Author: Theresa Rose

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)

DES MOINES, Iowa — In a proactive effort to prevent further spread of Covid-19, this morning Governor Reynolds signed a proclamation closing all public campgrounds, cabins and yurts temporarily, as well as all outdoor playgrounds through April 30.

The proclamation goes into effect at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. Those with reservations will be contacted directly by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau.

State Parks, Forests and Preserves remain open during this time for day use opportunities, but visitors are reminded to strictly abide the social distancing rules and not gather in groups. Remember to stay home if you feel sick, wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your face, and bring supplies from home including disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and other hygiene products. All restroom facilities, including pit latrines and port-a-potties, are closed until April 30 as well.

Governor Reynolds’ and the DNR’s top priority is the health and well-being of our visitors, volunteers and staff. Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this time. We appreciate your support of the Department and our state parks as we all work together to keep everyone safe.

These closures will be reevaluated in the future to determine if an extension is necessary.

For more information on State Park closures visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures.For more information on what the Iowa DNR is doing to respond to Covid-19 and what is being impacted, visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/Covid-19.

Henry County Engineers Office announces road construction on Salem Road (J-20) between Hwy 218 and New London Rd (Pickle Church) beginning April 13th. Road construction will begin with clearing and dirt work for approximately six (6) weeks. Flaggers will be used during this portion. Asphalt paving will begin in mid June with pilot cars used. Expect minor delays and use caution as the road will remain open during construction. The project is estimated to be completed in August, weather permitting. Questions can be answered at 319 385-0762.

DES MOINES – Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is outlining the benefits of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, which provides unemployment benefits for the self-employed, independent contractors, nonprofit employees, gig economy workers, those who have exhausted other unemployment insurance benefits, and those who may not have sufficient work history to qualify for a regular state claim.

The CARES Act also includes eligibility for those receiving unemployment insurance benefits in any amount to be paid an additional $600 weekly benefit.  After receiving guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor, IWD has begun aligning resources and technology to create the necessary processes to be able to pay qualified individuals their benefits as quickly as possible, and we estimate this will occur within the next 10 days.

The CARES Act provides the following unemployment insurance benefit programs:

• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – The FPUC program provides individuals who are collecting regular Unemployment Compensation (UC), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Extended Benefits (EB), Short Time Compensation (STC), Trade Readjustment Act (TRA), Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), and payments under the Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program, with an additional $600 per week.  The first week a claimant can be compensated on this benefit is the week beginning March 29, 2020 and the last week is the week ending July 25, 2020.  Our goal is to issue payments in the next ten days to those who are eligible.  Please keep in mind that you cannot quit your job and continue to draw these benefits.  If you refuse to return to work without a documented medical note consistent with the Families First Act, you will be disqualified from ALL benefits including the $600 payment.  Additionally, if your employer receives a loan under the PayCheck Protection Act and places you back on the payroll, full time, you will no longer be eligible for unemployment or FPUC benefits.

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – This program provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are self-employed, independent contractors, nonprofit employees and gig economy workers, as well as to individuals working part-time, or who otherwise would not qualify for regular UC or EB under state or federal law or PEUC.   A claimant can be compensated with this benefit beginning February 2, 2020, or the first week a claimant was unable to work as a result of COVID-19, whichever date is later.  The last week this benefit is payable is the week ending December 26, 2020. Our goal is to issue payments in the next ten days to those who are eligible.  This benefit also applies to anyone who has exhausted all unemployment insurance payment options at the state or federal level, including the PEUC program.

• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) – The PEUC program provides up to 13 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits to individuals who have exhausted regular unemployment benefits under state or federal law, or have no rights to regular unemployment benefits under state or federal law.  The first week a claimant can be compensated on this benefit is the week beginning March 29, 2020 and the last payable week is the week ending December 26, 2020.

• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – The PPC provides a loan to businesses with fewer than 500 employees to keep their workers on the payroll.  The Small Business Administration will forgive these loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the loan is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.  Employees of businesses that take advantage of the PPP who are recalled to work (or are being paid full-time pay and benefits) are not eligible for unemployment benefits, and if they have a current claim, they should update their claim appropriately to reflect the day they were no longer eligible for unemployment benefits.  For more information on the PPP see: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

Important note:  None of the benefits described above, nor unemployment benefits of any kind, are available to employees who quit their job, refuse to return to work or refuse to receive full-time pay.  Attempts to collect payments after quitting a job could be viewed as fraudulent and will be further investigated. The CARES Act specifically provides for serious consequences for fraudulent cases including fines, confinement and an inability to receive future unemployment benefits until all fraudulent claims and fines have been repaid.

IWD frequently updates its FAQs for employers and claimants regarding this information and it can be found at our website:  https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov.  IWD will also be conducting webinars for claimants and employers in the upcoming week that will include information on these new CARES Act program benefits.  All information on the dates and times of webinars will be posted to our website and social media.

APRIL 7TH, 2020 – TUESDAY NIGHT – 6:00 P.M.
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CENTER – 103 W. WASHINGTON ST.
1. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING: Mayor Pro Tem Kirk Miller
2. ROLL CALL: Kirk Miller, Brad Helmerson, Dan Berner, Scott Campbell and January Benjamin
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. INVOCATION: Kirk Miller
5. REPORTS:
a. Police Dept. (1-2)
b. Fire Department (3)
c. Public Works (4-5)
d. Parks & Recreation
e. Utilities (6-10)
f. Child Care (Handout)
6. OPEN FORUM:
7. CONSENT AGENDA:
a. Approve minutes of previous meetings (11-18)
b. Accept Clerk’s Financial Reports (19-21)
c. Approve Payment of Claims (Handout)
d. Approve class A liquor license with Sunday sales for VFW Post 7641 (22-23)
e. Approve changes to the Fire Department Roster (3)
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Appoint Kirk Miller to fill the Mayor’s position through November 2nd, 2021 and accept his resignation from the City Council and as Mayor Pro Tem
b. Appoint Dan Berner as Mayor Pro Tem for the remainder of 2020 (Mayor Miller)
c. Discuss filling the vacant Council seat by appointing a citizen (24-28)
d. Approve the agreement with the New London Veteran’s Memorial & Park Board to take control of maintaining the Veteran’s Memorial and the funds raised (29)
e. Discuss and take action on resolution #306 adopting a Pandemic & Health Crisis Response Operating Procedure (30-34)
f. Discuss and take action on adopting an Infectious Disease Action Plan/COVID-19 Pandemic (35-40)
g. Discuss and take action on waving the penalty for the sewer and garbage utility bills due on a future date (41)
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Approve pay estimate #1 for Jones Contracting for the Thompson Street Extension (42-51)
b. Approve sending out an RFP for an audit for fiscal years 2020, 2021 and 2022 (52-61)
c. Approve resolution #302 declaring the intent of the City to accept a bid received in accordance with competitive bidding and fixing the date for a public hearing on the proposal to enter into a Purchase, Sale, and Development Agreement with Tiger Properties, LLC related to Lot 6 in the Pine Street Subdivision, and providing for publication of notice thereof (62-67)
d. Approve resolution #303 declaring the intent of the City to accept a bid received in accordance with competitive bidding and fixing the date for a public hearing on the proposal to enter into a Purchase, Sale, and Development Agreement with Chad Sovern Contracting, Inc. related to Lot 7 in the Pine Street Subdivision, and providing for publication of notice thereof (68-73)
e. Approve resolution #304 declaring the intent of the City to accept a bid received in accordance with competitive bidding and fixing the date for a public hearing on the proposal to enter into a Purchase, Sale, and Development Agreement with Chad Sovern Contracting, Inc. related to Lot 8 in the Pine Street Subdivision, and providing for publication of notice thereof (74-79)
f. Approve resolution #305 employing a part-time police officer for the City (80-81)
g. Discuss the City & Utility Contingency & Disaster Recovery Plan of Computer Systems (82-84)
h. Discuss abating vacant, abandoned and nuisance properties (85-86)
i. Review the audit for fiscal year ending 2019 (supplement)
10. MEETINGS:
a. Public Works Committee, April 15th, 2020 at 6:30 a.m., Shop at WWTP
b. Public Safety Committee, April 15th, 2020 at 6:30 p.m., Community Center
c. Regular City Council Meeting, May 12th, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., Community Center
11. ADJOURNMENT
NEW LONDON CITY COUNCIL – OPEN FORUM NOTICE
The Open Forum portion of the New London City Council meeting is a time where the public is allowed to speak. This is a courtesy that is extended to you. During this portion of the meeting the following guideline will be in effect:
1. Upon being recognized by the Mayor, please stand if possible, and state you name and address for the record.
2. Unless you are a scheduled, approved organization making a presentation, you will have 3 minutes to respectfully express your thoughts. Guest organizations will be under the discretion and management of the Mayor as the presiding officer.
3. Understand that no formal motions or actions will be taken on items during this time. Your concerns may be forwarded to the appropriate committee for further considerations and/or discussion.
4. All comments and discussion will remain respectful in nature to all parties.
5. Similar topics will be acknowledged, and forwarded to the appropriate department. However, repetition of topics will be limited.
6. Any deviation from these guidelines will end you allotted time and you will be asked to be seated. Failure to abide by these guidelines may lead to removal from the meeting at the order of the Mayor and possibly charges of disorderly conduct if so warranted.
7. Your involvement on agenda items will be limited to the presentation of factual material as determined by the Mayor. This the Council’s time for dealing with matters and will not include public opinions or question and answer time; this is done during Public Hearings.

Additional COVID-19 cases and deaths in Iowa, state taking all measures to protect at-risk population

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 83 additional positive cases for a total of 868 positive cases. There have been an additional 519 negative tests for a total of 9,973 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs. An additional 8 deaths were reported to IDPH.

More than 10% of all positive cases in Iowa are occurring among long term care staff and residents. More than 40% of all deaths in Iowa are associated with outbreaks in long-term care facilities. This statistic underscores that COVID-19 poses the most risk for older adults above the age of 60 with chronic health conditions, resulting in more severe illness and death.

The Iowa Department of Public Health and public health officials continue to work closely with Iowa’s long-term care associations and facilities, providing guidance for sick residents, transferring residents in need of care to hospitals, constantly monitoring the health of other residents and staff, and implementing additional infection prevention measures.

According to IDPH, an additional 8 deaths were also reported:

• Appanoose County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Johnson County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Polk County, 2 older adults (61-80 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Linn County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Scott County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Washington County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)

According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 83 individuals include:

• Allamakee County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Benton County, 2 middle-age (41-60 years)
• Black Hawk, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle-age (41-60 years)
• Boone County, 1 middle-age (41-60)
• Buchanan County, 2 adults (18-40 years)
• Cedar County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Clarke County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Clayton County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Clinton County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Dallas County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Hamilton County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Henry County, 2 elderly adults (81+)
• Johnson County, 7 adults (18-40 years), 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
• Jones County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Linn County***, 3 adults (18-40 years), 8 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 4 older adults (61-80 years), 7 elderly adults (81+),
• Louisa County, 1 elderly adult (81+), 4 middle-age adults (41-60 years)
• Muscatine County, 2 adults (18-40 years), 3 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Plymouth County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Polk County, 3 adults (18-40 years), 8 middle-age adults (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80 years)
• Scott County, 3 adults (18-40 years)
• Shelby County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Tama County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Warren County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
• Washington County, 2 middle-age adults (41-60 years)

***70 of Linn County’s 161 positive cases (43%) can be attributed to an outbreak at a long-term care facility. 

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.

NOTE: A case that was previously reported as a positive case in Pottawattamie County, upon further investigation, is a negative case and is removed from the case count.

Gov. Reynolds will hold a press conference tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. The press conference will be livestreamed and posted in full on Governor Reynolds’ Facebook Page.

The Henry County Department of Public Health today announced the first death associated with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the county. The 41-60 female had underlying conditions.

“We wish to extend our sympathy to this individual’s family,” said Henry County Public Health Director Shelley Van Dorin. “Henry County Public Health and all of our key partners throughout the county and state continue to work to limit the spread and impact of this virus in our communities.”

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 87 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 786 positive cases. An additional three deaths were also reported: an older adult (61-80 years) from Linn County, a middle-aged adult (41-60 years) from Henry County, and an older adult (61-80 years) from Polk County.  There have been a total of 9,454 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.

According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 87 individuals include:

• Black Hawk County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Bremer County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Clinton County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Dubuque County, 2 middle age adults (41-60 years)
• Grundy County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)
• Howard County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Iowa County, 1 adult (18-40 years)
• Jefferson County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)
• Johnson County, 7 adults (18-40 years), 5 middle age adults (41-60 years), 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Keokuk County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Lee County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Linn County, 3 adults (18-40 years), 9 middle age adults (41-60 years), 6 older adults (61-80 years), 2 elderly adults (81+)
• Lyon County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
• Mills County, 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)
• Muscatine County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 3 middle age adults (41-60 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Plymouth County, 2 adults (18-40 years)
• Polk County, 1 adult (18-40 years),  4 middle age adults (41-60 years), 4 older adults (61-80  years)
• Pottawattamie County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle age adult (41-60 years)
• Scott County, 3 adults (18-40 years), 2 middle age adults (41-60 years), 2 elderly adults (81+)
• Sioux County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 older adult (41-60 years)
• Tama County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 2 older adults (61-80  years), 4 elderly adults (81+)
• Van Buren County, 1 older adult (41-60 years)
• Warren County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
• Washington County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 middle age adult (41-60 years), 2 older adults (61-80  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.

NOTE: One case initially assigned to Dubuque County, upon further investigation, was determined to be a person who is a resident of Jackson County.

If you think you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should self-isolated for 14 days. If, during that time, you develop symptoms of COVID-19, you should call your healthcare provider before going to the office. Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Shortness of breath

All residents are encouraged to:

• Stay home when ill.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow/upper arm.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Practice social distancing by staying away from groups of people and maintaining a 6-foot distance from other individuals.

It is believed coronaviruses are primarily spread through respiratory droplets, which means to become infected, people generally have to be within 6 feet of someone who is contagious and have the droplets land on them.

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