AGENDA
May 30, 2023
Approve Agenda
Approve Minutes
9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update
9:30 Joe Buffington, Planning & Zoning Monthly Update
9:45 Adam Kerns with Workman’s Comp Renewal
10:00 Amend Henry County Budget FY23
Approve Resolution
10:15 Legislators to Discuss HF 718
10:45 Resolution for Tax Abatement
Other County Business as time allows
Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates
During the Thursday meeting the Henry County Board of Supervisors returned to a previous conversation regarding a request for a zone change. Chad Ebeling is requesting the change for about 8 acres to the west of Mount Pleasant where he would like to build a concrete plant. He would like the zoning changed from Agriculture to Industrial. The supervisors have said this would involve changing the county’s land use map to allow a type of spot zoning. The map is part of the county’s comprehensive plan. Neighbors are concerned it will de-value their properties. Ebeling claims it won’t. The county Planning and Zoning Commission has already considered the matter but during the Thursday meeting Supervisor Marc Lindeen requested the issue go back to P&Z and this time wants the commission to look at the all the county land surrounding Mount Pleasant within 2 miles of the city limits with an emphasis on the southwest quadrant where the plant is proposed to be built. And consider the impact on the entire area. The supervisors all said they understand the need to encourage business but they also understand the residential property owners built in the area because they thought it would continue as agricultural zoning not industrial. Ebeling has promised he will be very mindful and considerate of his neighbors concerns. Supervisor Greg Moeller also shared concerns about being sued over future spot zoning. The Board voted to send the issue back to P&Z. The soonest it could come before the Supervisors would be June 6.
On May 24, 2023, David Michael Phipps, a resident of Fairfield, Iowa, was arrested and criminally charged with sex abuse in the 3rd degree, a Class C felony in violation of Iowa Code section 709.4. It is alleged that Mr. Phipps, in the early morning hours of May 21, 2023, perpetrated a sex act against a person who was mentally incapacitated and incapable of providing consent. Mr. Phipps is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on a cash or surety bond in the amount of $10,000. A criminal charge is only an accusation based on probable cause, and Mr. Phipps is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Sexual abuse in the Third Degree is a forcible felony under the laws of the State of Iowa, and carries a maximum term of incarceration of 10 years.
Henry County Engineers Office announces a culvert replacement project on Ash Avenue (W-46), south of Hillsboro. The road will be closed starting Wednesday, May 31st for approximately 2 months, weather permitting. There is a posted detour route, please drive with caution. Questions can be answered at 319 385-0762.
Kinney & Sons have stopped removing concrete on the East side of N. Van Buren St. and are now grading and preparing for engineering fabric and sub base placement. For the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend N. Van Buren St. & W. Henry St. Intersection will be closed to traffic. West Henry St. from just west of Marion St. to N. Van Buren will be opened to homeowners as the grading, fabric is placed, and sub base rock is finished. Kinney & Sons have some sewer repair work to do at the manhole in W. Henry St. at the alley between Marion & N. Van Buren. This could hold up getting all driveways open before the weekend.
The Mount Pleasant City Council met in regular session Wednesday night. The Council approved salary increases of 4% for fiscal year 2024 for members of the Public Professional and Maintenance Employees Union, the city staff and the Fire Department.
The Council passed a motion approving a Midwest Old Threshers request for $20,000 in funding from hotel/motel/tax. The funds will be use to purchase and expand the grounds around McMillan Park and Midwest Old Threshers. Council members Matt Crull and Terry McWilliams abstained from voting. Crull is part of the Midwest Central Railroad and McWilliams is the Old Threshers CEO and Administrator.
A public hearing was set for June 14 at 5:30 pm to allow comment on a request to vacate a section of road right of way 1800 block of East Monroe. Derek Wellington who owns Wellington Electric at 1801 E. Monroe approached the City about possibly purchasing some unused road right of way allowing for a building expansion of his business.
Following a public hearing at the Wednesday night meeting the City Council approved the exchange of Industry Road right of way as part of MidAm Building Supplies. The local company is building a new 130,000 square food manufacturing facility on the last three lots that were available for sale in Crossroads Industrial Park. The MidAm building plan doesn’t require Industry Avenue as a through street. The company has agreed to construct a turnaround in exchange for City right of way.
City Administrator Brent Schleisman was given permission to sign a state grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation for funds to replace the oldest hangar roof at the Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport.
Wildfire Smoke Contributes to Exceedances of Ozone Air Quality Standards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2023
DES MOINES – Wildfire smoke carries particulates as well as massive amounts of gases and a cocktail of chemicals that can enhance ozone formation hundreds or even thousands of miles downwind.
Smoke from wildfires in Canada has impacted Iowa the last several days and exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone were measured at two sites in northwest Iowa Monday and six sites across Iowa yesterday, May 23rd–Emmetsburg and Pisgah in western Iowa, Waverly and two sites in Cedar Rapids in northeast Iowa, and just north of Davenport in eastern Iowa all measured ozone levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Smoke from the fires has been evident across much of the state recently and elevated particulate and ozone levels may be a concern over the next several days.
Groups most likely to suffer adverse health effects from ozone and particulates in smoke include asthmatics, those with respiratory difficulties or heart disease, the elderly, children and pregnant women. The DNR encourages members of these groups to limit outdoor activity when air quality conditions are at or above unhealthy levels.
Current fire and smoke information can be found on EPA’s fire and smoke map at
https://fire.airnow.gov/.
Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility Warden Marcy Stroud confirmed Wednesday that a crew of inmates are mowing the Iowa Wesleyan University campus this week. There is a group that will also help with moving some items to a central location on the campus. Many members of the facility staff live in Mount Pleasant and many have attended IW. As a neighborly gesture they reached out to the USDA to make the offer of one time mowing assistance. Stroud said she was told the USDA is working on setting up a contract for regular mowing but was very appreciative of the offer of help since it appears there is not a contract in place yet. The United States Department of Agriculture will officially assume ownership of the campus June 1. The University announced March 28 that it would close and that, because the USDA holds the major loan, ownership would default back to that agency.
