THE
Vol. 131, No.
1
$ 00
Holstein, IA
THIS WEEKEND
–
712-364-3131
Holstein Kinderfest theme is ‘Let the good times roll’ Holstein’s 126th Kinderfest celebration is this Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18. This year’s theme is “Let the good times roll.” This year’s parade grand marshal is retired city administrator Marlo Schoer. Friday Friday’s activities include an open house at the Holstein State Theatre and Douglas Center Schoolhouse from 5 to 8 p.m. Holstein Good Samaritan Society’s Glow/Color Fun Run registration begins at 6:30 p.m. in the city park. The one- mile walk/run is at 7:30 p.m. The 5K walk/run begins at 8:30 p.m. For more information or to register, contact Amanda Nobles at 712-368-4304 or anobles@ good-sam.com. At 9 p.m., karaoke will be held
at Backdraft Bar and Grill. Saturday Saturday begins with a 12- or 26-mile Kinderfest bike ride at 8 a.m. at Lohff-Schumann Memorial Community Center. For more information, contact Teresa Hunt at 712-251-7251. The annual parade starts in the Holstein Super Market parking lot at noon. Registration will be in the parking lot prior to the parade. The parade winner will be announced in the park after the parade. Events in the park include: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Relay For Life fund-raiser; 1 p.m., cakewalk and 4-H bingo; 1:30 p.m., pedal pull, and 2 p.m., cornhole tournament. AgCom Insurance invites kids to dig in the corn and win a free ice cream cone redeemable at
Inside Scoop. Performances in the park include the German Band at 12:30 p.m. and Sheltered Reality Drum Line at 1:30 p.m. All day events in the park are inflatables, laser tag, petting zoo, face painting, plinko, basket raffle, boy and girl bike raffle, photo booth and cow pie bingo. Food in the park includes: the Kiwanis lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (hotdogs, hamburgers, brats, chips, drink); Backdraft-barbecue, funnel cakeslodge and root beer floats. Other events are a lip sync battle at Backdraft Bar and Grill at 9 p.m. CrossRidge Evangelical Free Church will be holding their service in Holstein City Park on Sunday, June 19, at 10:30 a.m.
holsteinadvance@gmail.com
1
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Primary election shows changes for Ida County Board of Supervisors Following the June 7 primary election, the unofficial results show a change of seats for the Ida County Board of Supervisors. For the district one seat, four candidates were on the ballot for the spot currently held by Curtis Phillips. Creston Schubert received the top votes with 105, followed by Mary Gross with 81, Wayne Dose with 67 and
incumbent Phillips with 49 votes. According to Iowa State Code formula, the district one Republican supervisor had to have 35 percent of the total votes to gain the nomination. Unofficial results show a total of 303 votes, including write-ins. Schubert’s 105 votes come to a total of 34.7 percent, just shy of the 35 percent needed.
The Ida County Board of Supervisors canvassed the election during their meeting on June 13, but results were not available at press time. The results of that canvass could call for the race to go to the Ida County Republican Convention. In the supervisor district two seat, incumbent Bob Paulsrud fell (continued on page 2)
Holstein council acts on Fouts First Addition pay estimates, city administrator retirement date by DEB LOGER The Holstein City Council heard updates on the city maintenance building and approved pay estimates for Fouts First Addition during its meeting June 6. Tom Grafft from I&S Group gave an update on the city maintenance building project. He reported there has been miscommunication between the contractor and subcontractor, causing a delay. Grafft is working to get the issues resolved and has reminded the contractor of the substantial completion deadline. Grafft said, “I’m disappointed in the progress and very disappointed with the communication. They are quite a way behind on construction progress.” Grafft discussed costs for the Harrison Street sanitary sewer replacement. The proposed cost is estimated at $60,870, which is above the $51,000 bid threshold. When contingency and non-construction costs are added to bid the project, the cost increases to $80,348. Following discussion, the council approved purchasing an alarm system for $14,095, plus freight and a $227 annual fee for the sewer line for Harrison Street. Councilman Perry Venteicher voted nay, stating he thought the city should get another bid. Joe Rueschenberg from Sundquist Engineering reported silt logs and still fence have been installed at Fouts First Addition. Cost for the silt fence installed at Boulders Inn and Suites and the travel center goes to the investor.
DEADLINES
Legal Notices ............. Friday, 3 p.m. Submitted News ........ Friday, 3 p.m. Display Ads ................. Friday, 3 p.m. Classified Ads ............. Friday, 3 p.m. Obituaries ................... Friday, 3 a.m.
OFFICE HOURS Ida Grove – Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
He noted seeding and mulching are done. Rueschenberg told the council he has a commitment from REC, stating they are willing to share the cost for seeding and silt fence with the gas company. Sundquist is pushing H&H to get the travel center approaches poured. After Rueschenberg’s report, the council approved change order number seven (silt logs) for $450, pay estimate number 12 for $1,242 and the final payment 13 for $85,425, pending project approval by Sundquist and Scott Niemeier. City Administrator Marlo Schoer discussed the early separation plan the council approved in November 2015. The separation plan approves a single insurance coverage until age 65 is attained. The personnel policy states that a payout of sick leave (maximum 360 hours) and vacation hours not used will be paid upon retirement of an employee retiring after 20 years. Schoer has calculated that the cost to the city will be approximately $11,900 plus Social Security of $913. “I have been reviewing the June expenditures and estimated payroll through June 30. My estimates are that this payout can be split between the clerk/administrator department in the general fund and the water utility fund. After June bills and payroll on June 6 are updated, I will again evaluate the budget appropriations prior to any payout. If there are sufficient funds, the payout could be paid part in June and part in July,” said Schoer. Councilman James Doxtad asked Schoer if she felt comfortable having Deputy Administrator Kay Hanson take over immediately. He also asked Hanson if she was comfortable being on her own. Doxtad said that, due to a tight budget, he’d like to see Schoer’s resignation effective immediately. Following discussion, the council approved Schoer’s resignation, effective June 7. Scott Palmer of Battle Creek
was present to discuss establishing a farmers’ market in Holstein on Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m. at the city park. Councilmembers felt a better location was the dead lot near the community center. After discussion, the council approved the farmers’ market and directed Palmer to work with city hall to make the rules and to set the date, time and location. Blacktop Services has been contracted for street work this summer. In the previous bid, severe cracks would be filled/lined with a fabric, prior to oil and chip seal coat. It is recommended to include sealing about 1,750 more cracks for $3,500 to reduce reflective cracking. The council approved the additional sealing. The 2016-17 fee schedule was approved with the following changes (the current rate is in parentheses): air compressor, $70 ($60) per hour; payloader with man, $125 ($100) per hour; ambulance—BLS-non-emergency, $425 ($334); BLS-emergency, $550 ($534); ALS-non-emergency, $600 ($400) and ALS-emergency, $650 ($634). The third reading of Ordinance 235, raising the water capital projects rate to $5.33 per month, was approved and will be in effect upon publication in the paper. Resolution 2016-11 regarding the sale of real property owned by the city was approved, selling Lot 11, Block 1 East Ridge Addition, to Matt and Amanda Nobles for $1 and other valuable consideration. The council discussed the procedure to review the city codes and update them. City administration will send out sections of the code to each councilperson to read and recommend changes. A work session will be set at the July meeting to approve the changes. Kiley Todd and Brock Boling expressed concerns about all the water being sump pumped onto Benning Drive, causing a dangerous situation. The council (continued on page 2)
Mountain man: Dennis Leonard of Holstein was part of a presentation about the life of a mountain man at the Ida County Conservation Board’s Walk on the Wild Side program at Moorehead Park June 4. Leonard and two of his fellow reenactors talked about living inside a teepee and showed common tools and weapons used by mountain men. (Advance photo by Mike Thornhill)
Schoer ending 40-year tenure for City of Holstein Holstein City Administrator Marlo Schoer officially retired June 7 after working for the City of Holstein for 40 years. During her tenure with the City of Holstein, Schoer served as deputy clerk, interim city clerk twice and city administrator. Schoer said the biggest changes to running city government were computerizing city records and learning two different software programs. Other changes include utility bills are now computerized versus hand writing and mailing, and state reports are now completed and filed online, versus paper and mail. “Highlights of my career are watching the completion of many projects that have benefited the citizens of the community including, but not limited to, computers, city government software, water tower and water mains, sewer lagoon upgrade, street paving, Eastridge Addition, Southview Addition, LohffSchumann Memorial Community Center construction and renovation, city park equipment installation, Jepsen Sports Complex, fire station addition, fire and ambulance equipment upgrades, Fouts First Addition and city maintenance shop. “Other excellent departments of the city are the library, pool and taxi service. These projects have enhanced the services offered to the residents by the city,” said Schoer. Schoer said, “No two days are ever the same at city hall; the work and challenges vary with each day, season and year. Holstein can be very proud of its taxi service. City hall has received many calls from other communities over the years asking how we operate the taxi and wanting to start one in their community.
“A lot of people visiting our city have commented on how nice and clean our community looks. I want to thank all the property owners who take pride in maintaining their properties.” Two other positive impacts on the community are: “The Avenue of Flags now boosts approximately 400 flags. What an awesome project for Holstein. The State Theatre will soon be opening again for your movie pleasure, thanks to the hard
work of a committee fund-raising and renovating the facility,” said Schoer. Her most memorable experiences were receiving the Governor’s Volunteer Award and the City Administrator Award from SIMPCO. And, working with council members, mayors and employees, retired and current. Her retirement plans are to travel to the many interesting places in Iowa.
Schoer retires: City administrator Marlo Schoer officially retired June 7 after working for the City of Holstein for 40 years. During her tenure with the city, Schoer served as deputy clerk, twice as interim city clerk and as city administrator. (Advance photo by Deb Loger)