Archive for: February 2010

By Mary Zielinski
With its planned $2.8 million downtown revitalization firmly launched, the Kalona city council Monday took a look at renovating the city hall and updating a number of city facilities. If all were done, total estimated cost is $133,218 and would cover everything from office renovations, furniture and computers to pool repairs and a security camera system.
Funding will be from the general, pool and park project accounts.
Following some discussion, the council approve authorizing City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh to seek bids for the renovation work. He estimated that phase of the plan would be between $45,000 and $55,000.
However, the council also agreed that repairs need to be made to the municipal pool, park restrooms and recreation facilities in the Kalona Community Center.
The pool work, which includes painting ($19,064), caulking, depth markers and other repairs, $10,350; a concession area and concession eating area, $5,000 total; pool seating and other amenities, $6,675; painting (deck) $2,500 and chemical system, $5,429, totals $49,018. Most of the cost, $42,343 will come from general fund revenues.
The parks update totals $17,750 and includes restroom repair, tennis court resurfacing, slow pitch field concession and restrooms, $2,500 and campground upgrade and expansion, $5,000. Council members agreed, though, that the campground work could wait.

By Mary Zielinski

Public hearings and protests not withstanding, the Washington County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously passed the first reading of the county zoning ordinance that has met strong opposition since last summer.
Chairman Jim Miksch noted that the issue has been reviewed considerably, including a special public hearing held last week. The supervisors discussed the provision for existing non-conforming situations, and agreed to adding “or more” in section 3.04C to permit multiple housing in an existing development after the owner questioned stressed that being told the provisions were “close enough” was not good enough.
Miksch also noted that enforcement of he zoning code will be a factor and “some money will have to be spent” on it. Part of the enforcement will be the hiring of a zoning administrator. There also will be a zoning board of adjustment to handle appeals and, as supervisor Adam Mangold said, if it continued it would be the supervisors, then district court.
During the meeting, county auditor Bill fredrick stressed that there has been a lot of commentary that “pits the larger farmer against non-farming individual (in the county” without the public realizing that the agriculture rules “are out of our control” that it is regulated by state law. However, many who had opposed the zoning question what exactly constitutes agriculture, noting that at present it can be as few as ten acres.
The second reading is set for the February 23 meeting. To date, the supervisors have indicated they will do a full three readings.
The supervisors also were unanimous in agreeing that the site for treatment lagoons for a general collection system in the unincorporated town of Richmond be the Holy Trinty Catholic Church property.
However, in order to get it, they will have to go through condemnation proceedings.

The Washington County Riverboat Foundation (IWCRF), at its February 10 meeting, set $750,000 is the amount available for its spring round of competitive grants.
Deadline for apllicagions is 5 p.m. Friday, April 9. There is no change in the grant …

A week after fire destroyed a 60×90 foot pole building and all its contents at 1962 140th Street, rural Kalona, cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Kalona Fire Chief Steve Yotty said that an investigation has been made and a …

Classes for the 2010-11 academic year will start August 24, by which time the district should have made up all the snow days. The calendar was approved by the board at its meeting Monday. As of Tuesday, February 9, …

For the second straight night, the IMS Girl’s basketball team found themselves on a floor with a basketball between 10 people. This time, traveling to English Valleys High School to take on the Bears for a non-conference game.
First half of …

In a weekend chock full of basketball, the Iowa Mennonite Girl’s basketball team found themselves in a must win situation with SEISC-North foe the Wapello Arrows.
Their previous match up was unfavorable for IMS, dropping a barn-burner of a game …

Seven Mid-Prairie High School vocal students attended the University of Iowa Honor Choir in Iowa City Sunday, January 31 and Monday, February 1.
[caption class=”floatleft” id=”attachment_1788″ align=”left” width=”500″ caption=”Mid-Prairie vocal students attended the UI Honor Choir. In front, …

by Michelle Wade
Coming off a bleak performance in their match up with English Valleys, the Iowa Mennonite girl’s basketball team came ready and focused Monday, February 1, as they traveled to Lone Tree High School to take on the Lions …

October 30, 1915 - January 30, 2010
Harold Yoder, 94, of Kalona, Iowa, died Saturday, January 30, 2010, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona.
Funeral services were Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at the West Union Mennonite Church …

October 17, 1938 - January 29, 2010
June Blasington, 71,of Wellman, Iowa, died Friday, Janaury 29, 2010, at Parkview Manor in Wellman following a long battle with cancer. Graveside services will be held …

by Marc Pennington
The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks fell to the conference leading Iowa City Regina Regals in a CVC match-up Tuesday, January 19, at Regina 73-43. Regina got out of the gate quickly jumping to a 19-10 lead after a quarter. …