March 19, 2024

Council passes ordinance to address trash on porches, decks

In an effort to improve community aesthetics, the Newton City Council approved including unenclosed porches and decks to areas that need to be free of garbage and trash at its Monday meeting. The ordinance was on its second reading when the rules were suspended and it was formally adopted.

“In lieu of the seasons starting to change and moving into winter, I think it would be appropriate to move this ordinance ahead more quickly,” Council Member Noreen Otto said.

Currently, failing to clean up and remove garbage and trash on a property is a violation of the nuisance code. As the city continues to look for better tools to address unkempt property, it identified needing to update the code to include unenclosed porches and decks.

The code will now read: “The depositing of, maintaining, permitting or failing to remove, garbage, trash, rubbish, bottles, can or other refuse outside of a building on any property within they city, including large quantities of organic debris and materials, which accumulated by other than natural means, except neatly maintained compost piles. ‘Outside of a building’ includes unenclosed decks and porches.”

Also approved was the purchase of a new ambulance for the Newton Fire Department. The ambulance, which is a 2016 Ford E-450, will be purchased from Lifeline Manufacturing at a price of $158,900.

“The new ambulance is the longer bed version. This is the last one of the 2003s that had the short beds that will be replaced,” Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik said.

The ambulance will be paid for from proceeds from the 2015-2016 bonding project.

Stop signs will be added at the intersection of South 11th Avenue East and East 14th Street South after council approved the addition on its third consideration. Citizens had expressed safety concerns about the intersection and it was analyzed and presented to the council in an ordinance that was adopted on Aug. 3.

In other business:

• Council approved the resurfacing project of the tennis courts at Aurora Park.

• Mayor Mike Hansen praised the city staff, specifically City Administrator Bob Knabel and Management Analyst Natalie Umsted for their presentation on the Get to Know Newton branding program at the Iowa League of Cities meeting along with the victory of Newton in the inaugural People’s Choice Award.

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