Author: Theresa Rose

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at City Hall, via electronic meeting at 5:30 pm.

 GOTOMEETING:

City Council – April 8, 2020
Wed, Apr 8, 2020 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (CDT)

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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 –  Request to purchase 908 North Main Street;

 

4. Approve agenda.

 

*5.  Approve minutes of previous meeting.

 

*6.  Approve payment of bills.

 

*7.  Receive reports of Officers –

 

8. Old Business –

 

1. 3rd reading of proposed ordinance to change yield sign to stop sign at Harlan & Lucas.

 

1. 3rd reading of proposed ordinance amending zoning “Permitted Accessory Uses”

regarding electrical vehicles.

 

1. 5:30 pm Public Hearing on proposal to vacate and sell tracts of alley between blocks one and two of Peppers Subdivision (adjacent to 300 block Jay and Hamlin)

 

1. Resolution approving vacation of alley between blocks one and two of Peppers Subdivision (adjacent to 300 block of Jay and Hamlin)

 

1. Resolution approving transfer of alley tracts between blocks one and two of Peppers Subdivision (adjacent to 300 block Jay and Hamlin)

 

1. Resolution setting date for Public Hearing on not to exceed $350,000 General Obligation Capital Loan Notes (Street Sweeper).

 

*             g)  Renewal application for Class A Liquor License for Veterans Club of Henry County

at 300 West Monroe Street.

 

9. New Business –

 

1. Authorize contract renewal for City employee health insurance.

 

1. Resolution authorizing purchase of 1300 West Courtland Street.

 

1. Approval of site plan for Casey’s General Store at 2105 E. Washington Street.

 

10. Public Forum.

 

11. Adjourn.

The Iowa DNR is investigating a fertilizer spill on the east side of Mt. Pleasant near the interchange of U.S. Highways 34 and 218 .

The spill occurred about noon Monday after a Mt. Pleasant Liqui-Grow truck rolled over, spilling most of its 2,400-gallon load and some diesel fuel into the road ditch.

Liqui-Grow staff were able to recover about 400 gallons of fertilizer yesterday, but approximately 2,000 gallons reached an unnamed tributary of Heather Branch.

The company’s staff dammed the creek with sandbags and has been pumping up the high nitrogen fertilizer, trying to prevent downstream contamination.

DNR is on site, offering technical advice and testing water samples yesterday and today. Field tests show ammonia levels are high at the spill site, but so far there has been no sign of a fish kill.

DNR will continue checking water samples and monitoring the cleanup. The DNR will consider appropriate enforcement action.

Additional COVID-19 cases in Iowa, additional death confirmed

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 102 additional positive cases for a total of 1,048 positive cases. There have been an additional 1,017 negative tests for a total of 11,670 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.

According to IDPH, an additional 1 death was also reported:

• Benton County, 1 elderly adult (81+)

According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 102 individuals include:

• Henry County, 1 child (0-17 years), 1 adult (18-40 years), 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years). This brings the total cases in Henry County to 13.

• Benton County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Black Hawk County, 3 adults (18-40 years)
• Buena Vista County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Delaware County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Des Moines County, 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Dubuque County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle age (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Greene County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Hamilton County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Johnson County, 10 adults (18-40 years), 4 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Linn County, 4 adults (18-40 years), 5 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Louisa County, 7 adults (18-40 years), 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 3 older adults (61-80 years)
• Mahaska County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Marion County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Marshall County, 2 adults (18-40 years)
• Muscatine County, 2 children (0-17 years), 3 adults (18-40 years), 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Polk County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Pottawattamie County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Scott County, 6 adults (18-40 years), 5 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 3 older adults (61-80 years)
• Story County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Tama County, 3 older adults (61-80 years), 3 elderly (81+)
• Warren County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Washington County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years), 1 elderly (81+)
• Woodbury County, 1 adult (18-40 years)

A status report of monitoring and testing of COVID19 in Iowa is provided by IDPH and can be found here. In addition, a public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431. The state of Iowa has started sharing the number of negative tests conducted at outside labs, and is providing additional information on the conditions of those infected with COVID-19.

Kinney & Sons are going to start exposing Utilities along the East Side of White St. between Clay Street and Washington Street in Mount Pleasant today.  White St. will not be entirely closed today to traffic. They do ask that drivers try to avoid S. White from the Casey’s East driveway to Clay Street if at all possible. This work could take the rest of this week weather permitting. Henry County Health Center employees and patients should to try to avoid this block of South White.  South White Street will remain open from Clay going south to Yocum Lane. Once the sewer repair is completed the concrete surface will need to be replaced.

 

Date  Tuesday, April 7, 2020   4:00 PM

Mount Pleasant Community School District:  High School

1.  Call to Order
   2.   Roll Call
   3.   Approval of Agenda
   4.      New Business
   a.      Consideration to Approve Mount Pleasant Community School District Continuous Learning Opportunities
   During COVID-19 Pandemic
   b.      Adjourn

*This Special Session meeting will be held in the Mount Pleasant Community High School Media Center.  In an effort to maintain required social distance guidelines, those interested in attending are encouraged to do so telephonically via Zoom Meeting, using the following phone number and PIN:

   +1 219-316-1202 (PIN: 612483318)

Iowa Assessors recently mailed assessment rolls to any property owner who had changes to their 2020 assessed valuations. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, an official state order gives property owners who disagree with property values additional time to petition their local board of review. Iowa State Association of Assessors President Dixie Saunders recently notified assessors that the deadline to file an assessment appeal has been extended until June 5th. The regular appeal deadline is April 30^th.

 

The Board of Review is an independent board made up of appointed private citizens who meet for the purpose of hearing protests to assessed values. After reviewing the information provided by the property owner and the assessor’s office, the board acts to either change the assessed value or leave it intact.

 

Saunders explained, “Current assessed values are effective January 1, 2020. Conditions affecting assessed values after the first of this year will be reflected on the 2021 assessment rolls. Over the coming months, assessors will be monitoring sale prices of properties in their respective jurisdictions. If COVID-19 or other economic conditions affect overall market values, next year’s assessed value will change accordingly.”

 

Anyone who disagrees with their assessed value has two options available at this time. The first option involves calling the local assessor’s office to request an “Informal Review”.  This year, the deadline is April 27.  The second option is to file a formal appeal with the Board of Review by June 5th. Contact information for assessors and the form titled “Disaster Counties Petition to Local Board of Review” can be accessed at www.Iowa-Assessors.org.

 

Saunders noted, “While many county offices are closed to the public, most are still effectively conducting business via phone, mail and email. I would encourage people to shelter at home and contact your local assessor with any concerns.”

Monday at about 12 noon a tanker truck owned by LiquiGro of Mount Pleasant and driven by Terry Vance of Mount Pleasant was involved in a rollover accident at the intersection of eastbound Hwy 34 and the southbound on-ramp of Hwy 218.  The driver attempted a right turn onto the ramp and lost control causing the truck to overturn.  Vance was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.  The truck was considered a total loss.

Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing State Public Health Emergency Declaration, ordering additional closures 

DES MOINES – Monday, Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration, ordering additional closures and relaxing additional regulations to support the state’s efforts to combat COVID-19. The proclamation also calls on law enforcement to assist in the enforcement of these mitigation efforts. Gov. Reynolds discussed the new proclamation at her 11:00 a.m. press conference. View that press conference on her Facebook page here.

To encourage further social distancing and mitigation efforts, the proclamation orders additional closures effective at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7th until Thursday, April 30th:

• Malls
• Tobacco or vaping stores
• Toy, gaming, music, instrument, movie, or adult entertainment stores
• Social and fraternal clubs, including those at golf courses
• Bingo halls, bowling alleys, pool halls, arcades, and amusement parks
• Museums, libraries, aquariums, and zoos
• Race tracks and speedway.
• Roller or ice skating rinks and skate parks
• Outdoor or indoor playgrounds or children’s play centers
• Campgrounds

In addition, all unsolicited door-to-door sales are prohibited.

The following establishments and behaviors that are already prohibited:

• Mass gatherings as outlined in the proclamation below
• Restaurants and bars limited to carry out.
• Fitness centers
• Swimming pools
• Salons: All salons, including all establishments providing the services of cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, nail technology, manicuring, and pedicuring, all as defined in Iowa Code § 157.1, shall continue to be closed.
• Medical spas
• Barbershops
• Tattoo establishments
• Tanning facilities
• Massage therapy establishments
• Theaters: All theaters or other performance venues at which live performances or motion pictures are shown shall continue to be closed.
• Casinos and gaming facilities:
• Other nonessential retail establishments outlined in the proclamation: Bookstores; clothing stores; shoe stores; jewelry stores; luggage stores; cosmetic, beauty, or perfume stores; florists; and furniture and home furnishing stores shall continue to be closed. These establishments may still serve the public through online or telephone sales, delivery, or curb-side pick-up. This closure order does not affect other retail establishments, such as discount stores, grocery stores, or pharmacies that sell these goods in addition to other essential food, medical supplies, and household goods.
  Senior citizen centers and adult daycare facilities:  All facilities that conduct adult day services or other senior citizen centers are hereby closed.
• Social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people are hereby prohibited at all locations and venues, including but not limited to parades, festivals, conventions, and fundraisers
• Livestock auctions of food animals with more than 25 people and all other auctions with more than 10 people are prohibited.