Community News

The Iowa Office of Energy Independence (OEI) announced grants for community-based energy efficiency and renewable eneregy projects. An Iowa Mennonite School project was one of 30 selected for funding.
IMS will use its $9,475 grant to install a solar array on the school grounds and incorporate energy education in to the school curriculum. Farmers Electric Cooperative and Central Plains Solar are partners in the project, providing technical and additional financial support.
The key component of the IMS “Community Solar and Education Program” will be a 1.8 kW tracking photovoltaic array that will be tied to the school’s electrical system. The solar array will be installed in early spring and will be located near the southeast corner of the gymnasium. Data about the array’s energy output will be collected via an internet module and will be used as a teaching tool for physics, science and economics. The array’s real-time output will be posted on the school’s website.
The IMS project also includes a Community Energy Day in which students will help local families implement energy efficiency improvements in the homes. The Washington Township Optimists will partner with IMS and Farmers Electric for this service project.
The OEI Community Grant program is funded through the annual Iowa Power Fund appropriation. The program was created to help local communities, non-profits and businesses improve energy efficiency and expand the use of renewable energy. A list of project awards is available on the OEI website at www.energy.iowa.gov.

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.

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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 form.
In other business, the WCRF appointed a committee to work for passage of the countywide gambling referendum in November. The seven members are Teri Fisher, Mike Driscoll, Patricia Koller, Liz Hall, Ed Raber, Tim Punty and Ronald C. Slechta.
Next WCRF meeting is 6 p.m., Wednesday April in the Parkside Activities Center in Wellman. The Center received a $2 million WCRF grant in 2006.

By Mary Zielinski
Following a closed session Monday, the Kalona City Council authorized City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh to enter negotiations with a nearby property owner for a land purchase which could be done this spring. The approval came in open session, but no details were disclosed about the property or a possible price.
The acquisition would be in line with the city’s downtown revitalization plan which also was discussed.
Schlabaugh said that the city has submitted its application for a Vision Iowa grant and will meet with the VI board for an official presentation in Des Moines February 12.
He stressed that a very important part of obtaining a Vision Iowa grant is showing “community (financial) support.” The community support amount set in the grant process is approximately $77,000, and a large part of that fund raising has come from the sale of the quilt blocks that will be installed on the downtown sidewalks.
Council member Ken Herington noted that some of the blocks could be in place by the time of the annual Kalona Quilt Show at the end of April.
In a related matter later, council member Steve Lafaurie asked if the city was budgeting for all the revitalization project in this year, referring not only to the funds the city already has, but also the hope for grant money.

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Give daffodils. Give hope.
One of the first flowers of spring, the daffodil represents the hope that cancer will one day be eliminated. Every day, cancer patients face a journey requiring courage, strength, and hope.
You can honor and support cancer patients in the Washington community by placing an order for the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days Gift of Hope bouquet. This beautiful bouquet of daffodils set in a vase is delivered anonymously to area cancer patients. A Gift of Hope bouquet is available with a $25 donation.
During the campaign, the American Cancer Society will deliver thousands of daffodils to corporations, organizations and cancer patients throughout Washington County the week of March 15-20, 2010. The money raised helps with critical research, patient services and education which makes a healthy future possible for so many cancer patients.
For a minimum $10 donation to the American Cancer Society, you will receive a bunch of approximately 10 daffodils. A $75 donation will reserve your stunning Sunshine Bouquet with fresh greenery in a beautiful vase. This year also marks the addition of Birthdays R. Hope, another special Boyds™ Bear designed exclusively for American Cancer Society Daffodil Days Bear and a Bunch ™ that can be ordered for a donation of $25. We will again have the “Mini or Dainty” daffodils for $15.
Orders are now being taken by many volunteers locally or you can call Betty Warren (319-653-2362) in Washington, Sue Janecek (698-7256) in West Chester, Jodi Heifner (319-646-5465) in Wellman, Sheryl Lewis (319-694-2821) in Brighton, Esther Rogers (319-648-2065) in Riverside, Rocky Roberts (319-657-2265) in Ainsworth, and Denise Ropp (319-656-3318) in Kalona, or Jennie Kaufman (658-3409) in Crawfordsville to place your order.

Expansion to help Washington County residents affected by economy
Smokers in Washington County affected by the economic downturn now have a valuable tool for quitting. With the typical pack-a-day Iowa smoker now spending nearly $1,900 per year on cigarettes, Quitline Iowa (1-800-QUIT-NOW) is doubling the amount of nicotine patches and gum available to callers during the month of January.
In Iowa, cigarettes cost $5.18 per pack on average, or about $36 per week for a pack-a-day smoker. Iowans can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to receive a free four-week supply of nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. Quitline Iowa also has specially trained quit coaches who help make individualized quit plans and offer ongoing support through follow-up calls. After January 31, Quitline will resume offering callers the two-week supply available throughout the year.
“Using nicotine replacement therapy such as the patch, gum or lozenge has been shown to significantly increase the success rate for quitting smoking,” said Sarah Yoder, Tobacco Control Coordinator for Washington County. “If callers take advantage of the telephone counseling services Quitline Iowa offers as well, this will only increase the likelihood that they will quit and stay quit.”
According to the most recent data from Iowa Department of Public Health, about 12.7 percent of Iowans living in rural counties such as Washington County currently smoke. Among them, 85 percent say they wish to quit, mainly for health reasons. Nearly 20 percent, however, say their main reason for wanting to quit is the cost.
Iowans who quit smoking will see improvements in blood circulation and lung function in as little as two weeks. Coughing and shortness of breath will begin to decrease after the first month. By this time, most smokers will have saved enough to buy a Blu-ray disc player or 60 gallons of gas.
For more information, call 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW). To calculate how much tobacco costs you based on your brand and the amount you smoke, visit www.quitlineiowa.org. Help is also available for users of chewing tobacco.

The Wellman City Council approved the annual appointments in a very brief meeting Monday.
Appointments approved are:

• Mayor Pro Tempore: Marc Pennington
• Washington County Emergency Management Committee, Washington County Communications Board, and Washington County E911 Board: Ryan Miller
• Administrative Officer for Utility and Public Works Departments: Aaron Shumaker
• City Attorney: Dan Kitchen
• Library Board of Trustees Council Liaison: Fern Bontrager
• Parks and Recreation Board Council Liaison: Pennington
• Cable Commission Council Liaison: Steve Slaubaugh
• City Clerk/Treasurer: Donna Wade
• Senior Dining Board Council Liaison: Doug Powell
• Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustments Council Liasion: Matt Latcham
• City Official Publication: The Wellman Advance with the Cedar Rapids Gazette to be secondary if needed
• Also, Fred Wagner was replaced by Shawn Powell on the Parks and Recreation Board. Vicki Showalter’s replacement on the board has not yet been named. Jared Schneider and Alberta Walker both agreed to serve another term on the Cable Commission Board.

In other business, the council:

• accepted acknowledgement/settlement agreement from Freeman Foods and Reggie Tire; and
• approved a resolution which does not specify employee mileage reimbursement rates. This will allow the city to change the rate to the current IRS reimbursement rate without a new resolution each time.

The Keota FFA Chapter Ag Mechanics team competed in the National Agricultural Mechanics competition during the 82nd National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, IN during October 21-24, 2009. The team did an outstanding job during all parts of the contest and placed 5th in the nation out of 44 teams that competed in the event.
Members of the ag mechanics team include senior Travis Greiner, senior Bryce Sieren, junior Blake Bayliss and junior Kyle Huber. The team was coached by Mr. Dan Striegel, Keota FFA chapter advisor.
The Keota team qualified for this event by winning the state ag mechanics contest which was held last June. The team worked diligently to prepare for the event by practicing at least two mornings every week since school began in August.
The theme for the 2009 Ag Mechanics Contest was plant production systems. All activities in the event centered around this theme of raising crops, although the team learned this involves much more than just corn and soybeans! The two day event included activities on irrigation, seeding, welding and much more.

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By Mary Zielinski
Washington County Monday filed a petition in Washington County District Court for declaratory judgement against the City of Riverside, seeking the $175,000 payment Riverside refused to make in July and all future payments required in the Infrastructure Finance and Development Agreement signed by the city and county December 26, 2005.
The county’s action follows the board of supervisors’ closed session September 30 with County Attorney Barbara Edmondson and special counsel William Sueppel, retained especially for the case.
Additionally, the petition asked that all court costs be assessed to Riverside, as well as any other relief “as may be just and equitable.”
The agreement between the city and the county came after the county agreed to issue $9.4 million in urban renewal tax increment revenue bonds to finance major sewer and water projects for the city to meet the needs created by the $140 million Riverside Casino and Golf Resort.

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Incumbents Jim Hussey of Kalona and Jack Dillon of Wellman will seek re-election to the Mid-Prairie Board of Education. Angela Wasson of Wellman, who was a candidate in the last election, also had obtained nomination papers.
There are three seats on the board, the third is held by Fred Lampe chose not to run. Elections are September 8.

by Mary Coblentz
The Wellman City Council Monday approved six of seven downtown improvement grants. The grants, which are for $2,500, will be matched by the grant recipients.
Recipients are:

• Kalonial Lawn Care
  The grant will be used for putting in an overhead door on the east end of the building, facing south; installing new insulated windows on the east side, and putting a sign on the front of the building;
• Buckwalter Motors
  The grant will be used to re-roof the building. There will be additional insulation as well;
• Thrapp Electric
  The grant will be used for redoing the roof;
• Wellman Heritage Society
  The grant will be used to make the front entrance more accessible, with an entrance similar to Hills Bank and the Goodwin Center in downtown Wellman;
• Mike Miller
  He will be putting up a new building; and
• Southeast Iowa Family Practice
  New signs directing people to a medical clinic will be installed. The signs will not specify the name of the clinic.

Another grant application was not approved because the work has already been done. The grant application specifies that the work not be done prior to grant approval. City Administrator Dave Ross will contact the business to see if they are planning any additional work the grant could be used for.

by John Zielinski
Kalona city employees, including the public library staff, received an approximate three percent wage increase, made retroactive to July 1. Action came during Monday’s council meeting. Employees are Karen Christner, city clerk, $38,411 (from $37,292); Todd Fitzsenry, recreation superintendent, $33,931 ($32,943); Ken Kempf, laborer, $33,075 ($31,203); Bob Christner, water, wastewater superintendent, $35,183 ($34,158); and Anne Skaden, library director, $33,717 ($32,718). Mike Bowlin, public works director, received a 5 percent increase because of new duties, going from $39,335 to $42,482. Lory Young, the utility clerk, went to $11 per hour; Doreen McKenna, library assistant, $25,480 from $24,648 ($12.15 per hour), and Marissa Tartaglia, Children’s librarian, $23,920 from $22,880 ($11.50 per hour). Library clerks Rosemary Fisher, Dot Hohler and Patti Stuzman received $7.73 per hour and Ron Harland, custodian, $9.80 per hour.
Council member Claudine Miller-Zahradnek stressed that Fitzsenry needs to make plans for Recreation center activities and “take a more active role” in communicating with Kalona residents about what new services are needed.
There was no increase for City Administrator Doug Morgan who is retiring September 30.
The city has received some 30 applications for the position which will be reviewed by the Finance Committee who will decide upon finalists and make recommendations to the council for interviewees.
The council, following a closed session, authorized its attorney to proceed on the action field by David and Joette Droz against the city’s Board of Adjustment regarding the construction of apartments above their commercial busines on B Avenue. Another attorney will be involved through the city’s insurance carrier, under the omission and errors provision of the policy.
The council received an update about downtown revitalization, specifically to install signage at Highway 1 and B Avenue and Highway 22 and 5th Street. The signage, which will feature landscaping details as well, will be lighted. It is hoped the signs will be in place this fall.
The council also discussed having handicapped parking at the corner of B Avenue and 5th Street, right near the Kalona General Store. The sidewalk already is handicapped accessible at the corner.
In other business, the council:

• discussed replacing the corroded well pump with a stainless steel one that, while installaiton exceeds the pump cost, would be better since replacement would be fewer;
• discussed moving the old generator form the lift station to service emergency use at the Community Center, bvut cost to move and install it would be $19,000. The city has been offered $5,000 for the old unit and council members suggested finding a smaller generator, which also would lower installation costs;
• took no action regarding adjacent property owner Stuart Yoder’s request to create an entrance from A Avenue to the city owned Amish parking area off A Place since no motion was made.