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Home / New London Journal News
NL City Council Has Organizational Meeting
By Gina Anderson
Dec. 19, 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 on Dec. 9, 2024 with all members present. They approved the agenda and the consent agenda.
Henry County Sheriff, Rich McNamee addressed the council in open forum. He just wanted to let the council know that he and Jesse Bell are attending the county council meetings as they did before COVID-19. He made it clear he had no particular agenda, but he wants to keep the lines of communication open and have transparency.
In reports, Councilman Berner asked Chief Wilka why the background check for Officer Berghold went through the Child Care Center. Wilka explained that they run background checks often; they have an account set up; and it was easier to use them. He reported that Berghold passed the preliminary testing for the academy. He will start at ILEA (Iowa Law Enforcement Academy) on Jan. 6, 2025.
Mayor Miller reminded the council that they will be completing the city budget together this year. This will allow them to become more familiar with the city’s finances. Work sessions will be set up at the January meeting.
In old business, the council tackled several items. They discussed the finances for the third phase of the Pine Street Subdivision, paving W Adams St., and the sidewalk on S Pine St. They reviewed a summary of the cash and CDs on hand, the current debt from the subdivision, and the expected tax income from the subdivision. They made the following decisions:
- The best course of action would be to construct a sidewalk from Adams St. to Thompson St. during the third phase of the subdivision.
- The sidewalk construction from Thompson St. south to Dollar General would be either after the lots are developed or by the end of 2026, whichever comes first.
- The consensus was that the W Adams St. paving is too cost prohibitive at this time. The council agrees that the road has problems. Mike Phillips will discuss the road’s issues with the with the seal coat company to see if there is an economical alternative to correct the emulsion issue.
The Council then took up new business. They took the following actions:
- Approved resolution #445 of a release of the purchase, sale, and development agreement concerning lot 9 of the Pine St. Subdivision, 2nd addition.
- Approved the Annual Urban Renewal report for FY 2024.
- Mayor appointments — Mayor Pro Tem — Dan Berner and Police Chief — Ryan Wilka.
- Council appointments — City clerk, Treasurer, and Zoning administrator — Kasi Howard; Deputy clerk — Patsy Dillon; City attorney — Lynch Dallas; Health officer — Sylvia Graber; Henry County emergency management & 911 board — Ben Carter & Kirk Miller (alternative); DMC solid waste — Paul Lorber; Official newspaper — The New London Journal; Official depositories — Danville State Savings Bank; Mt. Pleasant Area Development and SE Iowa Regional Planning Commission — Kirk Miller.
- Committee Co-Chair Members — Budget & Finance — Dawn Sines and Dan Berner; Park & Recreation — Travis Benz & Sines; Public Works — Benz & Brad Helmerson; and Public Safety — Scott Campbell & Berner.
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. The next regular City Council meeting is Jan. 13, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the City Office.
