May 13 is the date set for a public hearing on for three bid packages making up the Cedar Lane well and water distribution project. The Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Board will hold the hearing during it’s 1 pm meeting that day. The project is broken up into three parts to keep cost down. The entire cost of this phase of this project to create a new well for the city is estimated at about 3 million dollars. A third of that is coming from an Economic Development Administration grant. At a meeting Tuesday the Utilities Board of Trustees reviewed the bid packages covering well drilling, well equipping and the raw water main. The board passed resolutions giving tentative approval to the proposed plans, specs, form of contract and estimated cost for each bid package.
New London School District Needs More Space
The New London School Board is in the early stages of conversation and planning regarding the need for more classroom space. The district has experienced an increase in the size of the kindergarten class for three years in a row. If this trend continues more classroom space will be needed. The Board heard presentations from two architectural firms this week. A possible plan would be to turn the elementary gym space into classrooms and construct a new large gym that could also be used by the community. Superintendent Chad Wahls said there will be future opportunities for community input before any plan is decided on.
Bank Stabilization Contract Awarded
The Henry County Supervisors approved a resolution awarding the contract for the 320th Street riverbank stabilization project to Four Season Excavation of West Burlington in the amount of $219,910. That decision was made at the board meeting this week. The board also heard a presentation on a new jobs project at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility. Warden Jay Nelson was there along with Dan Clark with Iowa Prison Industries and Winegard VP of Human Resources Denise Johnson. Winegard is currently having certain production work done at the prison. Johnson said the company is having trouble hiring. IPI is working with Iowa Workforce Development to find ways to help employers meet hiring needs. Clark said the inmates are trained in lean manufacturing, industrial safety and skills need to enter the workforce on release in 6 to 12 months. They also receive a liveable wage of which the inmate keeps 20%. The rest is used to pay restitution, fees and taxes owned by the prisoner.
County Leaders to Meet
The Henry County Supervisors, Mount Pleasant City Administrator Brent Schleisman and Mayor Steve Brimhall have put together a meeting of County leaders to discuss using American Rescue Plan funds. Schleisman and Mayor Brimhall had approached the Supervisors about the possibility of finding a way to use the government money for the greater good of the county rather than each individual city using the money for smaller projects separately. The meeting is set for tonight (4-21-21) at 6:30 pm in the Mount Pleasant City Council chamber. The American Rescue Plan Act Provides $350 billion to help states, counties, cities and tribal governments cover increased expenditures, replenish lost revenue and mitigate economic harm from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marcia Gustison
Marcia Gustison 83, of Wapello passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at the Advent Health Systems in Seabring, Florida. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello. The family request that mask be worn. Burial will be in the Wapello Cemetery. Following the burial, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the Wapello United Methodist Church. A memorial has been established for the Wapello Food Panty. Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
Marcia Jean Hartsock was born on September 15, 1937 at home in Newport, Iowa the daughter of Herman Kenneth and Lula M. (Jarvis) Hartsock. Marcia attended Wapello High School. In her earlier years had worked for her parents in their restaurant. She then went to work for the Wapello Post Office where she retired after 31 years as a postal employee. Marcia volunteered for The Election Board; was a Girl Scout Troop Leader; delivered Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Wapello United Methodist Church. She enjoyed playing games like dominoes and cards; golfing, reading; watching Jeopardy and doing word puzzles. For over 60 years she enjoyed going to “coffee” with her Coffee Bunch who were like sisters to her.
Marcia was united in marriage to L. Michael Schneider on November 20, 1953 in Wapello. He passed away on December 1, 1996, they had seven children, Connie (Randy) Pogemiller of North Liberty, Linda Coleman of Wapello, Steven (Kathy) Schneider of Columbus Junction, T. Bruce (Rita) Schneider of Iowa City, Michelle (Tom) Lorenzen of Eldora, Iowa, Randy Schneider of Sioux City, Iowa and Sandy (Todd) Zippe of Wapello; 12 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren plus 1 on the way and 5 step-great grandchildren. Marcia was later united in marriage to Jack Gustison on September 8, 2001 in Wapello and gained another family – Cathy (Greg) Greiner of Wapello, Jim Gustison and Don Gustison, both of Burlington and Corey (Jessica) Gustison of Wapello; 7 step-grandchildren; 9 step great-grandchildren.
Marcia is also survived by an aunt, Ruth Kerr of Wapello and many nieces and nephews.
Marcia was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Mike; sister, Margaret Joann Brase and brothers, Lonnie Dean Hartsock and John Allan Hartsock.
Possible Explosive Device Found On Ft. Madison’s Avenue O
The State Fire Marshal’s office has been called in to investigate what was possibly an explosive device found in the 2800 block of Avenue O in Ft. Madison Monday night. Fort Madison Police were called to the area at around 8:10 p.m. Monday. The Ft. Madison Fire Department was called at 8:14 to investigate to assist Police. The scene was barricaded and the intersection of 28th Street and Avenue O was shut down while the Fire Marshal’s office was contacted.
Steven Laverne Anderson,
Steven Laverne Anderson, 72, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 9:15 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2021, at his home in Donnellson.
He was born on June 2, 1948 in Fairfield, Iowa, the son of Wendall Laverne and Julia V. (Heston) Anderson. On May 5, 1968 he married Mary Ann McIntosh in Keosauqua, Iowa.
Survivors include his wife: Mary Ann; one son: Corey Laverne (Meranda) Anderson of West Point; two grandchildren: Grant Laverne Anderson, Macy Mae Anderson; two sisters: Carolyn Walters of Des Moines and Julie (Linn) Hunsaker of Mt. Pleasant: one brother: Rich Anderson of Eminence, Missouri. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother: Larry Anderson; brothers-in-law: Vince Walters and William “Bill” McIntosh; mother-in-law: Lenore McIntosh and father-in law: Wyatt McIntosh.
Steve graduated from Van Buren Community High School and Cedar Rapids Barber School. He worked as a barber in Burlington, Iowa and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1968. After the Air Force, he returned to work in the telephone business for twenty years, then retired from the United States Post Office in Donnellson after twenty-two years of service. Steve was a member of the Donnellson American Legion Gillaspey – Moodie Post #474 and one of the founding members of the Stockport Funny Face Club.
Friends may call after 12:00 noon Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 22, 2021, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson with Carolyn Pundt officiating. Following his funeral, a video of the service will be posted on his obituary page under his “Tribute Wall” at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Burial will be at Spencer Cemetery in Stockport, Iowa with full military rites presented by the Donnellson American Legion.
Memorials have been established in his memory for Donnellson Fire and Rescue or Donnellson American Legion.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements.
Wayland City Council Meeting
Wayland City Council Meeting
Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 7:30 pm
Wayland City Hall
Roll Call
2. Public Hearing – 7:30 PM – Application with USDA Rural Development For Financial
Assistance to purchase Hydrovac Equipment and Firefighter PPE Gear
3. Public Hearing – 7:30 PM – Consider Sale of Real Property – Main Street Lots
4. Consent Agenda – Note: These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate
discussion unless a Council member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.
a. Minutes of April 7, 2021
b. Bills for Payment
5. Citizen Forum
The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public for items not listed on the agenda. You
are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others
may be given the opportunity to speak. The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair. No action
will be taken.
6. Unfinished Business
a. Res. 2021-12 “Approving Application For, and Authorizing Mayor and Clerk to Execute
Documents Relating to, USDA Financial Assistance”
b. Ord. 8-2021 “An Ordinance Amending The Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Wayland,
Iowa, By Amending The Type Of Fireworks Allowed To Be Used In The City Of Wayland”
(Final reading)
c. Consider Proposed Solid Waste Contract -WEMIGA
d. Sewer Lagoon Project – Update from BES, Inc.
7. New Business
a. Acknowledge Resignation of City Attorney (Eff. 6/30/21)
b. Res. 2021-13 “Resolution Selling City Property”
c. Summer Street work 2021
d. Revolving Fund Loan Agreement with WEDC – Committee Appointments
8. Building Permits – Approved
-Matt Wagler – 18’ x 6’ x 4’ expansion to existing wood deck at 308 Easy Street
-Darren Brown – 36’x22’ frame garage; 16’x18’ patio and concrete driveway at 206 N Adams St.
-Kaye Johnson- porch repairs and shop door/window/roof repairs at 116 W 2nd St.
-Mildred Rich – Rero