Council meeting has been postponed to Oct. 24

Newton City Council could not meet this week “due to difficulties in schedules” and decided to cancel its Oct. 17 meeting and reschedule it to 6 p.m. Oct. 24 inside the council chambers of city hall, documents from the city say. The agenda shared to Newton News and posted online shows no items on display.

However, residents can expect second and third readings of ordinance amendments for the following agenda items:

• Third consideration to rezone properties at 1500 First Ave. E. and 201 E. 15th St. N. from one- and two-family residential (R-2) to arterial commercial (C-A).

• Second consideration amending the language of city code regarding the WaterWorks and its board of trustees.

• Second consideration amending the city code to address changing diagonal parking at a couple of locations along the 100 block of East Third Street South, East Second Street South, West Second Street South and West Third Street South, as well as identifying handicap stalls in the new public lot by city hall.

• Second consideration amending city code regarding all-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, golf carts and snowmobiles.

Of note is the ATV and UTV ordinance. The Iowa Legislature passed House File 2130 this past year, allowing for expanded us of ATVs and UTVs on roadways. Municipalities have the authority to regulate use of these vehicles within their corporate limits. The city’s ordinance allows limited use on city streets.

Regardless, city staff do not recommend approval of this ordinance.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext 560 or at cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com