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Mason City Community School District:
The Board of Education will meet in a Committee of the Whole work/study session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2022, in the Board Room of the Administrative Center, 1515 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, Iowa.
AGENDA AGENDA
I. Preview of 2022-2023 Certified Budget Supporting Docs/Links attached to this item
II. Curriculum Adoption Update
III. Employee Handbook – Reduction in Force Procedures
“No matter what we look like or where we live, Iowans want to make a good living, take care of our families, and feel safe and connected to our communities.
“But right now, many of us are struggling to make ends meet. The things that cost and matter the most — a roof over our heads, childcare for our kids, healthcare for our families — have long been put out of reach. From groceries to the gas pump, prices are on the rise. At the same time, wealthy corporations and billionaires are raking in record profits, while Corporate Kim Reynolds provides them massive tax cuts.
“Gov. Reynolds’ decision to let our state emergency health proclamation expire and end increased SNAP benefits, is another gut-punch for hardworking Iowa families. These enhanced benefits allowed stock up on much-needed items rather than merely scraping by each month.
“We need real leaders who stand with working people – not those who hand out kickbacks to corporations. We need to pass laws to stop corporate price gouging, raise our wages and make sure families are able to afford the things they need.”
GALLUP:
U.S. public approval of the job Congress is doing remains scarce, with 21% approving in March.
MASON CITY:
The yard waste collection season will begin Monday, April 4, 2022. Residents may set out yard waste and tree branches on the day of garbage pick-up. Several methods of disposal are available for yard waste:
LEAVES
1. Compost at home.
2. Drop off at landfill compost site 15942 Killdeer Avenue, Clear Lake.
3. Place at curbside prior to 7 a.m. on garbage collection day in 30 gallon biodegradable bags which are weather and animal resistant. Bags are available at grocery and retail stores.
GRASS CLIPPINGS
1. Leave them on your yard – does not cause thatch. Reduces amount of fertilizer needed.
2. Use as mulch.
3. Place at curbside prior to 7 a.m. on garbage collection day in 30 gallon biodegradable paper bags.
There is a 50 pound limit per bag of leaves and grass clippings.
BRANCHES
(Do not place in biodegradable bags.)
For branches smaller than 4 inches in diameter:
1. Chip for mulch.
2. Tie in bundles.
a) Bundles cannot be bigger than 18 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length.
b) Do not use wire.
c) Place at street curb by 7 a.m. on garbage collection day.
3. Take to landfill.
For branches larger than 4 inches in diameter:
1. Chip for mulch.
2. Take to landfill.
AS A REMINDER, PLEASE HAVE GARBAGE AND YARD WASTE ITEMS SET OUT FOR PICK UP BY 7:00 A.M.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MASON CITY IN THE STATE OF IOWA, ON THE MATTER OF THE PROPOSAL TO ENTER INTO A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT WITH SBMC, LLC, AND THE HEARING THEREON
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Council of the City of Mason City in the State of Iowa, will hold a public hearing on April 5, 2022, at 7:00 P.M., at which meeting the Council proposes to take action on the proposal to enter into a First Amendment to the Agreement for Private Development (the “First Amendment”) with SBMC, LLC (the “Developer”).
On June 3, 2021, the City and Developer entered into an Agreement for Private Development (the “Original Agreement”) pursuant to which the Developer agreed to complete certain improvements to the Southbridge Mall property located within the Mason City Downtown Reinvestment Urban Renewal Area (the “Development Property”), provided Developer purchased the Development Property from its current owner. In connection with the Agreement, the Developer and City agreed to a minimum assessed value of $30,000,000 for the buildings on the Development Property pursuant to a related Minimum Assessment Agreement, and the City agreed to provide up to 10 annual payments of Economic Development Grants to Developer (consisting of 250% of the Tax Increments, pursuant to Section 403.19, Code of Iowa, generated by the construction of the Minimum Improvements, not to exceed $12,750,000).
The City and Developer now desire to amend the Original Agreement, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the First Amendment, to: (i) delay certain dates, including the start of the Minimum Assessment Agreement; (ii) provide for the division of the Development Property to create an “Arena Property” lot around the portion of the Development Property that the City currently leases for the Multi-Purpose Arena, which Arena Property would be conveyed by Developer to the City for $1.00; and (iii) provide for the conveyance to the City of a portion of the Development Property for right-of-way purposes.
Pursuant to the First Amendment, the City would also agree to pay rent that is anticipated to become due under the lease between the City and the current owner of the Development Property for the Multi-Purpose Arena to an escrow agent, to be disbursed to Developer and the current owner of the Development Property upon the Development Property being redeemed from tax sale and current with all real estate taxes.
The First Amendment further proposes that the City would advance the payment of the first two Economic Development Grants and that the amount of each of the first two Economic Development Grants would be $200,000.
The First Amendment would further require the City to provide a guaranty of up to $3,900,000 related to Developer’s financing for Developer’s acquisition of the Development Property.
A copy of the First Amendment is on file for public inspection during regular business hours in the office of the City Clerk, City Hall, City of Mason City, Iowa.
At the above meeting the Council shall receive oral or written objections from any resident or property owner of said City, to the proposal to enter into the First Amendment with the Developer. After all objections have been received and considered, the Council will at this meeting or at any adjournment thereof, take additional action on the proposal or will abandon the proposal to authorize said First Amendment.
This notice is given by order of the City Council of the City of Mason City in the State of Iowa, as provided by Section 364.6, Code of Iowa.
Dated this 5th day of April, 2022.
/s/Aaron Burnett
City Clerk, City of Mason City in the State of Iowa
(End of Notice)
Turkey hunters reminded – new law allowing .410 becomes effective on July 1
The Iowa Legislature recently passed a law allowing .410s as a legal method of take to hunt wild turkeys. This new law will be effective beginning July 1, 2022, and DNR will develop rules to implement the new law.
“This is just a reminder to our hunters that our seasons and regulations are set up to a year ahead of time and, like other regulations changes, we incorporate the new laws into our upcoming seasons,” said Todd Bishop, chief of wildlife for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Laws passed by the Iowa Legislature become effective on July 1, unless specifically written to become effective upon the governor’s signature.
Iowa’s spring turkey season begins April 8 with the youth only season, followed by the general turkey hunting seasons.
Stacker:
Nearly 580,000 people in the US don’t have a home.
But open the gates, all are welcome!!!!!
Coming soon to America.
“Millions of Brits plunged into fuel poverty on Friday as household energy bills surge”
Thanks to this administration.
Yesterday 193 Republicans voted against lowering the copays for insulin, the drug necessary to keep the 30 million Americans who live with diabetes alive.
CHA CHING $$$$$
When will mainstream media and those 81 million voters wake up to the hunter biden scandal???
Winsome Sears says, that “Americans aren’t stupid, they know Biden is to blame for gas prices”
Statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on International Transgender Day of Visibility:
“Protecting civil rights was one of the founding purposes of the Justice Department over 150 years ago. Today, that remains central to our mission. On this International Transgender Day of Visibility, the Justice Department is committed to protecting the civil and constitutional rights of transgender individuals.
“We are committed to combatting the hate crimes that target and terrorize the transgender community – particularly transgender women of color. And we are committed to ensuring the equal protection of transgender people under the law.
“Transgender individuals deserve to be able to live free from discrimination, harassment, violence, and threats of violence. Transgender youth deserve to be loved and protected. And members of the transgender community deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
“The Justice Department will continue to work tirelessly to make real the promise of equal justice under law for everyone in our country.”
Hong Kong’s Diminishing Freedoms
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, 03/31/2022:
Over the past year, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has continued to dismantle Hong Kong’s democratic institutions, placed unprecedented pressure on the judiciary, and stifled academic, cultural, and press freedoms. As the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to Beijing approaches, Hong Kong’s freedoms are diminishing while the PRC tightens its rule.The differences between Hong Kong and cities in mainland China are shrinking due to ongoing repression from the PRC.
This year’s Hong Kong Policy Act Report document’s actions taken by leaders in Hong Kong and the PRC that have further eroded both democratic institutions and human rights, and profoundly impaired independent media operations and freedom of expression. These policies have far-reaching implications for all aspects of life in the city, including for the international business and financial communities.
Sweeping arrests of Hong Kong residents, as well as the forced closure of institutions including Apple Daily and the June 4 Museum, underscore the scope of these deeply damaging changes. In response to heightened risk and uncertainty, some international firms in Hong Kong have relocated entirely, while others have shifted key staff or operations elsewhere. Beijing will ultimately force many of the city’s best and brightest to flee, tarnishing Hong Kong’s reputation and weakening its competitiveness. Hong Kong’s position as a free, global financial center will continue to suffer as a result.
A fully functioning civil society, rule of law, and individual liberties form the bedrock on which vibrant societies grow. We stand with people in Hong Kong.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MASON CITY IN THE STATE OF IOWA, ON THE MATTER OF THE PROPOSAL TO ENTER INTO A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT WITH SBMC, LLC, AND THE HEARING THEREON
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Council of the City of Mason City in the State of Iowa, will hold a public hearing on April 5, 2022, at 7:00 P.M., at which meeting the Council proposes to take action on the proposal to enter into a First Amendment to the Agreement for Private Development (the “First Amendment”) with SBMC, LLC (the “Developer”).
On June 3, 2021, the City and Developer entered into an Agreement for Private Development (the “Original Agreement”) pursuant to which the Developer agreed to complete certain improvements to the Southbridge Mall property located within the Mason City Downtown Reinvestment Urban Renewal Area (the “Development Property”), provided Developer purchased the Development Property from its current owner. In connection with the Agreement, the Developer and City agreed to a minimum assessed value of $30,000,000 for the buildings on the Development Property pursuant to a related Minimum Assessment Agreement, and the City agreed to provide up to 10 annual payments of Economic Development Grants to Developer (consisting of 250% of the Tax Increments, pursuant to Section 403.19, Code of Iowa, generated by the construction of the Minimum Improvements, not to exceed $12,750,000).
The City and Developer now desire to amend the Original Agreement, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the First Amendment, to: (i) delay certain dates, including the start of the Minimum Assessment Agreement; (ii) provide for the division of the Development Property to create an “Arena Property” lot around the portion of the Development Property that the City currently leases for the Multi-Purpose Arena, which Arena Property would be conveyed by Developer to the City for $1.00; and (iii) provide for the conveyance to the City of a portion of the Development Property for right-of-way purposes.
Pursuant to the First Amendment, the City would also agree to pay rent that is anticipated to become due under the lease between the City and the current owner of the Development Property for the Multi-Purpose Arena to an escrow agent, to be disbursed to Developer and the current owner of the Development Property upon the Development Property being redeemed from tax sale and current with all real estate taxes.
The First Amendment further proposes that the City would advance the payment of the first two Economic Development Grants and that the amount of each of the first two Economic Development Grants would be $200,000.
The First Amendment would further require the City to provide a guaranty of up to $3,750,000 related to Developer’s financing for Developer’s acquisition of the Development Property.
A copy of the First Amendment is on file for public inspection during regular business hours in the office of the City Clerk, City Hall, City of Mason City, Iowa.
At the above meeting the Council shall receive oral or written objections from any resident or property owner of said City, to the proposal to enter into the First Amendment with the Developer. After all objections have been received and considered, the Council will at this meeting or at any adjournment thereof, take additional action on the proposal or will abandon the proposal to authorize said First Amendment.
This notice is given by order of the City Council of the City of Mason City in the State of Iowa, as provided by Section 364.6, Code of Iowa.
Dated this 5th day of April, 2022.
/s/Aaron Burnett
City Clerk, City of Mason City in the State of Iowa
(End of Notice)
02025675-2\10866-236
Donald Trump is a straight up traitor to the United States. It’s about time the Qmorons admitted it.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/02/23/trump-praises-putin-ukraine-refuting-claims-tough-on-russia/
GALLUP:
Americans’ satisfaction with the direction of the U.S., currently 24%, is essentially unchanged since February, though higher than January’s 17%.
U.S. building $95 million embassy in Nigeria:
At a historic groundbreaking ceremony highlighting the enduring bilateral friendship and partnership between the United States and Nigeria, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu joined U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard and U.S. Consul General Claire Pierangelo on Thursday to officially mark the beginning of construction of a new, modern U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.
Located on a 12.2-acre site in the rapidly developing Eko Atlantic City on Victoria Island, the new U.S. Consulate General in Lagos will support diplomatic and commercial relations between the United States and Nigeria and will provide U.S. and Nigerian Consulate employees with a safe, secure, sustainable, and modern workplace. The construction project will take approximately five years, with completion expected in 2027.
Ennead Architects LLP of New York is the design architect, Pernix Federal, LLC of Lombard, Illinois, is the design/build contractor, and EYP, Inc. of Albany, New York, is the architect of record. A variety of energy efficiency strategies will be incorporated into the site and building design to address varied seasonal conditions and to significantly reduce energy demand.
The new Consulate construction project will directly benefit the Nigerian people. Over the course of construction, an estimated $95 million will be invested in the local economy through local subcontractors, and suppliers. Overall, the project will employ approximately 2,500 Nigerian citizens, including engineers, architects, artisans, construction workers, and administrative staff.
Since the start of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program in 1999, OBO has completed 171 new diplomatic facilities. OBO currently has more than 50 active projects either in the design phase or under construction worldwide.
Reynolds sends outdated helmets and vests to Ukraine, along with thoughts and prayers:
Kim Reynolds launched Iowa’s effort to aid the people of Ukraine, she boasted on Wednesday.
The state is providing 146 protective helmets and 714 ballistic vests to Ukraine through donations from the Department of Public Safety and 18 other law enforcement agencies. The retired equipment is past the manufacturers’ recommended service life but still in usable condition.
The state of Nebraska contributed additional helmets and vests to send with Iowa’s donation.
“Ukrainian men and women have taken up arms alongside their military to protect their homeland from Putin’s unprovoked attack,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Iowa has a special connection to Ukraine through our sister state relationship with Cherkasy. Today’s donation fulfills an urgent need in Cherkasy and represents an incredible team effort from the entire state. I’m proud that Iowa is doing what we can to help.”
“Ukrainians have bravely withstood Russia’s unprovoked invasion for more than a month,” said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts. “As they’ve come under attack, the Ukrainian people have shown spirited resistance that has won the respect of the free world. As they defend their homeland, Ukrainians have an immense need for protective gear. Agencies large and small from across Nebraska have stepped up to help meet this need. I’m grateful for Nebraskans’ generosity in donating these critical supplies.”
The Governor’s office worked with the Ukrainian Consulate in Chicago to identify an opportunity with all appropriate federal licensing for delivery to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Gov. Reynolds also announced that the state, along with Iowa Sister States, will work with Meals from the Heartland in West Des Moines to help address the immediate and ongoing food supply needs of Cherkasy. Planning is underway to send an initial shipment of meals as soon as possible, and then assess how longer-term needs may be met. Meal packaging opportunities for the public are not available at this time but will likely be scheduled in the coming weeks. However, Iowans can help with this effort now by donating to help cover the cost of shipping the meals into Ukraine. Visit IowaSisterStates.org for more information and to make a donation.
Iowa’s sister state relationship with Cherkasy, a province located in central Ukraine, began in 1996. Cherkasy, similar to Iowa, has an economy largely driven by agriculture, and its capital city is the center for industry, primarily manufacturing, furniture making, and agricultural processing.
Gov. Reynolds released the following statement today in response to the Iowa Senate passing her education bill Wed night:
“The Senate made clear tonight that parents matter. Iowans want and deserve school choice and educational freedom for their children and I urge the House to get this across the finish line and send a bill to my desk.
“If education truly is the great equalizer, we should create opportunities for more families to provide their children with the education choice that’s best for them. That’s exactly what this legislation does.”
The Senate voted 31-18 in support of the bill. The bill now heads to the Iowa House for debate.