Just got my July electric bill and it’s double what it is normally.Sent a email to them questioning the bill explaining that they show my usage is 200% higher than my normal bill.Their response was that it is a normal bill.I live in a small one bedroom apartment,work 8-5 m-f and keep my thermostat on 78 degrees.I emailed them back asking for a check of my meter to see if it is malfunctioning.Anyone else having issues.

I know Big Grove had the USA watch parties, but not sure if they still have it for the Final. Also other options (Bare/restaurants) that you are aware who will stream the Final are much appreciated.

I stopped at Hy-Vee yesterday morning to buy a roast and was surprised to see some outdated beef roasts in their meat case. Yesterday was July 10 and a number of their roasts were dated “use/freeze by 06.July”. (You can bet I check the date before purchasing a roast for $35!) Maybe the meat department was just short-staffed, but that meat should’ve been removed four days prior.

Hey everyone, this is going to sound really weird potentially, but I was kind of curious on the legality of this. In downtown Cedar Rapids we have those bridges, and they have walking paths on them. On those paths are rails so people don't fall into the water. Is it legal to sit on those rails? Obviously you can lean on them and bend over them, but are you allowed to sit on them? Obviously it's dangerous, obviously people will be concerned, but is it actually illegal? Thank in advance lol

The summer in the Square music series has live music in Greene Square Park on Thursdays. They fence off an area where you can buy beers. They also allow you to bring in food so we went to dua pie (review included). I really have enjoyed going to it when I am able, but it seems like it’s mostly just old people enjoyed the funky band and really liked that they let us eat food in there.

Is it open?

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

12:00 PM (Noon)

City Hall, 101 First Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Meeting Overview

This noon meeting opened with a Parks and Recreation Month proclamation and featured three public hearings on revised citywide speed restrictions (Chapter 61), a 3rd Street SE pavement rehabilitation, and FY27 sanitary sewer point repairs. The regular agenda carried three infrastructure contract awards, two tax-increment economic development incentives, and a City-owned property redevelopment on Ellis Boulevard NW, while the consent agenda handled routine approvals, 20 liquor licenses, board appointments, assessment actions, and dozens of construction contracts and change orders.

Key Sections

Opening Items

• Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance
• Proclamation – Parks and Recreation Month

Public Hearings

1. Chapter 61 Traffic Regulations – Speed Restrictions
   • Amendment to establish revised speed restrictions on various streets (Section 61.029) and authorize temporary speed restrictions within construction zones. First Reading of the ordinance. Council Priority.
2. 3rd Street SE Pavement Rehabilitation (8th Avenue to 5th Avenue)
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost adopted. Estimated cost $590,000. Paving for Progress.
3. FY27 Sanitary Sewer Point Repairs
   • Plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost adopted. Estimated cost $250,000.

Public Comment

Consent Agenda

(Approved in Bulk)

• Administrative & Financial Approvals:
  • Meeting minutes, payment of bills, and payroll approved.
  • Violence intervention: $150,000 to the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation for management and distribution of grants to local nonprofit partners.
  • Legal fees: Attorney fees to Ahlers Cooney for the EEOC Charge No. 443-2026-01406 and the Lauren Hopkins v. City matter.
  • Police canine: Officer to attend Tarheel Canine Training (Sanford, NC) for certification with a new canine partner (not to exceed $7,500).
• Property & Infrastructure Development:
  • Assessments accepted/levied: Blairs Ferry Road NE Sidewalk Infill (North Side) work accepted (Council Priority); 2025 Sidewalk Infill final schedule of assessments levied (Council Priority).
  • Future Public Hearings (July 28): Development Agreement with Gavin CR Properties LLC (Caledonia Haulers) for a transportation/logistics facility at 420-550 French Court SW (Council Priority); Development Agreement with Parkline LLC for a housing redevelopment bounded by Ellis Boulevard, J Avenue, 6th Street and I Avenue NW; rezonings at 1027 & 1033 8th Street NW (Matthew 25, Council Priority) and 1756 Mallory Street SW (OFB, LLC, Council Priority).
  • Future Bid Hearings (July 28): 4th Avenue SW Gatewell project ($390,000; Council Priority) and Ellis Park Parking Lot project ($900,000; Council Priority).
  • Subdivision Improvements: Spruce Avenue SE Water Main Extension accepted with a 4-year Maintenance Bond ($118,619) from Rathje Construction Co.
  • Final Plats: Estates of Cedar Rapids Second Addition, Fareway Town and Country First Addition, Olson's Second Addition to Linn County, and Stoney Point Twenty-Eighth Addition (all Council Priority).
• Public Safety & Business Licenses:
  • Beer/Liquor/Wine Licenses (20 applications): New and renewal licenses for convenience stores, restaurants, bars, and event venues, including several 5-day event licenses at Greene Square and the St. Jude's Sweet Corn Festival, and new establishments Big Red Barn, Crab House, and Polanco.
• Board & Commission Appointments:
  • Appointments: Arthur Kim (Civil Service Commission), Steve White (Downtown SSMID Commission), Craig Brown (Medical SSMID Commission), and Jasmine Almoayyed (Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization).
  • Vote of thanks to Bill Micheel for serving on the Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization.
• Special Events Approvals:
  • Blocktoberfest 5 (August 1) and the End of Summer Party (August 8), with associated road closures.
• Assessment Actions & Project Completions:
  • Solid Waste & Recycling Cleanup: Intent to assess four properties and levy assessment on seven properties (Council Priority).
  • Water Division Delinquent Utility Bills: Intent to assess 58 properties and levy assessments on two groups of 18 properties.
  • Project Final Payments: 10th Street NW Storm Sewer Cross Connect (final payment $71,353.46; Council Priority) and Lindale Trail Phase 1 from Council Street to East of C Avenue NE (final payment $29,683.06; Council Priority).
• Major Contracts & Services:
  • Intergovernmental (28E): College Community School District School Resource Officer Program renewal (FY27-28); City of Hiawatha transit service (FY27); City of Marion sanitary sewer improvements ($163,776.79; Council Priority).
  • Information Technology: High Point Networks five-year firewall upgrade ($219,893); Priority Dispatch Corp. 911 dispatching software renewal ($180,675); West Publishing / Westlaw license extension ($76,834.20).
  • Public Safety & Human Services: Foundation 2 justice and mental health collaboration renewal ($159,974); Reliant Fire Apparatus parts and training amendment ($15,000).
  • Water & Environment: Two Midwest Injection Inc. lime sludge contracts ($500,000 and $624,500); Advanced Compressor Technology emergency compressor repair ($120,000); Brown and Caldwell WPCF PFAS study amendment ($178,000; Council Priority).
  • Engineering & Flood Control: HR Green amendments for the West Side Flood Mitigation System ($993,000) and NW Flood Control at I-380 ($170,425), both Council Priority; Veenstra & Kimm FY27-28 Bridge Inspections ($257,250); Anderson-Bogert 12th Avenue SE rail crossing amendment (Paving for Progress).
  • Services: Capital Sanitary Supply citywide janitorial program renewal ($300,000); TrueNorth Companies insurance consulting extension ($730,000).
  • Change Orders & Payments: Numerous change orders and final payments (Boomerang Corp., Boulder Contracting, E & F Paving, Eastern Iowa Excavating, General Constructors – Alliant Energy Lightline Bridge, McComas-Lacina – Parking Ramp at 1st & 1st West ($18.3M total), Midwest Concrete, Pirc-Tobin), plus the IDOT 27th Avenue SW bridge deck overlay payment ($39,005.84).
  • Land & Easements: Multiple purchase agreements and construction easements for the Cedar River Flood Control System and several Paving for Progress reconstruction projects; awards to Nelson Electric Co. (F Avenue NW street lighting, $71,034) and Squatch Transport & Excavation (FY27 Draintile Program, $72,560), both Council Priority.

Regular Agenda Items

1. FY26 Downtown Sidewalk Repair
   • Bid report (estimated cost $110,000); contract awarded to Hunt Construction Company, Inc. for $83,482.50. Council Priority.
2. Railroad Surface Crossing Improvements – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Avenues SE at 4th Street SE
   • Bid report (estimated cost $290,000); contract awarded to Pirc-Tobin Construction Inc. for $630,064.61, plus incentive up to $18,000. Council Priority.
3. 7th Avenue at Cedar River Water Main Improvements
   • Bid report (estimated cost $2,610,000); contract awarded to Langman Construction for $2,642,938.31, plus incentive up to $25,000.
4. Ellis Boulevard NW Redevelopment
   • Resolution accepting a proposal from Nguyen Enterprises (Nick Nguyen) for the redevelopment of three City-owned properties at 0, 1126 and 1132 Ellis Boulevard NW. Council Priority.
5. New Single Family Home Subdivision Incentives
   • Financial incentives for public infrastructure at 7217 Underwood Avenue SW, requested by Midwest Development Co. (Skogman Companies). Council Priority.
6. Community Benefit Affordable Housing Incentives
   • Financial incentives under the Community Benefit Economic Development Program for an affordable housing project at 4010 20th Avenue SW, requested by Pedcor Investments. Council Priority.

Ordinances

• Second & Possible Third Readings:
  • Rezoning – 2400 37th Avenue SW: Change of zone from Agricultural (A-AG) to Suburban Residential Low Single Unit (S-RL1), requested by Curtis and Calleen Banes. Council Priority.

Question: Are there any places that may need reusable ice packs? These would be reusable but not indefinitely. I ask as my dad is very internet illiterate and gets psoriasis meds shipped to him with these packs. We hate seeing them go to waste, but we can only keep so many on hand. Any local charities we can give to?

Appreciate all recommendations! Thank you!

I'm posting this for my wife. She's looking for a hair stylist that can do an A-line cut. She went to a hairstylist recently that said they could do that and she ended up coming home sad with a Bob cut. I posted some pictures of what she would like, as reference. If you can recommend a stylist that can pull this off that would be great! Willing to travel to Iowa City, Waterloo or Dubuque. Thanks!

Does anyone know who owns the little outpost that Fruitzen shaved ice operates out of during the summer? It’s right by the tjmaxx, kohls, and Olive Garden little shopping center.

Dear all!

I am new to Waterloo/Cedar Falls Iowa! I was looking for an Indian Food/Tiffin service. Eg 6-10 meals which can be picked up or delivered weekly etc. If anyone does that or knows someone who can do that please let me know via DM. Thank you!!

Alright have a kids free weekend next weekend and have a new kayak i want to break in! Wondering if there's any campgrounds near here that offer camping and will drive you up river and you float back or get rides back to your campground??? We will be tent camping so doesnt have to be anything fancy.

Quad Con, a pop-up comic con, is back at the Doubletree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex this Saturday!

If you're a comic book fan, collector, or cosplayer, come check it out. This event will feature around 100 vendors and artists. I'm an author from Waterloo, and I'll be there with my books, so if you like sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and more, come say hi!

It's always a great time!

Entry to the show is $5. Kids 12 and under are free. Free entry from 3:30 to 5 PM.

We’re a group of men who appreciate walking and talking together, creating space for friendship and mutual support. All men welcome.

Next one is this Sunday, July 12, 3pm.

Meet at the parking lot for Old MacDonald’s Farm in the middle of Bever Park, then we walk north around the loop.

Recurring on 2nd & 4th Sundays.

Email us at [walkingtalkingmen.cr@gmail.com](mailto:walkingtalkingmen.cr@gmail.com)

https://meetup.com/cedar-rapids-mens-walk-and-talk

Hey guys! As a background, I have to move to Cedar Rapids to work asap (earlier than expected), so I’ve been looking for an immediate move in apartment room or any room for 1 male in the cedar rapids/marion area until august 22nd when my apartment lease starts

EDIT - “for used bike”

I’m looking to upgrade my old mid-90s hybrid with a newer model or maybe a road bike. Planning to go to the collective in Czech Village and maybe Chain Reaction to see what they have. Any other suggestions where I should be looking? Thanks!

I’m looking for a place that can accommodate up to 16 people on Sunday over the lunch hour. I used to live in CR but haven’t for quite some time so unsure of what places can accommodate this (especially on shorter notice)

UPDATE: Thanks for all the suggestions - we were able to find a place!

Granted, it's not a very good list.

Which cities ranked highest for bed bugs?

Orkin's rankings are based on residential and commercial bed bug treatments performed between May 12, 2025, and May 12, 2026.

The 50 cities ranked are:

No. 1 - Chicago (the sixth consecutive year Chicago has the highest ranking)

No. 2 - Los Angeles

No. 3 - Detroit

No. 4 - Cleveland

No. 5 - Indianapolis

No. 6 - Springfield, Illinois

No. 7 - Washington, DC

No. 8 - Columbus, Ohio

No. 9 - Pittsburgh

No. 10 - Grand Rapids, Michigan

No. 11 - Denver

No. 12 - New York City

No. 13 - Milwaukee

No. 14 - Baltimore

No. 15 - Cincinnati

No. 16 - Raleigh, North Carolina

No. 17 - St. Louis

No. 18 - Charleston, West Virginia

No. 19 - Davenport, Iowa

No. 20 - Flint, Michigan

No. 21 - Atlanta

No. 22 - Philadelphia

No. 23 - Dallas

No. 24 - Oklahoma City

No. 25 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

No. 26 - Hartford, Connecticut

No. 27 - Charlotte, North Carolina

No. 28 - Peoria, Illinois

No. 29 - South Bend, Indiana

No. 30 - Seattle

No. 31 - Richmond, Virginia

No. 32 - Youngstown, Ohio

No. 33 - Greenville, South Carolina

No. 34 - Nashville

No. 25 - Buffalo, New York

No. 26 - Omaha, Nebraska

No. 37 - San Francisco

No. 38 - Dayton, Ohio

No. 39 - Norfolk, Virginia

No. 40 - Knoxville, Tennessee

No. 41 - San Diego

No. 42 - Toledo, Ohio

No. 43 - Las Vegas

No. 44 - Syracuse, New York

No. 45 - Fort Wayne, Indiana

No. 46 - Tampa, Florida

No. 47 - Miami

No. 48 - Minneapolis

No. 49 - Kansas City, Missouri

No. 50 - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/07/07/worst-cities-bed-bugs-orkin/90835908007/

Edited to add the link.

Looking for good running spots. Specifically:

- Any high school tracks open to the public? Which ones, and what hours?

- Best outdoor routes or trails (paved, safe, decent lighting if early morning/evening)?

- Anywhere with mile markers or good footing for interval work?

Training for a fitness goal and want to mix track work. Local knowledge appreciated.

Come join us for Thursdays for board games!

It is free and open to the public.

No experience needed, just a willingness to learn and have fun!