July 9-16, 2021

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

Mental Health Access Center Expands Walk-in Hours

Linn County is pleased to announce the Mental Health Access Center has expanded its walk-in hours effective July 12, 2021. Individuals 18 years of age and older who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis can walk into the Access Center without an appointment and receive help Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. For services after hours, please call Foundation 2 Mobile Crisis Teams at 319-362-2174.

Watch our new Access Center video to learn more.

Coggon Solar LLC Submits Application for Utility-Scale Solar Project in Linn County

Coggon Solar LLC has submitted its application to Linn County Planning & Development for a utility-scale solar project in Linn County. A utility-scale solar project requires an application to rezone the area to be used for the solar installation to (RE) Renewable Energy Overlay Zoning District.

Once an applicant submits a utility-scale solar application to Linn County, the review process begins. This process is robust and includes benchmark reviews from the Technical Review Committee, Planning & Development staff, and the Planning & Zoning Commission before any application is presented to the Board of Supervisors. The review process is designed to review all applications thoroughly against the development standards outlined in Linn County’s utility-scale solar ordinance. Additional standards may be imposed as part of the review process. The first meetings of the Technical Review Committee and the Planning & Zoning Commission for the Coggon Solar LLC application are expected to occur in September or October 2021.

Learn more.

Help Create a Healthier Linn County!

Every 3-5 years, the Together! Healthy Linn collaborative led by Linn County Public Health assesses the health needs and assets of our community through a Community Health Assessment. A community survey is one tool that is used as part of the assessment process. Everyone who lives in, works in, goes to school in, or visits Linn County is invited to complete the survey. Your participation will help identify issues important to the Linn County community’s health and wellbeing. Learn more.

Take the survey today!

Linn County Youth Recognized for Artwork

Youth who are temporarily living in the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center recently participated in a creative expressions contest sponsored by the Iowa National Youth In Transition Database. The theme for the artwork contest was "See Me For Me: Looking Past Labels and Stereotypes." One of Linn County’s youth received third place in the state for his artwork and his description of his drawing.

Excerpt from the description:

“…people see him as an inked up no life who's going to either end up in jail or dead before his 21^st birthday. Biggie just wants to skate and have a good future one day. But all this negativity has made him actually think he's going to either end up dead or in jail. All those bad things being said about how he looks and everything made a fence blocking his way to his future. Biggie truly feels like his only options in life are either death or jail. All because of how people see him, and not for who he really is.”

See the drawing and read the full description here.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of July 9-16, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Met with and received updates from the following departments: Engineering and Secondary Roads, LIFTS, and Human Resources
Approved making certain sections of the Fillmore property, located at 520 11^th Street NW, Cedar Rapids, as no trespassing areas
Authorized Chair to sign, retroactive to July 9, 2021, a letter to The Honorable Pete Buttigieg, Secretary to U.S. Department of Transportation, in support of the City of Cedar Rapids’ 8^th Avenue Bridge Replacement Over the Flood Control System project application
Authorized Chair to sign a domain authorization letter on behalf of the Auditor/Elections office for the domain name linncountyelections-IA.gov
Set public hearing date for Monday July 26, 2021 at 11 a.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 property tax levies for FY 2021-2022 tax collections
Received and placed on file the Recorder’s Quarterly Report for April 1 through June 30, 2021
Approved a resolution setting date for public hearing on Urban Revitalization Plan Amendment to be held on Wednesday July 28, 2021 at 11 a.m.
Approved a resolution for Temporary Use Permit, Case JTU21-0009, Mike Pillard, owner; and Backpocket Brewing LLC, c/o Whitney Daniels, petitioner; requesting permission to operate a RAGBRAI Beer Sales event, located at 4562 Prairieburg Rd, Anamosa, IA
Approved resolution for a Land Preservation Parcel Split for G & M Fourth Addition, case JLPS21-0003.
Authorized Chair to sign a contract between Linn County and East Central Mental Health Region to provide support for services at the Mental Health Access Center
Approved a 28E Agreement between Linn County and the City of Lisbon for asphalt paving on shared portions of Business 30
Approved revision number 7 of Linn County Engineering and Secondary Road Department Winter Maintenance Operations Policy, Policy #SR-12
Authorized Chair to sign the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program FY 2021 Local Solicitation—Certifications and Assurances by the Chief Executive of the Applicant Government.
Approved purchase order for $127,670.05 to Insight Public Sector for annual software maintenance for the IT Department
Approved purchase order for $84,777 to Insight Public Sector for annual software maintenance for the IT Department
Approved purchase order for the Secondary Road Department to purchase conference room chairs from Saxton, Inc. in the amount of $5,042.60
Approved Class B Beer Permit for Backpocket Brewing to sell beer during RAGBRAI on July 29, 2021 at 4562 Prairieburg Rd., noting all conditions have been met
Received an update by MH/DS of the East Central Region
Held third and final consideration on an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Linn County, Iowa by amending provisions in Chapter 107, Unified Development Code, related to Home Occupations and Floodplain Overlay District
Provided an opportunity to discuss and consult with affected taxing entities on the proposed amendment to the Linn County Urban Renewal Plan for the Linn County Urban Renewal Area
Held first and second consideration of Ordinance Amending Chapter 18 Article VI Snow and Ice Removal
Approved a resolution to set a public hearing to determine whether Linn County will convey to Charles M & Bernadine E & Tommie A Sindelar, whatever interest Linn County may have in vacated right-of-way along a portion of Boy Scouts Road in section 17 described as Parcel A, Plat of Survey No. 2548, on August 2, 2021 at 11 a.m.
Approved ballot language for a Local Option Sales Tax resolution and Gambling Game reauthorization resolution
Entered into a closed session to discuss pending litigation pursuant to Code of Iowa section 21.5(1)(c)
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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