March 4-11, 2022

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

Mental Health Access Center Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

The Linn County Mental Health Access Center celebrated its one-year anniversary this week. Thanks to our staff, partners, and visionary leadership, the Access Center has served 532 walk-in patients, provided more than 300 hours of crisis counseling to people in need, placed 160 patients in crisis stabilization beds, and made referrals for mental health and substance use disorder services. Seventy percent of those reporting on discharge survey say they would not have sought any other services if they had not come to the Access Center. People from 16 counties outside of Linn County have used Access Center services in this first year. Learn more about the Access Center.

Public Hearing on Proposed FY23 Budget Scheduled

The Linn County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on March 23, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Linn County Public Service Center for the proposed fiscal year 2023 budget. This is the second public hearing Linn County has held for the FY23 budget. The first public hearing was to set the total maximum property tax levy for the FY23 budget. Fiscal year 2023 begins July 1, 2022 and ends June 30, 2023.

Women’s History Month Events Focus on Sustainability

Join the Linn County Office of Sustainability and the Hiawatha Public Library for a series of educational events about Women in Sustainability during Women’s History Month. Events include learning about women in the environmental movement, discussing the work of women writers and their experiences within the environmental movement, and a feminine care product drive. Learn how to participate in these events.

Be Flood Aware this Spring

Linn County has a significant amount of land located within Special Flood Hazard Areas, which have a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year (previously referred to as the 100-year floodplain). Linn County can help you find out whether your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, how to save on flood insurance, and suggest flood damage reduction measures you can use if your property is susceptible to flooding. Find this information as well as flood safety tips, functions and benefits of floodplains, and drainage system maintenance in Linn County’s Planning & Development Spring Flood Preparedness Newsletter.

Annual Meeting with Linn County Farm Bureau

The Linn County Board of Supervisors, along with staff from Secondary Roads, Planning & Development, Conservation, and Finance & Budget Departments, held their annual meeting with the Linn County Farm Bureau. They discussed utility-scale solar, Dows Farm agri-community plans, budgets, future projects, and collaboration opportunities.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of March 4-11, 2022. The Board of Supervisors:

Met with and received updates from the following elected officials: Secondary Road Department, LIFTS, Finance & Budget, Policy & Administration
Held a joint meeting with the Linn County Farm Bureau and the following Linn County departments: Conservation, Finance & Budget, Planning & Development, and Secondary Roads
Opened and announced bids for the Priority #1 Linn County Facilities Derecho Repair Project and referred bids to Linn County staff and the project architect for review and tabulation
Canvassed votes from the March 1, 2022 Special Elections – Palo City Council to fill a vacancy and Center Point-Urbana Community School District Public Measure
Held a public hearing to determine whether Linn County will convey to Delores J. Neilsen and Melinda E. D, whatever interest Linn County may have in vacated right-of-way along former Vermont Way west of Lot 1, Block 7 in Waubeek
Approved a resolution authorizing conveyance to Delores J. Neilsen and Melinda E. Dolan of Linn County, Iowa’s interest of vacated right-of-way along former Vermont Way west of Lot 1, Block 7 in Waubeek
Authorized Chair to sign a Quit Claim Deed to Delores J. Neilsen and Melinda E. Dolan of Linn County, Iowa’s interest of vacated right-of-way along former Vermont Way west of Lot 1, Block 7 in Waubeek
Held third and final consideration of an Ordinance Amendment, rezoning case JR22-0001, request of Midwest Development Co., owners, to rezone approximately 4.5 acres located in the 8000 Block of C Ave, from AG (Agricultural) district to USR (Urban Services Residential) district
Held a public hearing and first and second consideration for rezoning case JR22-0002, request to rezone property located at 424 Rosedale Rd, from the AG (Agricultural) district to RR2 (Rural Residential 2-Acre) district, approximately 50.28 acres, Benjamin & Keri Dahl, owners
Held a public hearing and first and second consideration for rezoning case JR22-0003, request to rezone property located at 3010 C Avenue Extension, from the AG (Agricultural) district to the USR (Urban Services Residential) district, approximately 5.72 acres, Robert Schmitt, owner
Held a public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated total cost for the Priority #1 Linn County Facilities Derecho Repair Project
Approved a resolution granting final approval and confirming the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated total cost for the priority #1 Linn County Facilities Derecho Repair Project
Approved a resolution awarding contract for the Priority #1 Linn County Facilities Derecho Repairs Project
Approved an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Agreement between Linn County and Prospect Meadows for $2,633,000
Approved a resolution approving compensation for attorneys appointed by the District Court
Approved a vacancy form for an Administrative Coordinator for the Sheriff’s Office
Approved a vacancy form for a Design Technician for the Secondary Road Department
Approved a resolution for a final plat for Prairie Landing Third Addition
Approved a resolution establishing speed limits on Roosevelt St as follows:
- 55 mph for west bound traffic on the county portion of Roosevelt St beginning 1,350' west of Longworth Ave in section 26-85-7
- 40 mph for east bound traffic on the county portion of Roosevelt St from 1,350' west of Longworth Ave to 570' west of Longworth Ave in section 26-85-7
- 25 mph for east bound traffic on the county portion of Roosevelt St beginning 570' west of Longworth Ave east to the city portion of Roosevelt St in section 26-85-7

Authorized Chair to sign a Business Associate Agreement between Linn County and Hands Up Communications for interpretation and translation services at the Mental Health Access Center
Authorized Chair to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding reimbursement from MH/DS of the East Central Region for Linn County employees
Authorized Chair to sign a 28E Agreement with Linn County Conservation Board for recreational trail crossing maintenance
Authorized Chair to sign a purchase agreement between Kirk & Kimberly Osborn and Linn County for a Temporary Construction Easement regarding Megger’s First Addition adjacent to Secrist Rd and subsequent donation-exchange of vacated railroad right-away and authorized Chair to sign the purchase agreement
Discussed and authorized Chair to sign a professional services proposal from Design Dynamics, Inc. for a Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center HVAC study in the amount of $8,400
Rescinded the award to Crawford Quarry Co. for 3/8” Chips for 2022 Dust Control for the Main Shop in the amount of $25,875
Awarded bid and authorized Chair to sign contract for 3/8” Chips for 2022 for the Main Shop to the next lowest bidder, Wendling Quarry, Inc. in the amount of $27,450
Approved and awarded purchase order to Coleman Moore Company for erosion control material in the amount of $19,653 for the Secondary Road Department
Approved and awarded purchase order to Midwest Bowie Sales Inc. for a hydroseeder in the amount of $122,010 for the Secondary Road Department
Provided Board member reports of their activities, meetings, and project updates

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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