Local Government

Five of the nine Cedar Rapids City Council seats are up for election on the Nov. 4 ballot.

In-person absentee voting — sometimes called “early voting” — begins Wednesday in both Linn and Johnson counties and will run through Monday, Nov. 3. Ballots will include a host of city and school elections across the area, as well as multiple bond issues.

Iowa City is moving toward a goal of full electrification of its city vehicles, leading the way among municipalities across Iowa. Last week, it unveiled an electric Iowa City Police patrol vehicle, thought to be the first fully electric vehicle being used by law enforcement for patrol in Iowa.

Four candidates are running across three different races for Marion City Council on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors is requesting an in-person public meeting with Utah-based Havenpark Communities, owner of mobile home parks across the county, as residents push for a two-year moratorium on rent increases due to concerns over park conditions.

The City of Hiawatha recently received nearly $800,000 in state funds to support the construction of a new trail connection at Interstate 380 and Emmons Street.

The Iowa City Council on Tuesday approved $927,000 for the purchase of three town homes in North Liberty to be used by the Iowa City Housing Authority for affordable housing.

Linn County will partner with University of Iowa researchers to learn more about water quality and pollution sites within the county through three studies that will act as the “backbone” of the county’s comprehensive water quality management and mitigation plan.

Tech giant Google has approached Linn County officials about a proposed data center project near Palo. The county is taking several steps to inform discussions around how data centers could affect things like zoning, water availability.

Also in this week’s Government Notes roundup, Cedar Rapids is opening applications for its ‘Snow Buddies’ program.

Hobart Historic Restoration, a Cedar Rapids real estate developer, is determining how they might continue to provide community groups and the school district access to the only indoor pool in Vinton as they assess what repairs are needed.

For over a century, students walked through the wide-battered piers flanking the entrance of Arthur Elementary to start their school day and broaden their minds. Now, the building owners are looking to honor that history.