There's a lot going on in Grimes! That's why starting in June, we will release two e-newsletters a month — one on the 1st and the second on 15th. This will help us bring you more timely updates on projects, events, and other important news in our city!

A new state law went into effect this year that bans cities and counties from blocking fireworks use on July 3rd, July 4th, and December 31st. Here's how that affects Grimes.

Fireworks Allowed in Grimes

• July 2nd: 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm (stays the same)
• July 3rd: 9:00 am to 10:00 pm (was noon, new law changes it to 9:00 am)
• July 4th: 9:00 am to 11:00 pm (stays the same)
• December 31st: 9:00 am to 12:30 am (previously banned by the city, now allowed under new law)

The law allows cities and counties to restrict fireworks use on dates other than July 3rd - 4th and December 31st.

No Homebase Grimes Fireworks Show

As a reminder, there will not be a Homebase Iowa Fireworks Show on the 4th of July this year. The fireworks show took place during Governors Days due to limited vendor availability on the 4th. We hope you enjoyed the great show and thank you again to the Grimes Chamber & Economic Development team for putting on this fantastic event.

Public Safety Center

The new Public Safety Center in Grimes is right on schedule. Crews are working on the concrete on the outside of the building and finishing the roof on the apparatus bays. This should open later this year.

S James St

The road is closed from SE 2nd St to SE 5th St as crews work on widening the road. The 11th St connection is almost complete. This is a multi-year project.

Lions Park

Work on the creek is complete. The project will go out to bid, and we will have plans to share next month. Construction should start by this fall.

SE Little Beaver

Crews are reconstructing the SE 6th and SE 5th St intersections and will complete the project later this year.

You're invited to celebrate the new art exhibit at the City Amphitheater at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 2nd. Midwest artist Karl Unnasch created the unique sculptures and each piece symbolizes different branches of the military.

Event Details

July 2nd

City Amphitheater, Grimes Public Library

200 NE Beaverbrooke

11:00 am

The Adventure Pass is back! After a brief pause to create a new website, the Iowa Adventure Pass is back, thanks to the collaboration of libraries across the state and some of Iowa’s fascinating destinations. The pass allows cardholders to reserve free tickets to popular locations around the metro.

How it works:

• Reserve a pass online at iowaadventurepass.org
• Print or download your confirmation
• Show your confirmation and ID at the destination for free admission of two adults and two children (unless otherwise specified)

Who can borrow a pass from Grimes Public Library:

• Adult patrons
• Grimes and Polk County's Jefferson Township residents
• Non-expired account
• Fines below $4.00

To sign up for a pass, you will need

• Your library card barcode number (the entire number)
• Your online library account PIN (the default is the last four digits of the phone number we have on file for you)

Thank you to Friends of the Grimes Public Library for sponsoring these passes for our residents to use!

If you are signed up for Library text notifications and have AT&T for a wireless carrier (or a company that uses AT&T’s network), please call the Library circulation desk at 515-986-3551 to update your notifications to email rather than text. In July, AT&T is discontinuing the email-to-text messaging system we use for our notifications. No matter who your carrier is, if you’ve been missing out on text notifications, please let us know so we can update your account.

Thank you to the over 300 people who participated in person and online in our corridor beautification study as part of our collaboration with ISU to develop guidelines for beautifying the city’s major corridors. Your valuable feedback will help shape the future of Grimes! The students recently presented their findings at a workshop. They had an impressive plan that the City will evaluate, and portions may be added to our 2050 Comprehensive Plan.



Some highlights of their plan include adding landscape buffers, wayfinding signage, additional clear pedestrian crossings, and monument signs.

Wind + recycling day = a messy street. MWA is introducing wind latches to help keep your items in your cart during tough weather days. The small rubber strap is specially designed to hold your lid closed during windy conditions or if your cart tips over but will open when the cart is lifted by the collection truck.

Wind latches can be installed on any Curb It! recycling cart for a small fee. To request a latch, simply complete the short order form at www.WhereItShouldGo.com/WindLatch.

Thinking of adding a pool or hot tub? Make sure you get a permit. Safety is the primary reason why a permit is required for a pool or hot tub, as drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1 and 4 years old. Our officials are looking for barriers (covers, fencing, or pool elevations) to protect kids from wandering into a pool/hot tub and getting injured or drowning. They check electrical safety to ensure a licensed electrician correctly installs the wiring and bonding to protect from electrical injuries. Proper drainage connection for water system protection is also examined. An inspection is done to make sure the pool/hot tub meets several areas of the city code. Permit applications are available at grimesiowa.gov/applications

• June 17 — Library Board Meeting
• June 24 — City Council Meeting
• June 25 — Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting

*Meetings listed above are open to the public. Agendas are available here 24 hours before the meeting or sooner. Please refer to the calendar at grimesiowa.gov for an up-to-date meeting schedule.