Mount Pleasant, IA- The City of Mount Pleasant held their City Council meeting last night at City Hall with last discussions of RAGBRAI, approvals of different projects, and a public hearing on the appeal of a dangerous animal determination.

Once roll call was finished, the meeting began with an approval of old business, which included:

-Amplified sound permits for Paul Revere’s Pizza from 7 pm to 2 am and Lisa Pforr for 5 pm to 7 pm for Friday July 26^th.

-Renewal of a Class C Retail Alcohol License for Jefferson Street Grill and Main Street Mount Pleasant and an amended Class C Retail Alcohol License for Westside Tap to include outdoor service for RAGBRAI.

-Lastly, a request from the Knights of Columbus to have alcohol at the East Lake Park Softball Complex on August 2^nd and 3^rd.

The Council also approved the resolution in support of the property tax levy for Emergency Medical Services-Essential Services in Henry County. More information on the tax levy:

-A public vote of at least 60% majority on September 10^th would ensure that this service will continue. In this instance, the $0.27 cent current tax levy would be removed from the hospital budget and replaced with a new $0.75 cent essential services tax.

Rachel Lindeen of the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce and Lisa Oetken of Main Street Mount Pleasant reminded everyone that the downtown roads will be closed after 4 pm on Thursday with everything being reopened on Saturday with the police department helping with traffic flow.

Additionally, at 7:30 pm on Friday, along with RAGBRAI Gives Back, there will be a donation of at least $5,100 towards Lee Town Parks. The duo also thanked the council and the community for all their help preparing for RAGBRAI.

In terms of new business, there was a public hearing to appeal the dangerous animal order issued by the Mount Pleasant Police Department to Ryan and Wie Yeager, owners of a dog that attempted to attack a victim and their dog.

Community Service Officer Jared Walker led off the hearing discussing a few of the 12 reports of aggressive behavior over the past two years against the Yeager’s dog, Coco, with the first event occurring back on June 8^th, 2023.

The dog had exhibited aggressive behavior in terms of chasing, barking, and scratching a victim, resulting in a potentially dangerous animal order being placed on the dog. The orders involved building a fence for their backyard, supervision outside the house, or muzzling the dog when outside.

The orders were not followed leading to more reports against Coco bringing about the dangerous animal order. The argument for the order being that the animal, despite not biting anyone, is “not naturally tame nor gentle.”

The Yeager’s, who have been communitive during the entire process, understood and took responsibility but were asking for some leniency.

Ultimately, the council voted to affirm the dangerous animal determination. The Yeager’s can now appeal the notion and resolve it in court, move the dog out of city limits, or put the dog down.

After the public hearing, the council approved the resolution to accept the HES Industrial Park-Sanitary Sewer Extension and approved a change to Order #2 that involved a decrease of $6,200.

The council also approved:

-A new Retail Permit for Cigarette/Tobacco/Vapor Sales for Mount Pleasant BP.

-The hiring of Marcus Mullin as Parks Supervisor.

-The Change Order #2 for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Disinfection Project. A decrease of $3,296.10 as a result of balancing the cost of designed quantities compared to actual as built quantities.

-An acceptance of the Main Waster Water Treatment Plant Improvements-Disinfection Plan project as it has been completed in conformance with the contract documents according to Shane Oyler, Project Engineer. A project several years in the making.

-Bruce Oviatt and Beau Bergmann reappointed to 3-year terms on the Airport Advisory Committee.

-Lastly, a resolution for the mayor to execute a Mortgage Release on behalf of the City Council for mortgage assistance that was granted under the City Housing Assistance Program. The owner will pay back the balance of $8,200.

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 14^th, at 5:30 pm at City Hall, the second-floor meeting room.

Total Exhibitors – 77

Total Entries – 286

Class 1 – Breads – Tami Weber won first.

Class 2 – Breads – No Yeast: Jane Dallmeyer won first and Margaret Brinning won second place.

Class 3 – Cakes-no frosting: Jane Dallmeyer won first place and Margaret Brinning won second place.

Class 6 –Pie: Rachel Carstensen won first place and received the $25 prize from Freeman Foods award.

Class 7 – Cookies: $25 Cookie prize from JWs Foods went to Barb Anderegg.  Margaret Binning won first place and Holly Beinhaut won second place.

Class 8 – Candy: Sue Janecek won first place and Shirley Bohr won second place.

Class 10 – Jam:  Darcy Kroemer won first place and Rachel Cartsensen won second place.

Class 11 – Preserves and Butters: Allen Brush won first place.

Class 13 – Canned Vegetables:  Bunny Peiffer won first place and Allen Brush won second place.

Class 14 – Pickles and Catsup:  Pat Sprouse won first place.

Class 16 – Photography Black and White – Taryn Collins won first and Darcy Kroemer won second place.

Class 17 – Photography:  Color: Sharon Scarff won first and second place and Art and Photography $25 Award from Hills Bank.

Class 18 – Computer Art: Sharon Scarff won first place.

Class 19 – Painting and Sketching: Matt Kaye won first place and Ann Williams won second place.

Class 23 – Christmas in July:  Sandy Beachamp won first place and Donna Palmer won second place.

Class 24 – Creative Arts: Dixie Conrad won first and second place.

Class 24B – Needlework – Beverly Rutten won first place and Brenna Goode won second place.

Class 25 – Repurposed or Reimagined: Cindy Dalton won first place and Creative Arts $25 prize from Emporium, and Dixie Conrad won second place.

Class 26 – Metal or Glass: Keiffer Sexton received first and second place.

Class 26 – Leather: Michael Kast won first place.

Class 27 – Table Place Setting – Jo Duwa won first place.

Class 28 – Woodworking – Made and Finished: Merle Pacha won first place.

Class 29 – Wood Article – Painted:  Cindy Dalton won first place.

Class 32 – Wood Miniatures –Ty & Emily Rinner won first place.

Class 35 – Garden Art – Dixie Conrad won first place.

Kids Class – Anna Piette won first place and Cameron Fireze won second place.

Class 37 – Quilts – Hand Quilted: Alicia Pacha won first place and Judy Sieren won second place.

Class 38 – Quilts – Machine Quilted:  Julie See won the $25 award from Willow Creek Quilting, Jan Miller won first place.

Class 39 – Quilts – Intricate Pieced: Laura Schmitz won first place and $25 award from Stitch ‘N Sew.

Class 40 – Quilts – Multiple Method: Sue Norman won first and second place.

Class 41 – Baby Quilt:  Bonnie Nisley won first place and Jane Dallmeyer won second place.

Class 42 – Lap or Small Quilt: Sandi Beachamp won first place and Donna Palmer won second place.

Class 43 – Wallhangings:  Candy Greiner won first place and Peg Kuhns won second place.

Class 44 – Table Runner, Topper, Placemats:  Peg Kuhns won first place and Deb Seward won second place.

Class 47 – Creative Wearables: Brenna Goode won first place.

Class 48- Knitting:  Bunny Peiffer won first place and Erin Kaye won second place.

Class 49 – Crocheting: Rachel Hiller won first and second place.

Class 51 – Pillow – Donna Palmer won first place.

Class 53 – Cut Flowers: Audrey Reed won first and second place.

Class 54 – Cut Flower Arrangement: Donna Palmer won first place and Laura Schmitz won second place.

Class 55 – Bulb Flower:  Dawn Anderegg won first place and Bunny Peiffer won second place.

Class 56 – Container Plant Indoor:  Audrey Reed won first place and Dawn Anderegg won second place.

Class 57 – Container Plant Outdoor: Jan Miller got first place and Dawn Anderegg won second place.

Class 58 – Vase Bouquet:  Katie Reuman won first place and Donna Palmer won second place.

Class 59 – Dried or Created Flowers:  Audrey Reed received first place and second place.

Marianne Reha-Van Roekel received the Flower and Plant $25 award from Hills Bank.

Class 60 – Garden Vegetables:  Allen Brush won first and Overall Garden Exhibit Award of a $25 award from Hills Bank, and Mackenzie Stogdill won second place.

Class 53 – Garden Display:  Pat Sprouse won first place and Allen Brush won second place.

Class 54 – Largest Vegetable – Pat Sprouse won first place and Allen Brush won second place..

Judge’s Choice Award – $25 award from Hills Bank went to Brenna Goode quilt.

“Jim and Sandi Hotchkiss of Washington were recognized at the Washington County Fair on July 19 as the 2024 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame recipient for Washington County.   Annually, every county is to select one recipient for the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.

Once members, then parents to 4-Hers, then club and project leaders, and now grandparents to 4-Hers.  Jim and Sandi Hotchkiss don’t recognize a time in their life without 4-H.

They met the summer of 1970 in the sheep barn at the Washington County Fair. Jim then proposed to Sandi under the trees north of the sheep barn during the County Fair. 

Three generations of the Hotchkiss Family have been involved in 4-H leadership.  Jim’s dad was a 4-H leader and superintendent of sheep department. The first brick purchased for the patio in front of the Washington County Extension Office is in honor of James Hotchkiss.  Ruth, his wife, was one of the greatest 4-H cheerleaders to her children and grandchildren.

As a team, Jim and Sandi had great 4-H role models and have become ones themselves.  The Washington County 4-H horse department, arena, barn and kids would not be what it is without the Hotchkiss family.   They have been active filling many volunteer roles and are proud supporters of the 4-H program.  They are great examples of hard work, family focused and generous giving.

The couple will be further recognized at the Iowa State Fair on August 18 for their dedication to Iowa 4-H.”

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department has received a donation of body armor for K9 Kalo.

He will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Kalo’s vest is sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.* and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Hobbs, Des Moines, IA – EOW 12/12/23”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

*Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

Mount Pleasant, Wayland, Trenton, places that we call home and love. With RAGBRAI cycling through in just two days, it’s time to show an estimated 25,000 visitors why we love home so much. Currently, riders are cycling 75 miles and over 3000 feet of climb as they reach the halfway point of the race across Iowa. In just two days time, our community will welcome them. Take pride in your town.

Clean up your yard or your business, mow the lawn, and decorate! If you live in Mount Pleasant, the theme is Make Yourself at Home/Americana. This is not the last you’ll hear of RAGBRAI over the coming days, as KILJ Radio is proud to be the official media sponsor.