116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Government Notes: Linn supervisors delay advancing utility-scale wind regulations
Also, Johnson County supervisors to review sheriff/jail space study
The Linn County Board of Supervisors last week postponed until July 29 a second consideration of changes to an ordinance regulating utility-scale wind projects in the county.
No large-scale wind energy projects are on the horizon in Linn County, Planning and Development Director Charlie Nichols previously told the supervisors.
But as the supervisors did last summer with amending the county’s utility-scale solar ordinance, the board is looking to update county policies governing large-scale wind energy projects before potential projects come up.
Supervisors are exploring changes to the language on noise levels, setback requirements and debris cleanup. The county is looking to get more feedback on proposed changes, particularly to debris cleanup language.
Residents may view a draft of the proposed ordinance amendments on the Linn County website at linncountyiowa.gov.
Ordinance changes take three votes before being finalized.
Johnson County meeting will review sheriff, jail space needs report
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday will review a report looking at space needs for the Sheriff’s Office and Johnson County Jail.
The review will take place during the 9 a.m. supervisors’ work session. The meeting will be held in second floor boardroom of the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building, 855 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City.
The study, conducted by Shive-Hattery, cost the county $75,000. It can be viewed on the county website — johnsoncountyiowa.gov/sheriff/jail-stats — under the Jail Studies tab.
A preliminary presentation was given to the Board of Supervisors last month.
The current Johnson County Jail, which opened in 1981, is in “very poor” condition, according to a 2022 facility condition audit. The building has numerous structural deficiencies, including cracks and deterioration in walls, ceilings, and portions of the roof. In 2022, county officials told The Gazette the facility has reached the end of its useful life.
“To be clear, this is a study. It is not a proposal nor does it start us down any sort of predetermined path,” Sheriff Brad Kunkel said in a news release announcing the meeting this week.
“What it does do is give us an understanding of what a future Sheriff’s Office and Jail would need to serve us well into the future and expand if necessary,” he said. “It also gives us a concept to bring to the public to springboard their input and questions.”
Previous Johnson County bond referendums to finance jail improvements failed in 2012 and 2013. In both years, the proposals received more than 50 percent approval from voters, but they fell short of the 60 percent required for the referendum to pass.
Cedar Rapids 1-Bag Challenge sets new cleanup record
Cedar Rapids announced last week that the City Manager’s 1-Bag Challenge litter collection program has broken the record for bags of litter collected in one year.
A total of 9,074 bags of litter were collected in fiscal year 2024, which ended June 30. The previous record was 7,192 bags of litter collected in fiscal year 2023. The litter was collected by resident volunteer individuals and groups, city staff, contracted workers and local businesses.
Since its inception in 2012, the 1-Bag Challenge has inspired volunteers to fill close to 40,000 bags of litter. Final collection numbers have been tallied at the end of each fiscal year since June 2014.
"We have a saying here in Cedar Rapids — ‘Welcome is Our Language.’ One of the ways we create a welcoming community is by taking pride in our homes, businesses, commercial areas, parks and trails,” said City Manager Jeff Pomeranz. "I am passionate about making Cedar Rapids the greatest place to live, work, and play. That's why we created the CleanUpCR campaign and the City Manager's 1-Bag Challenge. Over the years, our community has survived disasters such as extreme flooding and the 2020 Derecho, and we have come together with resilience and strength to clean up Cedar Rapids."
Litter kits for the program, which include postcards to provide feedback, as well as bags and gloves, are available from April through October every year at designated Hy-Vee stores, NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids Public Library locations, and city buildings.
Individuals collecting litter can place their filled 1-Bag bags next to their residential GARBY garbage collection carts on their normal collection day. Groups interested in scheduling a cleanup event or signing up for the Adopt-a-Road program can do so on the City's website.
For more information and to sign up to take the 1- Bag Challenge, visit CleanUpCR.com.
Linn County seeks input on community health
Linn County Public Health and Together! Healthy Linn are hosting two town halls for community members to share their experiences and perspectives about the health of the community.
These meetings are part of the Community Health Assessment process, which takes place every three years. Feedback will be used to inform the health priorities of the 2025-27 Community Health Improvement Plan.
Dates and times for the town hall meetings are:
- 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday: Community Room at Lester Buresh Community Wellness Center, 855 Palisades Rd. SW, Mount Vernon.
- 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 17: Fairfax City Hall, 300 80th St. Court, Fairfax.
Residents also may provide feedback through two surveys.
The food security survey seeks input on the current state of food security in the county, as well as identifying needs and challenges for improving access to food resources.
The community violence survey aims to capture residents’ thoughts on community safety and security, and input will assist in developing violence prevention strategies.
Both surveys, available on the Linn County Public Health website, will end July 31.
Linn County taking grant applications
The Linn County Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications for Linn County’s Economic & Community Development Fund, which is used to support economic growth and enhance the quality of life in Linn County.
This competitive grant process is open to eligible organizations in Linn County or those with a branch location in the county and whose work benefits Linn County residents. This year, $100,000 is available.
Grants must be used for projects or programs that benefit county residents. Applications for programmatic and capital projects will have priority over requests for operating support. Preferred applications will be for projects/programs that:
- Promote economic growth and/or community development in Linn County.
- Demonstrate return on investment dollars.
- Do not duplicate current economic development initiatives.
- Demonstrate a sustainability plan for project continuation beyond county funding.
The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. July 31. Application information is available on Linn County’s website at LinnCountyIowa.gov.
Iowa Avenue closing in Iowa City
Iowa Avenue between Dubuque and Linn streets in Iowa City will be closed starting today through July 19.
The closure is part of the current construction on Dubuque Street. Pedestrian access will not be affected by the closure
Johnson County remodeling nears completion
County services will begin moving back into the Johnson County Administration Building, 913 S. Dubuque St., in August.
Remodeling of the building began in October 2023. To accommodate the construction, some county services were moved to the Health and Human Services Building, 855 S. Dubuque St.
The renovation included an interior remodel, new HVAC and fire suppression systems and building accessibility upgrades.
The project was funded through American Rescue Plan Act dollars and the county general fund.
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporters Marissa Payne and Megan Woolard contributed.
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