City releases preliminary plan to accelerate community policing; seeks feedback from the public

Wednesday, December 16, 2020 - 11:30am
Part of Black Lives Matter Movement & Systemic Racism by Communications

On Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, the City of Iowa City released a preliminary plan to restructure the Police Department towards community policing. The full preliminary plan is available on the City’s website at www.icgov.org/preliminaryplan .

The document includes a...

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Partial trail closure at City Park scheduled for Dec. 16, 17

Tuesday, December 15, 2020 - 4:00pm
Streets and traffic engineering

A section of trail at City Park, 200 Park Road, will be closed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, and Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, as City crews conduct tree work in the area.

The impacted section is part of the Iowa River Trail just north East Park Road and the Park Road Bridge. Work should be concluded by Friday, Dec. 18, 2020.

Video Update: Small Business Assistance Program, Winter Break Tips, and more

Monday, December 14, 2020 - 7:45am
Contact: 
Jack Brooks
Communications

Iowa City Update is a weekly video featuring City of Iowa City projects, programs and events. Topics this week include grant funding to help keep small businesses afloat during the pandemic, some helpful reminders for anyone leaving town over winter break, and more. Click the image below to watch Iowa City Update .

Iowa City Update: Small Business Assistance Program Small Business...
A video thumbnail showing sidewalks being cleared in Iowa City.

Clear your sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall in Iowa City

Saturday, December 12, 2020 - 12:00pm
Contact: 
Stan Laverman
Neighborhood and Development Services

A reminder, sidewalks must be cleared within 24-hours of a one-inch or greater snowfall, or after any accumulation of ice has ended, for sidewalks to be used safely by pedestrians.Those who do not remove snow and ice may be fined.

Sidewalk policy

Property owners are responsible for the ice and snow removal from all sidewalks that abut their private property.

The entire width of the sidewalk must be cleared down to concrete. Renters should check their leases to see if their landlord has transferred the responsibility of snow and ice removal to them.

Clearing curb ramps...

What to do before leaving town for winter

Friday, December 11, 2020 - 9:30am
Contact: 
Shannon McMahon

Winter break is not normal this year due to COVID-19, but some may still be leaving Iowa City over the holidays. If you're leaving town for an extended period, be sure your vehicle and home are in order before you leave. Avoid expensive fines and inconvenient issues by taking these four steps:

1. Move your car off the street

Vehicles parked on the street must be moved every 48-hours to avoid a citation. If you plan to be out of town for more than two days, move your vehicle off the street. Vehicles that do not move face ticketing and towing at the owner’s expense.

If a...

Mercer Park Aquatic Center Pool to reopening for lap swim reservations

Thursday, December 10, 2020 - 5:00pm
Contact: 
Brad Barker
Communications

Iowa City Parks & Recreation will be reopening Mercer Pool for reserved lap swim on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. Reservations will be available for 45-minute blocks from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations are required and are available on an ongoing basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020.

Both residents of Iowa City and non-residents can make reservations, which cost $4 per lane per block. Reservations will be for 45-minute lap swimming or water walking blocks for adults 16-years or older. Parents or guardians of children between the ages of 12...

Covid

Governor extends COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration

Thursday, December 10, 2020 - 2:30pm
Contact: 
Geoff Fruin
City Manager's Office

On Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, the Governor extended the State's Public Health Emergency Declaration.

The Declaration extended all in-place health mitigation efforts through Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.

In-place health mitigation steps include masks for indoor public spaces, prohibiting indoor gatherings of more than 15 people, and prohibiting outdoor gatherings of more than 30 people.

One change in the Governor's latest order includes organized, non-school sports for youth or adults being no longer prohibited, but participants are limited to two spectators.

To...

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Iowa City Police respond to armed robbery in progress

Thursday, December 10, 2020 - 10:45am

On Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, at approximately 10:05 p.m., Iowa City Police responded to Delimart at 525 Hwy 1 W for an armed robbery in progress. Upon arrival, Officers found the suspect inside the business, brandishing a knife and attempting to gain access to a cash register. The on-duty employee had escaped from the suspect and taken refuge in a locked office. One of the responding Officers was able to de-escalate the situation by talking the suspect into dropping the knife, and he was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect was identified as Jonathan Patrick St. John, 23...

A graphic with snow, a snowman, and 2021 on it.

Holiday schedule and closures for City of Iowa City

Thursday, December 10, 2020 - 9:15am
Contact: 
Shannon McMahon
Communications

City of Iowa City administrative offices at City Hall, 410 E. Washington St., are currently closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In observance of the coming winter holidays, additional closures and changes to schedules have been updated.

City Hall administrative offices and other facilities and services will be closed on Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24, Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, and New Year's Day, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.

The following schedules will be in effect for other City facilities during the holidays:

Airport: ...

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Iowa City Police warn of daytime burglaries in City neighborhoods

Tuesday, December 8, 2020 - 4:30pm
Police

Iowa City Police are asking the public to beware of suspicious activity in their neighborhoods after receiving multiple calls reporting that suspects are posing as City utility workers in order to gain access to residences.

In one incident, suspects were described as two males driving a white car and wearing reflective jackets. Another victim reported that a man knocked on the door of the residence and asked about the water main service. He was able to convince the victim to exit the residence with him to discuss the issue. As they spoke, the victim’s house was entered and items...

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