Crime-Free Multi-Housing program moves forward

With only praise for the work the city has done, the Crime-Free Multi-Housing program passed its first reading by the city council at Monday’s meeting. Since having two workshop sessions to discuss issues with landlords, a few changes were made to the original program.

“There were changes made to the training and the background checks,” City Administrator Bob Knabel said.

The provider of the education portion of the program is now at the discretion of the landlord. They must, however, be able to prove that the training was certified and accredited.

A program will still be provided by the city in three phases for those wishing to participate in that way. The first year, those rental properties with more than 20 units will be required to get education. Year two, those with eight to 20 units will be required, and in year three, has those with seven or fewer units needing proof of education.

“Background checks were not mandatory to be done by the city but left to the landlords to show proof that they have completed those,” Knabel said

The city will provide landlords with information on what should be done in the background checks, and if the landlord so chooses, the city will perform the background checks itself.

Mayor Mike Hansen said the ordinance under consideration does not have a monetary element to it. To add any fees, a resolution must be brought before the council at a later meeting.

“After sitting through our last meeting and this ongoing series, I am very impressed with how everybody is working together and we have made some great progress on this,” said Dennis Combs, a Central Iowa Property Association member.

Combs went on to say the piece that has become a problem for him in moving forward with a crime-free Newton is the court system. He said he has heard of eviction after eviction tossed out of the courts.

“We are not able to find anybody who will discuss with us how we should write the lease properly ... to try and remove these terrible tenants,” Combs said.

Hansen and council members said they would work with the landlords to help answer questions and fix any problems they were having.

Also approved Monday was the purchase of a new $39,259.47 three-quarter ton pickup for the fire marshal. Currently, the fire marshal drives a 1996 Chevrolet Suburban.

Through the 2015 bond issue, the council approved the replacement, with the idea that the vehicle that could haul other equipment such as dirty equipment from fire scenes. The truck will be purchased from Noble Auto Group in Newton.

In other business:

• Council accepted the property at 118 W. 10th St. N. after the city had petitioned the court for ownership on the abandoned building. The only cost for the city came from court and legal fees at a price of $2,450.

• As a part of the D&D program, the city purchased the property at 1400 E. Sixth St. S. for $4,500.

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