March 28, 2024

Ordinances regarding traffic safety to highlight council meeting

Newton City Council will have second consideration of two ordinances to improve traffic safety in town.

The first ordinance amended the Code of Ordinances by removing yield signs at various intersections. The second amends the Code of Ordinances by adding stop signs at various intersections.

The Traffic Safety Committee recommends adding stop signs at all intersections with arterial and collector roads.

Newton Mayor Mike Hansen will be making two proclamations during the council meeting. The first proclamation will designate April 25 Arbor Day in Newton. The second proclamation will make the week of April 20-26 Administrative Professionals Week and April 23 Administrative Professionals Day in Newton.

The council will consider a resolution to approve services agreement with Sign Pro Designs for the design and installation of Get to Know Newton signage, vehicle wraps and window decals. Sign Pro and City staff will work together to create a Get to Know Newton sign package, which will be presented to the council for approval.

The council will consider a resolution authorizing payment to Michael Hupfer for investigative services related to Newton Fire Department issues. As a result of the vote of no confidence taken by the International Association of Firefighters Local 1457 with regard to Newton Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik, the city retained Michael Hupfer’s services to complete an investigation on the matters presented.

The services have been performed, and a final report has been received.

The council will vote on a resolution fixing May 5 for a public hearing on the proposed issuance of two different obligation bonds for essential corporate purposes.

The city is going to be bonding this spring, as it is considered the ideal time to refinance past bonds that can be grouped into the new issuance at lower interest rates. An analysis completed by the city’s bond advisor, Chip Schultz of Ruan Securities, indicated an opportunity to save money on the city’s 2007A series (totals $440,000) and 2009A series (totals $580,00).

The council will vote on a resolution fixing May 5 for a public hearing on the proposed issuance of up to $1,490,000 in general obligation bonds for urban renewal purposes.

The council gave its consensus to move forward with the process for issuing bonds for TIF funded projects during a Jan. 27 budget workshop.

This funding mechanism would not add anything to the City of Newton debt service levy, as the TIF districts would cover all of the costs. This portion of the bonding would total $1,490,000, with $30,000 of issuance costs included.

In other business:

• A public hearing on a resolution amending the North Central Urban Renewal Area Urban Renewal Plan. An amendment is now proposed to the plan, which cites anticipated upcoming bond projects in the district, in order to comply with a 2012 change in Iowa Code that mandated Urban Renewal Plans specifically list all projects and their costs. The council will vote on a resolution amending the plan.

• A public hearing on a resolution amending the East-Mart Economic Development Area Urban Renewal Plan. The proposed amendment to the East-Mart Urban Renewal Plan now identifies the costs of two proposed bonding projects: a sanitary sewer main extension project to better serve the northern UL facility and surrounding area and the TIF portion of the project to rehabilitate East 31st Street North roadway.

• A vote on a resolution amending the East-Mart Economic Development Area Urban Renewal Plan.

• A vote on a resolution approving the 2014-15 Non-Union Compensation Plan. The pay ranges in the plan have been increased by a 2 percent cost of living adjustment. The raise would become effective July 1.

• A vote on a resolution approving the Main Street Iowa Program Agreement.

• A vote on a resolution approving the purchase of three rental properties located at 608 S. Second Ave. W., 319 E. 12th St. N. and 315 E. 15th St. N. in Newton from William M. and Janet L. Plumb for the Newton Dangerous & Dilapidated Program.

• A vote on a resolution approving Telecommunications Licensing Agreement with Iowa Network Services located in West Des Moines. The line would supply a fiber network to the Key Co-op located on East 28th Street North. The fiber cable may also serve any other businesses that may want Iowa Network Services technology in this area. The licensing fee for the agreement is $2,245.80.

• A vote on a resolution amending Covenants for Fountain Hills Estates in Newton this spring. One of the hurdles that had prevented Venture from starting on this project sooner was the existence of protective covenants on the lots that require minimum limits on the size and types of housing that can be built in the subdivision. Now that the city owns all of the lots, those covenants can be removed.

• A vote on a resolution accepting completed work by Howe Excavating did the demolition of the structures at both 817 N. Third Ave. E. and 501 S. Second Ave. W. Public Works Director Keith Laube has signed the Statement of Completion form.

Staff writer Zach Johnson may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 425, or at zjohnson@newtondailynews.com.