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Covenants, Codes, and Chickens on City Council Agenda
By Gina Anderson
May. 29, 2025 12:00 am
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
The New London City Council met in regular session on May 12, 2025 at the city office. All members were present with Travis Benz and Scott Campbell joining by phone. They approved the agenda, the consent agenda, and no one addressed the council in open forum.
The meeting opened with a public hearing to take citizen questions or comments on the preliminary and final plats for the third addition to the Pine Street subdivision. Hearing none, the public hearing was closed. The council approved resolution #457 for the preliminary and final plats for the third addition to the Pine Street subdivision.
In reports, Mayor Miller wants to set up a meeting to discuss new playground equipment at the city park and the finances for it.
In old business, they took the following actions:
- Approved the covenants for the third addition to the Pin Street subdivision.
- Approved Jason Smith Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to purchase a new furnace for the H. J. Nugen Library basement for $4,359.
- Approved the purchase the east 60’ of lots 2 and 3, block 1, New London Land Company’s second addition from IAT 17, LLC for $900.
The council then turned to new business. They took the following actions:
- Approved pay estimate #1 to Hickey Contracting Company for road and sewer construction for the Pine Street subdivision addition for $40,981.03.
- Approved the amendment to the engineering services agreement with French Reneker Associates for the Pine Street subdivision third addition for engineering services during construction for $42,000.
- Approved engagement agreement with Ahlers & Cooney for the purchase, sale, and development agreement for lot 6 in the third edition to the Pine Street subdivision with Joshua & Kelsey Bradley.
- Approved engagement agreement with Ahlers & Cooney for the purchase, sale, and development agreement for lots 2-4 in the third edition to the Pine Street subdivision with Adrian Wilson, Connie McManis, and David McManis.
- Approved the proposal from LL Pelling to seal coat various streets in New London for $69,797.65.
- Approved the purchase of new tasers for the police department from Axon for $6,532.40.
- Approved resolution #458 setting a public hearing on an ordinance amending the code of ordinance of the city of New London to adopt the 2021 international building, residential, and property maintenance codes, to adopt the state of Iowa electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes, to amend said codes, to adopt building permit fees, to repeal chapter 147 fire zone, and to amend chapter 150 building numbering.
- Approved Tony Kempker and Kyle Wagner to the Planning & Zoning commission. Wagner’s term ends on April 30, 2027 and Kempker’s ends on April 30, 2030.
- Approved Stephen and Caitlin Thomas to have six chickens (no roosters) at 106 Hillcrest Dr.
- · Approved the lot selling process in the third addition to the Pine Street Subdivision. It will allow buyers to purchase up to two lots at the same time, but they cannot purchase any additional lots in the third addition until the two lots previously purchased have residences framed up and weather tight. The Council will require buyers to complete construction of the residences within eighteen months from the closing date of the lot purchase and will not extend or stagger the completion date.
The council discussed paving and installation of the sanitary sewer on Dover Circle. The mayor made the council aware that there is a developer interested in purchasing the north part of Dover Circle and building spec homes on it. The developer has asked if the city would consider paying for or helping pay for a paved concrete road and installing the sanitary sewer. While the council is not in favor of paving the already seal coated road, they would consider helping with the sewer. The council would need updated costs. They would also like to meet with the developer before they make any commitment.
The council discussed adopting a shipping container ordinance, The council would be open to adopting one in the city’s zoning code. A new ordinance would grandfather in existing containers and be adopted at the next regular meeting in June.
The council discussed amending chapter 135 of the city code that addresses how contractors are required to repair city streets that they disturb while completing utility construction. They feel more specific guidelines are needed.
The last topic concerned employee wage increases for 2025-2026 and felt that a 3% increase would be appropriate. Other topics discussed were employee evaluations, partial self-funding of health insurance, the rising cost of health insurance premiums, and whether or not employees should be required to pay a portion of the premiums.
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. The next regular meeting of the city council will be June 16, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the New London city office. There will be a special city council meeting at 6 p.m. on June 23, 2025 in the New London city office.
