Month: April 2020

Kinney & Sons are going to start exposing Utilities along the East Side of White St. between Clay Street and Washington Street in Mount Pleasant today.  White St. will not be entirely closed today to traffic. They do ask that drivers try to avoid S. White from the Casey’s East driveway to Clay Street if at all possible. This work could take the rest of this week weather permitting. Henry County Health Center employees and patients should to try to avoid this block of South White.  South White Street will remain open from Clay going south to Yocum Lane. Once the sewer repair is completed the concrete surface will need to be replaced.

Date  Tuesday, April 7, 2020   4:00 PM

Mount Pleasant Community School District:  High School

1.  Call to Order
   2.   Roll Call
   3.   Approval of Agenda
   4.      New Business
   a.      Consideration to Approve Mount Pleasant Community School District Continuous Learning Opportunities
   During COVID-19 Pandemic
   b.      Adjourn

*This Special Session meeting will be held in the Mount Pleasant Community High School Media Center.  In an effort to maintain required social distance guidelines, those interested in attending are encouraged to do so telephonically via Zoom Meeting, using the following phone number and PIN:

   +1 219-316-1202 (PIN: 612483318)

Iowa Assessors recently mailed assessment rolls to any property owner who had changes to their 2020 assessed valuations. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, an official state order gives property owners who disagree with property values additional time to petition their local board of review. Iowa State Association of Assessors President Dixie Saunders recently notified assessors that the deadline to file an assessment appeal has been extended until June 5th. The regular appeal deadline is April 30^th.

The Board of Review is an independent board made up of appointed private citizens who meet for the purpose of hearing protests to assessed values. After reviewing the information provided by the property owner and the assessor’s office, the board acts to either change the assessed value or leave it intact.

Saunders explained, “Current assessed values are effective January 1, 2020. Conditions affecting assessed values after the first of this year will be reflected on the 2021 assessment rolls. Over the coming months, assessors will be monitoring sale prices of properties in their respective jurisdictions. If COVID-19 or other economic conditions affect overall market values, next year’s assessed value will change accordingly.”

Anyone who disagrees with their assessed value has two options available at this time. The first option involves calling the local assessor’s office to request an “Informal Review”.  This year, the deadline is April 27.  The second option is to file a formal appeal with the Board of Review by June 5th. Contact information for assessors and the form titled “Disaster Counties Petition to Local Board of Review” can be accessed at www.Iowa-Assessors.org.

Saunders noted, “While many county offices are closed to the public, most are still effectively conducting business via phone, mail and email. I would encourage people to shelter at home and contact your local assessor with any concerns.”

Monday at about 12 noon a tanker truck owned by LiquiGro of Mount Pleasant and driven by Terry Vance of Mount Pleasant was involved in a rollover accident at the intersection of eastbound Hwy 34 and the southbound on-ramp of Hwy 218.  The driver attempted a right turn onto the ramp and lost control causing the truck to overturn.  Vance was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.  The truck was considered a total loss.

Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing State Public Health Emergency Declaration, ordering additional closures 

DES MOINES – Monday, Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration, ordering additional closures and relaxing additional regulations to support the state’s efforts to combat COVID-19. The proclamation also calls on law enforcement to assist in the enforcement of these mitigation efforts. Gov. Reynolds discussed the new proclamation at her 11:00 a.m. press conference. View that press conference on her Facebook page here.

To encourage further social distancing and mitigation efforts, the proclamation orders additional closures effective at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7th until Thursday, April 30th:

• Malls
• Tobacco or vaping stores
• Toy, gaming, music, instrument, movie, or adult entertainment stores
• Social and fraternal clubs, including those at golf courses
• Bingo halls, bowling alleys, pool halls, arcades, and amusement parks
• Museums, libraries, aquariums, and zoos
• Race tracks and speedway.
• Roller or ice skating rinks and skate parks
• Outdoor or indoor playgrounds or children’s play centers
• Campgrounds

In addition, all unsolicited door-to-door sales are prohibited.

The following establishments and behaviors that are already prohibited:

• Mass gatherings as outlined in the proclamation below
• Restaurants and bars limited to carry out.
• Fitness centers
• Swimming pools
• Salons: All salons, including all establishments providing the services of cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, nail technology, manicuring, and pedicuring, all as defined in Iowa Code § 157.1, shall continue to be closed.
• Medical spas
• Barbershops
• Tattoo establishments
• Tanning facilities
• Massage therapy establishments
• Theaters: All theaters or other performance venues at which live performances or motion pictures are shown shall continue to be closed.
• Casinos and gaming facilities:
• Other nonessential retail establishments outlined in the proclamation: Bookstores; clothing stores; shoe stores; jewelry stores; luggage stores; cosmetic, beauty, or perfume stores; florists; and furniture and home furnishing stores shall continue to be closed. These establishments may still serve the public through online or telephone sales, delivery, or curb-side pick-up. This closure order does not affect other retail establishments, such as discount stores, grocery stores, or pharmacies that sell these goods in addition to other essential food, medical supplies, and household goods.
  Senior citizen centers and adult daycare facilities:  All facilities that conduct adult day services or other senior citizen centers are hereby closed.
• Social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people are hereby prohibited at all locations and venues, including but not limited to parades, festivals, conventions, and fundraisers
• Livestock auctions of food animals with more than 25 people and all other auctions with more than 10 people are prohibited.

2.   Roll Call
3.   Approval of Agenda
4.      New Business
          a.      Consideration to Approve Mount Pleasant Community School District Continuous Learning Opportunities
During COVID-19 Pandemic
b.      Adjourn

*This Special Session meeting will be held in the Mount Pleasant Community High School Media Center.  In an effort to maintain required social distance guidelines, those interested in attending are encouraged to do so telephonically via Zoom Meeting, using the following phone number and PIN:

·                           +1 219-316-1202           (PIN: 612483318)

DES MOINES, Iowa — In a proactive effort to prevent further spread of Covid-19, this morning Governor Reynolds signed a proclamation closing all public campgrounds, cabins and yurts temporarily, as well as all outdoor playgrounds through April 30.

The proclamation goes into effect at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. Those with reservations will be contacted directly by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau.

State Parks, Forests and Preserves remain open during this time for day use opportunities, but visitors are reminded to strictly abide the social distancing rules and not gather in groups. Remember to stay home if you feel sick, wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your face, and bring supplies from home including disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and other hygiene products. All restroom facilities, including pit latrines and port-a-potties, are closed until April 30 as well.

Governor Reynolds’ and the DNR’s top priority is the health and well-being of our visitors, volunteers and staff. Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this time. We appreciate your support of the Department and our state parks as we all work together to keep everyone safe.

These closures will be reevaluated in the future to determine if an extension is necessary.

For more information on State Park closures visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures.For more information on what the Iowa DNR is doing to respond to Covid-19 and what is being impacted, visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/Covid-19.