City council continues tackling fireworks ban

The city's ongoing fireworks debate is already expected to garner a long and heated discussion from residents and members of the Newton City Council during its meeting Monday night, but then staff had added another 40-plus items to the agenda.

After two fairly productive conversations at previous meetings, in which city council members approved both the first and second considerations of an ordinance amending the city fireworks code to effectively ban the use of fireworks within city limits, the time has come for the city to entertain the third and final consideration.

To date, six residents in total have shared their thoughts with the council at the Monday evening meetings. Opinions of those citizens who publicly voiced their concerns were split 50-50 — three were largely in favor of the ban and three were strongly opposed.

City council members, on the other hand, are not entirely split on the issue. Thus far, Mark Hallam and Craig Trotter as the only two on the council to vote against the ban. Evelyn George, Dean Stonner, Steve Mullan and Lin Chapé have all voted to ban fireworks use in city limits.

City staff recommend the ban “in order to enhance the health and safety of residents, reduce incidents of property damage and to mitigate noise issues.”

Airport Fuel Tank Project

Before future taxiway and apron projects can be considered at the Newton Airport as part of the Airport Improvement Plan, it was determined the fuel tanks and fuel dispensers would need to be relocated.

Newton City Council will hold a public hearing to discuss the item. According to the agenda, the city engineer reviewed possible bids and recommended the city award contract to Unified Contracting Services for the amount of $510,620.

After the public hearing, the council will vote in a resolution to decide whether to approve the contract for the Airport Fuel Tank Project.

Pool and golf course fees

At the Dec. 5 Newton Park Board meeting, Community Services Manager Brian Laube proposed substantial fee changes to both the Maytag Pool and Westwood Golf Course. Members of the park board reviewed and recommended approval of the proposed changes.

The revisions only affect Westwood Golf Course, Maytag Pool and parks fee schedules. Council must approve the proposed fee alterations in order for the changes to go into effect.

Park facilities fees are typically reviewed every year.

Holiday lighting expenditures

The holiday lights display at Maytag Park is still available for citizens to enjoy come nightfall. The project, proposed by Parks Operations Assistant Superintendent Jamie Murphy, was a joint collaboration between the city’s parks and recreation department, Friends of Newton Parks and Clemon-Maki Insurance.

Friends of Newton Parks have agreed to cover the expenses for the project. Council will take action on a resolution approving the $7,500 expenditures — utilizing general funds — for the holiday lighting display at Maytag Park, with the anticipation that Friends of Newton Park “will reimburse the city with funds to cover expenses of the project.”

Hotel Maytag amendment No. 5

While renovating the former Hotel Maytag, the developer of Hotel Maytag Investors, LLC has “identified certain unexpected costs that will be incurred in the course of renovating the commercial and retail portions of the project” and as such has requested a fifth amendment to its initial project agreement.

The amendment, if approved by the Newton City Council, would provide a $150,000 economic development grant on or before April 30, 2019, in order to pay for the additional renovation costs of the city-owned property.

The city entered into the redevelopment agreement on Oct. 2, 2017. Since then, the agreement has been amended on Oct. 13, 2017; Dec. 18, 2017; April 3, 2018; and May 8, 2018.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com