IOWA CITY

Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan pushed for housing to be included in a 10-year plan at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm during the Board of Supervisors’ work session Nov. 4.

The southeastern portion of the Poor Farm has been designated for future housing projects, but as the Poor Farm has updated and expanded its facilities and projects, a formal housing plan has not surfaced for the 140-acre property.

“I think that’s a place where we’ve fallen down here,” Sullivan told the Board. “It was to house people who had no other options for housing and I think we need to honor that by doing some affordable housing now.”

“The Board has a real opportunity here to do something about that.”

The Poor Farm, located west of Highway 218 in western Iowa City, has added farming areas that are leased to area growers, a commercial kitchen, and updated the main barn, healing trail and other historic areas. The Poor Farm regularly hosts tours and events.

The 10-year plan, which was presented by Ilsa DeWald, Food and Farm Manager, includes an architectural study and plan for more updates at the barn, a $50,000 urban forestry grant, cemetery interpretive signing and seating, and an expansion in partner programming and events.

Supervisor Lisa Green-Douglass suggested that some of the events or rentals could offset or reduce costs to the county.

“What is the path?” she asked.

Holiday Changes

The Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day holidays are causing a change in some of the Board’s meetings.

This week, both the work session and formal session was held Tuesday, including the monthly meeting on rezoning and platting applications. County offices are closed Wednesday, Veterans Day.

On Thanksgiving Week, the work and formal sessions will be held back-to-back, at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Election Talk

Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz, one of five Democrats on the Board, spoke highly of last week’s election that featured a Blue Wave of Democrat winners in Iowa and across the nation.

“I’m very excited to have a Democratic governor (Rob Sand) and attorney general (Nate Willems), and just down the line,” Fixmer-Oraiz said. “I feel like I woke up the next day feeling hope for the first time. It was beautiful and strange at the same time.”

Board Action

The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area for Johnson County Historic Poor Farm Heritage Area site designation.

The Board approved a phone service contract with Aureon, of West Des Moines, and county employee plans with Delta Dental of Iowa, National Insurance Services Supplemental Life, and TriStar Benefit Administrators for flex spending accounts.

The Board issued a proclamation in honor of Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Next Meeting

The Board’s next formal session is scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 19.