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Linn County finalizing $450,000 water-balance study with Google as winter shelter opens under temporary permit
Summary
County staff said they will recommend Stantec to perform a roughly $450,000 water-balance study reimbursed by Google; the county also reported the winter weather shelter is open under a 180-day temporary occupancy permit while final elevator and handrail work remain.
Darren (staff member) told the Linn County Board of Supervisors that county staff are finalizing a reimbursement agreement with Google and expect to recommend Stantec to conduct a water-balance study with a proposed scope of about $450,000. "The proposed scope of work is gonna be around $450,000. That leaves about $50,000 for legal and policy review," Darren said during the briefing, describing how the county plans to allocate the $500,000 Google has agreed to for the study.
Why it matters: county officials said the study is intended to inform decisions on setbacks, water supply and sustainability as Google and other parties discuss proposed data centers in the area. Staff said they will complete scoping, legal review and contracts and bring formal approvals to the board.
The update also covered an operating winter weather shelter. Staff said the shelter opened under a temporary occupancy permit issued Nov. 20 that is valid for 180 days; two final items for a permanent certificate remain — a final elevator inspection (a replacement part is pending) and permanent handrails in one stairwell. "It is good for 180 days," Darren said of the permit, and staff confirmed occupants are currently using second-floor spaces while elevator work is completed.
Public comment underscored resident concerns about water. Circe Stumbo, who identified herself as a county resident, urged supervisors to take water studies seriously and track long-term effects on low-income, rural and communities of color. "I grew up downstream... I was unable to drink our well water in the 1970s because it was contaminated," Stumbo said, citing personal experience and asking the board to share findings with the public.
County next steps: staff will complete the scope and legal review for the reimbursement agreement and bring contract recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for approval. The water-balance study and related air-quality conversations with public health were described as preparatory work ahead of meetings with utility and developer representatives.
