Aug. 27-Sept. 3, 2021

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

COVID-19 Update

Members of the Linn County Board of Health held a media briefing Sept. 1 to provide an update and respond to questions about the Linn County Board of Health’s letter to school districts urging use of face coverings in schools. Last week, the Linn County Board of Health sent a letter to Linn County school districts urging them to consider face-coverings for all children, teachers, and staff while in school buildings regardless of vaccination status due to the high transmission of the COVID-19 Delta variant in Linn County. The letter sent to the school districts referenced Iowa House File 847, p. 15, that states school authorities may use facial coverings when it is “necessary for a specific extracurricular or instructional purpose.” Watch the media briefing.

Linn County Treasurer’s Office Reopened Sept. 3

The Linn County Treasurer’s Office has reopened to the public following a brief closure due to a COVID-19-related staffing shortage. The Treasurer’s Office continues to encourage residents to conduct business online, by drop box, mail, or phone when possible to avoid waiting in line at the Treasurer’s Office. A white drop box is available outside the Public Service Center (935 2^nd Ave. SW) for anyone who needs to drop off payments, vehicle registration renewals, or other paperwork. Vehicle registration renewals and property taxes can be paid online. Check the average current wait time at the Treasurer’s Office by visiting LinnCounty.org/Treasurer.

Linn County Accepting Applications for Legacy and Community Attraction Funds

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications for the Legacy and Community Attraction Fund. The Board of Supervisors established these grant funds to foster and support long-standing, new, and diverse community events in Linn County. This is a competitive grant process open to non-profit organizations located in Linn County or that have a branch location in Linn County. The application deadline is Friday, September 24, 2021 at 4 p.m.

Sobering Unit Now Open at Mental Health Access Center

The Sobering Unit at the Mental Health Access Center in Linn County is now open. This program is in collaboration with Linn County and Area Ambulance Service to provide a safe sobering environment for intoxicated individuals and serves to relieve jails and emergency rooms and reduce public intoxication crimes. Patients will receive crisis triage services from Foundation 2 Crisis Triage counselors and discussion about treatment options if needed. Those needing these services may walk into the Mental Health Access Center Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. The Access Center is located at 501 13th St NW, Cedar Rapids.

Registration Renewals Begin Sept. 1 for Off-Road Vehicles

Off-road utility vehicles are required to be titled and registered in the owner’s county of residence. The registration renewal window for off-road vehicles (ATVs, snowmobiles, ORMs, and ORVs) began Sept. 1. Registrations are valid Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 annually. The deadline to renew registrations for off-road vehicles is Dec. 31.

Linn County Board of Supervisors Awards Economic and Community Development Grants

The Linn County Board of Supervisors recently awarded $165,000 in economic and community development funding to 12 Linn County organizations. The Linn County Economic and Community Development Fund was established to foster and support economic growth and enhance quality of life in Linn County. This is an annual competitive application process.

See What’s New at Morgan Creek Park

Exciting redevelopment continues on the south side of Morgan Creek Park (north of E Ave.). Take a virtual "flyover" tour on the progress to see the exciting updated amenities we have planned for the park! Construction will continue throughout the fall and into the winter as conditions allow.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Aug. 27-Sept. 3, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health
Proclaimed September Hunger Action Month in Linn County
Proclaimed September 10, 2021 as the 15th Annual Stand Down Day for Homeless in Linn County
Held a public hearing and first and second consideration on Case JA21-0007, 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 Unified Development Code concerning: Temporary Uses, Event Centers in areas zoned Agricultural (AG), signs in areas zoned Critical Natural Resource (CNR), and lot size requirement exemptions for subdivisions in Planned Unit Development Overlay Districts (PUD).
Approved a five-day liquor license for the Luke Bryan Farm Tour 2021 (Sept. 10, 2021) located at 10301 C St. SW, Cedar Rapids (Brown Farm), noting all conditions have been met
Approved a vacancy form requesting a GIS Specialist for the Secondary Road Department
Approved a vacancy form requesting a Traffic Technician Aide for the Secondary Road Department
Approved a vacancy form requesting an HIV HCV STI Outreach Coordinator for the Public Health Department
Approved a resolution to purchase City-owned excess right-of-way in the amount of $17,569.50, in connection with Linn County’s project Bertram Road Bridge Replacement, parcel No. 1 & 2
Approved a resolution for a land preservation parcel split for Konkowski First Addition
Approved a contract amendment between Linn County Community Services – Ryan White Program and Iowa Department of Public Health for the period of April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 for a total contract total equaling $750,692 (a funding increase for this fiscal year of $3,114)
Approved a partial acquisition contract between Linn County, Iowa and Joseph Mischka, in the amount of $900, for right of way acquired in connection with Linn County’s project Bertram Road Bridge Replacement, parcel No. 3
Approved pre-employment training agreements for new employees of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office
Authorized a Memorandum of Understanding for fiscal agent services for Wrap Around and staff development funds, effective October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022, between 6^th District Juvenile Court Services and Linn County Community Services
Awarded bid and approved purchase order for the purchase of mulch materials to Coleman Moore Company in the amount of $9,017.42
Approved a temporary use permit authorizing use of Otis Road and Bertram Road on Sunday, September 5, 2021 for the NewBo Run Half Marathon and 10K
Approved use of chip disposal revenue from Ceres Environmental, Inc. for Conservation and Sustainability uses
Approved Amendment Number 1 to the Professional Services Agreement between Linn County and Martin Gardner Architecture, P.C. for derecho evaluation and assessment
Decided on updated COVID-19-related leave for Linn County employees
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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