The current officers of the Pleasant Hill Youth Council are Bill Monk (president), Frank Dale (vice-president), Tami Wilson (secretary), Bob Bell (treasurer), and board members Teresa Wilson, Chris Warren, and Jeff Volrath.
Pleasant Hill is still expanding its recreational opportunities. On June 27, 1981, two new soccer fields were dedicated to the memory of John Paul "Jack" Keller. The fields will be used for youth soccer. Keller had lived for many years in Pleasant Hill. He was the founder of the apprentice school for the training of young people in the operation of heavy equipment. After Keller's death in 1981, the Operating Engineers Local 234 provided the labor and equipment to grade the two soccer fields.
By January 1, 1982, Pleasant Hill will open its first library. The library will be housed temporarily in a trailer behind city hall, but there are plans for a permanent building. The library was started with the donation of 3,000 books by the people of Pleasant Hill. Many new books and periodicals will be purchased for the library. Librarian Pat Rehder plans story hours, films, and crafts for children, nursing home service, and holiday programs.
Also important to the community are the two churches located in town, the Berean Assembly of God and the Church of Christ.
Energy Spectre
The volunteer organizations and activities make Pleasant Hill a community, “home" to over 3,600 persons. Even with this identity, the energy problem haunts the city. Taxes from Iowa Power and Light Company, Williams Brothers Pipe Line Company (formerly Great Lakes Pipeline), and Hydrocarbon Transportation Inc. make up 65 percent of the annual budget. If any of those companies (especially Iowa Power) ever pulls out, taxes could drive families away. Pleasant Hill must attract other businesses and industries to diversify its tax base.
That is the problem that faced the town's leaders at the start of the 1970's, and it is the one that the leaders of the 1980's must face. The mayor and council of the new decade have taken early steps to accomplish the goal of a real diversified community. Mayor Lawrence Hopper, serving his third term, and councilmen Ronald McClurg, Sam Sciorrotta, Phil Hildebrand, Kent Forbes, and Richard Delk had another comprehensive city plan drawn up, following the tradition established by the first council that Pleasant Hill was a planned community.