Author: Theresa Rose

The Henry County Supervisors continue to consider the best way to help Henry County Health Center keep Emergency Medical Services.  Until a couple of weeks ago the board was trying to decide if it was feasible for the county to take over the ambulance service.  HCHC loses certain insurance reimbursements because EMS is not considered an essential service for a critical access hospital per the Federal and State governments. HCHC loses anywhere from $600,00 to $700, 000 a year by owning EMS.  The difficult part to understand is that the service isn’t losing that kind of money. It’s more like being penalized by Medicare for owning the so called non-essential service Recently the county has been exploring the possibility of somehow reimbursing the hospital and allowing HCHC to continue to operate EMS. Basically, they have learned they can do this but in order to do so the county has to levy for the dollars and that levy would have to be voted on by county residents.  The supervisors are still trying to work out what that levy would be.  And they also need to work out the exact verbiage to be used on a ballot to be put before the voters.  The hope is that it can be done in time for the November 3 election. The ballot must be specific as to the levy amount, how the revenues from the levy will be used, and what the County and hospital obligations are.  The other question the supervisors must answer is what kind of support does the county want to provide HCHC… will they cover the entire amount of the losses, a portion of the losses or simple provide a certain dollar amount each year?  The supervisors and HCHC must also agree on the amount of the losses.  But the concept of loss is complex due to the reimbursement rules the hospital must abide by. The Supervisors and their lawyer are waiting for some necessary information and a draft of a contract from HCHC.

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second floor meeting room at 5:30 pm.

A G E N D A

Consent Agenda: To the Public – All items with an asterisk (*) are routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and a roll call of the Council-members.  There will be no separate discussion of items unless the Mayor, a Councilmember or citizen so request, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.

1. Receive & file communications –

Approve agenda.

*5.  Approve minutes of previous meeting.

*6.  Approve payment of bills.

*7.  Receive reports of Officers –

8. Old Business –
9. 2nd reading of proposed ordinance approving zone change from B-4 to B-3 for 1300 & 1302 E. Monroe St. – J & J Mitchell Real Estate
10. 2nd reading of proposed ordinance amending fence regulations.
11. 2nd reading of proposed ordinance amending penalties & definitions for a Municipal Infraction.
12. Mayoral appointment to Library Board

*   e)      Renewal application for a Class C Liquor License for Westside Tap at 119  S. Jefferson Street.

New Business –

1. Resolution authorizing Mayor to sign Wellmark Foundation Grant Agreement.

1. Approve Mount Pleasant Fire and Rescue Standard Operating Guideline Revision #8.

1. Resolution approving hire of Police Officer.

1. Resolution accepting Sanitary Sewer Rehab Area 2 North.

1. Approve conflict waiver for acquisition of land to the City on Winfield Avenue.

1. Approve Resolution authorizing purchase of land from Interstate Power and Light on Winfield Avenue.

1. Set date for public hearing to amend FYE2021 Budget.

1. Approve Financial Services Agreement with Piper Sandler Co. for 2020 G/O bond

issues.

1. Resolution setting date for public hearing not to exceed 3,000,000 refunding capital loan notes.

1. Approve the Engineering Services Agreement with Warner Engineering for North Lincoln and E. Taft.

10. Public Forum.

11. Adjourn.

Plans are still a “go” for the 2020 version of Winfield Crooked Creek Days, July 31 thru August 2. The weekend kicks off July 31 at 5:00 pm with the supper hosted by Twin Lakes.  Golf cart decorating, bags tournaments, street dances, the parade….all the favorite, traditional Crook Creek Days fun is scheduled to take place.  The 2020 ambassadors are Ruth and Ronnie Van Auken.

AGENDA

July 23, 2020

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

Approve Claims

EMS Discussion

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Tuesday afternoon a house near Mt. Union destroyed by fire re-ignited.  The Mt. Union Fire Department responded to the report that the rubble had been smoldering all day and flames were again visible.  According to county property records, the house at 1866 Oasis Avenue, is owned by Gary Deierling.  Apparently, the house was being re-modeled  and no one was living there at the time.  The fire originally started late Monday night but the cause has not been determined. The Mt. Union Department arrived on the scene right before midnight.  New London firefighters were called immediately for mutual aide.  According to the New London Chief, Brad Helmerson, the house was fully involved when his crew arrived. Winfield was also called and Mount Pleasant Benefited Fire District sent a tanker truck.  Chief Helmerson said they didn’t return to the New London station until about 4 am Tuesday morning.

Washington County 4-H’ers had the opportunity to submit non-livestock projects for judging at the Washington County Fair, July 18-24.  These projects ranged from food & nutrition to home improvement to science & engineering and garden areas. They were evaluated on July 18 without the 4-H exhibitor present to be in conference with the judge as they would in a normal year. The 4-H’ers were instructed that this year their written report of the project’s goals would carry additional weight because the judge would not be talking face-to-face with the 4-H’ers. The Washington County 4-H program judges from around the state who have been trained through the Iowa 4-H program.

Several County Project Awards were given this year.  These awards are supported by trophy donors who have an interest or business in that particular project area.

Special Award Winners Include:

Outstanding Home Improvement – Leah Marek

Outstanding Clothing & Fashion Constructed – Peighton Ford

Outstanding Food & Nutrition – Fiona McClellen

Outstanding Child Development – Lilly Clark

Best Interior Design – Halle Cuddeback

Outstanding Photography Award – Alexia Purkeypile

Best Junior Photograph – Marlee Greiner

Best Intermediate Photograph – Ava Greiner

Best Senior Photograph – Kamren Martin

Best Use of Design – Tate Bombei

Most Environmentally Friendly – Roy Carter

Most Educational Ag & Natural Resources – Eli Conrad

Most Educational Science & Engineering – Elijah Statler

Overall Conservation Award – Justin Moore

Outstanding Woodworking – Peyton Peck

Outstanding Personal Development – Caedyn Huston

Best Junior Surprise Design Flower Arrangement – Tessa Bombei

Best Intermediate Surprise Design Flower Arrangement  – Zoey Dennler

Best Senior Surprise Design Flower Arrangement  – Kyleigh Dolan

Best Overall Surprise Design Flower Arrangement – Kelsi Cerny

For more information about Washington County 4-H or how to support special project areas through donations, please contact the Washington County Extension Office at 319-653-4811.  Follow “Washington County 4-H – Iowa” on Facebook.