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Home / New London Journal News
Fundraisers, Fireworks, and Feedback
New London Council handles it all
By Gina Anderson
Aug. 28, 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 Aug. 18, 2025. All members were present, with Travis Benz joining via phone. They were joined by an audience of several citizens. The council approved the agenda and the consent agenda as presented.
They opened with a public hearing that garnered no citizen questions and/or comments on the proposal to enter into a purchase, sale, and development agreement with Joshua Bradley and Kelsey Bradley related to a project within the South Pine Street Urban Renewal Area, which includes the potential sale of the city’s interest in real property. Receiving no other bids, hey approved resolution #466 selling lot 6, Pine Street subdivision, third addition to the Bradleys.
The council then took citizen questions and /or comments on proposed ordinance #84 amending chapter 41-public health and safety. Hearing none, the council approved ordinance #84 amending provisions pertaining to public health and safety chapter 41-section 41.12 fireworks.
In open forum, Doug Boecker asked some questions about the nuisance abatement and if Jack Swarm would be the inspector. He feels the community needs to be more involved in the decision-making and wants to know where the money will come from to pay him.
The Mayor related that the council has already approved Swarm as the nuisance inspector and have adopted the appropriate ordinances and building code. He noted that citizens elect the council to make decisions on their behalf and to act in the best interest of the city.
Marcus Lane doesn’t understand why the police can’t enforce the nuisance code and other ordinances. The Mayor said the council considered their options for nuisance enforcement for six months and this is what was decided.
Denise DeJaynes brought her concerns for her property at 300 S. Walnut St. and if it is on the council’s list for nuisance abatement. Her daughter and a friend live in the home. Her daughter has serious medical issues and cannot afford major improvements to the property. She was assured by the council that her property was not on a list for nuisance abatement.
The council questioned bills from L.L. Pelling that were higher than the proposal. Mike Phillips Jr. explained the discrepancy. The W. Adams St. project needed more gravel than originally projected and more patching was needed to prepare the designated streets for seal coating.
In old business, the council took the following actions:
- Approved amendment to the short-term lease with Q3 Contracting extending it through Nov. 30, 2025.
- The retaining wall on the Walnut St. side of the day care center needs repair. The city repaired the retaining wall at 507 S. Walnut St. in 2019. While the council is a co-signer on the center’s mortgage, they don’t think they are now responsible for all retaining wall repairs. Mayor Miller and council member Berner will meet with the center’s board to discuss the issue.
- There was a discussion concerning selling commercial lot at 606 S. Pine St. to Blaire Barton and Scott Severson for a car wash. They have offered $20,000 to purchase the lot and after checking with the city attorney, the council has determined this is an acceptable offer for this business.
In new business, the council took the following actions:
- Approved pay estimate #4 to Hickey Contracting Co. for the Pine Street Subdivision third addition in the amount of $190,034.88.
- Approved resolution #467 authorizing the city clerk to transfer funds for fiscal year 2026.
- Approved Cathy Hopkins and Mike Dickey to the Board of Adjustments with terms ending Aug. 31, 2030.
- The council discussed making W. Thompson St. and the 600 block of S. Walnut no parking. This stretch of road is dangerous for traffic when vehicles are parked on it, especially during the school year. They would like to draft an ordinance making it “no parking” to be approved at the Sept. meeting.
- The council discussed making E. Main St. from Elm St. to Ash St. no truck or trailer parking. They are hesitant to ban it all together. They will enforce the current parking limit of 48 hours and issue tickets parked beyond the limit. They may revisit adopting a new parking regulation if the problem continues.
- The public safety committee will meet with Sheriff McNamee to discuss amending the 28E agreement with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office for Supplemental Law Enforcement.
- The council discussed fundraising to purchase playground equipment costing approximately $200,000 to $250,000. Council member Sines volunteered to take the lead on the fundraising activities. She mentioned some ideas she has.
- Approved sponsorship of Oktoberfest on Oct. 4, 2025 as a fundraiser for new playground equipment pending the approval of the city attorney.
- The council discussed continuing the sidewalk on S. Pine St. from W. Thompson St. to Dollar General and reviewed cost estimates for the work. The Council decided to pave the section of sidewalk in front of 600 S. Pine St. and put gravel along the rest of the pathway until more properties are built. This will be an addendum to the third addition to the South Pine Street Subdivision project.
- Approved reinvesting general funds in the amounts of $7,140 and $47,000, capital improvement funds in the amounts of $62,650, $66,090, and $66,440 in 182-day CDs at Danville State Savings Bank at 4.50%.
- The council decided not to give Josh Dean an additional two weeks of vacation in lieu of the raise for the grade II wastewater certification. The council felt making this exception could cause issues in the future.
- The Council discussed selling lot 1 of the first addition to the Pine Street Subdivision to H & A Contracting for $10,000 and agreed to start the selling process.
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. The next regular meeting of the New London City Council will be Sept. 8, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the city office.
