Whiner’s

NOTICE OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR THE DISPOSITION OF CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE MASON CITY DOWNTOWN REINVESTMENT URBAN RENEWAL AREA PURSUANT TO COMPETITIVE CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the City of Mason City, Iowa (the “City”) has received a proposal in the form of a Purchase, Sale, and Development Agreement (the “Agreement”) from Talon, LLC (the “Developer”) and The River Mason City II, LLC (the “Owner”) related to the sale of certain City-owned property (the “Development Property”), which is located within the Mason City Downtown Reinvestment Urban Renewal Area, and more particularly described as follows:

A PARCEL OF LAND IN MASON CITY, CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IOWA, BEING IN THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION NINE (9), TOWNSHIP NINETY-SIX (96) NORTH, RANGE TWENTY (20) WEST OF THE FIFTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

COMMENCING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF BLOCK 73 OF Z.W. THOMAS ADDITION; THENCE S 89°17’49” E ALONG THE SOUTH RIGHT-A-WAY LINE OF 2ND STREET SW A DISTANCE OF249.69′ TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUING S 89°17’49” E ALONG SAID SOUTH RIGHT-A-WAY LINE A DISTANCE OF 660.36 FEET;
THENCE S 00°41’58” W A DISTANCE OF 47.50 FEET;
THENCE S 59°34’05” W A DISTANCE OF 99.30 FEET;
THENCE S 41°44’59” W A DISTANCE OF 231.58 FEET;
THENCE S 63°38’48” W A DISTANCE OF 22.68 FEET;
THENCE S 84°23’15” W A DISTANCE OF 172.50 FEET;
THENCE N 89°13’03” W A DISTANCE OF 34.46 FEET;
THENCE N 71°56’30” W A DISTANCE OF 54.96 FEET;
THENCE N 39°39’23” W A DISTANCE OF 77.44 FEET;
THENCE N 21°53’08” W A DISTANCE OF 246.23 FEET TO SAID SOUTH RIGHT-A-WAY LINE AND POINT OF BEGINNING;

SAID PARCEL CONTAINS 139,961 SQUARE FEET OR 3.21 ACRES MORE OR LESS AND SUBJECT TO EASEMENTS OF RECORD IF ANY

The Agreement proposes that the City would sell the Development Property to Owner for $50,000, under the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement.

In order to comply with Iowa Code Section 403.8, the City has established reasonably competitive bidding procedures for the anticipated disposition of the Development Property and all persons interested in submitting a proposal to compete for the purchase of the Development Property may submit a proposal meeting the requirements set forth herein:

The Development Property offered for sale is legally described above.

In order to qualify for consideration for selection, each bidder must submit a proposal that contains terms no less favorable to the City than those set forth in the Agreement submitted by Developer and Owner, which Agreement is on file with the City Clerk, a copy of which is available by contacting the City Clerk’s office at (641) 421-3600.

In order to qualify for consideration for selection, each bidder must submit a proposal that provides for the bidder’s purchase of the Development Property at not less than fair value in accordance with Iowa Code Section 403.8. It is hereby determined, based on investigation by the City, that the Agreement’s proposed sale price for the Development Property of $50,000, taken in consideration with Developer’s and Owner’s obligations under the Agreement, is equal to or greater than fair value.

Written proposals for the purchase and redevelopment of the Development Property must be received by the City Clerk’s office at or before 12:00 PM (Noon) on May 24, 2022, by personal delivery or postal mail to City Hall, 10 First Street NW, Mason City, Iowa 50401.

Each qualifying competing proposal received will be publicly opened by the City Clerk or her designee in the City Clerk’s office at 12:00 P.M. (Noon) on May 24, 2022, and will be presented to the City Council during a public hearing at the Council meeting which begins at 7:00 P.M. at the Council meeting on June 7, 2022. The Council shall judge the strength of the proposals meeting the foregoing minimum requirements by the criteria set forth above and shall make the final evaluation and selection of a proposal.

In the event that no other qualified proposals are timely submitted, the City intends to enter into the Agreement with the Developer and Owner, and sell the Development Property to Owner on the terms proposed.

This notice is given by order of the City Council of the City of Mason City in the State of Iowa, as provided by Sections 364.6 and 403.8 of the Code of Iowa.

Dated this 19th day of April, 2022.

/s/Aaron Burnett
City Clerk, City of Mason City in the State of Iowa

(End Notice)

Publish 4-22-22
Emailed 4-14-22

The following MCHS events for Thursday, April 14th have been postponed or cancelled:
Girls Golf vs Ankeny has been postponed to May 2nd at Mason City Country Club
Boys Tennis @ Ames has been postponed to tomorrow, April 15th
Girls Tennis vs Ames has been postponed to May 6th at MCHS Tennis Courts
JV/Varsity Boys Track @ Hudson has been cancelled
Girls Soccer @ Denver has been postponed with a TBA makeup date
7/8 Boys Track @ Charles City has been cancelled

Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for seven counties in response to the April 12 severe weather. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to, and recover from, the effects of this severe weather in Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Humboldt, Mitchell, Pocahontas, Winneshiek and Worth counties.

In addition, the proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program, for the aforementioned seven counties. The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website at https://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

The Disaster Case Management Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case managers work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referral to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Management Program, contact your local community action association or visit http://www.iowacommunityaction.org.

Due to the impending weather we have postponed or cancelled the following Mason City events for today (April 12, 2022):
Girls Golf @ Marshalltown has been cancelled
Boys Soccer @ Des Moines Lincoln has been postponed
Girls Soccer vs. Hampton-Dumont has been postponed
Boys Tennis vs. Johnston has been postponed
Girls Tennis @ Johnston has been postponed
Girls Track @ Ames has been cancelled
7th/8th Girls Track @ Ballard has been cancelled

Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement in response to President Biden making a visit to Iowa:

“Iowans are excited to welcome President Biden back to our state and thank him for all the work he’s done for working families in his short time in office. President Biden entered the White House just over a year ago, and moved quickly to start delivering for the American people.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan put money in our pockets and helped with health care and essential services. ARPA provided Iowa $3.9 billion in relief checks, expanded the child tax credit, provided nutrition assistance, and lowered health premiums.

“Iowa is also getting the tools to repair our state’s infrastructure, including roads and bridges, and connecting more to broadband internet, thanks to the President’s bipartisan infrastructure bill. The law will also help improve the quality of water in Iowa , while bringing thousands of good paying jobs to our state.

“In spite of unprecedented crises and opposition from Congressional Republicans, President Biden got an enormous amount done for the American people and Iowans in his short time in office.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for continuing to fulfill your campaign promises and delivering for the people of Iowa. I look forward to all the work you will do to better the lives of all Americans over the next few years.”

Cerro Gordo County Treasurer Pat Wright has announced that the Iowa Property Tax Credit Claims for real estate, mobile home and special assessments are available.
Those taxpayers 65 years of age or older by December 31, 2021, or those taxpayers totally disabled and 18 years of age or older by December 31, 2021, are eligible to file a claim if their total household income is less than $24,354 for the year 2021. Disabled applicants are required to submit a copy of form SSA-1099-Social Security Benefit Statement when making application for credit. A claim for property tax credit may be filed on behalf of a deceased person, by the person’s spouse, attorney, guardian, or administrator.
Property tax credit forms are available in the Treasurer’s office, or the Cerro Gordo County website at http://www.cgcounty.org, under “Spotlight”.

Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg released their public schedule for the week of Monday, April 11, 2022 – Sunday, April 17, 2022.

The following events are open to credentialed members of the media:

Tuesday, April 12
Governor Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Gregg attend Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference
Hilton Coliseum
1705 Center Dr.
Ames, IA
3:45 p.m.

Lt. Governor Gregg speaks at 2022 Iowa Rural Summit
Gateway Hotel and Conference Center
2100 Green Hills Dr.
Ames, IA
12:15 p.m.

Wednesday, April 13
Governor Reynolds attends Build My Future event
Iowa State Fairgrounds – Varied Industries Building
3000 E. Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA
9:30 a.m.
***The Governor will hold a media availability following the event.***

Thursday, April 14
Governor Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Gregg attend Iowa Prayer Breakfast
Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center
833 5th Ave.
Des Moines, IA
7:15 a.m.

NY TIMES:
Ali Alexander, who was a key figure in the “Stop the Steal” movement, said he had received a grand jury subpoena and would assist the expanding investigation.

Russia’s Suspension from the UN Human Rights Council

04/07/2022 05:40 PM EDT

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

By suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council, countries around the world chose to hold Moscow to account today for gross and systematic violations of human rights in its premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified war of choice against Ukraine. We have seen growing evidence of Russia’s brutal disregard for international law and human rights in Ukraine, most notably in the death and devastation it has caused in communities such as Bucha, Irpin, and Mariupol. The atrocities the world has witnessed appear to be further evidence of war crimes, which serves as another indication that Russia has no place in a body whose primary purpose is to promote respect for human rights. As I said earlier today, today a wrong has been righted.

The world is sending another clear signal that Russia must immediately and unconditionally cease its war of aggression against Ukraine and honor the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. The international community will continue to hold Russia to account, and the United States will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as they fight for their sovereignty, democracy, and freedom.

U.S. State Department Press Briefing

04/08/2022 04:44 PM EDT

Jalina Porter, Principal Deputy Spokesperson

2:02 p.m. EDT

MS PORTER: Good afternoon and Happy Friday, everyone. I have one update at the top, and then I’ll start with taking your questions. I would like to start off by addressing the missile strike by Russia’s forces that reportedly killed at least 50 civilians and injured many more at the Kramatorsk railway station in eastern Ukraine, where thousands of civilians were on a platform waiting to be evacuated. I want to express our deep condolences to the families of those killed or injured, and to the people of Ukraine who continue to suffer terribly from the Russian Government’s unprovoked, unjustified, and brutal war.

We are horrified by this latest atrocity, but we can no longer be surprised by the Kremlin’s repugnant disregard for human life. This is just yet another example of the Russian Government’s unjustified, brutal war sowing senseless death and destruction in Ukraine, and unraveling the fabric of normal life on schools, on homes, on hospitals, and on workplaces. Civilians are killed when they stay in their homes, and they’re killed when they tried to leave. Actions like these demonstrate why Russia did not belong on the UN Human Rights Council, and they also reinforced the U.S. assessment that members of Russian – Russia’s forces are committing war crimes in Ukraine.

This tragedy has also further increased our resolve to do everything we can to assist those investigating potential war crimes, see those responsible held accountable for atrocities, and support the people of Ukraine in their just cause: the defense of their country, their democracy, and their free and sovereign future.

Let’s first go to the line of Cindy Saine, please.

QUESTION: Yes, thank you. Jalina, Prime Minister – Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan just spoke to the nation, and he has renewed allegations that the U.S. encouraged the no-confidence vote, saying that he has a cable to prove it. Could you please comment? And thank you.

MS PORTER: Thanks, Cindy. Let me just say very bluntly there is absolutely no truth to these allegations. Of course, we continue to follow these developments, and we respect and support Pakistan’s constitutional process and rule of law. But again, these allegations are absolutely not true.

OPERATOR: And next we’ll go to the line of Endale Getahun with KETO FM International. Please, go ahead.

QUESTION: Thank you so much. Good morning. Good morning, everyone, and a Happy Friday. Thank you for taking my call. I am asking regarding the situation, as you know, that’s in East Africa, Ethiopia. I don’t know if you know, but there was – a meeting took place between the second in command on Ethiopian military and Eritrean. And so do you know any information or have you heard on – or do you want to comment on regarding the general who visited Eritrea with the state – given the statements on state media and Ethiopian TV that they are preparing to do a second phase there to invade Tigray, as we speak? Do you have any comment on that?

The second one I have: Have you seen the Human Rights and Amnesty International released about the (inaudible) was taken based on their statements, ethnic cleansing and what have you, on – for the neighboring state, for Amhara militants or vigilantes, and they were – and western Tigray, which is still occupied by Eritreans and by the – with the Amhara? So what is your comments on that statement and also on the general, the second in command in Ethiopia, that made the statements on they are heading to the second phase, even as there’s a ceasefire according to Ethiopian Government, and also on the human – that was my question, but if you have any comments on World Food Program. They’re still having issues for delivering food. Only 26 trucks head on to Tigray. What’s your comment on that too? And thank you so much, appreciate it.

MS PORTER: Thank you for all of those robust questions. I’ll do my best to give you an overview of what we have from here. I’ll just start off by saying that we certainly welcome the humanitarian truce in Tigray.

Second, to your question on the joint Human Rights report and Amnesty International report, we’re certainly aware of these reports on ethnically motivated atrocities committed by Amhara authorities in the western Tigray and in Ethiopia, and we also reiterate our grave concerns over findings in this report, which we will carefully review. In fact, we have some principals in the building, including Under Secretary Zeya, who is our Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, along with our Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack, and a couple other principals in our department are actually meeting with representatives of Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International today to hear more about this report.

I’ll also say that the U.S. has consistently called out human rights abuses by all armed actors in this conflict, and we will continue to do this. Victims deserve justice, and those responsible for these abuses must be held accountable through transparent and inclusive processes.

Let’s please go to Laura Kelly.

QUESTION: Hi, Jalina. Thank you for taking my question. Secretary Blinken on I believe it was March 23rd said that the State Department determined the Russians had committed war crimes in Ukraine. When do you intend to release those assessments of specific determinations of war crimes?

MS PORTER: Thanks, Laura. Well, we certainly don’t have a timeline for this. But I’ll say that we continue to investigate Russia’s ongoing and unprovoked, unjustified war against Ukraine. But we have no – nothing to preview as far as timelines.

Let’s go to Eunjong Cho, please.

QUESTION: Thank you, Jalina, for taking my question. Can you hear me?

MS PORTER: Yes, I can hear you.

QUESTION: Great. The nominee for ambassador to South Korea, Ambassador Phillip Goldberg, at the Senate nomination hearing yesterday said comprehensive, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization are goals in – when it comes to North Korea. So is comprehensible, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization the Biden administration’s official term for describing the goal in negotiations with North Korea? Is the Biden administration officially replacing “complete” with “comprehensive” in defining this goal?

MS PORTER: Thanks for your question, Eunjong. We have no change – the Biden-Harris administration has no change in our policy, and we continue to urge the DPRK to refrain from further destabilizing activities and of course instead choose to engage in serious and sustained dialogue.

Let’s go over to Jenny Hansler.

QUESTION: Hi, Jalina. Thanks for calling on me. The Ukrainian foreign minister just called for Russia to be expelled from the OSCE, saying that if the OSCE lacks an appropriate suspension mechanism, then they should set up a process to get them out. Does the U.S. support suspending Russia from the OSCE or creating a mechanism to do so?

And then secondly, do you have an update on the American citizens detained in Russia? Thanks.

MS PORTER: Thanks, Jenny. To your first question on the OSCE, I’m learning about that in real time so we don’t have anything to respond to at the moment.

But what I will say about – to your second question, of course, is our top priority is and has always been the safety and the security of Americans overseas, and we continue to engage the Russian Government on cases of Americans who are currently detained.

Let’s go over to Conor Finnegan.

QUESTION: Hey, Jalina. Two questions on – just following up on what you said at the top about the strike on the train station in Kramatorsk. First, you said it reinforces the assessment that Russia is committing war crimes. Are you calling this strike a war crime?

And then second, you attributed it to Russia. The Kremlin has obviously denied responsibility. Just wondering if you will respond to their denial. Any more information you can provide on why you are attributing it to them? Thank you.

MS PORTER: Thanks, Conor. I’ll say, to your question on the war crime question, assessing individual criminal liability in specific cases is the responsibility of courts as well as other investigatory bodies. But as the Secretary, Secretary Blinken, has said, those responsible for war crimes and other atrocities committed in Ukraine will be held to account. We won’t make any public comments on our war crimes assessment of specific acts or reports, nor discuss any information that’s reviewed at this time.

And then to your second question on a response – yeah, we just don’t have a response to give at this time.

Let’s go over to Joseph Akbush.

QUESTION: Hi, Jalina. Thanks for this. Two questions. One, is there any comment on the two attacks which targeted U.S. servicemembers in Syria and Iraq over the last two days, I guess? And on that note, any updates to the Vienna talks?

And then my second question is on Ukraine. And are there still – is the U.S. still concerned about China providing military support to Russia or circumventing international sanctions? Thank you.

MS PORTER: Thanks, Joseph. So for your first question, I would have to refer you to the DOD. To your second question on any updates in – on the status of talks and Iran, we don’t have any updates to share at this time other than it’s obviously been a significant process, but an agreement is neither imminent nor certain at this time.

And to your last question on Chinese military to assist the Russians, I think we’ve been pretty clear on our stance when it comes to any support in this activity, and that hasn’t changed at this time.

Let’s take our last question from Elizabeth Hagedorn.

QUESTION: Hi, Jalina. One follow-up for you on Iran. Can you say whether the Biden administration shares General Milley’s view that the IRGC’s Qods Force specifically should remain on the U.S. list of terror organizations?

MS PORTER: Thanks, Elizabeth. I’d say that the President shares the chairman’s view that IRGC Qods Forces are terrorists, and beyond that we aren’t going to comment on any of the topics in the nuclear talks. But what I would say is out of the 107 Biden administration designations in relation to Iran, 86 have specifically targeted the IRGC-related persons as well as affiliates.

Thank you all so much for joining today. That concludes today’s press briefing, and I hope you have a good weekend ahead.

(The briefing was concluded at 2:19 p.m.)

Further Targeting Russian State-Owned Enterprises

04/07/2022 11:07 PM EDT

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

The United States and over 30 allies and partners across the world have levied the most impactful, coordinated, and wide-ranging economic restrictions in history in response to the Russian government’s war against Ukraine. Today, we take additional actions to raise the economic cost on President Putin. We are imposing blocking sanctions on two Russian state-owned enterprises: Joint Stock Company United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), as well as 28 USC subsidiaries and eight members of the USC board of directors; and Public Joint Stock Company Alrosa.

USC is one of Russia’s largest state-owned enterprises, and it developed and constructed the warships that have bombarded Ukraine’s cities. Alrosa is a diamond-mining company, controlled by the Russian government, the proceeds of which help to finance the Russian government’s war and atrocities against Ukraine.

Our actions today, alongside the actions we have taken since the beginning of President Putin’s brutal and unjustified war in Ukraine, are designed to reinforce each other and intensify over time. We remain committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemn Russia’s atrocities and disregard for life. We support accountability for the Kremlin’s wrongdoing in this war of choice. As long as the Kremlin continues its brutal assault on Ukraine and its people, we stand united with our allies and partners in imposing additional costs on Russia.