubic centimeter for safe breathing conditions. (That is about the size of a sugar cube.) So far, these tests have remained at a safe level below that standard.

Hotel-Motel Tax Application Deadline Extended to Nov. 7
The City of Cedar Rapids has extended the deadline for fiscal year 2010 hotel-motel tax applications for local cultural, recreational, convention or entertainment organizations until November 7, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. These applications are available on the Citys website at http://www.cedar-rapids.org/audit/hot_mot.asp. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code in order to be eligible for this funding. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered for funding. Completed applications should be electronically submitted to Vicky Grover at v.grover@cedar-rapids.org. For more information, contact the Treasurys Office at (319) 286-5003.

Community Conversation About Sustainability Oct. 28
All Cedar Rapids residents are invited to the first of four Community Conversations hosted by City Council Members Tom Podzimek and Pat Shey on Tuesday, October 28, at 6:00 p.m. in the Flaherty Community Room of Basile Hall on the Mount Mercy College campus. We are hosting this series of Community Conversations to talk about how we can no only rebuild our city and its neighborhoods, but how we can achieve our goals with a focus on sustainability, connectivity, lifecycle costs and truly create the city of the future, said Mr. Shey. Paul Brown of the Camp Dresser amp; McKee (CDM) architectural firm, based in Cambridge, MA, will be the featured presenter at Tuesdays Community Conversation. Mr. Brown is the president of CDMs Public Service Group with expertise in green cities, urban sustainability and smart growth. As we look to rebuild this city, we look to improve how we design, what we design and how we can implement more sustainable practices in landscaping, architecture, community planning, public infrastructure and neighborhood development, said Mr. Podzimek. Paul Brown is a world-renowned expert on this topic. He will help us explore all the possibilities during our Community Conversation event. Future Community Conversations will be held at the same time and place on November 11, November 25 and December 9, 2008. Future topics include designing neighborhoods of the future, sustainable design and neighborhood revitalization.

City to Begin Demolishing Flood-Damaged Homes Tuesday, Oct. 28
The City of Cedar Rapids will begin demolishing flood-damaged houses that sustained extensive structural damage on Tuesday, October 28, at 11:00 a.m. These houses have been determined to pose a threat to public health, safety and welfare. The City hired DW Zinser Company of Walford, Iowa to demolish, remove and dispose of all 71 approved structures, starting with the house located at 1229 4th Street SE. Depending on weather conditions, the contractor will demolish all of the approved houses in the southeast quadrant of Cedar Rapids over the next couple weeks. Then the demolition crews will move through other quadrants of the city. The City also hired Family Environmental Compliance Services of Denver, CO to monitor air quality and conduct daily tests during the demolition process. All test results will be posted on www.corridorrecovery.org, www.cedar-rapids.org and www.linncounty.org. The City has partnered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Linn County Public Health, Cedar Rapids-Linn County Solid Waste Agency, US Environmental Protection Agency and other state and federal agencies to ensure a safe and efficient demolition and disposal process.

Linn County Board of Supervisors Allocates $75,000 in Witwer Trust Funds to Flood Recovery
CEDAR RAPIDS, IAThe Linn County Board of Supervisors announces it will allocate $75,000 from this years Witwer Trust Fund grant program to local flood recovery efforts. Specifically, $37,500 will be directed to the Job and Small Business Recovery Fund and $37,500 will be directed to the Flood 2008 Fund at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.This year we are allocating the Countys Witwer Trust grant dollars to flood recovery because the need is so great, said Supervisor Lu Barron. The Board of Supervisors is committed to rebuilding our community, and the Witwer Trust Fund provides a way for us to help those directly affected by the flood. The Board of Supervisors receives $80,000 annually from proceeds of a trust established by Weaver Witwer, a well-known Cedar Rapids grocer and landowner who died in 1979. Mr. Witwer established the Trust as a way to give back to the community in perpetuity. In past years, the Board of Supervisors has awarded these funds to local non-profit organizations through a competitive grant process. The funds must be used to benefit Linn County residents. The remaining $5,000 from this years distribution will be set aside for future projects. The Linn County Board of Supervisors anticipates returning to the regular Witwer Trust competitive grant program in November 2009. ###

Fall Leaf Collection Begins Monday, October 27, 2008
The Annual Fall Leaf Collection is conducted by the Streets Department from the fourth week in October through the third week of November (approximately October 27, 2008 - November 21, 2008). Only leaves raked into the street will be collected through this service. Leaves should NOT be raked into the street until the day before your scheduled pickup (see approximate schedule below for Oct 27-29). At that time, you may place the leaves in the street and please remember to leave a 12 gap between the leaves and the curb. This will help with rainwater drainage and allow for a cleaner and more efficient removal of leaves by City crews. Please do not place leaves too far into the middle of the street, as this may cause a traffic hazard. YARDY's, bagged leaves, and other items are collected separately by the Solid Waste Department. Mulch leaves and place into the YARDY cart to minimize what is raked into the street. The exact pick up date varies based on weather and equipment availability. Monday, October 27, 2008 SW [Areas 113] (Area 1) First Street to Williams Boulevard between First and Eighth avenues (Area 2) START Spencer Drive to 80th Street between First and 16th avenues NW [Areas 14-26] (Area 14) First Street to Ellis Boulevard from F Avenue to 1925 Ellis Boulevard (Area 15) Ellis Boulevard to 13th Street from F Avenue to Ellis Lane SE [Areas 27-44] (Area 27) 15th to 30th streets; from Mt Vernon to Otis road; McCarthy Road, and Spruce Avenue (Area 28) 30th to 43rd streets; South of Mt Vernon Road to the City limits including Maple View Addition off 44th Street NE [Areas 45-65] (Area 45) First to F avenues; from College Drive to 20th Street (Area 46) Oakland Road to I-380 from First Avenue to 32nd Street including Russell Drive, both sides of Oakland Road, Center Point Road, both sides of Coe Road, and College Drive as well as First to 10th streets; from First to C avenues including Stickle Drive (Area 58) Blairs Ferry Road to Blue Mound Drive from Twin Mound to Pine Grove drives (Area 59) I-380 to Wenig Road from 42nd Street to Highway 100 Tuesday, October 28, 2008 SW [Areas 113] (Area 2) CONTINUE Spencer Drive to 80th Street between First and 16th avenues NW [Areas 14-26] (Area 16) First to F avenues; from First to 18th streets SE [Areas 27-44] (Area 29) 10th to 19th streets; between Bever Avenue and Mt Vernon Road NE [Areas 45-65] (Area 47) Oakland Road to Prairie Drive from G Avenue to 29th Street (Area 60) Wenig Road to Twin Pine Drive from 42nd Street to Highway 100 Wednesday, October 29, 2008 SW [Areas 113] (Area 3) Stoney Heights Additions (Area 4) Spencer Drive to Rockford Road between Eighth and 16th avenues NW [Areas 14-26] (Area 17) Johnson to F avenues; from 18th Street to Wiley Boulevard SE [Areas 27-44] (Area 30) 10th to 19th streets; between Bever Avenue and 14th Street South of First Avenue NE [Areas 45-65] (Area 48) 20th to 29th streets; from First Avenue to Prairie Drive (Area 61) I-380 to Wenig Road from Glass Road to 42nd Street

Back-In Angle Parking Demonstration Oct. 21
Cedar Rapids City Council Member Monica Vernon will demonstrate how to park in a back-in angle space in downtown Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, October 21, at 2:00 p.m. This live demonstration will take place along one of the new back-in angle parking areas on the 3rd Avenue Bridge (west span, west of County Courthouse). The City of Cedar Rapids is providing back-in angle parking spaces in the following locations: West side of 1st Street SE, between 1st and 7th AvenuesSouth side of the 2nd Avenue BridgeNorth side of the 3rd Avenue Bridge These spaces will offer an additional 75 parking spaces in downtown Cedar Rapids. Back-in angle parking provides simpler maneuverability than parallel parking, easier loading at curbside and better visibility of oncoming traffic. Heres how to park in a back-in angle space: Use your right turn signal to indicate your intention to park.e just past the parking space and stop.Turn the wheel slightly and back into the parking space.To leave the space, simply check for oncoming cars or bicycles before driving forward into the street.

Skogman Construction Company to Break Ground Today
Skogman Construction Company of Iowa and the City of Cedar Rapids are holding a media conference today, October 20, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. near the corner of 12th Avenue SE amp; 9th Street SE. During this conference, workers will break ground for construction of the Skogman Housing Project in the Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) area. The Skogman Housing Project includes the construction of 11 homes in the Oak Hill Jackson Neighborhood on land owned by the City on the block of 12th Avenue SE, between 8th and 9th Streets. Depending on weather conditions, workers are expected to begin building four homes this fall and possibly one of those homes will be ready for occupancy by the end of January 2009.

Skogman Construction Company to Break Ground for New Homes
Skogman Construction Company of Iowa and the City of Cedar Rapids are holding a media conference on Monday, October 20, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. near the corner of 12th Avenue SE amp; 9th Street SE. During this conference, workers will break ground for construction of the Skogman Housing Project in the Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) area. The Skogman Housing Project includes the construction of 11 homes in the Oak Hill Jackson Neighborhood on land owned by the City on the block of 12th Avenue SE, between 8th and 9th Streets. Depending on weather conditions, workers are expected to begin building four homes this fall and possibly one of those homes will be ready for occupancy by the end of January 2009.

City Changes Building Permit Process for Rebuilding After Flood
The City of Cedar Rapids is temporarily changing the building permit process, as passed by the City Council on October 15, 2008, to allow residents to use volunteer labor from non-profit charitable organizations for help in rebuilding their flood-damaged homes. These changes were facilitated by the Citys Code Enforcement Division in cooperation with the local Metro Licensing Boards and local Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing trade representatives. These temporary amendments to the Municipal Code allow homeowners to obtain permits for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) work in accordance with the following: The homeowner is liable for all permitted work done on their property.The home is a single family residence eligible for homestead exemption (non-rental).Non-profit charitable organization assists the homeowner with free labor for the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing work.Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) volunteer(s) must be approved for the work in advance by the Code Enforcement Division of Cedar Rapids prior to any work being conducted. This is to ensure the MEP volunteer is licensed in good standing in a jurisdiction which enforces the respective code, to provide a criminal background check on that volunteer through our badging process, and coordinate compliance inspections and staffing for same. This temporary approval will continually be reviewed for effectiveness and may be discontinued at any time by the City Council. In addition, previous Metro-licensed, retired, mechanical, electrical and plumbing professionals, with Code Enforcement Division approval, will be allowed to work in the flood-affected areas. All non-profit charitable organizations that plan to provide volunteer labor in Cedar Rapids are required to submit the following information to the Code Enforcement Division for approval: A list of flood-damaged homes scheduled to be rebuiltA list of mechanical, electrical and plumbing professionals licensed in good standing in a jurisdiction which enforces the respective code, with criminal background checks Once these lists are approved, homeowners with pre-approved properties may pick up mechanical, electrical and/or plumbing building permits at the Code Enforcement Divisions temporary location on the upper level of Westdale Mall, 2600 Edgewood Road SW. There is no fee for building permits issued for the flood-affected areas of Cedar Rapids. For more information, call (319) 286-5831.

Flood Recovery Assistance Hotline Update
Everyone Registered Will be Contacted for Appointment Soon As of today, the Flood Recovery Assistance Hotline staff have registered more than 1,000 calls from flood-impacted residents. Of those registered, 600 residents have been scheduled for a one-on-one consultation. 500 of those consultations are complete. Staff will continue to schedule consultations for the next several weeks until every registrant is contacted. The Flood Recovery Assistance Hotline is receiving a high volume of inbound calls from residents who have already registered. This volume is overloading the phone lines so that outbound calls to schedule appointments cant be made in a timely manner. We urge all residents who have already registered through the hotline to wait to be contacted for an appointment. If you have already called 2-1-1 or (319) 739-4211 once, you are registered for flood recovery assistance. There is no need to call back to confirm.

Ushers Ferry Historic Village Begins Clean Up
Ushers Ferry Historic Village has been assessed and all buildings with the exception of the stable building, have been deemed safe. Clean up will begin today as Americorps and Hands On volunteers start to gut the church, town hall, school and Grange building. Additional volunteers will work on retrieving artifacts this weekend. Ushers Ferry programming is ongoing with several Halloween events planned. Safe Halloween for Kids, a family event, will be heldSunday, October 26 from 12:00-3:00pm at Noelridge Park. The event will include trick-or-treating, games and costume contests. Bring your best decorated pumpkin for a jack-o-lantern contest. Admission is $5 for anyone trick-or-treating. Admission may be paid at the door, but pre-registration is encouraged. Ushers Scary on the Road is geared towards ages 13 and older. This event will be held on Saturday, October 25 and Friday, October 31 from 6:30-10:00pm at the Granger House, 970 10th Street, Marion and/or the Marion Heritage Center, 590 10th Street. Come to the Granger House for a good old-fashioned fright night in a haunted mansion. Then, go to the Heritage Center for a spooky tour of Old Marion, palm reading and a visit to the morticians laboratory. Visitors will be escorted between locations by shadowy residents from the past who will share their scary true stories. For more information about these events, call 286-5731.

City Begins Demolishing Flood-Damaged Homes Oct. 27
The City of Cedar Rapids will begin demolishing flood-damaged houses that sustained extensive structural damage in the June flooding disaster during the week of October 27, 2008. These houses have been determined to pose a threat to public health, safety, or welfare. The City hired the DW Zinser Company of Walford, Iowa to demolish, remove and dispose of all 71 approved structures. All demolition debris will be treated as if it contains asbestos. The contractor will begin disconnecting utilities to these structures tomorrow. Depending on weather conditions, demolition is expected to begin Monday, October 27, at 8:00 a.m., with the house that was located at 1229 4th Street SE and was displaced by the flood onto the street. The City will cover the costs of demolishing the attached list 71 flood-damaged homes. This list has been updated since the Citys media release dated September 23, 2008.

Hotel-Motel Tax Applications Available
The City of Cedar Rapids fiscal year 2010 hotel-motel tax applications for cultural and recreational organizations are available on the Citys website at http://www.cedar-rapids.org/audit/hot_mot.asp. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code in order to be eligible for this funding. The deadline for submitting FY 2010 hotel-motel tax applications is November 1, 2008. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered for funding. For more information, contact the Treasurys Office at (319) 286-5003.

City Hires Contractor to Help Remove Flood-Related Debris
Residents Must Separate Debris into Six Piles The City of Cedar Rapids has hired GM Enterprise Demolition of Charlotte, NC, to assist in collecting and disposing of flood-related debris beginning Monday, October 13, 2008. The contractor anticipates collecting about 80 tons of debris per day. Residents in all flood-impacted neighborhoods are required to separate flood-related debris from reconstruction debris due to FEMA regulations. All flood-related debris removal costs are eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Reconstruction debris removal is not. If all debris is mixed together, the entire pile will be ineligible for FEMA reimbursement. The City will continue to cover the costs of removing debris from flood-affected residential neighborhoods. Debris must be segregated into piles and placed in front of the property on the City Right-of-Way. Please segregate the debris into the following six piles: Flood-damaged appliances - Fridges, stoves, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, dryers, freezers, window and central air conditioners, water heaters, furnaces, dehumidifiers Flood-damaged household hazardous waste - Paints (latex and oil based), solvents, cleaning solvents, gasoline, oils, pesticides, fertilizers Flood-damaged electronics - Computers, stereos, VCRs, DVD players, toaster ovens Flood-damaged scrap metal - Pots and pans, shelves, BBQs, exercise equipment, patio furniture, chairs, etc. Flood-damaged garbage - furniture, household belongings, damaged drywall, plaster, wood lathing, wood decking, playhouses, kids toys, etc. Reconstruction debris - drywall, lumber and flooring scraps, as well as other reconstruction material NOTE: This request applies to flood-impacted residential areas only. For more information, contact the Solid Waste amp; Recycling Department at (319) 286-5897.

City Holds Final Open Houses Oct. 16
The City of Cedar Rapids will hold its third and final set of open houses on the River Corridor Redevelopment Plan on Thursday, October 16, to receive feedback from the public on a recommended flood management strategy and other features. The draft plan will incorporate the publics feedback, Council direction, and analysis in plan areas grouped into three themes: Sustainable Neighborhoods focal points for reinvestment in neighborhoods and downtown;A Riverfront Park incorporating a draft flood management strategy and open space goals; and, Connectivity ways to improve transportation to better knit the City together. This open house will feature all the ideas and plans of the consulting team so there will be plenty for the public to critique, said City Council Member Monica Vernon. We had a great turnout and excellent feedback at the September open house and we hope we can at least duplicate that for this final open house. The publics feedback, Council direction and further analysis are all being used to come up with the final recommended options.The October 16 open houses will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and 4-8 p.m., at the Grand Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel, 350 First Avenue NE. To get to the Grand Ballroom, use the third floor skywalk entrance from the Five Seasons Parkade, or use the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel elevator to reach the second floor entrance. The open house will feature a draft flood management strategy that will include levee/floodwall strategy combined with open space objectives to achieve a riverfront park. The plan will include a flood management levy line that will be refined over several months, based on Council decisions, Army Corps of Engineers review and analysis, and the neighborhood planning process. Its important for people to understand that this plan will contain a flood management levy line that will be refined by the City Council, said Vernon. The Council will ultimately make decisions on the Voluntary Hazard Mitigation Grant Program submittal to the State. That submittal will ask for funding for voluntary acquisition of some properties for flood mitigation purposes. In addition, the Council will be considering other funding for properties that are substantially damaged and may be acquired on the other side of a levee or floodwall. The draft plan will also feature sustainable neighborhoods focal points for reinvestment. These are targeted areas within the City that serve as opportunities to reinvest and redevelop to provide housing, strengthen neighborhoods, enhance the downtown business and arts communities, and improve public facilities. Finally, the draft plan will feature ways to knit the City and its neighborhoods together through the concept of connectivity, including transportation improvements to public transit, trail systems, the street grid system, rail operations and specific streetscapes. Once the public provides final feedback at the October 16 open houses, the Sasaki/JLG consulting Team will present the City Council with a Framework for River Corridor Reinvestment and Revitalization. The City Council will consider the plan for further action and implementation in late October. The City has been working with both the Army Corps of Engineers and Stanley Consultants on a Cedar Rapids Flood Management Strategy to ensure that all the required analysis and evaluation have occurred prior to submitting the strategy to the Corps. Once submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers, the flood management strategy will be subjected to a cost/benefit analysis and the Corps will examine how the strategy impacts other cities. That analysis is expected to take about two years. Once the Corps is satisfied with the cost/benefit ratio of the flood management strategy, it will be submitted for Federal funding as part of a larger congressional bill. All the other features of our River Corridor plan are dependent upon what we do with flood management, said Vernon. We know our flood management strategy is critical to this community. We have been working with the Army Corps of Engineers from the beginning to ensure our strategy makes sense and we have done our part to keep the process moving forward. If you have questions about the open house, please contact the Community Development Department, at (319) 286-5041.

City Discounts Downtown Parking Rates
Announces Parking Registration Schedule amp; Other Rate ChangesThe City of Cedar Rapids will discount downtown monthly parking lot and garage rates beginning November 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010. The monthly parking rates, as passed by the City Council on October 8, 2008, will be discounted 50% for all downtown parkers if they make payment via Automated Clearing House (ACH). Anyone electing not to pay by ACH will be required to pay an additional $10.00 per month after the 50% discount. Anyone who was not a parker prior to the flood will be required to pay a $25.00 registration fee in addition to their monthly parking fee. All parking registration forms are available online at www.cedar-rapids.org/parking. Downtown parkers registered through an employer need to register through their company contact. All individual downtown parkers are required to register (see the schedule below). Downtown parkers need to bring payment and all required completed paperwork to registration. The registration schedule is as follows: October 14, 2008, Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. noon, Location: Plaza 425 Building, Suite 300, third floor conference room adjacent to the building managers officeOctober 14, 2008, Tuesday, 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m., Location: Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, main board roomOctober 15, 2008, Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. noon, Location: Alliant Energy Tower, 21st floor conference roomOctober 15, 2008, Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m., Location: Armstrong Center, Suite 299, second floor conference roomOctober 16, 2008, Thursday, 9:00 a.m. noon, Location: Great America Building, Suite 460, fourth floor small conference room, Ryan Companies, Inc. October 16, 2008, Thursday, 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m., Location: Cedar Rapids Bank amp; Trust, first floor board room October 17, 2008, Friday, 9:00 a.m. noon, Location: US Bank building, Third floor, conference room #1 (Use third street entrance to elevator) The discounted monthly parking rates apply to the following downtown parking facilities: First Street Parkade (parking will be available on ground level only)Third Avenue ParkadeFourth Avenue ParkadeFive Seasons ParkadeGround Transportation Center ParkadePlus, downtown monthly parking lots In addition, limited monthly angle parking will be offered at a non-discounted rate of $30.00. To learn more about parking rates and fees for specific downtown parking lots and parkades, visit http://www.cedar-rapids.org/parking. Other downtown parking rate changes, beginning November 1, 2008, include parking meters and event parking fees. The meter rates in the core business district will increase from $.60 per hour to $.90 per hour. The rate for event parking in downtown Cedar Rapids will be $5.00 per event. The City will require payment for parking in downtown Cedar Rapids starting November 1, 2008.

DOWNTOWN ANGLED PARKING
Public Works Maintenance Crews will continue implementation of back-in angled parking on 1st St SE from 1st Ave E to 7th Ave SE and complete 2nd Avenue Bridge from 9:00 p.m. tonight, Thursday, October 09, 2008 until 5:00 a.m. Friday, October 10, 2008.Back-in angled parking is very similar to parallel parking. To use a back-in angled space follow these three steps: Use the appropriate turn signal to indicate your intention to park Pull past the par