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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Government Notes: Linn County winter weather shelter opening delayed
Iowa City High soccer field, football practice field to be replaced with turf
Nov. 17, 2025 5:30 am, Updated: Nov. 17, 2025 8:54 am
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The opening of the Linn County winter weather shelter has been pushed back to accommodate delays in ongoing renovation work.
The shelter was set to open Saturday, Nov. 15, as an overnight emergency shelter for the unhoused, but the county late last week announced the opening would be delayed because of outstanding work related to the renovation.
“Linn County is actively working with the contractor to address these remaining items as quickly as possible to ensure the building is safe, functional and ready for use,” the statement read. “An announcement will be made as soon as the building is approved and ready to open.”
The county this year moved forward with roughly $1 million in shelter upgrades, including a second-floor remodel, elevator addition, bathroom renovations and the addition of sprinklers throughout the building. That work is being paid for using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
The shelter, located at 1017 12th Ave. in Cedar Rapids, is meant as a last-resort shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness during the cold winter months.
Anyone in need of shelter prior to its opening should contact Waypoint Services by phone at 319-366-7999 or via email at CE@waypointservices.org.
Linn County allocates $419K for opioid intervention, treatment programs
The Linn County Board of Supervisors has awarded a combined $419,000 to nine area organizations to continue in the fight against opioid misuse.
The board approved the allocations last week using a portion of the funds the county received as part of national legal settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors. Supervisors approved the allocations based upon the recommendations of the Linn County Opioid Settlement Committee.
Organizations to receive funds this year included a mix of public, private and nonprofit entities addressing opioid misuse in Linn County.
Senior Accountant Sonia Evans said the committee received 12 applications this year with overall funding requests totaling nearly $1.1 million. In making their recommendations, Evans said members considered where funds “would best be able to serve the county.”
Selected awardees include:
- Housing Fund for Linn County received $94,000 to launch a pilot program to bring trained medical staff to the overnight Linn County winter weather shelter. The pilot is part of a larger street medicine initiative to bring medical care to the unhoused.
- Area Substance Abuse Council will receive $70,000 to help fund one additional care navigator position to assist with its broader safe opioid services program.
- The Linn County Sheriff’s Office received $62,000 to help fund a behavioral intervention specialist to assist in jail diversion efforts.
- The Eastern Iowa Health Center received $55,000 to provide medication-assisted treatment and telehealth services to those recovering from substance misuse.
- Community Resources United to Stop Heroin of Iowa, or CRUSH, was allocated $50,000 to purchase a van to assist with client transportation needs associated with the group’s recovery-oriented transportation initiative.
- Community and Family Resources will receive $30,000 to support detox and withdrawal management services for Linn County residents.
- Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids netted $16,000 to cover the cost of two withdrawal beds for its “Restoring Hope Behavioral Health Renovation” project.
- Safe Place Foundation, a Cedar Rapids addiction treatment facility, received $10,000 to renovate meeting space at its men's house.
City High turf soccer field, football practice field to be replaced with new turf
The Iowa City Community School District will replace a turf soccer and football practice field with new turf as planned.
The school district surveyed almost 200 people, including students, parents and coaches before making a recommendation to the school board.
The turf field on the City High School campus was installed in 2012. The location of the field was selected to help mitigate poor drainage issues and provide a consistent surface for various activities, including PE classes, boys and girls soccer practices, football practices and marching band.
Before the installation of the artificial turf field, the soccer teams played on a grass field adjacent to Longfellow Elementary School.
While the recent survey showed mixed results — with 47 percent of respondents preferring artificial turf and 42 percent preferring natural grass — ultimately, school officials recommended turf.
The turf field is being replaced as a part of the school district’s facility master plan.
Turf allows for year around use with minimal cancellations because of weather and a consistent, level playing surface with fewer divots or muddy patches. It also requires less ongoing maintenance and remains durable despite heavy use, according to board documents.
Iowa City Housing Authority launches pilot program for landlords accepting vouchers
The Iowa City Housing Authority is launching a limited time pilot program that offers a financial incentive to landlords that accept a tenant using a mainstream voucher.
Mainstream vouchers are part of a program between the housing authority and Shelter House that combine supportive case management services with housing.
The pilot program is offering $1,000 to landlords leasing to an adult household and $2,000 for households with children using the mainstream vouchers.
The program is part of an effort to find housing for 19 households using the vouchers.
“This pilot program is a meaningful way to open more housing opportunities for residents who need them most,” said Rachel Carter, Housing Authority Administrator, in a news release. “We appreciate the landlords who are stepping forward to be part of the solution to housing instability in our community.”
Landlords interested in the program should contact the Iowa City Housing Authority at 319-356-5400.
Johnson County jail committee to hold last meeting in January 2026
Johnson County will look to transition away from the current iteration of its Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee in January 2026.
The committee, made up of supervisors and community members with knowledge of the criminal justice system, began meeting once a month in October 2024.
The goal of the committee is to provide “specific recommendations regarding policies, procedures and practices relevant to policymakers.” However, Johnson County Supervisor Chair Jon Green said at a work session last week that the committee has been functionally operating to decide on a path forward for a new Sheriff’s Office and Jail.
The board of supervisors has decided to move forward with plans for a 120-bed jail and Sheriff’s Office and will look to put a bond referendum for the new facility on the November 2026 ballot.
The board and county Sheriff Brad Kunkel have said they’d still like to have some form of a criminal justice coordinating committee that will advise on diversion measures and other matters of the criminal justice system. The board will continue to discuss what a new committee could look like.
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Grace Nieland and Megan Woolard contributed.
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