City Council Meeting Agenda January 24th

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at 3:48 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 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 Councilmembers. There will be no separate discussion of items unless the Mayor, a Councilmember 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.

  1. Old Business-
    1. 3rd reading/adopt Ordinance amending Chapter 21 “Solid Waste” and Chapter 25 “Solid Waste Charges” of the City of Mount Pleasant Code of Ordinance.
    2. Resolution approving Amended Curbside Residential Solid Waste Collection

Agreement between the City of Mount Pleasant and Wemiga Waste, Inc. and Lance Refuse Inc.

  1. Request from Midwest Old Threshers Board of Directors to close off McMillan Park and Old Threshers grounds to all vehicle traffic Friday, August 23 rd.
  2. Request from Midwest Old Threshers Board of Directors for the use of McMillan Park from August 7 through September 13, 2024.
  3. Request from Midwest Old Threshers to sell alcohol in McMillan Park during Midwest Old Threshers Reunion August 29- September 2, 2024.
  4. Outdoor Amplified Sound Permit for Midwest Old Threshers at McMillan Park and Old Threshers grounds from August 8-September 2, 2024.

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  1. Request from Midwest Central Railroad and Midwest Old Threshers to close Locust Street gate on each night of Midwest Haunted Rails and Threshers House of Terror October 2024.
  2. h) Outdoor Amplified Sound Permit for Midwest Central Railroad and Midwest Old

Threshers on each night of Midwest Haunted Rails and Threshers House of Terror in October, 2024.

  1. New Business-
    1. Authorize the Mayor to sign an Engineering Services Agreement with Warner Engineering for Eugene Way — Drainage & Paving- 2024 RISE-funded paving west from S. Roosevelt Street.
    2. Resolution authorizing the filing of an application for the State of Iowa Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) funds for a new roadway providing access to future industrial development.
    3. Resolution authorizing Warner Engineering Services to file an application for TAP

(Transportation Alternatives Program) Funding for the Construction of PCC TRAIL on N. Grand Avenue.

  1. Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to submit a grant application to the

Iowa Department of Economic Development’s Nuisance/Abandoned Property

Remediation Fund to demolish the former Iowa Wesleyan University Gymnasium.

  1. Authorize Mayor to sign Mount Pleasant Area Development Commission (ADC)
  2. 1 st reading of Ordinance amending Chapter 69 (parking regulations) of the City Code of Ordinances.
  3. Approve Mayor appointments to the Historic Preservation Committee.
  4. Resolution approving 2023 tax abatement applications and authorizing the filing with the Henry County Assessor.
  5. Accept Resignation from Fire Chief with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department.
  1. Public Forum.

I l . Adjourn to meet in regular session on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.

IHSAA Releases Boys’ Wrestling Regional Duals Assignments

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at 11:29 am CDT

Boys’ Prep Wrestling- The Iowa High School Athletic Association released the sites and assignments for the 2024 regional dual team tournaments. The top 24 teams from each classification will compete at eight regional duals with the higher seed hosting and attaining a bye.

Class 3A might be looking at a new champion as #9 Waverly-Shell Rock will have to take on #23 Pleasant Valley before getting the opportunity to compete against #8 Linn-Mar for a chance to go to the state tournament. #1 Southeast Polk is the favorite as they will face off against either Iowa City, City High or Norwalk.

For Class 2A, #1 Osage will look to repeat as they get the opening round bye. #18 Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Mount Vernon and take on #14 Solon. The winner will look to upset #2 Mount Vernon.

In Class 1A, #1 Alburnett will look to usurp #2 Don Bosco’s claim at the title. Firstly, Alburnett will host either #16 Pleasantville or #17 Earlham, while Don Bosco will compete against #15 MFL MarMac or #20 Nodaway Valley.

Regional duals are scheduled to start on Tuesday, January 30th, at 6 pm. The top eight teams will move on to the State Dual Team Tournament on Saturday, February 3rd, at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Ottumwa Man Missing Since Saturday

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at 10:51 am CDT

On January 20, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Craig Dee Smith, age 40, of Ottumwa was reported as a missing person to the Ottumwa Police Department by his roommate. The roommate advised that he had not had any contact with Smith for two weeks. Below is a picture of Smith.

Smith is 6 foot tall and weighs around 240 pounds. Smith was wearing jeans, a hooded sweatshirt and a black coat when he left his residence. It was also reported that Smith could have been heading to see a friend in Keokuk County, IA.

If anyone has information on Smith’s whereabouts, they are requested to contact the Ottumwa Police Department at 641-683-0661.

Mount Pleasant Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting Agenda January 25th

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at 8:48 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Personnel & Finance Committee will meet Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 10:00 AM at City Hall in the City Administrators’ Conference Room.

 

AGENDA

 

    1. Call to order
    2. Discuss Timeline & First Draft of FYE24.
    3. Discuss Price Changes for Cemetery Sales/Grave Openings
    4. Discuss Hiring Part-Time Public Works Employee
    5. Discuss Guidelines On Mount Pleasant Fire & Rescue
    6. Discuss the Letter from Midwest Old Threshers for CAT Grant
    7. Open Forum
    8. Adjourn

New Year’s Fight Leads to Stabbing and Investigation in Keokuk

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at 7:53 am CDT

On the first of the year just after 2 in the morning, Police Officers were dispatched to Lucky’s Irish Pub and Grub, in reference to a large fight in progress. The first officer arrived less than 60 seconds after being dispatched, with three more officers arriving on scene in less than three minutes.

While officers were on scene, they discovered a male victim who received multiple stab wounds during an altercation. The stabbing took place just outside of the establishment. One of the officers immediately rendered aid, placing a tourniquet on the subject, and requesting medical assistance through the dispatch center.

The victim was transported via Lee County Ambulance Service to a designated landing location for an air evacuation. The victim was then taken by helicopter to a medical facility, where they received treatment and would be released several days later.

Officers secured and processed the scene, collecting evidence, taking photographs, and speaking with possible witnesses. It was determined that this was an isolated incident and there was not an ongoing threat to the public.

This investigation was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) on January 2, 2024. The CID continued conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and following up on information received. A search warrant was served in connection with this investigation, where additional evidence was collected. Some of the evidence has been delivered to the Department of Criminal Investigations crime lab in Ankeny, Iowa, for further analysis.

This is an ongoing investigation, and the KPD encourages the public to contact our police department with any additional information regarding this event. The community plays a large role in helping their department suppress crime and keeping our community safe. You can reach our department through our social media (Facebook Messenger), the LeeComm dispatch center (319-372-1310), Lee County Crime Stoppers, calling our department directly (319-524-2741), or coming to the police department in person (1222 Johnson Street, Keokuk).

Mt. Pleasant School Board Discusses Increasing Social Media Presence

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at 7:52 am CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Community School board met for a work session on Monday evening. Although three new faces joined the board just two months ago, big changes are being discussed.

The world of social media is alive and well. Many businesses, churches, organizations, and school districts utilize popular apps such as Facebook and Instagram to reach the public. The school board watched through a presentation last night regarding the use of social media for the district. It is no easy task for all teachers and staff members district wide to get on the same page, which is where MonkeyThis comes in. This group boosts social media output in the form of an app.

Through this, staff can snap a picture of what is happening in the classroom, on the field, in the hallways, and then write a short caption about what is taking place. Then, the professionals edit the photo and caption, and then it is posted. The goal is to share what is happening to the whole community, not just those who have kids in school.

The board seemingly agreed that this is a great idea, as an app can bring great ease to what can be a large task. This would help get all schools in the district on the same page.

Superintendent Henriksen mentioned how the district is ready to get started with a district social media page and place someone in charge of the website and the page.

As this was a board work session, no decision was made, but there will be more conversation on this at a later time.

Regarding repairs to the Chapel, stress-fractures have been revealed in two of the three trusses. 325,000 to 375,000 dollars is on the high end for repairs, but the board is prepared for the worst case scenario.

Henriksen would like to begin the discussion into central office design in February, and open up the HOWE activity center in April for school use. It seems that the Chapel repairs will be completed in June. This is a rough estimate schedule, however, and certain items might be completed much sooner or later.

Sports, January 23rd

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant’s matchup against Mid-Prairie last night was canceled. The Panthers will host Washington on Friday, January 26th, with the girls playing at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.

Mediapolis and Danville’s games last night were postponed. The Bulldogs will take on New London tonight at home with the girls playing at 6 pm.

Van Buren County will square off against Danville in a road matchup with the girls playing at 6 pm tonight.

WACO versus New London last night was postponed. The Warriors will travel to Highland tonight with the girls leading off the night at 6 pm.

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team had their matchup against West Burlington canceled last night. The Wolves will face off against WACO on Thursday, January 25th, with game one at 6 pm.

Central Lee versus Burlington Notre Dame was canceled last night. The Hawks will host West Burlington tonight with game one at 6 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will compete against Burlington Notre Dame tonight with the girls scheduled to play at 6 pm. 

High School Boys’ Basketball Rankings

The Iowa High School Athletic Association released their third edition of the boys’ basketball rankings and Winfield-Mt. Union stayed locked in at #3. The Wolves sit behind Marquette Catholic and North Linn, respectively. The team sits at 12-1 on the season with Abram Edwards averaging a double-double with 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Cam Buffington leads the team, averaging 18.7 points per game. 

High School Wrestling

The WACO boys’ team will compete in a triangular today at home.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will host a triangular today against Louisa-Muscatine and Pekin.

New London will host a quad on Thursday. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will compete in a dual on Thursday at Burlington. 

The Mt. Pleasant, Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union, and WACO girls’ teams will compete at Alliant Energy Power House for Super Regionals on Friday, January 26th. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host Burlington on Thursday, January 25th.

University of Northern Iowa

The Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame 2024 class will feature two former members of the UNI wrestling program. Shawn Kelly Sr. wrestled for the Panthers from 1979 to 1983 and he will be receiving the Russ Smith Community Impact Award after allowing UNI to transform his facility, USA Mat Club, into their temporary training facility. 

The second member is Steve Hamilton, a former assistant coach for the Panthers. Hamilton also claimed two high school state championships and was a four-time All-American at Iowa State. He joined Mark Manning’s staff at UNI in 1997 and stayed until 2000. He helped coach All-Americans Eric Keller, Randy Pugh, and an NCAA champion in Tony Davis. 

The ceremony will be held in Waverly, Iowa, on June 21st. 

College Basketball

The #5 Iowa women’s team will look to get back in the win column on Saturday, January 27th, at 1 pm in a home matchup against Nebraska. 

The Iowa State women’s team will look to rebound tomorrow, January 24th, against Kansas in a road matchup at 6:30 pm. 

The #23 Iowa State men’s team will host Kansas State tomorrow at 8 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team will take on Maryland at home tomorrow at 6 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1950 – The Associated Press picks “Miracle Braves” of 1914 as the greatest sports upset. 

1984 – The Buffalo Sabres become the first team in NHL history to win 10 straight road games with a 5-3 victory at Boston. 

2015 – Golden State guard Klay Thompson scores the most NBA points in a quarter (37) and most three-pointers in a quarter (9) in a Warrior’s 126-101 win over the Sacramento Kings. 

Joseph Ireland

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at 6:11 am CDT

Joseph W. “Joe” Ireland, 60, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at his home.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.