In the minutes: Newton City Council Meeting, license plate reader (Nov 2)

NEWTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 2, 2026, 6:00 PM
Pledge
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Ervin asked everyone present to join in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
Call to Order
1.

Roll Call
The City Council of Newton, Iowa met in regular session at 6:00 P.M. on the above
date in the Council Chambers at 101 West 4th Street South. Mayor Ervin
presided. Present Council Members: Mills (joined at 7:05 p.m.), Roth, Dalton (via
phone), Hallam, Simbro, Holschuh. Absent: None.

Citizen Participation
2.

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
Cole Conner, 4186 N 4th Ave E, spoke on focusing on roads and buildings instead of a
softball complex. Chad Gebhart, 1801 W 21st St N spoke against license plate readers.
Donna Stumme, state protected address, spoke in concern about children on electric
bikes and scooters.

Consent Agenda
Moved by Simbro, seconded by Hallam to approve consent agenda items 3–17. Moved by
Holschuh, seconded by Simbro to pull item 10 from the consent agenda to review
individually. AYES: Five. NAYS: None. The item is removed from the consent agenda.
AYES: Five. NAYS: None. Consent Agenda 3-9 and 11-17 were adopted. Moved by Holschuh,
seconded by Roth to adopt the Resolution approving the contract with foreUp for the point of
sale system at Westwood Golf Course. AYES: Five. NAYS: None. Resolution 2026396 adopted.
3.

October 19, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes

4.

October 19, 2026 Budget Workshop Minutes

5.

Approve Liquor Licenses for the following: 2nd Ave Social, LLC, 219 N 2nd Ave W (new
location), Class C Retail Alcohol License and Catering Service renewal, pending state
and local approval of new location; Hy-Vee Food Store #1 - LE0000090, 1501 1st Ave
E, Class E Retail Alcohol License renewal; Sombrero (Megagris, Inc) - LC0038865, 1130
1st Ave E, Class C Retail Alcohol License and Outdoor Service Area renewal

6.

Resolution appointing Tracy Schuster to serve on the Newton Public Library Board of
Trustees for a term ending June 30th, 2032
Resolution 2026-392 adopted.

7.

Resolution levying assessments for costs of nuisance abatement and providing for the
payment thereof (Schedule 26-18)
Resolution 2026-393 adopted.

8.

Resolution fixing the amounts to be assessed against individual private properties for the
abatement of nuisance violations (Schedule No. 26-19)
Resolution 2026-394 adopted.

9.

Resolution Approving the 2027 Independence Day Fireworks Proposal
Resolution 2026-395 adopted.

10.

Resolution Approving the Contract with foreUp for Point of Sale System at Westwood
Golf Course
Resolution 2026-396 adopted.

11.

Resolution approving the repair and replacement of Pump No. 4 suction pipe in north
reservoir
Resolution 2026-397 adopted.

12.

Resolution approving a trial plan with Flock Security for the Newton Sanitary Landfill
Resolution 2026-398 adopted.

13.

Resolution Approving Additional Payment to Annee Construction for Additional Concrete
Required for the Veteran's Section 3 Monument at Newton Union Cemetery
Resolution 2026-399 adopted.

14.

Resolution Approving a Property Tax Rebate for the Leavenwealth Capital, LLC Property
Located Within the North Central Urban Renewal Area
Resolution 2026-400 adopted.

15.

Resolution Approving a Property Tax Rebate for the McCann Housing Associates, LP
Property Located at 1105 East 12th Street South Within the McCann Urban Renewal
Area
Resolution 2026-401 adopted.

16.

Resolution authorizing the City of Newton dba Newton Fire Department to enter into an
Intergovernmental Transfer Agreement, IGT Funding Certification, and GEMT Provider
Agreement for the Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) supplemental
reimbursement program with the Iowa Department of Human Services
Resolution 2026-402 adopted.

17.

Approve Bills

Public Hearing
18.

Public Hearing on a Resolution Approving the Purchase Agreement for Real Property at
507 North 2nd Avenue West Newton, Jasper County, Iowa
Mayor Ervin stated that this is the time and place for a Public Hearing on the above
Resolution. There were no written comments. Chad Gebhart, 1801 W 21st St N, spoke
in favor. Holschuh asked if this was the best use; could someone put a house on it? Erin
Chambers, Community Development Director, indicated that it is a nonconforming street
width of only 50 ft. The city already has several properties of the same width but they
haven't sold. Moved by Hallam, seconded by Simbro to close the public
hearing. AYES: Five. NAYS: None. The public hearing was closed.

19.

Resolution Approving the Purchase Agreement for Real Property at 507 North 2nd
Avenue West Newton, Jasper County, Iowa
Moved by Hallam, seconded by Roth to adopt the Resolution. AYES: Five. NAYS:
None. Resolution 2026-403 adopted.

Ordinance
20.

Second consideration of an Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances, City of
Newton, Iowa, 2025, Title VII, Chapter 70, Section 70.15, "Traffic and Parking Schedules
Adopted by Reference", to make changes to street parking in the 500-700 Block of East
Twenty-Fifth Street South
Moved by Roth, seconded by Holschuh to approve the second consideration of the
Ordinance. AYES: Five. NAYS: None. Second Consideration of the Ordinance was
approved.

Resolution
21.

Resolution Awarding Contract for the Demolition Project 2026-02
Moved by Simbro, seconded by Roth to adopt the Resolution. AYES: Five. NAYS:
None. Resolution 2026-404 adopted.

22.

Resolution Amending Eligible Activities of Downtown Improvement Grant funds in the
Restaurant Improvements Program Area
Moved by Holschuh, seconded by Hallam to adopt the Resolution. AYES: Five. NAYS:
None. Resolution 2026-405 adopted.

23.

Resolution approving a Newton Hotel-Motel Tourism Grant Program Application for
$1,500 for the Jasper County Historical Museum Christmas Experience
Moved by Roth, seconded by Hallam to adopt the Resolution. AYES: Five. NAYS:
None. Resolution 2026-406 adopted.

24.

Resolution Finding the Properties at 321 1st Avenue East and 109 East 4th Street South,
Newton, Iowa to be in compliance with the City of Newton Vacant Building Ordinance
and Policy
Moved by Hallam, seconded by Roth to adopt the Resolution. AYES: Five. NAYS:
None. Resolution 2026-407 adopted.

25.

Resolution Awarding of Downtown Improvement Grant funds for 212-214 and 214.5 1st
Avenue West, Newton, Iowa in the Facade Improvements Program Area
Moved by Hallam, seconded by Roth to adopt the Resolution. AYES: Five. NAYS:
None. Resolution 2026-408 adopted.

26.

Resolution approving the granting of Downtown Improvement Grant funds for 109-111
W 3rd St. N., Newton, Iowa in the Signage Program area
Moved by Holschuh, seconded by Simbro to adopt the Resolution. AYES: Five. NAYS:
None. Resolution 2026-409 adopted.

27.

Resolution approving the granting of Downtown Improvement Grant funds for 104 1st St.
N, Newton, Iowa in the Signage Program area
Moved by Roth, seconded by Holschuh to adopt the Resolution. AYES: Five. NAYS:
None. Resolution 2026-410 adopted.

28.

Resolution approving the granting of Downtown Improvement Grant funds for 211 North
2nd Ave West, Newton, Iowa in the Signage Program area
Moved by Hallam, seconded by Holschuh to adopt the Resolution. AYES: Five. NAYS:
None. Resolution 2026-411 adopted.

29.

Resolution approving the granting of Downtown Improvement Grant funds for 208 North
2nd Ave West, Newton, Iowa in the Signage Program area
Moved by Holschuh, seconded by Hallam to adopt the Resolution. AYES: Five. NAYS:
None. Resolution 2026-412 adopted.

Staff Report
30.

1st Ave Stormwater Project Road Closures and Detours - Joe Grife, Public Works
Director
November 16th is the tentative start date for the project. The 1st Ave closure will depend
on utility scheduling. They will begin work at the creek behind Costal Oil, then north to
1st Avenue and then west. The posted detour will be 1st St N to N 19th Ave E and down
around to E 31st St N. Also, S 13th Ave E, E 31st St N, and N 11th Ave E. It is anticipated
that 1st Avenue could reopen by May 14, 2027.

Mayor/Council Comments
31.

Mayor and Council Comments
Dalton spoke about some changes to the Downtown Grant Review awards. Roth
volunteered at Trunk or treat. Holschuh likes the finished street project at W 3rd and 4th
Streets. He enjoyed trunk or treat and did a shift with the Newton Fire Department. It was
interesting to see how they train and the amount of calls they receive. Simbro enjoyed
the tiny art auction at the Library. Council just participated in city tours at multiple
locations. Simbro gave a shout-out to staff about the work they do behind the scenes.
Hallam has some ideas about e-bikes and will be bringing those forward. He attended
the NDC Salute to Business Lunch; it was interesting to hear about the businesses that
won awards. Mayor Ervin invited citizens to come talk to him about Project Fastpitch. It
will be a great opportunity to bring businesses and people to town. E-bikes and scooters
will be a topic that we would like to address. He toured the new Brockton Place
Apartments. It was neat to see people outside of Newton investing in our town. Go Cards
and God Bless Newton. Congratulation to Girls cross-country who made it to state for
the first time in 21 years.

Adjourn
Moved by Holschuh, seconded by Roth to adjourn the meeting at 7:06 P.M. Motion unanimously
carried by voice vote.

Katrina Davis, City Clerk

Randy J. Ervin, Mayor