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Home / New London Journal News
NL City Council Accepts Two Resignations
By Gina Anderson
Oct. 24, 2024 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 Oct. 14 with all members present. They approved the agenda and the consent agenda.
In a public hearing, the council entertained citizen questions and comments on ordinance #79. Receiving none, the council approved ordinance #79 amending provisions pertaining to parking regulations — Section 69.08: No Parking Zones — and waiving the second and third readings. The motion passed.
During open forum, council member Helmerson related that he had been approached by an individual who is interested in building a combination house and shop out of metal siding. This is prohibited by city code. After looking around town, Helmerson noticed there are several similar structures constructed and used for this purpose. He remarked that the city may have to consider changing its code.
During reports, Mayor Miller expressed his preference that the entire council go through the 2025-2026 budget rather than just the finance committee.
In old business, the council discussed the third phase of the Pine Street subdivision. There are eight lots currently without homes. Not wanting to potentially lose out on tax increment financing which will help fund the third phase, the council agreed to hold off on the third phase for a year in order to get more houses built on those lots.
The West Adams Street paving project and affording the improvements was the next topic. The council will proceed with the paving project and will pay for it with funds from the road use tax and local-option sales tax.
The council then turned to new business. They took the following actions:
- Approved an amendment to the engineering service agreement with French Reneker Associates to add sidewalks from the intersection of Adams St. and Pine St. to Maple St. for an additional $4,500.
- Approved resolution #437 temporary closing of a public way — Trunk or Treat. This includes the 100 block of North Maple Street and 300 block of West Washington Street will be closed off Oct. 31, 2024 from 5-7 p.m. for this event.
- Approved resolution #438 amending resolution #434 authorizing the city clerk to transfer funds for FY 2025.
- Approved reinvesting various general funds, capital improvement funds, and sewer funds in 182-day CDs at Danville State Savings Bank at 4.5%.
- Approved the community service agreement with the NL Holiday Stroll committee. The council will give $500 to the organization for Regan’s Face Painting.
- Approved the resignation of Drew Garr as an equipment operator.
- Approved the resignation of Kasi Howard as the city clerk/treasurer.
The council considered the memo from Jack Swarm with Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) considering drafting a building, rental, and nuisance code and providing services to enforce and inspect properties. The council asked Swarm to write a contract that includes drafting these codes, providing inspections for the rental and building codes, and enforcing the city’s nuisance code. The council asked that the charges for inspections be on a per inspection basis rather than a flat annual fee with a cap on the amount SEIRPC can charge the city annually.
The Council reviewed the FY ending 2024 annual financial report.
The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Nov. 11, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the city office.
