graphic promoting the UN's Recover Better initiative.

Mayor declares Dec. 10 as Human Rights Day

Tuesday, December 8, 2020 - 1:30am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

At the latest City Council meeting, Mayor Bruce Teague declared Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, to be Human Rights Day in Iowa City.

“Recover Better: Stand Up for Human Rights,” the United Nations’ theme for recognizing Human Rights Day in 2020, reflects the need to center human rights in recovery efforts. COVID-19 has functioned as yet another lens through which entrenched systemic inequalities, exclusion, and discrimination are exposed. Human Rights Day is an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of transformative action in building a world that fosters more humane, resilient and just...

Graphic for loans available for small businesses.

Small business owners in Iowa City can now apply for COVID-19 grants

Monday, December 7, 2020 - 2:30pm
Economic Development

The City of Iowa City is now accepting grant applications from small businesses in Iowa City impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis, through a partnership with the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG).

Grants up to $15,000 (up to $10,000 for businesses without employees) are available to qualifying small businesses to support ongoing operational needs.

Learn more about eligibility and how to apply

Eligible businesses must meet federal requirements for retaining or hiring primarily low-moderate income employees or by qualifying as a microenterprise (a small...

A graphic for the 12 Days of Waste Reduction

Celebrate the 12 Days of Waste Reduction!

Monday, December 7, 2020 - 11:30am
Contact: 
Jane Wilch
Resource Management

The holiday season results in more trash than normal, which means more entering our landfill this time of year. The good news is that there are some easy ways to reduce waste. Be part of the solution by joining us in celebrating the 12 Days of Waste Reduction (Monday, Dec. 7, through Friday, Dec. 18, 2020) to lighten your climate footprint during this merry time.

Here is the lineup of festive, waste-reducing topics:

Green your tree. Green your ornaments. Recycle holiday light strands. Think out of the box with holiday gift giving. Use your power of consumer choice when...
A police badge

ICPD earns Leadership in Victim Services Award

Monday, December 7, 2020 - 10:30am
Police

On behalf of the work of Sergeant Andy Rich and Detectives Todd Cheney, Jennifer Clarahan, David Gonzalez, and Mike Smithey, the Iowa City Police Department has received the Iowa Police Chiefs Association’s 2019 Leadership in Victim Services Award.

The Iowa City Police Department received the award along with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Coralville Police Department, the FBI, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation for their work on a task force to investigate the human trafficking of multiple victims, including minors, that resulted in federal indictments of...

Video Update: Pandemic Relief Funds, Social Justice Grants, and more

Monday, December 7, 2020 - 6:45am
Contact: 
Jack Brooks
Communications

Iowa City Update is a weekly video featuring City of Iowa City projects, programs and events. Topics this week include new funding for agencies responding to COVID-19, a grant opportunity to enhance social justice and racial equity in our community, and more. Click the image below to watch Iowa City Update .

Iowa City Update: Pandemic Relief Funds COVID-19 Relief Funds

The City will be...

A graphic about the City's rating on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index.

City receives 7th consecutive perfect score for LGBTQ inclusion

Thursday, December 3, 2020 - 5:30pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The City of Iowa City has earned a score of 112 on the ninth annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI), the only nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy, and services. A score of 100 is considered perfect, with scores above 100 possible due to additional bonus points cities may earn in several categories.

This is the seventh consecutive year that Iowa City has earned at least 100 from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization

Iowa City...

A police badge

Iowa City Police serve warrants connected to recent shooting incidents

Thursday, December 3, 2020 - 12:30pm
Police

On Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, at approximately 9 a.m., the Iowa City Police Department, with the assistance of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, served search warrants at three Iowa City residences. The warrants were served in connection to recent shooting incidents in Iowa City. Due to the high-risk nature of warrants involving weapons, the Iowa City Metro Special Response Team and the Johnson County Special Emergency Response Team served the three warrants at the following addresses:

1316 Dover St. 219 S. Riverside Court. 2021 Taylor Dr.

The warrants were served without incident...

Plastic clamshells are shown.

Recycling program updates

Thursday, December 3, 2020 - 9:00am
Contact: 
Jane Wilch
Resource Management

The City of Iowa City offers recycling programs via curbside collection and drop-off locations in Iowa City, with a wide variety of materials accepted for recycling. Over a period of time, programs can require change for various reasons, some due to market availability, industry changes, or consumer activity.

Here is a list of program updates or changes:

Plastics bottles and jugs associated with food and beverages can be recycled via curbside collection or drop-off locations. Items not accepted in recycling : Plastic bags, film,...

Community Connection: 'Tis the Season events adapt to accommodate social distancing and limited capacities

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - 7:30pm
Contact: 
Bruce Teague
Communications
Community Connection: 'Tis The Season

Community Connection is a video series that highlights the different people and organizations in our community. Each episode, Mayor Bruce Teague interviews guests about a variety of issues that are important to our residents.

Even though the holiday season is going to look and feel different this year, that doesn't mean the pandemic will put a stop to traditions. Betsy Potter, Director of Creative Service at...

A logo for the Trails to Table Charity event.

Participate in the Trails to Table Challenge to raise funds, stay active while exploring the local trail system

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - 10:00am
Contact: 
Sarah Walz
Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County

For nearly a decade, the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County (MPO) has sponsored the “Linda Severson Charity Challenge” in honor of Linda Severson who served as the MPO’s Human Services Coordinator from 1994-2011. As part of the challenge, each participating government entity (Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, University Heights, Tiffin, and Johnson County) selected a local charity for which staff and elected officials collected donations. Social distancing and other workplace limitations due to the Covid-19 pandemic will make such an effort difficult this year. Still...

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