On February 22 detectives with the Lee County Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant at the home of David and Gina Sams, rural Argyle.  The search was in connection with reports of animal neglect.  During this initial investigation several type of animals were found on the property. A veterinarian examined the animals and the Sams were told to clean up the property.  They were also instructed to start removing some of the animals from the property to assure the remaining animals could be taken care of properly.

A second search was conducted on March 15 to check on the welfare of the animals and make sure they were being kept lawfully as previously discussed with the Sams.  However, investigators ended up taken the couple into custody.  They are charged with seven counts of animal neglect.  The remaining animals were turned over to the care of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.  They included dogs, cats, goats, horses, donkeys, ducks, chickens, geese, a peacock, turkey, rabbits, a pig, a hedgehog, lizards and a chinchilla.

The Wayland City Council meets Wednesday, March 16 at 7:30 pm at the Wayland City Hall

1. Public Hearing – Budget FY22/23 – 7:30 PM

1. 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.

1. Minutes of March 2, 2022
2. Bills for Payment

1. 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.

1. Unfinished Business

6. New Business
   1. #2022-07 “A Resolution Adopting the Annual Budget and Certification of City Taxes For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023”
   2. WACO After Prom Donation Request
   3. Renewal App – Class C Permit Liquor License (LC) –Corner of Main Bar & Grill

7. Building Permits – Approved

MI7 (Miller) – New 54’ x 30’ frame house w/attached 32’ x 32’ attached garage at 803 N Pearl St.

8. Adjournment

Elsie Lange and Andi Scott, both of Mt. Pleasant, have been selected to attend the 2022 Youth Tour Trip on June 18-24, an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. sponsored by Access Energy Cooperative.

Elsie and Andi will join approximately 40 other Iowa students and nearly 1,000 students from across the country who have been selected by their electric cooperative to attend the annual Youth Tour.

Elsie is a sophomore at Mt. Pleasant Community High School, and is the daughter of Nathan and Kelly Lange. She is involved in a variety of school activities including basketball, cross country, track and student counsel. She volunteers in community projects and church functions, while maintaining different part time jobs.

Andi is also a sophomore at Mt. Pleasant Community High School, and is the daughter of Nathan and Danielle Scott. She too participates in a variety of school activities including basketball, show choir, and competition cheering. She volunteers at Old Threshers, Chamber Ambassadors and church events, also while maintaining various part time jobs.

While on tour, Elsie and Andi will learn about American history and government. They will visit historical sights including monuments, museums, the U.S. Capitol, federal agencies and other points of interest. They will also have an opportunity to meet with their legislators in the House and Senate.

We appreciate representatives from Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative and Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative for judging the interviews and helping to select these students as winners of the 2022 Youth Tour Trip.

Access Energy Cooperative has been a part of the Youth Tour program since 1958 and currently selects two students each year to participate in the seven-day trip. The students are selected through an application and interview process.

The Henry Supervisors passed the first reading for an amendment to the County’s Voting Precinct Ordinance. When the amendment is fully approved after two more readings there will be some big changes to voter polling sites.  Henry County Auditor Shelly Barber emphasized at the supervisor meeting Tuesday morning that neither the Supervisors, the Auditor nor the Secretary of State had any part in making the changes in Henry County Polling Places and Voting Precincts. These changes are made every 10 years after the census.  After the 2020 census the need to redistrict is due to the change in population for the State House and Senate Legislative Districts which is done by the State Legislators.  Henry County was previously all in the same Legislative Districts and now the map approved by legislation has Salem Township, Tippecanoe Township and Center Township including the cities within them in State House District 87 and Senate District 44.  Jackson Township, Baltimore Township, New London Township Trenton township, Marion Township, Canaan Township, Scott Township, Wayne Township, Jefferson Township including the cities within them are in State House District 95 and Senate District 48.   This is effective for June 7, 2022, Primary Election moving forward.

Due to these changes many of Henry County residents Polling Places are going to change which can not be helped because the County is required to follow the Code of Iowa. Barber said she is truly sorry for this inconvenience.  Below are the new Precincts with their Polling Places listed below.

Precinct 1  – Polling Place Wayland City Hall, 218 W Main St, Wayland –  Trenton Township, Marion Township, Jefferson Township to include the incorporated cities of Wayland, Olds and the portion of Coppock within Henry County; that part of Wayne Township residents living west of James Avenue to 140^th Street, east to Highway 218, south to the township line.

Precinct 2  – Polling Place Winfield City Hall, 115 N Locust St, Winfield –  Canaan and Scott Townships to include the incorporated city of Winfield; that part of Wayne Township residents living east of James Avenue to 140^th Street, east to Highway 218, south to the township line.

Precinct 3  – Polling Place Emergency Management Building, 900 W Washington St, Mt Pleasant –  Tippecanoe Township, Salem Township to include the incorporated cities of Salem and Hillsboro, Center Townships (excluding the portions of Center Township within Mt. Pleasant’s corporate boundaries) to include the cities of Rome and Westwood

Precinct 4  – Polling Place Veterans Hall 1, 300 W Monroe St, Mt Pleasant –  Mount Pleasant Ward 1 as defined by city ordinance and census block 190879704002039 in Center Township.

Precinct 5  – Polling Place Veterans Hall 2, 300 W Monroe St, Mt Pleasant –  Mount Pleasant Ward 2 as defined by city ordinance and census blocks 190879703002013, 190879703002067, 190879703001024 in Center Township.

Precinct 6  – Polling Place Veterans Hall 3, 300 W Monroe St, Mt Pleasant –  Mount Pleasant Ward 3 as defined by city ordinance.

Precinct 7  – Polling Place Veterans Hall 4, 300 W Monroe St, Mt Pleasant –  Mount Pleasant Ward 4 as defined by city ordinance and census block 190879704005005 in Center Township.

Precinct 8  – Polling Place Salem Community Center, 201 S Main St, Salem –  Jackson and Baltimore Townships.

Precinct 9  – Polling Place New London Community Center, 103 W Washington St, New London –  New London Townships to include the incorporated city of New London.

If you do not want to drive to your new polling place location your other options are as follows….

*Fill out Absentee Ballot Request Form located on the County Website, the SOS Website, or in the Auditor’s Office and return to Auditor’s Office.

*Vote in person early at the Henry County Courthouse Absentee Voting Place on the 2^nd Floor, from parking lot upstairs or off elevator turn to right in the southeast corner Conference room 8 – 4:30

Starting sometime in the next week look for a new Facebook page for the Henry County Auditor’s office where voters can continue to find the information needed to make sure they vote at the correct location.