IOWA CITY

A potential regional transportation initiative may be coming to Johnson County, but it won’t involve Lone Tree or southern portions of the county.

At its Nov. 1 work session, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors heard a proposed plan on Trip Connect-North Johnson County, a pilot project costing more than $350,000 a year that would extend on-demand transportation availability to North Liberty, and tying in the Coralville and Iowa City markets.

The closing of a Kirkwood Community College campus in southeast Iowa City has shifted students to other campuses in Coralville and Cedar Rapids. Students living in southern Johnson County now have to go further for classes, but not so for those living in North Liberty.

“It was a really big blow to this community,” Supervisor Rod Sullivan said of Kirkwood’s campus closing.

The proposed project would clearly benefit third-shift workers, and some Kirkwood and University of Iowa students, with on-demand availability being planned for 10 to 11:30 p.m. Sundays, 7 to 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Allison Wells, Johnson County Grants Coordinator, said the plan includes applying for grants with the State Transit Assistance Special Project and the National Center for Mobility Management.

Additional funds are being pledged by the City of North Liberty ($15,000 the next two fiscal years) and Kirkwood Community College, along with private company contributions. But the remainder of needed funds, perhaps $60,000, may be requested of the county.

“I’m tired of this,” Sullivan said. “I don’t know how many times the county has sprung for various pilot projects over 25 years, but it’s a lot. If the cities won’t commit and the university won’t commit, then I’m tired of paying for it.”

Mass Shooting Memories

Supervisors Lisa Green-Douglass and Sullivan remembered the Iowa City mass shooting of November 1, 1991, in their closing reports during the Nov. 2 formal session.

The shooting claimed the lives of six, including two University of Iowa professors and the shooter, a graduate student.

“I know some of the people who were deeply affected that lost parents and lost loved ones,” Sullivan said. “It’ll never be over for them.”

Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz remembered the 18 victims of a more recent mass shooting last month in Lewiston, Maine.

“We have a false system that has allowed mass gun violence to become the norm. It is heartbreaking every time,” Fixmer-Oraiz said. “We’re not exempt from gun violence in our own community.”

Board Action

The Board approved a design services agreement with Vantage Architects of La Crosse, Wisconsin, for work on the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm’s dairy barn visitors center.

The Board approved a one-year lease extension, through 2024, with AbbeHealth Inc. for the GuideLink Center.

The Board approved the job description for a regional social worker opening.

Next meeting: The Board’s next formal session is at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9. It is the monthly evening session for zoning and platting applications.