Utilities Board Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 at 9:46 am CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT MUNICIPAL UTILITIES Board of Trustees: Regular Meeting
1:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022
City Hall Council Chamber Room located at 307 E. Monroe St.

AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER.
A. Roll call.
B. Approval of Agenda.
II. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING.
A. Regular Board Meeting – October 18, 2022 – Approval.
B. Special Board Meeting – November 4, 2022 – Approval.
III. FINANCIAL.
A. Approval of Warrants.
B. Treasurer’s Report – Nate Lucas.
C. Transfer of Funds.
D. Resolution No. 2022-16: Resolution for a salary increase to Shawna Sammons following the 120-day
probationary period as the Administrative Assistant/Board Clerk – Approval.
IV. LEGAL COUNSEL.
A. Attorney – Timothy J. Whipple & Brad Beaman (Ahlers & Cooney P.C.).
1.

V. OPERATIONS.
A. Management – Nate Lucas, General Manager.
1. Cedar Lane Well #7 and Water Distribution System Project – Update & Approval
a) Board review of the associated Bid Package #1 (Well Drilling) work.
b) Board review and approval of Change Order #4
c) Board review of the associated Bid Package #2 (Well Equipping) work.
2. E. Henry Street Water Main Replacement Project – Update.
a) Board review of the associated water main / service replacement work.
3. Adams Street Substation 15 kV Sheltered Aisle Switchgear Replacement Project – Update.
a) Board review of the associated Adams Street Substation 15 kV Sheltered Aisle Switchgear
Replacement Project work.
4. Transmission System Power Supply Project – Update.
a) Status update of the associated 69 kV transmission system power supply work.
5. Monthly Activities.
B. Customers.
1.
C. Employees.
1.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS.
A. Other Business, Unscheduled for Consideration by Board of Trustees.
1. Executive Session – Personnel & Legal.
a) (Executive Session pursuant to Section 21.5(1)(c) of the Code of Iowa for
legal purposes).
VII. ADJOURNMENT.
Next Regular Board Meeting: 1:00 p.m. Tuesday December 20th, 202

Jerald W. “Jerry” Graber

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 at 9:25 am CDT

Jerald W. “Jerry” Graber, 77, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 4:00 a.m. Sunday, November 20, 2022, at his home.

Born on August 8, 1945, in rural Donnellson, the son of Jacob and Juanita (Jump) Graber. On March 23, 1968, he married Janet Kramer in West Point, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife; five children: Julie Graber of San Diego, California, Jason (Stacy) Graber of Donnellson, Iowa, Janelle Graber of Galveston, Texas, Jessica (Shane Massey) Graber of Galveston, Texas, Jacob (Dena Martin) Graber of Iowa City, Iowa; five grandchildren: Nicholas Warren, Madison, Lauren and Sydney Graber, Jeriana “Jeri” Graber; seven siblings: Janet (Gary) Haeffner, Alan Graber, Barbara Graber, Martin (Coni) Graber, Pat Dodson, Howard Graber and Jeffrey (Gayle) Graber. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Frank.

Jerry was a 1964 graduate from Central Lee High School and a lifelong farmer and entrepreneur in the Donnellson, Iowa area.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, November 22, 2022, where the family will meet with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson.

A private graveside service will be held Wednesday, November 23, 2022 in Donnell Cemetery in Donnellson.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Spencer “Littleman” Lee Goemaat

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 at 6:13 am CDT

Spencer “Littleman” Lee Goemaat, age 18 of Birmingham, passed away, Saturday, November 19,2022 at his home.

Spencer was born in Keosauqua on October 20, 2004, to Suzanne Goemaat and Dale Davis.

Spencer lived his life in Van Buren County. He attended Elementary in Douds Iowa. He then continued to Junior High and High School in Keosauqua where he was currently a senior.

 

Spencer AKA” Littleman” was most definitely a perfect example for the definition of pure happiness, joy, and love. Even though Spencer spoke no words, if you knew him, then you knew his smile said more than any words ever could! Littleman’s Charming, flirty, and loving smile and personality was quite contagious to everyone and could light up anyone’s day. Spencer was in 4-H club and really enjoyed showing his pet rabbit Molly With a Little Help from his big sister Sydney. Molly was so special and would sit patiently on his lap for hours at a time while he would pet her they shared 9 years of trust and happiness with each other.

 

Spencer taught others how to be patient, kind, and that it’s okay to have different abilities. That you can be happy every day and share a smile with someone when you’re cruising along in your wheelchair. Spencer went to Camp Courageous from kindergarten year up to 2020 when pandemic hit and no one could go he had the time of his life with his friends and met many new ones. Spencer was a go-getter, ziplining through the trees, Rock climbing, and his favorite swimming. He loved to kick his legs and splash that water all over while he was still smiling. He loved music, Veggie Tales were his favorite. He would sing along in his own words. Bedtime songs with Mama and sister were his favorite!.

 

Spencer adored his big sister Sydney and she was a big help with him with activities at the fair showing his Champion pigs and his rabbit molly. Spencer loved going shopping as long as Sydney was pushing him a bit too fast down the aisles. Could hear his Giggles throughout the store. Spencer also enjoyed going to Papa and Grandma’s house and eating grandma’s chocolate pudding cake with Cool Whip and her biscuits and gravy. And he loved watching his favorite videos Curious George or Elmo and Clifford whatever he wanted cuz it was at Papa Dean and Grandma Diana’s house.

 

Spencer loved his mama so much and loved when she would sing to him and dance around with him. His squeals of joy and wide smile when he’d see her said all the words he couldn’t say but she knew how much he loved her.

 Even though Spencer’s life here was way too short, it’s safe to say he loved his life, his family, his friends, and special pets and even shared his happiness with strangers with his smile that everyone will greatly miss.

Spencer was preceded in death by his Grandpa, Gary “Goose” Countryman and his great-grandparents, Boss and Ella Goemaat and Harold and Juanita Dickinson.

 

Left to honor his memory is his loving mom, Suzanne of Birmingham, and dad, Dale of Kansas. One sister Sydney(Blaten) Kennedy of Salem; Grandparents, Dean and Diana Goemaat of Birmingham; Karen and Dave Louth of Birmingham; many cousins, ants, uncles, teachers, and staff. All the students were his friends and his classmates of 2023 all were outstanding friends and he loves them all so much. Also surviving is Spencer’s “partner in crime” his best friend and amazing caretaker of him at school, Mr Terry Jester. They shared a bond that no one else did and Spencer loved him so very much!

 

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 25, 2022, at Pedrick Funeral Home in keosauqua. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 5:00 after the service on Friday. Memorials can be made out to Van Buren County Community Music Boosters and left at the funeral home or mailed to Suzanne Goemaat at 14105 Ivory Ave.

Birmingham, IA.52535

Mount Pleasant Water Shut-Off

By Theresa Rose · Monday, November 21st, 2022 at 4:07 pm CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Municipal Utilities will have a water shut-off for a valve replacement that will affect Goodyear Road, extending from 34W (235th St.) to the railroad tracks. The water will also be shut off on W. Highland Ln. and N. Highland Cir.

The shut down will occur on Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 2:00 p.m.

The Utilities regrets any inconvenience that this service interruption may cause. For questions or additional details, please call 319-385-2121.

Water Shut Off in Lockridge

By Theresa Rose · Monday, November 21st, 2022 at 10:55 am CDT

The City Office in Lockridge anticipates the water being shut-off Tuesday, November 22. At some point that morning a contractor will shut off the water for about 4 hours to work on a water line.

Vehicle Breakdown Leads to OWI Arrest

By Theresa Rose · Monday, November 21st, 2022 at 10:50 am CDT

On November 19, 2022, at approximately 4:42AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a motorist that he observed an S.U.V. in the 2000 Grid of U.S. Highway 218 north of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and that a person in the vehicle was waiving down motorists for possible help. After locating and speaking with the male subject in the vehicle, it was found that Joel Allen Wallace (67 years of age) of Lone Tree, Iowa, was driving northbound on U.S. Highway 218 when his vehicle broke down. During the course of the interaction with Joel, it was determined that Joel had been operating his motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Joel was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the Henry County Jail without incident where he was later charged with Operating While Under the Influence First Offense, a Serious Misdemeanor.

Elizabeth A. “Betty” Long

By Theresa Rose · Friday, November 18th, 2022 at 4:20 pm CDT

Elizabeth A. “Betty” Long, 92, of Burlington and formerly of Lockridge, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant with Rev. Dean Graber officiating.  Burial will follow in the Center Cemetery rural Wayland.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the Murphy Funeral Home where the family will be present from 4 to 7 p.m. that evening.  A memorial has been established in her memory.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for her arrangements.

 

Auditor Shelly Barber conducts post-election audit in Henry County to ensure integrity of the vote

By Theresa Rose · Friday, November 18th, 2022 at 3:07 pm CDT

Henry County Auditor Shelly Barber conducted a successful post-election audit of two races in the November election on November 18, 2022. Ballots in the Precinct 3 were hand counted by election workers to ensure they matched the totals reported by the ballot tabulator. The precinct was randomly selected by the Secretary of State following Election Day. The gubernatorial race and constitutional amendment ballot measure were audited. The results matched 100%.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate added another layer of protection to Iowa’s electoral process this year by expanding post-election audits to include the statewide constitutional amendment question. All 99 counties are required to conduct a hand-count audit of two races following the November 2022 general election. In previous elections, they audited only the gubernatorial or presidential race.

Auditor Shelly Barber would like to thank all the Precinct Election Officials who worked so hard to help this election go very well and most of all her staff who worked many long hard hours to have everything done according to the Code of Iowa.

“I’d like to thank the county auditors and our more than 10,000 election officials and poll workers across the state for their hard work this year,” Secretary Pate said. “We conducted another fair, secure election in Iowa and these hand count audits are one more way we ensure the integrity of the vote.”

Every ballot tabulator in Iowa undergoes a public pre-election audit to ensure it will count votes accurately on Election Day. Post-election audits are mandatory in all 99 counties following each election.

For more information about election security in Iowa, visit the Secretary of State’s website at sos.iowa.gov. Information about casting your ballot is available at VoterReady.Iowa.gov.