Mount Pleasant Fire Department responded to a call from the Public Library Civic Center this morning before 7:30 am. City Administrator Brent Schleisman came to work in the City Offices about 7 am. He smelled smoke, called the fire department and began a search of the building. He reported seeing a small flame coming from the roof of the the building’s boiler room. He was able to put it out with a fire extinguisher. The fire department opened up the roof and an exhaust panel where they found the wood frame of the panel had burned.But at this point the cause remains undetermined. There was minimal damage. The building is being aired out since the smoke was in the exhaust system and will be monitored for any further problems. Schleisman commended the Fire Department for its, quick response.
Iowa Wesleyan University Update With President Chris Plunkett
University President Chris Plunkett has posted a YouTube message for students addressing a return to campus to gather belongings and explaining how room and board refunds will be handled for those who were not allowed to com back after spring break due to COVID-19. KILJ has shared that from the IW Facebook page to the KILJ Facebook page.
Attention Employers
There has been many questions called into the various departments, including Henry County Health Center, asking about whether a doctor’s note is needed when an employee calls in sick. Employers are asked to please see below the guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Implement flexible sick leave and supportive policies and practices.
- Ensure that sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of and understand these policies.
- Maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for a sick family member or take care of children due to school and childcare closures. Additional flexibilities might include giving advances on future sick leave and allowing employees to donate sick leave to each other.
- Employers that do not currently offer sick leave to some or all of their employees may want to draft non-punitive “emergency sick leave” policies.
- Employers should not require a positive COVID-19 test result or a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick to validate their illness, qualify for sick leave, or to return to work. Healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely manner.
- Review human resources policies to make sure that policies and practices are consistent with public health recommendations and are consistent with existing state and federal workplace laws (for more information on employer responsibilities, visit the Department of Labor’sexternal icon and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’sexternal icon websites).
- Connect employees to employee assistance program (EAP) resources (if available) and community resources as needed. Employees may need additional social, behavioral, and other services, for example, to cope with the death of a loved one.
Melanie A. Boyd
Melanie A. Boyd, 59, of New London, died Tuesday, March 31, 2020 in the emergency department at Henry County Health Center. She was born September 16, 1960 in Mt. Pleasant
to Richard E. and Marilyn J. Nelson Wick. On June 9, 1979, she married Jay Boyd in New London; they later divorced.
Melanie was a 1978 graduate of New London High School. She worked in shipping and manufacturing at Mackay and more than twenty years at Winegard. She enjoyed drives through Geode State Park, mushrooming, old westerns, and socializing with her friends.
Survivors include her parents of New London; her children, Jason (Miranda) Boyd of Clive and Jessica (Jeremy) Dean of Burlington; three grandsons; sisters Michelle (David) Mcintyre of Danville and Cheryl (Danny) Parks of New London; sister-in-law Pam Wick of New London; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and brothers, Michael and Tony Wick.
According to her wishes her body has been cremated and a celebration of life will be held at a later date, in keeping with Governor Reynolds executive order of March 17, prohibiting events of more than 10 people.
A memorial has been established in memory of Melanie Boyd.
Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Ruth White
Wayland City Council Meeting Agenda
Wayland City Council meeting April 1 at 7:30 pm in the Wayland City Hall.
Roll Call
2. 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 March 18, 2020
b. Bills for Payment
c. Treas. Report
d. Clerks Budgetary Report
e. Utility Dept. Report
f. Police Dept. Report
g. Firefighter Dept. Report
3. 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.
4. Unfinished Business
a. Ongoing Discussion – City Hall Protocol for Corona-19 Virus Pandemic
5. New Business
a. Acknowledge Receipt/Review of FYE19 Annual Examination Report
b. Filing Order by Iowa Utility Board – Disconnects During Public Health Emergency
6. Building Permits – Approved
*Janet Sterling – Convert two existing sheds into one 94 ½’ x 9’ x 10’3” shed (by extending and connecting outer wall of each shed) at 407 W Front St.
*Dan Baker – Replace 2 porch windows on house at 211 N Adams St
*Bruce Eichelberger – Demolition of house and demolish or move garage at 113 W 4th St.
7. Adjournment
Second Community Forum on KILJ
KILJ wants to keep you informed during this time about everything related to the Coronavirus and our community. Owner Paul Dennison will be facilitating yet another community forum this Friday at 9:30 am right here on KILJ to keep you up to date with what is happening in our listening area. Hear from State Representative Joe Mitchell, Henry County Public Health Coordinator Shelley Van Dorin, Emergency Management Coordinator Walt Jackson, Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee, and Mount Pleasant Chamber Alliance Executive Vice President Kristi Ray. We will allow them to give brief updates on how their organizations are responding and we will be taking questions from you to address your community concerns. You may email us ahead of time with questions to kiljradio@kilj.com or give us a call at 319-385-8728. Please be sure to tune in to 105.5 FM or stream us online at kilj.com to hear some more updates from community leaders and experts on the Coronavirus this Friday morning at 9:30 am in another community forum.
Unpaid Tickets Could Mean Registration Denial
The Mount Pleasant Police and the Henry County Treasurer’s Office are working together to make sure parking tickets are paid. The City Council and the County Supervisors have entered into a 28E agreement that allows the County Treasurer to collect unpaid parking tickets and fines owed to the City. Unpaid tickets and fines will be turned over to the Treasurer who, in turn, will deny vehicle registration until the tickets and fines are paid in full. The agreement is allowed in the Iowa Code.