August 6-13, 2021

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

The Derecho: One Year Later

August 10, 2021 marked the one-year anniversary of the derecho, one of the costliest and most destructive thunderstorms in U.S. history. Many people are still recovering from the widespread damage and mourning the loss of centuries- and decades-old trees and what their absence will mean to our environment. Linn County is marking this somber anniversary in several ways as we continue our work to help the community recover.

The Linn County Board of Supervisors proclaimed August 10, 2021 Derecho Remembrance Day
Linn County Conservation is restoring and replenishing our public parks and woodlands that were severely damaged by the derecho. Watch the video.
Linn County Conservation Director Dennis Goemaat explains not only how they are working collaboratively to replenish severely damaged and lost public woodlands, but also why access to trees and greenspace is critical for our health and that of future generations. Read his guest editorial.
Linn County Planning & Development has seen a 400% increase in permit activity following the derecho. Read about how Linn County’s Customer Centered Culture is helping staff overcome the challenges created by the storm in this guest editorial by department director Charlie Nichols.
We are living in the “between disasters era.” Learn what this means and how you can make a difference in safeguarding our community in this blog post by Linn County Sustainability Program Manager Tamara Marcus.
Follow Linn County on Facebook and Twitter as we remember the derecho and look forward through a series of social media posts during August.

We Want to Hear From You on ARPA Funding

Linn County held its first of three scheduled public engagement forums designed to explain the purpose of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and help identify broad community priorities on the best use of the American Rescue Plan Act funding in Linn County. Linn County will receive $44 million in ARPA funding over the next two years. The Board of Supervisors wants the public’s help identifying broad community priorities on the best use of this funding. Linn County has developed a survey for residents to complete that will help identify and prioritize broad community needs. Two more public forums are scheduled for August 23 and 26. Learn more and participate in the ARPA survey.

Join Us for Interactive Horticulture Therapy Classes in August

Come learn about the therapeutic benefits of gardening in one of three FREE classes in August. The Garden Bridge Outreach classes are from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays August 14, 21, and 28 at the Linn County Fillmore Building gymnasium. The classes were developed by Linn County Food Systems Council member Scott Koepke and are hosted by Linn County Sustainability. Program participants will learn about life skills, such as hope, resilience, patience, balance, and peace while observing or participating in garden maintenance (watering, weeding, and harvesting). Samples of vegetables will be provided each week. You can even meet a therapy chicken! Registration is encouraged.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of August 6-13, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Proclaimed August 10, 2021 Derecho Remembrance Day in Linn County and reflected on the August 2020 derecho, its effect on Linn County residents and businesses, and the impact climate changes are having on severe weather
Met with and received updates from the following departments: Policy & Administration, Engineering & Secondary Roads, and LIFTS
Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health
Amended the mask requirement for Linn County-owned buildings to allow for medical and religious exemptions
Approved a request from Kevin Visser of Simmons, Perrine, Moyer, Bergman PLC for use of the Linn County Courthouse to host a gathering for the retirement of one of their longtime members. All affected departments as well as State Court Administration have been notified and proper hold harmless documentation is on file.
Approved vacancy form requesting a change in the clerk’s hours from 28 hours to 30 hours for the Purchasing Department
Approved a resolution for a temporary use permit, JTU21-0011, John Bickel, owner and Horsfield Construction, petitioner, request to operate a portable concrete plant at 1636 Marietta Road from August 11 until October 1, 2021
Authorized Chair to sign a 28E agreement between Cedar Rapids Community School District and Linn County Child Development Center regarding a statewide voluntary preschool program for four-year old children
Authorized Chair to sign a Shared Road Maintenance and Snow & Ice Control agreement between Linn County and Cedar County
Authorized Chair to sign a Shared Road Maintenance and Snow & Ice Control agreement between Linn County and Jones County
Approved cigarette permit for TS, LLC (Troy Store) in Troy Mills, noting all conditions have been met
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. Staff is proposing several text amendments to the UDC. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has provided suggested updates to the Floodplain Overlay District regulations that will help ensure that Linn County continues to comply with the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Authorized Chair to sign a contract between Linn County and Waypoint Services to provide assistance with completing the application and screening clients for the Linn County Emergency Rent Assistance program effective August 16, 2021 to August 16, 2023
Authorized Chair to sign a contract between Linn County and Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) Services to process applications and make assistance awards to Linn County residents for the Linn County Emergency Rent Assistance program effective August 16, 2021 to August 16, 2023
Approved a resolution for the temporary appointment of Matthew Warfield as Deputy Auditor retroactive to August 7, 2021, until such time that a permanent Deputy Commissioner of Elections has been hired
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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