Government Notes: New Linn County building to honor former supervisor

The Linn County Board of Supervisors intends to honor a former county leader with a commemorative plaque at the new Secondary Road department headquarters.

The supervisors last week voted 2-0 to include the plaque at the building currently under construction at 1944 County Home Rd.

The plaque honors Zumbach’s commitment to the $19 million project during his time as county supervisor. He left that role earlier this year and was replaced by his daughter Brandy Meisheid, who abstained from last week’s vote given the relation.

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Per a resolution approved by the board, Zumbach strongly advocated for the development of a new secondary roads facility to enhance operational efficiency and “provide employees with the modern tools, equipment and resources needed to continue to deliver high-quality ... public services.“

Construction began on the project this winter and is expected to wrap up in the spring of 2026. The new facility will centralize staffing for the related departments and provide safe, indoor storage for county vehicles.

Funding sources include American Rescue Plan Act funding, federal reimbursement from 2020 derecho damage, local-option sales tax dollars, capital project funds and the sale of the current engineering building.

Central City schools pursuing bond referendum

A $7 million school bond referendum that would fund facility improvements and enhance safety, security and accessibility could go to voters in the Central City Community School District this fall.

Ballot language is due to the county auditor 46 days before city and school elections. At least 25 percent of the number of registered voters in the school district voting in the most recent election of school officials must sign the petition, according to Iowa Code.

That is about 70 signatures from district residents.

If the bond is approved by voters, a secure entrance would be added to the elementary school. This would create direct access to the school office, so visitors would not have access to the rest of the school without checking in at the front office.

Broken windows and doors would be replaced and other infrastructure improvements made to the preschool classroom, improving safety for students and staff.

New sealant would mitigate moisture infiltrating facilities. Replacing exterior doors would add access controls for improved safety. Repairs to the locker rooms and replacement of lockers would improve student experience.

Features of special education classrooms like the life skills kitchen and restroom facilities would be renovated to improve access.

The teachers’ lounge would be relocated to improve the teacher experience, allowing the current space to be repurposed into instructional space. New restrooms would be ADA compliant and adult size.

The stage in the school would be improved to include accessibility, audio and visual equipment and other upgrades.

The Family and Consumer Science classroom would be renovated.

Third grade classrooms would be relocated from the east hallway for better collaboration among teachers.

Other elementary classrooms would be renovated with new carpet, ceilings, paint and other upgrades. This project would replace chalkboards and antiquated equipment and storage areas.

Marion to disband two city committees

The city of Marion is set to disband two of its citizen committees after each fulfilled its intended purpose.

Marion City Council members last week held public hearings on the dissolution of the Marion Municipal Airport Committee and the Marion Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Council members offered preliminary approval to disband both, and final approval is likely in late September.

The airport committee was established in 2017 to assist with the development and operation of the Marion Municipal Airport.

Following the summer sale of the airport runway, however, the city no longer owns any part of the airport so city staff recommended the committee’s dissolution.

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Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission members voted to disband at their July 30 meeting, writing in a letter to council that members felt the original purpose for which the committee was created “has largely been accomplished.”

“With the city’s ongoing investment in trails and sidewalks, many of the committee’s initial goals have been transitioned into regular city operations managed by staff,“ the letter states.

However, members noted that the committee could be reinstated should the city commence with the development or implementation of a new Trails Master Plan in the future.

Registration open for C.R. Mayor’s Youth Conference

Registration is now open for the Mayor’s Youth Conference in Cedar Rapids.

Cedar Rapids-area high school students are invited to apply for the annual event either individually or as part of a class or group. Registration is free, although spots are limited.

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The conference itself will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 8 at the downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library. This year marks the third time the event has been held.

The all-day event will connect students with local educational and vocational opportunities and help identify pathways to thrive in Cedar Rapids both before and after graduation.

“We have a responsibility to guide our youth to success and empower them to become leaders who will shape our community,” Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said in a news release. “This event will be a steppingstone for our youth, an investment in their personal and professional development and an opportunity to become part of the next generation of leaders in Cedar Rapids.”

To learn more or apply, visit CityofCR.com/MYC

Linn County program a finalist for homelessness innovation award

A Linn County partnership proposal is being recognized for its innovative approach to addressing homelessness.

The “Embedding Expungement and Collateral Consequences Relief in Eviction Help Desks: An Innovative Pilot for Preventing Homelessness” was recently named a finalist for the state of Iowa’s homeless incubator pitch competition.

The annual competition looks for forward-thinking proposals aimed at addressing homelessness. This year, there are four finalists from across the state.

Each will present their proposals at the Sept. 3 HousingIowa Conference in Cedar Rapids in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch event. Winners will receive up to $100,000 to support their proposal.

The expungement program is a proposed partnership between Iowa Legal Aid, Linn County and Polk County. It is one of four finalists for the award.

The project aims to proactively identify tenants at risk of eviction and homelessness whose criminal or juvenile records are creating barriers to housing and/or employment.

Those individuals would then be connected with Iowa Legal Aid attorneys trained to assist with the expungement of eligible records and address related legal challenges.

“By embedding this screening and support into the eviction prevention process, the initiative offers a critical intervention point to address the legal barriers that often contribute to housing instability,“ a program pitch document states.

Johnson County to host public sessions on non-metro area housing

Johnson County is hosting two public input sessions on housing issues within the non-metro area. The non-metro area includes Hills, Lone Tree, Swisher, Shueyville, Solon, Oxford, and unincorporated parts of Johnson County.

The sessions are being conducted by CommunityScale, a consultant planning to prepare a housing recommendation report for the non-metro area and unincorporated parts of the county. Previous public sessions were held in June in Swisher and Hills.

The sessions will include a brief presentation on current housing needs followed by a public discussion. They will be held:

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Grace Nieland and Megan Woolard contributed.