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A major police chiefs organization is throwing its support behind President Joe Biden’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
In a letter sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, the International Association of Chiefs of Police urged senators to confirm U.S. Circuit Court Judge Jackson to the high court.
“Judge Jackson has several family members in law enforcement, and we believe this has given her a deep understanding of, and appreciation for, the challenges and complexities confronting the policing profession,” Chief Dwight E. Henninger, IACP president, wrote in the letter.
Biden is not afraid of Putin. Trump was and is, as any deadbeat weakling is afraid of a creditor he owes big money to.
DM Registetr says this morning:
Iowans widely oppose criminal penalties, lawsuits over schoolbooks, new Iowa Poll finds.
The poll is the first to gauge Iowans’ interest in schoolbook legislation after high-profile book challenges in the Des Moines metro, across the U.S.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken With Wolf Blitzer of The Situation Room on CNN
03/15/2022 09:51 PM EDT
Washington, D.C.
QUESTION: Let’s discuss what’s going on with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Mr. Secretary, thank you so much for joining us.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Hey, Wolf.
QUESTION: So I – as you well know, obviously, the President will attend this truly extraordinary meeting of all the NATO leaders next week in Brussels. Is this purely a show of NATO strength, NATO force, or will they take new concrete steps to stop the Russian aggression?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Wolf, it’s a continuation of what we’ve been doing all along, which is bringing allies and partners together in support of Ukraine in very concrete ways, and to exert maximum pressure on Russia to stop the aggression that it’s committing. And so the President has been in constant contact with his counterparts – from throughout Europe, NATO leaders, the European Union, et cetera, and around the world – but this is an important opportunity to have everyone in the same room, in the same place to continue to map out the strategy – the strategy that has, as I said, exerted incredible pressure on Russia as well as showing incredible support for Ukraine.
QUESTION: I assume all 30 leaders of NATO will be there. Just moments ago, President Zelenskyy signaled that Ukraine won’t join NATO anytime soon, saying – and I’m quoting him now as saying: for years we have been hearing about how the door is supposedly open to NATO membership, but now we hear that we cannot enter, and it is true and it must be acknowledged.* That’s a quote from President Zelenskyy. Is that a direct concession to Putin?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: I don’t think that’s a concession. I think, first of all, it’s a reflection of reality that even before this aggression by Russia, Ukraine was not going to get into NATO tomorrow. All the more reason why, as we’ve seen, when Putin was saying that their concerns about Ukraine centered on its admission to NATO, that was wrong; that was a lie. What this is about, what Putin’s demonstrated it’s about, is denying Ukraine its independent existence. But what we’ve done in support of Ukraine is to provide extraordinary security assistance that continues as we speak to make sure that Ukraine has the means to defend itself.
QUESTION: As the risk of miscalculation, though, grows, the UN secretary-general says that the prospect of nuclear – nuclear – conflict is now, and I’m quoting him now, “within the realm of possibility.” How real is the risk of this spiraling into nuclear war?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, President Biden has been very clear that one thing is for sure, is that we’re going to avoid getting into any kind of conflict with Russia, and certainly avoiding anything that brings us to World War Three. Some of Russia’s loose talk about its nuclear weapons is the height of irresponsibility and goes against everything that we’ve said, including that Russia has said over many years, about how a nuclear war is not winnable – something that was reaffirmed as recently as the meeting between President Biden and Putin back in – this summer in Geneva.
So we watch this very, very, very carefully. There’s a lot of bad, loose talk and bluster. At the same time, I have to tell you we have real concerns that Russia could use a chemical – a weapon, another weapon of mass destruction. This is something we’re very focused on. Unfortunately, we’ve seen them use or acquiesce to its use before in Syria, with Syria using these weapons, using them itself, trying to assassinate its opponents, including in the United Kingdom. So this is something we are very focused on.
QUESTION: Well, if they do use chemical weapons, what will the U.S. and the NATO Allies do?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: We’ve been very clear, including with Russia, with others, that there would be a very serious response not just from us, but from the international community. I’m not going to spell it out here, but the consequences would be severe.
QUESTION: Russia is also targeting civilians; they’re attacking hospitals, schools. Why is the White House so far refusing to come right out and say what the Russian – what the Russians are doing right now, that that’s a war crime?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: We are documenting everything we’re seeing. We welcome the efforts that are being made, including investigations conducted by NGOs and institutions to look at this, to put everything together to determine whether the acts that Russia is engaged in would constitute a war crime. We’re looking at whether there are deliberate attacks on civilians. There’s certainly very credible reports and evidence of that, but what we’re doing is putting it all together, documenting it, and the appropriate institutions will make that judgement.
QUESTION: The U.S. believes China has signaled some openness to providing military support to Russia. What’s your message, Mr. Secretary, to China as it weighs how much support it will actually provide to Putin?
SECRETAR BLINKEN: Well, Wolf, there are two things. First, there is the rhetorical support, or at least the absence of clear rhetorical denunciation by China of what Russia is doing. And this flies in the face of everything that China purports to stand for, including the basic principles of the UN Charter, including the basic principle of respect for sovereignty of nations. And so the fact that China has not denounced what Russia is doing in and of itself speaks volumes. And it speaks volumes not only in Russia or in Ukraine; it speaks volumes in Europe and in other places around the world.
Second, we are concerned at the prospect of China providing material support to Russia or undermining the sanctions that we put in place with countries around the world, something that we’ve communicated directly to China, including just this – in the past 24 hours when the National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, met with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.
QUESTION: So if the Chinese do provide military support to the Russians, what will the U.S. do?
SECRETAR BLINKEN: Again, without going into specifics of what we’ll do, we’ve made very clear that that’s not something that we’re going to take sitting down.
QUESTION: As you know, Putin is making truly outlandish and very, very offensive claims that he’s de-Nazifying Ukraine. You and I both have family who survived the Holocaust; President Zelenskyy does as well. Do you think the U.S. will look back on this time right now and wish the West had done more to stop Putin?
SECRETAR BLINKEN: Wolf, it’s hard to project into the future. I can tell you a couple of things, though, that I’m confident of. First of all, there’s going to be a Ukraine, an independent Ukraine, a lot longer than there’s going to be Vladimir Putin. One way or the other, Ukraine will be there, and at some point Putin won’t. The real question is how much death and destruction is wrought by Russia’s aggression in the meantime, and that’s what we’re working as hard as we can to limit, to stop, to put an end to this war of choice that Russia is committing.
And we’re doing that through the support we’re providing to Ukraine every single day. We’re doing that by the pressure we’re exerting against Russia every single day. And my hope is that we can end this sooner rather than later so that that death and destruction doesn’t continue. But I can tell you how this is going to end ultimately: It’s going to end with an independent Ukraine, and at some point, it’s going to end without Vladimir Putin.
QUESTION: So what’s your message to Putin right now?
SECRETAR BLINKEN: Message to Putin is: end this war; stop this war that you’re committing; end the aggression that is unjustified, unprovoked.
We’ve looked over many months at giving President Putin appropriate offramps to end this before the aggression, since the aggression started. Unfortunately, each and every time he’s pressed the accelerator. It’s time to stop with the accelerator. It’s time to stop the war, stop the killing, stop the destruction – that’s the message.
QUESTION: Sadly, he’s showing at least so far no sign of that. But we will hope and pray. Secretary Blinken, thank you so much for joining us.
SECRETAR BLINKEN: Thanks, Wolf. Good to be with you.
QUESTION: Thank you.
President Biden thinks he can blame Putin for high fuel costs. He pulled the plug on lower prices on day one, prices started going up then.
These TV shows still don’t get it. No one wants to watch a bunch of America hating leftists! Except other leftists. Real Americans simply won’t watch!
FINALLY I do Agree with Kamala, She’s Spot ON….The American People ARE Getting what they Voted FOR!
We’re to believe That the Oil & Natural Gas Companies ON Their Own Shutdown Keystone, Numerous Natural Gas Line Construction & ALL Fracking on Federal Land & SOMEHOW Biden Claims WERE Producing & Refining MORE than We ever have? How are we NOT Energy Independent?
Sure is a lot of copy and paste going on.
Ice-out channel catfish are biting
Channel catfish move close to shore and are eager to bite in many lakes and the large reservoirs across Iowa just after the ice is gone. The bite starts sooner in southern Iowa impoundments since they lose ice a week or two before northeast Iowa natural lakes.
After eating light during the winter, channel catfish put the feed bag on in early spring cleaning up small fish that died over the winter. Search for actively feeding fish on windblown shorelines and points where dead fish are piled up and the shallow water warms quickly. Keep the wind in your face and move often until you find actively feeding fish.
Use cut bait or shad sides fished on the bottom. To keep the bait on the hook, try using a 1/0 to 3/0 bait holder hook and enough weight (3/8th to ½ ounce) to cast into the wind. Bring along disposable latex gloves to handle the bait and help keep the smell off your hands.
Ice-out catfishing can be good in any lak that has an abundant catfish population. Iowa’s flood control reservoirs, Rathbun, Red Rock, Coralville and Saylorville usually offer the best action. Try catfishing in the natural lakes, like Storm Lake, East Okoboji, Little Wall Lake, or Black Hawk Lake in northwest Iowa soon after the ice is gone. Small impoundments, like Don Williams, Big Creek, Volga Lake, Diamond Lake, Greenfield City Reservoir, or Lake Icaria, also offer good early spring catfishing.
Catfish can be found in almost every body of water across Iowa.
Trout stocking in northeast Iowa streams starts April 4
The popular trout stream stocking season starts on April 4. Find a list of stocked trout streams on the DNR trout stream map or the Iowa trout streams webpage.
The DNR Trout Program offers Iowa anglers a variety of trout fishing opportunities, including catchable stockings, fingerling stockings, wild trout, streams with restrictive regulations, easy universal access areas and remote streams with difficult access.
About 320,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout, 30,000 fingerling brook trout, and 5,000 fingerling brown trout will be stocked into hundreds of miles of northeast Iowa streams from the beginning of April through the end of October. Funding to support the trout stocking program comes from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and trout fees. About 40,000 Iowans and 5,000 nonresidents go trout fishing in Iowa each year.
Iowa’s trout streams, open year-round, meander through some of the most scenic areas of the state.
Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement in response to the January jobs report from Iowa Workforce Development:
“Iowans are hard workers who take pride in their jobs. But fewer Iowans are working today than when Corporate Kim Reynolds first took office.
“Today’s report from Iowa Workforce Development proves the Reynolds Workforce Crisis isn’t going anywhere. The most recent data shows that nearly 63,000 Iowans are still unemployed.
“Instead of helping workers, Corporate Kim Reynolds is taking away our hard earned benefits. Not only did she call workers lazy in her Condition of the State address, she cut off federal aid for the unemployed during a pandemic and is now trying to cut unemployment assistance nearly in half to force Iowans into jobs that don’t pay enough. These are critical funds that kept Iowa families afloat during a global pandemic.
“Iowans need a governor who values hard work, invests in Iowa families and will make sure employers pay their employees what they owe.”
March 15, 2022
Treasury Sanctions Russians Connected to Gross Human Rights Violations and Corrupt Leader of Belarus
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four individuals and one entity pursuant to the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 (the Russia Magnitsky Act). These Russia Magnitsky Act targets were involved in concealing events surrounding the death of renowned Russian whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky, or were connected to gross violations of human rights against Russian human rights defender Oyub Titiev. Treasury is also re-designating Alyaksandr Lukashenka of Belarus, the head of a corrupt government in Belarus whose patronage network benefits his inner circle and regime, and newly designating his wife pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13405.
“Today’s designations demonstrate the United States will continue to impose concrete and significant consequences for those who engage in corruption or are connected to gross violations of human rights,” said OFAC Director Andrea Gacki. “We condemn Russia’s attacks on humanitarian corridors in Ukraine and call on Russia to cease its unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine.”
CONCEALING THE LEGAL LIABILITY FOR THE DETENTION, ABUSE, OR DEATH OF WHISTLEBLOWER SERGEI MAGNITSKY
Sergei Magnitsky, the namesake of the Russia Magnitsky Act, was an attorney and auditor who uncovered a large-scale tax fraud scheme by Russian officials while performing audit work for the Russia-based firm Hermitage Capital Management. In November 2008, he was arrested and detained by Russian authorities shortly after testifying as a witness as part of a complaint filed by Hermitage Capital Management alleging that a group of officials in the Russian Interior Ministry had been involved in a 5.4 billion ruble ($230 million) tax fraud involving three Hermitage-owned companies, Riland, Parfenion, and Makhaon. Russian Interior Ministry officials had previously raided the Hermitage offices and removed the original seals of incorporation for those three Hermitage-owned companies. The companies then were illegally re-registered under different ownership, and sham lawsuits were brought against those companies — with the same lawyers on both sides of the case — resulting in large court judgments against the three companies, for which the companies then claimed a significant and illegal tax refund from the Russian government. For exposing this fraud, Magnitsky was subjected to physical abuse and psychological pressure while detained, and on November 16, 2009, he died in a pretrial detention center in Moscow.
Following his death, Congress passed the Russia Magnitsky Act in 2012, authorizing sanctions for those involved in, or who took actions related to, the detention, abuse, or death of Sergei Magnitsky as well as against others who are connected to gross violations of human rights in Russia.
Natalia Mushnikova (Mushnikova), a district judge in Moscow, Russia, is being designated today for participating in efforts to conceal the legal liability for the detention, abuse, or death of Sergei Magnitsky. Russian authorities conducted a flawed and incomplete investigation into the cause of Magnitsky’s death and failed to hold accountable the individuals determined to be responsible for his death. Mushnikova rejected an appeal from Magnitsky’s mother requesting that post-mortem tissue samples of her son be turned over for an independent medical review after his family saw indications of abuse on his body. Mushnikova’s ruling to deny an independent autopsy of Magnitsky contributed to the concealment and obstruction of the release of evidence related to his mistreatment during his detention and ultimate cause of death.
Mushnikova was designated today pursuant to the Russia Magnitsky Act for participating in efforts to conceal the legal liability for the detention, abuse, or death of Sergei Magnitsky.
GROSS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN RUSSIA PERPETRATED AGAINST OYUB TITIEV
Prominent human rights defender Oyub Titiev (Titiev) is the long-time leader of the Chechen branch of Memorial, a recently banned Russian organization that documented human rights violations and advocated for civil rights, which Russian authorities recently ordered to close on politically motivated grounds. Titiev was closely involved in Memorial’s investigation into allegations of summary executions of 27 individuals by Republic of Chechnya security officials in 2017. Titiev was detained and convicted on drug-related charges based on falsified evidence.
In January 2018, officers from the Kurchaloi District of the Chechen Republic Branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (Kurchaloi OMVD) arrested Titiev and charged him with possession of drugs, an allegation that Titiev, Memorial, international human rights groups, and international organizations have denounced as fabricated. After Titiev himself pointed out procedural problems related to his arrest, he was reportedly placed back in his vehicle, in which drugs were planted a second time, and he was arrested again on the same day. During Titiev’s pre-trial detention, the Kurchaloi OMVD pressured him to confess and initially denied him access to his attorney. Kurchaloi OMVD officers also harassed and threatened Titiev’s family, who subsequently fled Chechnya for their own safety. After a seven-month trial in which more than 50 Kurchaloi OMVD officers testified, Titiev was ultimately convicted and sentenced to a four-year prison sentence. After almost a year and a half in detention, Titiev was granted parole in June 2019.
Nurid Denilbekovich Salamov (Salamov) was the Kurchaloi OMVD investigator who opened the case against Titiev and headed the investigative group. Khusein Merlovich Khutaev (Khutaev) was the Kurchaloi OMVD officer who allegedly spotted the drugs in Titiev’s car, providing the basis for Titiev’s arrest. Dzhabrail Alkhazurovich Akhmatov (Akhmatov) decided to bring charges against and prosecute Titiev, and request a four-year prison sentence, despite there being reason to believe that the evidence against Titiev was fabricated.
The Kurchaloi OMVD and Akhmatov, the prosecutor of the Kurchaloi District of Chechnya, were designated today pursuant to the Russia Magnitsky Act for having acted as agents of or on behalf of the government of Chechnya in a matter relating to extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against an individual seeking to obtain, exercise, defend, or promote internationally recognized human rights and freedoms, such as the freedom of religion, expression, association, and assembly, and the rights to a fair trial and democratic elections, in Russia.
Salamov and Khutaev were designated today for having acted as agents of or on behalf of the Kurchaloi OMVD in a matter relating to extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against an individual seeking to obtain, exercise, defend, or promote internationally recognized human rights and freedoms, such as the freedom of religion, expression, association, and assembly, and the rights to a fair trial and democratic elections in Russia.
ALYAKSANDR RYHOROVICH LUKASHENKA AND WIFE
Despite coming to power nearly 30 years ago on an anti-corruption platform, Alyaksandr Ryhorovich Lukashenka (Lukashenka) has used his authorities to grant unique privileges and advantages to his associates that could only be offered by the Belarusian state, including, but not limited to, government support, assets, property, amended governmental policies, financial relief, and an acceptance of smuggling of certain goods. Lukashenka has also targeted entrepreneurs whom he deemed had betrayed the Belarusian state through their support for the political opposition. For example, the Lukashenka regime used various levers, from health inspections to pressuring landlords to raise rents, in order to target businesses that participated in a nationwide strike in the autumn of 2020.
Lukashenka rewards businessmen close to him with benefits and privileges in exchange for kickbacks to him and his regime. For example, Lukashenka enacted strategic policies that facilitate tobacco smuggling by Aliaksei Aleksin (Aleksin), granting Aleksin a virtual monopoly over the Belarusian tobacco industry. OFAC designated Aleksin on August 9, 2021, for being a person closely linked to a senior-level official who is responsible for or has engaged in public corruption related to Belarus.
Lukashenka’s sons Dzmitry and Viktar Lukashenka were sanctioned on December 2, 2021, and June 16, 2006, respectively. Today, Treasury is designating one more member of Lukashenka’s immediate family: Lukashenka’s wife Halina Radzivonawna Lukashenka (Halina). Lukashenka remains married to Halina, Dzmitry and Viktar’s mother.
Lukashenka was designated today pursuant to E.O. 13405 for being a senior-level official who is responsible for or has engaged in public corruption related to Belarus. Previously, Lukashenka was blocked pursuant to the same authority on June 16, 2006, when President George W. Bush included him in the Annex to the order.
Halina was designated today pursuant to E.O. 13405 for being a senior-level official, family member of such an official, or a person closely linked to such an official who is responsible for or has engaged in public corruption related to Belarus.
Additionally, the Department of State designated 11 senior Russian defense officials pursuant to E.O. 10424.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the persons above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen on How to Close the Gender Pay Gap:
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen joined other female leaders to offer ideas on how to address the gender pay gap in America, as a part of CNN Business’ Featured Stories on Equal Pay Day.
CNN Business
“Women still earn less than men. 6 leaders explain what’s needed to close the gap”
[3/15/22]
Women have made major strides in the labor market over the last several decades, and America’s economy has benefitted as a result. Despite this progress, evidence suggests that many women remain unable to achieve equality in the labor market, particularly when it comes to the pay gap. And that gap is particularly large when we’re talking about women of color.
Labor market policies and norms that discourage a healthy balance between work and family commitments contribute to pay disparities. Research has shown that although women now enter professional schools at rates nearly equal to men, they are still substantially less likely to reach the highest echelons of their professions. For example, in the field of law, women make up 47 percent of students at the top 50 law schools but comprise just 17 percent of equity partners at the nation’s top law firms.
One of the contributing factors to this disparity is that top jobs in fields such as law and business require longer workweeks and penalize individuals with caretaking responsibilities. This has a disproportionately large effect on women who continue to bear the lion’s share of domestic and child-rearing responsibilities. The increased demands on caretakers during the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated this dynamic.
We can and should address these challenges. The Biden-Harris Administration’s economic agenda prioritizes policies that reduce the cost of childcare, provide families more access to homecare for a loved one who falls ill, and provide paid leave to workers. This suite of policies will especially improve the economic standing of women.
By breaking down barriers to employment, these pro-family polices have the added benefit of attracting more women to the workforce and increasing the labor force participation rate. One published review found that a 10 percent decline in the price of childcare raises mothers’ employment by 0.5 to 2.5 percent, which led the Council of Economic Advisers to conclude that Biden Administration child care policies would boost affected parents’ employment rates by between 4 and 20 percent.
From history, we know that women’s participation in the paid workforce has resulted in substantial benefits to America’s economy that extend well beyond a narrowed pay gap. When women do well, we all do better. It’s vital that we make progress on this issue. Doing so will advance equality for women, strengthen the economic situation of families and grow the economy overall.
NOTICE OF HEARING AND LETTING TO BIDDERS
2022 STREET PANEL AND CURB REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
PROJECT NO. 22-1002
MASON CITY, IOWA
Public notice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received by the City of Mason City, Iowa, at the office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 10 1st Street NW, Mason City, IA 50401, until 2:00 p.m. CDT, on the12th day of April, 2022 for furnishing materials and labor for the 2022 Street Panel and Curb Replacement Program in said City, as described in plans and specifications therefore now on file in the office of the City Clerk. Proposals will be acted upon by the City Council at a meeting to be held in the Mason City Room, Mason City Public Library, 225 2nd Street SE, Mason City, Iowa, beginning at 7:00 p.m., on the 19th day of April 2022.
At said time and place, a public hearing will also be held on the 19th day of April 2022 for proposed plans, specifications, and proposed form of the contract for said 2022 Street Panel and Curb Replacement Program, and at said hearing, any interested person may appear and file objections thereto or to the cost of said improvements.
Due to public health concerns related to COVID-19, this meeting is being held electronically in accordance with Iowa Code Section 21.8. The public may access the meeting electronically by Internet or by phone through access information posted on the meeting agenda, available on the city’s website at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Please check the posted agenda in advance of the April 19, 2022 meeting for any updates to the manner in which the public may access the hearing.
The general extent of the work involved is to remove and replace PCC pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalk, install detectable warning panels, adjust sanitary sewer manholes, adjust water valve road boxes, and incidentals at various locations within the City of Mason City.
The kinds of materials proposed to be used and the approximate amounts are as set out in these specifications, the “Special Provisions”, and the “Price Schedule”, which by this reference are made a part of this proposal.
ITEM ITEM DESCRIPTION UNIT QUANTITY
Full Depth Saw Cut LF 3,082
2’ PCC Curb and Gutter, Remove and Replace LF 770
4” PCC Sidewalk, Remove and Replace SY 31
6” PCC Sidewalk, Remove and Replace SY 9
PCC Sidewalk, Pedestrian Ramp SY 142
Detectable Warning Panel SF 200
6” PCC Alley Approach, Remove Existing SY 34
4” PCC Driveway Approach, Remove and Replace SY 6
6” PCC Alley Approach SY 20
Remove 6” PCC Pavement and Replace with 7” PCC Pavement (C-Mix) SY 1,121
Remove 8” PCC Pavement and Replace with 9” PCC Pavement (M-Mix) SY 815
Remove 9” PCC Pavement and Replace with 9” PCC Pavement (M-Mix) SY 362
Pavement, PCC, 6” (C-Mix) SY 269
Sanitary Manhole, Adjust Top, New Rings, Casting and Cover EACH 3
Internal Chimney Seal EACH 3
Water Valve Manhole, Convert to Road Box EACH 3
Water Valve Road Box, Adjust Existing EACH 5
Crushed Aggregate Base Course TON 810
Seeding and Fertilizing, Urban LS 1
Topsoil TON 70
Traffic Control LS 1
Mobilization LS 1
The method of construction shall be by contract. All work is to be done in strict compliance with plans and specifications prepared by the City Engineer of Mason City, Iowa, which have heretofore been approved by the City Council and are now on file for public examination in the office of the City Clerk.
All work shall be done in accordance with the latest version of the City of Mason City Standard Specifications and the Iowa Department of Transportation, Standard Specifications for Highway and Bridge Construction.
Each bid must be made out on a Proposal Form, furnished by the City and obtained at the office of the City Clerk.
Each proposal shall be sealed in an envelope marked, “Proposal for 2022 Street Panel and Curb Replacement Program, Project No. 22-1002, Mason City, Iowa”. Each bid must be accompanied, in a separate envelope, by a bidding check or bid bond in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the bid price, said check being either a cashier’s check or a check certified by a bank in Iowa or a bank chartered under the laws of the United States, or a Certified Share Draft drawn on a credit union in Iowa or chartered under the laws of the United States, and made payable to the City Treasurer of the City of Mason City, Iowa, as a security that the bidder will furnish the required bonds and enter a contract within ten (10) days after the award of the contract.
Payment for said “2022 Street Panel and Curb Replacement Program” will be made from Road Use Tax Funds from the City of Mason City, Iowa, or from such other funds as may be legally used for such purposes. Monthly estimates will be made by the City Engineer, and payment will be made to the contractor in the amount of ninety-five percent (95%) of said estimate on or about ten (10) days thereafter. Payment shall not be made for materials stored off or on site. Final payment will be made no sooner than thirty (30) days following final acceptance of the work by the City of Mason City.
Bidders shall not be permitted to withdraw their bids for a period of forty-five (45) days after the same are opened.
By virtue of statutory authority, a preference will be given to products and provisions grown and coal produced within the State of Iowa.
Pursuant to Chapter 73 of the Code of Iowa, out-of-state bidders are hereby advised of the Iowa Bidding Preference Law extending to Iowa firms any preference out-of-state competitors receive in their own states. Such preference may be (a) strict preference, (b) reciprocal preference, or combination preference and reciprocal. Application of such preference will be extended for any “public improvement” as defined in Chapter 73A.1 of the Code of Iowa.
Failure to submit a fully completed Bidder Status Form with the bid may result in the bid being deemed nonresponsive and rejected.
The established DBE goal for this project is 0% of the total amount bid.
The City of Mason City, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.
Prospective bidders’ or contractor’s attention is specifically called to the Mason City Human Rights Commission Specifications which mandates that female and minority business enterprises shall be afforded the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of this project. Prospective bidders’ or contractor’s attention is also directed to the fact that the Mason City Human Rights Commission will notify firms designated as Minority, Women, and/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, of this project and determine if they are interested in participating as subcontractors for this project. Prospective bidders or contractors shall then be notified by the Commission of those interested parties.
The successful bidder will be required to furnish a performance and maintenance bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price. Said bond is to be issued by a responsible surety approved by the City Council, and shall guarantee the faithful performance of the contract and the terms and conditions therein contained, and shall guarantee the prompt payment of all materials and labor and protect and save harmless the city from claims and damages of any kind caused by the operation of the contractor. Said bond shall also guarantee the maintenance of the improvements constructed for a period of two (2) years for all underground work and four (4) years for all pavement from and after its completion and acceptance by the city.
Bidders shall be expected to comply with Chapters 91C and 103A of the Code of Iowa concerning the registration and bonding of construction contractors and the successful bidder shall be required to supply the City of Mason City with proof of said compliance.
The bidders’ attention is called to the prompt payment to the subcontractors, under Chapter 573.12 of the Code of Iowa.
The final completion date for the project is September 16, 2022.
Plans and specifications governing the construction of the proposed improvements have been prepared by the City Engineer of Mason City, Iowa, which plans and specifications are hereby made a part of this notice and the proposed contract by reference, and the proposed contract shall be executed in compliance therewith.
Copies of said plans and specifications are now on file in the office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 10 1st Street NW, Mason City, Iowa, for examination by bidders. A refundable deposit of $25 will be required for the Plans and Project Manual. To receive a refund both the Plans and Project Manual must be returned in complete and reusable condition within fourteen days of the award of the project.
All bids shall NOT include Iowa State Sales Tax for materials used in the project. Upon award, the successful bidder shall immediately provide a listing of subcontractors and associated Federal ID or Social Security Numbers for both the contractor and subcontractors. The city will register the contractor and subcontractors with the Iowa Department of Revenue and will provide appropriate certificates to the contractor for distribution and use.
The City of Mason City reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and irregularities.
Published upon order of the City Council of the City of Mason City, Iowa.
Aaron Burnett, City Clerk
City of Mason City, Iowa
Publish 4-6-22
Emailed 3-14-22
NOTICE OF HEARING AND LETTING TO BIDDERS
2022 STREET REHABILITATION PROGRAM
PROJECT NO. 22-1001
MASON CITY, IOWA
Public notice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received by the City of Mason City, Iowa, at the office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 10 1st Street NW, Mason City, IA 50401, until 2:00 p.m. CDT, on the 12th day of April 2022 for furnishing materials and labor for the 2022 Street Rehabilitation Program in said City, as described in plans and specifications therefore now on file in the office of the City Clerk. Proposals will be acted upon by the City Council at a meeting to be held in the Mason City Public Library Community Room, 225 2nd Street SE, Mason City, Iowa, beginning at 7:00 p.m., on the 19th day of April 2022.
At said time and place, a public hearing will also be held on the 19th day of April 2022 for proposed plans, specifications, and proposed form of the contract for said 2022 Street Rehabilitation Program, and at said hearing, any interested person may appear and file objections thereto or to the cost of said improvements.
Due to public health concerns related to COVID-19, this meeting is being held electronically in accordance with Iowa Code Section 21.8. The public may access the meeting electronically by Internet or by phone through access information posted on the meeting agenda, available on the city’s website at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Please check the posted agenda in advance of the April 19, 2022 meeting for any updates to the manner in which the public may access the hearing.
The extent of the work involved is to replace sanitary and storm sewer manholes, reroute water mains, replace storm sewer intakes, adjust storm sewer intakes and manhole castings, replace water valves, replace curb and gutter, pavement patching, mill pavement, and place a Hot Mix Asphalt surface and all other incidentals on designated streets at various locations within the City of Mason City.
The kinds of materials proposed to be used and the approximate amounts are as set out in these specifications, the “Special Provisions”, and the “Price Schedule”, which by this reference are made a part of this proposal.
ITEM ITEM DESCRIPTION UNIT QUANTITY
Full Depth Saw Cut LF 2,689
2’ PCC Curb and Gutter, Remove and Replace LF 807
4” PCC Sidewalk, Remove and Replace SY 357
4” PCC Sidewalk, Remove Existing SY 6
PCC Sidewalk, Pedestrian Ramp SY 187
6” PCC Sidewalk, Remove and Replace SY 29
Detectable Warning Panel SF 390
Existing Driveway Approach, Remove SY 6
6” PCC Alley Approach, Remove and Replace SY 58
Remove 6” PCC Pavement and Replace with 7” PCC Pavement (M-Mix) SY 1,021
Sanitary Sewer Manhole, Remove and Replace Base, Barrel Sections,
and Cone Section EACH 11
Sanitary Sewer Manhole, Adjust Top, New Rings, Casting, and Cover EACH 14
Sanitary Sewer Manhole, Adjust Top, Use Existing Rings, Casting,
and Cover EACH 4
Internal Chimney Seal EACH 7
External Chimney Seal EACH 11
Sanitary Sewer Service Wye, 8”x4” EACH 5
Sanitary Sewer Service Wye, 8”x6” EACH 1
Sanitary Sewer Service, 4” LF 50
Sanitary Sewer Service, 6” LF 10
Storm Sewer Manhole, Remove and Abandon Existing Storm Sewer LS 2
Storm Sewer Manhole, Adjust Top, New Rings, Casting, and Cover EACH 2
Storm Sewer Intake, Adjust Grate EACH 1
Storm Sewer Intake, Remove and Construct Type “C” EACH 2
Sump Pump Discharge, Remove and Replace EACH 4
Water Valve Road Box, Adjust Existing EACH 17
Water Valve, 6”, Remove and Replace EACH 8
Water Main, 6” DIP LF 150
Water Main Fittings LB 4,751
Tap Water Main and Install 1” Corporation EACH 6
Water Service, 1” Copper LF 60
Granular Backfill Material TON 2,376
Crushed Aggregate Base Course TON 384
Pavement Scarification SY 5,406
Hot Mix Asphalt Standard Traffic, Base Course, 1/2 In. Mix TON 1,415
Hot Mix Asphalt Standard Traffic, Surface Course, 1/2 In. Mix,
No Special Friction Requirement TON 1,415
Asphalt Binder, PG 58-28S, Standard Traffic TON 171
Hot Mix Asphalt Mixture, Wedge, Leveling, or
Strengthening Course TON 139
Seeding and Fertilizing, Urban LS 1
Topsoil TON 179
Traffic Control LS 1
Mobilization LS 1
The method of construction shall be by contract. All work is to be done in strict compliance with plans and specifications prepared by the City Engineer of Mason City, Iowa, which have heretofore been approved by the City Council and are now on file for public examination in the office of the City Clerk.
All work shall be done in accordance with the latest version of the City of Mason City Standard Specifications and the Iowa Department of Transportation, Standard Specifications for Highway and Bridge Construction.
Each bid must be made out on a Proposal Form, furnished by the City and obtained at the office of the City Clerk.
Each proposal shall be sealed in an envelope marked, “Proposal for 2022 Street Rehabilitation Program, Project No. 22-1001, Mason City, Iowa”. Each bid must be accompanied, in a separate envelope, by a bidding check or bid bond in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the bid price, said check being either a cashier’s check or a check certified by a bank in Iowa or a bank chartered under the laws of the United States, or a Certified Share Draft drawn on a credit union in Iowa or chartered under the laws of the United States, and made payable to the City Treasurer of the City of Mason City, Iowa, as a security that the bidder will furnish the required bonds and enter a contract within ten (10) days after the award of the contract.
Payment for said “2022 Street Rehabilitation Program” will be made from General Obligation Bonds, Water Funds and Sewer Funds from the City of Mason City, Iowa, or from such other funds as may be legally used for such purposes. Monthly estimates will be made by the City Engineer, and payment will be made to the contractor in the amount of ninety-five percent (95%) of said estimate on or about ten (10) days thereafter. Payment shall not be made for materials stored off or on site. Final payment will be made no sooner than thirty (30) days following final acceptance of the work by the City of Mason City.
Bidders shall not be permitted to withdraw their bids for a period of forty-five (45) days after the same are opened.
By virtue of statutory authority, a preference will be given to products and provisions grown and coal produced within the State of Iowa.
Pursuant to Chapter 73 of the Code of Iowa, out-of-state bidders are hereby advised of the Iowa Bidding Preference Law extending to Iowa firms any preference out-of-state competitors receive in their own states. Such preference may be (a) strict preference, (b) reciprocal preference, or combination preference and reciprocal. Application of such preference will be extended for any “public improvement” as defined in Chapter 73A.1 of the Code of Iowa.
Failure to submit a fully completed Bidder Status Form with the bid may result in the bid being deemed nonresponsive and rejected.
The established DBE goal for this project is 0% of the total amount bid.
The City of Mason City, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.
Prospective bidders’ or contractor’s attention is specifically called to the Mason City Human Rights Commission Specifications which mandates that female and minority business enterprises shall be afforded the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of this project. Prospective bidders’ or contractor’s attention is also directed to the fact that the Mason City Human Rights Commission will notify firms designated as Minority, Women, and/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, of this project and determine if they are interested in participating as subcontractors for this project. Prospective bidders or contractors shall then be notified by the Commission of those interested parties.
The successful bidder will be required to furnish a performance and maintenance bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price. Said bond is to be issued by a responsible surety approved by the City Council, and shall guarantee the faithful performance of the contract and the terms and conditions therein contained, and shall guarantee the prompt payment of all materials and labor and protect and save harmless the city from claims and damages of any kind caused by the operation of the contractor. Said bond shall also guarantee the maintenance of the improvements constructed for a period of two (2) years for all underground work and four (4) years for all pavement from and after its completion and acceptance by the city.
Bidders shall be expected to comply with Chapters 91C and 103A of the Code of Iowa concerning the registration and bonding of construction contractors and the successful bidder shall be required to supply the City of Mason City with proof of said compliance.
The bidders’ attention is called to the prompt payment to the subcontractors, under Chapter 573.12 of the Code of Iowa.
The final completion date for the project is September 30, 2022.
Plans and specifications governing the construction of the proposed improvements have been prepared by the City Engineer of Mason City, Iowa, which plans and specifications are hereby made a part of this notice and the proposed contract by reference, and the proposed contract shall be executed in compliance therewith.
Copies of said plans and specifications are now on file in the office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 10 1st Street NW, Mason City, Iowa, for examination by bidders. A refundable deposit of $25 will be required for the Plans and Project Manual. To receive a refund both the Plans and Project Manual must be returned in complete and reusable condition within fourteen days of the award of the project.
All bids shall NOT include Iowa State Sales Tax for materials used in the project. Upon award, the successful bidder shall immediately provide a listing of subcontractors and associated Federal ID or Social Security Numbers for both the contractor and subcontractors. The city will register the contractor and subcontractors with the Iowa Department of Revenue and will provide appropriate certificates to the contractor for distribution and use.
The City of Mason City reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and irregularities.
Published upon order of the City Council of the City of Mason City, Iowa.
Aaron Burnett, City Clerk
City of Mason City, Iowa
Publish 4-6-22
Emailed 3-14-22
“PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Mason City, Iowa, will meet and hold a public hearing on the 5th day of April, 2022, beginning at 7:00 o’clock P.M. in the Mason City Room of the Mason City Public Library, Mason City, Iowa, 225 2nd Street S.E., Mason City, Iowa, on the proposed vacation of certain public utilities located in Asbury Farms Tenth Subdivision and legally described as follows:
Easement for drainage purposes across the Northeasterly 7.5 feet of Lot Sixteen (16), Asbury Farm Tenth Subdivision, Mason City, Iowa; and
Easement for drainage purposes across the Southwesterly 7.5 feet of Lot Fifteen (15), Asbury Farm Tenth Subdivision, Mason City, Iowa; and
Easement for utility purposes across the Northeasterly 7.5 feet of Lot Sixteen (16), Asbury Farm Tenth Subdivision, Mason City, Iowa, except the Northerly 7.5 feet thereof and except the Southerly 7.5 feet thereof; and
Easement for utility purposes across the Southwesterly 7.5 feet of Lot Fifteen (15), Asbury Farm Tenth Subdivision, Mason City, Iowa, except the Northerly 7.5 feet thereof and except the Southerly 7.5 feet thereof.
Aaron Burnett, City Clerk, City of Mason City” (End of Notice)
Publish 3-22-22
Emailed 3-14-22
Wednesday, March 16
Governor Reynolds holds press conference
Des Moines International Airport
Endeavor Hangar
2811 Willow Creek Ave.
Des Moines, IA
10:00 a.m.
PUTIN!!! Is Why Build Back Better hasn’t Passed!
What has the democratic party done for the American taxpayers in the long run.