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Residents press council on data-center heat, ICE leasing and new public-comment limits
Summary
During public comment, residents raised concerns about a proposed Google data center's heat and health impacts, asked council to oppose warehouse conversions that ICE could lease, and criticized new limits on public comment and alleged secrecy on a project dubbed 'Project Zodiac.'
Several Fort Wayne residents used the April 7 public-comment period to press the Common Council on emerging issues including data-center impacts, immigration-enforcement leases and recent changes to public-comment rules.
Katie Jo, who identified herself as a resident in the 46807 ZIP code, sought clarification about a new restriction on commercial or political speech during public comment after the clerk said the policy was effective immediately; she then used her allotted two minutes to invite residents to a community-supported agriculture work-share program.
Jane Goble (who said friends call her "MJ") told the council she is concerned about a proposed Google data center in phase 3 and said she has not received responses to constituent emails. "I would love to understand where you all stand," she said, asking the council for engagement with constituents.
John Carroll McCammon said he circulated a Cambridge study that he said shows data centers can increase ground temperatures up to 16 degrees and warned that the proposed site would consume 1.2 gigawatts of power. He argued higher local temperatures could increase energy bills and pose health risks for elderly and low-income residents.
Laura Jacobs, a licensed mental-health counselor and member of Fuerza Unida, urged the council to consider adopting a resolution opposing conversions of warehouses to spaces ICE could lease inside city limits. She asked how residents should bring information to the council and invited members to join neighborhood meetings.
Another commenter, speaking without offering a name, accused the council of secrecy around a matter the speaker called "Project Zodiac," alleged council members had signed nondisclosure agreements and demanded public records. The speaker warned of political consequences if records were not produced.
Council members offered limited immediate response during the comment period; the meeting record shows no formal referral, resolution or vote on the topics raised that evening. Clerk John McGully advised the public the change to public-comment language was effective immediately and that today’s meeting served as the public communication about the change.
