Electric bus arrives in Iowa City for a test drive

Sunday, March 14, 2021 - 7:45pm
Contact: 
Darian Nagle-Gamm
Communications

Iowa City Transit employees were given the chance to get behind the wheel of an electric bus that will be added to the City’s fleet later this year.

“We’re going to be receiving four Proterra ZX5 buses later this year, likely in the fall,” explained Transportation Director Darian Nagle-Gamm, “which will replace four of our older diesel buses with brand new, all electric technology.”

This purchase is in part due to a $3 million DOT grant. The buses will be able to travel over 300 miles on a single charge. They also run much quieter than a diesel bus, drastically reducing...

A graphic promoting an opening on the Iowa City Human Rights Commission.

Applicants sought for open seat on the Human Rights Commission

Friday, March 12, 2021 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers

The Iowa City Human Rights Commission is seeking applicants to fill one unexpired term, with the term ending December 31, 2023. Service is on a volunteer basis and the group meets monthly.

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 as it relates to discrimination.

Applicants must be at least 18 years...

Increased outflows at Coralville Reservoir may cause minor flooding at trails and parks

Thursday, March 11, 2021 - 10:30am
Contact: 
Tyler Baird
Parks and Recreation

As the US Army Corps of Engineers temporarily increases the outflow at Coralville Lake, the public may notice a rise in the Iowa River water level. City officials are monitoring impacts on local trails and parks and will announce any closures as needed.

The increased outflow, combined with the forecast for rain, may temporarily close the Iowa River Trail at the Highway 6 underpass, located just south of Riverfront Crossings Park.

The Iowa River Trail connects North Liberty to Iowa City. Within Iowa City, the trail connects the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area to Terrill Mill...

Community Connection: Victim Services Coordinator helps people experiencing trauma get access to community resources

Wednesday, March 10, 2021 - 7:00pm
Contact: 
Bruce Teague
Communications
Community Connection: Victim Services Coordinator

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.

Meet the Iowa City Police Department's first full-time Victim Services Coordinator, Ann Thompson. Learn how Thompson will work directly with victims to get them access to services and resources they may need following traumatic...

Request for Qualifications: Kiwanis Park Community Garden Art Project

Monday, March 8, 2021 - 4:15pm
Contact: 
Marcia Bollinger
Neighborhood Outreach

The Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee and the Ty’n Cae Neighborhood Association are seeking an artist to design, create, and install artwork as part of Kiwanis Park Community Gardens. The artist would be responsible for working with neighborhood residents, seeking their input on the design, location, features, etc., and creating and installing the artwork by Friday, Aug. 13, 2021.

The goal of the Community Garden Art Project is to create a visual attraction within the neighborhood’s garden space that is inviting for visitors, as well as its gardeners. The space is intended as...

The Iowa City organics carts.

Effective July 1, 2021, curbside food & yard waste pickup will require the use of City-issued organics carts

Monday, March 8, 2021 - 9:00am
Contact: 
Patricia Fossum
Resource Management

As of July 1, 2021, the City of Iowa City curbside organics (food waste + yard waste) collection program will no longer accept personal 20-35 gallon containers. Customers will be required to utilize a City-issued organics cart (25-gallons or 95-gallons, yellow lid), paper yard waste bags, and/or bundles for collection.

The City transitioned to carts for trash 20 years ago; the transition to recycling and organics carts began three years ago. The carts improve operational efficiencies and increase staff safety for all curbside collections. Carts are lifted by a mechanical arm on the...

Video Update: Online Sign-up for Curbside Collection of Special Items, Climate Action Grants, and more

Monday, March 8, 2021 - 7:15am
Contact: 
Jack Brooks
Communications

Iowa City Update is a weekly video featuring City of Iowa City projects, programs and events. Topics this week include a new online form to have specialty, or bulky, items picked up at the curb, how to apply for a Climate Action Grant, and more. Select the image below to watch Iowa City Update .

Iowa City Update: Online Sign-up for Curbside Collection of Special Items...

UAY announces 6th Annual PrideCon for LGBTQ+ youth

Friday, March 5, 2021 - 1:00pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

During the week of March 15-20, 2021, United Action for Youth (UAY) will be offering a series of virtual workshops to junior high and high school youth who identify as LGBTQ+. The workshops will be focused on self-care and will be fun, light-hearted, and engaging.

UAY will also be offering a virtual ParentCon for parents of LGBTQ+ youth where they can ask questions, learn about resources, and talk to doctors.

There is no charge to participate in these events. Learn more about PrideCon workshops and register by...

A photo of puzzle pieces being held into the air.

Ripples of Hope: From Despair to Advocacy for the Social Injustice too Few People Know About

Monday, March 1, 2021 - 4:30pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

Leslie Carpenter will share her family’s journey into advocacy after their son became ill with a serious brain illness. Learn how the Family to Family class offered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) helped her to see the broader mental illness treatment crisis in our country, and share some of the solutions that can help.

Carpenter is a NAMI Johnson County Board member, teaches Family to Family, Ending The Silence, and Provider Training. Leslie and husband, Scott, are advocates for people living with serious brain disorder at the local, state, and federal levels,...

Section of Court Hill Trail near Second Ave. closed March 2 through March 5

Monday, March 1, 2021 - 4:15pm
Streets and traffic engineering

A portion of Court Hill Trail near Second Avenue will be temporarily closed starting Tuesday, March 2, 2021, to facilitate tree work.

Crews will be working on both the east and west sides of Second Avenue near the creek bridge Tuesday through Friday, March 5, 2021. When crews are not working, the trail will be temporarily reopened for use.

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