Familiar items adorn New London?s agenda

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? Several familiar items adorn the New London City Council agenda for tonight (Tuesday).

Three items make up the old business section of the meeting. The items include discussing reducing the speed limit on East Main Street, developing five residential lots on West Adams Street and constructing a skate park east of the baseball diamonds on East Cleveland and Main streets.

Last month, the council discussed reducing the speed limit on East Main Street. Residents in the area believe traffic enters town at too high a speed and brought the subject to the council?s attention several months ago. City Clerk Kasi Howard said city leaders spoke with representatives from the county, as it is a county road that turns into Main Street, about moving their speed zones out further. Howard said the county was amenable to the request.

The city should make a decision during the meeting as to whether they will reduce the speed limit.

The city will also discuss building a skate park. Last month, young residents of the city presented conceptual drawings of what they would like the skate park to be.

Skate boarding has become a popular pastime for children and teenagers in New London. This summer, the skaters expressed concern to city leaders about there not being a safe place to skate within city limits. The council agreed that the skaters being able to safely enjoy their sport was a concern and agreed to continue the conversation on the project.

Lastly, within old business, council members will once again discuss developing five residential lots on West Adams Street.

In March, after years of discussion, the council decided if the city were to begin developing any kind of infrastructure for a subdivision, the decision to move ahead should be made by the people. However, in April, the kibosh was put on a public vote and talks about development went by the wayside. That was until August, when Councilman Kirk Miller said he knew of two individuals interested in building houses on West Adams Street.

At that point, the city began discussion about what it would take, financially, to build infrastructure (sewer lines) to the block. At that point, it was estimated at nearly $75,000.

The council also batted around the idea of making the area a TIF (tax increment financing) district. Last month, the council invited a member of the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SERPC) to explain the nuances of a TIF district.

Tonight, the council will continue that discussion and residents will see if the item will be put on the backburner once more.

Other items on Tuesday?s agenda include amending the open burning restriction ordinance and hiring Brian Kleinkopf as a public works employee.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m., in the City Office.