January 21-28, 2022

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

Supervisors Approve Coggon Solar LLC Rezoning Application in 2-1 Vote

Following four public meetings, the Linn County Board of Supervisors voted 2-1 to approve the rezoning application for Coggon Solar LLC. The approval comes with two conditions the Supervisors added during the public meeting process. The two conditions include a vegetative screening buffer for occupied residences within 1,000 feet of the project boundary and a change to the decommissioning plan removing salvage value from cost calculations. Vegetation shall be planted for a minimum of 1,000 feet for each residence and shall be a minimum of 8 feet in height at the time of planting and a minimum of 13 feet in height at maturity. Additionally, the decommissioning bond will now reflect the full cost of decommissioning absent any salvage value.

Linn County Updates Strategic Plan with Help from Community Focus Group

The Linn County Board of Supervisors recently approved Linn County’s updated strategic plan for fiscal years 2022-2027. The new strategic plan builds on Linn County’s commitment to a Customer-Centered Culture. The updated plan focuses on five outcomes that represent the issues of greatest importance as identified by Linn County residents who participated in the strategic planning focus group. Learn more about the process and view Linn County’s strategic plan.

Linn County Conservation Releases 2021 Annual Report

So much is happening in our County parks! Read Linn County Conservation’s 2021 Annual Report to learn how the Conservation Department is restoring woodlands following the derecho, addressing water quality in our rivers and streams, improving park infrastructure, and expanding and developing trails in our community.

Linn County Conservation Offering Wilderness Experience for High School Students

The South San Juan Wilderness Trek is a backpacking and outdoor leadership program July 19-29 near Pagosa Springs in southwest Colorado, a 127,000 acre federally designated wilderness area along the Continental Divide. The program immerses high school students in a unique and exciting outdoor experience unlike any available in Linn County. Through a fun, supportive atmosphere with structured risk-taking, students will expand in independence, responsibility, and learn to trust themselves and others. With informal lessons and mentoring, students will learn about the natural and human history of the land, while acquiring valuable lifelong outdoor skills. Learn more about this program, including how students can apply on the South San Juan Wilderness Trek webpage.

2022 Committee and Liaison Appointments for the Board of Supervisors

To better serve the residents of Linn County, individual members of the Board of Supervisors serve as liaison to specific city councils within their districts, various community organizations, and County boards. View a list of the Board’s liaison and committee appointments for 2022.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Jan. 21-28, 2022. The Board of Supervisors:

Held final consideration of an ordinance to rezone an area to a Renewable Energy overlay for the Coggon Solar LLC application. Approved the rezoning in a 2-1 vote.
Reviewed proposed fiscal year 2023 budget for Linn County Public Health, Linn County Community Services, Human Resources, Engineering and Secondary Roads, and Capital Improvement Projects
Approved Linn County’s Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2022-2027
Set a public hearing for Feb. 2, 2022 at 11 a.m. for the consideration of a long-term 20-year real estate lease between Linn County Conservation, Linn County, and Feed Iowa First for the exclusive use of approximately 17 acres legally described as Outlot A, Squaw Creek Ridge Second Addition to Linn County, Iowa
Approved Linn County Board of Supervisors 2022 Committee Appointments and Liaisons Assignments
Approved vacancy forms requesting two temporary engineering interns and five temporary roadway maintenance workers for the Secondary Road Department
Received Statement of Election Costs for the following elections:
- North Linn Community School District Special Election, Sept. 14, 2021
- City/School Election, Nov. 2, 2021
- City of Cedar Rapids Mayoral Runoff Election, Nov. 30, 2021
Received and placed on file the Auditor’s Quarterly Report for the quarter ending 12/31/21 in the amount of $2,814.07. Total Auditor transfer fees deposited by Recorder with the County Treasurer in the amount of $14,075
Approved Iowa Department of Natural Resources Construction Evaluation Resolution relating to the construction of a confinement feeding operation structure
Approved resolution declaring 48 HP LaserJet Pro M102w printers used by the Linn County Auditor’s Office as surplus County property and authorized their transfer to the Black Hawk County Auditor
Approved resolution declaring a cardboard compactor from Facilities as unused County property and authorized donating it to Goodwill of the Heartland
Approved resolution for a final plat to be named Hilltop Farm Third Addition
Awarded bids and signed contracts for maintenance rock as follows:
- Alice Shop to Wendling Quarries, Inc. in the amount of $239,275
- Drexler Shop to Weber Stone Co. in the amount of $140,875
- Main Shop to Wendling Quarries, Inc. in the amount of $72,587.50
- Morgan Creek Shop to Crawford Quarry Co., Inc. in the amount of $123,000
- Mount Vernon Shop to Martin Marietta Aggregates in the amount of $82,637.50
- Toddville Shop to Wendling Quarries, Inc. in the amount of $95,687.50
- Walford Shop to Martin Marietta Aggregates in the amount of $26,987.50
- Whittier Shop to Weber Stone Co. in the amount of $113,887.50

NOTE: Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap briefly summarizes 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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