The Marshall County Zoning Commission is scheduled to hold a work session on a renewable energy ordinance on November 13, 2026. The notice says public comment will not be sought during the session and that a separate listening session is being planned for mid-January 2027.
Discussion Points
•The commission may request relevant information from people attending the work session.
The Marshall County Zoning Commission recommended a telecommunications facility permit for Board of Adjustment review, while noting concerns about grading and drainage. It also revised parts of a draft renewable energy ordinance and left the proposed conservation-area setback unresolved pending a scoring matrix.
Discussion Points
•Kelley said the buffer distance was unresolved; a participant asked for the basis of Lutes’ countywide economic estimate.
•Lutes objected to a possible two- or three-mile buffer, citing past farm impacts and possible loss of turbine income.
•Members compared the draft’s five-year estimate cycle with a proposed 10-year re-estimate and annual index adjustment.
•Members considered soil-survey documentation and emergency-response planning.
•Members discussed 2.2-times-height setbacks, property-line measurements and the unresolved conservation-area buffer.
•Members discussed baseline bird and bat studies, a two-mile perimeter and post-construction monitoring.
•Neighbors and commissioners raised concerns about slope, runoff, a nearby waterway and culverts.
•The applicant described the revised layout, screening, estimated sound levels and generator testing schedule.
•The Conservation Director’s matrix requires board review; no timeline was given.
•The county lacks a standard road-use agreement and grading-plan form.
•The draft distinguishes the mapped FEMA floodplain from eagle protection tied to wildlife studies.
Decisions
•Define the floodplain by the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and keep eagle protection separate; baseline studies and the two-mile perimeter remain in the draft.
•Draft direction: 25% security before ground disturbance, 100% by year five, security maintained after sale, and notice within 60 days of transfer.
•No buffer distance or economic-impact estimate was adopted.
•Retain the proposed 2.2-times-height setback for specified nonparticipating properties and a one-mile city setback; no conservation-area distance was decided.
•The agenda and Oct. 20 minutes were approved; the commission later voted to adjourn.
•The commission recommended approval 2-1, with reservations about dirt work.
•The draft will require the latest property soil survey at conditional-use permit submission and repeat the same data points at decommissioning.
•These were work-session drafting outcomes; the ordinance was not adopted.
Directions
•Emergency planning will be developed with county emergency management and local first responders.
•Kelley will draft standard grading and road-use forms, consult the county engineer, and revise the ordinance.
•Kelley will prepare a setback table and ask the county attorney about possible city variances or agreements.
•Kelley will revise the draft to include the discussed financial-security schedule and ownership-transfer notice.
•Kelley will spell out U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requirements and Iowa DNR recommendations.
•Revise the draft to add a 1.1-times-height setback from property lines and the home and add or confirm a minimum lot area.
•The application is to proceed to the Board of Adjustment; staff was to schedule the hearing and mail notices.
The Marshalltown City Council considered water and noise ordinances and held a public hearing on proposed data center zoning rules and an overlay map. It advanced several measures, rejected some proposed amendments and indicated that a data center moratorium extension would return for consideration Nov. 23.
Discussion Points
•A commenter argued that the map should follow finalization of the standards.
•Amber Lathers urged an extension to provide time for remaining readings and amendments.
•A written commenter raised concerns about land valuation and administrative approval.
•A written exception request would require evidence of extraordinary circumstances and Waterworks review.
•Commenters questioned low-frequency sound, public gathering permits and effects on businesses.
•Council members discussed residential graywater and city review requirements.
•Council members discussed whether to extend for less than 60 days and whether the end date should track ordinance effectiveness after publication.
•Ender described measurement standards, generator testing and emergency exceptions.
•Fire Chief Christopher Cross described fire-code safeguards already in effect and said he could not provide project-specific details without a specific project.
•Residents and business representatives disagreed about whether the zoning framework provides sufficient public review and protection.
•Staff presented a draft resolution for an extension of up to 60 days or until the related ordinances pass, whichever comes first.
•Staff reported one property was known to be potentially affected at present.
•The city would determine whether service is reasonably available.
•The original decommissioning amendment’s disposition is not clear from the transcript.
Decisions
•Amendment 12 and its related applicant-cost amendment each passed 6-1.
•Amendment 1 as revised passed 4-3; Amendments 1A, 1B, 6 and 8 failed.
•Amendment 1 passed 5-2.
•Amendments 10 and 11 failed unanimously.
•Consent agenda passed 7-0; individual items were not specified.
•No extension was adopted; no vote occurred at this meeting.
•Ordinance 15129 passed first reading 7-0.
•Ordinance 15132 passed its second-reading roll call 7-0.
•Ordinance 15133 passed 4-3, contingent on Ordinance 15129.
Public hearing and multi-hour council session focused on proposed data-center zoning, multiple ordinance second readings (water connection, private wells, noise control), several amendment votes, and a packed public-comment period urging a moratorium extension and stricter protections.
Discussion Points
•Amendment clarifies reclaimed water use and prohibits obtaining potable water from another source once connected.
•Amendment confirms zoning may impose more restrictive conditions when justified.
•Clarifies A‑weighted measurement standard, calibration, locations, and exceptions when weather/unrelated sound affects readings.
•Council debated multiple amendments including acreage thresholds, decommissioning financial assurance, noise authority, emergency response plans, decommissioning, and reclaimed water controls.
•Creates a permit process for recurring generator testing above set limits and allows noise office to use supplemental analyses.
•Map identifies overlay boundaries by section/township and excludes specified parcels; staff noted overlay does not itself authorize projects.
•Only one property currently identified as affected.
•Prohibits wells when public service is reasonably available; existing wells may remain with current owner until ownership change; exceptions for extraordinary hardship.
•Public commenters largely opposed overlay mapping and urged special‑use, citing water, noise, traffic, and farmland impacts.
•Public commenters urged delaying map adoption until ordinance text finalized; council discussed but majority voted to adopt map on second reading.
•Purpose: protect public health, prevent contamination, conserve water.
•Staff described standards for site design, buffers, utility review, noise studies and water/cooling requirements (Clayton Ender).
•Water Works to verify availability and potential water‑quality impacts.
Decisions
•Adopted Amendment 12 (reclaimed water administrative review; potable cap of 1,000,000 gallons/year with metering/reporting requirements)
The Marshall County Conservation Board is scheduled to meet at 5:00 p.m. Nov. 9, 2026, at Grimes Farm and Conservation Center to consider purchasing a Bison pump for the Nature Playscape, approve repairs to local trails, and discuss a renewable energy policy and setback rules.
Discussion Points
•Discussion of Renewable Energy Policy and setbacks as a policy item.
Marshall County Board of Supervisors met Nov. 4, 2026; supervisors approved a zoning variance and a $58,600 roof repair for the sheriff's administration building, moved to repeal a Gateway Center TIF ordinance, designated the county as a HIPAA hybrid entity, opened/closed a public hearing on Davidson Avenue, and recessed into closed session on pending litigation.
Discussion Points
•Adjacent property owners submitted petition in agreement.
•Auditor/recorder authorized to issue payments on audited claims.
•Auditor reported no written comments on file.
•Board moved into closed session at approximately 09:26–09:27.
•Consent agenda included minutes, hires, and property management plan filings.
•Herring expressed appreciation and noted staff contributions.
•Hybrid designation reduces extent of mandatory HIPAA training to applicable employees.
•Motion cited Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) and named counsel relationship with the county attorney and law firm Lamson, Dugan and Murray.
•No development or building plans were proposed.
•Open house scheduled for Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; focus on attic/tower areas and historic features.
•Operation Green Light for Veterans runs Nov. 4\u0011 and community encouraged to participate.
•Sheriff Joel Phillips said leaks had entered interior spaces including an interview room and sally port.
•Staff proposed relying on ISAC for policy/training support for under $2,000 per year.
•Staff reported inspection findings and recommended proactive maintenance rather than immediate replacement.
•Supervisor explained that the Gateway TIF is ending and that unpaid obligations will transfer to property owners.
•Supervisors praised Herring's leadership and team.
•Surveyor explained parcel split was to avoid overlapping titles and to deed a strip to the church.
•The second reading was presented as procedural to complete the termination under state code.
Decisions
•Closed session convened.
•Consent agenda approved unanimously.
•Hearing opened and closed with no objections.
•Motion passed to authorize roof repairs and use capital improvement funds.
•Resolution adopted to designate county as HIPAA hybrid and confirm HIPAA officer.
Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing and voted to amend draft ordinance 15129 on data centers, lowering the administrative threshold to 40 acres and requiring special-use review for multistory or larger developments before forwarding the recommendation to city council.
Discussion Points
•Calls to define size classes and consider banning hyperscale facilities.
•Commissioners debated adopting acreage alone versus adding a square‑foot or multistory trigger to capture vertical builds.
•Council adopted a noise‑impact‑study requirement to accompany every data‑center application.
•Legal counsel advised on conflict‑of‑interest principles and recommended options including a motion to reconsider.
•Public alleged notice concerns after the commission amended a motion before public comment.
•Public commenters urged measurement by electrical capacity, community benefit agreements, emergency response plans, and decommissioning plans.
•Public criticized substitution of acreage for electrical metrics and urged documentation/utility verification.
•Requests for community benefit agreements, emergency response and decommissioning plans.
•Requests for utility verification and square‑foot triggers as alternatives to acreage.
•Special‑use projects will be reviewed by the commission and then the Board of Adjustment in a quasi‑judicial process that can add conditions to mitigate neighbor impacts.
•Staff noted verification challenges for electrical load and offered acreage as independently measurable alternative.
•Staff recommended replacing electrical‑load tiers with an acreage threshold (staff provided conversion estimates).
Decisions
•Commission adopted a 40‑acre threshold with multistory special‑use trigger but left technical verification questions open for council/staff.
•Commission approved amendment to 40 acres and voted to send the amended ordinance to City Council.
•Motion to reconsider passed; public hearing resumed on the noticed amendment.
Directions
•Amend draft ordinance to set a 40‑acre threshold and require special‑use review for multistory data centers; forward recommendation to City Council.
•Commission voted to reconsider and returned the item to the originally noticed text.
Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed a city-council‑referred amendment to draft ordinance 15129 on data centers, debated whether to measure scale by acreage or electrical load, settled on recommending a 40‑acre threshold and multistory trigger for special‑use review, and voted to send the recommendation to city council.
Discussion Points
•Commenters asked for community benefit agreements, emergency response plans and decommissioning plans; staff recommended those be considered by council.
•Commissioners argued for lower acreage triggers (30–60 acres) and discussed adding square‑foot triggers or multistory triggers to capture vertical builds.
•Legal counsel explained Iowa code options and documentation for conflicts and advised that reconsideration is possible.
•Public commenters urged retaining electrical or infrastructure metrics and adding community benefit, emergency response and decommissioning plans.
•Public urged retaining electrical‑capacity thresholds and requiring utility verification or documentation.
•Resident asserted notice problem after commission amended motion prior to public comment.
•Staff argued acreage is a verifiable metric the city can measure independently from application materials.
•Staff recommended replacing electrical‑load thresholds with an acreage threshold (staff proposed 80 acres).
•Written comments proposed specific size class definitions and urged banning hyperscale facilities.
Decisions
•Commission passed motion to reconsider and removed earlier amendment from the record; remade and passed a final recommendation.
•Commission voted to recommend 40‑acre threshold and require special‑use permit for multistory data centers; recommendation sent to city council.
Directions
•Attorney to review the proceeding and advise if additional public hearing is legally required.
•Forward public comments on community benefit, emergency response and decommissioning to city council with the commission's recommendation.
•Staff to include the noise‑impact study requirement already adopted by council in transmittal materials.
•Staff to prepare the commission's recommendation and forward to city council.
Marshall County Zoning Commission met Oct. 20 for routine business, recommended a conditional use permit for an unmanned telecommunications facility with reservations about grading and erosion (2–1), and held an extended renewable-energy work session covering setbacks, wildlife mitigation, decommissioning and related technical standards.
Discussion Points
•Acoustic bat monitoring is underway; results will be certified and presented publicly.
•Applicant presented revised site plan, relocated huts and fenced area; neighbors questioned notice and site location; commissioners emphasized need for grading/erosion information and watershed analysis.
•Conservation board is developing a matrix to rate parks and guide setback/waiver decisions.
•How to incorporate FEMA floodplain mapping and US Fish & Wildlife/Iowa DNR guidance for wildlife setbacks.
•Range of nonparticipating‑landowner setbacks (1.1–2.2× height) and whether to adopt 2.2 as default.
•Recertification interval (discussed 5–10 years) and tying adjustments to an index such as COLA.
•Residents reported late or missing mail notices and asked for clearer maps and finished grade plans.
•Residents worried that significant dirt work would cause erosion and off‑site sedimentation into culverts and neighboring fields.
•Staged funding schedule for decommissioning surety (25% prior to ground disturbance; further staged payments and full funding within years).
•Use of independent third‑party cost estimators for decommissioning and road damage.
•Whether to measure setbacks from property line or inhabitable structure.
Decisions
•Commission recommended CUP to Board of Adjustment with reservations about dirt work; residents’ concerns will be part of the record.
•No changes to ordinance finalized; staff to supply mitigation/matrix information for future code language.
•No final numeric setback was adopted; the commission favored further review of 2.2× height for nonparticipating landowners and asked staff to prepare clarified language and a setbacks table.
•No final surety schedule adopted; staff to return clarified thresholds and recertification language.
•Recommendation to Board of Adjustment approved 2–1 with reservations about dirt work/erosion.
Directions
•Conservation staff to finalize matrix and share it with zoning staff; Emily to aim for final processed bat data by early November and a January public presentation.
•County staff to ensure landowner notice within 1,000 feet is sent for next hearings; request grading/finished grade plans from applicant prior to Board of Adjustment review.
•Staff to add explicit schedule for when financial security must be in place (e.g., percent at pre‑construction, additional percentages at 5 and 10 years) and require annual proof of recertification.
•Staff to consult county engineer on handling temporary road improvements and to draft road‑use agreement language that assigns cost responsibility to developers and allows independent cost estimation.
•Staff to prepare a setbacks table with definitional language (property line vs. inhabitable structure) and to compile USFWS and Iowa DNR references for eagle/bat guidance.
•Staff to test FEMA special flood hazard mapping layers for mappability and return example maps to the commission.
•Tyler Kelly to ensure Board of Adjustment notifications are mailed to landowners within 1,000 feet; staff to request finished‑grade and watershed plans from applicant for subsequent review.
The Marshall County Commission of Veterans Affairs is scheduled to meet Nov. 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. to review a Veterans Helped Report with benefit totals and to consider approval of a draft Executive Director job description, along with routine claims and reports.
Discussion Points
•Agenda places continuing discussion and staff direction on a draft Executive Director job description with a motion template to approve the draft.
•Packet contains no salary, classification, hiring timeline, or alternative recruitment options.
•Packet includes 2021 comparison figures: 522 veterans receiving average $1,140 per month totaling $994,349.
•September Stakeholder Report shows 773 veterans receiving monthly VA compensation averaging $1,998.25 and total federal dollars for August of $1,851,195.
Marshall County Zoning Commission met Oct. 30, 2026 to review a conditional use permit for a six‑hut unmanned telecommunications site and to continue a work session on a draft renewable energy ordinance, agreeing on several setback, decommissioning and procedural standards and forwarding the CUP to the Board of Adjustment with reservations about grading and runoff.
Discussion Points
•Applicant moved generator locations and added tree screening; no finished‑grade plan provided yet.
•Baseline avian and bat studies within project boundary and two‑mile perimeter recommended.
•Commission directed drafting of grading and road use forms and third‑party cost estimation.
•Commissioners favored measuring setbacks from property lines rather than structures.
•Conservation buffer remains undecided until a scoring matrix is completed.
•County attorney suggested acceptable setback range of 1.1–2.2.
•Deterrence technology may reduce mortality (industry‑reported ~60%); cost concerns noted.
•Herring has contacted ~20 other directors and is working with an engineering firm.
•Iowa DNR guidance on eagle buffers has changed; FAA mapping not usable for 'Iowa River bottom.'
•Notification letters were late or not received by some neighbors.
•Post‑construction monitoring of three years discussed as common practice.
•Replace vague 'timely manner' language with specific milestone dates.
•Security remains in place upon ownership transfer; 60‑day notice required.
•Site slopes and a nearby ravine raise erosion/runoff concerns.
•Site slopes toward a ravine raising erosion/runoff concerns; a downstream neighbor planned to involve Iowa DNR.
•Staff noted county ordinance does not require grading plan at recommendation stage; Iowa DNR/NRCS handle erosion permits.
•Third‑party cost estimates and periodic re‑estimates discussed.
The Marshall County Zoning Commission was scheduled to consider a conditional use permit for an unmanned telecommunications facility (six modular fiber huts and generators) on Parcel #8318-16-200-004 and to hold a renewable energy work session on Oct. 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in Meeting Room 1 at the Marshall County Courthouse.
Discussion Points
•Application 2026-CUP-6039 seeks conditional use approval for an unmanned telecommunications facility consisting of six modular fiber huts and associated generators in an A-1 zoned area.
Marshalltown City Council met Oct. 26, 2026. Major debate and public comment focused on proposed data-center ordinances, an extension of a temporary moratorium and associated amendments (notably a required noise-impact study); the council also heard the PHA (Section 8) annual review, adopted several ordinance first readings, and reviewed the airport master plan and funding approach.
Discussion Points
•Announcement of retirement date (Nov. 4) and interim director (Katie Fink).
•Clarified measurement method (A‑weighted) and allowed supplemental analyses (C‑weighting/vibration).
•Council asked whether to advertise while capacity is constrained; staff said they are not actively advertising.
•Council questioned procedural timing if first readings and hearings overlap with moratorium expiration.
•Decommissioning the crosswind runway recommended in the long term to prioritize funds.
•Establishes rules for routine vs. permitted generator testing and adds permit fees for specialized review.
•FAA preliminarily supports rehabilitation rather than full reconstruction, reducing local share.
•Program serves ~260 households with ~2‑year waiting list; staff aim to maximize voucher utilization.
•Public comments raised concerns about water use, low‑frequency noise, decommissioning, and community benefits.
•Recognition of 15 years of service and national recognition in 2013.
•Residents argued closed‑loop only; staff said adiabatic is limited and can be constrained via special‑use review and reporting.
•Staff explained the ordinances regulate standards rather than approve a project.
•Approve FY2026 PHA annual review and HUD civil‑rights form submission.
•Closed‑loop only amendment failed; council to revisit technical thresholds.
•Council gave consensus to the master plan and five‑year CIP and directed staff to pursue FAA design funding.
•First reading passed.
•Noise‑study amendment passed; referral to Planning & Zoning passed; other amendments (closed‑loop water requirement, larger buffers) failed.
Directions
•Council did not adopt a blanket ban; large or reclaimed water uses to trigger special review.
•Noise Control office (police) will administer generator testing permits and supplemental analysis.
•Proceed with FAA preliminary engineering and design in FY‑27; use interim local funds and reimburse via GEO bond in later cycle.
•Refer 'hyperscale' definition and acreage thresholds to Planning & Zoning for recommendation.
•Require noise‑impact study with data‑center applications.
•Staff to refine thresholds and reporting and consult Planning & Zoning.
•Staff to update administrative plan and inspection policies to incorporate HOPMA and INSPIRE, and return to council before Jan. 1, 2027 implementation.
The Marshalltown City Council met Oct. 26, 2026, focusing on proposed data center zoning and related ordinances, a debated moratorium extension, housing authority annual review, several water- and noise-related ordinances, and the airport master plan and runway funding.
Discussion Points
•Clarify measurement standards (A‑weighted) while allowing supplemental C‑weighted/vibration analyses when A‑weighting is insufficient.
•Council adoption of a noise‑impact‑study requirement; referral of a hyperscale definition (acreage) to Planning & Zoning for further study.
•Council debated procedural consequences (first reading timing, potential grandfathering of applicants) and whether the moratorium could be extended more than once.
•Discuss enforcement resources and availability of decibel meter and trained staff.
•Engineering recommended rehabilitation of primary runway 13/31 rather than full reconstruction to reduce cost; FAA preliminarily agreed to rehabilitation.
•Establish generator‑testing permits for extended/recurring testing and define emergency exceptions.
•Estimated project costs: ~$10M (rehab) vs ~$16.5M (reconstruction), with local share ~ $1M under rehab scenario.
•Existing wells could be exempted for the current owner but not transfer automatically; council asked staff to clarify the application/exception process and the 60‑day hookup period.
•Extensive public comment raising concerns about noise, water use (adiabatic cooling), decommissioning plans, emergency response and transparency.
•Federal regulatory changes (HOPMA, INSPIRE) require administrative updates and new inspection standards.
•Large turnout from residents offering conflicting views — many asking for extension and additional study, others saying P&Z had opportunities earlier.
•Ordinance 15130 would require connection to the public water system and prevent future private wells when public water is reasonably available.
•Program serves about 260 households with a two‑year waiting list.
•Resident advisory board requested more tenant outreach and clearer inspection guidance.
•Staff explained the moratorium's current end date (11/23/2026) and the ordinance provision allowing one 60‑day extension by resolution.
•Staff overview of data‑center ordinance definitions, overlay, separation and buffer requirements, and utility/water standards (Clayton Ninder).
•Terminal‑area rebuilding after storm damage and phasing for hangar replacement were discussed.
Decisions
•Both ordinances advanced on first reading; no final adoption at this meeting.
•Council approved the FY2026 PHA annual review and authorized HUD form submission.
•Council endorsed the master plan direction and the 5‑year CIP and authorized staff to proceed with preliminary engineering and funding steps.
•First reading advanced; council asked police and staff to prepare enforcement and permit implementation details.
•First reading of Ordinance 15129 advanced with the noise‑study amendment; several other amendments were failed or referred.
•No extension adopted; moratorium remains set to expire on Nov. 23, 2026 absent future council action.
Directions
•Authorized submission of HUD civil‑rights form.
•Bring a formal CIP resolution to council to commit the local share and pursue geobond reimbursement.
•No extension vote taken; sponsor withdrew the motion and council agreed to proceed with ordinance first readings and PNZ follow‑up.
•Proceed with preliminary engineering under FAA program for rehabilitation.
•Refer definition of 'hyperscale' and certain substantive amendment proposals back to Planning & Zoning for recommendation.
•Require a noise/abatement study for data‑center approvals.
•Staff and police will implement permit processes and ensure calibration/measurement protocols are in place before enforcement expansion.
•Staff to return with clarified exception language and consideration of homeowner impacts for second reading.
•Staff will update the administrative plan and inspection policies to reflect HOPMA and INSPIRE and return to council with final proposals before implementation.
Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed changes to data-center zoning rules and a proposed data-center overlay, heard public concerns from nearby landowners and residents, and voted to send two ordinances to city council while recommending against extending the temporary data-center moratorium.
Discussion Points
•No public speakers on this item.
•Public commenter urged extension to allow more study and use of recent publications on data-center impacts.
•Staff advised council retains authority to extend moratorium by resolution for up to 60 days.
•Staff described separation distances (600 ft default; reducible to 300 ft with study) and new buffer types.
•Staff revised overlay boundaries as directed and emphasized the overlay is contingent on council adoption of ordinance 15129.
•Written comment from adjacent landowners raised seven topics of concern including notice and agricultural impacts.
Decisions
•Recommend City Council not extend the temporary moratorium.
•Recommend forwarding ordinance 15133 to City Council for first reading.
•Recommend sending ordinance 15129 to City Council for approval.
Marshall County Board of Supervisors met Oct. 21, 2026 to adopt a veterans proclamation, approve routine consent and transfers, set hearings, terminate a vendor contract, consider TIF termination and ordinance repeal, accept a public-safety grant, approve consulting and engineering work for a pipeline, and hear public comments on absentee voting and a proposed traveling veterans exhibit.
Discussion Points
•Assessor explained statewide litigation and past local removals of tank assessments
•Assessor recommended awaiting Department of Revenue guidance
•Board agreed to acknowledge receipt and take no action
•Board authorized publication and set hearing date/time/location
•Broker North Risk to contact Aware Health
•Chamber representatives described a tentative America's Freedom Tribute exhibit and potential community/tourism benefits
•Contract requires 60-day notice; counsel reviewed letter
•County inspector will monitor private-property impacts and tile disturbances
•County will front equipment cost and seek reimbursement via budget amendment
•Elections staff announced absentee voting hours and extended schedules
•Grant award expanded to $89,610 from initial cap
•Low participation cited as main rationale
•Milo VR described as AI-assisted simulation for de-escalation and after-action reporting
•Motion to transfer $750,000 made and seconded
•Plan to illuminate courthouse clock tower in green
•Project will be roughly 13.3 miles in the county's northeast corner and parallel an earlier pipeline
•Read and adopted proclamation designating Nov. 4–11, 2026 as Operation Green Light for Veterans
•Resolution terminates the urban renewal area; ordinance repeal aligns tax division with termination
•Roll-call vote recorded with all in favor
•Staff stated TIF debt certified for reimbursement has been paid
•Two adjacent landowners signed petition
•Utility will reimburse county for inspection costs
Decisions
•Acknowledgement of claims; no action pending state guidance
The Marshalltown Board of Adjustment tabled a requested special use permit for a telecommunications shelter and three additional generators at 3202 South 6th Street, asking the applicant to provide noise-testing data, enclosure specifications and fuel/storage details before returning for consideration.
Discussion Points
•Board discussed class 1 vs. class 2 enclosures, mufflers and remote monitoring options.
•Business owners reported audible generator testing that disturbed offices and customers.
•Enforcement rests with police department; proposed city ordinance changes would set testing/permitting thresholds.
•Motion to table pending technical documentation.
•Proposed mitigations included level 2 housings, mufflers and remote DB monitoring.
•Staff previewed a generator‑specific noise ordinance amendment and explained how it would narrow testing schedules and clarify exemptions for legitimate outages.
•Staff recommended approval; neighbors raised noise and fuel-storage concerns.
Decisions
•Item tabled
•Item tabled pending applicant data
Directions
•Applicant to provide decibel data and housing specs.
•Applicant to provide equipment unit IDs, housing level, muffler specs and daytime decibel readings.
•Board to consider how the proposed ordinance would apply to the pending special use permit.
•Staff to collect applicant data and schedule item when complete.
•Staff to verify current equipment and report back at next meeting.
Regular Marshalltown Public Library board meeting where trustees heard public comments about board composition, approved the 2027 operating calendar and a revised meeting-room policy, discussed E‑Rate and capital needs, and staff detailed Imagination Library and summer-reading initiatives ahead of a ribbon-cutting for renovated spaces.
Marshall County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 21, 2026 adopted a resolution to terminate the Marshalltown Gateway Centre urban renewal area and approved administrative steps to repeal the related tax-division ordinance, approved several routine financial and contracting items, and authorized a federal grant to purchase a virtual‑reality training system for the sheriff’s office.
Discussion Points
•County inspector will monitor private property work and be reimbursed by Alliant Energy.
•County is in final collection year for the Gateway TIF area near Highways 30 and 330 (Sara Badger).
•Department of Revenue and attorneys to provide guidance on handling these claims.
•Grant period Sept. 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 and County will be reimbursed after initial purchase.
•Insurance broker supports termination; County Attorney reviewed letter.
•Low participation after ~18 months of use (Nan Benson).
•No contracts executed; Board expressed support but made no commitments.
•Project is ~13.3 miles and will increase capacity running parallel to existing pipeline (Paul Geilenfeldt).
•Property tax refund claims involving tanks are a statewide issue due to recent court cases (Blaze Wurr).
•Quarterly transfer amount and mover/second recorded.
•System will be used for scenario-based training and crisis intervention partnerships (Sheriff Joel Phillips).
•Tentative three‑day veterans tribute event described, including displays: Global War on Terror wall and Vietnam wall (Dylan Does, Alex Ferneau).
Decisions
•Accept grant and authorize Drug Task Force Supervisor and Chair to sign.
•Adopt Resolution 2026-0031; first reading of Ordinance No. 39 approved 3-0.
•Approve consulting engineering agreement.
•Approve Fund Transfer #965.
•No county funding or contractual commitments made at this meeting.
•Take no action at this meeting.
•Terminate Aware Health contract effective Dec. 31, 2026.
Directions
•Authorize consulting agreement and provide inspector for project oversight.
•Authorize signatures and accept grant; plan for budget amendment in spring.
•No Board action; await state guidance.
•Proceed with ordinance readings and repeal effective June 30, 2027.
•Staff to continue exploring partnerships and event planning.
•Staff to send termination notice through North Risk and coordinate legal/administrative steps.
The Marshall County Zoning Commission reviewed a conditional use permit request for a six-unit unmanned telecommunications site and held a data-center ordinance work session. Commissioners tabled a recommendation on the permit and asked the applicant for cumulative decibel measurements and potential relocation options; the commission began drafting standards for water, wastewater, setbacks and emergency-service impacts for data centers.
Discussion Points
•Applicant confirmed backup generators are diesel and that fuel is contained within each unit (no separate on-site storage tanks).
•Applicant described hut dimensions, security fencing and low traffic expectations.
•Applicant described six modular fiber huts with diesel backup generators and monthly maintenance visits.
•Applicant stated combined site demand at roughly 1–1.5 MW.
•Commissioners confirmed availability and set Nov. 30 at 9 a.m. for the renewable-energy continuation.
•County lacks large-scale water infrastructure; data centers may need hookups to rural water or wells and regional aquifer studies.
•Emergency-service capacity in rural areas is a concern for large facilities; volunteer fire departments may lack daytime staffing.
•Residents reported noise from existing data/crypto sites and questioned proximity to homes and property-value impacts.
•Staff noted past sound studies and some facilities switching to liquid cooling reducing complaints.
•Staff proposed continuation dates for renewable-energy work and data-center discussion.
•Wastewater treatment and chemical-discharge management require study.
Decisions
•Commission tabled its recommendation to the Board of Adjustment on CUP 2026-CUP-6039.
•Commission to continue drafting ordinance, solicit public input and return with draft language.
•Renewable-energy work session continued to Nov. 30 at 9 a.m.; data-center item to return to a December meeting.
Directions
•Applicant to report on possible alternative siting to increase separation from residences.
•Consider using agricultural land-evaluation score (CSR/LISA) to limit rezoning of high-productivity farmland.
•Staff to confirm dates and circulate meeting details.
•Staff to request cumulative decibel readings and daily operational noise figures from the applicant.
•Staff to research model ordinance language used by other counties and coordinate with the county attorney.
