(LE MARS)–Wells’ Dairy is moving forward with full construction on the new downtown Le Mars location for the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor and Museum. Grand opening is planned for Ice Cream Days next June.
One wall collapsed during remodeling of the historic George E. Pew Company building in July.
Wells’ Dairy spokesman Dave Smetter Monday said contractors hope to resume work in about two weeks.
Listen here
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Smetter explained the timeline for the remodeling.
Listen here
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Smetter said the design is NOT changing.
Listen here
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The grand opening is planned during the 25th anniversary of Ice Cream Days next June.
Listen here
{audio}images/stories/mp3/Oct2010/remodel4100410.mp3{/audio}
This is the 10th year the parlor and museum have been located on Highway 75. The relocation was expected in the first quarter of next year prior to the construction collapse.
Road updates planned for Supervisors’ weekly meeting
(LE MARS)–Plymouth County supervisors get information about ongoing road projects from the county engineer during a weekly meeting beginning at 9:30 this morning
Kristi Quinn of the Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) meets with the board at 10 this morning. Quinn plans to explain the local multi-jurisdictional Mitigation Plan. The agenda item is listed for discussion and possible action.
Supervisors’ public meeting is in the lower level of the Plymouth County Courthouse.
Agenda for Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010
9:30 AMJim 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
7. New Business
A. Open and review mail/correspondence (Discussion)
B. Open public forum (Informational)
10:00 AMKristi Quinn – Director of Community Development, SIMPCO – Explain for the approval of the Local Multi Jurisdictional Mitigation Plan of Iowa Homeland Security (Discussion and possible Action)
10:15 AMTom Rohe, Plymouth County Engineer
None
(Discussion Items)
(Informational Items)
Update on construction projects
SOURCE: Plymouth County web site www.co.plymouth.ia.us
Council considers street project
(LE MARS) A new street in Le Mars is slated to be accepted as complete by the Le Mars City Council at noon today.
The city received transportation funds for Blue Diamond Drive. The new street connecting Hawkeye Avenue, Business Highway 75, to Holton Drive is open to traffic.
The Council will be asked to approve the project as fully completed and accept the work. This would allow the mayor to sign paperwork for the project.
Park committee recommendations for sidewalks at parks and parking lots at the outdoor Swimming Pool will be considered with revised cost estimates of about 31-thousand dollars.
The Council considers a recommendation from the Le Mars Planning and Zoning Commission for J-R’s Addition. Jerry Reardon is requesting the addition which is two lots along 14th Avenue East. The land is already annexed to the City and zoned rural. The Council will be asked to set a time for public comments on changing the zoning of the property from rural to residential.
The Council will also consider design work and construction for sanitary sewer and curb and gutter on 14th Avenue Southeast through special assessment to property owners. The area would include Judge Bradley’s addition
The Council is expected to close the meeting to the public to discuss the purchase of real estate and for pending or threatened legal action. The public meeting begins at noon at today in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
NOTE: AGENDA ORDER SUBJECT TO CHANGE
LE MARS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 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.
1.Approval of September 21, 2010 Regular Meeting
2.List of Bills for Period Ending 9/30/10
3.Renewal of Liquor License (Family Table, La Fiesta Charra)
4.Amendment to the 2006-2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement
5.Stop Sign Resolution – Adding Sign
6.No Parking Request
7.Powder Player’s Snowmobile Club Request
D. ACTION ITEMS
1.JR’s Addition – Final Plat
2.14th Avenue SE Sanitary Sewer Extension and Curb & Gutter
3.Park Committee Recommendations
4.ADS Request / Offer
5.Acceptance of RISE Grant Project
E.DISCUSSION
1.Council/Mayor
2.City Administrator/Public Works Director
3.Assistant City Administrator
F. CLOSED SESSION
1.Purchase of Real Estate
2. Pending/Imminent Litigation
G.ADJOURNMENT
Next Resolution No. 10-41
Next Ordinance No. 889
Le Mars City Council Meeting
Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 12:00 P.M.
Minutes
Mayor Kirchoff presided. Present: Ihrke, Knapp, Rexwinkel, Nelson, Leonard. Absent: None.
Ihrke moved, Nelson seconded that the following items be approved under the “Consent Agenda.” On Roll Call: Ayes: Rexwinkel, Leonard, Knapp, Ihrke, Nelson. Nays: None.
-Regular meeting minutes of September 7, 2010.
-List of bills for period ending 09/17/10.
-Issuance of Outdoor Service Area to Mr. P’s Pizza and Sports Grill.
-Monthly Financial Report for August 2010.
-Resolution No. 10-37 approving the Annual Street F
inance Report be adopted.
-Resolution No. 10-38 authorizing stop sign at intersection of Sadona Hills South and Key Avenue be adopted.
-Resolution No. 10-39 adding street lights be adopted.
Nelson moved, Ihrke seconded Resolution No. 10-40 awarding the contract for the 2010 Le Mars Convention HVAC Upgrades to Electrical Automation LLC, Le Mars, IA in the amount of $158,550.00, and Morningside Plumbing, Sioux City, IA in the amount of $59,274.00 be adopted, with the net expenditure to be funded with Westmar Urban Renewal TIF Revenue. On Roll Call: Ayes: Leonard, Rexwinkel, Knapp, Nelson, Ihrke. Nays: None.
Knapp moved, Nelson seconded that sidewalks as recommended by the Park Committee by the Outdoor Pool along 2nd Avenue SE be approved and that further costs and recommendations for other areas be brought back to Council. On Roll Call: Ayes: All present. Nays: None.
Nelson moved, Knapp seconded Administration be authorized to fill the Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) Manager position with City employment. On Roll Call: Ayes: Rexwinkel, Leonard, Nelson, Knapp. Nays: Ihrke.
Knapp moved, Nelson seconded the meeting be adjourned at 1:14 P.M.
_________________________________________________
Beverly Langel, City ClerkDick Kirchoff, Mayor
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ConsentREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
October 5, 2010
Description:
List of Bills for Period Ending 9/30/10 Item No.
C-2
Attached is the list of bills for the period ending 9/30/10.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Approval of bills for the period
ending 9/30/10.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
October 5, 2010
Description:
Renewal of Liquor License
(Family Table, La Fiesta Charra)
Item No.
C-3
Applications have been received from the Family Table Restaurant for renewal of their Special Class C Liquor License and from La Fiesta Charra for renewal of their Class C Liquor License. Papers are in order. Approved by Police Chief.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion (approving) (denying) renewal of Special Class C Liquor License to Family Table Restaurant and Class C Liquor License to La Fiesta Charra.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ConsentREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTIONDate:
October 5, 2010
Description:
Amendment to the 2006-2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement
Item No.
C-4
Information:
Amendment No. 5 to the 2006-2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement is attached. This amendment excludes the new position of CVB Manager. The Collective Bargaining Unit met and approved the amendment.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the Amendment.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute Amendment No. 5 to the 2006-2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
October 5, 2010
Description:
Stop Sign Resolution – Adding Sign
Item No.
C-5
Information:
Staff placed this item on for consideration of a permanent stop sign at the intersection of 18th Street SW & Lincoln Street to require westbound traffic on18th Street SW to stop before continuing west across the railroad tracks to Business 75 South.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommendation is to add a Stop Sign. This is the first step only in an effort to improve safety at the railroad crossing at 18th Street. Additional signs are being investigated by Public Works and conclusions will be forthcoming.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ authorizing stop sign at intersection of 18th Street SW and Lincoln Street.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
October 5, 2010
Description:
No Parking Request
Item No.
C-6
Information:
The congestion in the 300 block of 1st Avenue SE in front of The Abbey has been a problem for some time with parking on both sides of the street and the SRTS bus and other vehicles having to make pick-ups and drop-offs in the middle of the street. A solution would be to restrict parking on the west side of 1st Avenue SE directly across the street from The Abbey. Staff has contacted residents involved.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends the Council approve the request.
Financial Impact:
None – (small cost of signs).
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion approving Resolution No. _______
authorizing “No Parking” restrictions on 1st
Avenue SE.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
October 5, 2010
Description:
Powder Player’s Snowmobile Club RequestItem No.
C-7
Information:
Attached is a request from Powder Player’s Snowmobile Club to utilize City lands for a snowmobile route from IA 3 to US 75. (all on land owned by the City)
Similar requests have been approved in the past as long as the club carries liability insurance, which they do.
Park Committee has reviewed this issue and recommends approval.
Staff Recommendation:
This request is recommended for approval. However, Park Committee recommends that the Snowmobile Club be authorized only on City owned public lands, and not operate snowmobiles on any of the recreation trail bridges.
Note: Biosolid Application to City Land may restrict the Snowmobile Club to utilize only areas that have existing brome grass and not tilled areas.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion authorizing Powder Player’s Snowmobile Club to utilize only City owned public lands for a snowmobile route from IA 3 to US 75 subject to the club submitting a Certificate of Liability Insurance to the City Clerk.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
October 5, 2010
Description:
JR’s Addition – Final PlatItem No.
D-1
Information:
Jerry Reardon is requesting approval of the Final Plat for the JR’s Addition. On Monday, October 4, 2010 the Planning and Zoning Commission will review the Final Plat and their recommendation will be available at the meeting. The addition consists of two (2) lots along 14th Avenue East on the east side of the street. A copy of the Final Plat is attached. The land is already annexed to the City and zone “R”.
Staff Recommendation:
Planning & Zoning Commission and Staff recommend action will be available at the meeting, both for Final Plat approval and rezoning.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion adopting Resolution No. _______ approving the Final Plat of JR’s Addition.
(Roll Call)
Motion establishing ______________, 2010 at
12:00 P.M. as a public hearing regarding the rezoning of the JR’s Addition from R (Rural District) to R-1 (Residential District).
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
October 5, 2010
Description:
14th Avenue SE Sanitary Sewer Extension and
Curb & Gutter
Item No.
D-2
Information:
On November 2, 2004 the Final Plat and Restrictive Covenants for Judge Bradley’s Addition were filed with the Plymouth County Recorder. As part of those Restrictive Covenants the City of Le Mars was given the right, after 5 years from the filing, to special assess property owners for the construction of sidewalks, sanitary sewer and curb and gutter. Attached is a plat of Judge Bradley’s Addition showing current owners and the location of existing City utilities. Currently all lots have access to City water and 2 of the 4 lots lying within the corporate limits have access to City sanitary sewer. The Young and Tilberg properties are on City water but both have septic systems. By extending sanitary sewer up the west side of 14th Avenue SE the Young, Bollin and Wilson properties on the east side and future lots on the Kenkel property on the west side would have access.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff is recommending that design work begin and construction plans created for the installation of approximately 700 LF of sanitary sewer to the north from 12th Street SE and approximately 520 LF of curb & gutter on the east side of 14th Avenue SE north from 12th Street SE through a formal Special Assessment process as required by Chapter 384 of Iowa Code.
Financial Impact:
Following previous Council directions the City of Le Mars would bear all cost associated with the design work needed to create plans but all costs of improvements would be assessed to the adjoining property owners. The City may decide to assess all costs.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion to initiate the required Special
Assessment process.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
October 5, 2010
Description:
Park Committee Recommendations
Item No.
D-3
Information:
Park Committee has met and discussed the following:
1.Need for Sidewalks – City Park Properties
a.Outdoor Pool along 2nd Avenue SE
b.West Floyd Park along 9th Avenue SW
c.Schafer Park along 16th Street and Schafer Drive and 15th Street and 4th Avenue East
d.Veterans and Westmar Memorial Parks along 10th Street SE and 1st Avenue East
e.Tennis Courts along 11th Street SE
Attached are maps of each location showing specific route.
NOTE: Adler Park recently received sidewalks and Cleveland Park received an access walk to Shelterhouse.
2.Need enforceable rules at both Tennis Courts.
Staff Recommendation:
Park Committee recommends Council proceed with sidewalks and allocate adequate funding to do so with one-half within FY ’11 and one-half in FY ’12. Park Committee also recommends Council establish rules (as determined by Park Committee) for various parks and tennis courts enforceable by “By Order of City Council.”
Pool Parking along 2nd Avenue SE:
North of West Entrance120’2400 SF$12,000
South of West Entrance 90’1800 SF$ 9,000
Total Parking210’4200 SF$21,000
Existing Skate Board Park50′ x 90′
Existing Asphalt at West Floyd Park – Eastern Parking Lot64′ x 100′
Existing Concrete at Cleveland Park / Ice Skating Rink60′ x 120′
Financial Impact:Sept. 21 RevisedCouncil DiscussionEstimates
Outdoor Pool$ 4,872All$ 4,872
West Floyd Park$18,362Part to Ex. Rec. Trail$ 9,534
Schafer Park$22,562Part along 15th Street$ 7,140
Veterans/Memorial Parks$19,875Part along 1st Avenue$ 5,578
Tennis Courts$ 3,830All$ 3,830
Totals$69,501$30,954
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion approving Park Committee recommendation for sidewalks, rules and pool parking.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
October 5, 2010
Description:
ADS Request / Offer
Item No.
D-4
Information:
Attached is a request and offer letter from Mr. Jim Merchlewitz, Regional Engineer for ADS, Inc. of Woodbury, MN.
ADS would like to be an approved pipe material in the City of Le Mars Standard Specification for Storm Drainage. Thus far the City has only used N-12 HDPE in non-paved areas (not under or adjacent to paving).
City uses SUDAS as our Standard Specification. SUDAS has not written it into its Specification, yet. Research is still being conducted by CTRE, Ames.
Staff Recommendation:
City Engineer believes if properly installed, it should be allowed as an alternative for the Engineer to select (sometimes the Contractor, but not always).
NOTE: In 1980’s & early 1990’s:
1)Water Mains had to be Ductile Iron – now PVC also allowed
2)Sanitary Sewers had to be Vetrified Clay – now PVC also allowed
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
As desired.
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
October 5, 2010
Description:
Closed Session – Purchase of Real Estate
Item No.
F-1
It is recommended that the Council enter Closed Session to discuss the purchase of real estate.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion to enter Closed Session
under Iowa Code Section 21.5j
where the disclosure of the
discussion to purchase real estate
would be to the disadvantage
of the City.
(Roll Call)
Motion to move out of Closed Session.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
October 5, 2010
Description:
Closed Session – Pending/Imminent Litigation
Item No.
F-2
It is recommended that the Council enter Closed Session to discuss Pending/Imminent Litigation.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion to enter Closed Session under
Iowa Code 21.5c concerning a matter
that is presently in litigation or where
litigation is imminent where its
disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation.
(Roll Call)
Motion to move out of Closed Session.
(No Roll Call)
Source: City of Le Mars www.lemarsiowa.com
12 serve as Little Ambassadors
(LE MARS)–Halloween activities will be the first event for the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce’s new Little Ambassadors.
The twelve children, ages four to seven, are semi-finalists in the Le Mars Chamber Visitor’s Guide and Business Directory cover photo contest.
Voting for the cover child for the next Chamber Visitor’s Guide and Business Directory begins with ballots published in the Daily Sentinel and Shopper October 13th. Ballots may be dropped off at the Chamber or Sentinel. The winner will be announced October 26th.
The chamber is planning Halloween activities on Saturday, October 30th at the Olson Cultural Event Center that will include the Little Ambassadors.
2011 Little Ambassadors and Parents:
Madison Huls, Tyler and Tina Huls
Nicole Peters, Nick and Sheila Yamada
Miyah Whitehead, Erv and Lisa Whitehead
Chase Peterson, Cody and Dawn Peterson
Ethan Nuebel, Mark and Karen Nuebel
Ellaina Pick, Brad and Kaylyn Pick
Nolan Parmelee, Paul and Deb Parmelee
Emerson Schmidt, Andy and Kari Schmidt
Dawson Barthole, Jeff and Jenny Barthole
Emma DeRuyter, Dave and Becky DeRuyter
Aspen Mosher, Kim and Ross Mosher
Benjamin Hoss, Nick and Nikki Hoss
Anyone who’d like the Little Ambassadors to appear at a community event may contact Mary Reynolds at the Chamber.
Teen reported missing by mother
(LE MARS)–A Le Mars woman has reported her teenage daughter as missing.
Jennifer Brewer told Le Mars Police her 13-year-old daughter, Alexis “Lexie” Brewer, left for school at Le Mars Community Middle School Monday morning at 7:45 but did not attend school. Brewer was reported missing by her mother at six Monday night.
The family just moved to Le Mars. An Amber Alert has not been issued for the teenager and no foul play is suspected by police. Anyone with information may contact Le Mars Police.
NJ governor rallies fellow Republicans in Iowa
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is rallying conservative activists in Iowa, saying his success in a Democratic state shows his tough-talking, smaller government message resonates with all voters.
The Republican spoke Monday night to about 700 people at fundraiser for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who is challenging the Democratic incumbent for his old job back.
Christie says Republicans must deliver on their promises if they gain power in November. If they don’t, voters will send the GOP “to the wilderness, and they are going to send us there for a long, long time.”
Christie says he’s not planning a presidential run in 2012, but his speech didn’t dampen speculation. Iowa is home to the nation’s first presidential caucus and is a key destination for presidential hopefuls.
2 injured in Iowa meth lab explosion identified
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Des Moines police say two men injured in a methamphetamine lab explosion over the weekend remain in serious condition at Iowa City Hospitals.
Des Moines police on Monday identified the men as 36-year-old Robert Gene Rogers of Des Moines and 38-year-old Henry Louis Dittmer of Des Moines. The Saturday night explosion started a fire in an east Des Moines apartment. The apartment was damaged, but adjacent units were OK and no other residents were displaced.
Police and the fire department were still investigating the explosion but say it apparently was caused by a meth lab accident. IOWA-DISASTER RECOVERY
FEMA center to open in Centerville
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Federal emergency officials say they plan to open a disaster recovery center in southern Iowa later this week.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Monday that it would open the center Friday in Centerville in Appanoose County. Last week officials opened a disaster recovery center in Ottumwa in Wapello County.
Federal officials say the Centerville center will be open until Oct. 16. They say FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration representatives will be on staff to help answer questions and provide information about recovery. The goal is to help Iowans affected by recent storms and flooding.
FEMA disaster recovery centers also are open in Delware, Fayette, Lee, Marion, Polk, Story and Webster counties.
Iowa fire marshal wants smoke detectors in homes
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The Iowa fire marshal’s office is celebrating its 100th anniversary by launching an effort to make sure smoke detectors are in homes of school children.
State fire marshal Ray Reynolds announced his “100 years, 100 percent” campaign on Monday. He said the effort will be taken to parent-teacher conferences and local fire departments to reach Iowa families. The office says that so far in 2010 there have been 14 fire fatalities in the state. Four were children.
The fire marshal says there were no working smoke detectors in 84 percent of the fatal home fires over the last five years in the state.
New Iowa license plates under consideration
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) Iowa transportation officials are considering new license plates for the state.
Iowa Department of Transportation vehicle services director Tina Hargis says motorists can’t expect the current plates “to last forever.” The Gazette newspaper in Cedar Rapids reported Monday that the blue and white “silos and skylines” plate is 13 years old.
Hargis said the department has started speaking about making new plates with Iowa Prison Industries, which makes the state’s license plates. She says it’s important to begin planning early and that there are many of the current plates in inventory. Hargis also says the state couldn’t reissue plates before 2012.
Department records show there are more than 4.1 million Iowa license plates in circulation.
Keokuk plant hires temporary workers after dispute
KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) Roquette America Inc. has hired more than 60 temporary workers at its plant in Keokuk.
The Daily Gate City in Keokuk reported Monday that the company brought in the workers Sunday after locking out 240 union workers last week. Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union rejected the company’s final contract proposal on Sept. 27.
The company says it plans to hire additional temporary workers. Union president Steve Underwood says he plans to meet with a federal mediator. He says Roquette is “trying to starve the workers out.”
Roquette human resources director Tom Ross says the company is continuing to supply customers’ “production demands.” The company wants further union meetings to include a federal mediator.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Submit your news release, confidential news tip or news idea by email klemnews@lemarscomm.net, by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.
