CDBG Housing Rehab Assistance |
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The City of Emmetsburg is seeking pre-applications from homeowners interested in participating in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) home rehabilitation program.
The city, with the assistance of Northwest Iowa Planning and Development Commission (NWIPDC), is gauging the level of homeowner interest in housing rehabilitation assistance in order to determine if an application should be submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the CDBG housing program. If awarded, the program would provide funding for income-qualified homeowners to help bring their homes up to "Iowa's Minimum Housing Rehabilitation Standards". This may include work items such as insulation, lighting, electrical, furnaces, water heaters, siding, windows, doors, roofing, gutters, foundation, etc. Owner occupied rehabilitation is focused on three areas of improvement: energy efficiency, exterior improvements, and the removal of architectural barriers to allow aging in home. The maximum award is $24,999 per housing unit for materials and labor, plus lead hazard reduction and technical services.
These programs are funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant and must primarily benefit low- and moderate-income individuals. All eligible applicants must be existing homeowners with a household income below 80 percent of the Area Median Income Limits:
- 1 person household - $40,600
- 2 person household - $46,400
- 3 person household - $52,200
- 4 person household - $58,000
- 5 person household - $62,650
Pre-applications are due by Wednesday, May 5. If you are interested in pre-applying, please visit www.emmetsburg.com/CDBG to learn more, print the application form, or complete the pre-application online. Pre-application forms may be picked up and/or dropped off at Emmetsburg City Hall: 2021 Main Street, P.O. Box 417, Emmetsburg, IA 50536.
Please contact Gretchen Reichter at 712-415-1142 with any questions.
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Seasonal Employment
The City of Emmetsburg and Emmetsburg Municipal Utilities are accepting applications for the following seasonal positions: public properties workers, utilities workers, golf course workers, and community center staff (bartenders, banquet staff, kitchen prep/cooks, and servers). Duties, qualifications, hours of work, and application requirements vary for each position. Contact City Hall for more details and/or to obtain an application. Positions open until filled. EOE.
Lawn Clippings
Please remember that lawn clippings need to remain on your property and can not be blown into the roadway. Keeping debris off streets helps keep our drains and storm sewer clear and functioning. Thank you!
EMU Flushing Hydrants
EMU will be flushing fire hydrants May 11th, 12th and 13th. Residents are encouraged to check their water before doing laundry.
Community Garden
Garden pots are still available at the Emmetsburg Community Garden. Plots are $20 each, and households may reserve a up to three plots. Applications are available at City Hall or through the “Emmetsburg Community Garden” Facebook page. For questions, contact Jenna Shirk 712-852-2550 or jshirk@emmetsburg.com.
Memorial Day Flowers
Floral decorations may be placed one week before Memorial Day (May 24) and must be removed one week after (June 7).
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Spring Beautification Update |
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Message from the Chamber of Commerce |
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This spring you will notice a new look along five blocks of downtown Main and Broadway. The City has invested in the downtown with new street pole banners, waste receptacles, and soon to be added planters. The banners were designed by Gretchen Reichter, Emmetsburg Marketing Coordinator, to represent St. Pat’s Celebration, Five Island Lake, FIT Trail and Retail/Dining. The new black planters and receptacles feature a design of Celtic knots tying to Emmetsburg’s Irish heritage.
In collaboration, the Chamber is coordinating the work. We thank our local MidAmerican Energy linemen for replacing the hardware and hanging the banners. Also for this first year, the planters were delivered to Willow Tree Garden Center to be planted prior to setting them out on the new sidewalks. Thank you to Erica Janssen for getting the flowers got off to a good start.
The former planters and waste receptacles are still available to any business outside of this five block area. Some waste receptacles are being moved to the parks to replace plastic ones. Businesses with the old planters are responsible for purchasing and watering the plants. If your business already has a planter and you choose not to care for it, just call the Chamber to have it taken away.
In the meantime until the flowers can bloom, let’s all make an extra effort to clean up our town. Volunteers interested in a community service project, please give me a call. Hometown pride is what it is all about!
Deb Hite
Director, Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce
712.852.2283
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Changes Coming to the Emmetsburg Public Library
The Emmetsburg Public Library Board of Trustees recently reviewed the policy governing loan periods, renewals and overdue charges. In part, having the perspective of over a year’s worth of doing business under a pandemic has informed the board’s decision to make the following changes to the policy:
- All books and audiobooks not classified as “New Materials” check out for FOUR WEEKS rather than the three weeks that was previously allowed.
- All adult materials classified as “New Materials,” cake pans, and console video games check out for THREE WEEKS. Previously, new items checked out for two weeks, and video games and cake pans checked out for one week.
The board also decided to raise the daily overdue charge, which applies to all materials, from $0.05 per day overdue to $0.10 per day overdue. This is the first change of this nature in nearly two decades.
The board hopes that people will enjoy being able to keep their items for longer without having to renew them. All renewal options remain the same, however, even with the increased loan periods.
These changes will take effect after May 15, 2021.
Nathan Clark, Library Director
(712) 852-4009
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Celebrate Extension Week in Palo Alto County |
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Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week is April 12-17. Iowa’s 100 county extension offices are hosting activities throughout the week to thank Iowans for their support of extension efforts throughout the state. Pop into the Palo Alto County Extension and Outreach office located at 2008 10th Street and enter to win a summer-ready setup - camping chair, beverage tumbler, and an ISU face cover! Stay tuned to our Facebook page this week for trivia, giveaways, and more! We are excited to share how we are delivering education and information based in research – for your reality. Two examples are Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a 6-session series beginning April 21 to equip family caregivers with the tools to help them thrive, not just survive in their caregiving role, along with the much-anticipated Master Gardener series. Thank you for your support of Palo Alto County Extension and Outreach!
ISU Extension and Outreach is here for you in Palo Alto County. Now. Always. Learn more at extension.iastate.edu.
Jamie Neff, Program Coordinator
jblaser@iastate.edu | 712-852-2865
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Community Visioning Update
In March, residents participated in focus group workshops as part of the Iowa’s Living Roadways 2021 Community Visioning Program. During the focus groups, participants identified on a map places where traveling around Emmetsburg is difficult, areas that are considered assets, and opportunity areas. After reviewing the maps, participants identified three locations in the community that best reflect the transportation assets and barriers discussed. These locations will be photographed by Iowa State University student interns.
The next step in the process will be a goal-setting meeting to be set in the coming weeks. During this meeting, the Emmetsburg Visioning Committee will review the information they have gathered and identify priorities for the transportation enhancement plan for Emmetsburg.
Learn more about Community Visioning at www.communityvisioning.org/emmetsburg or contact Gretchen Reichter at 712-415-1142 or greichter@emmetsburg.com
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TOPS® Meeting
Wednesdays at 4:15 PM @ ISU Extension |
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Monday Night Bingo @ VFW
Mondays (starting in May) at 6:30 PM
Early bird bingo at 6:30. Masks required. A light meal will be served between 5:30-6:25 PM. |
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Food Box Giveaway
April 17 at 10:30 AM @ Multi-Purpose Senior Center
Open to everyone in Palo Alto County. First come first served. The Food Box will include apples, potatoes, onion, oranges, some meat, dairy products plus a gallon of milk and more. (Items are subject to change.) One box per household with 2 boxes max per vehicle. For more information, call Sandi Iwen at 712-298-1415 or if homebound or willing to volunteer. |
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Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Wednesdays April 21-May 26 from 10-11 AM @ Palo Alto County Extension and Outreach
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Palo Alto County and Emmet County present “Powerful Tools for Caregivers”, a program for family members who provide care to individuals with chronic health conditions. This is a 6-week class held on Wednesdays April 21 to May 26 at the Palo Alto County Extension Office in Emmetsburg.
The fee is $30 and pre-registration is required. To register, contact Jamie Neff 712-852-2865. |
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VFW Fish Fry - Sponsored by Rotary Club
April 23 from 5:00-7:00 PM @ VFW
All orders will be drive-thru take-out only. Vehicles should approach the VFW from 8th Street north of the VFW and turn into the parking lot to pick up orders from the east door of the building. Phone in orders are appreciated for arrival time and number of meals, but not necessary. To place an order, call 712-298-0883 or 712-298-0903. |
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VFW Fish Fry - Sponsored by Swim Team
April 30 from 5:00-7:00 PM @ VFW
[Please see above.] |
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Emmetsburg High School Junior-Senior Prom
April 24
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Emmetsburg Rotary Scholarship Awards Night
May 11 at 7 PM @ EHS Auditorium |
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Palo Alto Garden Club Plant Sale
May 15 from 8 AM - 12 PM Noon @ Harrison Park
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Emmetsburg Chamber BAD Golf Outing
May 27 at 3 PM @ Five Island Golf |
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Live After Six ft. The Jeremy DeWall Band
May 17 from 6:30-9:30 PM @ the veranda at The Shores
Come by car or come by boat! Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the music and Five Island Lake from the greenspace.
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