The Mount Pleasant City Council met Wednesday night approving the transfer of one of the city’s most historic properties, appointing a new police chief, and approving several projects and expenditures.
The council approved transferring ownership of the historic Second Baptist Church from the City of Mount Pleasant to the Mount Pleasant Historic Preservation Commission. The commission has maintained the building for the past 13 years with support of the city and has already completed significant exterior restoration, including cedar shake roofing, restoring the wooden siding and repainting the building. The next major phase of the restoration will focus on the church’s foundation and basement, which will require significant additional funding. To help with that effort, the Historic Preservation Commission has created a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit called Historic Second Baptist Church, Incorporated. The nonprofit will be able to pursue grants and other funding opportunities that can help pay for the continued restoration. The ultimate goal is to restore the church and eventually turn it into a museum celebrating African American history in Henry County. The Second Baptist Church is believed to be the oldest Black church in Iowa and one of the oldest west of the Mississippi River. The commission recently got the church on the National Registry of Historic Places, a significant undertaking.
The council also approved the appointment of Ryan Pilling as Mount Pleasant’s next Chief of Police. Current Chief Lyle Murray is retiring, with his final day set for September 11, 2026. Pilling is beginning to take on some of the responsibilities of the position now and will serve as acting chief while Murray finishes the remainder of his tenure. Pilling will officially take over as chief September 12, 2026 and will earn just over $100,000 annually.
Several infrastructure projects were also discussed Wednesday night. The council approved an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation involving the Competitive Highway Bridge Program, or CHBP. The program brings the city, Henry County and the Iowa DOT together to coordinate transportation and bridge projects, potentially saving money by working together. Mount Pleasant is participating in the program for a bridge on South Walnut Street. Although the structure looks more like a box culvert, it is technically classified as a bridge and qualifies for the program.
Work also continues on the Winfield Avenue project. The council approved a $16,720 change order to cover additional dirt work and gravel needed to properly complete driveway approaches. City engineer Jim Warner told the council crews are working through the recent weather to get concrete poured and properly cured. He says Phase Two of the Winfield Avenue project is getting closer to completion.
The city is also adding storage capacity for its equipment. The council approved a $21,320 proposal from Jim Barton Construction to build a pole barn at the Mount Pleasant Airport for tractor storage. The city recently purchased a new mower costing nearly $90,000 that will be used at the airport and other city properties. The new building will provide protected storage for the expensive equipment.
Another major project approved Wednesday involves the former Wisdom Quest building at 401 East Monroe Street, next to City Hall and the Heatilator Performing Arts Center. The council approved a $172,000 contract with Weiler Builders to replace the building’s siding and roof. After review from an architect, it was decided the building is not suitable for use as a childcare facility, so the city plans to use it for storage for Parks and Recreation and Public Works. Local nonprofit The Fellowship Cup will also have storage space in the building.
The council also approved a new website redesign for the city through Revize Custom Design Web Services. The contract will cost $4,130 annually for five years. City officials say the current Mount Pleasant website receives approximately 90,000 views each year, and that traffic continues to increase. The new website will also meet federal ADA accessibility requirements, which will go into law in 2028.
And city crews continue to assist with cleanup following recent storms. Mount Pleasant Public Works employees have spent the last day in New London and will continue to head over and help remove debris and get streets cleaned up as long as they are needed.
Meanwhile, residents have just a few more days to enjoy the Mount Pleasant swimming pool. The final day of the season will be Sunday, August 16th. The pool has been a huge success this year. City Administrator, Joe Taylor, expressed his thanks to Gary and the entire Parks & Rec team for their work keeping the pool open and operating all summer long.
The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet again Wednesday, August 26th, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Administrator’s Conference Room.