Iowa Announces COVID-19 Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program

Monday, October 12, 2020 - 8:00am
Communications

A new program aimed at helping Iowa residents impacted financially by COVID-19 pay utility bills was launched by the the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020.

The Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program will provide eligible households with up to $2,000 towards electric, natural gas, and water bills if they are at risk of disconnection due to an inability to pay due to a COVID-19 related loss of income.

Payments through the program will be made directly to utility providers and applied to the applicant’s account.

To be...

Video Update: Leaf Vacuum Program, Root for Trees, and Halloween Events

Sunday, October 11, 2020 - 4:15pm
Contact: 
Jack Brooks
Communications

Iowa City Update is a weekly video featuring City of Iowa City projects, programs and events. Topics this week include the annual leaf vacuum program, a new program that incentivizes planting trees, and some fun Halloween activities. Click the image below to watch Iowa City Update .

Iowa City Update: 2020 Leaf Vacuum Program 2020 Leaf Vacuum Program

Watch to learn all about the City’s leaf...

Graphic promoting informational sessions on how to apply for the Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant for Fiscal Year 2021.

Community invited to learn how to apply for the Social Justice & Racial Equity Grant

Friday, October 9, 2020 - 12:00pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

Organizations interested in applying for the City’s Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant for FY2021 can remotely attend one of two informational meetings being offered on the grant. Both sessions are being held virtually via Zoom.

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 from 6-7:15 p.m. Join Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81655636024?pwd=QVBiZUloTHJJQnMrUGpiemROeEY5dz09 Meeting ID: 816 5563 6024

Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 1 -2:15 p.m. Join...

A graphic for an opening on the Human Rights Commission.

Apply for a seat on the Human Rights Commission

Friday, October 9, 2020 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The Iowa City Human Rights Commission is seeking applicants to fill two vacancies on the Commission. Both are full terms that start January 1, 2021 and will run through December 31, 2023. Service is on a volunteer basis. The group meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday.

Duties of the Commission involve educating the public on civil and human rights, including planning programs and activities to eliminate unlawful discrimination. The Commission also makes recommendations to the City Council for Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant funding, as well as for additional local legislation...

A graphic for Implicit Bias training.

Advanced Implicit Bias training available to area businesses

Thursday, October 8, 2020 - 12:00pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

An advanced program is being offered by the Office of Equity and Human Rights to broaden understanding on the topic of bias to positively inform future behavior.

Implicit Bias 201 will take place at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Due to COVID-19 precautions, the event will be held virtually through Zoom, with pre-registration required.

The program presenter is Thomas Newkirk, who is a specialist in both implicit bias and in breaking down barriers that prevent us from taking that next step.

About the program

Implicit bias is the primary cause of differences in...

A cat and a dog are shown in Halloween costumes.

Enjoy a safe, fun, and Earth-friendly Halloween

Thursday, October 8, 2020 - 10:00am
Contact: 
Jane Wilch
Resource Management

This coming Halloween may be unlike past years due to COVID-19, but there are still plenty of ways to have a safe, spooky, and Earth-friendly holiday.

Iowa City's recycling coordinator Jane Wilch has a Jack-o'-lantern filled with fun ideas on how to have a green Halloween this year.

Durable, reusable, recyclable Halloween decorations

Choose decorations that you can use year after year. For recyclable decorations, look for plastics that are #1-5 or #7, as #6 and unlabeled plastics are not recyclable. Avoid metallic or glitter-coated decorations, as these cannot be recycled....

A graphic for the Iowa City leaf vacuum program.

City announces 2020 Leaf Vacuum Program information

Thursday, October 8, 2020 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Toni Davis
Streets and traffic engineering

The Iowa City Streets Division is preparing to begin this year's curbside leaf vacuum service. The first day of the program is Monday, Oct. 19, 2020.

Printed maps are available in City utility bills and at the Streets Division office at 3800 Napoleon Lane. Maps are also available online at www.icgov.org/leafvacuum . Here are a few tips to help make the process go smoothly and efficiently for everyone:

Scheduling The Leaf Vacuum Program will begin Monday, Oct. 19, 2020 in Zones #1 & #2, and will proceed in numerical order,...

Community Connection: Root for Trees program provides financial incentive to plant trees

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 - 7:45pm
Contact: 
Bruce Teague
Communications
Community Connection: Root forTrees

Community Connection is a video series that highlights the different people and organizations in our community to discuss the issues that are important to our residents. In this episode, Mayor Bruce Teague speaks with Assistant City Manager Ashley Monroe and Recreation Superintendent Brad Barker to discuss the new Root for Trees discount program. Learn...

Graphic for Halloween Drive-In on Oct. 30, 2020.

Enjoy the Halloween season with a drive-in movie experience at Mercer Park

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 - 3:30pm
Contact: 
Brad Barker
Parks and Recreation

Load up the car and step back in time at Halloween at the Drive-In, presented by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department, on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. This nostalgic experience will offer residents a free and socially distanced, family Halloween-themed outing that is sure to entertain.

A double feature of Halloween movies will be presented, with the first showing aimed at a younger audience. Gates will open at 6 p.m. for the 6:30 p.m. showing of “Hotel Transylvania.” Later, “Goosebumps” will follow with gates opening at 8:05 p.m. for the 8:35 p.m. showing.

The drive-in...

Indigenous People's Day graphic.

Mayor declares October 12, 2020, as Indigenous Peoples' Day

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague has proclaimed Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, as Indigenous Peoples' Day in Iowa City.

A growing number of local governments have recognized that, as our understanding of history changes, so must our commemorative events. In the proclamation signed at the Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, City Council meeting, Mayor Teague encouraged schools to include the teaching of Indigenous Peoples' history in its curriculum and encouraged businesses, organizations, and institutions to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Learn more about...

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