March 6-10, 2023

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

Linn County Food Systems Council Awards $132,300 in Grants to Increase Food Security

The Linn County Food Systems Council awarded $132,300 in grants to 12 local organizations through its Food Access, Resiliency, and Equity (FARE) Grant Program. The Linn County Board of Supervisors allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support this program and local food initiatives to increase food security for Linn County residents. 

Linn County Sustainability Department Releases 2022 Year in Review

In 2022, the Linn County Sustainability Department led important programs that continued Linn County’s focus on environmental sustainability, resource protection, and securing an environmentally just future for Linn County residents. This work included updating the County’s annual greenhouse gas inventory, creation of an internal sustainability plan, community outreach to climate-vulnerable populations in Linn County to help improve disaster preparedness, a partnership with Linn County Conservation and local high school students to help empower the next generation of environmental leaders, and engaging the community in climate action through a partnership with GreenIowa AmeriCorps. Learn more about these accomplishments – and how you can get involved – in the Linn County Sustainability Department 2022 Year in Review.

Linn County General Assistance Updates Assistance Programs

Linn County General Assistance updated the eligibility requirements and increased the assistance available for some assistance programs to meet the changing and increasing needs within the community. Rising inflation and the continued increase in rent has led to the need for these updates. The change in eligibility better aligns with incomes in Linn County instead of an arbitrary federal standard. This change allows household incomes to be slightly higher and still qualify for assistance. Learn more about these programs and other resources available.

Bertram Road Realignment Project to Begin March 13

The realignment portion of the Bertram Blue Bridge project is scheduled to start March 13 on Bertram Road. The project includes removing the existing road, realigning the road for the new bridge, and installing new culverts. Bertram Road, on the south side of the Bertram Bridge, will be closed to Mount Vernon Road. The intersection of Berry Road and Betram Road will remain open. The intersection of Wilder Road and Bertram Road will be closed. These closures will remain in effect until the completion of the entire Bertram Blue Bridge project in October 2023.

The Bertram Blue Bridge relocation project includes replacing the 146-year-old historic bridge and relocating it to the Indian Creek Nature Center where it will be used on their trail system. Learn more about the project and watch a livestream of the site.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of March 6-10, 2023. The Board of Supervisors: 

• Met with and received updates from the following elected officials: County Attorney Nick Maybanks, Auditor Joel Miller, and Treasurer Brent Oleson
• Received an update from Medco, Marion Economic Development Corporation 
• Held the second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 20 of the Code of Ordinances, Linn County, Iowa by amending sections in Article III relating to the Linn County General Assistance Program
• Held second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 24 of the Code of Ordinance, Linn County, Iowa by amending provisions in Article II relating to the time of imposition of a local sales and services tax
• Held a public hearing for Dows Farm Agri-Community Addition, case JP23-0001, request for a 223 lot preliminary plat of 116.73 total acres, located in the 6900 Block of Mt. Vernon Rd SE, owned by Linn County, Iowa, petitioner is Dows Agri-Community Development, LLC
• Held a public hearing and first consideration for rezoning case JR23-0002, request to rezone property located at 4247 Indian Boundary Rd, from the RR1 (Rural Residential 1-Acre) zoning district to the AG (Agricultural) zoning district, approximately 0.84 acres, Drew & Jenna Whiting, owners
• Held a public hearing and first consideration on an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Linn County, Iowa, by amending provisions in Chapter 107, Unified Development Code, relating to accessory dwelling units to increase the allowable size of accessory dwelling units from 800 sq ft to 1,200 sq ft
• Discussed re-allocating the approved use of funds for Capital Improvement Project 2023CP-002
• Discussed re-allocating the unspent balance of funds for Capital Improvement Project 2021CP-016
• Discussed legislative updates and the proposed legislation in the Iowa legislature
• Held third and final reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 20 of the Code of Ordinances, Linn County, Iowa by Amending Sections in Article III Relating to the Linn County General Assistance Program
• Approved a resolution establishing general rules for the Linn County, Iowa General Assistance Program
• Held third and final reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 24 of the Code of Ordinance, Linn County, Iowa by amending provisions in Article II relating to the time of imposition of a local sales and services tax
• Held second consideration for rezoning case JR23-0002, request to rezone 0.84 acres located at 4247 Indian Boundary Rd, from the RR1 (Rural Residential 1-Acre) zoning district, and 2.32 acres from the Ag (Agricultural) zoning district to the RR3 (Rural Residential 3-Acre) zoning district, Drew & Jenna Whiting, owners
• Held second consideration on an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Linn County, Iowa, by amending provisions in Chapter 107, Unified Development Code, relating to accessory dwelling units
• Received a presentation on Linn County Food Systems Council fiscal year 2023 Food Access, Resiliency, and Equity Grant Program (FARE) funding recommendations
• Approved the Linn County Food Systems Council FY23 FARE Grant funding recommendations
• Approved a resolution for township compensation effective Jan. 1, 2023
• Discussed fiscal year 2024 SF 634 resolution on total maximum property tax dollars, authorized publication of Max Levy Notice, and set the public hearing for March 29, 2023 at 10 a.m.  
• Approved an amended resolution fixing the Jan. 1, 2022 utility valuations payable in 2023-2024
• Approved a resolution for a final plat for Vernon Valley 10th Addition, case JF23-0004
• Approved a resolution to award contract for project M-HMA PATCHING(23), Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) patching and leveling at various locations throughout Linn County, to LL Pelling Co., Inc., in the amount of $540,418.20
• Approved a resolution to award contract for project LOST-BEVERLY RD(23), a four-inch asphalt paving from Highway 151 to the PCC section near Edgewood Road, to LL Pelling Co., Inc., in the amount of $909,890
• Approved a resolution for Dows Farm Agri-Community Addition, case JP23-0001, request for a 223 lot preliminary plat of 116.73 total acres, located in the 6900 Block of Mt. Vernon Rd SE, owned by Linn County, Iowa, petitioner is Dows Agri-Community Development, LLC
• Approved resolutions establishing speed limits on Fernow Road and Alburnett Road in Marion as follows: 
  • 35 mph on the county portions of Fernow Road from Highway 13 to Fields Drive in sections 28-84-6 and 33-84-6
  • 45 mph on the county portions of Fernow Road from Field Drive east 1,875’ in sections 27-84-6 and 34-84-6
  • 45 mph on Alburnett Road from the south section line of 13-84-7 and 14-84-7 (Marion city limits) north 1,875’
• Approved change order number 2 to the contract with Unzeitig Construction for the Linn County Correctional Center Video Visitation Project by adding $4,443 for replacement flooring
• Approved change order number 1 to the contract with Unzeitig Construction for the Priority #2 Linn County Facilities Derecho Repairs Project by adding $58,588.95 for the removal and replacement of roofing, insulation, gutter, and downspouts on the Secondary Road Main Shop Sign Shop
• Approved change order number 1 to the contract with Unzeitig Construction for the Priority #1 Linn County Facilities Derecho Repairs Project by adding $33,605 for the removal and replacement of damaged flagpoles
• Approved reallocating the approved use of funds for Capital Improvement Project 2023CP-002
• Approved reallocating the unspent balance of funds for Capital Improvement Project 2021CP-016
• Approved purchase order for $16,975 to CR Signs & Lighting Inc. for Linn County’s portion of three additional Lincoln Highway Kiosks requested by Planning & Development
• Awarded bid and approved purchase order for herbicides to Nutrien Ag Solutions in the amount of $14,380.50 for the Secondary Road Department

NOTE: The 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 Agenda and Minutes webpage.

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UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES

• Property Tax Payments Due March 31
• Public Meetings Calendar
• Conservation Department Events

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