March 18, 2024

Slight recycling fee hike expected for Newton

Collection hours could change

Following recent fluctuations in the cost to dispose recyclables, the city council will look to amend the disposal and collection agreement with Dodd’s Trash Hauling and Recycling, Inc. at Monday’s meeting.

The proposed amendment would require garbage collection to occur between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. with recycling following between 9 p.m. and noon the following day. Currently, garbage is collected between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m., with recycling collected between 12:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

With the change, Dodd’s can reduce costs by collecting recyclables earlier in the evening which helps with staffing and allows them to utilize the same trucks.

However, the rates for Dodd’s to process recyclables is growing. The additional cost to the city is estimated to be $12,000 to $14,000 per year, which results in a 20 cent per month increase per residence. Even with that increase, Newton would still maintain the lowest garbage and recycling cost of comparable Iowa cities.

A former D&D property is also up for sale at the Monday meeting. The sale of the property, 326 E. 11th St. N., will have a public hearing before being accepted for purchase.

Originally bought for $4,000, an additional $7,500 was spent to complete demolition work on the lot. According to the Jasper County Assessor, the lot is 50 feet by 134 feet and is not considered to be a prime candidate for redevelopment because of its narrow width.

Following the sale, all funds received will be returned to the D&D program for use on additional acquisitions and/or demolitions. It would also return the property to the tax base and eliminate the city’s maintenance responsibilities and costs associated with it.

Also on the agenda, the council plans to return to the topic of the South Second Avenue Street improvements project, which it tabled at the Feb. 2 meeting. Following parking concerns from Terry Sallis, owner of Integrated Treatment Services, the council requested city staff to work on another option for the reconstruction plan.

Updated plans and specifications have been prepared and are ready to be presented to the council and then placed out for bid. The project will include pavement scarification and asphalt resurfacing, reconstruction on the north and south curb/gutter, storm sewer upgrades and lighting and pedestrian curb ramp improvement at intersections. The engineer’s estimated cost of construction totals $1.5 million.

Wrapping up the action items, the council will look to approve an agreement concerning the relocation of Avalanche Composites, a fiberglass product manufacturer currently in Newton.

Since opening in 2013, Avalanche Composites has operated in a warehouse owned by Newton Manufacturing. Following Newton Manufacturing declaring bankruptcy, Avalanche was unable to reach an agreement to remain in their current location but found a new home in the former DeLong Sporting Goods factory building in Grinnell.

The City of Grinnell has asked Newton for written permission to offer the company a modest TIF incentive package consisting of three years of $15,000 property tax rebates. The request was made to follow state legislation passed in 2012 stating cities in neighboring counties must first contact the city in which the business is located to gain permission to offer incentives.

In an effort to build better communications with Grinnell, city staff recommends passing the resolution.

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