February 12-19, 2021

The Week in Review is a weekly digital newsletter from Linn County, Iowa.

COVID-19 Update

Linn County began offering vaccine to Tier 1, Group 2 populations. This includes early childhood education staff, school transportation staff, childcare centers with 10 or more staff, pre-K 5^th grade building teachers and staff, and Grant Wood Area Education Agency staff working with pre-K 5^th grade students. These individuals will be notified of how to make an appointment through their employer. Due to limited supply of vaccine, it will take several weeks to vaccinate this group. In addition, Iowa activated the Retail Pharmacy Program. In Linn County, select Hy-Vee locations and Clark’s Pharmacy are participating pharmacies. Limited vaccines are available in select locations to persons 65 years of age and older by appointment only. Because vaccine remains in short supply, not everyone who is eligible will be able to get vaccine right away.
 
At this time, vaccinated persons should continue to follow current guidance to protect themselves and others from the virus, including wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, avoiding crowds, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing hands often.

Linn County Public Health also updated its guidelines for actions to combat increase in COVID-19, moving from Tier 2 to Tier 3.

Public Input Sought on Climate Change and Climate Action

Linn County is seeking input from the public on climate change and climate action through a climate action survey. The survey questions are designed to understand how Linn County residents perceive climate change and climate action, how climate disaster events like the August 2020 derecho impact Linn County residents, what climate action residents would like to see in Linn County, and to know which communities within Linn County are participating in the survey. The survey is available until April 2.

Data from the survey, along with information gathered by community partners and through sustainability focus groups, will be used to determine climate action steps for Linn County. These steps will help build sustainable and resilient communities within the County for current and future residents.

Take the survey.

Extreme Winter Weather and Snow Removal

The Linn County Secondary Road Department has logged more than 850 hours of overtime in the past two weeks, in addition to regular operating hours, as crews work to maintain and clear roads for travel. Snowfall, high winds, and extreme cold have led to large drifts, frozen snow pack, and vehicle issues making maintenance difficult and time consuming. Frozen snow pack is leaving little space for snow to be pushed from the road. It takes two days to run through the entire secondary road system in Linn County, so occasionally road conditions change before crews can reach them a second time, especially during this extreme weather. We appreciate your patience. Sign up to receive updates on secondary road snow removal straight to your inbox.

Seeking Applications for Campground Host

Linn County Conservation is accepting applications for a campground host at Pinicon Ridge Park near Central City at the park's Flying Squirrel Campground. Free camping is provided at a designated campsite between the months of April and October in exchange for light duty cleaning, maintenance, firewood and ice sales along with customer service for the public. This is a volunteer position and requires a regular presence in the park. Application window will remain open until position is filled. More…

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Feb. 12-19, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

• Held a public hearing for a resolution approving the Dows Farm Urban Revitalization Plan for the Dows Farm Urban Revitalization Area (Feb. 15)
• Held a public hearing and first consideration on an ordinance designating the Dows Farm Area as the Linn County Urban Revitalization Area (Feb. 15)
• Held the second consideration on an ordinance designating the Dows Farm Area as the Linn County Urban Revitalization Area (Feb. 17)
• Approved a resolution approving the Dows Farm Urban Revitalization Plan for the Dows Farm Urban Revitalization Area
• Discussed assignment of county tax sale lien
• Approved a letter to Governor Reynolds supporting Linda Langston’s appointment to the Iowa Transportation Commission
• Approved a vacancy form requesting a Technical Center Manager for the IT Department
• Approved a temporary 28E agreement extension with the City of Robins for Building Services
• Authorized Board Chair to sign an Iowa Secretary of State Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Cybersecurity Grant Agreement between Linn County and the Iowa Secretary of State in an amount not to exceed $10,000
• Awarded bids for dust control products for the Secondary Road Department
• Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health
• Met with and received updates from the following department leaders: Communications, Facilities, Planning & Development, Purchasing, and Risk Management
• Received a legislative update from Linn County’s director of policy and administration

NOTE: Board of Supervisors Meeting Recaps briefly summarize and highlight topics from the Board’s meeting agendas. This recap is provided by County staff as a public service and is not an official record of Board action. The official record of approved minutes from Board of Supervisors meetings are approved at future meetings and are available for viewing after approval.
 
Board agendas, minutes, and meeting videos are available on the Agendas and Minutes webpage.
 
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