June 25, 2015
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www.thebuchanancountynews.com
Iowa home sales up 7.3%
Sale prices and number of homes sold continue an upward trend, selling faster than any point in the last three years according to Iowa Association of REALTORS® (IAR). Days on market fell to 75 as compared to 90 days at this time last year. This is the lowest number of days on market in the last three years. Sales increased 7.3% from a year ago with 4,134 homes sold last month as compared to 3,853 in May 2014. Active listings were down 3.4% and pending listings were up 5.7% when compared to last May. In May 2014 the median sale price was $137,500 and this year was $142,450.
ight It UP!
for Winthrop Days
Board seeks architectural second opinion By Christine Dale, Assistant Editor
Grant assists unemployed Iowans
The weather cooperated for Winthrop Days events held Friday night, June 19, although the same could not be said for the Saturday events. Above: Runners in the “Light It UP!” 5K walk/run race through Winthrop. At left: Ann Slattery shows samples of the foreign currency collected by her late father-in-law, John Slattery during his time serving in WWII. It is part of a Soldier Snapshot, a rotating display of local soldier memorabilia at Winthrop Historical Society.
U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded Iowa Workforce Development more than $5.2 million to provide longterm unemployed workers with opportunities to transition to high demand jobs in healthcare, manufacturing, and other fields. “In order to compete in today’s workforce, strategies need to be innovative and meet the workers where they are,” said Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend. “This grant provides the opportunity to expand available services to those affected by long-term unemployment.” The funds will connect workers who lost a job through no fault of their own and individuals struggling with long-term unemployment to a broad range of services, including on-the-job training; pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships. Additionally, job search assistance and career-planning and job coaching will be available.
See more photos on page 23.
Connect Every Acre law
Gov. Terry E. Branstad signed the Connect Every Acre high-speed broadband bill into law on Monday. House File 655 encourages expansion of high-speed broadband internet to all corners of the state “to foster growth for modern agriculture, increase access for rural communities and school districts, and connecting small business to the global marketplace.” The bill passed the Iowa Senate 48-2 and Iowa House 82-12 on June 4. The Battelle 2.0 study found that 31% of businesses surveyed – 13,000 in all – that want higher broadband speeds cannot get it at their current location. The study concluded, “In broadband development, the uneven development in Iowa is of great concern. For this updated economic development roadmap, the priority is placed on addressing business needs for broadband speeds and reliability, no matter where a business is located, including farmers who increasingly need to access broadband for new innovations involving precision agriculture.”
75 Cents
(Christine Dale Photos)
Supervisors approve economic development resolution, tobacco-free policy By Kris Wilgenbusch, THE NEWS
During their regular Monday meeting, Buchanan County Supervisors Don Shonka, Gary Gissel and Ellen Gaffney approved an economic development resolution and a revised tobacco-free policy. County Auditor Cindy Gosse presented a required economic development policy that states the board of supervisors will continue to promote economic development in Buchanan County. Gosse also presented a revised courthouse tobacco-free policy, which has been revised to include “E-cigarettes.” Supervisors approved FY16 wages and FY16 appropriations resolutions, which reflected amounts that were set during budget work. Supervisor Gissel gave an update on
county pasture fence replacement. Trees and brush have been removed from areas for the fence. However, the replacement project has not been completed yet, due to weather. Gissel also stated he has received one bid for the fence replaced around the generators at the courthouse. Once the second bid is received, he will present them. A substance abuse services contract with Covenant Medical Center was presented. No action was taken because the service fees were not included in the contract, and the board feels it should be reviewed by the county attorney. During the meeting, the board also approved claims filed with the county auditor for $2,896.24.
Architect Dan Levi did not make an expected appearance at the East Buchanan School Board’s facilities work session June 17, nor did the board receive the cost estimates that he was requested to present that evening. During the regular meeting June 8, board members asked him to provide comparison estimates from two to three different contractors and make some minor design modifications for the work session. These estimates were to provide a better perspective on the construction market as there was a large discrepancy between the estimate Levi provided at the May work session and one provided early last fall. Because Levi did not contact the board with information or appear at the meeting, plus other concerns, the board to decided to get a different opinion on the project from Struxture Architecture, which designed the elementary building. The long-term design plan originated two years ago with assistance from Usher Architecture; however, when Steve Usher retired, the project was transferred to Levi. The board was able to discuss some design concerns among themselves and a few teachers/ coaches in attendance. Clair Franzen shared information on a recent requirement that schools have a hazard mitigation plan in place that is separate from a city plan. In the event of a natural disaster affecting school property, a hazard mitigation plan is necessary if the district should decide to seek FEMA funds. Such a plan is also necessary if the district applies for a FEMA grant for a safe room. Jeff Hayward, a representative of Hawkeye Alarm, gave a presentation regarding designing a security camera system for the school. The system discussed allows administration and the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department the ability to view live events from a remote location. The IP cameras connect via category six cable to a dedicated backbone that is easily expandable. Additional cameras can be added for $550 plus a $125 license fee. The board unanimously agreed to go forward with the project with the hope that some of the installation can be done over the summer. It will be funded with PPEL monies (Physical Plant Equipment Levy) and a grant the district received for the project. In other business, Maintenance Supervisor Mike Kerkove noted that moisture levels under the high school gym floor had decreased since he began using fans to move the air. When checking the clay tile under the gym with a camera, it appeared the tile had collapsed about 30-35 feet in from the outlet. Kerkove recommended putting in a sump pump under the floor to better manage the moisture levels. Dead spots in the floor will be pinned in July. The board will meet again in a work session at 6:30 PM Monday, June 29 where they will hear a presentation by Struxture Architecture.