Mt. Pleasant to Host Preserve Iowa Summit – Register Here!

Registration is open for the Preserve Iowa Summit to be held in Mount Pleasant on June 6-8, 2024!

Some highlights of the Preserve Iowa Summit in Mount Pleasant:

– pre-conference mixer on Wed June 5 from 6-8 at East Grove Farms – a farm in the Garretson family since 1837.

– Thursday June 6 is packed with numerous events – info and training sessions by SHPO and a historic windows seminar in morning, keynote address by Brent Leggs from the National Trust, preservation awards, evening reception in the historic and restored three-story Union Block, and highlights from the downtown Mt Pleasant survey project

– Friday June 7 is filled with four educational sessions and tours that span for the full day and the evening is capped off with a dinner on the grounds of Midwest Old Threshers, with its many attractions to be open for attendees

– Saturday June 8 is a series of speakers in a longer session directed to all conference attendees including historic preservation commissions and others interested in history and historic preservation in a community, with lunch and walking tour of downtown Mount Pleasant included.

The Preserve Iowa Summit is the state’s premier conference for professionals and volunteers involved in historic preservation. Through expert presentations, workshops and tours, participants will learn new ways to preserve Iowa’s past for the future. The 2024 summit will take place in Mount Pleasant located in southeastern Iowa.

The link to register:

https://web.cvent.com/event/7EE18B8E-54A2-4EA1-99CF-5745BCFFB862/summary?fbclid=IwAR2dfUYZrEV7uwFZwx7a1_sUmeCCLh7UQPkuUNnVyXILQKCgJCtCtAuz1mo_aem_AWrqSx_lr2IKkRCP-qgeqcVc2DkC7rYJ9PrRa2P6dFYG4JI28AzwA95B2vC-O2ja7s6MM21njF4IhYpugTcZ8z4v

Fuel Prices Rise Again – Weekly Fuel Report

2 cents is the difference between a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline between last week and now, as prices continue to rise. This price of $3.33 is now 16 cents higher than this time last year, but 21 cents cheaper than the national average.

Diesel prices shrunk by a penny, now sitting at $3.78 across the state, which is 7 cents cheaper than a year ago. The national average is $4.05, which is 27 cents higher than in Iowa.

Propane prices averaged $1.58 per gallon statewide and home heating oil prices saw no change, still at $3.20.

Natural gas prices rose 2 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $1.72/MMbtu.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

Ronald Menke

Ronald Maurice Menke, 65, of the Kensington in Fort Madison, passed away at 8:12 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the Kensington.

 

He was born on  September 17, 1958, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Lawrence John and Eleanor Jane (Reed) Menke.

 

Survivors include his mother: Eleanor; four brothers: Dale (Sharon) Menke, Ray (Sue) Menke, Jake (Laura) Menke and Phil (Sharon) Menke; one sister: Karen (Bob) Hill; nephews: Tony Menke, Scott Menke, Nate Menke, Ben Menke and Brandon Menke; two nieces: Jessica and Amber Hill, Megan (Alex) Magner and Jennifer (Trevor) Hope; one step nephew: Brandon Fields; great nieces and nephews: Gabe and Sam Menke, Lyla and Logan Hope and Ada Magner. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles and cousins.

 

He was preceded in death by his father: Lawrence and brother: Kurt Menke.

 

Ron was a graduate of Marquette High School and Lincoln Tech. He worked as a mechanic at the Montgomery Ward Auto Department, Churchill Trucking, Menke Corp and the Wal-Mart Warehouse.

 

The family will meet with friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2024, at  Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point.

 

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point with Fr Dan Dorau officiating.

 

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in West Point.

 

Memorials may be made to the Kensington or the Fort Madison Food Pantry.

 

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com

 

 

Craig Manning

Craig Allan Manning, 69, of Brighton, passed away Monday, March 25, 2024 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. with visitation for family and friends from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 29, 2024, at Hope Lutheran Church in Germanville with Pastor Ryan Dexter officiating.  Cremation will follow the service with inurnment at a later date at Hope Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family for a memorial to be designated.

Craig was born September 2, 1954, in Fairfield, the son of Kenneth and Donna (Snider) Manning.  He married Mary Schantz, September 11, 1982, at Hope Lutheran Church. She preceded him in death July 4, 2022.

Craig was a farmer and worked as a CNC machinist. He also worked in construction, and hauling gravel.

Craig played fastpitch softball for many years. He coached little league teams when his daughters were young and enjoyed his meeting with his group of friends for breakfast. Craig loved spending time with his granddaughters.

Those left to honor his memory include his daughters, Emily Manning (Patrick Ives) and Amber Manning, both of Fairfield; two granddaughters, Harper and Lydia Ives; sister, Marlis (John Hamilton) Wagner of Des Moines; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter, Elizabeth Manning.

Online condolences may be made to Craig’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.

Mt. Pleasant City Council Meeting Agenda 03/27

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Adjourned Session on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second-floor meeting room at 5:00 p.m.

AGENDA

  1. Roll Call.
  2. Approve agenda.
  3. New Business-
    1. 5:00 p.m. Public Hearing on City of Mount Pleasant 2024/2025 maximum property tax dollars.
    2. Approve 2024/2025 maximum property tax dollars.
  4. Public Forum.
  5. Adjourn to meet in regular session on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.

 

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second-floor meeting room at 5:30 p.m.

AGENDA

  1. Roll Call.
  2. Consent Agenda: To the Public — All items with an asterisk (*) are routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and a roll call of the Councilmembers. There will be no separate discussion of items unless the Mayor, a Councilmember or citizen so request, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
  3. Receive & file communications – City has received the FYE23 Audit.
  4. Approve agenda.

*5. Approve minutes of previous meetings.

*6. Approve payment of bills.

*7. Receive report of Officers.

  1. Old Business-
    1. 5:30 p.m. Public Hearing on dangerous animal.
    2. Resolution to affirm, modify or reverse dangerous animal.
    3. Resolution to affirm, modify or reverse dangerous animal.
    4. 5:30 p.m. Public Hearing on proposed plans and specs for McCoy Street & Monroe Street.
    5. Resolution to approve plans and specs on file for Mccoy Street & Monroe Street Reconstruction Project.
    6. 5:30 p.m. Public Hearing to vacate easements Wolcott’s and Clarke’s Additions.
    7. Resolution vacating easements Walcott’s and Clarke’s Additions.

 

  1. 3rd reading of Ordinance amending Chapter 25 Municipal Fees and Charges,

Section 25-3 (b) Equipment Charges Per Hour of the City Code of Ordinances.

  1. Renewal of a Special Class B Retail Alcohol License for Mt. Pleasant Redemption Center located at 1001 North Broadway Street.
  1. New Business-
    1. Approve FYE25 Health Insurance Renewal.
    2. Resolution setting Public Hearing to vacate alley at 800 W Washington Street, Lee’s Addition Block 6.
    3. Set date for a Public Hearing on proposed FYE25 Budget.
    4. Approve resignation of Councilperson Jeff Batty.
  2. Public Forum.

I l. Adjourn to meet in regular session on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.

Belle Center Told “No” By Building and Zoning, Board of Adjustment, Now in City Council’s Hands

A public hearing was held on Tuesday evening to discuss an application submitted by the Board of the Belle Center to occupy said building for multiple uses, such as an event space, business incubator, and co-working space.

The vision for the proposed use was read, in which they want to provide an entrepreneur advancement space. They would like to promote small business growth by allowing start-ups a place to grow, as some small businesses do not have the funds available for real estate.

Mt. Pleasant Building and Zoning Administrator, Jack Swarm, addressed the room. He stated that the purpose of the Belle Center is needed, however, it does not suit the district it is currently zoned in, R3. According to Swarm, the proposed use for the Belle Center means it belongs in the business district, B1. If the use was 100% for philanthropic and educational purposes, then R3 would be appropriate.

Currently, the Belle Center does not house any for profit businesses, however, it does not line up neatly with the zoning ordinance. As a result of this, it was Swarm’s recommendation that this matter be placed before the City Council.

Board Chair, Patricia File, made the comment that the board does not want to go down the road of “spot” zoning.

The Board of Adjustment denied the request to allow occupancy at the Belle Center for the uses listed, after the Building and Zoning Administrator said that the uses are not permitted in the R-3 Multiple Family Dwelling District.

Fort Madison Meeting for Study Abroad Tour of Central Europe and Holocaust This Evening

Fort Madison Community School District is offering the opportunity for students to learn through a trip in 2026.

If you currently have an 8th, 9th, or 10th grade student enrolled at FMHS or FMMS, they could be eligible for the Study Abroad Tour of Central Europe & the Holocaust during Spring Break of 2026. You are invited to FMHS Library on Wednesday, March 27 at 5:15PM for a Student/Parent Meeting to get more details.

Please be sure to RSVP & register for this info session to be considered for this opportunity, as there are a limited number of spots available: https://bit.ly/3THakyU