Government Notes: Fairfax to hold informational sessions regarding proposed power plant

The City of Fairfax will be hosting two informational listening sessions in October regarding the natural gas power plant that is proposed to be built in town, northwest of The Eastern Iowa Airport.

The two sessions will be on Wednesday, Oct. 1 and Wednesday, Oct. 8. Both sessions will be from 6-8 p.m. at Fairfax City Hall, 300 80th St. Court.

The informational meetings come as some Fairfax residents and The Eastern Iowa Airport have pushed back on Alliant Energy’s proposal to build the plant in Fairfax.

Fairfax residents have expressed concerns over the noise, aesthetics and possible health effects of the plant. The airport has pushed back on the plan due to concerns of flight and aircraft safety.

The Fairfax City Council has not ruled out allowing the plant in the city limits due to economic and development reasons.

Each session will have two city council members present.

According to Fairfax’s monthly newsletter, the city plans on also having representatives from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Linn County Public Health and Alliant Energy to help answer residents’ questions.

Both meetings will be recorded and posted to the City of Fairfax’s YouTube channel for later viewing.

“If you have questions regarding this proposed facility and are looking to gain information, please join us one of those evenings,” the newsletter states. “These meetings are intended to be informational and productive, no outbursts, profanity, arguing or agendas will be tolerated.”

Johnson County to continue evaluating need for juvenile beds

A Johnson County supervisor is asking to continue to evaluate data on the need for juvenile detention beds after voting down an amendment in July that would have increased the number of guaranteed beds the county has contracted at the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center.

If Johnson County needs more beds and there aren't any available in Linn County, youth in custody must be transported to other facilities across the state. Johnson County does not have its own juvenile detention center.

The proposed contract amendment lost on a vote of 2-3 with Supervisors Jon Green, Mandi Remington and V Fixmer-Oraiz voting no. The amendment would have increased the number of guaranteed beds from three to four, increasing the county’s annual costs to around $444,000 from $320,000.

Green, Remington, and Fixmer-Oraiz said they were opposed to any investment in juvenile detention that is not a long term effective solution.

Fixmer-Oraiz suggested to the board last Thursday that the county continues to discuss the number of youth in custody on a monthly or quarterly basis as opposed to just annually. The county contracts with Linn County on an annual basis.

“ … The original decision that I had made was based on at that point, I didn't think there was enough data … and so I'm just trying to keep track of the data to make sure they're being responsive,” Fixmer-Oraiz said at a meeting last week.

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The increase in number of beds was recommended by Sheriff Brad Kunkel, and county staff within the social services department were in favor of the amendment.

Last year, the county needed a total of 106 units, or days juveniles spent incarcerated outside of the Linn County facility, but through April the county has already used 400 units. Last fiscal year, Kunkel said the county booked 29 juvenile inmates.

At the moment, the county has four juvenile inmates housed at facilities other than Linn County.

C.R. Council to consider selling land to Habitat for Humanity

The Cedar Rapids City Council next month will discuss whether to sell two city-owned plots to Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing development.

The council will hold two public hearings related to the matter at its Oct. 7 meeting — the first related to a plot at 1222 20th Ave. SW. and the second for land at 1238 N St. SW.

The city acquired both plots earlier this year through a state law that allows for city acquisition of vacant and abandoned properties. Due to the condition of the properties at the time of acquisition, the structures on each have since been demolished.

For each property, the city issued a request for proposals to eligible nonprofit housing developers, and Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity was the sole applicant in both instances.

On Oct. 7, the council will host public hearings to discuss the nonprofit’s proposals and hear any public feedback. Per council documents, the nonprofit intends to build one new house on each property.

If approved by the council, the city will enter into a purchase agreement with Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity to transfer the properties for $1 each.

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Celebration to honor Linn County Courthouse’s 100th anniversary

Legal professionals, law enforcement and area residents will gather this week at the Linn County Courthouse to commemorate the historic structure’s 100th anniversary.

The county will host a public celebration to mark the occasion at 3 p.m. Friday outside the county courthouse at 51 Third Ave. Bridge on May’s Island. The free event will include speakers, followed by guided tours of the courthouse.

Speakers at the event include Linn County Board of Supervisors Chair Brandy Z. Meisheid, Chief Judge Lars Anderson, District Associate Judge Russell Keast, Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner, and Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks.

The courthouse first opened in 1925 when the county seat moved from Marion to Cedar Rapids. Over the years, the structure has seen several updates — most notably after the floods of 2008.

This summer, the county funded a series of facade improvements at the site expected to imminently reach substantial completion. To learn more about the courthouse or Friday’s celebration, visit the Linn County website.

Marion installs mental health crisis line decals on some city vehicles

The city of Marion has installed informational decals on 18 of its city-owned vehicles to promote the national 988 mental health crisis line.

The decals were installed on the Marion Police Department’s school resource officer vehicles, staff vehicles from the Marion Fire Department and on the city’s garbage and recycling trucks.

Each decal reads “Mental Health Matters: Call or text 988” and identifies the three-digit number as the national suicide and crisis lifeline. That line is available 24/7 for free and confidential emotional support.

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“Marion is proud to be the first city in Linn County to add this life safety message to some of our fleet,” Mayor Nick AbouAssaly said in a news release. “This is a simple way for us to bring awareness to a lifesaving, free mental health resource available to our residents.”

The idea for the decals was first floated by Ward 1 Council member Gage Miskimen in May and received broad support from the Marion City Council. Their installation coincides with National Suicide Prevention Month, which is recognized each September.

The decals and installation costs were funded through a donation from HOPEwalk CR, a local nonprofit that supports suicide prevention and awareness efforts.

Linn County Conservation bars hunting at Bird Preserve

Linn County Conservation has officially designated Bird Preserve as a no-hunting area.

In a recent newsletter, the department said the change was made to better reflect the 140-acre preserve’s “intended purpose as a natural space that supports both wildlife and public enjoyment.”

The preserve was created through the support of Cedar Rapids resident Rae Jeanne Kilberger. Kilberger in 2023 donated 83 acres of land for the project and funding assistance to purchase an additional 57 acres of adjacent land.

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When the preserve opened in 2024 near Covington, it was named for Kilberger’s grandparents — whose last name was Bird. The site includes soft-surface trails, restrooms, timber shade structures and a pavilion.

During its first full season, the preserve was open for archery hunting. The Linn County Conservation Board this year rescinded that hunting designation, however, “to prevent conflicts between hunters and other recreational activities.”

“After a year of hunting activity, along with public and staff feedback, the Linn County Conservation Board voted to keep this property clear of the disruptions of hunting, further recognizing the space as a nature preserve,” the newsletter states.

The preserve’s boundaries have since been clearly marked with signage indicating the new disallowance. For information on which Linn County natural areas do allow hunting and which kinds, visit the Linn County website.

Iowa City revenue office to change operating hours

The Iowa City revenue office will change its operating hours beginning Monday Oct. 6.

One of the office’s functions is handling resident utility payments. The office will now be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as opposed to opening at 8 a.m.

The office will be available from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. by appointment only. Residents looking to schedule an appointment can call 319-356-5066.

Iowa City residents are also encouraged to visit www.icgov.org/residents/payment to manage utility payments and service.

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