Jason Parrott

The Keokuk School Board will get some help in its search for a new superintendent.

Doctor Lora Wolff is stepping down June 30 to take a teaching position at Western Illinois University.  The school board officially accepted her resignation Tuesday night.

Shortly after that vote, the board agreed to hire Ray & Associates to assist in the search process.  The Cedar Rapids-based firm already handles Keokuk’s contract negotiations.

Lee County could update a policy that affects every one of its employees.

Safety Coordinator BJ Stephens says she would like to do a complete re-write of the county’s safety plan.  She says it would cover every aspect of county government by creating a streamlined approach to handling issues that multiple departments must address.

Board of Supervisors Chairperson Janet Fife-LaFrenz says the goal is “to make our environment that our people work in and our residents come in to visit a very safe one.”

The Burlington School District is updating its policy on bullying and harassment.  The changes are based on a recent site visit by the Iowa Department of Education.

Human Resources Director Laurie Hempen says the agency wants Burlington to expand the list of situations that could be considered bullying or harassment.  She says the additions include gender identity, political party, physical attributes, and ancestry.

Hempen says the policy already covered situations including race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.

Keokuk has started talking about developing its own multi-sport complex.

The discussions began with a request to upgrade Rees Park.  Mayor Tom Marion says the idea is to prepare the park for softball games or practices.

“We will put the fencing back up and we will disc the infield,” says Marion.  “We will also bring some clay sand and put it on the infield and fix the bleachers.”

The city council reached a consensus to proceed with the project, which could cost several thousand dollars.

Jason Parrott’s guest is Steve Frevert, who is the Executive Director of Downtown Partners, the Chairman of Burlington’s Historic Preservation Commission, and a board member of Historic Trust.

Frevert says organizations from across the country are using the month of May to celebrate and promote historic preservation efforts.  He defines the practice as the recognition of historic assets within a community.

An example is the effort to develop a new historic district in Burlington.

Keokuk is ready to do something about the former Flowers by Daryl building at 707 Main Street.

Code Enforcement Officer Kathie Mahoney says a majority of the building’s exterior is in good shape, but she says the rear portion of the structure is basically gone.

The city has received one bid of just under $8,700 to repair the building.

Mayor Tom Marion says Keokuk does not want to see another vacant Main Street lot.

Lee County will provide money for a proposed sports complex in Fort Madison.  The decision comes after the Board of Supervisors spent weeks rejecting requests for funding.

The Vision Iowa Board has said that Fort Madison’s request for more than $800,000 will not be considered without a $25,000 contribution from the county.  The program requires city, county, and public support for a project.

Lee County will receive some outside help in its efforts to land a new industry.

The Board of Supervisors has agreed to hire attorney Bob Josten to negotiate with Iowa Fertilizer Company on behalf of the county.  Josten is with Dorsey & Whitney, a Des Moines-based law firm the county uses when it borrows money.

Iowa Fertilizer Company is considering a 300-acre site near Wever for a $1.3-billion dollar fertilizer plant. 

Des Moines County is being asked to borrow $450,000 on behalf of the county’s E-911 Board.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Broeker says the agency still owes money to a local bank for some computer equipment purchased years ago.

Broeker says a recent state audit revealed that Des Moines County’s E-911 Board should not be carrying any debt.  He says that means the agency cannot renew the loan, which must take place within the next few months.