July 22-29, 2022

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

Linn County and Black Hawk County Conservation to Receive $3.5 Million in Destination Iowa Funding

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awarded $3.5 million jointly to Linn County and Black Hawk County Conservation to pave 16 miles of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. This project will complete the original 52-mile trail, connecting the Waterloo/Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids metropolitan areas entirely by the trail. Fully paving and completing the Cedar Valley Nature Trail has been a goal across numerous urban and rural communities since the project began in the mid-1980s. The project will also include needed bridge replacements, box culverts, and watershed controls to improve drainage and water quality along streams and creeks adjacent to the trail.

Linn County Accepting Applications for Legacy and Community Attraction Funds

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications for the Legacy and Community Attraction Fund grant program. The Board of Supervisors established the fund to foster and support long-standing, new, and diverse community events in Linn County. This is a competitive grant process open to non-profit organizations located in Linn County or that have a branch location in Linn County. The application deadline is Friday, September 2, 2022 at 4 p.m.

Linn County Welcomes Dustin Peterson as New Veteran Affairs Director

Linn County is pleased to welcome Dustin Peterson as the new director of Linn County Veteran Affairs. Peterson is an Iowa native and served 24 years in the United States Marine Corps. As Veteran Affairs Director for Linn County, Peterson will oversee the operation of the Linn County Veteran Affairs Department and direct assistance programs for eligible veterans and their dependents to ensure that they apply for and receive all benefits due them.

Mental Health Awareness – Linn County Works to Make It OK

Linn County is proud to be a Make It OK workplace and an active partner in the Make It OK campaign. Make It OK is an anti-stigma campaign created to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and to encourage individuals to talk about mental health more openly. Linn County has made addressing mental health one of its top priorities for employees and the community. More than 40 County employees have signed up to be Make It OK ambassadors and work to decrease stigma around mental health. Supervisor Ben Rogers recently spoke to County employee ambassadors about his own personal story and how important it is for Linn County to support a culture of making it ok to not be ok. 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.

Grant Wood Trail Hard Surfacing from Waldo’s Rock Park to Oxley Road to Begin August 8

Linn County Conservation announced the Grant Wood Trail between Waldo’s Rock Park in Marion to Oxley Road will close August 8 in preparation for a hard-surfacing project that includes the application of asphalt on this 2.8-mile trail section. A two-month closure is expected. The project was made possible in part by a $400,000 Iowa Department of Transportation Recreation Trails grant, Linn County Water and Land Legacy Bonds, and Local Option Sales Tax funds.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of July 22-29, 2022. The Board of Supervisors:

Met with and received updates from the following departments: Communications, Facilities, Planning & Development, Purchasing, Risk Management
Met with and received updates from the following departments: Community Services, Conservation, Information Technology, Public Health
Approved letter of support for the City of Springville Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funding application for the Emmons Park West Loop Trail
Held a public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated total cost for the Priority #4 Linn County Facilities Derecho Repair Project and approved a resolution granting final approval of the plans
Opened and announced bids for the Priority #4 Linn County Facilities Derecho Repair Project and referred bids to Linn County staff and the project architect for review and tabulation
Discussed and approved revisions to Linn County’s Social Media Policy
Approved a resolution for participation in Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant application for safety funding
Authorized Chair to sign a 2022 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant--Governing Body Review between Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Available grant assistance funds are $52,604.
Authorized Chair to sign a Byrne Justice Assistance Grant—Certification and Assurances by the Chief Executive of the Applicant Government
Authorized Colonel Doug Riniker to electronically sign on behalf of Chair the FY22 Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification
Authorized Chair to sign an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subaward agreement between Linn County and Together We Achieve for the Hot Meals for All Program in the amount of $3,650
Authorized Chair to sign an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subaward agreement between Linn County and Together We Achieve for the 12K in 2022 Food Box Giveaway Project in the amount of $23,980
Approved a resolution establishing compensation for precinct election officials and temporary election personnel retroactive to specified dates
Approved a resolution awarding a contract for the Priority #4 Linn County Facilities Derecho Repairs Project
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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