May 13-20, 2022

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

Make It OK Day!

Make It OK is part of Mental Health Awareness Month and is an anti-stigma campaign created to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and to encourage individuals to talk more openly about it. An increasing number of people are starting to see mental health for what it is: one important component of our overall health and well-being, just like our physical health.

Ribbon Cutting Will Celebrate Expansion of Morgan Creek Park

Recording of Technical Review Committee Meeting with Duane Arnold Solar Now Available

The Linn County Technical Review Committee held the first of a series of public meetings for the Duane Arnold Solar I and II utility-scale solar application on May 19. This first meeting was for County staff to review the project with the applicant. All utility-scale solar applicants in Linn County must undergo a review by the Technical Review Committee, the Planning & Zoning Commission, and three readings by the Board of Supervisors. The review process is designed to review all applications thoroughly against the development standards outlined in Linn County’s utility-scale solar ordinance. Additional standards may be imposed as part of the review process. Dates for the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting and the Board of Supervisors three required readings will be announced once they are scheduled. Public comment will be taken at these meetings.

Bridge Replacement Project to Begin on Hollenbeck Road

A bridge replacement project is scheduled to start the week of May 23 on Hollenbeck Road. The project is expected to last 3-4 months. Hollenbeck Road will be closed to all traffic at the bridge location and a detour will be posted. Remember, do not drive around road closed signs. Barricades are in place to protect the public and road crews working on the project. To receive text or email updates on this and other Linn County Secondary Road construction projects, visit LinnCountyIowa.gov/NotifyMe. 

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

• Met with and received updates from the following departments: Communications, Planning & Development, Purchasing, and Risk Management
• Discussed and approved funding requests for Linn County’s Mental Health/Disability Services Fund Balance Dollars
• Set a public hearing for June 6 at 11 a.m. for conveyance by gift of real estate parcel owned by Linn County described as Hull’s 3rd Out Lot C N’ S 59’ Lot 9 & N 1’ S 59’ W 24’ STR/LB 10 to City of Cedar Rapids
• Held third and final consideration for rezoning case JR22-0006, request by Anthony Clinton, owner, to rezone approximately 3.63 acres located at 8717 Blairs Ferry Rd, from the RR3 (Rural Residential 3-Acre) zoning district to the USR (Urban Services Residential) zoning district
• Discussed and authorized Chair to sign a letter of intent committing the Linn County Board of Supervisors to fund Foundation 2’s total request of $2.32 million for the purchase and renovation of a building as outlined in their round one American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) application
• Held a public hearing on the fiscal year 2022 proposed budget amendment
• Discussed and approved the fiscal year proposed 2022 budget amendment and adopt amended appropriations resolution
• Approved the following resolutions:
  • Setting a public hearing on June 13 at 11 a.m. on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated total cost for the Linn County Correctional Center Video Visitation Remodel Project and for the taking of bids on said project
  • Establishing rate of compensation for Precinct Election Officials 
  • Authorizing the transfer of $1,561,775 from the General Basic fund to the Secondary Roads fund
  • Authorizing the transfer of $3,639,157 from the General Basic fund to the Capital Projects fund
  • Authorizing the transfer of $8,195,910 from the General Supplemental fund to the General Basic fund
  • Authorizing the transfer of $2,553,343 from the Rural Services fund to the Secondary Roads fund
  • A final plat for Bannockburn Estates 10th Addition
  • A final plat for Clinton Acres First Addition
  • A final plat for Dobson Parcel First Addition
  • Suspending taxes for one (1) Linn County resident as they are unable to contribute to the public revenue by reason of age, infirmity or both, pursuant to Code of Iowa, Section 427.9
  • Suspending taxes for seventeen (17) Linn County residents as they are unable to contribute to the public revenue by reason of age, infirmity or both, pursuant to Code of Iowa, Section 427.8
• Approved a $2,724.37 claim to buyout a farm lease for 8.4 acres of tillable land acquired by the County for District 1 Road shop and termination of the farm of lease
• Approved a budget allocation of $40,000 to the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and $10,000 to the Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) from FY23 approved $50,000 budget line-item for economic development group membership/investments
• Authorized Chair to sign a Consulting and Advisory Services Agreement between Linn County and collectively L&L Murphy, Associates and Grant Consulting LLC related to consulting and lobbying services for the term of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 for $60,000
• Authorized Chair to sign the following American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subaward agreements between Linn County and the recipients:
  • City of Central City for Marion Road Water Main Improvement Project in the amount of $137,289
  • City of Fairfax for Water Supply System in the amount of $425,000
  • City of Walford for Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements UV Disinfection Project in the amount of $300,000
  • Discovery Living for Healthy, Safe Homes for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in the amount of $50,000
  • Willis Dady Emergency Shelter, Inc. for On-Site Mental Health Care for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness at Willis Dady Homeless Services in the amount of $75,000
• Authorized Chair to sign a renewal agreement with NetSuite at a total 60-month cost of $1,064,271 to be invoiced annually, for Linn County’s enterprise resource planning system
• Authorized Chair to sign a renewal agreement with GovSense at a total 60-month cost of $337,500 to be invoiced annually, for Projects and Grants, Public Health’s permitting system and system support
• Authorized Chair to sign FY22 Decat contract for Professional Development trainings and Coordination Services, 1st Amendment, between the Linn County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Human Services
• Authorized Chair to sign FY23 Decat contract for Decat Management and Fiscal Services, 5th Amendment and Renewal, in the amount of $98,824 between the Linn County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Human Services
• Authorizes Chair to sign FY23 Decat contract for CPPC, 7th Amendment and Renewal, in the amount of $20,000 between the Linn County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Human Services
• Authorized Chair to sign a contract amendment #3 between Linn County Community Services – Ryan White Program and Iowa Department of Public Health for an additional $2,792 for the period of April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022, for a total amended contract total equaling $868,966
• Authorized Chair to sign a Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance FY23 renewal effective July 1, 2023
• Authorized Chair to sign a Delta Dental Insurance FY23 renewal effective July 1, 2023
• Authorized Chair to sign Health Solutions Wellness Rewards renewal effective July 1, 2023     
• Authorized Chair to sign Adopt-A-Roadside for Troop 214 to adopt Wright Brothers Blvd from Club Road to Spanish Road
• Authorized Chair to sign a FY23 Transit Purchase of Service Contract between East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) and Linn County to provide public transit effective July 1, 2022
• Approved a purchase order to Solutions Management Group for on-site services for DocuWare upgrade for the IT Department In the amount of $11,625
• Provided Board member reports of their activities, meetings, and project updates

Upcoming Events

• June 3 Ribbon cutting to celebrate expansion of Morgan Creek Park
• June 15 Invasive Species Field Day
• Conservation Department Events

Subscribe now and get notified of future events posted in our Calendar section!

Communications Department
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319-892-5000