Archive for: June 2010

The following are the Mid-Prairie Middle School fourth quarter honor roll. Students must have a 3.0 grade point average or above to be on the honor roll.

By Mary Zielinski
As a way of building, operating and maintaining storm water facilities, the proposed Storm Water Drainage Utility for Kalona would be financed by a $3 monthly fee for each utility customer. The proposed amendment that would add a chapter to the existing ordinance, had a first reading at Monday’s council meeting. The council will hold two more readings during its August meetings.
The proposed measure is very similar to what other cities have done, explained City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh, noting that the Kalona one “is three-quarters of what Wellman’s is.”
The new utility and the charges for it are expected to generate about $40,500 and will now aid with storm water management facilities such as detention and retention basins, storm water sewers, inlets, ditches and drains, curbs and gutters and cleaning of the streets (to help water flow).
The funds will go to a special fund used only for the storm water management, Schlabaugh said.
Council member Ken Herington, acknowledging the extra fee, said that the storm sewer work should have been addressed 25 years ago. It is also a move to see that the extensive infrastructure work now underway will be maintained, he noted.
Schlabaugh stressed that the city will provide information to the public about the new utility. The proposed amendment would have the extra fee added to the monthly water and sewer bills that also have recycling fees.
In a nearly-related matter,

Martha Kauffman Stutzman, 91, of Kalona, Iowa, died June 12, 2010. Celebration of Life services were Wednesday, June 16 in the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church, rural Kalona. Burial was prior to the service with Pastors Don Patterson and Dick …

By Mary Zielinski
The Mid-Prairie Board of Education Monday granted Wellman’s request to extend M-P’s lease at Parkside for an additional year and a half to June 30, 2016. Total cost for the extension is $10,000 payable July 23. However, approval was granted contingent upon the state continuing its preschool funding to the district.
Mid-Prairie entered into a lease for the Parkside space last year, with a lease to run through January 17, 2015. The district commitment to Parkside aided in obtaining an $800,000 Vision Iowa grant for the project.
Monday, it was noted that when the lease was first signed, the district had planned on using the space for a half-day. Now, the district will have morning and afternoon sessions for the foreseeable future. Funding has been and will continue to be from the state funds.
During the meeting the district received a detailed report from Exultant Energy about the energy audit done on four of the district’s attendance center, including the high school. No action was taken.

The following is the 2009-2010 second semester honor roll for Iowa Mennnonite School students. The asteriks (*) denotes those with a 4.0 grade point average.
Seniors: First Honor Roll (3.5-4.0) - Caleb Gingerich, *Nicole Hershberger, Kerri Hostetler, Brian Miller, Stephan …

December 12, 1940 - May 23, 2010
Bertha Durst, 92, of Wellman, Iowa, passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010, at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the …

August 17, 1947 - May 12, 2010

WASHINGTON - Marion Lee Barnes, 62, of Washington, Iowa, died Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Iowa City, Iowa. Funeral services were Saturday, May 15, 2010, at the Powell …

Iowa Mennonite head soccer coach Marcus Miller was named co-coach of the year for the SEI Super Conference All-Conference soccer team along with Doug Petersen, coach for Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
IMS seniors Vince Rhodes, Truman Shetler, Jacob Yoder and Brian …

By Mary Zielinski
A major change in Wellman’s summer recreation program brought a number of people to Monday’s council meeting, specifically to see if some alternatives are possible. Previously, the city had a program that charged “$35 a week,” explained City Clerk Donna Wade. Now, with the completion of the Parkside Activities Center, the program will become a function of the Center (operated through a contract with the Washington Y) with a $70 weekly charge. Unlike the city program, the Parkside one will be day-long and have a number of structured activities and field trips. It also will be available longer.
“It really a Day Camp,” said Wade, noting that the city one was more a few hour recreational activity.

Lori A. Schauf, 50, of West Liberty, Iowa, went to be with God Monday, June 7, 2010, after an extended illness at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. At her request, there will be a graveside service at Wellman …

By Mary Zielinski
The Kalona City Council Monday approved a $292,439 payment to All-American Concrete of West Liberty for paving of the west parking lot at the Kalona Community Center. The project, part of the city’s downtown revitalization plan, is nearing completion. The second phase, dealing with alleyway improvements and drainage for A Place, continues.
In a related matter, the council also approved a Professional Services Agreement with MMS Consultants, Inc. of Iowa city for construction surveying and layout staking for $33,000 and Project Administration services, not to exceed $30,000. MMS is the designer and planner for the revitalization project.
The council appointed Mark Robe, currently a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission, to fill the council vacancy created by the resignation of Dave Kempf in April. The term runs through December, 2011, and the seat will be on the November, 2011 ballot. Robe will also remain with P & Z until a replacement is found, although he will abstain from voting.

By Mary Zielinski

As part of the Washington County zoning ordinance that takes effect July 1, the county zoning map had a second reading Monday and will go on to a third reading and passage June 15. Monday’s meeting saw …