NEWTON MAYOR: ‘The state of our city is strong’

Editor’s note: The following is Newton Mayor Mike Hansen’s word-for-word state of the city address.

Members of Council, members of this administration, our outstanding City employees, and our City residents, it is without question that 2020 was expected to be a year of continued progress and forward momentum. With new projects underway, partnerships continuing to grow, and economic prosperity continuing to rise.

Everything changed in a matter of days as we unexpectedly braved an unforeseeable global crisis. The coronavirus pandemic. Suddenly, time stood still, and we began to suffer significant losses. We have mourned the loss of friends, family, and community members -- not just here in our City but throughout our state and across our nation. With our partners, including the Jasper County Emergency Management Agency and Jasper County Health Department, we strove to protect our community’s health and safety. We also worked with other partners to do our best to minimize the economic impact on our businesses.

Despite the challenges we faced, our community pulled together. Residents supported our local businesses like never before. Companies and organizations came together to support each other creatively. In partnership with the Newton Development Corporation, we launched the Business Assistance Program in May. We were able to give out over $128,000 to businesses that were struggling.

The Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce and Newton Main Street partnered to provide safe alternatives to some of Newton’s favorite traditions, such as the Newton High School 2020 Graduate Parade and Scoop the Loop event. They worked together, alongside City staff, to publish a Newton Reopening Toolkit. Newton Main Street continued to host the Newton Farmers’ Market and worked with our downtown businesses to promote their storefronts.

It seemed like we were on a path to a ‘new normal.’ And then the unthinkable happened. In the middle of a global pandemic, a derecho hit the heart of Iowa on August 10. The physical damage caused by widespread, destructive straight-line winds was unlike anything I have ever witnessed. The storm affected every single home, business, and building - every person - in our community. Despite the destruction and devastation, our community pulled together again. Your city employees – public works, first responders, law enforcement – jumped into action immediately. They began the long, challenging process of assessing damage and getting the City’s essential services and infrastructure back up and running. As well as communicating with residents as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Neighbors began helping neighbors as soon as it was safe – whether it was clean up, a cool drink, a place to rest, or compassionate conversations. Our utility partners brought in teams from all over the country to get the community powered-up again. And the businesses and organizations in our community, despite everything that had already happened this year, helped the community in a variety of ways – free meals, cooling stations, clean-up crews, and so much more.

Yes, this year has been challenging. We’ve faced adversity almost every step of the way – whether from a pandemic or a natural disaster. But adversity often comes with opportunity and the promise of a better tomorrow, a better month, a better year.

Through it all, we have been able to continue to provide essential services to our residents and businesses as a local government. We have never wavered in our commitment to maintaining a sound budget. We were able to keep essential services by doing something this administration does very well. We budget, we invest, and we save to ensure we can continue to build a vibrant city and community. A reorganization of departments and relocation of several departments will prepare us to continue to provide excellent customer service to all.

The Newton Fire Department responded to 3,476 calls for service in 202; 3078 were EMS-related, and 398 were fire-related. Over 200 patients that the Fire Department transported were confirmed or suspected positive with COVID-19 related illness. In the continuing efforts to provide a safe community for all residents and visitors, the Newton Police Department reported a 27% decrease in reported property crime and a 12% decrease in all crimes. The officers responded to 17,694 calls for service in 2020. Without a doubt, our first responders did indeed answer the call of duty during 2020.

The Newton Public Library worked diligently to expand its physical collection this year. It added and circulated board games, STEAM kits, Wi-Fi Hotspots, and graphic novels for all ages. Library staff added curbside service, digital library cards, and virtual programs to allow residents and patrons of the Library safe access to resources and programs throughout the year. ,The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program has grown during the pandemic. Parents had more time to spend reading with ten program finishers in 2020 and many new registrations. This ongoing program encourages parents to make reading to their child a daily habit.

The City worked with Newton Housing Development Corporation to continue the City’s goal to bring new residents and housing to Newton. Community Services staff and our engineering partners worked throughout the year on our newest residential subdivision, Arbor Estates. This new subdivision in Newton will provide excellent locations for new homes and provide new recreation opportunities. Cardinal Pond, a 3-acre pond, is being developed and will be the first fishable pond in Newton’s park systems.

We saw multiple projects continue to improve our park system. We added updates at Westwood Golf Course, including a newly constructed cart path and a thorough technical evaluation of the 26-yearold Maytag Pool. Despite the damage done to the park system, especially at Maytag, Sunset, and Woodland Parks, City staff could pivot and host the Holiday Light Display at Agnes Patterson. The City also saw the permanent StoryWalk© installation at Agnes Patterson Park was a pandemic success. This collaborative effort is an excellent addition to our park system. It encourages families to get outdoors and enjoy a book while walking the mile-long path.

We continued to improve our streets and sidewalks in 2020 to provide safe and reliable ways to travel through our community. The City oversaw a project to resurface 1st Ave E and add a sidewalk along the same route to Iowa Speedway Drive. City public works crew utilized over 6200 gallons of oil, hundreds of tons of rock for pothole patching, 400 cubic yards of concrete for street repairs. They also replaced 420 traffic signs throughout the community. The Newton Sanitary Landfill continues to provide environmentally responsible disposal of approximately 40,000 tons of municipal solid waste each year for nearly all of Jasper County. In 2020 the addition of over 600 dump truck loads of trees left behind 158,000 cubic yards of ground tree debris that staff will incorporate into the daily cover material at the Sanitary Landfill.

We also successfully implemented the “Neighborhood is Watching” community security camera program this year. We continued building a robust Rental Housing Inspection Program, led by our Community Development Department, to ensure safe housing for renters in our community. We also introduced a new Commercial Business & Property Inspection program, guided by the Newton Fire Department, to businesses to meet safety standards

The City oversaw the demolition of five residential properties and the former Newton Inn. These demolitions continue to improve the City’s curb appeal for new residents and companies looking to call Newton home. With new businesses downtown and opportunities for growth at both interstate exits, the potential for growth in Newton is strong.

The Community Development Department issued a total of 637 permits – this includes building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits. In 2020, the construction valuation in Newton was $4.6 million – with $2.6 million of that being for new residential home construction. Growth is happening in almost every neighborhood in our community. We continue to promote Newton to those looking to move or relocate here - not only through visibility but also through action. Through social media, online content and marketing campaigns, we continue to showcase Newton as a community people should get to know. In 2021, we will begin creating a new Comprehensive Plan with significant goals and strategies for continued growth in our community well into the future.

As a community, we persevered and persisted in our efforts to keep our community progressing and our families prospering in 2020. I am proud to know Newton and all we have endured and accomplished these last 12 months. It is my distinct honor as Mayor to proudly proclaim tonight to all Newtonians – that the State of our City is STRONG and our future continues to be Bright and promising! Our team is ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead for this community we love so dearly. Thank you.