Government Notes: Linn County Planning & Zoning to discuss data centers this week

The Linn County Planning & Zoning Commission will hear a staff report on the basics of data centers this evening ahead of discussing a formal data center ordinance next month.

The meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. today, includes a discussion item for county staff to provide a brief presentation on data centers’ operations and their impacts to surrounding communities.

The county currently is drafting its own data center ordinance to better outline how and where the centers can be built in Linn County, and a draft plan is expected to return for commissioners to review next month. Tonight’s discussion will help inform that discussion.

Data centers are large facilities that house computer servers, data storage and other technical equipment. Already, two large-scale data center projects are underway in southwest Cedar Rapids — one from Google and another from tech company QTS.

Google has also expressed interest in potentially constructing an additional data center campus near Palo, although those discussions are still in their early phases.

The Planning & Zoning Commission’s meeting can be attended in person at the Jean Oxley Public Service Center, 935 Second St. SW in Cedar Rapids, or livestreamed on the county website. Recordings will be available after the meeting.

C.R. school board candidate forum Tuesday

The League of Women Voters of Linn County is hosting a forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday, at the Cedar Rapids Public Library for school board candidates in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.

There are seven candidates for Cedar Rapids school board running for three seats.

District 2 candidates are Mimi Daoud, Scott Drzycimski and David Chung. District 3 candidates are Jennifer Borcherding (incumbent) and Ashley Burns, and Director at-large candidates are Marcy Roundtree (incumbent) and Laura Zimmerman.

The League of Women Voters of Linn County is a nonpartisan organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government, and promoting non-partisan voter registration and the education of voter choices within the county.

Cedar Rapids gets repeat recognition for having Iowa’s ‘best tasting drinking water’

The city of Cedar Rapids has been recognized as having the best tasting drinking water in Iowa for the third time in four years.

Each year, the Iowa section of the American Water Works Association holds a double blind taste-test competition to determine which Iowa community provides the best-tasting drinking water.

This year’s competition took place in Cedar Rapids earlier this month, where entries from across the state were scored on appearance, odor, taste and aftertaste by a panel of judges.

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Cedar Rapids received the top spot this year, just as it had in 2022 and 2023. The city also received the award in 2010 and 2012.

“This is an honor we don’t take lightly,” Cedar Rapids Utilities Director Roy Hesemann said in a news release. “We are proud of the consistent, reliable experience our customers can expect when they turn on the tap. City staff work hard to provide clean, safe, and great-tasting water to our residents and customers every minute of every day.”

Linn County modern campgrounds to close this weekend

Linn County Conservation will soon close its modern campgrounds for the season.

The last night to camp at modern campgrounds is Saturday, Oct. 25, with the outdoor camping season officially ending on Sunday, Oct. 26. It is possible water may be shut off sooner, however, if overnight temperatures are forecast to fall below freezing.

The seasonal closure affects the campgrounds at Buffalo Creek Park, Morgan Creek Park, Pinicon Ridge Park and Wanatee Park.

For those camping at Morgan Creek Park, only self-contained units — meaning those with toilets within the camper — are allowed until the end of this season as the park’s restroom building is closed for scheduled maintenance.

Year-round camping remains available at Matsell Bridge Natural Area primitive campgrounds, Wakpicada Natural Area and the Wickiup Hill Learning Center Pack-In Campsite. Visitors should note, however, that those sites are not equipped with electricity or water.

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Marion seeks citizen feedback for biennial survey

The city of Marion is seeking citizen feedback to better shape future municipal projects and priorities.

Residents are invited to participate in the National Community Survey, a biennial survey designed to get input on government services and measure the quality of life in the community.

A random scientific sample of 3,000 Marion households will receive a mailed survey later this month with enclosed instructions on how to complete the survey.

All residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback starting Nov. 12 when the survey becomes available to the entire community. The response window closes on Nov. 26.

The results will be used to capture citizens’ opinions on the local economy, community design, safety and other elements of Marion’s overall livability to help city leaders identify the city’s greatest strengths and areas for growth.

For more information on the survey process, visit the Marion city website at cityofmarion.org.

Johnson County begins 2025 Community Health Assessment

Johnson County Public Health is looking for community input as the department begins its 2025 Community Health Assessment.

“As local health departments, we’re charged with completing a Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHA/CHIP) every three years. However, we cannot do this effectively without the help of the community,” said Johnson County Public Health Director, Danielle Pettit-Majewski, in a news release.

Residents may begin receiving postcards inviting them to complete a survey. The survey is open until Dec. 13 and is available in eight languages.

“The results of this assessment will determine the focus of our work and how we best serve you, so we ask you for your honest feedback. What are the top issues impacting your health, the health of your loved ones, and the health of your community?” Pettit-Majewski said in a news release.

Coralville, Tiffin City Council candidate forums set for next week

The Johnson County League of Women Voters is hosting two candidate forums for city council candidates in Coralville and Tiffin ahead of the Nov. 4 election.

The Coralville candidate forum will take place at Coralville City Hall, 1512 Seventh St., on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. The forum will feature both council and mayoral candidates.

Coralville voters will elect three council seats and a new mayor this November. Current council member Laurie Goodrich and Ryan Swenka are facing off in the mayoral race.

Katie Freeman, Deborah Gill, Kathy Hotsenpiller, Hai Huynh, Mike Knudson, Derrick Schroeder, Jennifer Struthers and R. Marshall Pope are all vying for a seat as a council member.

The Tiffin City Council candidate forum will take place at Springmier Public Library, 311 W. Marengo Rd., on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.

Three seats are up for election and the forum will include all four candidates; Al Havens, Tony Johnson, Tim Orris, Eric Schnedler.

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