Author: Hayden Douglas

The Mount Pleasant Ordinance Committee met Tuesday morning, September 9, at City Hall, taking up issues ranging from amplified sound complaints to loitering and panhandling within the city.

Amplified Sound Debate

The first and lengthiest discussion centered on the city’s regulations for amplified sound under Chapter 14-69 of the municipal code.

A resident of 307 West Brace Street addressed the committee with a detailed account of ongoing noise issues in her neighborhood. A mother of a one-year-old, said repeated incidents of loud music from nearby homes have disrupted her family life and made evenings at home difficult.

She noted that current city code prohibits music plainly audible at 100 feet, but pointed out that in Mount Pleasant, the average distance between homes is closer to 56 feet. “That leaves many residents, like myself, unprotected by the ordinance,” she said, urging the city to amend the rule so that amplified music cannot be audible inside neighboring homes.

The resident also provided committee members with examples of similar ordinances adopted in Iowa City, along with research linking noise annoyance to health impacts.

Other residents raised concerns about how changes might affect ordinary activities like lawn mowing, motorcycle maintenance, or teenagers listening to music. Committee members acknowledged the challenge of balancing reasonable neighborhood activity with protections against excessive disruption.

City officials noted that the 100-foot rule was originally aimed at car stereos and motorcycles, not residential homes, and agreed to research alternative approaches before bringing the matter back for further discussion. Any ordinance changes would require multiple readings before adoption.

Loitering and Panhandling Concerns

The committee also discussed growing concerns with loitering and panhandling in the city. Police Chief Lyle Murray reported that while many individuals experiencing homelessness use services at the Fellowship Cup, others decline assistance and instead cause ongoing problems in local business areas.

Murray cited individuals living in vehicles in store parking lots, as well as organized groups who travel to communities specifically to solicit money. “Our taxpayers don’t mind helping people who need help,” he said. “But when people are just here causing problems and not taking advantage of services, it’s no different than a criminal presence.”

Some residents suggested Mount Pleasant consider developing a homeless shelter, but officials noted the complexity of providing staffing, security, and medical resources. Murray stressed that the city does connect people with services when they want help, but said enforcement is limited when individuals refuse assistance.

Committee members said they will continue to review potential ordinance changes with input from the city attorney and neighboring communities.

Next Steps

The committee expects to revisit both amplified sound regulations and panhandling policies within the next month, with additional research and public input before any recommendations are forwarded to the full City Council.

A new program aimed at helping cancer survivors and their caregivers navigate life during and after treatment will soon be available in West Burlington. Survivorship 101, a free nine-week program, begins Tuesday, September 17, and will meet weekly through November 12. Sessions will be held every Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Wellness Plaza’s Indian Room on the West Burlington Campus.

Led by specially trained facilitators, Survivorship 101 provides a safe, supportive environment for participants to connect with others who understand the cancer journey.

The program focuses on five key areas of support:

• Emotional Support – Sharing experiences with peers who face similar challenges can help reduce isolation and loneliness.

• Practical Guidance – Learn coping strategies, treatment recommendations, and tips for managing side effects and daily life.

• Information Sharing – Gain evidence-based advice on nutrition, exercise, intimacy, and reducing anxiety.

• Perspective and Hope – Hear stories and insights from others who have overcome similar challenges.

• Community Building – Build lasting connections with a supportive network of survivors and caregivers.

Anyone interested in participating can reserve a spot by calling the Survivorship Program Coordinator at 319-768-4248.

The Mount Pleasant Personnel & Finance Committee will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will take place in the City Administrator’s Conference Room at City Hall.

The agenda includes several key items of discussion, beginning with construction project bids for the Second Baptist Church. Committee members will also review the release of a non-sufficient funds (NSF) check and consider needed repairs to a Public Works backhoe.

In addition, the committee will discuss upgrades to city computers used in Public Works and the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). An open forum will be available for public input before the meeting concludes with adjournment.

The meeting is open to the public.

The Mount Pleasant Ordinance Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The session will take place in the City Administrators’ Conference Room at City Hall.

The agenda includes discussion of regulations regarding amplified sound under Chapter 14-69, ongoing nuisance issues, and the city’s loitering and panhandling ordinance. Following these items, the committee will open the floor for public comment during the Open Forum portion of the meeting.

The meeting is open to the public.

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office has ruled that a Des Moines County sheriff’s deputy was legally justified in the fatal shooting of David Leonard Maupin during a domestic disturbance on August 5.

The decision, announced Monday, follows an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Deputies were called at 9:09 p.m. to a rural Burlington home after a woman reported that her boyfriend, Maupin, was intoxicated, destroying property, and had displayed a shotgun in front of her and her 3-year-old child.

Deputy Brett Haubrich responded and found Maupin in a detached garage. Investigators said Maupin threatened to shoot the deputy, retreated inside, and then reemerged with a rifle. Maupin ordered Haubrich to leave, advanced toward him, and ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon. When Maupin allegedly raised the rifle toward the deputy, Haubrich fired, killing him.

A fully loaded Ruger .22 caliber rifle with a round in the chamber was recovered at the scene, along with two other rifles, two shotguns, and numerous beer cans. An autopsy determined Maupin’s blood-alcohol concentration was .30, more than three times the legal limit.

The Attorney General’s Office said Haubrich acted lawfully in response to an immediate and life-threatening danger.

 Washington County 4-H would like to recognize volunteers who have had a large impact on 4-H this year and in the past.  These adult awards will be presented at the 4-H Award Celebration on November 2.

Five awards will be given out: Friend of 4-H, Partner in 4-H, 4-H Volunteer of the Year, 4-H Alumni, and 4-H Family of the Year. 

Nominations for these awards can come from anyone in Washington County or a part of the 4-H program; this includes those involved in 4-H or others who simply have witnessed the volunteer in action.  For descriptions of these awards and nomination forms visit https://tinyurl.com/washcoadultawards visit the Extension Office.

Nominations are due to the Washington County Extension Office by October 1.