“Logically, any vote you cast in favor of CRCC’s request is either quid pro quo or will directly benefit you financially in any of your future fundraising endeavors,” Thousand wrote in the July 6 letter. Resident TL Thousand, who lives in the neighborhood and is opposed to the project, spoke at the meeting Tuesday and filed a letter with the city clerk asking O’Donnell to recuse herself because many of her 2021 mayoral campaign contributions came from club members.
The policy bars elected officials from voting on a matter where they may face personal financial gains or losses. Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell and council member Tyler Olson, both club members, sought an opinion from the city Board of Ethics to determine whether they should vote before considering the project in 2022.īut since then, through the once-a-decade process of reviewing the city charter that outlines the city’s council-manager form of government, the council narrowed ethics rules to limit a conflict of interest to financial ones. She consulted with the city attorney who advised her to recuse herself. He also is a club member, which he had not shared publicly when the project initially came before the council, but he already recused last year because of the financial conflict.Ĭouncil member Ann Poe, who lives near the site, said she is recusing herself because of the impact the project may have on her property values. This year, council member Marty Hoeger said he is recusing himself because his company is supplying construction materials to the Country Club. When the nine-member council considered the project last year, four had to recuse from voting because of conflicts of interest. Most of the vocal objectors “will not see this in their day-to-day lives unless they go onto the property or are specifically seeking it out,” Barker said. Todd Barker, a longtime member of the club and resident of the Country Club Heights neighborhood, said people “overwhelmingly” support the project. “Would you want this bubble in your neighborhood?” she asked the council. Resident Mary Tresnak said she wouldn’t object to outdoor tennis courts but did not favor the bubble, which she said did not fit with the neighborhood’s character. You will begin to receive our Daily On Iowa Politics updates. Motion-based lighting would be used at night.Ī petition signed by area residents garnered 58 signatures in opposition to the project. Mechanical equipment would have to be located away from neighbors, as the structure requires a fan to remain inflated.Ĭonditions that remain from the previous zoning approval require screening along the club’s west property line and the parking area to curb light pollution. Beyond that time, use would require city approval. Its use would be limited to 180 days a year, from Oct. The temporary structure would be opaque and no more than 40 feet in height, or allowed to be seen 30 feet above the street level. The recommendation is now before the City Council. The planning commission, in a 3-3 tie vote last month, recommended denying the changes needed for the facility, 520 27th St. The rezoning, approved in 2022 as a public institutional use, came with specific conditions. The project had to return to the City Planning Commission and the council because of the proposed change in structure. “A place like the Cedar Rapids Country Club is critical as we bring in companies to look at this community as a vibrant, best-in-class facility available in Cedar Rapids, Iowa,” Brown said. Lydia Brown, speaking on behalf of the Country Club’s board, said the over 200 employees and more than 200 families who use the facility depend on the club’s ability to meet their needs with this expansion project. It is seeking permission to instead use a temporary, inflatable “bubble” to be used seasonally. The Country Club is looking to amend conditions of the zoning after deciding it was not feasible to build a permanent building now. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)ĬEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids City Council tabled a vote Tuesday on allowing an expansion project at the Cedar Rapids Country Club, an issue reviving questions about whether some council members should recuse themselves because of ties to the club.Ī proposal for a new indoor tennis facility at the club got the green light last year, but has since been modified to be an outdoor complex.
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell listens during a public comment session May 10, 2022, at the Cedar Rapids City Council about the proposed tennis center construction at the Cedar Rapids Country Club.
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