Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Friday, February 11th, 2022 at 3:20 pm CDT

AGENDA

 

February 15, 2022

 

Approve Agenda

 

Approve Minutes

 

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

 

9:15 Appoint New Member to Board of Health

 

9:30 Resolution Fixing Date for Public Hearing to

Authorize Loan Agreement for General Capital Loan Notes

Not to Exceed $125,000

 

Resolution Fixing Date for Public Hearing to

Authorize Loan Agreement for General Capital Loan Notes

Not to Exceed $100,000

 

Resolution Fixing Date for Public Hearing to

Authorize Loan Agreement for General Capital Loan Notes

Not to Exceed $375,000

 

Open Bids for Waste Dumpsters for County Locations

 

Approve 3 Inter-Fund Transfer Resolutions

 

Approve Resolution for CC Closure Fund Amount

 

Other County Business as time allows

 

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Daily Jail Count

By Theresa Rose · Friday, February 11th, 2022 at 3:18 pm CDT

In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.

Date:   ____02-11-2022_____

 

JAIL COUNT

 

  23_    Henry County Inmates

 

  52_     Out of County Contract Inmates              

 

  75 _    TOTAL

 

Armed Robbery in Burlington

By Theresa Rose · Friday, February 11th, 2022 at 1:00 pm CDT

Early Thursday morning area law enforcement, including Henry County Sheriff’s deputies and Mount Pleasant Police, were involved in the apprehension of four individuals involved in a robbery at a Burlington Bar.

At about 1 am February 10th Burlington police officers were called to The Outpost Bar & Grill, 2505 Mt. Pleasant Street to investigate a reported burglary.

Apparently, at least two individuals entered the business armed with handguns. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the register. Personal property was also taken from patrons and an employee.

The suspects vehicle was located near Mt. Pleasant and Roosevelt Avenue but the driver refused to stop and instead continued to speed over 100 mph until it was stopped with stop sticks in the 3100 block of County Road 79.

The four occupants of the vehicle attempted to flee on foot and two juveniles were detained. The other two were arrested later by the Lee County Sheriff’s deputies near Denmark. 18-year-old Noah Christopher Scott and 22 Samuel-Evon Christopher Robert McCoy, as well as two unidentified juveniles, all of Keokuk, are charged with multiple counts of First Degree Robbery, and Conspiracy to Commit a Forcible felony. No injuries were reported and two firearms were seized.

WACO Conditions of Learning Survey

By Theresa Rose · Friday, February 11th, 2022 at 12:45 pm CDT

Ken Crawford, Superintendent, WACO Schools-

WACO Schools has a lot of unique opportunities for students and staff members.  WACO is one of the few schools in the state doing a four day a week schedule.  There are several benefits to this schedule but one that is becoming clear is the impact it is having on culture.

Every year, students have to do a lot of surveys.  One survey done every April is called Conditions of Learning.  The state asks students a lot of questions on what they think about Student to Adult relationships, their physical safety, emotional safety, and Student to Student relationships.  WACO’s relationship numbers are outstanding.

In the secondary building, grades 6-12, there were several questions asked about Adult to Student relationships.  93% of the students agree that adults in the building treat students with respect.  93% of the students also say they know a teacher cares about them.  If a student needs a teacher to go to for help, 95% of the students said they agreed they had someone to talk to.  Those answers are based on 163 responses.  When these answers are all over 90% – the culture in the district is outstanding.

When the secondary students were asked about Student to Student relationships, 93% of the students felt they had a friend to talk to about a problem.  When asked about a new student to the building, 93% of the students say they try to make them feel welcome.  When asked if they have a friend to eat lunch with over 98% of the students responded that they did.  Again, welcoming new students to our district and having a friend to help them is another sign of a great culture.

The elementary school had 86 responses for the Conditions of Learning survey.  When asked if they felt teachers cared about them, they responded with a 98% yes.  97% of the students felt teachers treated them with respect while 98% of the students felt they treated adults with respect.  When asked about having a friend to play with on the playground, 100% of the students said they had a friend to play with.  When asked if the students felt they welcomed new students to the school, again, 100% of the students felt they did welcome new students.

As WACO continues to grow, the Conditions of Learning survey also shows a culture of welcoming new students and treating adults with respect while receiving it back from teachers.  Small schools can offer a chance to participate in multiple activities but it is also a warm environment for students to grow, learn, and be active.  These results prove culture does matter and that WACO is heading in the right direction as a district.

 

Bob Lindell

By Theresa Rose · Friday, February 11th, 2022 at 12:15 pm CDT

Bob Lindell, formerly of New London, went to his eternal home on February 9, 2022. He passed peacefully at Sunrise Terrace in Winfield where both he and his wife Naomi received exceptional care.
Bob was born in Winfield on November 14, 1929, to his proud parents, Lloyd and Nelle Lindell. Bob has one sister Beverly and brother-in-law Jack, who reside in Roswell, New Mexico. He leaves behind one son Tom and wife Holly, who reside in Brookfield, WI and one daughter Karen and husband Jon Hixon in Storm Lake, Iowa. He enjoyed five grandchildren; Elizabeth Hixon of Denver, Colorado, Alison Hixon of Sante Fe, New Mexico, Sara Hixon of Eugene, Oregon, Adam and Erin Lindell of Brookfield, Wisconsin, and Evan and Kayla Lindell of Pewaukee, Wisconsin; and five great-grandchildren.
Bob graduated from Winfield High School in 1948 and joined the Navy in 1949. He served in Alaska keeping an eye on the Ruskies. While on leave he became engaged to the love of his life, Naomi Maxwell (May 19,1931 to January 16, 2021) on October 16, 1951. Bob was discharged from the Navy on March 27, 1952, and married Naomi on June 1, 1952. After a one-week honeymoon in Niagara Falls Bob joined his father’s insurance agency.
Bob continued to work but decided to attend Iowa Wesleyan College. Their first child Tom was born on Bob’s first day of college, September 10, 1953. Bob graduated in June 1956. Their second child, Karen, was born on May 31, 1957.
Bob loved Winfield and was one of its strongest supporters. He was one of a few individuals who worked to develop Twin Lakes Recreational Center in the late ‘60’s and served as its first President. He also served as Scoutmaster for Troop 21 in Winfield for over 15 years. Each year the troop would enjoy a week at Camp Eastman near Nauvoo, IL. There were 51 boys who attended one-year, dwarfing the participants from other large towns. Bob also led four expeditions to Philmont Scout Ranch in NE New Mexico; two trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe area; took two groups to the National Jamborees in Valley Forge and Colorado Springs in addition to regular local campouts. He earned Scouting’s highest civilian award, the Silver Beaver. Bob always said he got more out of Scouting than he gave, but there are a lot of Winfield boys and now men who are most appreciative of his investment of time and leadership.
Bob sold his insurance agency in Winfield in 1977 although he continued in the insurance business in Ames and then in West Point at the Fullenkamp Agency. While at Fullenkamp, Bob & Naomi moved to New London where they lived for 35 years. Mom and Dad loved the folks in Winfield, and they loved the New London neighbors and friends. Bob and Naomi were members of the New London Methodist Church and Deerwood golf club where he truly enjoyed life.
Despite Bob’s success as a businessman and community leader, many will remember him for his sense of humor and love of pranking family, friends and even complete strangers. There will be many recollections of spook-rides, ghost stories around the campfire, pranks on the golf course and beyond upon learning of his passing. These experiences have indeed weaved color into his rich fabric of life.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 12 at Elliott Chapel, New London. Pastor David Mixon will officiate. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM with the family receiving friends one hour prior to the service. Masks are welcome. There will be a private interment for family in the Winfield Scott Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a memorial to Sunrise Terrace, the New London United Methodist Church and Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com

Martha L. Lee

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, February 10th, 2022 at 4:37 pm CDT

Martha L. Lee, 69, of Mount Pleasant, died Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at the Henry County Health Center.

Martha was born September 30, 1952, in Mount Pleasant, the daughter of Don and Eleanor (Hannum) Newman. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School. Martha married Brad Lee and they later divorced. She worked at Motorola as a machine operator. In her younger years, Martha was involved in weight lifting and arm wrestling. She loved dogs, animals, children, bowling, and renovating rental properties.

Martha is survived by daughter Christine Love; a granddaughter; two brothers Richard (Kathryn) Newman, Robert (Shelia) Newman; a sister Phyllis Davis; a sister-in-law Janice Newman; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Amanda Lee, brother Steve Newman, sister Trudi McGuire, and nephew Byron “Chip” McGuire.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Thursday, February 17, 2022 at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel with a time of sharing beginning at 5:00 pm. Burial will be at a later date in the Richwoods Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the Richwoods Cemetery. www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Former Officer Asks to be Reinstated

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, February 10th, 2022 at 4:32 pm CDT

A former Mount Pleasant police officer will have to wait to find out whether or not he will get his job back.  Wednesday night the Mount Pleasant City Council tabled a decision on a request by Steve Dykstra to be reinstated after he was terminated by Police Chief Lyle Murray.  Dykstra asked to appear in public before the council to appeal his termination.  He said in his statement that he felt it was necessary to share information about himself and the incident that led to his firing.  Dykstra was let go after a complaint was filed with the Chief by a Fairfield resident.  In his appeal to the Council, Dykstra refuted the individual’s account of his visit to her home in search of his daughter back in December.

In other news from the City Council meeting…

The Mount Pleasant City Council approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of $2,000,000 in general obligation bonds. This decision will allow for necessary funds for street repairs in fiscal year  23/24 without having to raise taxes.

The Council approved the Mayor’s recommendation to appoint Brent Schrader to the Planning and Zoning Commission to serve out the term of Terry McNair who recently passed away.  Schrader has been serving on the City Board of Adjustment. His spot on that board will now have to be filled. On the recommendation of Fire Chief Drew Schumacher the council approved the appointment of Brady Bass to the firefighter reserve unit.

From the Street Committee Meeting

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, February 10th, 2022 at 4:31 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant Street Department is requesting no parking restrictions on Pearl Street. Director Rick Mullin brought the request to the City Council Street Committee meeting Wednesday. He said there is already a section that is no parking except for loading and unloading in front of the Iowa Wesleyan University mens’ dorm.  However, he said there are vehicles parked all along the south side of the street up and down that block.  This is creating a problem for snow plowing to the point where crews are no longer plowing the street at all. There is also a problem with traffic flow and accessibility.  The committee agreed to recommend the no parking restrictions to the full council.  The Street committee also discussed intersections where parking blocks visibility for example at White and Monroe Streets and at Jackson and Monroe. City Administrator Brent Schleisman asked the council members to drive the problem areas and he will get a police report on numbers of crashes at the various intersections.

School Supt John Henriksen attended the meeting to talk about paving the property the school district purchased from the city on Lincoln Street east of the Middle School. The lot is not square and the right away of way is unusually wide. Approximately 15 parking spaces could be lost because of this.  The Supt is requesting a permanent easement for parking, sidewalks and access.