A variety of new ideas surfaced during the first round of public feedback regarding what to do with the old Central Middle School building, during a Google Meet event Thursday, Nov. 19.
The meeting, moderated by Monticello Community School Superintendent Brian Jaeger, included 43 people who were part of a larger group contacted by Monticello School Board members to take part.
Jaeger began the event by summarizing the situation, along with options that had been presented by OPN Architects at previous school board meetings.
“Please, please, please think twice before gathering in groups over the next few weeks. We are one of the hottest counties in one of the hottest states right now for COVID-19.”
Monticello Schools Superintendent Brian Jaeger expressed those sentiments on Nov. 20 in his weekly update to the parents of the Monticello School District.
Since the school district went online on Nov. 11, Jaeger has been in constant contact with Jones County Public Health on the case numbers for the county and Monticello.
A change in face covering rules, the fate of the old middle school, and the election of new officers were all part of the discussion and/or action at the regular meeting of the Monticello School Board Nov. 23.
The meeting was held in the Monticello High School Commons, and people also had the option of attending virtually through Google Meet.
On Tuesday, Nov. 17, Public Health Coordinator Jenna Lovaas shared with the Jones County Supervisors that the 14-day COVID-19 positivity rate was 49.4 percent (40 percent as of Friday, Nov. 20).
“We’re the worst in the state,” she said.
At that time, 32 Jones County residents were hospitalized (24 as of Nov. 20), and 14 had died from the virus (seven county residents, five long-term care residents, and two inmates). Since then, a third inmate from the Anamosa State Penitentiary has died as well.
Monticello Ambulance Administrator Britt Smith released the service activity for the Monticello Ambulance Service for the month of October.
Total EMS calls for service: 33 (13 to City of Monticello addresses, four to Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, eight to Jones County addresses within the Monticello service area, five Jones Regional Medical Center transfers, and three to Anamosa city addresses)
Since the City of Monticello started working on a FEMA application to demolish the old Energy building owned by the Welter family, some new developments have taken place.
During the Nov. 16 city council meeting, City Administrator informed the council about a potential building project.
The article on M&S Manufacturing inside the Express’ Nov. 18 Industry Issue stated that the City of Monticello purchased the former Energy building from the Welter family, located at the intersection of Main Street and E. First Street.
Signage in the right of way. Width of driveway and drainage pipe. Retaining wall. These items were opposed by County Engineer Derek Snead and the Jones County Supervisors, as pertaining to property located at 9635 230th Ave. in Fairview.
Property owner Jason Gideon’s attorney, Jeff Beatty, was present at the Nov. 17 board of supervisor meeting, as was Snead. (Gideon is the owner of Energy Consultants Group.)
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