May 1-7, 2021

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

It's OK to not be OK

Linn County has made addressing mental health one of our top priorities. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Linn County is joining our partners across the community, and many others across the country, to remind everyone that mental illnesses are real, and recovery is possible.

2020 was a difficult year for many. The COVID-19 pandemic, and the August derecho here in Linn County, brought many hardships for people. We were forced to cope with situations we never even imagined and that we had little to no control over, and a lot of us struggled with our mental health as a result. If you found this past year affected your mental health, you are not alone. In fact, in November 2020, the CDC reported that 44 percent of us were dealing with either depression or anxiety.

The good news is that help is available—and seeking this help is a sign of strength. Learn more about the mental health resources available to you or a loved one.

Help Create a Better Eastern Iowa

After a tough year for many due to the pandemic and derecho, United Way of East Central Iowa, Linn County, and the City of Cedar Rapids are collaborating to assess community needs and better support Eastern Iowans. The Community Impact Assessment aims to identify common needs and concerns that individuals in Eastern Iowa believe are important. This survey, which gathers data from five counties, will show where gaps in our community exist, which can create partnerships between area organizations to help close these gaps. This can change the way nonprofits work together for better outcomes.

Please share your voice and help create a better Eastern Iowa.

Derecho Debris Removal from Waterways in Linn County

Linn County has approved a contract with Ceres Environmental, Inc. to remove derecho storm debris from waterways in Linn County. The primary goal of the project is to protect infrastructure and waterways by removing debris from natural waterways that could either damage a downstream bridge or block a structure resulting in flooding. A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide 75 percent of the funding; Linn County is responsible for the remaining 25 percent. To qualify for funding and approval from the NRCS and the USDA, Linn County had to show the debris is likely to damage a bridge or cause flooding and that the cost of the removal is less than the cost of repair. The work is scheduled to begin May 17, 2021. Learn more.

Air Quality Awareness Week

May 3-7 is Air Quality Awareness Week, and Linn County Public Health is sharing information about how you can help reduce pollution and stay informed about local air quality. Check out Public Health’s Facebook page for helpful tips and subscribe to receive alerts when air quality in Linn County has the potential to reach unhealthy levels. Healthy air is important for everyone!

May is Building Safety Month—Why it Matters to You

As we prepare ourselves for the increased severity and frequency of natural disasters, building safety is even more important. Building Safety Month is an international campaign to raise awareness about building safety, what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures, and the people behind these efforts.

Disaster mitigation through the adoption and enforcement of building codes is one of the best ways for communities to prepare and protect against future disasters and to make our communities more resilient. Homes and buildings that are built in compliance with building safety codes—and the officials who enforce the codes—are essential to helping communities minimize the risks of death, injury, and property damage in the event of a disaster. Building Safety Month unites industries, associations, academia, and government under a common goal to protect the public by creating a safe and resilient built environment. Linn County’s Planning & Development code officials work day in and day out to keep the public safe and are dedicated to building safety in Linn County.

Mowing Roadside Vegetation Prohibited Until July 15 to Protect Roadside Habitats

Iowa’s roadsides provide a valuable refuge for wildlife. The Linn County Secondary Road Department and the Linn County Conservation Department remind county residents that state law prohibits mowing roadside vegetation in the rights-of-way or medians on any primary highway, interstate highway, or secondary road prior to July 15. This law is designed to protect roadside habitats for nesting game birds, songbirds, and other ground-nesting birds during the critical nesting season in the spring and early summer until they are ready to fledge. The law also protects habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects, including crop-pest predators. Exceptions for visibility and weed control are built into the law, but non-essential mowing—including cutting for hay—is prohibited. Learn more.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of May 1-7, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health
Proclaimed May as Mental Health Month in Linn County
Proclaimed May 9-15 as National Police Week in Linn County
Proclaimed May 15 as Parks to Kids Day in Linn County
Held a public hearing for Dows Farm Agri-Community, preliminary plat case #JP21-0001, requesting two hundred forty-seven (247) lots, on approximately 181 acres, located in the 6900 Block of Mt. Vernon Road SE, a subdivision of real estate located in Section 20, Township 83 North, Range 6 West, Linn County, Iowa, owners and Ahmann Companies Inc., petitioner (may 3, 2021)
Approved Dows Farm Agri-Community preliminary plat case #JP21-0001, requesting two hundred forty-seven (247) lots, on approximately 181 acres, located in the 6900 Block of Mt. Vernon Road SE, a subdivision of real estate located in Section 20, Township 83 North, Range 6 West, Linn County, Iowa, owners and Ahmann Companies Inc., petitioner (May 5, 2021)
Discussed holding a public meeting on utility-scale solar in addition to the public meetings that will be held once Linn County receives a solar application from a utility company. Directed staff to select a date, time, and location for the public meeting.
Authorized a contract for derecho storm debris removal from waterways to Ceres Environmental, Inc. in the amount of $48,272.70 and authorized Bradley J. Ketels, County Engineer, to execute the contract
Authorized a contract for hot mix asphalt patching and leveling at various locations on secondary roads in Linn County, to L.L Pelling Co., Inc. in the amount of $593,144.42 and authorized Bradley J. Ketels, County Engineer, to execute the contract
Approved final plat for Brecke’s First Addition, case JF21-0001
Approved residential parcel split for Mattke’s First Addition, Case JPS21-0005
Approved final plat for Slezak First Addition case JF21-0005
Authorized CRANDIC Racing Club to use Sutliff Road in Linn County for bicycle time trials on May 5, June 9, July 7, and August 4, 2021. The County Engineer’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, and Risk Management have discussed and collected proper insurance and hold harmless agreements.
Approved a no-rent land use agreement ending June 30, 2022 with Feed Iowa First for approximately .82 acres of Linn County-owned property located at 520 11th Street NW, Cedar Rapids to grow food for free local distribution
Approved an agreement between Linn County Board of Supervisors and Grant Wood Area Education Agency to ensure an appropriate educational program for youth residing at the Juvenile Detention Center
Approved “Adopt-A-Roadside” application for Alburnett Lions Club to adopt Burnett Station Road from Hwy 13 to the Alburnett city limits
Approved the following Linn County Decat contracts for FY22:
- Relative Wraparound Fund 5th Amendment which extends the contract for Fiscal Year 2022, in the amount of $5,000
- DHS Involved Families Wraparound Fund 5th Amendment which extends the contract for Fiscal Year 2022 in the amount of $5,000
- Community Partnerships for Protecting Children 4th Amendment which extends the contract for Fiscal Year 2022 in the amount of $20,000
- Linn County Community for Change Equity Team for Fiscal Year 2022 in the amount of $1,000
Approved agency agreements for Fiscal Year 2022 between Linn County Community Services Funded Agency and the following agencies:
- Aging Services, $18,921
- Central City Food Program, $26,473
- Dental Health Center of East Central Iowa, $12,286
- Eastern Iowa Health Center, $21,613
- HACAP, $32,887
- Horizons, $109,953
- S.A.N.S.I, $8,123
- Southeast Linn Community Center, $5,174
- Waypoint Services, $32,582
Approved the Options of Linn County FY22-FY24 Provider Contract and Options of Linn County FY22 rate sheet with the MH/DS of the East Central Region
Approved purchase order for HVAC improvements for the Sheriff’s Office radio towers
Held third and final consideration of ordinance amendment rezoning case JR21-0001, request of Brecke Construction Services, owners & Bret Brecke, petitioner to rezone .37 acres located in the 2000 Block of Covington Road from the VR (Village Residential) zoning district to the VM (Village Mixed-Use) zoning district
Approved a contract for replacement of the damaged understory soffit on the Harris building
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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Communications Department
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319-892-5000