August 19-26, 2022

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

New Dates Announced for Review of Duane Arnold Solar LLC Utility-Scale Solar Rezoning Applications

New meeting dates are now scheduled for the Linn County Board of Supervisors to review the rezoning applications for the Duane Arnold Solar I and II utility-scale solar projects. The previously scheduled meetings were canceled because the required public notice was not issued in time. The rescheduled meeting dates are August 29, August 30, and September 6. All meetings will be held at the Palo Community Center at 6 p.m. Agendas for each of the meetings will be posted on Linn County’s website 24 hours in advance of each meeting. Learn more about these meetings and the solar rezoning review process.

Join the Community Conversation on Resiliency September 1

The public is invited to a community conversation on resiliency hosted by Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids on September 1 at 6 p.m. at CSPS Hall (1103 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids). This event will include a panel discussion and a moderated Q&A with the audience about community resiliency and how local leaders are working to improve local disaster recovery capabilities just as this community and other parts of Iowa marked the two-year anniversary of the August 10, 2020 derecho. September is also National Preparedness Month and lends itself to discuss both disaster preparedness and resiliency. 

Monkeypox Response and Vaccination

Since July 2022, local public health departments in Iowa have been coordinating with the state health department to investigate cases and contacts of monkeypox. The Iowa Department of Public Health is tracking cases in Iowa and sharing information on its website. Vaccine quantities are limited, however, individuals who may be at high risk of contracting monkeypox and have interest in receiving the Jynneos vaccine should complete this survey to determine if they are currently eligible and to register to receive the vaccine as it becomes more widely available. Stay informed about monkeypox, its symptoms, how it spreads, and actions you can take to protect yourself and your family.

August 26 is National Dog Day!

It’s National Dog Day and to celebrate, Linn County employees shared pictures of their dogs enjoying their favorite Linn County parks – walking, swimming, camping, and canoeing! Check out our happy dogs and maybe you’ll find a new favorite park!

Interactive Public Art Installed at the Harris Building

Installation of outdoor public art is underway at Linn County’s Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris Building. Artist Madeline Wiener is onsite August 26 installing the art. The installation includes use of an overhead crane to lower two stone sculptures onto a concrete pad. The outdoor artwork is two stone sculptures shaped as abstract people who are actually benches. These sculptures are the newest ‘members’ of what Wiener refers to as her “Bench People” series and are meant to be interactive with the community, inviting people to sit on them and become part of the sculpture itself. Wiener creates her Bench People as one-of-a-kind, site-specific sculptures. 

Linn County Attorney’s Office Completes Investigation into the Officer-Involved Shooting

The Linn County Attorney’s Office has completed an investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the 2200 block of Glass Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids on July 30, 2022. As part of the investigation, Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks reviewed all police narratives and reports generated in this case as well as squad car and body cam footage from responding officers. Through the factual findings of the investigation, Maybanks concluded that the shooting in this case was justified and criminal charges against the Cedar Rapids Police Officers are not warranted. Learn more about this investigation.

13 Local Organizations Receive $200,000 in Economic and Community Development Funds

The Linn County Board of Supervisors this week awarded $200,000 in economic and community development funding to 13 Linn County organizations through an annual competitive application process. The Linn County Economic and Community Development Fund fosters and supports economic growth and enhances quality of life in Linn County. 

Get Nuts with Linn County Conservation!

The Linn County Conservation Department invites you to collect and share your nuts and acorns because nuts grow to be trees! Help the Conservation Department replant and restore the Linn County public woodlands by donating acorns and hickory nuts you may have that can be used within the forests of Wanatee and Morgan Creek Parks. Linn County forests sustained significant damage from the 2020 derecho with over 70 percent of the tree canopy lost in some areas. These donated nuts will be planted later this fall in a 15-acre area that has been cleared of derecho debris with new seedling trees. Plans are to host a public nut planting program later this fall. Learn more about the type of nuts needed and where to drop them off.

Be Alert for Scams

Linn County reminds residents that a legitimate law enforcement agency will NEVER call you on the phone and demand payment for unpaid court fines, unserved citations, or warrants using Apple Pay/Venmo/Western Union or other such payment options. Scam calls may sound very sophisticated and the caller may even claim to be a law enforcement officer but it’s still a scam. Hang up the phone when scammers call you.

Most Linn County Offices to Close in Observance of Labor Day

Most Linn County governmental offices will be closed on Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day. Learn which services will remain operational.  

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

• Proclaimed September 1, 2022 as the 16th Annual Stand Down for Homeless
• Approved a resolution setting a public hearing for September 6, 2022 at 11 a.m. for a proposal to adopt an ordinance for a rental housing code
• Approved Edith Lucielle’s Bait Shack Liquor License, 6913 Mt. Vernon Rd. SE, noting all conditions have been met
• Approved a resolution for a final plat for Dahl’s First Addition
• Approved a resolution for a residential parcel split for Horning Addition
• Authorized Chair to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Linn County, City of Cedar Rapids, City of Marion, and Linn County 911 Service Board to share the cost of a 10-year contract with Racom for maintenance of the Linn County joint radio system 
• Authorized Chair to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the provision of certain fiscal agent services for Wrap Around and staff development funds between Juvenile Court Services, 6th District and Linn County Community Services effective on October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023
• Authorized Chair to sign an amended contract for HIV Client Services Program between Iowa Department of Public Health and Linn County Community Services for the contract period of April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023. Amended contract adds $1,861 for outreach support services for a total contract amount of $868,035.     
• Approved purchase order to Future Line Truck Bodies for a salt spreader for Facilities in the amount of $6,314.98
• Approved purchase order to Lynch Ford for a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado for Conservation in the amount of $52,965
• Discussed and approved a resolution setting dates for public hearing on Renewable Energy Overlay District Rezoning Proposals (Duane Arnold Solar I and II)
• Held third and final consideration of ordinance amendment, rezoning case JR22-0002, request of Ben Dahl, owner, to rezone 50.28 acres located at 424 Rosedale Rd, from the AG (Agricultural) district to the RR2(Rural Residential 2-acre) district
• Authorized Chair to sign a service agreement from East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) for the preparation of a Linn County Housing and Equity Needs Study funded through American Rescue Plan Act dollars
• Discussed and approved a resolution establishing the first Linn County Resiliency Hub 
• Discussed and approved Economic and Community Development Grant requests
• Postponed the third and final consideration on case JA22-0001, an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Linn County, Iowa by amending provisions in Chapter 107, Unified Development Code, primarily related to Agricultural Experiences in Linn County

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