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Newton City Council Agenda
March 16, 2026 - 6:00 PM
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101 W 4th St S, Newton, IA 50208 12/85/121.12
Pledge
Pledge of Allegiance
Call to Order
1. Roll Call
Presentation
2. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program - Kevin
Schnoebelen, CASA Program Coordinator, Division of Compliance and
Administration, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
3. Eagle Scout 5K Course Project Presentation - Noah Tremel
Citizen Participation
4. This is the time of the meeting that a citizen may address the Council.
After being recognized by the presiding officer, each person will be given
three (3) minutes to speak. Elected officials will take comments into
consideration; however, this time is not intended for a discussion or
entering into a dialogue. Elected officials and City staff will not answer
questions or debate a citizen during the Citizen Participation portion of
the meeting
Consent Agenda
5. March 2, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
6. Certify Assistant Fire Chief candidate list
7. Approve Liquor Licenses for the following: 2nd Ave Social at DMACC
Newton Campus, 600 N 2nd Ave W, for Special Event on March 28,
2026, Class C Retail Alcohol License; Elite Mart, LLC (formerly Shop n
Save), 404 S 11th Ave W, new ownership, Class E Retail Alcohol License
pending state and local approval
8. Approve 2026-2027 Cigarette/Tobacco/Nicotine/Vapor License for the
following: Elite Mart, LLC, 404 S 11th Ave W; Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, 1421
1st Ave E; and Hy-Vee Food Store, 1501 1st Ave E
9. Resolution Adopting 2026 S21 Supplement to the “Code of Ordinances
of the City of Newton, Iowa, 2025,” and Approving Distribution of the
Same to Code Subscribers
10. Resolution levying assessments for costs of nuisance abatement and
providing for the payment thereof (Schedule 26-05)
11. Resolution fixing the amounts to be assessed against individual private
properties for the abatement of nuisance violations (Schedule No. 26-06)

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12. Resolution approving a Five (5) year agreement and One (1) year
supplemental agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for
City maintenance of U.S. Highway 6
13. Resolution accepting completion of the 2025 Landfill Concrete Crushing
Project
14. Resolution authorizing the submittal of the USDOT Standard Title
VI/Non-Discrimination Assurances document and Iowa DOT Title VI Non-
Discrimination Agreement
15. Resolution Approving Payment to S&P Global Ratings for Services
Related to the 2026 Bonding
16. Resolution Approving a Property Tax Rebate for the Ex Nihilo Property
Located at 107 1st Ave W Within the North Central Urban Renewal Area
17. Resolution accepting the ISE Grant awarded for the emergency
replacement of the airport beacon
18. Resolution approving change order #1 for 1st Ave E and E 12th St
Drainage Improvements Project
19. Resolution Setting a Public Hearing for the Sale of 1219 South 4th
Avenue East, Newton, Jasper County, Iowa
20. Resolution Setting a Date For a Public Hearing on the Proposed Property
Tax Levy for Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
21. Approve Bills
Public Hearing
22. Public Hearing on Proposed Adoption of an Ordinance Granting to
Interstate Power and Light Company (Alliant Energy) a 25-Year Non-
Exclusive Electric Franchise
• The public hearing is a time of discussion on the potential to
adopt a franchise fee on Alliant Energy bills at 2% in the initial
year, 4% in the second year and 5% in the third year.
• The attached ordinance is pending legal review and is subject to
change.
23. First Consideration of an Ordinance Granting to Interstate Power and
Light Company (Alliant Energy) a 25-year Non-Exclusive Electric
Franchise
24. Public Hearing on Proposed Adoption of an Ordinance Establishing a
Franchise Fee on Energy Providers Operating in the City of Newton,
Iowa
• This public hearing is for discussion on adoption of an ordinance
implementing a franchise fee on Black Hills Energy bills at 2% in
the initial year, 4% in the second year and 5% in the third year.
25. First Consideration of an Ordinance Establishing a Franchise Fee on
Energy Providers Operating in the City of Newton, Iowa
Ordinance
26. Second consideration of an Ordinance Amending the Code of
Ordinances, City of Newton, Iowa, 2025, Title VII, Chapter 70, Section

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70.15, "Traffic and Parking Schedules Adopted by Reference", to make
changes to street parking in the 100-200 Block of East Twenty-First
Street South
• With the expansion of the tennis courts at Aurora Park and the
loss of a parking area, the Traffic Safety Committee was asked
to reevaluate the current parking in the 100–200 block of E 21st
St S.
• The TSC recommends restricting parking on the east side and
allowing parking on the west side of E 21st St S due to safety
concerns related to tennis court users having to walk across the
street.
27. Second Consideration on an Ordinance amending City of Newton Code
of Ordinances Title IX: General Regulations, Chapter 94: Public
Nuisances and Title XV, Land Usage, Chapter 158: Zoning pertaining to
Urban Chickens & Ducks
• Citizens have requested code changes that would allow for an
expanded allowance of chickens/ducks on residential properties
in Newton.
• The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed and discussed
the matter of urban chickens/ducks.
• On October 21st, the Planning and Zoning Commission had a
vote of 3-1 on the ordinance.
Resolution
28. Resolution approving Eagle Scout Project at Maytag Park
• Noah Tremel proposes to trail blaze a 5K course at Maytag Park
for his Eagle Scout Project
• At their meeting on February 9, 2026, the Park Board reviewed
the proposed project and recommends approval.
29. Resolution updating the Cemetery Rules and Regulations for Union
Cemetery and Memorial Park Cemetery and Fee Schedule
• In order to ensure that burials occur during daylight hours to
maintain a safe working environment, it is desirable to amend the
internment hours at the cemeteries.
• Additionally, removing Sundays and City Holidays from eligible
interment days will result in a cost savings to the City by reducing
staff overtime hours.
• Finally, this resolution adjusts fees related to late arrivals and
weekend/holidays and addresses the spreading of ashes on
cemetery grounds.
30. Resolution approving the Newton Sanitary Landfill fee schedule

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• Thirteen governmental entities own the Newton Sanitary Landfill
under a 28-E agreement, with the City of Newton as the Landfill
Operator.
• During the Landfill Budget Workshop held on February 11, 2026,
staff proposed increasing the minimum board price to dispose of
refuse by $2.00 per cash sale, from $10.00 to $12.00.
• The increase was voted on and received support from all 28-E
landfill associates.
31. Resolution awarding contract for the Aurora Park Parking Improvements
Project
• The existing Aurora Park parking lot in the northwest corner of
the park was found to encroach on the neighboring property and
was removed.
• Additional parking was needed for park visitors, and this project
will increase parking to approximately 38 spaces.
• The addition of ADA-compliant ramps and sidewalks will provide
safe, accessible access to tennis and pickleball courts.
32. Resolution approving the purchase of musical play equipment for
Harmony Park using funds donated for the purpose
• Newton Main Street has secured funds for the purpose of
purchasing interactive musical instrument equipment at Harmony
Park. This resolution authorizes the purchase and installation of
the musical instrument equipment at Harmony Park using
donated funds.
33. Resolution Authorizing and Approving a Loan Agreement, Providing for
the Issuance of $5,455,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose
Bonds, Series 2026A and Providing for the Levy of Taxes to Pay the
Same
• City Council held Public Hearings on December 2, 2025
regarding the issuance of the 2026A General Obligation
Corporate Purpose bonds. The final step in the bonding process
is issuance of the bonds.
• The total amount of bond proceeds for equipment and projects is
$5,622,000, which includes a new ladder truck, inclusive
playground features, public safety equipment, and stormwater
improvements.
34. Resolution Approving Pay Plan Adjustment for the Finance Officer
position and Eliminating the Sr Financial Analyst Position in the
Administration Department
• The Finance Officer will be retiring on April 6, 2026. The current
Sr Financial Analyst has been training to fill this opening for
several years.

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• This resolution changes the pay plan range for the Finance
Officer beginning April 7, 2026 to a Range 7 from Range 10 and
also includes a plan for goals and benchmarks.
• The resolution also removes the Sr Financial Analyst position
from the City's pay plan. All changes have been budgeted in the
FY26 and FY27 budgets.
Staff Report
35. Staffing at Westwood Clubhouse - Brad Sponseller, Westwood
Operations Manager
Mayor/Council Comments
36. Mayor and Council Comments
Closed Session
37. Closed Session under Iowa Code Section 21.5.1.j, to discuss the
purchase or sale of particular real estate only where premature
disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the
governmental body would have to pay for that property or reduce the
price the governmental body would receive for that property. The minutes
and the audio recording of a session closed under this paragraph shall
be available for public examination when the transaction discussed is
completed
Return to Open Session
38. Return to Open Session
Adjourn
The City of Newton is pleased to provide reasonable accommodations, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, for those
individuals or groups who require assistance to be able to participate in the public meeting. Should special accommodations be
required, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting, at 641-792-2787 to arrange for
accommodations to be provided.
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