August 5-12, 2022

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

Derecho Anniversary: Five Ways to Build Resiliency

August 10, 2022, marked the two-year anniversary of the derecho, one of the costliest and most destructive thunderstorms in U.S. history. Our community has worked hard to recover from the destruction and to help make the improvements necessary to safeguard our community from the next disaster. This work, and replacing our lost tree canopy, will take years. The best way to remember the derecho event is to learn from it and to use that experience to build resiliency. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, community resilience focuses on enhancing the day-to-day health and wellbeing of communities to reduce the negative impacts of disasters. Here are five ways we can build resiliency in our communities.

PATCH Funding Still Available

Since the August 2020 derecho two years ago, the PATCH program (Providing Assistance to Community Homeowners) has obligated $2.5 million dollars and assisted 182 Linn County households with repairs and recovery. This program is made possible by the work of 13 partner organizations, including Linn County. Approximately $800,000 in funding remains for qualifying residents of single-family or mobile homes that sustained damage during the 2020 derecho. To see if you qualify and to apply for aid, contact Waypoint at 319-366-7999.

Board Recognizes Work of Summer Fellow

The Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation recognizing Board Fellow Camille Bonar for her work this summer. She has worked on numerous projects for Linn County during her time as a Fellow, including helping several local nonprofits navigate the ARPA II funding cycle, organizing community forums on resilience and recovery, researching different models for post-secondary education scholarships, and crafting messaging and correspondence with constituents and other community stakeholders. Join us in thanking Camille for her hard work on behalf of Linn County!

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

• Met with and received updates from the following departments: Policy & Administration and Secondary Roads
• Held a public hearing and authorized a resolution to vacate a portion of Town of Western, located in the NE 1/4 SW 1/4, Section 34, T. 82N., R.07W. of the 5th P.M., Linn County, Iowa described as follows: The east half of the alley lying adjacent to the west line of Lots 93, 94 and 95 of said Town of Western and the north half of Sycamore Street lying adjacent to said Lot 93 and the alley lying between said Lots 94 and 95. Said vacated area = 11,963 sf or 0.27 acres.
• Read and signed a proclamation recognizing the positive contribution and professional work by Camille Bonar
• Discussed and authorized a resolution approving amendments to the 28E Agreement for the Mental Health/Disability Services of the East Central Region (MHDS-ECR)
• Authorized a resolution for a final plat for Wilder Acres First Addition
• Authorized Chair to sign chiller maintenance contracts between Linn County and Daikin effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 for the following buildings:
  • Community Services Center for $2,796
  • Dr Percy and Lileah Harris Building for $4,484
  • Public Service Center for $4,208
• Authorized Chair to sign a Linn County Children’s Mental Health FY23 Assistance Program Provider Agreement between Linn County and Families, Inc., effective July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 for various services and rates
• Authorized Chair to sign Linn County FY23 Provider and Program Participation Amendment for Substance Abuse Commitments effective July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 for various services and rates with the following providers:
  • Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
  • Associates for Behavioral Healthcare
• Discussed and approved a proposal from Cook Appraisal to complete an appraisal of Linn County-owned property located at 1944 County Home Road, Marion, Iowa for a fee not to exceed $4,500, and authorize the chairperson to sign an acknowledgment accepting and agreeing to the terms and conditions of the proposal
• Authorized Chair to sign a proposal in the amount of $89,997.05 from Pro Maintenance, Inc. to complete a floor coating project at the Linn County LIFTS building
• Discussed Linn County’s Deferred Compensation Program and adopted Linn County’s Deferred Compensation Program Plan Document, Adoption Agreement and Summary Plan Description along with all other related documents and forms
• Authorized Chair to sign an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Subaward Agreement between Linn County and Ecumenical Community Center Foundation for the Just Getting There ARPA Boost/Helping Hands Ministry Project in the amount of $60,000
• Authorized Chair to sign a contract between Linn County Community Services – General Assistance Department and ILMIR, Inc. to provide for online service applications for our General Assistance Department effective immediately and continues until terminated at a cost of $300 a month
• Approved a purchase order to Lynch Ford for a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox for the Juvenile Detention Center in the amount of $34,770
• Approved liquor license for Indian Creek Nature Center, 5300 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, noting all conditions have been met
• Provided Board member reports of their activities, meetings, and project updates

UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES

• August 13 Resiliency Hub Clean-Up Volunteer Day
• 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

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