July 15-22, 2022

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

Mental Health Access Center Releases FY22 Fourth Quarter Report

“Thank you for providing me a safe place to heal. It made me feel safe getting up, which is a first for me.”
 
This was a comment from one of more than 900 people seeking help from the Linn County Mental Health Access Center in fiscal year 2022 that ended June 30, 2022. Of the 900 people served, 124 people were helped through law enforcement referrals. This is 124 people who would have otherwise been taken to jail or the emergency room for intoxication, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health emergencies. During post-discharge follow-up, 98 percent of patients reported the Mental Health Access Center staff helped create strong discharge plans. The Access Center is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. to serve anyone who is 18 years of age or older and experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis. No appointment is necessary.

View the FY22 Q4 report.

Linn County Jury Convicts Man Who Robbed and Beat Older Couple in Coggon in January on all Counts

On Tuesday, July 20, 2022, after a week-long trial, a Linn County jury convicted Brandon William Lee, 33, of Cedar Rapids, on two counts of Robbery in the First Degree, two Counts of Willful Injury, Theft in the First Degree, and Impersonating a Public Official. Lee faces up to 77 years in prison. His sentencing is set for September 23, 2022, at 1:30 p.m.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Now Open

Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts can now text or dial 988 from anywhere in the United States and connect with a mental health professional. This nationwide number went live on Saturday, July 16, 2022. Foundation 2 Crisis Services is one of two agencies answering these calls in the state of Iowa and will refer those, if needed, to the Linn County Mental Health Access Center. The Mental Health Access Center is also available for walk-ins 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. No appointment is necessary. 

Linn County Employee Recognized for Helping to Close Loophole in Criminal Justice System

Chief Victim Witness Coordinator and Community Liaison for the Linn County Attorney's Office Anastasia Basquin received the Exemplary Service Award from the Linn County Board of Supervisors during Linn County’s employee recognition breakfast this week for her work in finding and helping to close a loophole in the criminal justice system. The loophole allowed persons arrested for the crime of sexual abuse to post bond before a magistrate had an opportunity to enter a No-Contact Order for the protection of the alleged victim. When Basquin discovered this loophole, she began advocating for change, which ultimately led to Governor Reynolds signing into law HF2079 on May 2, 2022. 

Linn County Celebrates Transit Week

Join us as we thank and celebrate the public transportation system and the workers who power it during Public Transit Week July 18-22! Public transit provides mobility, opportunities, and independence by getting people where they need to go. Linn County LIFTS is a public transit service providing door-to-door rides for eligible elderly and disabled residents in the metro area of Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha, and public transportation to all Linn County residents outside the metro area. LIFTS is a paratransit service, with priority given to people who are unable to use city buses because of a disability or a disabling health condition. LIFTS helps Linn County residents get to their doctor appointments, the grocery store, and even social activities to help residents achieve quality of life.

32nd Anniversary Celebration of the ADA

The Board of Supervisors proclaimed July 23 as the 32nd anniversary celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A celebration event will be held Saturday, July 23 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Linn County supports the full inclusion of people with disabilities in community life and is committed to working toward a future in which all doors are open to equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for persons with disabilities.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

• Met with and received updates from the following departments: Communications, Facilities, Planning & Development, Purchasing, Risk Management
• Received an update from Linn County Public Health on COVID-19. Public Health staff continue to recommend following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, including wearing a mask when indoors in public spaces. Linn County does not have a mask requirement.
• Proclaimed July 23 the 32^nd Anniversary Celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in Linn County 
• Received an update on Linn County Mental Health Access Center from the Access Center director
• Appointed members of the Compensation Commission for Condemnation Purposes
• Approved the Public Professional and Maintenance Employees (PPME) tentative labor agreement modifying the contract in Article 21 Position Classifications and Wage Rates, Article 22 Group Insurance, and Article 24 Term to extend effective dates to July 1, 2020 – June 20, 2025
• Set two public hearings for Monday August 1, 2022 at 11 a.m. to vacate all of a portion of the Town of Western
• Received and placed on file Auditor’s Quarterly Report for the quarter ending 6/30/22 in the amount of $4,669.57. Total Auditor transfer fees deposited by Recorder with the County Treasurer in the amount of $13,470.
• Received and placed on file the Linn County Outstanding Warrant Report submitted by Linn County Auditor's Office
• Received and placed on file Treasurer’s (Auto Dept.) Report to the County Auditor Receipts and Disbursements for the month of June 2022
• Approved a resolution accepting work covering the Wanatee Park office addition project
• Approved a resolution for residential parcel split for Smith Acres First Addition
• Approved a resolution for a residential parcel split for Kendall Acres First Addition
• Approved a resolution for a residential parcel split for Young Farm First Addition
• Authorize Chair to sign a Linn County FY23 Provider and Program Participation Amendment for Substance Abuse Commitments with Unity Point St. Luke’s Hospital effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023
• Authorize Chair to sign the Linn County Children’s Mental Health Assistance Program provider agreements effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 at various hourly rates for the following providers: 
  • Abbe Center for Community Mental Health
  • Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
  • The ACR of East Central Iowa
  • Tanager Place
  • Melissa Wehr
  • Unity Point St. Luke’s Hospital
  • Alli Center, LLC
  • Four Oaks Family and Children’s Services
  • Brooke ARP PLC dba Envision Therapy Associates
  • Heat & Solutions LLC
  • Mount Vernon Family Counseling
  • Alicia Gerber LMHC LLC dba Guiding Light Christian Counseling Center
  • Lisa Ferretti LISW, LLC
  • Life Connections
• Authorized Chair to sign an agreement between Pictometry International Corporation, Linn County Assessor’s Office, Linn County GIS, City of Cedar Rapids Assessor’s Office, and City of Cedar Rapids GIS for a joint aerial imagery project effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2028 in a total amount of $907,148.12 with Linn County GIS amount of $278,406
• Authorized Chair to sign an Adopt-A-Roadside Application for Alburnett FFA to adopt C Ave Ext between Roosevelt St and County Home Rd
• Awarded bid and authorized Chair to sign contract to AgVantage FS for estimated 30,000 gallons of LP gas to be delivered to the various Secondary Road Department locations in the amount of $47,100
• Awarded bid and approved a purchase order for Mobile Radio and Base Station Replacement to Racom Corporation in the amount of $7,228.96 for the Secondary Road Department
• Provided Board member reports of their activities, meetings, and project updates
• Entered into a closed session to discuss pending litigation, pursuant to Code of Iowa 21.5(1)(c)

Upcoming Events & Dates

• July 28 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting to discuss Duane Arnold Solar Application
• August 22 Board of Supervisors Public Hearing and First Consideration of Duane Arnold Solar Application
• August 24 Board of Supervisors Second Consideration of Duane Arnold Solar Application
• August 29 Board of Supervisors Third Consideration of Duane Arnold Solar Application
• 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