March 12-19, 2021

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

Linn County Public Health Holds COVID-19 Media Briefing

Linn County Public Health held a virtual media briefing on March 18, 2021 to provide updates on COVID-19 variants and Governor Reynold’s announcement of expanded vaccine availability beginning April 5. Watch the video.

Reflecting on COVID-19 One-Year Anniversary

This week marks the one-year anniversary of Linn County’s first, laboratory confirmed case of COVID-19. Emotional responses to milestones like this are a normal—and common—reaction to moving forward though uncommon circumstances. We push forward through the grief and challenges we have all experienced in different ways this past year.

As we reflect, it is important to know there is reason for hope. Safe and effective vaccines that will help end the pandemic and save lives are being administered as quickly as the supply allows. The many sacrifices we have made, although difficult, have made a difference.

While there is reason for hope, we know many of us still struggle from the losses and challenges of the past year. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for support. Help with mental health support is available.

Linn County Public Health Moves to Tier 4 Moderate Risk with Actions to Prevent Spread of COVID-19

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Linn County Public Health has sought to recommend action and practices based on available data and best practice research. This included recommended safety practices for keeping the community safe while continuing to support businesses, restaurants, and schools in the county. This guidance outlines recommended actions across six tiers. Movement back and forth through the tiers is dependent on the metrics listed under each tier. Due to improvement in COVID-19 metrics in our community, Linn County Public Health recommends moving to Tier 4 Moderate Risk of the Actions to Combat Increase in COVID-19. These recommendations include:

Individuals 65 and older and those with underlying health conditions stay home, as able
Limit indoor/outdoor gatherings with defined borders to the lesser of 100 or 50% of room capacity
Limit group sizes to 6
Community events in an outdoor environment without defined boundaries should be paused
Provide an option for virtual attendance to mass gatherings
Bars and restaurants limit seated groups to 6 or household members only
Businesses encourage employees to telework, if possible
Require patrons wear mask when in retail establishments

Even as vaccine becomes available to additional populations, and some metrics are improving locally, it is important to continue practicing COVID-19 mitigation strategies proven to prevent spread of the virus: maintain social distance with people you don’t live with, wear a mask, and wash hands frequently.

Linn County LIFTS Now PASS Certified

Linn County LIFTS announced all 23 of its employees are now PASS certified by the Community Transportation Association of America. PASS, which stands for Passenger Assistance, Safety, and Sensitivity, is a driver training program that is the recognized industry standard when it comes to ensuring that passengers are transported in the most safe, sensitive, and careful manner possible. PASS certification is ideal for transportation where the passengers require extra care, including non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), ADA paratransit services, and specialized transit for older passengers.

Secondary Road Department Releases Spring Newsletter

The Linn County Secondary Road Department spring newsletter is now available and includes information about the construction and maintenance projects planned for 2021, an update on the County Home Road improvement project that will resume this spring, road embargoes, dust control, and more. The Road Department distributes the newsletter in early March and mid-November each year.
Read the newsletter.
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Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

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

Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health
Signed a proclamation designating March 22-26, 2021 as Meals on Wheels Week
Received Statement of Election Costs for Marion Independent School District and Alburnett Community School District
Authorized Chair to sign a professional services agreement between Linn County and Martin Gardner Architecture, PC for derecho-related evaluations, assessments, and damage reports on Linn County-owned properties
Authorized Chair to sign a task order with Tidal Basin for services to assist with FEMA claim as it pertains to funding for COVID-19 reimbursements under the Public Assistance program
Authorized Chair to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Linn County and the Mental Health/Disability Services of the East Central Region (ECR) effective February 8, 2021 through June 30, 2021 for CARES Act funding of COVID-19 related expenditures for mental health and disability services at the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center
Authorized Chair to sign a vacancy form requesting a part-time supervisor at Juvenile Detention & Diversion Services
Authorized Chair to sign a vacancy form requesting a clerical specialist for Linn County Public Health
Approved Treasurer’s (Auto Dept.) Report to the County Auditor Receipts and Disbursements for the Month of February 2021
Signed a resolution to award bid for a culvert and grading project on E Ave NW from Linn-Benton Road to Hwy 100 and on Linn-Benton Road from 71st Street to E Ave NW to Rathje Construction Co. in the amount of $1,369,862.35
Signed a resolution establishing bridge weight restrictions and authorized the Linn County Engineer to erect and maintain appropriate signs
Authorized Chair to sign Purchase Agreement, Quit Claim Deed, Storm Sewer and Drainage Easement, Temporary Construction and Grading Easement, Real Estate Closing Statements and other acknowledgement documents relating to Parcel A & B Plat of Survey 253 of E Avenue NW adjacent to Morgan Creek Park
Authorized Chair to sign an application to “Adopt-A-Roadside” for Indian Creek Property Management to adopt the west side of Sutton Road from Hutchinson Road south for 1,135’
Authorized Chair to sign partial acquisition contracts between Linn County, Iowa and Lee C. Lewis for rights of way acquired in connection with Linn County’s project No. LOST-BEAR CREEK RD(22), parcels No. 2 and No. 3
Authorized Chair to sign partial acquisition contracts between Linn County, Iowa and John Ortmann for rights of way acquired in connection with Linn County’s project No. LOST-BEAR CREEK RD(22), parcels No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, and No. 7
Authorized Chair to sign a partial acquisition contract between Linn County, Iowa and Scott G. Byers, Craig M. Byers, and David C. Byers for right of way acquired in connection with Linn County’s project No. LOST-BEAR CREEK RD(22), parcel No. 8
Authorized Chair to sign an updated renewal quote with Siteimprove to add analytics to the existing contract
Approved purchase order to purchase a motor grader from Martin Equipment of Iowa in the amount of $334,655.52 for the Secondary Road Department
Approved Liquor License for Casey’s General Store #2788, 888 Vernon Valley Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, noting all conditions have been met
Provided Board member reports of their activities, meetings, and project updates

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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