MVL Sun — 3.27.25

OOOEY good time

Nathan Countryman

Mount

Vernon-Lisbon Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

Southeast Linn Community Center and Lisbon Public Library hosted a number of craft activities on Wednesday, March 19, as part of spring break activities.

Attendees had the chance to paint, play with Legos, fight with ping pong shooters or play with ooblek or make their own slime to take home.

For some attendees the draw was definitely the slime table.

“It’s definitely what was the selling point to get us here today,” said one parent.

Mixing clear glue, cornstarch, food coloring and a little saline solution gets the right consistency for a slime.

Some attendees had one color in mind.

Others wanted multiple colors in their slime, as well as glitter.

Library director Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez helped by getting the right amount of glue to start with and allowed participants to mix the contents together.

“You may have to get to working with the slime with your hands to help it get the right consistency,” Hoover de Galvez said.

Ooblek is a mixture of water and cornstarch, that has the consistency of both depending on how it is interacted

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon

Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

JEO outlined a master plan for the uptown streetscape project for Mount Vernon.

Jeremy Kaemmer of JEO Consulting said that the goals for the streetscape were to improve public safety, preserve the community identity, have a sustainable design and parking and mobility solutions.

“One of the things we heard from Mount Vernon residents was they wanted the charm and historic nature of uptown Mount Vernon maintained,” Kaemmer said.

One of the main concerns for the project as well was the slopes that stretch through Mount Vernon’s uptown.

Improvements that need to be made include addressing old utilities and service connections to the water

main that is to the west portion of First Street as part of the project.

Kaemmer explained that the designers had put in bio retentions at corners and throughout the streetscape in areas where people may cross the roads. Those serve two purposes – trying to retain some of the water that flows during a storm and keeping motorist mindful of people possibly crossing near these areas. Bump outs in the middle of the blocks, like at Hilltop Park and the north alley along West First Street also serve as a spot to slow the traffic down.

“Creating a spot in the middle of the street with these bump outs draws a visual for drivers to be mindful of pedestrians crossing here,” Kaemmer said.

Council member Scott Rose asked how many spots were lost in uptown because of this. Kaemmer said a total of five spots maximum were lost because of these changes.

Bijou’s grant money will be spent locally

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

Representatives from T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants were present Thursday, March 20, to make a $50,000 presentation for the Bijou Movie Theater.

“We want this to have an impact in the community in a positive manner,” said Tareq Abumoar with T-Mobile.

Mayor Tom Wieseler thanked T-Mobile for their support, noting that a donation of this size for a local business will have great ripples in the community.

“As a small business, a grant of this size is significant,” Kelli Kennon-Lane, owner of the Bijou Movie Theater said. “We could not have been able to do $50,000 of capital improvements on our own.”

Kennon-Lane said more than 90 percent of the grant monies is being allocated in work from local vendors - $32,000 from businesses right in Mount Vernon and Lisbon and $13,000 from businesses in Linn County.

“The only expense we couldn’t get locally was the projector we’re purchasing for our outdoor space,” Kennon-Lane said. “We wanted to keep as much of our spending as locally as we could, and this will benefit roughly 12 local businesses helping us with work.”

Projects that grant money will go towards include:

• New awnings to the front of the building from Rickard Sign and Design

• New lit signs for the front and rear of the building from Rickard Sign and Design

• A mural by Alex Rambo on the west side of the building

• Uplighting around the west and rear side of the building

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• An outdoor screen on the east side of the building

• A new portable projector and sound system for the outdoor movie screening

• New front door

• A privacy fence along the east side on the property line

• Electrical upgrades to accommodate outdoor projector and uplighting

• Native pollinator plants and grasses by Rhubarb Botanicals

• On site compost system and outdoor trash and recycling containers from MV Ace Hardware

• A bike rack to encourage bike riding to the Bijou

A public reception for the grant funding will be held during Chalk the Walk Saturday, May 3, and there are plans to host other events once the work is finished.

This year also marks the Bijou Movie Theater’s 50th anniversary in Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon among communities protesting actions to privatize USPS

On Thursday, March 20, American Postal Workers Union members joined community allies in front of more than 150 postal facilities across the country to sound the alarm about a proposed plan to unlawfully take over the independent public United States Postal Service and transfer it to the U.S. Department of Commerce, or possibly break it up or sell it off completely.

Mount Vernon citizens were among those who protested the planned procedure, with more than 50 citizens in attendance for the protest.

In February, President Trump said he was considering an illegal takeover of the postal service. Earlier in March, speaking at an investor conference, Trump advisor and billionaire Elon Musk said that he was looking into “privatiz -

Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

Mount Vernon residents gathered to support the United States Postal Service Thursday, March 20. There have been discussions about privatizing the postal service by President Trump and Elon Musk.

ing” the USPS. The USPS is an independent entity, largely self-funded by the sale of stamps or charges for packages and services – not taxes. Only Congress is authorized to change the structure of the postal service.

“This is the people’s

postal service, emphasis on ’service’” said APWU president Mark Dimondstein. “If this administration succeeds in taking over the USPS, it will lead to higher prices and reduced service, especially in rural areas”

The USPS, now in its

250th year, is enshrined in the Constitution.

Selling off the USPS would be a costly proposition for postal customers.

Wells Fargo Advisors told Wall Street investors that privatization of the postal service would be positive for FedEx and UPS. In

Hwy. 30 improvements open house in Mechanicsville

The Iowa Department of Transportation will be holding an open house on proposed improvements to Highway 30 Wednesday, April 2 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The open house will be held at Mechanicsville Elementary School (609 125th Street).

According to Sam Shea, transportation planner for the Iowa Department of Transportation, the open house is to let people know of upcoming

projects for the next two years.

“We will be resurfacing the existing travel lanes this year,” Shea said. “Next year we will be adding paved shoulders, turn lanes, and passing lanes. This begins just east of Lisbon and goes to the west border of Stanwood.”

A video on the project will be live before the meeting as well and online through April 16 at https://bit.ly.com/idot6486.

order to stand alone and earn a reasonable return, we estimate USPS would need to raise price by 30 to 140 percent.” The Wells Fargo guidance also discussed closing, or as they term it, “harvesting” neighborhood post offices.

Correction

YPN parenting class, Love & Logic, is hosted by LECC West, not Southeast Linn Community Center as was printed in the March 20 Sun. Nicole with YPN will take reservations. The classes are at LECC West 950 commercial Street for the next five Mondays in March and April. The Sun apologizes for the error.

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The width of First Street’s driving lanes is now 11 feet each, compared to the 12 to 14 feet at the moment. The city picks up those additional feet in the sidewalks and walkways for pedestrians, and maintains the same space for angled parking.

The sidewalk along First Street near Mount Vernon Pharmacy, Fuel and Mount Vernon Family Medicine provided challenges to the streetscape. The sidewalk there currently is much shallower in width, and makes walking that stretch of sidewalk harder, Kaemmer said.

The solution JEO proposed was to change parking along that block in front of those businesses to be parallel compared to angled parking. While there are parking spots lost, it also allows more handicap accessibility at critical businesses.

The project will be tackled in three separate phases.

Phase 1 will be First Street West from Highway 1 to Third Avenue. The cost for that phase will be roughly $2.5 million, though with an unknown water main that may

need to be addressed, that could prove costly.

Phase 2 includes the blocks of First Street East from Hwy. 1 to B Avenue. The cost for that phase will be potentially lower, as there aren’t as many water main improvements.

Phase 3 will be addressing the parking lots in the north alley of First Street West, as well as improvements along Second Avenue North and South.

Rose asked if there was an ability to break the project into addressing the north half and south half of First Street during that project to try and minimize businesses impacted.

City administrator Chris Nosbisch said with all the service connections that will likely be addressed and tackling a project in economy of scale, it would be better for that phase to happen all at once.

Nosbisch said that by utilizing splitting the project into east and west in phases, it would allow some festivals still to be held in a portion of uptown.

Nosbisch also said that the phased approach gives the city time to work with business owners about the impact. The city will also be able to draw on several grants for

the project.

And the first phase of the project is still roughly three years out, and will follow the completion of the Highway 1 improvements planned by the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

City administrator Chris Nosbisch clarified some issues with the math in the proposed property tax valuations sent out by Linn County.

In the examples given to homeowners, the second table shows a hypothetical of property taxes in the current year and than a value of increase of 10 percent in the proposed year.

“That notice gives the appearance that the City of Mount Vernon proposed property tax increases percentage of 13.92 percent,” Nosbisch wrote. “The notice assumes the value of the home will increase by 10,000. The State of Iowa does require all real property to be reassessed every two years in odd-numbered years. This being an even assessment year, the chances of a 10 percent increase in the housing value are quite minimal.”

Nosbisch furth elaborated, that if the tax table had shown a year to year amount of $100,000 stagnant over four years, it would more accurately reflect the proposed rate increase for Mount Vernon of 3.57 percent, not 13.92 percent. Mount Vernon’s levy rate is only increasing by $0.15 per $1,000 of assessed valuation this year.

Nosbisch said that cuts are being made in the city this year. A part-time position at Mount Vernon City Hall will be eliminated. The city will also not be hiring a police officer for several months of the year. Additional wages are being shifted to enterprise funds that can cover them, like wastewater superintendent Alex Voklov’s salary. Water and sewer rates, however, are expected to increase much more than previously expected.

Nosbisch said that the city’s usage of Build America Bonds from 2009 for water and sewer upgrades are impacting some of that increase, as is the proposed $2 million for Phase 2 of the sewer plant operations.

Nosbisch was proposing a 12 percent increases for

sewer rates this year and 8 percent increase in 2027. Water rates will increase for 3 percent for the next fiscal year.

LBC rates are not expected to increase until fiscal year 2027.

The Mount Vernon pool prices will increase this year to pay for lifeguard pay and pool upgrades.

Daily admission rates for the pool are increasing by $1 for the year in all categories aside from infants to 2-yearolds which remain free.

Season passes for residents and non-residents increase by $10 across the board, with the exception of adding an additional child increases by $5, which only goes up by $5. Individual season passes for residents are $110, a double pass is now $140, family pass is $170 and adding an additional child is $15. Non-resident passes are now $125 for a season pass, a double pass is $155, family pass is $195 and adding on an additional child is $20.

Water aerobics season pass increases by $15 to $140, a 10 punch card increases by $10 to $80 and daily drop in rate increases by $1 to $9.

Pool rental rate increases by $100, now $350.

Swim lessons for tadpoles and infants will increase by $2. Private lessons increase by $3 and semi-private lessons increase.

OPINIONS

In case anybody asks, this is what democracy looks like

Living in Iowa

This morning, I opened the refrigerator and I couldn’t believe what I saw—or rather what I didn’t see. Somehow, as incredible as it was—in defiance of all logic and precedent and… and decency— there was no more Half-andHalf! None. If true, this would render my coffee undrinkable.

Unthinkable! The empty space on the shelf was burning a hole in my retina. What was there to be done?

It’s actually kind of embarrassing to realize that we have taken so many comforts and conveniences for granted that we can’t even imagine what life would be like without them. The Internet as we know it has only been around since 1983 and yet now we depend on it for everything. If the Internet were suddenly to disappear, we’d be lost. Literally. If I didn’t have GPS, it wouldn’t be safe for me to drive. I’d be headed to the local grocery store for some overpriced eggs and I’d end up in Chicago, from which I am certain, there is no escape.

A few years ago, cell phones were a novelty. Now they are a necessity. Lately, we have been hearing about a worldwide shortage of chocolate! Without chocolate, there would be no civilization. Bananas are facing extinction. The electrical grid is crumbling. And so are most bridges. And what would we ever do without the US Postal Service?

Daniel Piazza, curator of philately (stamp stuff) at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum notes, “The postal service is one of the oldest federal agencies. Maybe for that reason we tend to take it for granted.” Our postal service was devised by Ben Franklin in 1775. The Continental Congress designated the fledgling service as the official United States Post Office-- even before the signing of the Declaration of Independence!

Today, the postal service delivers mail and packages to more than 160 million addresses. Their website reports that 99 percent of the US population is within 10 miles of a post office. And we all know their unofficial motto, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their rounds.” (Imagine! These stalwart folks are not afraid of gloom!) Dogs, however, might be another matter. I once asked Mount Vernon’s former post master and one-time mail carrier, Arvin Parrott if he had been afraid of being bitten by dogs. “All dogs bite,” he assured me. “That’s how they eat.” But now Donald Trump wants to sell off the US Postal Service to some private company. (What does he think it is, Greenland?) Last Thursday, around 40 postal service-loving protesters gathered at Mount Vernon’s post office, carrying signs and chanting, “This is what democracy looks like!” As they marched down First Street, somebody stuck their head out of a store and shouted, “Thank you!” Yes, this is what democracy looks like: peaceful, amiable, organized. And serious. I knew it was time for me to get serious. If I wanted Half-and-Half, I was going to have to take matters into my own hands. Inconvenient as it might be, I would have to get in the car and go get some. Lucky for me, I’ve got GPS.

SUN EDITORIAL

Added confusion does not help in coming budget discussions

Last week, many citizens received notices of what proposed levy rates will be for city, county, and school districts, as has been the case over the last two years.

A table on the back page of that publication, however, is not properly reflecting the changes in levy rates from last year to this year, as that table reflects a 10 percent growth rate in assessment from last year to this year.

Assessments of property happen in odd years in the state of Iowa, and including a hypothetical on property increases confusion with people who do not catch that 10 percent difference in what is being compared.

In an odd year, that inclusion would get closer to helping tax payers be able to compare what they paid in levy rates this year and how their assessed value may impact the tax rate this year.

But as Mount Vernon city administrator Chris Nosbisch said, this table isn’t comparing apples to apples in a year with no changes to assessed value and makes it look like the levy

rate has increased far more than it has for the city. Mount Vernon’s levy rate increased roughly $0.16 per $1,000 this coming fiscal year, which Nosbisch said is more accurately a 3.57 percent increase in tax rates. Mount Vernon Schools are also seeing a decrease in their levy rate this year, but that does not reflect with the 10 percent assessment added to that levy rate.

As Nosbisch and Siggins have both admitted, this year is going to be a tighter budget year for both communities. The city of Mount Vernon will be making cuts to some staff this year, and possibly next year as well. That’s already challenging enough.

If the goal of providing information to taxpayers was to be clear what levy rates are from year to year, utilizing a table that reflects a 10 percent growth in valuation muddies that water when it isn’t a year where valuations are slated to increase.

Wartburg Choir concert Friday features memorable piece

Nathan Countryman

On Friday, Wartburg Choir will be coming to town to perform with the Mount Vernon High School Choir.

It’s a day after Wartburg hosts its UKnight Day fundraising event, where I’m already remembering my time at college as a supporter of the event. Like, I pulled up the Wartburg College yearbook to look up some pictures/items to share and realized this September will mark 20 years of myself being on Facebook as well as remembered a couple of pages I helped design of two different yearbooks in college.

The concert is also the day after my late college roommate would have celebrated his 37th birthday.

I’ve spoken about this in columns a few years ago, about the ripples after A.J. passed away by suicide, in the efforts to keep his memory alive with a 5K walk/run in our hometown for a number of years.

One of the other ripples from A.J.’s passing was his classmates and Wartburg College alum helped contribute to fund an original song following his passing.

One of the first performances of that piece by the Tipton High

The importance of our local post office

One of the exciting parts for me of starting first grade was getting to eat lunch at school in the cafeteria. We had just moved to Boise, Idaho from Cleveland, Ohio, so I was starting at a brand new school with new procedures and new classmates. I had seen my older sister take her lunchbox to school with her, so I really wanted to have a lunchbox as well. With all that was going on with getting settled in our new house right before the school year began, my mother just

School choir happened just days prior to the COVID-19 shut down. I don’t think I was aware of the original performance of that piece, as I wasn’t there for that first performance, just found out about it a few years after when a video was shared. Life just ahead of that shutdown now five years ago are all a blur of trying to recall “what do you remember about things in the weeks pre-COVID?”

I’m not making that mistake this time, as that will also be one of the pieces performed by Wartburg Choir, a group A.J was involved with all four years at our alma mater. My sister, Andrea, who was also one of A.J.’s classmates in high school tipped me off about the concert happening when she started texting me to ask “Where is the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center at in your town? Because there’s a concert there I plan on attending.”

I know this has taken a lot of work of people who loved A.J., and it will be one of the pieces to be performed by a terrific choir. There have been so many things I’m wrestling with in the past few years I’ve wanted to be able to text or message or just vent about to my former roommate. Some of them more personal than I’m willing to admit in a column. Some of those 5K walks I had a turtle’s pace were a good time to get my head around some off those conversations, alone with my thoughts and music.

The upcoming concert has been reminding me a lot of the impact he had on my life in the year we were roommates and even after, and trying to keep those positive ripples going and keeping him in my memory.

quickly picked up a lunchbox for me at the store. I had imagined getting a Schoolhouse Rock or Bugs Bunny lunchbox to carry to school with me on the first day, but instead, my mom presented me with a Mr. Zip lunchbox. For

those who aren’t familiar with Mr. Zip, he is the mascot that the United States Post Office introduced in the 1960s to promote the use of Zip Codes. In 1975, when I started first grade, they were still struggling to get people to use Zip Codes, so Mr. Zip (or Zippy, as he came to be known) was really being promoted.

Needless to say, I wasn’t thrilled with having a Zippy lunchbox. I was the only one at the table from Mrs. Jenkins’ class that had this style. The thermos that came with it cleverly showed names of unique towns around the country and their Zip Codes (like Money, Mississippi 38945). Those first few days of first grade when I hadn’t made any friends yet, I would sit and read my thermos and look at Zippy on my lunchbox and just wish I could go back to Ohio (Zip Code 44139).

Everything worked out and I made friends and I learned to love Boise. I don’t know whatever happened to my Zippy lunchbox, but it did make me very aware of the importance of Zip Codes. Moving to Mount Vernon in 2013 allowed my family and me to enjoy Zip Code Day when we gathered at the Post Office on May 23, 2014 to celebrate Mount Vernon’s Zip Code, 52314. Whenever I write a letter to someone, I always look at their Zip Code to see if they will ever be able to have a Zip Code Day in their town.

All this reminiscing brings me to my point of the importance of the Postal Service. It isn’t hyperbole to say that it is the backbone of our country. It began on the

backbones of horses and mules, as letter carriers used them to deliver the mail. The first national postal agency in the US, known as the United States Post Office, was founded by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 26, 1775. That is before the Declaration of Independence!

I realize that we live in a digital age, but that doesn’t mean that the Postal Service is no longer needed. Many official letters and documents have to be carried out with actual paper and then delivered by the Postal Service. Sending cards and letters in the mail still happens and we rely on our mail carriers to get these delivered. It’s quite amazing, when you think about it, that for 73 cents you can send a letter to anyone, anywhere in the United States. The cost of you personally flying that letter to, say Alaska, would be almost $600. When we lived in Alaska, we loved all of the things that we received in the mail from loved ones in Iowa.

During the shutdowns of COVID, I spent a lot of time writing letters and putting together little packages for family members and other friends that I was concerned about. I believe in the power of the written word and in sending to someone else a card that had been at my kitchen table and in a few days was in their hands. I know that there is strength in that. An email can’t replace that and you can’t reread a phone call. I enjoyed my walks over to the Post Office to send off these letters and packages of love. My husband

Bill shuts Iowa’s largest counties out of economic development funds for 3 years

Lawmaker says rural counties need state assistance more

Robin Opsahl Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa’s four most populous counties would not be able to access state economic development programs and their funds for three years under a bill advanced Wednesday by an Iowa House subcommittee.

The legislation, House Study Bill 310, would impose a three-year moratorium, from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, on all programs administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and funding available through these programs for the four counties in the state with the highest population. The four counties impacted would be Polk County with a population of more than 505,000, Linn County with a population of nearly 229,000, Scott County with 174,000 and Johnson County at 157,000, according to U.S. Census data from 2023.

The IEDA oversees a number of pro -

grams throughout the state focused on economic and community development. Some programs work with businesses directly, while others work with local governments on community projects including infrastructure and disaster recovery efforts.

Rep. Derek Wulf, R-Hudson, said the measure was necessary because efforts by the Iowa Legislature to revitalize rural Iowa have not worked.

“It has not worked, folks, and what we need to do is have transformational change,” Wulf said. “Is this the perfect answer? I don’t know. We’ll continue to have that discussion, but something has to happen.”

At the subcommittee meeting, advocates for business groups and local governments were largely against the measure. Dustin Miller with the Iowa Chamber Alliance said he understood the intent of the bill was to aid rural communities, but the measure would harm areas of the state that are often “drivers” in the state’s economy that will benefit surrounding counties.

He said the four counties targeted by this legislation have a gross domestic product of $85 billion, representing 42% of the state’s total real GDP of $200 bil-

joked that I was single-handedly keeping the USPS in business.

When I was young, I went to Girl Scout Camp. I was terribly homesick. Getting letters from my parents and seeing their familiar handwriting helped me to make it through the week. I even felt like I could smell our home as I opened the envelope and took out their letters. I had brought along 13 cent stamps to write letters to them. I’m sure that my pages were dirt-smudged and some tears fell onto them as I wrote to them of the things we were doing. Letters can give an authenticity like nothing else.

We are faced with yet another “great” idea from Trump and DOGE to privatize the United States Postal Service in order to save money. This is ludicrous. Doing this would mean that they could sell the USPS to the higher bidder, which would take away the independence the USPS has and the mission it has to serve all the people of the United States. We would see higher prices, reduced services, and people who live in rural areas would have less access to receiving their mail.

I think back to all of the Post Offices I have known throughout my life. They have been bastions of the greater institution of the United States Postal Service. I have seen Postal Workers consistently follow their motto: “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” We need to send a message to President Trump: the Postal Service is NOT for sale.

lion. Those counties also make up large proportions of the state’s collected taxes — 36% of the general fund revenue raised for personal income tax in 2022 and 43% of the sales tax.

Miller also pointed to IEDA data showing a majority of awards were given to communities with populations between 5,000 and 30,000 — a total of 156 awards.

“Happy to talk about what is the best way to try and incentivize differing development, but at the same time, just want to be cognizant of the fact of, ‘don’t kill the golden goose,’” Miller said.

IEDA data shared by Wulf showed that in fiscal year 2024, 21.7% of award funding went to Polk, Linn, Johnson and Scott counties. Polk received an award total of $17,323,827; Linn, $17,937,281; Scott, $792,193, and Johnson $5,312,133.

Linn and Polk counties were among the top 10 counties receiving IEDA assistance in FY2024, with only Boone County at $20,930,981 above them.

Wulf told reporters after the meeting that this funding could be better utilized in smaller communities. He said IEDA funding of up to $10 million going toward projects in Des Moines often only represents a portion of the total funding needed to complete the project.

“I’ll tell you what, you send $5 million to Iowa rural communities, and it can mean the matter of whether the town survives or not,” he said.

Doug Struyk, representing the City of Des Moines, said this moratorium could take Iowa out of the running for many projects and businesses to consider coming to Iowa. In cases of new construction or large businesses, he said, many projects in cities like Des Moines are pulling workers from the surrounding areas.

“We have one benefit, which is we have a population of workers — a lot of projects need bodies to be able to fill the slots,” Struyk said. “We believe, removing the largest four counties from the ability to receive these incentive funds removes the ability for many projects to even consider Iowa. When they’re considering Iowa — they’re not just considering Des Moines, they’d be considering many other areas in the state. So we believe … the intent is short-sighted and not in the best economic interest for the state.”

Rep. Elizabeth Wilson, D-Marion, said she supported advocates’ points that economic development investments should be considered using a regional lens instead of being based on county populations.

“I think this idea of regionalism is actually … I think it’s a really good idea, and I think it has a lot of merit,” Wilson said. “And for that reason, the way that it stands, I would have to be a no.”

Wulf said figures on the economic impact of these four counties “make the exact case for this bill,” saying that more attention and investment needs to go to rural areas.

“More importantly, as we went around the room, you know who’s missing from this room?” Wulf said. “Our rural representatives, our people with dirty pants, boots on the ground that aren’t here, stating their case for why the money needs to be going to those areas for revitalization and growing their particular main street businesses. … So for them today, I will be their voice, and we’ll be moving this legislation forward.”

The legislation next goes to the House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.

IHC Statement on USDA cancellation of funds for The Emergency Food Assistance Program

The Iowa Hunger Coalition condemns the recent decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to cancel $500 million in funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The Iowa Hunger Coalition and our members call on USDA to immediately restore these food orders, and call on Iowa’s elected officials to advocate with USDA to reverse this disastrous decision.

“Food banks, food pantries, and other anti-hunger groups continue to see record-breaking numbers of Iowans turning to them for food assistance,” said Luke Elzinga, board chair of IHC. “Food insecurity rates continue to climb, and this will only make matters worse. Every single Iowan should be outraged at this decision by USDA.”

The $500 million in cuts come from eliminating additional TEFAP funding authorized through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) at USDA. In Iowa, this will elim-

inate an estimated $3.8 million worth of food for food banks, food pantries, and the people they serve. Dozens of truckloads of meat, milk, cheese, and vegetables have been cancelled.

“TEFAP is our food pantry’s primary source of protein and dairy items,” said Nicole McAlexander, executive director of Southeast Linn Community Center. “With this funding cut it will be extremely difficult for us to continue to provide nutritious, well-balanced choices to our neighbors.”

“This is yet another debilitating blow to food pantries, food banks, farmers, and, most importantly, families struggling to afford food,” said John Boller, executive director of the Coralville Community Food Pantry. “Like most pantries, we rely heavily on commodity food to keep our shelves and coolers stocked with nutrient-dense choices

for our neighbors. In 2024, TEFAP provided a quarter of the food we distributed. Take away TEFAP and there’s no Coralville Community Food Pantry.”

“TEFAP is a critical resource for those of us fighting food insecurity,” said Matt Unger, CEO of the DMARC Food Pantry Network. “The nonprofit sector continues to be asked to do more and more as food insecurity rises and critical government resources face cuts.”

“At a time when food banks across our state are serving record breaking numbers of Iowans every month and struggling to keep their shelves stocked, further federal funding cuts are devastating,” said Paige Chickering with Save the Children Action Network. “Food insecurity is on the rise in Iowa. We need to dedicate more resources to this growing problem, not take away already sparse financial support.”

MVLCT auditions for Jesus Christ Superstar

MVLCT Is thrilled to announce auditions for our next 45th Anniversary production Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by Courtenay Baker (Peter and the Starcatcher).

Audition Dates:

• Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m. in the Uptown Theatre and Dance Arts Iowa at the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon

• Sunday, April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Uptown Theatre and Dance Arts Iowa at the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon

• Callbacks (If needed) Monday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Uptown Theatre at the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon Rehearsal Dates:

• Rehearsals begin May 27.

• Generally, rehearsals will run Sunday –Thursday 6:00 – 9:00 PM

Performance Dates:

• July 18-19, 25-26, and August 1-2, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. and July 20, 27 and August 3, 2025 at 2 p.m. in the Uptown Theatre at the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon

Audition Information:

• This show is open to auditioners aged 16+.

• Music Auditions:

• Auditioners should prepare about a

minute of a classic rock or funk song. Please bring a karaoke track for accompaniment.

• Auditioners may absolutely sing something from the score of Jesus Christ Superstar as there are several roles with specific vocal range requirements:

• Jesus Christ: A2 to G5

• Judas: D3 to D5

• Caiaphas: C2 to F4

• Come dressed to dance.

There will be two divisions of dance rehearsals:

• Movers, who will learn a simple dance combination to confirm you can move on the beat of the music

• Dancers, who will learn a longer jazz combination

• There will be 4-6 dancers cast in the dance ensemble

• Preferred: Fill out our audition form online here or at auditions. It will ask you for conflicts – this is critical information to build the rehearsal schedule.

• Second best: Bring your schedule of conflicts and a writing implement to complete on paper.

Synopsis:

What’s the buzz? The first musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to be produced for the professional stage, Jesus Christ Superstar has wowed audiences for over 50 years. A timeless work, the rock opera is set against the backdrop of an

extraordinary and universally known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Superstar follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life.

The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire. The iconic 1970s rock score contains such well-known numbers as “Superstar,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Gethsemane.”

Courtesy of Concord Theatricals

Character Descriptions:

• JESUS: Rock Tenor. Leader of the twelve Apostles, a man, called the “Son of God” and the “King of the Jews”. But does he believe that?

• JUDAS: Rock Tenor. One of the twelve apostles of Jesus; concerned for the poor and the consequences of Jesus’ fame. Broken-hearted idealist.

• MARY MAGDALENE: Mezzo/alto belter. A female follower of Jesus who finds herself feeling a love she’s never known. The role requires an actress that can show grace, stability, weakness, and compassion.

• PILATE: Rock Baritone. Governor of Judea who foresees the events of Jesus’ crucifixion from beginning to aftermath in

a dream and finds himself being presented with that very situation. Reluctant to pass judgement, conflicted.

• KING HEROD: High Baritone. The King of Galilee; Jesus is brought to him for judgment after first being taken to Pilate. Flamboyant and over-the-top.

• PETER: Tenor. One of Jesus’ twelve apostles; denies Jesus three times upon the night of Jesus’ arrest to save himself. Young.

• SIMON: High Baritone. One of Jesus’ twelve apostles; urges Jesus to lead his followers into battle against the Romans. Strong dancer.

• CAIAPHAS: Low Bass with Rocky Top. High priest who sees Jesus as a threat to the nation. Granite.

• ANNAS: High Baritone. Fellow priest at the side of Caiaphas who is persuaded by Caiaphas into seeing Jesus as a threat. A bit slimy.

• ENSEMBLE Soul Girls/Dance Ensemble: Must be strong dancers who have contemporary/jazz/tap dance experience and good rock / pop sounds.

• ENSEMBLE Pharisees/Romans/ Priests/Scribes/Infirm/Media: Must be strong movers who have good rock / pop sounds.

• ENSEMBLE Apostles: Must be strong movers / intermediate dancers who have good rock / pop sounds.

Courtesy of Andrew Lloyd Weber Show Licensing

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theater presents Calendar Girls

Show dates April 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theater will be presenting Calendar Girls by Tim Firth this April. Tickets are now available at mvlct.com with show dates of April 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and April 6 at 2 p.m. at First Street Community Center Theater.

From Concord Theatricals: When Annie’s husband John dies of leukemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four fellow Wom-

en’s Institute members to pose nude with them for an “alternative” calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence. The news of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test under the strain of their newfound fame.

Director Kerry Covington said that this was a play that the MVLCT board asked her to direct.

“Once I got to reading the script, I realized how much fun this thing was,” Covington said.

Covington said she is working with people she has worked along side from years ear-

Mount Vernon has eight All-State nominations

Mount Vernon has six performing nominations and two non-performing nominations for All-State Individual Speech Contest. A speech showcase for those attending All-State Individual events will be held Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m. at Lisbon Heritage Hall.

All-State Individual festival is Monday, March 31 at University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

Skye Rodman will be performing her solo musical theater piece “Suppertime” in session 3 (1:30 to 2:45 p.m.) of Center 1 at Strayer Wood Main House of the Strayer Wood Theatre Building. Guest critic of Center 1 is Teresa Jackson of Iowa Central Community College and Iowa High School Speech Association Hall of Fame member. Michael Covington will perform his storytelling piece

lier in her own community acting career to bring this to life.

And while the play does feature some illusion of nudity in the performance, Covington said it’s not much different than the film adaptation, that had a PG-13 rating.

“This has just been a fun show to be a part of,” Covington said.

Jenn Pearson plays the role of Chris in “Calendar Girls.”

Her favorite part of the show is the camaraderie of the cast.

“I really love the feminist perspective that we have throughout this show,” Pearson said. “That on top of the ability to be celebrating older women.”

Pearson explained that the entire show has a cast of people 40 or above.

As for challenges – it’s memorizing the lines in the show.

Susie Burns plays the role of Jessie in the production.

“This is a very prop heavy show,” Burns said. “Having to remember those or the costume changes is definitely one of the challenges of the show.”

Tiffany Zarifkar, who plays Rose, said one of the things she really admired about this cast is the level of body diversity on stage.

“Especially in a show that is centered around a subject like this,” Zarifkar said.

“That’s what I’m most excited about.”

“Muncha, Muncha, Muncha” in session 1 (10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.) at Center 3 the Scholarship Space of Rod Library. Summer Bowie-Smith will perform her prose piece “Unpopular Gals” at session 4 (3 to 4:15 p.m.) at Center 3. Guest critic of Center 3 is AP Pikiben of Truman State University.

Penelope Vig will perform her after dinner speaking presentation “One Direction’s Sixth Member” at session 1 (10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.) in Center 8 the Oak Room of Maucker Union. Guest critic of Center 8 is Danielle McGeough of the University of Northern Iowa.

Claire Thureauf will perform her poetry piece “Who She Was by Claire Thuerauf” in session 2 (11:30 to 12:45 p.m.) in Center 13 the Georgian Lounge in The Commons. Norah Weber will perform her poetry piece “A Dreamer is What She Was by Norah Weber” in session 3 (1:30 to 2:45 p.m.) in Center 13. Guest critic of Center 13 is Caleb Rainey, The Negro Artist. Receiving non-performing nominations for All-State were Edith Dawson in spontaneous speaking and Summer Bowie-Smith in reviewing for “Seedship.”

The other was the age variety in the show and working alongside her real-life husband Mehrdad Zarifkar in the production.

Carole Martin plays the role of Annie in the production.

Martin said that being on stage with Pearson and Burns, who were on stage together for Rich Heritage of Cedar Rapids production of “Steel Magnolias” last year has really helped the cast.

“We were all friends from that production, so coming back for this show was so easy,” Martin said.

Martin said her husband had seen the call for the cast announcement and that the show sounded like a lot of fun.

“I read the script and I just fell in love with it,” Martin said.

She also recruited Burns to the show.

Burns said it has been almost 13 years since their last show with MVLCT, recalling when they were in the production, it was a show held at Gwen’s in Lisbon.

“It’s a really funny and entertaining show,” Martin said.

“It’s a play really about overcoming difficulty, both in life and death and in friendship,” Burns said.

“It’s a hilarious and heartwarming show,” Pearson said. “We have an excellent cast with a lot of talent.”

James Allen Telecky, 92, of Mount Vernon, passed away peacefully Friday, March 14, 2025, at Hallmark Care Center, Mount Vernon.

Jim was born on April 1, 1932, in Laona, Wis., the only child of John and Loretta (Lambert) Telecky. They soon moved west where Jim’s dad taught in different schools in Nevada. Jim attended the Fallon schools and was very active in athletics. He loved taking the train to Iowa to spend summers and holidays on his grandparent’s farm where his interest in plants and soil began. Eventually his family moved to Iowa and he graduated from Mt Vernon High School in 1949. Jim enrolled at Iowa State but joined the Navy after his junior year and was a member of the Sea Bees (CBs). He returned to Iowa State and graduated with a degree in agronomy in 1955. After graduation Jim began his long and productive career with Pioneer Hi-Bred, Intl.

Jim married Bessie Koutny in August of 1954 and they shared over 70 loving years together. Their family grew quickly and before they knew it they had four daughters. Career opportunities required that the family move to different locations but also led to a strong family bond. Jim was a devoted family man who enjoyed taking his family on camping vacations to national parks around the country. Later Jim and Bess loved taking trips together, especially to Alaska and all special family events. In recent years, he affectively cared for Bess until she needed more care than he could give.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Victoria (Sterling) Young, Rebecca Wilcox, Deborah (David) Blythe, and Teresa (Bruce) Squires; grandchildren, Nicole (Brett) Eidahl, Brandon (Stephanie) Young, Travis (Laura) Young, Ben (Katie) Wilcox, Kristen (Justin) Carpenter, Jennifer (Brian) Mertes, Erin (Seth) Schaller, Brooke (Nathon) Logue, and Dustin (Natasha) Smith; 24 great grandchildren; and many more loving family members.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son-inlaw, Gary Wilcox; and brother-in-law, Dale Buresh. Memorials may be made to the National Park Service.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2025, at Solon United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. A private family inurnment will take place afterwards at the Rogers Grove Cemetery.

Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Jim’s Tribute Wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.

Ninth Annual Easter Egg extravaganza at Bass Family Farms April 12

Spring is in the air, and it’s time for some egg-citing Easter fun! Join Bass Family Farms for their 9th Annual Easter Egg Extravaganza, where kids of all ages can enjoy a day filled with adventure, games, and of course, plenty of Easter eggs.

The events will be Saturday, April 12 (rain date is Saturday, April 19). Egg hunt participants tickets are $12 each, non-participants are free unless they want to ride the new farm frenzy slide.

Egg hunts are scheduled for 3years and under at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., 4 to 6 year olds 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 7-10 year olds noon and 3 p.m.

To keep the hunt fair and fun for everyone, eggs will be empty, and all paid participants will receive a special gift bag when they turn in their eggs.

But there’s more fun than just the egg hunt at Bass Family Farms. In between hunts, enjoy teeter totters, sling shots, 1-hole mini golf course, Giant Jenga and Tic-Tac-Toe, corn hole, spider web and more.

The Easter Bunny will also be hopping around the farm, so bring your camera for memorable photos.

New this year is the farm frenzy slide. Admission to the slide is included in the Egg Hunt ticket for those 48” and taller or available separately for $5 per person. Parents who wish to ride must also purchase a ticket.

Face Painting by Regan will also be available from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for an additional charge, paid directly to Regan.

Parent supervision is required at the egg hunt—adults enter free unless riding the slide.

For more details, visit www.bassfarms.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

MV CITY COUNCIL BRIEFS

MV looking for new cemetery mowing contract

Mount Vernon will be putting out an RFP for a new mowing contract for the City of Mount Vernon.

City administrator Chris Nosbisch explained that Paradise Landscaping, who completed the mowing for the cemetery for the past 40 years, submitted his resignation recently. Members of the new cemetery commission were looking to get a contract in place, spelling out how damages to stones or monuments are to be addressed.

Nosbisch said that the cost for mowing the cemetery will definitely increase, based on early estimates from some who have asked about RFPs, but the city will have a better outlined contract.

“We were receiving a number of calls about issues in the cemetery in the past few years,” Nosbisch said.

Training for responding to Alzheimer’s and related disorders

Lindsay Glynn is hoping to help staff at the City of Mount Vernon know more about the best ways to handle interactions with people with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other related diseases.

Glynn grew up in the community and has moved back to the area. She has worked in fields of gerontology, and is looking to host a dementia friendly program for Mount Vernon staff about best practices for working with someone with dementia.

“Because eI love this community and older adults, I want staff to be ready to support older residents and some of their issues,” Glynn said.

Glynn said she will follow up with mayor Tom Wieseler following the meeting about when that training could be held.

Council member Craig Engel thanked Glynn for attending and volunteering to train the service.

Glynn said her volunteering was spurred on by witnessing someone with Alzhemiers walking by her house and knowing how to react so they were safe, but their choices were still respected and treated compassionately In the interaction.

Council member Scott Rose said that in his mom’s final days, while she wasn’t diagnosed with the disease, there were times she exhibited some of the behaviors, and that police chief Doug Shannon and Lisbon Mount Vernon Ambulance Services responded adequately and helped the family, but having this training would help all first responders.

Bids for lighting improvements come in under budget

The bids for the infrastructure for the Intellistreets lighting project came in under budget.

City administrator Chris Nosbisch said that either city engineer David Schechinger’s estimates were extremely high, or his conservative estimates on the project were. Bids came in at $432,000, with the project estimated to cost $500,000.

The infrastructure improvements for the street lights needed to be completed to install the new lights, and would not be impacted by the new streetscape project a few years out.

The Intellistreet lights are slated to be installed this spring following Chalk the Walk, but before the Heritage Days festival in uptown Mount Vernon.

Cole Corner

Cathy Boggs Cole Library

Spring Book Talk at Cole Thursday, April 17

Join us at Cole Library for the Spring Book Talk on Thursday, April 17 at noon. The Spring Book Talk is a library event sponsored by Hills Bank and Trust. Librarian Greg Cotton and I will “book talk” what is new, what is good, and what is being talked about in

March 11 – Medical, 100 blk Crestview Dr, Mount Vernon

March 11 – Agency assist- animal control, Linn Co

March 11 – Disturbance, 300 blk business 30 SW, Mount Vernon

March 11 – Suspicious activity, 1225 blk First Ave NW,

Mount Vernon

March 11 – Agency assist- accident, Linn Co

March 12 – Alarm, 300 blk Hwy 1, Mount Vernon

March 12 – Suspicious vehicle, 200 blk Virgil Ave, Mount Vernon

March 12 – Theft, 1200 blk First St SW, Mount Vernon

March 12 – Accident, Third St SE, Mount Vernon

March 13 – Medical, 200 blk business 30 SW, Mount Vernon

March 13 – Medical, 700 blk Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon

March 13 – Medical, 100 blk Bryant Ct, Mount Vernon

March 13 – Illegal burn, 400 blk Fifth Ave SW, Mount Vernon

March 14 – Medical, 300 blk business 30 SW, Mount Vernon

March 14 – Agency assist-medical, Cedar Co

March 15 – Welfare check, 200 blk S. Walnut St, Lisbon

March 15 – Accident, 100 blk E. First St, Mount Vernon

March 15 – Medical, 500 blk Third Ave SW, Mount Vernon

March 15 – Animal control, 400 blk, Mount Vernon

March 15 – Medical, 600 blk N. Washington St, Lisbon

March 15 – Disturbance, 100 blk First St SE, Mount Vernon

March 15 – Car unlock, 300 blk E. Second St, Lisbon

March 16 – Welfare check, 900 blk Willow Ln, Lisbon

We’ve been reading reviews, ordering and reading books, and can’t wait to share with you what we’ve found while you enjoy a free lunch and soft drink. The book talk will be held on the second floor of Cole

Cole Library is located on the south side of Cornell College’s campus up Library Lane. Reservations are required. If you plan to attend, call Brenda Langenberg at the Hills Bank office in Mount Vernon at 319-866-7033 or Grace Chamberlain at the Cole Library at 895-5940. You can also email Grace at gchamberlain@cornellcollege.edu. Reservations

Thursday, March 27: 8am-10pm Friday, March 28: 8am-5pm Saturday, March 29: 10am-4pm Sunday, March 30: 12pm-10pm Monday, March 31: 8am-10pm Tuesday, April 1: 8am-10pm Wednesday, April 2: 8am-10pm Thursday, April 3: 8am-10pm

March 16 – Medical, 600 blk First St SW, Mount Vernon

March 16 – Disturbance, 700 blk Meadow Lane Ct, Mount Vernon

March 17 – Animal control, 100 blk Lincoln Dr, Mount Vernon

March 17 – Accident, 300 blk business 30 SW, Mount Vernon

March 18 – Medical, 100 blk Crestview Dr, Mount Vernon

March 18 – Animal control, 300 blk E. First St, Mount Vernon

March 18 – Agency assist- traffic hazard, Linn Co

March 18 – Disturbance, 100 blk E First St, Mount Vernon

March 18 – Medical, 300 blk Hwy 1, Mount Vernon

March 18 – Suspicious vehicle, 1225 blk First Ave NW, Mount Vernon

March 20 – Criminal mischief, 200 blk Glenn St, Mount Vernon

March 20 – Medical, 400 blk Third Ave NW, Mount Vernon

March 20 – Disturbance, 300 blk Seventh St SE, Mount Vernon

March 21 – Disturbance, 700 blk Eighth St NW, Mount Vernon

March 21 – Disturbance, 100 blk E. business 30, Lisbon

March 21 – Medical, 300 blk W. Main St, Lisbon

March 21 – Discharging weapons, 1225 blk First Ave NW, Mount Vernon

March 22 – Animal control, 600 blk First Ave SE, Mount Vernon

March 22 – Criminal mischief, 600 blk First St SW, Mount Vernon

March 23 – Welfare check, 200 blk Oak Ridge Dr, Mount Vernon

March 24 – Medical, 500 blk N. Washington St, Lisbon

March 24 – Welfare check, 100 blk Seventh St SE, Mount Vernon

Get involved during Global Volunteer Month this April

Global Volunteer Month, celebrated in April, is a time to honor volunteers while encouraging volunteering in communities around the world.

This annual celebration is especially pertinent right now. According to a Pew Research report, only 54% of Americans feel a connection to others near them.

“Communities around the country are facing increased needs at a time when many people are feeling more isolated. Volunteering fills the gaps to strengthen community and the fabric of our society,” says Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to increasing volunteer service.

But as Sirangelo points out, volunteering doesn’t just build healthier and more equitable communities, it’s also good for the individuals who are lending their time and talents. “Engaging in volunteer activities has been identified as an effective way to build confidence, alleviate anxiety and depression, and provide a sense of purpose and connection,” she says.

Here are some ways you can take action this Global Volunteer Month and beyond:

Take the Pledge: Let your community know you are committed to volunteering and service by taking the Points

of Light’s Global Volunteer Month Pledge. With nearly 50% of volunteer postings going unfilled, your participation can help meet critical community needs and ensure essential services are delivered. Already committed to a cause you care about? Take this opportunity to deepen your engagement. Commit to one extra volunteer project a month, or consider taking on a leadership position with an organization you work with.

Thank a Volunteer: Volunteers are the heartbeat of strengthening communities, and throughout the month, you can help recognize the vital role they play. Thank a volunteer or organization that is making an impact in your community starting on April 1 and throughout the month using the hashtag #ThankAVolunteer.

Spread the Word: Use social media to spread the word about the importance of volunteering using hashtags like #GlobalVolunteerMonth. To inspire others to take action, share your own volunteer story using #WhyIVolunteer.

Get Started: Not sure how to get started or where your efforts will make the biggest social impact? Visit Points of Light Engage, at engage.pointsoflight.org. This enormous database allows you to search for volunteer opportunities in your city or zip code based on your interests. Whether you’re volunteering on your own, with coworkers, or

April is National Volunteer month, and a great way to get active in your communities.

with family, you’ll be sure to find an opportunity that’s right for you.

“Volunteering is needed more than ever before. This April, we are urging everyone to join us in taking action.

Know these four factors to avoid a heart health syndrome

In the U.S., 1 in 3 adults is at risk for a newly recognized syndrome that comes from a combination of heart disease, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and excess body weight. This cluster of conditions, called cardiovascularkidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, is an example of how problems in one part of your body can affect other parts.

To avoid CKM syndrome, health experts suggest paying close attention to four of the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 – blood pressure, lipids, body weight and blood sugar level – which are core health factors that impact your metabolic health.

Good metabolic health means your body uses energy well and keeps these factors in a normal range. However, when numbers are off in one area, it can affect others, raising your risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes.

Consider these tips from the American Heart Association to help keep your core health factors under control.

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, happens when the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels is too high. High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.

Because high blood pressure doesn’t have symptoms, the only way to know you have it is to get your blood pressure checked. Healthy blood pressure is below 120/80. If your blood pressure is 130/80 or higher, talk to your doctor about checking your other core health factors.

Lifestyle changes can help reduce high blood pressure. One example is a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating pattern that’s low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. Losing 10 pounds and reducing alcohol consumption can also reduce blood pressure.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance your liver makes then circulates in the blood where your body uses it to build cells and make vitamins and hormones. You may also get cholesterol from eating animal products. If there’s too much cholesterol circulating, your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke may increase. For optimal CKM health, your LDL cholesterol should

be below 100 and triglycerides below 150. Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. If your triglyceride level is 135 or higher, talk to your doctor about decreasing your risk.

Losing body weight and increasing physical activity decrease triglyceride levels. In addition, DASH and Mediterranean (plant-based, high-fiber, low-fat) eating patterns support healthy LDL and triglyceride levels.

Body Weight

Healthy weight may be determined by body mass index (BMI), a number that represents your weight in relation to your height. Extra body fat can mean a higher risk for many health problems, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

CKM syndrome starts when BMI is 25 or higher and waist circumference is 88 centimeters or higher for women and 102 centimeters or higher for men. Aim for a BMI between 18.5-25.

To lose weight and keep it off, start by setting realistic goals. Understand how much and why you eat, manage portion sizes, make smart snack substitutions and be physically active.

Blood Sugar

High blood sugar can slowly damage the kidneys. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, and

it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Blood sugar is measured in two ways: a fasting blood glucose test (short term blood sugar) and an A1C test (long term blood sugar control). A normal fasting blood glucose level is 70-99 and a normal A1C level is below 5.7%. Fasting blood glucose above 125 and A1C of 6.5% or higher means you have diabetes.

Habits that help you avoid high blood pressure, weight gain and high cholesterol also keep your blood sugar in check. These are especially important if you have a family history of diabetes.

Learn more about CKM syndrome and how to manage your risk at heart.org/CKMhealth.

Take on new hobbies in retirement

Retirement should be relaxing, not boring. In fact, taking on new hobbies can keep your mind sharp and body vital as you age. Here are five ways to stay active in your golden years:

1. Join a gym: Joining a gym is one of the easiest ways to ensure you perform a mix of strength training and cardiovascular exercise. Doing both will help keep your bones and muscles strong and your heart and lungs fully functional. Don’t forget to add in yoga and stretching to promote balance and agility. If a gym is out of reach, see what other nearby opportunities are available for working up a sweat. Many towns and cities offer free and budgetfriendly, community-based exercise

programming.

2. Play music: There are numerous cognitive and emotional benefits associated with playing music. Whether you’re a beginner just looking to pick up the basics or a seasoned musician with the hopes of performing in public, you can equip yourself to sound amazing with a high-quality instrument like the CT-S176 keyboard from Casio. Its 76 full-size keys and upgraded 13-watt bass-reflex stereo speaker system with surround effect lend it incredible sound quality and a dynamic playing experience, while its sleek, portable design makes it a joy to play anytime, anywhere. In addition to remotely controlling the CT-S1-76, you can also use

An annual exam can help older adults stay healthy

One of the best ways to prioritize your vitality is with an annual health exam. That’s especially true for older adults, who tend to have more health issues to manage, according to Dr. Grant Tarbox, national medical executive with Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare business.

Annual exams can vary and go by different names, depending on your coverage. Generally, they are offered at no cost to you through Medicare or Medicare Advantage (MA) and there are a host of reasons to get one, Tarbox said, including the following:

Having a health care team leader. It’s important to have a trusted advisor leading your health care team. That is the purpose of a primary care physician (PCP). A PCP knows your family and treatment histories and concerns. They play an important role keeping a broad view of all your care needs and can help you navigate them. By visiting your PCP at least annually, you maintain a critical relationship that will serve you well when you need it.

the Casio Music Space app to learn to play your favorite songs with downloadable MIDI files, interact with PDF scores, and much more.

3. Start a book club: It’s always more fun to read books when you can discuss them with friends. From tackling the classics, to diving into non-fiction works that will challenge your perspective, to enjoying some easy, breezy beach reads, it’s important that the other members of the group have the same reading goals as you. So do a little leg work in advance to ensure everyone is on the same page. Cole Library and Lisbon Public Libraries offer many book clubs already.

4. Number crunch: You don’t

Putting a plan together. Your annual exam is the time to discuss which health screenings and immunizations could be important for you based on your age, gender, and medical and family history. These include such things as a flu shot, a mammogram, or a colorectal screening. Talk to your doctor about what preventive care activities are right for you and put together a plan to get them. Most are covered at no extra cost through Medicare or MA.

Addressing conditions before they worsen. Aging increases the risk of certain chronic illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Ignoring these conditions won’t make them go away. Always tell your health care provider about any recent changes you are experiencing. Working with your provider to proactively manage a chronic condition before it worsens helps you to maintain your independence and vitality.

Reviewing medications. If you take one or more medications, an annual exam is a good time to review them with your PCP. You may even want to take your prescriptions to your appointment. Are these medications effective? Are you taking them as prescribed? Are there any undesirable side effects? Are there potential harmful interactions, including with over-the-counter drugs? You

have to be in school to take up math as a hobby. There are plenty of recreational mathematicians of all ages who enjoy crunching numbers to work puzzles, compete in games, and uncover patterns in the real world. To get into your mathematical groove and to support your hobby, use a graphing calculator.

5. Learn a language: Learning a new language not only creates new neural pathways in the brain, it can be just the motivational ticket you need to finally visit that bucket list destination you’ve been dreaming of. While formal lessons are great, you can help ensure your skills truly progress through conversation. Lean on services like Tandem to connect with a language partner.

By taking on new hobbies and expanding your interests, you can carve out a retirement that is active, adventurous and good for your body, mind and soul.

also can secure your refills and maybe even shift to home delivery for convenience or to save money.

Making lifestyle adjustments. Even small changes can help you live longer and better. Talk honestly with your health care provider about your lifestyle. They may recommend changes, such as exercising, stopping smoking, or eating healthy.

Checking on your mental health. Your emotional health impacts your physical health. Depression doesn’t have to be a part of aging. Let your health care provider know if you are feeling sad, anxious or hopeless. They may recommend increasing your social interaction. Additionally, treatments, such as talk therapy, medication or both, may be covered by Medicare or MA.

For more tips on how to make the most of your annual exam, visit https://www.cigna.com/medicare/memberresources/#media-resources

If those aren’t compelling enough reasons to get an annual health exam, then consider the fact that some Medicare Advantage plans will even pay you an incentive to ensure that you get one, said Tarbox. He added that you may also want to see your dentist and eye doctor annually to ensure whole body health. Those visits are among the extra benefits often covered by an MA plan, he said.

Linn County health leaders unite for community measles education campaign

Eastern Iowa Health Center, Linn County Public Health, Mercy Cedar Rapids, and UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital are launching a community-wide campaign to educate people about measles, its risks, and the importance of vaccination. We want to encourage Linn County residents to check their vaccination status and understand the steps to take if they suspect they have measles.

Why

now?

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to hospitalization or even death. The disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. There has not been a case in Iowa since 2019. However, recent data show an increase in cases. Looking across the country, the number of cases reported so far in 2025 has already surpassed the total for 2024. In February, a child in Texas died of measles, the first U.S. fatality in a decade. Another fatality followed in New Mexico. Both individuals were unvaccinated.

Thanks to widespread vaccination,

many Americans have grown up without worrying about measles. However, as outbreaks increase, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates, there is a renewed need for Iowans to understand how to protect themselves and their families.

A highlight of our education campaign: if you suspect you have measles, do not go to the doctor’s office or emergency room without calling first. Measles is so contagious that an infected person simply entering a public space puts others at risk.

What local leaders are saying

Measles is a preventable disease for children over one year of age. School age children who do not have any medical/ religious waivers are protected from this preventable disease. Please see your provider if you have concerns that you are not protected from this preventable disease.

—Dr. Angelique Andrews, Chief Medical Officer, Eastern Iowa Health Center

National Vietnam War Veterans Day is Saturday, March 29

Saturday, March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The Vietnam War Veterans recognition act of 2017 was signed into law by President Donald Trump.

March 29 is a fitting choice for a day honoring Vietnam veterans. It was chosen to be observed in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 was the day United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops

departed Vietnam. In addition, on and around this same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war.

U.S. involvement in Vietnam started slowly with an initial deployment of advisors in the early 1950s, grew incrementally through the early 1960s and expanded with the deployment of full combat units in July 1965. The last U.S. personnel were evacuated from Vietnam in April 1975.

Measles can be far more than just a rash. In the United States, about one in five unvaccinated people will require hospitalization from measles. Measles can also lead to more severe issues, including pneumonia, brain damage, and pregnancy complications. Measles can result in a condition called Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE). This rare, progressive, and fatal neurological disorder develops as a complication of the measles infection several years after the initial illness.

—Heather Meador, Clinical Services Manager, Linn County Public Health

With the recent measles outbreak, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccines for children. While measles can be challenging but manageable for most, it can lead to serious complications, even death, especially for

infants, immunocompromised kids, and even healthy children. Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air, lingering for hours after an infected person leaves. Our best defense is the MMR vaccine.

—Dr. Padget Skogman, pediatrician, Mercy Medical Center

Receiving a measles vaccine provides protection against a serious disease, which is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications. Measles spreads rapidly, so getting vaccinated not only protects you but also helps prevent outbreaks in the community. For most people, the vaccine provides lifelong immunity.

—Dr. Dustin Arnold, Medical Director, UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital

CHURCHES

MOUNT VERNON

St. Paul Lutheran Church L.C.M.S.

600 Fifth Avenue South

Pastor: Rev. Sean Hansen www.splcmv.org; send e-mail to info@splcmv.org

Sun.: 9:30 a.m. In-person worship

Please refer to our website or contact the church directly for additional worship information.

First Presbyterian Church 301 1st St. N.W. www.firstpresmv.com 319-895-6060

Pastor: Rev. Lori Wunder

Sun.: 9:30 a.m. in-person worship.

Online services stream beginning at 9:20 a.m. on Facebook

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Rev. Andrew Awotwe-Mensah, parish priest Sun.: 8 a.m. Mass

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Justus Hallam, Bishop

Meeting at: 4300 Trailridge Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids

Sun.: 11:30 a.m. in person services. Also an option for digital worship services.

United Methodist Church

Pastor Vicki Fisher www.umcmv.com

Sun.: 8:30 a.m. Praise Worship

11 a.m. Traditional worship

Both worships available online at UMCMV.com

An LGBTQ affirming congregation

Community Bible Church 940 W. Mount Vernon Rd. www.mvcbc.org, 895-6269

Teaching Pastor Brandon Glaza

Discipleship Pastor Dennis Fulkerson

Youth Pastor Stephen Thomas Sun.: 9:30 a.m. In-Person Worship Service

Wed. - 6 p.m. Encounter and Youth Group

Linn Grove Presbyterian

2000 Linn Grove Rd., Mt. Vernon

Pastor Carla Burge

Sun: 9 a.m. in-person worship, masks requested Also, weekly readings, prayers and sermons are posted on the church’s Facebook page.

Baha’i Faith

Nina Scott, Group Secretary, 319-270-9230

CrossLife Community Church

Pastor Erik Bennett

Sun.: 10:30 a.m. – In-person worship service. Services also livestream on Facebook page.

LISBON

Living Hope Global Methodist Church

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Thursday, March 27

Story Time, Cornell College Cole Library Browsing Room, 9:30 a.m.

Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.

From Border Town to Block Plan to Community Leader: Taking a Financial Selfie with Diego Verdugo (class of 2012), Cornell College Thomas Commons Orange Carpet, 11:30 a.m.

SHAIG Talk Crafting Narrative through Technology in Humanities and STEM

Classrooms by Dr Tyler George and Dr. Katie Sagal, Cornell College West Science Room 100, 11:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.

Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center Adult speaker series “PFAS Exposures in Eastern Iowa and Health effects” by Dr. Robert Blount and Dana Kolpin, LBC, 1 p.m.

Lisbon Public Library Family Bingo, Lisbon Public Library, 1 p.m.

Friday, March 28

Bingo, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.

Linn Lunch Bunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Wartburg Choir Concert, Mount Vernon High School Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 29

Mount Vernon Junior Thespian Festival, Mount Vernon High School, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nicole Messerschmitt faculty recital, Cornell College Armstrong Youngker-Hall Ringer Recital Studio, 2 p.m.

200 E. Market St., 455-2000 livinghopegmc.org

Pastor Andrew Bee

Services live streamed at Living Hope Global Methodist Church’s YouTube page

Sundays at 9:45 a.m.

Sun.: 9:45 a.m. — In-person worship.

Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church, ELCA

798 Brenneman Lane, 455-2599

(Off Hwy. 30 on eastern edge of Lisbon) www.seedsoffaithlutheran.org/

Pastor Erika Uthe

9 a.m. — In-person worship. Services also livestream via Seeds’ Facebook Page.

BERTRAM

United Methodist Church 319-365-8077

Rev. Darwin Moore, Pastor Sun.: 10 a.m. — In-person worship service

MARTELLE

Christian Church

Sun.: 10:30 a.m. — in person worship service

Services also stream online at Martelle Christian Church’s YouTube page.

United Methodist Church Sun.: 10:30 a.m. Worship service. No Sunday school.

SPRINGVILLE

United Methodist Church Sun.: 9 a.m. Worship service. Wed.: 6:30 p.m. Praise service

Faith Christian Fellowship

Pastor Joseph Bielema Sun.: 9:30 a.m. worship at Springville Memorial Library, in the Buresh Room

(264 Broadway Street)

St. Isidore Catholic Church Sat.: 6 p.m. Mass

MECHANICSVILLE

Living Hope Bible Church

Mechanicsville Memorial Building

First Presbyterian Church 408 E. First Street.

Christian Community Church of Mechanicsville 307 East First Street 563-432-7716

Sun: Sunday School 10-11am and in-person Worship Services at 11:15am with Fellowship to follow.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church

Pastor: Father James Flattery

Wed.: 8:30 a.m. — mass Sun.: 8 a.m. Mass

Monday, March 31

Mount Vernon Middle School lip-sync battle, Mount Vernon District Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 1

Lego Club, Cornell College Cole Library Room 108, 3:30 p.m.

Yarn squad, Cornell College Cole Library Room 326, 6:30 p.m.

Learn to play bridge, Cornell College Cole Library Room 410, 7 p.m.

Mount Vernon Fine Arts Association Meeting, Mount Vernon High School library, 7 p.m.

Mount Vernon Middle School Parent Teacher organization, Mount Vernon Middle School commons, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, April 2

Cards, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.

Linn Lunch Bunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m.

Learn to play bridge, Cornell College Cole Library room 108, 1 p.m.

Mount Vernon Booster Club meeting, Mount Vernon High School, 5:30 p.m.

Lisbon Spring Gardening Talk “Homesteading,” Lisbon Public Library, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 3

Story Time, Cornell College Cole Library Browsing Room, 9:30 a.m.

Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.

Across

1 Past its glory

6 Say yes, say 10 [Bada bing bada boom!]

Round windows

List trimmer

Move after a touchdown

Network connections

Lynchian or Felliniesque, say

This clue

Digital work fueled by machine learning, in brief

Stayed put

___-relief 27 Go-ahead

28 Shelter on a tropical island, maybe

29 With 43-Across, something never to be repeated ... or a hint to the answers to the italicized clues

32 Ancient Mexican civilization

34 Who said “A dress is a piece of ephemeral architecture”

36 High pair

37 This answer

40 Subreddits, for example

41 Alternative to a spicy Dorito

42 Throw with great effort

43 See 29-Across

44 Broadband connection inits.

45 Slated to be delivered (on)

47 Battletoads console, for short

48 Singer Winehouse

49 “___ mia!”

51 This crossword

58 ___ Roy, Booker Prize-winning author, 1997

59 Ending with home or bed

60 Use as a source

61 Hot spot

62 Like an H.P. Lovecraft work

63 Black gemstone

64 Lowly worker

65 Look down on Down

1 Character profile?

2 “Don’t have ___, man!”

3 Man 4 ___ Ferrante, author of the “Neapolitan Novels”

5 Clear-cut

6 What a budding musical artist hopes to land

7 Stretch

8 Rooftop spinner

9 Friendly response, after “My”

10 0:00

11 Alliance of 32 nations

12 Enemy alliance of W.W. II

13 Many social posts, informally

19 Exam with a max. score of 528

21 Ex-N.B.A. star ___ Ming

24 Sensational, on Broadway

25 Icy

26 Blue man group member?

28 Home to many kings and queens

29 Setting for several Herman Melville works

30 Pluck

31 Two of spades?

33 Queen Elizabeth I has one named for her

35 Tats

36 Cleared one’s plate, say

38 Virtual storefront in an online marketplace

39 Nine daughters of Greek myth

44 Chatted on the Gram, say

46 Strike caller

48 Architectural expansion

49 San ___, Calif.

50 Follower of the 32-Across

51 Texas city once known as “Six-Shooter Junction”

52 Shamrock land

53 Certain tax

54 Only character shown in the final 30 minutes of “2001: A Space Odyssey”

55 Zip

56 Hideaway

57 Locale depicted in Bosch’s “The Garden of Earthly Delights”

SUDOKU

To play: Complete the grid so that every row, column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. There is no guessing or math involved, just use logic to solve.

LINN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

CEDAR RAPIDS, LINN COUNTY, IOWA

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025

10:00 A.M.

(These are the minutes in their entirety. Archived minutes can be found at www. linncountyiowa.gov).

The Board met in session at the Linn County Jean Oxley Public Service Center. Present: Chairperson Meisheid and Vice Chairperson Running-Marquardt. Absent: Supervisor Rogers (personal business). Board members voting “AYE” unless otherwise noted.

Chairperson Meisheid called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to approve minutes of March 11, 2025, as presented.

Motion by Running-Marquardt, seconded by Meisheid to approve accounts payable checks dated 3/12/25 #71017213 to 71017260 in the amount of $75,450.82; and ACH in the amount of $1,431,572.83; for a total of $1,507,023.65 and voided checks totaling $900.00.

Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to approve Consent Agenda as follows:

Resolution 2025-3-39

ESTABLISH ROAD CLOSURE AND DETOUR FOR PROJECT WHEREAS: Linn County Project L-BRIDGE 1803(25), bridge rehab project, on Ely Road in Linn County will begin soon. WHEREAS: A map of the detour is attached hereto. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: Commencing at the intersection of Ely Road SW and C Street SW, then going south on C Street SW to the intersection of C Street SE and 76th Avenue. Then east on 76th Avenue to the end of the detour at Ely Road SW. (See attached map) Signs shall be placed when and as necessary to protect the work and the traveling public in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and Chapter 306 of the Code of Iowa. Resolution 2025-3-40

ESTABLISH ROAD CLOSURE AND DETOUR FOR PROJECT WHEREAS: Linn County Project FM-C057(175)—55-57, bridge replacement project, on Covington Road in Linn County will begin soon. WHEREAS: A map of the detour is attached hereto. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: Commencing at the intersection of Covington Road and Stoney Point Road NW south 1.02 miles along Stoney Point Road NW until E Avenue NW, then continue west 1.07 miles on E Avenue NW until US Highway 100, then continue north 2.47 miles on US Highway 100 to the end of the detour at Covington Road. (See attached map) Signs shall be placed when and as necessary to protect the work and the traveling public in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and Chapter 306 of the Code of Iowa. Resolution 2025-3-41 RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE LINN COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2025-2030 WHEREAS, the Linn County Board of Supervisors has heretofore deemed it necessary and desirable to have a Hazard Mitigation Plan that identifies potential hazards and the actions that need to be taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risks to human life and property from those hazards for the citizens of Linn County; and WHEREAS, a Local Mitigation Plan, as defined in 44 CFR Section 201.6 is required for local jurisdictions that elect to participate in FEMA hazard mitigation programs as a sub applicant or subgrantee; and WHEREAS, the Linn County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan 2025-2030 was funded by a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities planning grant; and WHEREAS, the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) with the help of the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee has prepared the hazard mitigation plan that will be placed on file in the Linn County Planning & Development Department for public inspection upon approval of the plan by FEMA; and WHEREAS, public comment was taken between January 14 and January, 28, 2025; and WHEREAS, the Plan was discussed at a public meeting held on March 10, 2025. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Linn County, Iowa, that the above-referenced Linn County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan 2025-2030 is hereby approved. Resolution 2025-3-42 A Resolution approving a Residential Parcel Split for D3 INVESTMENTS FIRST ADDITION. The following description is a summary of Resolution No.2025-3-42 as passed and approved by Linn County Board of Supervisors, effective March 12, 2025. D3 INVESTMENTS FIRST ADDITION (Case # PPS25-0001) to Linn County, Iowa, containing three (3) lots, numbered lot 1, Lot A and Lot B has been filed for approval, a subdivision of real estate located in the SE SW of Section 27, Township 82 North, Range 06 West of the 5th P.M., Linn County, Iowa, described as follows: Beginning at the NW corner of said SE ¼ SW¼; thence N89°15’11”E along the north line of said SE¼ SW¼, 490.34 feet; thence S01°54’38”E, 936.1O feet; thence S36°55’12”W, 450.58 feet; thence S00°53’13”E, 40.00 feet to the south line of said SE ¼ SW ¼; thence S89°06’33”W along said south line, 210.31 feet to the SW corner of said SE¼ SW ¼; thence N01°46’12”W along the west line of said SE ¼SW¼, 1333.32 feet to the Point of Beginning, containing 13.64 acres which includes 1.14 acres of road right of way. The full text of the Resolution may be inspected in the Linn County Auditor’s Office located at 935 Second Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or on the Linn County website at www.linncountyiowa.gov. Resolution 2025-3-43 A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AN APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2026 COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING FOR THE TOWER TERRACE ROAD CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT WHEREAS, the Linn County Board of Supervisors (Board) believes that the completion of the Tower Terrace Road Corridor Improvements Project (Project) is in the best interest of Linn County and the surrounding region; and WHEREAS, the Board has, and continues to be a partner

in this multi-jurisdictional transportation project with the Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG), and all the cities in the Project corridor; and WHEREAS, the Board fully and enthusiastically supports the submittal of an application to Congresswoman Ashley Hinson for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 funding for a section of Tower Terrace Road from one mile west of Iowa Highway 13 to Highway 13; and WHEREAS, the Board and the City of Marion, Iowa will partner in the completion of Tower Terrace Road from one mile west of Iowa Highway 13 to Highway 13. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Linn County Board of Supervisors hereby authorizes an application to Congresswoman Ashley Hinson for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding for the Tower Terrace Road Corridor Improvements Project and directs the Chairperson to sign this Resolution and execute any additional documents required for the application submittal.

Approve purchase order PO728 in the amount of $10,600 to Aldi Inc.- Aldi Gift Card fulfillment for the purchase of 265 $40 food gift cards for the Linn County Community Services Ryan White Program.

Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Options of Linn County and Mental Health/Disability Services of East Central Region for technology funding expenditures in the amount of $4,980 for July 1, 2024, through April 30th, 2025.

Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the County and MHDS Region data release form for the State of Iowa Health and Human Services Department (HHS).

Approve Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for Kernels Concessions - Prospect Meadows, 1850 Prospect Drive, noting all conditions have been met.

Approve and authorize the chairperson to sign a letter of support for Mercy Medical Center’s Community Project Funding Request for an Accuray Radixact imaging machine. Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to approve and adopt Ordinance #1-3-2025 Rezoning for approximately 91 acres located at 1017 Lnenicka Lane, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from Seasonal Cabin and Recreation Overlay- Agricultural (REC-AG) to Agricultural (AG).

Luke Fischer, Facilities Mgr., presented an agreement between Linn County and Design Dynamics Inc., to provide professional services to restore the entrance plaza and exterior facade of the Courthouse. Consideration will be given regarding the 100 yr. celebration of the Courthouse as well as the city of Cedar Rapids and the closing of 3rd Ave. Bridge. The timeframe is this spring/summer and legal has reviewed. The Capital Improvement Program will be the source of funding.

Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to approve an agreement between Linn County and Design Dynamics Inc., to provide professional services to restore the entrance plaza and exterior facade of the Courthouse in the amount of $29,700.

Jessie Black, Board of Supervisor staff, stated that Matthew 25 was to receive $167 from the 2025 Witwer Trust Fund grant and they have kindly asked that it be given to the Catherine McAuley Center. Motion by Running-Marquardt, seconded by Meisheid to de-obligate funds awarded by Linn County through the fiscal year 2025 Witwer Trust Fund grant, and to award the funds to the Catherine McAuley Center.

Legislative Updates – Darrin Gage, Dir. of Policy & Admin., stated that he presented several bills to the Board yesterday and highlighted the following that have Linn County registered as undecided: SF 493 – Prohibits local governments from using tax money to hire lobbyists.

• HF 699 - exempts drug checking equipment from drug paraphernalia.

• HSB 1208 Ways & Means - Budget

• SF 507 - Prohibits county and city DEI programs.

• HSB 287 - Construction of a hazardous liquid pipeline for liquified carbon dioxide does not constitute a “public use”.

• HSB 162 - Requires cities and counties to adopt a rule allowing a minimum of one accessory dwelling unit on the same lot as a single-family residence.

After further discussion, the Board agreed on the following:

• SF493 – Register against • HF 699 – Register undecided

• HSB 1208 – Register undecided No decision was made on: SF 507 - prohibits county and city DEI programs. HSB 287- construction of hazardous liquid pipeline for liquefied carbon dioxide does not constitute a “public use”. HSB 162 - requires cities and counties to adopt a rule allowing a minimum of one accessory dwelling unit on the same lot as a single-family residence.

Supervisor Running-Marquardt noted that just because HF 156 (raising the limit townships may levy for fire protection and emergency medical services), did not advance through subcommittee, does not necessarily mean that it can not be brought back.

Chairperson Meisheid stated that from what she has heard, this would be the preferred method rather than a countywide referendum.

Adjournment at 10:25 a.m.

Respectfully submitted, TODD E. TAYLOR, Linn County Auditor By: Rebecca Shoop, Deputy Auditor APPROVED BY:

BRANDY Z. MEISHEID, Chairperson Board of Supervisors

in the Sun March 27,

CEDAR

CEDAR

CENTRAL CITY CITY OF SENIOR DINING

SUPPORT $4,412.16 WATER/SEWER $28.50 CENTURYLINK COMMUNICATIONS LLC E911 MONTHLY PHONE SERVICE $67.06

CHARM-TEX INC INMATE SUPPLIES $507.10

CHRISTENSEN, JONATHAN W MILEAGE REIMB $182.00

CODE WORKS SPECIAL ELECTION SUPPORT LINK $77.50

COGGON MUNICIPAL LIGHT PLANT UTILITIES $59.66

COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING COMPANY CORRECTIONAL-UPGRADE CAMERAS $20,161.71

CONSOLIDATED ENERGY COMPANY SHOP STOCK $1,446.50

CONTINUANT INC PHONE MAINTENANCE

SERVICE CONTRACT

CR CARE PHARMACY PRESCRIPTIONS

$6,293.66

$15.00

CR MEATS LLC FOOD & PROVISIONS

$869.91

CR/LC SOLID WASTE AGENCY LANDFILL FEES

$447.67

GAZETTE COMMUNICATIONS INC ADVERTISING/SPONSORSHIP $1,180.00

NOTICE $38.16

VICES $2,239.16

BALANCED FITNESS & HEALTH LLC

WORK COMP INVOICE $175.00

BALDRIDGE, JOSEPH K MILEAGE REIMB $136.50

BASQUIN, ANASTASIA REIMBURSEMENT FOR PROSECUTION COSTS $22.46

BIG RIGGER BUILDERS INC MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE $13,686.49

BIMBO BAKERIES USA INC FOOD & PROVISIONS $876.60

BISIG, SCOTT MILEAGE REIMB $75.60

BLAKE, CALLA GENERAL ASSISTANCE $900.00

BLAKLEY PROPERTIES GENERAL ASSISTANCE $900.00

BLYTHE, GREGORY MEDICAL EXAMINER FEES $1,080.00

BRAKSIEK ROBERT MD PC MD SERVICE

AGREEMENT $7,065.58

PHYSICIAN SERVICES RENDERED $4,876.00

BRASHAW, TIMOTHY GENERAL ASSISTANCE $1,650.00

BRENNAN, PATRICK GENERAL ASSISTANCE $900.00

BRINK, BENJAMIN MEDICAL EXAMINER FEES $970.98

BS&A SOFTWARE CLOUD HOSTING CONTRACT $13,842.00

CAPITAL SANITARY SUPPLY - CEDAR

RAPIDS CUSTODIAL SUPPLIES $7,514.59

CARQUEST 1727 PARTS & SUPPLIES $883.75

CEDAR MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME COMPANY GENERAL ASSISTANCE $2,000.00 VA ASSISTANCE $2,000.00

CEDAR RAPIDS CITY OF BUILDING RENT $4,114.08 IT SERVICES $12,359.13

CEDAR RAPIDS FREEDOM FESTIVAL INC

ADVERTISING - FREEDOM BIKE RIDE $2,000.00

CEDAR RAPIDS MUNICIPAL UTILITIESASSISTANCE GENERAL ASSISTANCE $606.64

CEDAR SERVICE COMPANY ARPA2024007 - EMA SIREN SHOP ROOF REPLACEMENT $3,250.00

CRAWFORD SUPPLY COMPANY COMMISSARY ITEMS $632.64

CULLIGAN WATER CONDITIONING BOTTLED WATER $166.00

DAVISON, ROBERT W ATTORNEY FEES

$863.80

DAY, KENNETH B MILEAGE REIMB

$16.80

DAYFORCE US INC DAYFORCE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $150.00

DB ACOUSTICS INC EQUIPMENT & INSTALL

$2,216.65

SERVICE CRESTRON SYSTEM $203.96

DEJONG, TRACY R MILEAGE REIMB

$47.60

DMTD PROPERTY LLC GENERAL ASSISTANCE $900.00

DNA LABS INTERNATIONAL EVIDENCE

SAMPLING

$6,805.00

DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF SERVICE FEES

$75.00

DW ZINSER COMPANY INC DOWS BARN

DEMO DERECHO

$105,212.50

EHLER, ALVIN MILEAGE REIMB $186.20

ELKIN, JEREMY TRAVEL/TRAINING EXP

$1,316.63

EMC RISK SERVICES LLC WORK COMP EXPENSE

$46,726.96

EMERGENT ARCHITECTURE PLLC

LOST2024-101 - LC SECONDARY ROAD HQ

$11,796.75

EVEN, BRADY HAZMAT STIPEND $90.00

EVOLVE THERAPY PRACTICE HEALTH ASSISTANCE $142.61

FORD MOTOR COMPANY PARTS & SUPPLIES $20.00

FOUNDATION 2 INC OP2023-206 - LCSO

MENTAL HEALTH LIAISON $5,187.50

SAFE, EQUITABLE AND THRIVING YOUTH $7,067.95

FOUR OAKS FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES HEALTH ASSISTANCE $2,785.75

FRESH START MINISTRIES RISE REINTEGRATION PROGRAM SUPPORT $2,824.92 FRIEDA COONROD EMBROIDERY TAILOR SERVICES $60.00

GARLING CONSTRUCTION INC ARPA2022-211 - LCSO ISOLATION CELLS $88,473.56

GARRY MOOSE LLC RENT $2,550.00

LLC E911 BAISC PHONE SERVICE $27.50 HOFFMAN, ROBIN WC MILEAGE REIM $580.86

HORIZONS A FAMILY SERVICE ALLIANCE MOBILE MEALS SUPPORT MARCH 2025 $9,162.75

HOUSBY HEAVY EQUIPMENT

HUANTE, DAMIAN MILEAGE REIMB $159.60 HUCK, ANDREW REIMBURSE MEALSIOWA TWS MEETING $38.00

LANGUAGE INSTITUTE THE INTERPRETING

WENDLING QUARRIES INC RIP RAPDOWS TRAIL

$295.75

WILDEN, JEFFREY T HAZMAT STIPEND $135.00

WILDEN, MARK A HAZMAT STIPEND $150.00

WILSON, SHAYL G COURT FEES

$250.00

WINDERS, MICHAEL G MILEAGE REIMB

$483.70

WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS INC E911 CIRCUIT SERVICE $175.98

WITT, JERRY W MILEAGE REIMB $51.80

WRIGHT WAY TRAILERS ARPA2022-2122 - LC EMA RESILIENCY TRAILERS

$142,995.90

WRIGHT, JOHN M FITNESS REIMBURSEMENT $298.41

ZAHN-HOUSER MD, ARLEEN A MEDICAL

$2,520.00

EXAMINER FEES

ZIGLER, DANIEL CLINIC REFUND

$400.00

TOTAL $1,507,098.65

Published in the Sun March 27, 2025.

LINN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

CEDAR RAPIDS, LINN COUNTY, IOWA MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025 10:00 A.M.

(These are the minutes in their entirety. Archived minutes can be found at www. linncountyiowa.gov).

The Board met in session at the Linn County Jean Oxley Public Service Center. Present: Chairperson Meisheid and Vice Chairperson Running-Marquardt (via phone). Absent: Supervisor Rogers (personal business). Board members voting

“AYE” unless otherwise noted.

Chairperson Meisheid called the meeting to order. Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to approve minutes of March 12, 2025, as presented. Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to approve claims dated 3/14/25 for payroll deduction checks

#71017261 - #71017266 in the amount of $10,274.16, ACH in the amount of $22,966.02, an EFT wire in the amount of $24,039.34 and a Ceridian ER Funds Trust Wire in the amount of $2,183,966.10, for a total of $2,241,245.62. Matt Warfield, Deputy Auditor, presented the 2nd Tier information for the canvass of the Lisbon Community School District Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) special election held March 4, 2025.

The Board canvassed the votes of the March 4, 2025 Special Election 2nd TierLisbon Community School District Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL).

Adjournment 10:04 a.m.

Respectfully submitted, TODD E. TAYLOR, Linn County Auditor By: Rebecca Shoop, Deputy Auditor

Approved by: BRANDY Z. MEISHEID, Chairperson Board of Supervisors

Published in the Sun March 27, 2025.

ORDINANCE #3-17-2025A

AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE

#8-5-2019A, AN AMENDMENT TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, IOWA, 2025, Be it enacted by the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, Iowa:

SECTION 1. AMENDMENT REPEALING ORDINANCE #8-5-2019A. The original White Pines site plan and building orientation map as shown in Exhibit “A” was amended by Ordinance #8-5-2019A to reduce the number of units allowed from 14 to 12 to allow for similar single family oriented development on the east end of the development. By repealing this amendment, the original site plan is restored.

SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. If any section, provision or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole or any section, provision, or part thereof not adjudicated invalid or unconstitutional. SECTION 3. WHEN EFFECTIVE. This or-

dinance shall be in effect from and after its final passage, approval and publication as provided by law. Approved and adopted this 17th day of March, 2025.

ATTEST:

Thomas M. Wieseler - Mayor Marsha Dewell – City Clerk I certify that the foregoing was published as Ordinance #3-17-2025A on the 27th day of March, 2025. Marsha Dewell, City Clerk Published in the Sun March 27, 2025.

TRUST NOTICE

IN THE MATTER OF THE TRUST:

The Mitchelann Woods Revocable Trust To all persons regarding Mitchel Ann Woods, deceased, who died on or about February 19, 2025. You are hereby notified that the trustee listed below is the successor trustee of the Mitchelann Woods Revocable Trust dated October 3, 2018. Any action to contest the validity of the trust must be brought in the District Court of Linn County, Iowa, within the later to occur of four (4) months from the date of second publication of this notice or thirty (30) days from the date of mailing this notice to all heirs of the decedent settlor and the spouse of the decedent settlor whose identities are reasonably ascertainable. Any suit not filed within this period shall be forever barred. Notice is further given that any person or entity possessing a claim against the trust must mail proof of the claim to the trustee at the address listed below via certified mail, return receipt requested, by the later to occur of four (4) months from the second publication of this notice or thirty (30) days from the date of mailing this notice if required or the claim shall be forever barred unless paid or otherwise satisfied.

Dated on March 17, 2025.

Jill R. Woods

2403 Cumming Rd. Winterset, IA 50273 Guy P Booth #AT0001014, Attorney for Trustee 425 2nd St SE, Suite 1010, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401

Date of second publication: April 3, 2025. Published in the Sun March 27, 2025.

MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 213

MOUNT VERNON, IOWA 52314 MARCH 17, 2025

The Mount Vernon City Council met March 17, 2025, at City Hall, 213 1st Street NW, Mount Vernon, IA. A Zoom option was available. The following Council members were present: Andresen, West, Engel and Rose. Absent: Tuerler. Call to Order. At 6:30 p.m. Mayor Thomas M. Wieseler called the meeting to order. Agenda Additions/Agenda Approval. The closed session at the end of the meeting will be removed from the Agenda. Motion made by Rose, seconded by Andresen to approve the Agenda as noted. Motion carries. Tuerler absent. Consent Agenda. Motion made by West, seconded by Engel to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carries. Tuerler absent. Approval of City Council Minutes –March 3, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Approval of Liquor License – KerrPlunk, LLC Approval of Liquor License – Bigs BBQ and Brew Pub Public Hearing. Public Hearing for an Ordinance Repealing Ordinance #8-5-2019A Amending the Original White Pines PUD. Mayor Wieseler opened the public hearing at 6:38 pm. The White Pines PUD was amended August 5, 2019, when a new developer purchased the property. The property has since been sold again and the new developer wishes to revert back to the previous PUD plan. This ordinance repeals the ordinance from 2019. Hearing no public comment, Mayor Wieseler closed the public hearing at 6:39 pm. Council then acted on Ordinance 3-17-2025A.

Ordinance Approval/Amendment Ordinance #3-17-2025A: Repealing Ordinance #8-5-2019A, an Amendment to the Code of Ordinances of the City of Mount Vernon, Iowa 2025. Motion made by Rose, seconded by West to approve the first reading of Ordinance #3-17-2025A. Roll call all yes. Tuerler absent. Engel then made a motion to suspend the rules, waive the second reading and approve the third and final reading. Motion seconded by Andresen. Roll call all yes. Tuerler absent. Ordinance #3-17-2025A passes the third and final reading. Resolutions for Approval Resolution #3-17-2025A: Awarding the Bid for the 2025 Uptown Lighting Improvements, Mount Vernon, Iowa. The City received one bid in the amount of $432,279.40 from Nelson Electric Co. Veenstra and Kimm is recommending the award of this bid. Motion made by West, seconded by Andresen to approve Resolution #3-17-2025A. Roll call all yes. Tuerler absent. Resolution passes. Motions for Approval Consideration of Claims List – Motion to Approve. Motion made by Engel, seconded by Rose to approve the Claims list. Motion carries. Tuerler absent.

FERGUSON WATERWORKS PAY APP #1-REMOTE METER PROJECT 201,606.09

PAYROLL CLAIMS 119,112.74

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SYSTEMS GROUP INSURANCE-ALL DEPTS 34,502.23

FERGUSON WATERWORKS PAY APP #2-REMOTE METER PROJECT 33,932.06

REPUBLIC SERVICES #897

8 FINGER HVAC LLC HVAC/GAS-PW FACILITIES 12,875.00

TURF TANK GPS ROBOT AGRMTP&REC,RUT 10,000.00

IOWA SOLUTIONS INC COMPUTER

OUTFITTING-FD LEVY 1,975.00

STATE HYGIENIC LAB TESTING-SEW 1,791.00

LYNCH DALLAS PC LEGAL FEES-P&A 1,731.94

DIESEL TURBO SERVICES

DEPTS 1,186.78

CAPITAL SERVICES SUPPLIES/

DEPTS 1,149.25

BENEFIT SYSTEMS INSURANCE CLAIMS-ALL DEPTS 1,123.55 IOWA ASSOC OF MUNICIPAL UTILITIES WATER MEMBER DUES-WAT 1,077.00 TOTAL TREE CARE OF IOWA CITY EQUIP/ VEHICLE MAINT-RUT 1,060.41

CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SERVICES

GENERATOR-PD 949.39

IOWA SOLUTIONS INC COMPUTER MAINT-PD 935.00

BRADY LANHAM SERVICES-PW 860.00

BANKCARD 8076 CREDIT CARD FEES-LBC,P&REC 844.27

AMERICAN RED CROSS TRAINING-POOL 650.00

RICKARD SIGN AND DESIGN CORP CITY

HALL SIGN CHANGES 640.00

MOUNT VERNON BANK & TRUST CO DEPOSIT REVERSAL-WAT,SEW,SW 555.00

ECOCARE SUPPLY COMPOST REMOVAL-CHALK THE WALK 500.00

BAUMAN AND COMPANY UNIFORMS-P&A 496.00

HENDERSON PRODUCTS INC VEHICLE MAINT-RUT 436.37

CR LC SOLID WASTE AGENCY WASTE DISPOSAL-PW 354.20

MEDIACOM PHONE/INTERNET-SEW 350.44

IOWA POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION TRAINING-PD BLINKS 350.00

MEDIACOM PHONE/INTERNET-PW 315.81 CITY LAUNDERING CO SERVICES-LBC 303.54 WENDLING QUARRIES ROAD STONERUT 294.31 MEDIACOM PHONE/INTERNET-FD 294.19 GABRIELLE MOEHLMAN

Budget Discussion. With the Fiscal Year 2026 budget certification coming up in April, Nosbisch gave Council an update on potential cuts and increases that will be necessary. The property tax levy rate in Mount Vernon will increase from 13.33601% to 13.50187%. The water rate increase for FY26 will remain at 3% but sewer rate increases will need to go from the planned 8% to 12% this year. The net increase for utility rates for FY26 will be 15%. Pool prices will need to be increased to accommodate for increased lifeguard pay and general pool upgrades. A part-time City Hall position will be cut and wages for certain employees will be moved to enterprise funds to free up space within the general fund.

Reports of Mayor/Council/Administrator Mayor’s Report. Mount Vernon was recognized by Tree City USA for recent tree plantings and have been invited to a luncheon in Ankeny. The Bijou will be recognized for a grant that was received from T-Mobile for the greenspace east of the building. Wieseler was interviewed by CBS in regards to tariffs as they relate to agriculture. Committee Reports. Engel reported that the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Childcare group met last week. Both school districts have signed on with Champions to help with the Early Childhood Learning Center in Lisbon and Kids Club to help augment wages for these two entities. Spring fundraising for the childcare group will start soon. City Administrator’s Report. Full report available on the City website under the March 17, 2025 Council Packet.

As there was no further business to attend to, the meeting adjourned, the time being 8:09 p.m., March 17, 2025. Respectfully submitted, Marsha Dewell City Clerk

Published in the Sun March 27, 2025.

CITY OF BERTRAM MARCH 12 MINUTES

The regular meeting of the City of Bertram was held on March 12, 2025 at 7:04 pm at City Hall. Mayor Scott Flaherty presided over the meeting. Council members present were Louise Hall, John Klimek, Bill Mulholland, Chris Price and Jim Unzeitig. City Attorney Kevin Shea absent. Hall makes a motion to approve Consent Agenda. MSB: Mulholland. Aye: Hall, Mulholland, Klimek, Price, Unzeitig. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Prior Meeting Minutes: January 8, 2025.

Bills/Warrants for Payment. Mayor Flaherty did not get paid this month as there was an issue with the payroll software in January and his extra meetings had not been submitted.

Nuisance Property update.

Treasurer’s Report. City Clerk Kuehl did not get the reports fully done as she is still learning this position.

Payee Purpose Amount Alliant Energy High Point

$25.08, Alliant Energy City Well $347.79, Alliant Energy Streetlights

$337.73, Casey Business Card Fuel For Snowplows $188.93, City of Marion Salt for Plows $1,393.03, IAMU Water Membership Dues $680, Jared J. Vogeler Operations $400.00, Louise hall Mailbox repair $14.98, Neighborhood Insurance Annual Insurance Bill $17,359, Office of Auditor of State State Audit Periodic Exam Fee $550.00, Solutions Works March 2025 server and backup $200.00, Verizon Wireless Internet/Phone City Hall

$98.80, Visa-Flaherty Indeed $337.74, Visa-Kuehl Taxbandits 1099 filing, Intuit payroll, Unemployment fees $236.12, Zach Vislisel Reimbursement Sand for Plowing $193.62, Louise Hall Payroll

$92.35, Sheila King Payroll $59.97, Sheldon King Payroll

$23.50, John Klimek Payroll $138.52, Raven Kuehl Payroll 344.24, Bill Mulholland Payroll

$138.52, Chris Price Payroll $138.52, James Santee II Payroll

Establish Strategic Planning Committee for the City of Bertram: Mayor Flaherty stated he has been having conversations with Fehr Graham about what is needed to keep the City moving forward. Suggested making a Strategic Planning Committee for the future growth with Citizens and Council. The committee would discuss suggestions about what is best for city future, annexing, water town, more utilities. The committee would meet then present suggestions to the council. Bill Mulholland and John Klimek volunteered. Water Rate Reassessment 2025 (Alliant Energy vs. Water Rate Increase): Will discuss further at the April Council Meeting, previous Council Meeting 3% increase was suggested. Road Resurfacing Southbound US151 from Mount Vernon Road to US-30. This is just an FYI. City Clerk Candidate Kim Moahan: Price makes motion to approve City Clerk Candidate Kim Moahan. MSB: Hall. Aye: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland, Price, Unzeitig. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Correspondence: Hall: 2 mailboxes were damaged during snow removal, one in rustic ridge was less than $20 to fix, others have not provided cost to fix. Hall believes city is responsible for replacing. Klimek suggested a letter written or form provided to City Hall for tracking purposes. Price suggested up to $50 to replace and a limit of 60 days to report the damage. Mayor Flaherty will work on modifying a form that the City of Cedar Rapids uses for Bertram Hall: Bridge is scheduled to be reopened April 1, 2025.Klimek: Do we know of any more controlled fires happening? Not currently. Hall: Asked Klimek if he still has information on restrooms for park? Klimek stated he called the prior company, and they are no longer in business. Open to the public: Penny Kula would like to know what meeting Mayor Flaherty attended that he was paid $4,000 in January 2025 for. Mayors of the City of Bertram are paid $100 per meeting that is over 1 hour, if the meetings are submitted. The council is paid $50 per meeting over 1 hour for the meeting submitted. Mayor Flaherty meetings paid in January 2025 were for meetings he attended over 1 hour in September, October and November 2024. Mayor Flaherty stated he has had multiple meetings each month with many groups looking into projects from the Strategic Plan that came from Mayor Margy Wilson. Some of these are with Fehr Graham who will assist with finding grants for projects. Kula suggested making a list of 3 or so top projects to complete during his term. Steph Vislisel wants to know if Fehr Graham has an ongoing bill. Price stated they do not. They get paid if we get the grant and they are paid out of the grant money as part of the project. Penny Kula: Stated that when the meeting was moved to March 12 it was not posted and to please post it on the boards. Penny Kula: Is the council discussing handing the city over to the county? Mayor Flaherty stated no we are not, and he doesn’t want to see that happen. Tony Vislisel: When and where are the minutes published? City Clerk Kuehl stated they are to be published in the paper (Mount Vernon Sun) within 14 days of the meeting and should be on the website roughly the same time. Apologized for the website being behind. Dixie Long: Big Hangers by Leroys. Price stated he has brought it up and they should be removed. Dixie Long: Worried about the streets, Mayor Flaherty stated he is looking into it and the biggest issue is funding. Penny Kula: Stated that when they first bought the tractor the door was ripped off and accidents happen. Stated there is a learning curve and thought the snow plowing job was done great. Steph Vislisel: Stated She heard James Santee

Note: Contaminants with dates indicate results from the most recent testing done in accordance with regulations.

DEFINITIONS

• Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)

– The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

• Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) -- The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

• ppb -- parts per billion.

• ppm -- parts per million.

• pCi/L – picocuries per liter

• N/A – Not applicable

• ND -- Not detected

• RAA – Running Annual Average

• LRAA – Locational Running Annual Average

• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) - The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

• SGL – Single Sample Result

• TCR – Total Coliform Rule

• Ug/l – Micrograms per liter

GENERAL INFORMATION

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. MOUNT

VERNON WATER SUPPLY is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

$616.43, Jim Unzeitig Payroll $184.70, Tony Vislisel Payroll

$6.22, Stephanie Vislisel Payroll

$47.34, Zach Vislisel Payroll $199.39, Total Bills $24,352.52. 28E Agreement: Bertram Township (Water/Sewer). Mayor Flaherty read 28E agreement, stated it was started by Mayor Steve Carpenter and was drawn up by city Attorney Kevin Shea. Mayor Flaherty will get it to the township to review.

Wanted To Rent

Young, growing & hardworking family searching for acreage with home & building(s) for 4-H animals to rent, maybe buy. Fixer upper is fine. Prefer Mt Vernon/Lisbon area. References available. Thank you. 563-210-5843.

Wanted

WANTED: JUNK APPLIANCES. Will pick up for free. Farm clean-up, batteries. Will buy junk cars. 319-331-8122

Miscellaneous

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-855-954-5087 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

hadn’t been paid for January hours. City Clerk Kuehl stated she met with him yesterday and received all the necessary information for the payroll system and the council approved payroll in the consent agenda. Goal is to have payroll out by end of week or early next week. Hall Makes motion to adjourn. MSB: Price. Aye: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland, Price, Unzeitig. The motion passed by unanimous vote at 8:12 pm. Raven Kuehl, City Clerk Published in the Sun March 27, 2025.

Miscellaneous

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-844-376-4154. Does your basement or crawl space need some attention? Call Thrasher Foundation Repair! A permanent solution for waterproofing, failing foundations, sinking concrete and nasty crawl spaces. FREE Inspection & Same Day Estimate. $250 off ANY project with code GET250. Call 1-866-5541730

• Treatment Technique (TT) – A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

• Action Level (AL) – The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) - The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water posed a health risk. More information about contaminants or potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

This water supply obtains its water from the dolomite of the Silurian aquifer. The Silurian aquifer was determined to be highly susceptible to contamination because the characteristics of the aquifer and overlying materials provide little protection from contamination at the land surface. The Silurian wells will be highly susceptible to surface contaminants such as leaking underground storage tanks, contaminant spills, and excess fertilizer application. A detailed evaluation of your source water was completed by the Iowa

Department of Natural Resources, and is available from the Water Operator at 319270-0459. This water supply obtains its water from the sandstone and dolomite of the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer. The Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer was determined to have low susceptibility to contamination because the characteristics of the aquifer and overlying materials provide natural protection from contaminants at the land surface. The Cambrian-Ordovician well will have low susceptibility to surface contaminants such as leaking underground storage tanks, contaminant spills, and excess fertilizer application. A detailed evaluation of your source water was completed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and is available from the Water Operator at 319-207-0459. CONTACT INFORMATION For questions regarding this information, please contact Alex Volkov, Water/ Waste Water Superintendent at 319-2700459 Monday through Friday during the following hours: 7am to 4pm. Decisions regarding the water system are made at the City Council meetings held on the first and third Mondays of the month at 6:30pm at City Hall and are open to the public. This report will not be mailed out to customers, but is available to view on the City website at www.cityofmtvernonia. gov or at City Hall. Published in the Sun March 27, 2025.

Alliant Energy names Amy Best as Senior Vice President, CHRO

Lisa Barton, Alliant Energy President and CEO, announced today that Amy Best has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of Alliant Energy effective March 24, 2025.

"We are delighted to welcome Amy as our new CHRO,” said Barton. “Amy is a resultsoriented business leader and has been recognized throughout her career for leveraging innovative approaches that deliver strong

human capital programs for employees, driving customer satisfaction and supporting the communities we serve. We are excited to have her as a part of our leadership team.”

Most recently, Best served as the Executive Vice President and CHRO of Exelon, a $40 billion Fortune 250 energy transmission and distribution firm that includes the largest utility company in the U.S.

“I’m excited to join a team that shares a passion for building its culture around a shared Purpose of serving customers and building strong communities,” said Best. “I look forward to partnering with Lisa and the entire Executive team to help support the talent and creativity

of our dedicated team members.”

As Executive Vice President and CHRO at Exelon, Best was responsible for all facets of Exelon’s HR function, including executive compensation, benefits, cost transformation, employee relations, talent management, recruiting, organizational effectiveness and employee engagement.

Previously, Best served as Vice President of Human Resources, Exelon Generation from 2007 to 2012, leading HR strategy and operations for the country’s largest nuclear fleet, along with power operations and power trading functions. Prior to this, she held several human resources roles of increasing responsibility at Exelon from 1991

to 2007, including at the company’s Quad Cities and Dresden clean energy stations in Illinois, as well as its nuclear headquarters and corporate offices.

Best is currently a Trustee of the Field Museum of Chicago. She has served as a director on the boards of Working in the Schools, Skills for Chicagoland’s Future, Human Resources Management Association of Chicago, and Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

Best holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign and a master’s degree from Loyola University Chicago. She is also a CEO Perspectives Fellow.

For more information, visit alliantenergy.com.

SPORTS

FROM THE SIDELINES:

A few grumbles in the sports world

Ryan Suchomel Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com

Had a birthday recently, and might be coasting into grumpy old man territory.

Was watching some NCAA wrestling this past weekend.

(And congrats to former Lisbon prep Cael Happel, who earned All-American honors wrestling with Northern Iowa. He finished fifth at 141 pounds.)

Wrestling, especially when the stakes are high, like they are at nationals, can be tense and thrilling to watch.

But so many matches are snoozefests.

I get it. When two highly-skilled wrestlers face off, they don’t want to make a mistake and give away a championship on a bad shot or a misplaced grip.

But fans end up watching two wrestlers dancing on their feet for seven minutes. Maybe each of them gets an escape, and they finally try to get a takedown in the closing seconds.

Maybe wrestling technicians like this kind of chess-not-checkers approach to wrestling, but I find it very boring.

I’d say score every period, and wrestlers have to win 2 of the 3 periods. Force a little more action earlier in the match.

Or make every match end in a pin, no matter how much time it takes. That’s the

true spirit of wrestling, right? (On second thought, I don’t want to cover a double dual that lasts until midnight.)

In fact, let’s celebrate the pin! With the 3-point takedowns, many elite wrestlers have fallen in love with technical falls. Techs are definitely more dominating, after all, taking your opponent down time after time after time and breaking their spirit.

But techs only give the team 5 points in a dual, whereas a pin is 6.

Another grump.

It looks like the Hawkeyes have got a new men’s basketball coach. Good luck to him.

A lot of people think no matter who is on the sidelines, Iowa is hurt by playing in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

I noticed the women didn’t have many problems filling the Arena when Caitlin Clark was playing. And Iowa wrestling often fills it to the rafters for big duals.

Let’s face it, most of the problem has been the mediocre product, not the outdated Arena.

But there were times early in CHA history where it filled up for average teams. It seems as the fans have gotten older, those many, many, many concrete steps have become a tough climb.

And going to games is a hard sell for some – finding parking, walking, paying for overpriced concessions on a

weeknight? It is not like football where it is just seven Saturdays and each one is a rollicking party.

A $30 ticket could also pay for a month of Netflix AND Disney+, and what is the better entrainment value?

The first, best option, a new Arena, is not really an option. Iowa has sunk a ton of money into CHA, first with the practice gym and new offices on the West side, then by adding the wrestling facility.

(But imagine building a new Arena where the Old Capital Mall is. How great would that be? Well, except for parking and the tipsy college kids, of course.)

I think they should build some tiers into CHA and add a few escalators. It would eliminate some seating, but give fans more options.

In this configuration, you could also give the big donors nice seats behind the

benches, maybe even some suites, but also get the students closer to the action. That’s one of the biggest complaints I hear. And add a few more ice cream vendors. Carver Cones are nothing special, but people love them. Give the people what they want!

My final grump is actually a thank you. The IHSAA is going to put state tournament events on PBS. I really liked that I could watch every IGHSAU game on my computer, for free, with no hassle. Then I tried to watch a boys’ game the next week, and had to pay for the privilege?

In those instances, someone is putting that money in their pocket. And those games should be available to everyone.

Don’t make me tap the sign *Iowa is the only state in the country with separate boys’ and girls’ athletic unions*. I’m glad they got their priorities straight.