The City of Cedar Rapids is proud of its employees and the work they do to serve the citizens of our great city. While we don't do our work to win awards, we're still proud of our accomplishments.
2012
Public Works Department Received 2012 Project of the Year Award
The American Public Works Association of Iowa awarded the employees of the Public Works Department with the 2012 Project of the Year award in the Historic Preservation/Restoration Category for the renovation of the City Hall building.
Water Pollution Control Received Gold Peak Performance Award
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies honored the employees of Water Pollution Control (WPC) with this award for meeting all 3,500 compliance requirements or discharge limits in their National Pollutant Permit in 2011. This is the second Gold Peak Performance Award that WPC earned in the past five years.
Forestry Division Received Tree City USA Designation
The National Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources recognized the employees of the Forestry Division for their commitment to the management of public trees. Cedar Rapids has the longest running state record for holding the Tree City USA distinction – 34 years.
Public Works Department Received Grand Place Award
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Iowa recognized the employees of the Public Works Department with the Grand Place Award for their work on the East Post Road Bridge Replacement project. This is first place in the Transportation Category of the 2012 Engineering Excellence Awards.
2011
Finance Department Received Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) recognized the employees of the Finance Department with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the City's budgeting process. The GFOA stated that the City met the highest principles of government budgeting.
Parks & Recreation Department Received Award of Excellence
The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) honored the employees of the Parks & Recreation Department with an Award of Excellence for doing an outstanding job of hosting the ASA National Championship Tournaments at the Tait Cummins Sports Complex. This is the third consecutive year tha the department has received this distinction.
City Received 2011 Employer of the Year Award
The City of Cedar Rapids received the 2011 Employer of the Year Award from the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), Iowa Chapter 41. According to the nomination, “The City encourages its employees to be leaders in their fields and understands the importance of education and professional organizations.”
Public Works Received Two “Project of the Year” Awards
Public Works Department employees were recognized for their work on two Capital Improvement Projects that were selected by the American Public Works Association as “Projects of the Year” in Iowa, the new East Post Road Bridge over Indian Creek and the improvements made to Council Street NE from Dry Creek to 74th Street NE.
City Employees Received USACE Outstanding Planning Achievement Award
The City of Cedar Rapids in partnership with the Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have received the 2010 Outstanding Planning Achievement Award for their joint work on the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Flood Risk Management Study. The award was given by the Mississippi Valley Division of the USACE.
Finance Department Received “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting”
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada honored Finance Department employees for the FY2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This is the 30th consecutive year that the City has received this award.
City Employees Received “National Planning Excellence” Award
The national American Planning Association honored hundreds of City employees from multiple departments for participating in the River Corridor Redevelopment Plan and Neighborhood Planning Process public meetings. This “Best Practices in Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Planning” award is for the City’s ability to expeditiously develop and embark on a redevelopment plan within days of a major flood.
Purchasing Division Received "Sterling Agency" Award
The Universal Public Procurement Certification Council, the National Association of State Procurement Officials and the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. recognized Purchasing Division employees for maintaining their commitment to the professional public procurement industry standards for three consecutive years.
Fire Department Employees Received "Patriot Award"
The Iowa Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the Department of Defense, presented the award to Fire Department employees in recognition of their extraordinary support of employees who serve in the Iowa National Guard and Reserve.
Housing Services Division Received “High Performer” Rating
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recognized the employees of the Housing Services Division for their outstanding administration of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. This is the fifth consecutive year that the division received this designation and it’s the seventh time in the last eight years.
Forestry Division Received “Tree City USA” Designation
The Arbor Day Foundation recognized the employees of the Forestry Division for their commitment to the management of public trees. Cedar Rapids has the longest running state record for holding the Tree City USA distinction – 33 years.
2010
Water Department Received “Best Tasting Water in Iowa” Award
The Iowa Chapter of the American Water Works Association recognized Water Department employees for providing the best tasting water in the state. A blind taste test determined the winner based on the water’s appearance, odor, taste, aftertaste and “feel in the mouth.”
Parks & Recreation Department Received “Excellence Award for Innovation for Sustaining Places”
The Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association honored Park & Recreation Department employees for creating a model for park system planning with its Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation Master Plan.
City Employees Received “Top City Government Website” Award
Juggle.com recognized all City employees for their contribution to the redesign of the City’s Web site. This Web site was chosen as one of the top three municipal sites in Iowa and one of the top 100 Government sites nationally.
Finance Department Received “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting”
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada honored Finance Department employees for the FY2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This is the 29th consecutive year that the City has received this award.
Fleet Services Division Received “100 Best Government Fleets in North America” Award
Government Fleet magazine honored the employees of the Fleet Services Division for their levels of productivity, operational effectiveness and performance improvement. This is the second consecutive year that the division has received this award out of 38,000 public fleets in the nation.
Fire Department Achieved "100 Percent Participation" in Seat Belt Pledge
The National Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge challenges all fire personnel to sign a pledge to wear their seat belts whenever they are riding in a fire department vehicle. All 150 members of the Cedar Rapids Fire Department agreed to participate in the "Everyone Goes Home" campaign.
2009
Cedar Rapids Public Library Received 2009 “Librarian of the Year” Award
The Library Journal recognized a team of eleven library employees for their extraordinary efforts to restore library service after the 2008 flood. This is the first time the magazine gave the award to a team instead of an individual.
City Employees Received “Planning Achievement Award for a Hard Won Victory”
The Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association recognized hundreds of City employees from multiple departments for participating in the River Corridor Redevelopment Plan and Neighborhood Planning Process public meetings. This special award honors communities that engage the public in successful planning initiatives in the face of adverse circumstances.
City Employees Received “Downtown Achievement Award of Distinction”
The International Downtown Association honored hundreds of City employees from multiple departments for participating in the River Corridor Redevelopment Plan and Neighborhood Planning Process public meetings. The award is shared by a partnership of organizations.
Engineering Department Received “Iowa Quality Initiative Structures” Award
The Iowa Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation and the Associated General Contractors of Iowa honored City engineering staff for the construction of a concrete beam bridge on a local road system, specifically the Edgewood Road viaduct on the southwest side of the city.
Utilities Department Received “Grand Place” Award
The American Council of Engineering Companies recognized Utilities Department staff and a contracted engineering firm for their extraordinary response to 2008 flood damage to the Water Pollution Control plant. This award was given as part of the “Engineering Excellence in Special Projects Category.”
Water Pollution Control Received “Silver Peak Performance” Award
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies honored the employees of Water Pollution Control with this award for consistent compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements in 2009. This is the third Peak Performance Award received by Water Pollution Control. In 2006, they received a “Silver,” and in 2007, they received a “Gold.”
2008
Engineering Department Received “Engineering Achievement” Award
The National Society of Professional Engineers recognized City engineering staff and a contracted engineering company for a lane addition project that improved traffic flow and operations on 1stAvenue east from 19th Street to Cottage Grove Road.
Water Pollution Control Received “Gold Peak Performance” Award
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies honored the employees of Water Pollution Control with this award for meeting the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements for all 3,193 points of compliance during 2007.