March 28, 2024

Camper parking discussed for a final time at council meeting

It was once again a packed room to discuss camper parking at the Newton City Council meeting Monday. Most citizens who spoke to the council expressed their confusion and disappointment with the subject being back on the agenda for the council to discuss.

“Your mayor is still in favor of option number seven that we left here with Feb. 16 and frankly, I don’t see any reason to change that. There were some questions regarding some folks in the community that have contacted council members, and in fairness to those folks and in fairness to the elected officials here, I’ve allowed another opportunity to have this item as a discussion item,” Mayor Mike Hansen said.

Option seven was to not restrict the location of the camper on private property, but require it be on a hard surface.

He said after Monday there will be an ordinance that will be brought before the council in some shape or form that will be discussed by the council. City Administrator Bob Knabel said some of the issues presented after the last discussion were the consistency of what was being talked about versus some of the current code sections. Some were the location of where the camper could sit if it was right next to the property line or if it had to be 25 feet back and the appearance of the camper consistent with the goal of the comprehensive plan to maintain aesthetic appeal in neighborhoods.

Several citizens spoke to the council, expressing they too want nuisance campers to be cleaned up but to not lump all camper owners together.

“I am disappointed and confused that the camper boat ordinance is back on the agenda for discussion again tonight. According to the Feb. 16 minutes, council agreed that the intent was to reduce complaints and resolve unsightly issues. Option seven was preferred by not restricting location on private property but requiring hard surface and reviewing complaints on an individual basis,” Terri Rock said.

Council Member Lin Chapé said she was in favor of option seven with the hard surface addition and adding motorhomes to the list. Council Member Craig Trotter was concerned with how to deal with blighted campers, asking if they would fall into the nuisance code or not.

Hard-surface restrictions were brought up by Council Member Steve Mullen. He was not sure if gravel would be suitable if it was not kept up, but he did say that he was not present for the main discussion held at the previous meeting. Council Member Jeff Price favored how they left it during the last discussion and Council Members Noreen Otto and Evelyn George were not present at the meeting.

With the discussion of the subject wrapped up, the council, along with citizens, can look forward to an ordinance to be presented at a future meeting.

In other council action Monday:

• A demolition contract was awarded to Iowa Demolition, Inc. of Des Moines for the former Waterworks garage building, 216 N. Third Ave. W., and the former Newton Seed Store, 224 N. Third Ave. W. The bid presented of $108,000 was well under the projected $147,000 estimated by the engineer. Asbestos abatement work was also awarded to Environmental Property solutions of Urbandale for the same property at the price of $22,000.

• Former D&D properties 315 N. Fourth Ave. E. and 321 W. Third St. S. were sold for $5,000 and $2,750 respectively.

• Property at 1500 E. Sixth St. S. was purchased for the D&D program for $4,000.

• James Klier was appointed to the Park Board through July 2018.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com