Henry County Board of Supervisors Jan 9th meeting

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 7:15 pm CDT

AGENDA
Board of Supervisors Office
January 9, 2025
9:00 a.m.

1.Approve Agenda

2.Approve Minutes

3. Approve Claims

4.Jake Hotchkiss Engineer Weekly Update

5. Resolution #2-2025 Construction Evaluation

6. Resolution #3-2025 County Official Bonds Approval

7. Resolution #4-2025 Approve Anderson Abatement of Taxes

8. Resolution #5-2025 Approve Noble Abatement of Taxes

9. SEIRPC Board of Directors Appointment for Private Sector

Public Comments

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors’ Sub-Committee Updates

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 8, at 5:30pm

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 12:34 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 8, 2025,
at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second-floor meeting room at 5:30 p.m.
AGENDA
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 Council member
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.
4. Approve agenda.
* 5. Approve minutes of previous meetings.
*6. Approve payment of bills.
*7. Receive report of Officers including Resolution No. 2025-01 approving December 2024
transfers.

8. Old Business-
a) Approve the renewal of a Class E Retail Alcohol License for Wal-Mart Inc #784
located at 1045 N Grand Avenue.
b) Approve the renewal of a Class C Retail Alcohol License, Special Class A Beer
Permit, Outdoor Service and Catering for The Grange Public House and
Brewery LLC at 129 S Jefferson Street.

9. New Business

a)Approve new vehicle for Public Works Department.

b)Approve the appointment of Drew Schumacher, Director of Public Works to TEA
-21 (Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century).

c) Resolution approving Task Order No. 4 with McClure Engineering for the
Excluded Area Taxi lane Project related to the Airport Taxi lane Hangar Project.

D) resolution improving task order number five with McClure engineering for box hanger rehabilitation project,

E) approve change order number one for the hanger roof rehabilitation project

F) resolution approving supplemental task order related to task order number two for the hanger roof rehabilitation project, G) approve demolition bid for 207 South. Marion,

H) approve new cigarette permit for Iowa wine and spirits at 109 South Jefferson St.

10. public forum,

11. adjourn to meeting in regular session on Wednesday, January 22 of February at 5:30pm

Melvin Leo “Shorty” Moeller

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 6:41 am CDT

Melvin Leo “Shorty” Moeller, 84, of West Point, Iowa passed away Saturday evening, January 4, 2025.  Shorty was born May 2, 1940 to Joseph and Cecilia (Geers) Moeller of Pilot Grove, Iowa.  On September 8, 1962, he married Maureen Christina Steffensmeier.  He was a 1958 graduate of St. James High School, St. Paul.  He served in the National Guard. He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, West Point, and of the Knights of Columbus.  He served on the West Point Utility Board, the Sweet Corn Festival Committee, and St. Mary’s Parish Council, as well as volunteering for numerous charities.  Shorty was a farmer, and he worked hard, always making sure the farm was taken care of.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and later in life, he enjoyed playing golf with his friends at Green Acres.   He shared his love of stories for the outdoors with everyone he knew, and he did not know a stranger.  Shorty was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who loved spending time with his family. Through the years, he was his children and grandchildren’s biggest fan in all their activities. He will be greatly missed by all who know him.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Maureen Moeller; his children: Dean (Judy) Moeller, Amy Mueller (Brad Vandenberg), and Ann (Bernie) Abolt; grandchildren: Megan (Wes) McGraw, Mitch (Sarah Grace) Moeller, Stephanie (Kurt) Winnike, Abby (Justin) Mehmert, and Austin (Amanda) Abolt; step grandchildren, Tara (Gavin) Sides and Jason (Jaime) Mueller; sixteen great grandchildren; siblings: Kenny (Jean) Moeller, Mary Moeller, Jeanice (Mark) Schwartz, Coleen (Gene) Dingman, and Joyce (Bruce) Maupin; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Dan Mueller, granddaughter Amanda Lynn Moeller, and brother Eugene “Mick” Moeller.

His family will greet friends from 9:00 – 11:00 am Friday, January 10, 2025 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, West Point, Iowa.  A Memorial Mass will begin at 11:00 am Friday, January 10, 2025 at the church, with Reverend Dan Dorau as Celebrant.  Shorty donated his body to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.  Following their studies, his body will be cremated and a private family Catholic Committal Service and burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery, West Point.  A memorial has been established for Lee County Hospice or Holy Trinity Catholic Schools.  Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Moeller family, and an online guest book may be found at www.barrmemorialchapel.com.http://www.barrmemorialchapel.com

Sports, January 7th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant defended their home court last night with a sweep of New London as the girls’ team demolished the Tigers 52-14 behind Abby Carthey’s 14 points, while the boys’ team handled business, whining 66-27 as Aiden Humble cashed in for 16 points. New London was led in scoring by Mylee Miller with eight points and London Franklin, tabbing 14 points. Boys’ head coach Eric Rawson was excited to capture the team’s first win of the season, but knows his team has a lot of room for growth,

“Yeah, got the monkey off of our back, you know. The big thing is, you know, with this group, we’ve only been on the court for a little over a month and a couple days. You know, we’re eight games in as a group. We’re young in that regard. So, you know to finally get one is nice. But again, you got to kind of treat them just like your losses. You can’t get too high. Can’t get too low and we’ll enjoy it and we’ll get right back to work tomorrow and get a tough Fairfield team on the road on Friday.”

Danville will compete against New London tonight on the road with the night starting at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. 

Fairfield split their matchup against Centerville last night with the girls’ team falling 60-35 and the boys’ team showcasing the offense for the second game in a row to win 70-68. The Trojans will host Mt. Pleasant on Friday, January 10th, with game one at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. 

The Central Lee girls’ team lost to Burlington last night 63-20. Van Buren County will take on Central Lee at home tonight with the first game at 6 pm. 

Both WACO squads will look to keep their win streaks going tonight against Wapello with game one at 6 pm. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Pekin tonight with the girls’ team tipping off at 6 pm. 

Burlington Notre Dame will take on West Burlington tonight with the girls playing at 6 pm. 

Columbus will host Louisa-Muscatine tonight with game one at 6 pm. 

Mediapolis will tango with Holy Trinity Catholic tonight with the girls playing at 6 pm at home. 

High School Boys’ Basketball Rankings

The Iowa High School Athletic Association released their first edition of the boys’ basketball rankings for all four classes yesterday and a pair of local teams claimed a spot in the top 10 for their respective classes.

In Class 2A, West Burlington entered the list at #6 with a perfect 9-0 record. The Falcons have perhaps been more impressive than a season ago, averaging 82 points per game on 55% shooting from the field with a point average point differential of 34.3. West Burlington still boasts one of the best collections of guards in the state with seniors Mason Watkins (29.3 points per game), Quincy Collins (18.6 points per game), and Kobe Davis (10.8 points per game).

In Class 1A, #6 Holy Trinity Catholic may not have a perfect record, but they have certainly earned the respect of their peers.

The Crusaders are 6-1 on the season with the team tabbing four wins by double digits and a 55-54 squeaker past the Notre Dame Nikes. Luke Hellige has continued dominating defenses, averaging 25.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as Adam Sobczak dishes out 8.4 assists per game and 2.9 steals per game.

High School Wrestling

Fairfield will host a quad tonight with Wapello making the trip. 

The New London boys’ team will travel to Durant on Thursday, January 9th, to compete in a meet.

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will compete at the Ottumwa Invitational on Friday, January 10th. 

The Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Van Buren County, and WACO girls’ teams will compete at the Highland tournament on Friday.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will travel to Maquoketa for a tournament on Saturday, January 11th.

The Mt. Pleasant and WACO boys’ teams will travel to Highland for the Gary Curtis Invitational on Saturday.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host Washington on Thursday, January 9th. 

Southeastern Community College

The #20 men’s basketball team will take on Western Iowa Tech at home tomorrow, January 8th, with tip-off scheduled for 7 pm. 

College Basketball

The #3 Iowa State men’s team will compete against Utah tonight at 7 pm at home. 

The Iowa men’s team will host Nebraska tonight at 7 pm. 

The #23 Iowa women’s team will take on Illinois on Thursday, January 9th, at 6 pm on the road.

The Iowa State women’s team will face off against Arizona State tomorrow, January 8th, at 7:30 pm on the road. 

This Day in Sports History

1899 – Walter Camp publishes his first All-American football team in Collier’s.

1927 – The Harlem Globetrotters play their first game in Hinckley, Illinois.

1972 – The LA Lakers defeat the Atlanta Hawks 134-90 for their 33rd straight win. The longest winning streak in major professional sports.

Jefferson County Iowa District Court Sentences Adam Joseph Mckinney 10 Years For Sexually Motivated Crimes Against a Minor

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 6:28 am CDT

On Monday, January 6, 2025, ADAM JOSEPH MCKINNEY was sentenced in Jefferson County, Iowa District Court to a ten year term of incarceration for a sexually motivated crime which took place in 2016 in Jefferson County, Iowa.

The Defendant was originally charged with Sex Abuse in the Second Degree, but convicted of Enticing a Child under 13 years of age, a Class C felony pursuant to Iowa Code 710.10. Mckinney pled guilty to perpetrating sexually motivated acts upon his adopted daughter, who was 6 years of age at the time of the offense.

Jefferson County Attorney ,Chauncey T. Moulding was quoted saying,

“This case was complicated by the significant passage of time between the criminal conduct and the report of the crime, coupled with the extremely young age of the victim at the time of the offense. The fact that a case this old was able to be brought to criminal charge, conviction and sentence is a testament to the diligence of the investigation, along with the strength of the minor victim who was willing to come forward 8 years after the abuse to ensure justice was done.”

Mckinney will be required to undergo sexual offender treatment while serving his ten year term of incarceration, be subject to lifetime sex offender monitoring upon release from prison, and be subject to a lifetime special sentence.

This matter was investigated by the Fairfield, IA Police Department, with the assistance of the Mahaska County, IA Sheriff’s Office, the Roswell, NM Police Department, and the New Mexico Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in Multi-species Backyard Flock in Clinton County, Iowa

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 6:08 am CDT

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in Clinton County, Iowa.

This is Iowa’s first detection of H5N1 HPAI within domestic birds in 2025. H5N1 HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations. H5N1 HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks and herds.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) asks those who find five or more sick or dead flocking birds within a week to report their findings to their local wildlife biologist or state conservation officer. Do not approach or bring home wild or migratory birds that appear sick or are deceased.

Gina Marie Hayes

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 5:52 am CDT

Gina Marie Hayes, 57, of Fort Madison passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Gina was born on November 3, 1967, in Geneseo, Illinois. She was the daughter of Helen Cope.  Throughout her life she was always there to serve others. Gina had a huge heart, one that was giving, compassionate, and forgiving. She loved to talk with anyone and knew no stranger. She enjoyed puzzles and crosswords on her downtime. Her true passion and purpose in her life was to be able to care for those who needed it most. She was a true humanitarian during her time here on earth. Just as Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

Gina was united in marriage to Michael A. Hayes for 25 years. Gina had three children, Christin Munson (Brad), Daniel Munson (Sara), and April Broadhurst (Kevin). Gina had her beloved grandchildren Nevaeha, Ava, Norah, Victoria, Isabel, Elijah, Victor, Philip, Hailey, Evelyn, Nicholas, Olivia, Payton, Marshall, Haylee, Adara, Cameron, and Noah. She had support through her mother and stepfather, Helen Cope and Jim Bowers, and her in-laws Carl and Sharon Hayes. She had two brothers, Ronald (Hickory) Finley and Rusty (Theresa) Hood. She also survived aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces and nephews.

Gina was preceded in death by her grandparents, Eugene and Helen Finley and her uncle Terry Finley, one sister, Tina Anderson and one brother, Randy Hood.

A celebration of Gina’s life will be held and announced at a later date. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.  Burial of her ashes will be in the North Cemetery in Geneseo, Illinois.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for her arrangements.