Author: Theresa Rose

The Henry County Health Center Board of Trustees met in regular session Tuesday.  In regard to the hospital’s COVID 19 response CEO Robb Gardner told the board that HCHC is prepared. Clinical guidelines are in place to determine which patients can be kept at HCHC for care. HCHC also has the expertise to care for those who made need to be placed on a ventilator but in this case it would be best for the patient to go to a facility with a higher level of care. Gardner said the safety of the staff is a priority.  Each associate is screened each shift on arrival and upon leaving  and all wear masks in addition to the other safety procedures.  Visitors were restricted early on.  Those allowed in the facility are screened and wear masks. Preserving PPE is a concern but Gardner said, overall, COVID 19 response has had a huge financial impact on the hospital.  Non-emergent surgeries are being postponed.  Out-patient treatments are being limited and those account for the biggest share of the revenue. CFO Dave Muhs noted weekly revenues were off by about 50%.  He said a challenging year has become significantly more challenging financially. Muhs did say HCHC received $700,000 in federal stimulus funds.  These must be specifically earmarked. He was able to earmark the funds for revenue reduction.  There was also a grant for $84,000 that will be used for computers and PPE.  Muhs hopes he can apply for more dollars if the federal government votes for another round of stimulus money.

Kinney & Sons will start working on the storm sewer work on Warren St.at the alley between Jackson St & Jefferson St.  Wednesday April 22^nd. During this time Warren St. will be closed to through traffic home owners will still be able to access their driveways. The work will be in approx. a 50’ wide stretch centered on the alley. The work will take the remainder of this week to complete and then the street can be opened back up to through traffic weather permitting. The Intake locations in the curb line will remain fenced off until the street is paved.

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, at 5:30 p.m. electronically using “Go To Meeting”

 City Council – April 22, 2020
Wed, Apr 22, 2020 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (CDT)

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/322262909

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3412

Access Code: 322-262-909

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A G E N D A

 

1. Roll Call.

 

 

2. 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.

 

3. Receive & file communications –

 

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4. Approve agenda.

 

*5. Approve minutes of previous meeting.

 

*6. Approve payment of bills.

 

*7. Receive reports of Officers – Including Transfer Resolution for April

 

8. Old Business –

 

1. 5:30 pm Public Hearing on proposed issuance of not exceed $350,000 Capital Loan Notes for purchase of a street sweeper.

 

1. Resolution instituting procedure to take additional action for the issuance of not to exceed $350,000 general obligation capital loan notes.

 

1. 5:30 pm Public Hearing on proposed amendment of FY19/20 budget.

 

1. Resolution approving amendment of FY19/20 budget.

 

*         e)  Renewal application for Class E Liquor, Class B Wine, Class C Beer and Sunday Sales

for Gasland Express at 309 W. Washington Street.

 

9. New Business –

 

1. Mayoral appointment Southeast Iowa Regional Revolving Loan Committee.

 

1. Resolution approving appointment of Fire Fighter Reserve.

 

1. Approve contract for crack monitoring on Monroe and Adams Street Project.

 

1. Resolution approving 28E agreement with the State of Iowa on the use of Prison labor.

 

10. Public Forum.

 

11. Adjourn.

Gov. Reynolds launches Test Iowa Initiative to expand testing capacity to limit the spread of COVID19

DES MOINES –  Today, Governor Kim Reynolds launched the Test Iowa Initiative to expand testing capacity to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa. The state is partnering with Nomi Health and its subsidiary DOMO which has already launched a similar initiative in the state of Utah.

“Iowa is now the second state in the nation to deploy this ambitious initiative, and starting today I am encouraging Iowans to go to testIowa.com to complete their own health assessment,” said Gov. Reynolds. “This type of information will help Iowans assess eligibility for testing and further inform the state’s response to COVID-19.”

The Test Iowa Initiative includes an assessment that was developed in coordination with the Iowa Department of Public Health and it will better inform Iowans of their current health status, whether or not they should get a COVID-19 test, and instructions on how to get tested. The assessment asks about existing symptoms and occupational considerations.

Governor Reynolds also kicked off the #TestIowaChallenge in a video encouraging Iowans to go to testIowa.com and complete the assessment. The  #TestIowaChallenge encourages all Iowans regardless of symptoms to take the assessment and get tested if needed. Those part of the essential workforce are especially encouraged to take the assessment and then get tested if needed.

 

Henry County Public Health is now a centralized point of collection and distribution for homemade masks and gowns in Henry County.  Please visit HealthyHenryCounty.org/PublicHealth/Donate to find guidance and templates for making and wearing masks and gowns.  Once masks or gowns are ready to be donated, please drop off or mail to Public Health at 106 N. Jackson St., Ste 103, Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641. The office is open Monday – Friday 8am-4:30pm.  Fabric and elastic may also be donated and if you need supplies to begin sewing, please call to check availability.

The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). Healthcare professionals and emergency responders are also running low on masks and gowns.  “We know there are many generous individuals already making and donating masks, but we wanted to create a central location to make it easier for those in need to find supplies,” says Lori Bolin, Public Health Nurse.  If your local community already has a collection site, please let Public Health know so they can help direct people there also.  If you need a mask for personal use or masks or gowns for a facility, please call 319-385-0779 or email PublicHealth@henrycountyiowa.us.

 

For up-to-date information from Iowa Department of Public Health related to COVID-19, visit https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/.  For recent fact sheets, resources, and local organization updates, visit www.HealthyHenryCounty.org/PublicHealth.

DES MOINES, Iowa (April 20, 2020) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly from April through November.

“With the corn crop insurance planting date behind us, many farmers are looking to get the first seeds in the ground,” said Secretary Naig. “Iowa has been colder than normal, but this week’s forecast looks favorable and we should start to see planting progress in some parts of the state.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s site at nass.usda.gov/ia.

Crop Report

Rain and snow limited Iowa farmers to 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 19, 2020, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Areas of southern Iowa saw a foot of snow late Thursday, April 16 through the morning of Friday, April 17. Where possible, field activities for the week included planting, applying anhydrous and dry fertilizer, spreading manure, and tilling fields.

 

Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 81 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus.

 

Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus.

 

In spite of less than ideal conditions, 2 percent of Iowa’s corn crop has been planted, almost one week behind the five-year average.

 

Half of Iowa’s expected oat crop has been planted, 3 days ahead of last year but 1 day behind average. Six percent of the oat crop has emerged, 5 days behind average.

 

Livestock producers in southern Iowa reported calving issues due to the snowfall and colder temperatures.

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Unseasonably cold conditions blanketed Iowa during the reporting period with negative departures of up to 20 degrees across northwest Iowa. The statewide average temperature was 36.0 degrees, 14.3 degrees below normal. Drier-than-normal conditions were also observed across Iowa’s northern three-quarters with above average snowfall reported across southern Iowa.

A broad area of low pressure continued to push through Iowa on Sunday (12th) with several waves of showers and thunderstorms bringing measurable rainfall. The highest totals were observed along a narrow band stretching from Dallas County northeast to Winneshiek County. Gusty northwest winds built in as the low finally exited Iowa early Monday (13th) morning. Nearly 50 rain gauges had totals at or above one inch with a report of 1.75 inches in Des Moines (Polk County). Totals east and west of the band were generally under 0.50 inch with the statewide average of 0.55 inch. Partly cloudy skies and colder than average conditions were reported across Iowa behind the low, with a few snowflakes observed in west-central Iowa. Highs stayed in the 30s statewide with overnight lows in the teens across the northwest to the mid 20s across the rest of Iowa. On Tuesday (14th) temperatures remained unseasonably cold, generally in the mid-30s to low 40s as cloud cover increased. The statewide average high was 39 degrees, 22 degrees below normal. A more active pattern set in mid-to-late week, bringing multiple waves of precipitation beginning with a weak low pressure moving through southern Iowa during the nighttime hours through early Wednesday (15th). Morning lows dipped into the teens across northern Iowa with 20s reported across the south. Statewide, the average low was 19 degrees, 18 degrees below normal. Light snow was observed across Iowa’s southern half as another wave moved from central to eastern Iowa during the afternoon hours; a narrow west-to-east band of snow also formed across extreme south-central Iowa. Daytime temperatures remained near freezing in southwest Iowa with 40s across the rest of Iowa.

A substantial snowstorm impacted southern Iowa late Thursday (16th) through Friday (17th) morning with measurable snow generally south of Interstate 80. The highest accumulations were reported near the Iowa-Missouri border, where accumulations approached one to two inches per hour. Clarinda (Page County) observed 8.0 inches while across the state Keosauqua (Lee County) reported 7.0 inches. South-central Iowa received the highest totals with Ringgold County stations in Beaconsfield and Mount Ayr reporting 12 inches; Allerton (Wayne County) reported 13 inches. Accumulations dropped off into central Iowa with general totals between three to six inches; the statewide average snowfall was 3.7 inches. Partly sunny skies prevailed through the day as highs reached into the mid to upper 40s, melting a majority of the snow that had fallen just hours before. Existing snowpack reported at 7:00 am on Saturday (18th) was between three to four inches at the Ringgold County stations. The rest of Saturday was pleasant with daytime highs reaching into the 60s under sunny skies and strong southwest winds. Morning temperatures reported on Sunday (19th) remained above average under starry skies, ranging in the upper 30s to low 40s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.20 inch in Sioux City (Woodbury County) to 1.86 inches in Donnellson (Lee County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.72 inch while the normal is 0.86 inch. Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) reported the week’s high temperature of 75 degrees on the 18th, 11 degrees above average. Estherville 4E (Emmet County) reported the week’s low temperature of 9 degrees on the 15th, 24 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low 40s north to upper 40s south as of Sunday.

Henry Auditor Shelly Barber encourages voters to check their mail for absentee ballot request form

 Henry County Auditor Shelly Barber joins Secretary of State Paul Pate and auditors across Iowa in encouraging voters to cast absentee ballots by mail in the upcoming June 2 primary. During the COVID-19 pandemic, voting by mail is the Safest Option.

 

Secretary Pate is sending absentee ballot request forms to every active registered voter in the state. The forms should arrive in your mailbox later this month and will include pre-paid postage for returning them to the Henry County Auditor’s office.

 

“As Auditor I encourage every voter to take advantage of this option for this election, to keep each and everyone safe through this time.”

 

Once voters receive their absentee ballot request form in the mail, they should fill out and mail it promptly. Iowans can also download the request form directly from the Iowa Secretary of State website, VoterReady.Iowa.gov. Requests must be received by your county auditor’s office by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22.

 

“We want all eligible citizens to participate in our elections and casting a ballot by mail is the best method during this pandemic,” Secretary Pate said. “Absentee voting has security measures in place to ensure the integrity of the ballot.”

 

Primary elections are intended for members of the Republican and Democratic parties only. No Party voters who choose to request a party’s ballot will have their voter registration officially changed to that political party.

 

For more information about the June 2 primary, visit VoterReady.Iowa.gov or www.henrycountyiowa.us under Election Info in column on left, then Primary.