River Valley

Lansing Splash Pad Project Coordinator Arlen Wonderlich reports that the finishing touches will be completed on the new splash pad in Lansing in the next three to four weeks. The Lansing Park and Recreation Board acknowledges the businesses, organizations and the people who contributed with grants, cash and in-kind donations to make this project a success.

A sign is being constructed to inform the public of the rules for using the splash pad and also to recognize the businesses, organizations and  people for their contributions to the project. The information for the sign will be sent to the sign company by April 20.

Last-minute tax deductible contributions can still be made by sending a check to the City of Lansing and writing “Splash Pad” in the memo section on the check. Contributions may be mailed to: City of Lansing, P.O. Box 470, Lansing, IA 52151.
 

Since last fall, Bill FitzGerald of Lansing has been trying to find the owner of the boathouse pictured at right (front and rear views) that drifted into his dock property on the banks of the Mississippi River along the north end of Front Street, Lansing. FitzGerald said the boathouse apparently broke free during high water levels late last fall from its original location, which is believed to be somewhere in the Shore Slough area further north of Lansing. FitzGerald said he discovered the boathouse nestled in between the river bank and his boat slips, as pictured in the lower photo, noting the narrow area the structure had to float through to come to rest where it did. He tied it up to an adjacent boat slip to make it more visible to passersby in hopes someone would recognize it and make claim to it. The boathouse was frozen into that location all winter and currently sits in the slip area pictured in the top photo at right.

by Alexis Johnson

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, April 6. The discussion centered around the consent agenda, street report and a COVID-19 update.

The consent agenda consisted of council meeting minutes from March 16, payments of claims, and liquor license renewal for Lansing IGA. The consent agenda was approved.

Mark Rethwisch was hired to fill one of the lawn mowing positions within the city this summer. The City is still looking for one more person to apply for another vacant position. A motion was made and seconded to purchase a new plow truck.

All local parks will be closed due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Garage sales are also prohibited at this time until further notice. Citywide clean-up day originally scheduled for April 14 has also been postponed.
 

Two Lansing businesses, River-N-Ridge Outdoors and Lansing Housing Products, competed for the $2,000 grant award offered to the winner of the local Open 4 Business: Fish Tank Edition competition, as well as the chance to compete for up to $28,000 at the state level through Main Street Iowa. The competition was originally set to take place during the Main Street Lansing Annual Meeting and Dinner scheduled for March 21 and would have featured live pitches on stage to the panel of judges. After the COVID-19 pandemic led to the postponement of that event, Main Street Lansing decided to continue with the competition remotely.

Saturday, March 17, 1945, traffic drove across the Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing and the nearly three-mile dike between Iowa and Wisconsin much like it had done for the previous dozen years for jobs, school, shopping, entertainment, dating and all the other pastimes of busy lives. The next day that vital link over the Mississippi River would close for a decade.

Helping to break up ice on the river, the Coast Guard cutter Fern had passed Lansing on its way up the river the previous Thursday. The highest water in 25 years was predicted for that weekend, and by Sunday, March 18, the high water had arrived, pushing the broken, foot-thick chunks of ice under - and into - the dike bridges. The Big Slough and Winneshiek Slough bridges along the dike gave way that day, cutting off that traffic route between Wisconsin and Iowa.

After making plans for its 2020 River Clean-Up, the Board of Directors of Friends of Pool 9 (FOP9) has voted to cancel the clean-up for the present time, based on the coronavirus danger to all participants. It may take place at a later date this spring, if the opportunity is available.

The board had selected Saturday, April 18 for the annual FOP9 clean-up of the 90 square miles of Pool 9 of the Mississippi River. Volunteers were to meet at the VFW building adjacent to the ball diamond in Lansing at 7:15 a.m. to sign the Release of Liability form and receive instructions to collection sites, with collecting to take place from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in alignment with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for public health and safety, Effigy Mounds National Monument has closed the Visitor Center and all indoor facilities to the public, effective immediately.

Park trails will remain open, including the North Unit trail system to Fire Point and Hanging Rock, and the South Unit trail system to the Marching Bear Group. All trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.

Rangers will be present at various times during the day to answer questions, weather and staffing permitting. Visitors can also call the Visitor Center at 563-873-3491 for additional information.

by Alexis Johnson

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, March 16. The discussion centered around the consent agenda, budgets for the 2021 year and the Parks report. A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda consisting of several items.

An open public hearing for budget FY21 started at 7:03 p.m. and closed at 7:40 p.m. Following discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the budget hearing.

Former Kee High School softball players Makayla Walleser and Katie Brennan will be hired to be the assistant coaches for the summer recreation softball program. Harvey Ekern will be hired as the summer recreation baseball coach. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Parks report.

Open 4 Business contest will still happen

The Main Street Lansing Annual Meeting and Dinner scheduled for this Saturday, March 21 at TJ Hunter’s Banquet Hall in Lansing has been postponed, according to a statement released by Main Street Lansing Executive Director Andy Kelleher. The released statement reads, in part:
“A number of people have reached out to ask us about the status of our upcoming events in light of COVID-19. We have been in communication with our county public health officials, and we’ve been monitoring the Iowa Department of Public Health information.

The City of Lansing is taking all steps necessary to ensure the continuation of public services during this potential health concern. Effective immediately, all City departments are closed to walk-in traffic.

The Public Restrooms have not been opened for the season and will remain closed until further notice. Library activities are canceled and hours have been reduced. The Lansing City Council and Administration will evaluate risk and appropriate action as the days follow.

The City is working in cooperation with and following the direction of the Iowa Department of Public Health and Allamakee County Emergency Management in taking all necessary steps to provide for public safety and the continuation of essential, critical City services. Staff shall follow specific procedures to help limit the exposure or spread of COVID19 within their respective departments and the City overall.