May 14-21, 2021

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

Linn County Facilities Reopening to the Public June 7

Linn County will reopen County facilities to the public on June 7, 2021 after being closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Face masks are currently required in all County facilities; however, that is subject to change before opening. Social distancing and other safety protocols will be in place. Linn County will continue to offer remote services via phone, email, and online, including building permit applications, title transfers, and online vehicle registration renewals. Drop boxes will remain in place for anyone who needs to drop off payments, vehicle registration renewals, or other paperwork that would normally be dropped off in person. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these alternative service options. Learn more.

Linn County LIFTS Continues to Require Masks Aligning with Federal Transit Regulation

Linn County LIFTS continues to align with the federal transit mask mandate that requires masks on all public transportation according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Federal Register Notice and the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) Security Directive. This means all LIFTS personnel and customers are required to wear a face mask covering the nose and the mouth while on any LIFTS vehicles. Passengers will not be allowed on LIFTS vehicles without a proper face covering. In addition, riders must wear a face covering for the entire duration of their trip.

Attend an Informational Meeting on Permitting Process for Utility-Scale Solar Projects

Linn County will hold two public meetings for residents to learn about the permitting process for utility-scale solar projects in Linn County. The meetings are specific to Linn County’s role in the permitting process and are not specific to any proposed solar project in Linn County. At both meetings, staff from Linn County Planning & Development will give a presentation on the solar permitting process. There will then be an opportunity for public comment, including asking questions about utility-scale solar permits. The presentation will be the same for both meetings. Residents can attend in person or virtually.

Linn County has not yet received an application for a utility-scale solar project; and, therefore, no utility-scale projects have been through the permitting and approval process.

Linn County Overflow Shelter Closing May 31

The Linn County Overflow Shelter located at the Fillmore Center (520 11^th Street NW) will close on May 31, 2021. The overflow shelter, which typically runs from approximately November to March annually to address winter housing needs, has remained open since March 2020 to provide a 24-hour safety net to address residents’ needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As social distancing was critical to public safety, many permanent shelters in Cedar Rapids were operating at reduced capacity in order to meet CDC requirements. The overflow shelter provided additional shelter opportunity in a safe environment for those without housing options. The closure comes as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to decline. Learn more.

COVID-19 Vaccine Public Service Announcement

In a new public service announcement, Linn County Public encourages everyone who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine to get one and get back to life.

Trail Construction to Begin after Memorial Day

The Cedar Valley Nature Trail north of Center Point at Ash Lane to Highway 150 west of Urbana will experience intermittent closures beginning in early June. Drainage improvements and eventual hard surfacing will take place along this six-mile stretch during the summer. Please respect posted signage for your safety and the safety of our contractors.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of May 14-21, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health
Met with and received updates from the following departments: Communications, Facilities, Planning & Development, Purchasing
Discussed necessary measures and timeline for reopening Linn County buildings to the public, and set the reopening dates for County buildings for June 7, 2021
Discussed lifting the mask mandate for Linn County (on May 17). No action taken.
Authorized Linn County to be a registered Make It OK Workplace
Set public hearing on Monday June 14, 2021 at 11 a.m. to vacate excess right-of-way along Boy Scouts Road located in the NE¼ SW¼ of Sec. 17-T85N-R5W
Approved a resolution authorizing Notice to All Linn County Property Owners and Managers Weeds Notice regarding destruction and control of noxious weeds in Linn County, pursuant to the provisions of Title VIII Chapter 317.4 Subsection 2, Iowa Code
Approved a resolution for a Temporary Use Permit, Case JTU21-0003, from Bill & Donna Warhover, owners and petitioners, requesting permission to hold seasonal outdoor food truck events at the Morning Glory Farm & CSA operation located at 681 Hwy 1 South, Mount Vernon, Iowa
Approved a resolution extending permit fee waivers for Derecho damaged structures through August 10, 2021
Approved a resolution for the fiscal year 2021 budget appropriations totaling $163,522,645 which supersedes Resolution 2021-5-67
Approved a Communications Systems Maintenance Agreement between Linn County and RACOM effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 for $773,866 to maintain the radio system infrastructure and software to be interconnected with many counties in Eastern Iowa
Authorized Chair to electronically sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Linn County Mental Health Access Center and East Central Mental Health Region for $5,000 of Cares Act Funds to use for interpretation services at the Mental Health Access Center
Authorized Chair to sign a 28E Agreement between Linn County and the City of Fairfax for placing shoulder rock on shared portions of 80th St.
Authorized Chair to sign a 28E Agreement between Linn County and Jones County for Jones County to inspect bridges on Linn-Jones Rd.
Authorized Chair to sign a 28E Agreement between Linn County and Jones County for shared road maintenance and winter snow and ice control
Authorized Chair to sign a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Cross-Designated Employment Agreement between Linn County, Linn County Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa and Devra T. Hake Pursuant to the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Program
Authorized Chair to sign a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Cross-Designated Employment Agreement between Linn County, Linn County Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa and Jason D Norwood Pursuant to the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Program
Authorized Chair to sign the Second Amendment to contract number SOLO JUV-20-CB-6-002, entitled In Home Day Treatment, between Linn County, Juvenile Court Services for the 6th Judicial District of Iowa (JCS), and the Iowa Department of Human Services effective from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 for a maximum of $110,511.00.
Authorized Chair to sign the Solo contract number CJJP-22-6-001, entitled Solo In Home Day Treatment, between Linn County, Juvenile Court Services for the 6th Judicial District of Iowa (JCS), July 1, 2021 to June 30th, 2022 for a maximum of $75,637
Authorized Chair to sign a Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Fiscal Year 2022 Renewal effective July 1, 2021
Authorized Chair to sign a Delta Dental Insurance Fiscal Year 2022 Renewal effective July 1, 2021
Authorized Chair to sign a Madison National Life Short Term Disability Insurance Proposal
Authorized Chair to sign a partial acquisition contract between Linn County, Iowa and Brenda Lane, in the amount of $500 for right of way acquired in connection with Linn County’s project No. LOST-BEAR CREEK RD(22), parcel No. 1
Approved Board of Supervisors Promotions and Transfers Policy, PM-025 effective July 1, 2021
Approved Board of Supervisors Layoffs and Furloughs Policy, PM-026 effective July 1, 2021
Approved a finance plan and Notice of Sale for General Obligation Land and Water Legacy Bonds, Series 2021A
Approved preliminary official statement for General Obligation Land and Water Legacy Bonds, Series 2021A
Adopted a resolution setting a date for the Sale of General Obligation Land and Water Legacy Bonds, Series 2021A
Authorized Chair to sign the following two Linn County Decat Contracts for FY22:
- DCAT4-18-016 Decat Management and Fiscal Services 4th Amendment, extending the contract for FY22, in the amount of $97,919
- DCAT4-22-027 Regional PSSF Wraparound for DHS Cedar Rapids Service Area. The new FY22 contract coordinates Family Reunification Services for PSSF eligible children and their families in the Cedar Rapids Service Area, in the amount of $28,854
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