April 2-9, 2021

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

Improvement Project Resuming on County Home Road

Linn County announced this week that construction on County Home Road is scheduled to resume this month. County Home Road will be closed completely to through traffic from N Center Point Road to just east of C Ave Extension and will remain closed for the entire duration of the project. The N Center Point Road intersection will remain open throughout the entire project while the C Ave Ext intersection will remain closed the entire project.
Construction improvements include concrete paving, the addition of right and left turn lanes, and a single lane roundabout at the C Ave Ext intersection. The anticipated completion date for the project is fall 2021. Learn more about the planned improvements and sign up to receive text or email updates as the project progresses.

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Expands

As of April 5, all Iowans age 16 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine supply continues to be limited, which means not everyone will be able to make an
appointment right away. Iowans with barriers to scheduling a vaccine appointment or who do not have internet access who are 65 and older, or 64 and younger with an underlying health condition as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), can call 211 or 800-244-7431 and a vaccine navigator will help them with scheduling a vaccine appointment. Translation services are available. Linn County LIFTS continues to provide free transportation for Linn County residents to confirmed vaccination appointments in Linn County. Requests for transportation must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Find more COVID-19 vaccine information at LinnCounty.org/Vaccine.

2021 Resource Sheets Now Available

The Linn County Community Resources Committee has completed the annual update of its community resource sheets. The resource sheets help residents access more than 20 essential services, including affordable housing resources, childcare, transportation, employment, food assistance, legal assistance, LGBTQ resources, health resources, and more. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, specific hours and availability listed on the resource sheets may be subject to change and residents are encouraged to call each organization before seeking services. Access the resource sheets.

Campgrounds Now Open

Linn County Conservation campgrounds opened for the season on Friday, April 9. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of Wanatee Park A-loop, which can be reserved online. Whether you are looking for a modern campsite with water and electric hookups, or a primitive camping site, Linn County Conservation has several options available for you to enjoy your next camping experience.

New Features at Wickiup Wandering Woods

Outdoor play is one of the healthiest activities for kids today and the nature playscape at the Wickiup Hill Learning Center helps take that free play to the next level. Linn County Conservation completed installment of some new climbing features and reopened the closed portion of the Wickiup Wandering Woods nature playscape. Make plans to visit soon!

Board of Supervisors Amends Unified Development Code to Allow Small Animals

The Linn County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the Unified Development Code that formally allows for the keeping of chickens and other small animals on lots in rural residential zoning districts in unincorporated Linn County. Roosters are prohibited, and there is a limit on the number of small animals per acre. Show animals and juvenile animals less than eight months of age are exempt from these limits. The change takes effect April 14.

National Public Health Week

April 5-11 is National Public Health Week, a time to recognize the public health professionals who help communities prevent, prepare for, withstand, and recover from the impact of a full range of health threats, including disease outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, measles, natural disasters, and disasters caused by human activity. Public health action, together with scientific and technological advances, has played a major role in reducing and, in some cases, eliminating the spread of infectious disease, and in establishing today’s disease control systems. Thank you public health professionals!

Dust Control Signup Now Open

Residents in unincorporated Linn County can now sign up for dust control for the first period of the 2021 season. Individuals applying dust control to county roads adjacent to their property must obtain a permit through the Linn County Engineer’s Office regardless of who is applying the dust control. Visit Linn County’s website for more information.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of April 2-9, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health
Met with and received updates from the following elected officials and/or designees: Auditor’s Office, Recorder’s Office, Treasurer’s Office, and Sheriff’s Office
Held a joint meeting with Linn County Farm Bureau on April 6
Discussed leasing space at Lindale Mall by Linn County Public Health for a potential site for mass COVID-19 vaccinations
Approved the tentative agreement between AFSCME Local 231 and Linn County for the Clerical, Maintenance, Para Professional, and Professional bargaining units for new contracts effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026
Conducted a public hearing, reviewed plans and specifications, form of contract, and estimated costs for cold storage sheds at Morgan Creek and Wanatee Parks for Linn County Conservation
Opened bids for cold storage sheds at Morgan Creek and Wanatee Parks and referred them to Linn County staff for recommendations
Decided on the project budget for cold storage sheds at Morgan Creek and Wanatee Parks for Linn County Conservation
Approved a contract between Linn County and Peak Construction Group to build cold storage sheds at Morgan Creek and Wanatee Parks
Approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of $12,000 from the Sheriff’s appropriations to the Medical Examiner appropriations
Approved Fiscal Year 2022 Iowa Department of Transportation Secondary Road Budget (IDOT) and IDOT Secondary Road Five Year Construction Program
Approved cost estimate with Metro Studios in the amount of $5,855 for the State of the County production
Approved a contract with Med Pro for medical waste disposal at the Mental Health Access Center for FY22-FY24 at $115 per month
Approved a temporary use permit request by Bass Family Farms, LLC, owner, and Eastern Iowa Pet Expo to hold the “Eastern Iowa Pet Expo,” an outdoor event located at 835 & 840 Bass Lane, Mount Vernon, Iowa on May 1, 2021. Event organizers will follow COVID-19 safety protocols.
Proclaimed April 11-17, 2021 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Linn County
Held third and final consideration and approved an ordinance amending provisions in Chapter 107, Unified Development Code to allow the keeping of chickens and other small animals on lots in rural residential zoning districts in unincorporated Linn County. Roosters are prohibited, and a limit on the number of small animals per acre is included in the amendment.
Approved the purchase of a Chevrolet Bolt Electric Vehicle from Karl Chevrolet for the Public Health Department in the amount of $28,736.68
Received a legislative update from Policy & Administration staff
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.

Subscribe to receive agenda notifications.

Communications Department
[email protected]
319-892-5000