(Le Mars)–Main Street Le Mars is accredited for 2010.
That’s the news Le Mars Main Street manager Mary Reynolds received after Main Street Iowa representatives from Des Moines were in Le Mars for their annual visit last week.
According to Reynolds, Le Mars Main Street met the 11 criteria created by the National Main Street Center to measure performance in the program’s economic revitalization efforts.
That also means the Le Mars program will be recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation at the National Main Streets Conference this month.
Iowa Main Street representatives met with Reynolds , Main Street committee members, Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Le Mars officials last week to review progress and successes achieved during the past year as well as program plans for the future.
Le Mars has been a Main Street Community since October of 1995.
(Des Moines)–The state Racing and Gaming Commission is holding a public hearing today on the potential addition of new gambling licenses in the state.
Listen to a report from Dar Daniels of Radio Iowa
{audio}images/stories/mp3/gamble0503.mp3{/audio}
The commission heard proposals in March from four groups wishing to gain licenses to build new casinos in Lyon, Wapello, Tama and Webster counties. The commissioners made visits to each proposed site in the last several weeks. They’ll get an update today on D-C-I background reports on the proposed management groups, and then the hearing will give those in favor and those against the casinos a chance to voice their opinions.
Several groups on both sides have already notified the commission they wish to speak on the issue, and others will be allowed to sign up at the meeting. The commission plans on a final vote on whether to grant any new licenses on May 13th. (News report from Radio Iowa)
(Le Mars) The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will tackle a full agenda Tuesday morning at their regular weekly meeting.
Agenda items include updates of the final courthouse annex building plans, the courthouse window replacement project, as well as an update and timeline from Justin Higman of Higman Sand and Gravel of Akron regarding the pond project south of Akron.
The board is also expected to approve the General Obligation Local Option Sales Tax Refunding bonds that will save the county $40,000 for the Plymouth County Jail and Communications Center loan payment. The supervisors meet Tuesday morning at 9:30 in the lower level of the Plymouth County Courthouse. (News report by Dave Ruden)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
9:30 AM Jim Henrich, Plymouth County Board Chairman
1. Call meeting to order
2. Approve this agenda (Action)
3. Approval of prior Board meeting minutes (Action)
4. Approval of claims and payroll (Signatures)
5. Committee Reports (Discussion)
6. Old Business
A. Approve a tax suspension for Ruby Grosenheider (Aciton)
B. Approve deputy appointment resolution (Action)
C. Approve General Obligation Local Option Sales Tax Refunding bonds
(Action)
D. Sign the Zoning Ordinance changes previously approved (Action)
7. New Business
A. Open and review mail/correspondence (Discussion)
B. Open public forum (Informational)
9:50 AM Barry Thompson, Attorney – Seeking approve of Berendes Addition,
a minor subdivision in Section 27 of
Remsen Township (Action)
10:00 AM Dale McKinney, M+ Architects – Update regarding final courthouse
annex plans (Discussion and possible
Action)
10:30 AM Board of Supervisors – Discuss the courthouse window replacement
project (Discussion and Action)
11:00 AM Justin Higman, Higman Sand and Gravel – Update and time line
regarding pond and agreement with
Plymouth County (Informational)
11:20 AM Tom Rohe, Plymouth County Engineer
(Action Items)
1. Resolution-Stop Sign-Sec 1 Grant Twp
2. Resolution-Road Closures For 2010 Construction
Questions/Discussion of the Secondary Road Department
(Informational Items)
Update on construction projects
(LE MARS)–Le Mars residents may have a new way to pay bills from the City of Le Mars.
An online bill pay option is to be discussed by the Le Mars City Council during a public meeting at noon today at city hall.
A request for Local Option Sales Tax Funds (LOST) will be considered for Main Street Facade and a buy-down of the interest rate on economic development projects in the designated Main Street area. The requests are 30-thousand dollars for the Facade program and 10-thousand dollars for three years for the interest buy down program.
Since 2006, city residents have paid $2 a month of their sewer and water bill for water drainage improvements. The fee could be raised to $3 or a one-dollar increase July 1st. An increase would provide 50-thousand dollars a year to help fund previous and ongoing storm water drainage improvements. According to the council agenda, storm water drainage system improvements have exceeded the 100-thousand dollars per year provided by the $2 a month charge.
What many people know as the “gas house” corner could be a flood control area. Northern Natural and MidAmerican relocated a high pressure gas line at the intersection of 12th Street and Seventh Avenue Southeast. City staff is proposing the property be converted to a detention basin to help control water runoff and flooding of Southdale Drive. A cost estimate is not available yet.
The complete agenda is with this news story on the KLEM web page and is also on the city web site.
.NOTE: AGENDA ORDER SUBJECT TO CHANGE
LE MARS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2010, 12:00 P.M.
AGENDA
A. CALL TO ORDER – MAYOR
ROLL CALL – CITY CLERK
COUNCILMEMBERS: NELSON_____, KNAPP_____ REXWINKEL_____,
LEONARD______, IHRKE_______
B. GENERAL DISCUSSION
1Citizens
2. “Thumbs Up” Award
C.CONSENT ITEMS
All items listed under “Consent” Agenda will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on those items unless a request is made prior to the time the Council votes on the motion.
Approval of April 20, 2010 Meeting Minutes
List of Bills for Period Ending 4/30/10
Appointments
Mr. P’s Pizza and Sport Grill Request for Outdoor Service Area
Renewal of Liquor License/Wine Permit (HyVee)
Request to Close Streets for Ice Cream Days
Budget Amendment Hearing
Golf Course Equipment Lease
K49 (7th Avenue SE) Parking Restrictions
Hospital Trustee Vacancy
Northern Natural Gas Co. Property Acquisition
D. ACTION ITEMS
1. Financing –Advance Refunding Previous Bond Issues
2.Handicap Parking Space
3.Façade / Interest Buy Down Funding – Local Option Sales Tax
4.Old US 75 STP Project
5.Storm Water Drainage Rate Change
6.Online Bill Pay Option
E.DISCUSSION
1.Council/Mayor
2.City Administrator/Public Works Director
3.Assistant City Administrator
F.ADJOURNMENT
Next Resolution No. 10-13
Next Ordinance No. 886
Le Mars City Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 12:00 P.M.
Minutes
Mayor Kirchoff presided. Present: Ihrke, Nelson, Leonard, Knapp, Rexwinkel. Absent: None.
NOTE: A hearing was held regarding the proposal to take action on not to exceed $2,150,000 General Obligation Refunding Loan Agreement and no oral or written objections were received.
Knapp moved, Ihrke seconded Resolution No. 10-6 taking additional action to enter into Loan Agreement and authorizing the Call of Notes for early redemption be adopted. On Roll Call: Ayes: Nelson, Leonard, Rexwinkel, Knapp, Ihrke. Nays: None.
Nelson moved, Knapp seconded that the following items be approved under the “Consent Agenda.” On Roll Call: Ayes: Ihrke, Leonard, Rexwinkel, Nelson, Knapp. Nays: None.
Regular meeting minutes of April 6, 2010.
List of bills for period ending 04/16/10.
Monthly Financial Statement for March 2010.
Reappoint Mayor Dick Kirchoff to the Joint Urban Renewal Advisory Board for a three year term.
Renewal of Class C Liquor License and Outdoor Service to Dinger’s.
Resolution No. 10-7 designating additional handicap parking spaces be adopted.
Resolution No. 10-8 Designation of Authorized Representative (Hazard Mitigation Grant) be adopted.
Resolution No. 10-9 providing for Reduction of Interest Rate for the 2000 Water Revenue Bond be adopted.
Resolution No. 10-10 making certain interfund transfers be adopted.
Resolution No. 10-11 naming O-Brien-Yoerger Drive be adopted.
Leonard moved, Rexwinkel seconded the Committee recommendation to hire David Schipper as Fire Chief as stipulated effective July 1, 2010 be accepted. On Roll Call: Ayes: All present. Nays: None.
Rexwinkel moved, Ihrke seconded Resolution No. 10-12 Approving and Authorizing an Amended and Restated Local Option Tax Agreement be adopted. On Roll Call: Ayes: Knapp, Nelson, Leonard, Rexwinkel, Ihrke. Nays: Nays: None.
NOTE: The Council directed Staff to work with business owners and others for a long term solution to the congestion and parking concerns on Lincoln Street SE between Central Avenue and Plymouth Street.
Rexwinkel moved, Nelson seconded the meeting be adjourned at 12:45 P.M.
_________________________________________________
Beverly Langel, City ClerkDick Kirchoff, Mayor
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ConsentREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
List of Bills for Period Ending 4/30/10
Item No.
C-2
Attached is the list of bills for the period ending 4/30/10.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Approval of bills for the period
ending 4/30/10.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Appointments
Item No.
C-3
The Mayor is recommending the following appointments.
Planning and Zoning Commission:
Reappoint Tom Kurth for a five year term expiring June 30, 2015.
Mr. Tom Ryan’s term will expire June 30, 2010 and he does not wish to serve another term. The Mayor is recommending Jan Wagner be appointed to a five-year term expiring June 30, 2015.
The City thanks Mr. Ryan for his years of service to the City.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion to appoint Tom Kurth and Jan Wagner to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Mr. P’s Pizza and Sport Grill Request for Outdoor Service AreaItem No.
C-4
Application has been received from Mr. P’s Pizza and Sports Grill for an Outdoor Service Area adjacent to their location for June 19, 2010 during Ice Cream Days. Approved by Police Department.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion (approving) (denying) issuance of Outdoor Service Area to Mr. P’s Pizza and Sports Grill.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ConsentREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTIONDate:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Renewal of Liquor License/Wine Permit (HyVee)
Item No.
C-5
Application has been received from Hy Vee for their Class E Liquor License and Class B Wine Permit. Papers are in order. Approved by Police Chief.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion (approving) (denying) renewal of Class E Liquor License and Class B Wine Permit to Hy Vee.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Request to Close Streets for Ice Cream Days
Item No.
C-6
Information:
The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce has requested the following Street Closings:
1st Avenue West from 1st Street S. from Emily’s Home Furnishing to 1st Street N. to the Primebank drive-thru be closed off to traffic on Friday, June 18, 2009 for the 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
Their letter is attached.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion approving street closings as requested by the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce for Ice Cream Days event.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Budget Amendment HearingItem No.
C-7
A budget amendment is needed for Fiscal Year 2009-10 and it is requested the Council establish a public hearing as required.
Expenditures exceeding budget include :
Hospital/Clinic Operations, Grant Expenditures, Plymouth County Extension Remodeling (reimbursed by the Extension) and Misc. Dept. Operating Expenditures. A more detailed list will be available at the meeting.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion establishing May 18, 2010 at 12:00 P.M. as the date and time to hear public comment regarding amendments to the FY 2009-10 Budget and instructing the City Clerk to publish notice thereof.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ConsentREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Golf Course Equipment Lease
Item No.
C-8
Information:
The fairway mower at the Willow Creek Golf Course gave out last week. It was a 1999 mower with 6,000 hours of use on it. The Park Committee instructed Doug Schultz to see about getting a new one on a lease to purchase program like we did the Public Works equipment. Midwest Turf and Irrigation has one in Omaha, NE that can be purchased for $55,031. US Bank is willing to finance the lease to purchase for five (5) years at an interest rate of 3.95%. It is a Reelmaster 6700-D with 8 blade DPA reels. This mower has a list price of $70,371. There will be five payments of $12,420.50 with the first one being July 1, 2011 at the end of which we will own the mower,
Staff Recommendation:
The Park Committee, City Administration, and Doug Schultz all recommend the purchase of this mower through the lease to purchase program spelled out and taking delivery of said mower as soon as possible.
Financial Impact:
This purchase will be funded through golf revenues over the life of the lease.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion approving a five year lease with Midwest Turf funded through US Bank for the purchase of a Reelmaster 6700-D Fairway Mower as proposed.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
K49 (7th Avenue SE) Parking Restrictions
Item No.
C-9
Information:
After the completion of the STP widening project on K49 in 2009 it is appropriate to restrict parking along said K49 similar to other federally assisted roadways.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends Council approval.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ providing for no parking on K49 (7th Avenue SE) from 12th Street S. to South Corporate Limits.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Hospital Trustee Vacancy
Item No.
C-10
Information:
Mr. Jim Ryan will be vacating his Trustee position on the Floyd Valley Hospital Board of Trustees in May 2010. His term expires December 31, 2011.
Attached is a copy of City Ordinance. Joe is researching State statute for other requirements.
Staff Recommendation:
Recommendation to establish the following schedule:
May 4 Council establish its intent to fill by appointment
May 11Floyd Valley Hospital Board recommends
May 18Council approves appointment
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion establishing Council’s intent to fill vacancy on Floyd Valley Hospital Board of Trustees by appointment on May 18, 2010.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ConsentREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Northern Natural Gas Co. Property Acquisition
Item No.
C-11
Information:
Northern Natural Gas Co. and/or MidAmerican Energy Co. have completely disconnected and relocated the high pressure gas line on the property known as the “Town Station” located at 12th Street and 7th Avenue SE. Staff has negotiated with NNG who has agreed to Quit Claim Deed the property to the City of Le Mars.
Due to a history of drainage issues in that proximity and Southdale Drive, staff recommends the property be converted to a detention basin in an effort to help control water runoff flowing across 12th Street South and flooding Southdale Drive.
Staff Recommendation:
To acknowledge receipt of property from Northern Natural Gas Co. and approve the conversion of the property to a detention basin.
Financial Impact:
Engineering/design has not been accomplished; therefore, a cost estimate to convert the land to a detention basin is unknown at this time.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion acknowledging receipt of property acquired from Northern Natural Gas Co. and approving converting the property to a detention basin.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Financing –Advance Refunding Previous Bond Issues
Item No.
D-1
Information:
City Council has held the public hearing on the refunding of the 2002 and 2003 GO Bond Issues and now needs to take the next step to facilitate the sale of the bonds. Mr. Chip Schultz of Ruan Securities will be at the meeting.
Recommendation:
Recommendation is to approve the Bond Purchase Agreement and Preliminary Official Statement.
Financial Impact:
Based on proposed rates, interest savings is now $87,053 (originally estimated at $91,000).
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ approving the Bond Purchase Agreement and Preliminary Official Statement.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Handicap Parking Space
Item No.
D-2
Information:
The Postal Playhouse Board is requesting one new handicap parking stall at the southeast corner of their property by the ramp for the handicapped entrance.
Staff has reviewed the alley, alley approach and land adjacent to the alley. It would be possible to add two (2) diagonal parking stalls in the current grass area adjacent to the ADA entrance ramp.
Pavement for the alley is estimated at $4,000 to $8,000 depending on asphalt or portland cement concrete. Pavement for the two (2) parking stalls $700 to $1,400 (ACC or PCC).
Staff Recommendation:
Staff is recommending adding one (1) handicap parking stall as requested on the street or to add two (2) adjacent to the alley and pave the alley.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ designating one (1) handicap parking space on 1st Avenue N.E.
or
Motion approving paving the alley and adding two (2) handicap parking spaces adjacent thereto and adopting Resolution No. ______ designating two (2) handicap parking spaces by the Postal Playhouse.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ActionREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Façade / Interest Buy Down Funding – Local Option Sales Tax
Item No.
D-3
Information:
The Le Mars City Council at its’ meeting on August16, 2005 restricted the use of Local Option Sales Tax until such time as all past commitments were satisfied. On February 20, 2007 Council formally approved the prepayment of existing debt as funds became available. Since that time various individual Council actions have added to the list of approved uses for the Local Option Sales Tax dollars. Recent debt restructuring will lower the Interest on the outstanding jail and GO debt but the new amounts have not been determined. Attached is a request from the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Main Street Manager in the amount of $30,000 to fund the Façade Program for FY 11. Also attached is a listing of history of the Façade Program, both funds provided and recipients, since the inception of the program.
Also, attached is a request from the Le Mars Business Initiative Corp (LBIC) Director in the amount of $10,000 per year for three years to fund the interest buy down program.
Financial Impact:
This action would realign the expenditure of Local Option Sales Tax Receipts. It would extend the period of time needed to retire all the debt issued to fund previous LOST projects. The debt payback period, if this plan is approved, would be greater that the current plan.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion (approving I denying) the proposed additional use of Local Option Sale Tax funds and reallocate the future funds as necessary to facilitate this action.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
US 75 North STP Project
Item No.
D-4
Information:
The final plans are done for the US 75 North STP Project from Iowa 3 North to the Floyd River Bridge as prepared by DGR of Sioux City, Iowa.
Cost Estimate is $395,000.
Proposed Schedule:
Introduce Plans & Establish Public Hearing May 4, 2010 Reg Meeting
Public Hearing May 18, 2010 (12:00 PM) Reg Mtg
Bid Letting by IDOT May 18, 2010 (10:00 AM @ IDOT)
Award Construction Contract June 1 or June 15, 2010 depending on DOT
Begin Construction Last start date on or before July 19, 2010
End Construction 50 working days
Staff Recommendation:
DGR recommends approval. City Staff recommends approval to proceed to public hearing.
Financial Impact:
Federal STP funding available is $200,000. Le Mars Urban Renewal or Joint Urban Renewal are both eligible for local funding of approximately $200,000.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion establishing MY 18, 2010 at 12:00 P.M. as the date and time for public hearing on plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the US 75 North STP Project.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ActionREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Storm Water Drainage Rate Change
Item No.
D-5
Information:
In 2006 the Le Mars City Council adopted Ordinance 858 setting up a Storm Water Drainage System (see attached). This Ordinance established the storm water fee at $2.00 per month. This fee is currently generating approximately $100,000 per year. Unfortunately, our storm water drainage system improvements have exceeded that number per year. Therefore, the deficit fund balance has continued to grow. Included in the FY ‘11 budget was additional revenue to help offset the drainage improvement costs. This extra revenue was based on raising the storm water drainage fee from $2.00 per month to a rate of $3.00 per month effective July 1, 2010.
Staff Recommendation:
City staff recommends the approval of rate increase effective July 1, 2010 to help offset the continuing need for storm water drainage improvements.
Financial impact:
This action, if approved, will generate an additional $50,000 per year to help fund previous and ongoing storm water drainage system Improvements.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion approving the first reading of Ordinance No. ______ setting storm water drainage rates.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ActionREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
May 4, 2010
Description:
Online Bill Pay Option
Item No.
D-6
Information:
In an effort to give citizens additional options to pay their utility bills, building permits, and other City fees, staff has been researching methods of payments. As the first step staff analyzed several options, those being: ICASH, Data Tech, E-Gov, Firstech, Pay Pal, and Banks. Most of these options have up front expenses which include equipment and software totaling from $500 to $3,500. In addition, most require an ongoing annual fee and per transaction costs. The unknown at this point is volume of activity and what price would we be willing to pass along or absorb. Staff feels that any costs should be covered by the users who are taking advantage of this type of payment option and not passed along to be absorbed by all utility customers. We have attached a summary of the various online providers we have researched. Council has the option to select whichever provider they desire, instruct staff to do follow-up research, or elect to not offer online bill paying at this point.
The cheapest most effective method of utility bill paying is through our ACH billing authorization which has no cost to the customer and very minimal costs to the City. Currently we have approximately 900 customers taking advantage of this type of utility bill paying.
Available methods of payment would be:
In Person at City Hall
24/7 Drop Box (City Hall front entry)
By Mail
AutoPay
Online through PayPal for a small fee
Staff Recommendation:
City staff recommends setting up a PayPal “Standard” account and offering online bill payments through PayPal. There would be no cost to the City. The user would pay $.30 per transaction plus a fee of 1.9% if they use a PayPal account or 2.9% if they use Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. They could access PayPal through a link on the City Website; however, it would be clearly marked that they are leaving the City owned and controlled Website and moving to a PayPal application.
Financial Impact:
There are no up front costs, ongoing costs, or locked in length of time agreements. The costs to users of this payment option are minimal and are completely paid by the people who choose to pay their bills this way.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion adopting Resolution No.__________ authorizing the approval of setting up a PayPal “Standard” account, (or whichever option Council should desire), as described above, to allow credit I debit card payments online for City provided services.
(Roll Call)
(AKRON)–Akron’s Healthy Iowans project grant funds will support a container gardening program.
Akron is one of six Iowa cities selected to be part of the Healthy Iowans project through the Iowa Department of Public Health. The city of Akron received a 10-thousand dollar grant to determine the town’s nutritional and activity assets and to develop a project to increase the residents’ health either through nutrition or activities.
As part of the grant program, the Akron-Westfield Community School will receive 10-thousand dollars for the next school year.
According to the Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO), the first project for Akron is the container gardening program.
Akron residents who sign up by contacting city hall will receive a gardening container, soil and vegetable plants. The deadline is May 17th.
It’s a homegrown project with all supplies being purchased at Akron businesses.
The other project to start this summer will be the Farmers’ Market revitalization plan. Farmers’ Markets begin June 2nd at Akron City Park.
(LE MARS)–Plymouth County Jurors do not need to report today. Jurors are asked to contact the clerk of court’s office next Monday afternoon, May 10, 2010 to find out whether to report on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.
(SIOUX CITY—IN ONE YEAR, GROUND WILL LIKELY BE BROKEN NEAR 11TH AND GRANDVIEW FOR THE NEW HEELAN HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS.
PRIDE CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR ART SILVA SAYS PLANNING FOR THE $25-MILLION CATHOLIC SCHOOL CAMPUS BEGAN YEARS AGO.
ROUGHLY 5-TO-600 STUDENTS CURRENTLY ATTEND HEELAN.
THE NEW BUILDING WILL BE BUILT TO HOLD 800 STUDENTS.
SILVA SAYS IF ALL GOES AS PLANNED, THE NEW CAMPUS COULD BE OPEN TO STUDENTS IN 2015.
THE OLD HEELAN BUILDING WILL BE TORN DOWN AND REPLACED WITH PARKING LOTS AND GREEN SPACE.
CAMPUS SPECIFICS
Size of Phase 1 building area
41,850 SQFT
Classroom list for Phase 1
Art
Auditorium
Band
Choral
Drama
Food Service
Auditorium seating for Phase 1
700 Seats
Size of Phase 2 building area
96,000 SQFT
Classroom list for Phase 2
Administration
Business
Counseling / Guidance
English Classrooms (4)
Foreign Language (3)
Journalism Lab (2)
Family Consumer Science
Mathematics (4)
Media Center
Nurse
Physical Education
Science (4)
Social Studies (4)
Theology (3)
Gymnasium Seating Size
2,000 Seats
(News report from KSCJ/Powell Broadcasting, Sioux City)
Listen to the newscast
{audio}images/stories/mp3/am0503.mp3{/audio}
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Gov. Chet Culver says the latest index of leading economic indicators released by the Iowa Department of Revenue shows the state is on the way to recovery. The index showed a major increase for the month of March.
Culver said Monday in Des Moines that his administration has been working with companies large and small through the Department of Economic Development to create the right incentives that attract and retain jobs.
Culver also said that through the Iowa Power Fund, the state is continuing to build the economy of the future by focusing on renewable energy development, which is transforming communities of all sizes.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) Authorities in Johnson County say the county is making a change in how it deals with some marijuana defendants.
Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness says that first-time, small-scale offenders of marijuana crimes will be able to clear their record after completing a marijuana diversion program that will begin July 1.
Lyness says the program, which is the only one of its kind in Iowa, should free up the jail and courts and give offenders age 25 and younger a second chance.
Programs to keep smaller marijuana offenses out of the courts are sprouting up nationally, and some observers say they mirror a softening stance toward the drug. Some authorities favor the treatment approach, but others question whether it sends mixed signals.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) Trial is set to begin for the owner and four employees of a former kosher slaughterhouse charged with thousands of child labor violations.
Jury selection begins in Waterloo on Tuesday in the case against former Agriprocessors Inc. owner Aaron Rubashkin and his son, Sholom Rubashkin. Three other former employees also are charged.
They face a total of more than 9,000 child labor charges alleging violations such as allowing teenagers to use meat grinders, exposing children to dangerous chemicals and working children for too long.
The trial comes less than a week after a sentencing hearing Sholom Rubashkin, who was convicted of 86 financial fraud charges. Prosecutors are seeking a 25-year term.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) Authorities in Council Bluffs say they are investigating arson as a possible cause in a mobile home fire that left one woman dead.
The victim of the Monday morning fire has been identified as 41-year-old Connie Ayers.
Authorities say an explosion and flames apparently ripped through the home, blowing out its windows and bending its sides. Ayers’ body was found in her bedroom.
Fire officials say the mobile home was in the Bluff Acres subdivision just southeast of Interstate 80.
KALONA, Iowa (AP) The Johnson County Sheriff’s office has identified the person killed in a buggy crash as a 78-year-old man from Kalona.
Deputies say the victim, Emery Miller, was a passenger in the buggy being driven Sunday morning by his 42-year-old son, Everett Miller. Deputies say the buggy veered off the road into a ditch, which caused it to overturn.
Emery Miller’s 77-year-old wife, Edna, was transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment. Her condition was not available Monday.
Everett Miller and his 10-year-old son, Ryan, were not injured in the crash, and neither was the horse pulling the buggy.
FARLEY, Iowa (AP) A Dubuque County man is facing theft charges after reportedly admitting to stealing money from a local youth baseball organization.
The Dubuque County Sheriff’s department has charged 39-year-old Steven Perrenoud of Farley with first-degree and second-degree theft.
The sheriff’s department says Perrenoud admitted to authorities that he stole an estimated $24,389 from Farley Youth Baseball between 2008 and 2009. Perrenoud allegedly took the money during his time as treasurer of Farley Youth Baseball, telling authorities that he obtained the funds to help his failing business. He also admitted writing at least two checks from the account for personal use.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) Police in Iowa City say a noise complaint from a neighbor led to the arrest of a local woman and a man from the Chicago suburbs on drug and child endangerment charges.
Officers say that when they checked out an apartment at the Dolphin Lake Point complex on Saturday they found crack cocaine and marijuana in the same room as a 2-month-old child.
The two people arrested were identified as 20-year-old Fanta Twannisa Mallard, and 21-year-old Elvis Bynum Jr. of Bellwood, Ill.
Mallard was charged with possession of a controlled substance and child endangerment.
Bynum was charged with a controlled substance violation, possession of a controlled substance, gathering for the use of drugs, child endangerment and failure to register as a sex offender. He was being held on $40,000 bond.
MITCHELLVILLE, Iowa (AP) Iowa Department of Corrections officials are reporting an assault on correctional officers at a state prison for the second time in a week.
Department spokesman Fred Scaletta says two correctional officers at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women at Mitchellville were kicked and punched by an inmate Sunday evening.
Scaletta the officers were doing a check on the high-security cell of 22-year-old inmate Andrea Nicole Paterson when Paterson allegedly punched and kicked them.
Paterson is in the third year of an 11-year sentence from Johnson County for second-degree arson, reckless use of fire and/or explosives, and animal neglect.
On Saturday, corrections officials reported that the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility was under lockdown status after assaults on three correctional officers by two inmates Friday night.
CLINTON, Iowa (AP) The dean of an Iowa technical school has been charged with the attempted enticement of a minor in connection with an Internet sex sting.
ITT Technical Institute dean Terry Marshall Campie of Iowa City was arrested Friday near a marina in Clinton and later released on $2,000 bond.
According to police, Campie is accused of having online conversations April 25 and 30 with a person he thought to be under age 16.
Clinton County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessup Schroeder says in an arrest report that Campie “discussed travel to meet and engage in sexual activity with the person he reasonably believed to be under the age of 16.”
Instead of meeting a girl, Campie was arrested.
It wasn’t immediately known if Campie had legal representation.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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