Dec. 10-17, 2021

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

Board of Supervisors to Review Coggon Solar LLC Utility-Scale Solar Application in January

Dates are now scheduled for the three Board of Supervisors meetings to review and consider the Coggon Solar LLC utility-scale solar application project. All three meetings will be held in January 2022. These are public meetings and residents can attend in person or virtually. These meetings are for Coggon Solar LLC’s application only. No other utility company has submitted a solar application to Linn County. All utility-scale solar projects in Linn County require an application to rezone the area to be used for the solar installation to (RE) Renewable Energy Overlay Zoning District. The rezoning application must undergo a review by the Technical Review Committee, the Planning & Zoning Commission, and three readings by the Board of Supervisors. The Technical Review Committee met on Nov.15, 2021 and the Planning & Zoning Commission met on Nov. 29, 2021 to review the Coggon Solar LLC application for rezoning. The next and final step in the review process is the Board of Supervisors meetings. The Board of Supervisors will consider the application from Coggon Solar LLC and make a decision to deny or approve the rezoning based on the standards for review contained in Linn County's Code of Ordinances section 107-117 (h).

Eligibility Changes to Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Due to limited remaining funds, only new applicants are being accepted for the Linn County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Households who have already received assistance from this program will no longer be eligible, but can still work through the collaborative at Waypoint to identify other resources available. ERAP is a federal program and Linn County, in partnership with Waypoint and HACAP, has distributed nearly all of the $5.3 million in rent and utility assistance allocated to Linn County. This federal funding has helped more than 1,000 households in Linn County, a majority of which are considered to be “extremely low income.” Learn more at LinnCountyIowa.gov/ERA.

Supervisors Approve 2022 Legislative Priorities

When the 2022 state legislative session begins in January, Linn County’s 2022 legislative priorities will focus on five top issues: unfunded and underfunded state mandates, derecho recovery, project financing bonds, mental health, and Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy. In addition to these top five priorities, the Board of Supervisors approved 13 additional areas of interest. Learn more about Linn County’s 2022 legislative priorities.

Urban County Coalition 2022 Legislative Priorities

The Urban County Coalition (UCC) has finalized its 2022 legislative priorities for the legislative session that begins in January. The member counties will use their collective resources to focus on these mutual legislative priorities. The Urban County Coalition is a partnership among the five largest counties in eastern Iowa: Linn, Black Hawk, Dubuque, Johnson, and Scott. The UCC jointly develops, communicates, and advocates for issues of mutual interest.

Redistricting Commission Update

The Linn County Temporary Redistricting Commission held its second meeting this week. Redistricting is the process of redrawing boundaries for political districts in the United States and is required by state law to account for population changes following the federal decennial census to ensure equal representation. The commission is also working on reprecincting in Linn County. All meetings of the Temporary Redistricting Commission are open to the public. Get notified of Temporary Redistricting Commission meetings.

Linn County Offices Closed for Christmas and New Year’s Holidays

Linn County governmental offices will be closed for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays on the following dates: Friday, Dec. 24, Monday, Dec. 27; Friday, Dec. 31; and Monday, Jan. 3. Linn County LIFTS will run reduced routes on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. The Sheriff’s Office will be closed; however, continuous operations will be available for routine and emergency responses. This includes the Patrol Division, Communications Division, and the Correctional Center. In an emergency, always dial 911. Vehicle registrations can be renewed online at any time at www.iowataxandtags.org. The Linn County Mental Health Access Center will remain open.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Dec. 10-17, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Met with and received updates from the following departments: Secondary Roads and Human Resources
Reviewed proposed fiscal year 2023 budget for the following County departments: Veteran Affairs, Medical Examiner, Finance & Budget, Civil Service, County Attorney, Board of Supervisors, Risk Management, and Court Administration.
Approved Linn County’s state legislative priorities for 2022
Approved the Urban County Coalition’s state legislative priorities for 2022
Held a closed session in accordance with Iowa Code Section 21.5.1.c to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent
Approved Notice of Intent to Appoint to Fill Linn County Attorney Vacancy
Approved a resolution to appoint Jordan N Schier as Criminal Division Head-Deputy Assistant County Attorney
Approved a vacancy form requesting an Assistant County Attorney-Criminal Division Head for the Linn County Attorney’s Office
Amended contract between Linn County Mental Health Access Center (MHAC) and Abbe Health for the period of Dec. 15, 2021 through June 30, 2022. This contract amendment accounts for new service responsibilities and a business reorganization for Abbe Health, which now includes Penn Center, at the MHAC.
Approved a contract between Linn County Mental Health Access Center (MHAC) and UnityPoint for the period of Dec. 15, 2021 through June 30, 2022. This contract accounts for new service responsibilities for UnityPoint at the MHAC.
Approved a vacancy form requesting an HR Coordinator position for Human Resources
Received and placed on file Treasurer’s (Auto Dept.) Report to the County Auditor receipts and disbursements for the month of November 2021
Approved resolution to appoint Bradley J. Ketels, P.E., County Engineer and Garret Reddish, P.E., Assistant County Engineer, to serve in the capacity of Linn County Engineer and perform all duties of the Linn County Engineer
Approved a resolution for a residential parcel split for Rozum Family Homestead Addition
Approved an Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) final contract construction voucher for resurfacing on Business 30 from Lisbon city limits to Adams Avenue in Cedar County
Approved a 5th amended Decat contract “Community Partnerships for Protecting Children (CPPC)”
Approved a Public Bidder Tax Sale Certificate Abatement for a property located at 1323 Ellis Blvd NW, Cedar Rapids
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. This includes amendments to Article IV, Section 107-72 Land Division Processes and Requirements related to final plat document and filing requirements, Residential Parcel Splits, Minor Boundary Changes, and Land Preservation Parcel Splits.
Approved participation in opioid class action settlement and authorized Chair to sign participation agreements
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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