May 7-14, 2021

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

COVID-19 Update

The Linn County Board of Supervisors will discuss lifting the mask mandate for Linn County and will discuss measures and timeline needed for reopening Linn County buildings to the public during their meeting on Monday, May 17. This discussion comes on the heels of the CDC announcement that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, with some exceptions.

In another update, the CDC now recommends COVID-19 vaccinations for adolescents ages 12-15. This follows clinical trials that found the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be safe and effective for this age group. Linn County Public Health will make an announcement once clinical guidance is released to vaccine providers. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, that guidance is expected to be released May 14. Learn more about vaccinating children ages 12-15.

Derecho Tree Debris Self-Haul Site Closing May 16

The self-haul drop-off site for derecho tree debris from unincorporated Linn County will close permanently at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, 2021. Linn County opened the site, located at Wickiup Hill Learning Area, 10260 Morris Hills Road in Toddville, for residents of unincorporated Linn County to dispose of tree and other vegetative debris from the August 2020 derecho. Residents who live in unincorporated Linn County can continue to self-haul their vegetative derecho debris to this location and drop it off at no charge through May 16. To meet FEMA reimbursement requirements, this drop-off location is for tree and other vegetative derecho debris from property in unincorporated Linn County only; for this reason, pre-registration is required. Open burning of vegetative derecho debris is still an option for residents in unincorporated Linn County with proper registration. Learn how to register here.

Waiver for Building Department Permit Fees Extended for Derecho-Damaged Structures

The Linn County Board of Supervisors has extended the waiver of building department permit fees through August 10, 2021. This waiver is for the unincorporated areas in Linn County and the cities that contract with Linn County (Alburnett, Bertram, Center Point, Lisbon, and Mount Vernon) for the repair and reconstruction of structures damaged during the August 10, 2020 derecho. The fees waived include flood plain development permits, building permits (including electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits) and zoning verifications. All required permits are still necessary in the repair or reconstruction of buildings and other structures damaged by the August 10, 2020 derecho. Linn County is simply waiving the fee for the required permits to assist residents impacted by the derecho.

Having the permit helps to ensure that contractors are registered with the state and the inspections verify repairs are done in compliance with minimum safety standards. Permits are also required when homeowners are completing their own repair work.

Find more permit information and tips for finding a licensed contractor on Linn County’s website.

Linn County Appoints Redistricting Commission

A five-member Temporary Redistricting Commission was appointed by the Linn County Board of Supervisors on May 12, 2021. Linn County currently uses Supervisor District Representation Plan three. Per Iowa code, a Temporary Redistricting Commission must be appointed by May 15 of each year after the decennial census for counties using plan two or three for the election of county supervisors. The Temporary Redistricting Commission will use official census population data from the latest federal decennial census to draw precinct boundaries for unincorporated Linn County in accordance with Iowa Code sections 49.3, 49.4, and 49.6. City councils with more than one voting precinct will draw city precincts. This precinct information will be sent to the Secretary of State for approval. The Legislative Services Agency will then draw supervisor districts based on the precinct information. The 2020 Census data must be finalized before the Temporary Redistricting Commission can begin their work. All meetings of the Temporary Redistricting Commission are public meetings. Learn more.

Linn County Attorney Releases Official Report on Investigation into Use of Deadly Force

The Linn County Attorney’s Office completed its legal review of an officer involved shooting incident involving Cedar Rapids police officer Kyzer Moore and Arnell States, as requested by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). The Iowa DCI conducted a full and thorough investigation into the incident. Their investigative file included reports issued by agencies assisting with the investigation including the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Iowa DCI Criminalistics Laboratory. The investigative file included a video recording from the body-worn camera of Officer Kyzer Moore, which recorded his entire encounter with Arnell States including the officer’s discharge of his service weapon at States. The official report of the Linn County Attorney regarding the investigation into the use of deadly force upon Arnell States includes Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and concludes that the use of deadly force by Officer Moore was reasonable and necessary. Read the full report here.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of May 7-14, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health and discussed steps and benchmarks needed to reopen County buildings to the public
Met with and received updates from directors of the following departments: Secondary Road Department, LIFTS, Human Resources, Finance and Budget, Policy & Administration
Set a public hearing for Monday, June 21, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. to establish a Secondary Road Assessment District to improve Wayside Circle with a two-inch asphalt overlay for the entire length of Wayside Circle and four inch patching in three locations and driveway transitions involving concrete driveway panel removal and replacement at a cost of $118,185. The assessment district includes Blair Ridge Estates Addition lots 1-6 and lots 9-16 and Blair Ridge Estates 2nd Addition lots 1-2.
Approved updating the Linn County Urban Renewal Plan to incorporate Tax Increment Financing into a portion of the Dows Farm development
Extended the permit fee waiver for derecho-damaged structures through August 10, 2021 for Linn County jurisdiction
Directed staff to prepare necessary ordinance and/or resolution for Board consideration of a November 2021 general election ballot referendum for continuation of a 1% Local Option Sales Tax with identical revenue expenditures in unincorporated Linn County to commence July 1, 2024 thru June 30, 2034, upon expiration of the current 10-year 1% Local Option Sales Tax
Directed staff to prepare necessary resolution for Board consideration of a November 2021 general election ballot referendum to vote on whether gambling facilities should be allowed in Linn County. This referendum will be a yes/no vote on whether Linn County residents want to allow gambling facilities in Linn County. The referendum is not for a specific casino or proposed casino. Other benchmarks, separate from this vote, would need to be met to actually authorize a gaming facility in Linn County, including approval by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
Held a public hearing on the fiscal year 2021 proposed budget amendment and adopted amended appropriations resolution
Approved a resolution appointing Cindy Goldberg, Sarah Hallbrook, Linda Langston, Ralph Russell, and Nate Willems to a five-member Temporary County Redistricting Commission
Approved three vacancy forms requesting LPN Correctional Center nurses for the Sheriff’s Office
Received and placed on file Auditor’s Quarterly Report for the quarter ending 3/31/21 in the amount of $39,928.60. Total Auditor transfer fees deposited by Recorder with the County Treasurer in the amount of $10,315.00.
Received and placed on file Sheriff’s Quarterly Report for July 1 through September 30, 2020, totaling $1,558,129
Received and placed on file Sheriff’s Quarterly Report for October 1 through December 31, 2020, totaling $1,766,579
Received and placed on file Sheriff’s Quarterly Report for January 1 through March 31, 2021, totaling $1,563,741
Authorized the transfer of a 2017 Ford Interceptor SUV, from the Sheriff’s Office to the Foundation 2 Mental Health Liaison assigned to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office
Approved the appointment of Special Prosecutor Linn County Attorney, Devra T. Hake
Approved appointment of Special Prosecutor Linn County Attorney, Jason D. Norwood
Approved a Palo Community Center Rental Agreement for a public meeting scheduled for May 25, 2021 at 6 p.m. to discuss a solar lease process
Approved a Linn County Correctional Center Physician’s Service Agreement between Linn County and local physicians effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023 at a rate of $575 per visit to the physicians and $30,000 yearly to Mercy Medical Center for non-payer patients referred by Linn County Correctional Center
Approved a Linn County Correctional Center Medical Director Service Agreement between Linn County and Robert Braksiek, M.D. effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023 in the amount of $50,700 annually
Approved a renewal agreement between Linn County and the Juvenile Detention Medical Director effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 for an amount of $27,318
Approved a contract for Tracking, Monitoring & Intervention between Linn County, State of Iowa Juvenile Court Services, and the Iowa Department of Human Services, effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 for an amount not to exceed $747,300
Approved an electronic monitoring agreement between Linn County and Juvenile Court Services for the 6th Judicial District Juvenile Court Services, effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 for an amount of $8.50 per day
Approved a contract between the Iowa Department of Public Health and Linn County Community Services/Ryan White Program authorizing total contract amount for $764,828 in funding for contract year April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021 for HIV Client Services Program
Approved Adopt-A-Roadside request for Mt. Vernon Trailblazers to adopt Springville Rd from Hwy 151 to Secrist Rd
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.

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Communications Department
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319-892-5000