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November 2000
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DONT BURN THOSE LEAVES
As the weather turns cooler and leaves begin to turn color and fall, minds turn to that autumn task of raking.
Once those leaves are raked and small branches and twigs collected and added to the pile, its tempting to strike a match and watch the whole thing go up in smoke. Maybe even roast a few hot dogs and marshmallows as well. But if you live within the city limits of Indianola open burning is prohibited.
Ordinance 998, enacted in 1993, says: No person shall kindle or maintain any bonfire, rubbish or waste material fire within the City. The fire chief may permit open burning: 1) supervised by the public works department; 2) supervised by the fire department for training purposes; 3) at public gatherings under legitimate sponsorship of civic, fraternal, religious, educational or similar organizations only after proper permits have been obtained; 4) in outdoor fireplaces and barbecue grills used solely for purposes of preparation of food.
So what can residents do with all those leaves? Composting is a good environmental solution, but not everyone has room for a compost pile. Waste Management of Iowa will pick up bags of leaves and other yard waste when a sticker is attached.
Stickers and special 30-gallon yard waste bags can be purchased at Drug Town, Fareway, Hy-Vee, McCoys True Value or Wal-Mart. Yard waste may also be collected loose in a 20- to 32-gallon garbage can with the sticker attached to the handle. Tree limbs should be no more than 5 inches in diameter, cut and bundled in 4-foot lengths, weigh less than 50 pounds and have the sticker attached to be collected. The yard waste collection season runs through Nov. 30.
Dumpsters have been placed at the Indianola city dump at the end of West Iowa Avenue. Leaves may be deposited in the dumpsters, which are then taken for composting.
City officials ask that residents refrain from raking leaves into the streets. Leaves get caught in the sewer intakes, create clogs and can cause backups.
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ISU CLASS ASSIGNED TO BEAUTIFY INDIANOLA
The City of Indianola and the Iowa State Universitys Urban Design and Planning Practice class, taught by Dr. Duane Shinn, will work together to give Indianola a new look.
City Manager Tim Zisoff and Mayor Jerry Kelley met with the class in early September. Mayor Kelley also gave the students a tour of Indianola. The class then submitted a pre-proposal that includes a three-phase program for revitalizing the downtown area. They met again with Indianola officials and committee members of Strategic Plan goals 1 and 5 on Oct. 3.
The project proposes to expand downtown to include a two-block area surrounding the courthouse. This crosses the original town boundaries opening up the possibility of creating a historical district linking residential, retail and Simpson College, according to the proposal. The main focus is to create a central theme or focal point that would draw people to the square for shopping or other activities.
A preliminary schedule suggests three phases for the project. According to the pre-proposal, phase one includes meetings, surveys, reconnaissance and analysis. Phase two has the class dividing into four teams with each team producing a preliminary design and project for different aspects of the proposal. Phase three consists of the final design.
For more information about the revitalization project contact Zisoff or Kelley at City Hall, 961-9410.
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STORAGE TRAILERS ARE MOVING OUT
Time is almost up for replacing or eliminating storage trailers around town.
According to Ordinance No. 1150, property owners who use an enclosed trailer, part of an enclosed trailer, an enclosed storage cubicle or a railcar as an accessory use to a principal structure will no longer be able to do so as of Jan. 1, 2001, when the ordinance takes effect. The ordinance applies to all zoning.
The ordinance, an amendment of the definition of accessory use or building in Sec. 3.1(1) of Appendix B-Zoning of the Indianola code, does provide for some exceptions. Those exceptions include: Trailers used in conjunction with construction that are removed immediately after the work is completed; trailers on premises that are being unloaded; or trailers that are moved from premises for at least 10 consecutive days every six months.
By the time Jan. 1, 2001, rolls around, property owners will have had 1½ years to make other arrangements if they currently use storage trailers on their properties. The ordinance was passed in June 1999 in an effort to help give the city a cleaner look.
For more information about the storage trailer ordinance, contact Chuck Burgin, Building and Zoning Official at City Hall 961-9410.
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IMU BOARD ADOPTS UTILITY THEFT POLICY
On August 14, 2000, the Indianola Municipal Utilities (IMU) Board of Trustees adopted a new policy on theft of utilities. The policy is written to discourage any customer from tampering or bypassing a utility meter in an effort to not pay for electricity or water they have used.
As a local, consumer-owned utility, IMU thinks it is imperative to earn the public trust and confidence through unmatched customer service and charging the lowest rates possible. Taking measures to eliminate utility theft is part of our commitment to the citizens of Indianola and we will do our best to make sure all customers pay for the electricity and water they use.
Just within the past two months, IMU discovered two instances where a water meter connection was bypassed and water usage was not being registered. When a theft is discovered, the new policy gives the Board two options:
1) If, after investigation, the IMU Board believes the person intended to commit a theft as defined in Iowa Code Chapter 714, IMU shall contact the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and/or prosecution. IMU shall provide a claim for restitution for recovery of incidental costs and estimated consumption, or
2) If, after investigation, the IMU Board does not believe the person intended to commit a theft as defined in Iowa Code Chapter 714, IMU shall correct the unauthorized connection and charge the person with incidental costs, estimated consumption and a penalty in the amount of $50.
Everyone is affected by theft. As with any other retail business, when a customer steals merchandise or any commodity, the prices to the regular customers need to increase to offset the losses due to theft. The same applies with utilities. The IMU Board of Trustees makes a concerted effort to keep electric and water utility rates at a minimum. Under the guidelines of IMUs new theft policy, it will now be an unwise and costly decision to alter, adjust, remove or tamper with a metering device to cause inaccurate readings.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please call Mark Ramthun, General Manager, at 961-9444.
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WATER DEPARTMENT ENTERS WATER CONTEST
IMU participated in a water tasting competition sponsored by the Iowa Section of the American Water Works Association for central Iowa. The contest was limited to the first 15 sample entries from Iowa water utilities. Water samples were judged based on appearance, odor, taste/aftertaste and overall impression. Water utilities in Iowa process water from a variety of sources including rivers, lakes and streams, and, like Indianola, an aquifer, which is an underground source of water. The source of water determines the treatment method, which, in part, determines the appearance, taste and odor of drinking water. Since actual water quality was not part of this contest, only the first place winner was announced, which was Decorah. All other entries were considered 2nd place.
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HOLIDAY ELECTRIC SAFETY
Its hard to believe that the holidays will be here soon. With this November/December issue of the City Update/IMU News we want to remind residents to use electricity safely during the holiday season.
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Holiday City Office Hours
NOVEMBER 10, 2000:
City offices will be closed for Veterans Day
NOVEMBER 23 and 24, 2000:
City and IMU offices will be closed for Thanksgiving
DECEMBER 25 and 26, 2000:
City and IMU offices will be closed for Christmas
JANUARY 1, 2001:
City and IMU offices will be closed for New Years Day
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IMU OPEN HOUSE
The annual Public Power Week open house at IMU on October 3rd was a huge success. Over 300 adults and children attended the event which promotes the advantages of having a publicly-owned utility. Attendees toured the power plant facilities and observed the start up of one of the plants diesel engines. Various safety demonstrations educated children and adults on being safe around electricity. The bucket truck demonstrations were popular again this year as citizens from age 5 to 75 were allowed to view the town from the bucket extended 50 feet in the air! Free food, give away items and door prize drawings added to the festivities.
IMU would like to thank everyone attending this event and for joining our celebration of public power in Indianola a tradition that has worked in our town for over 100 years! We would also like to thank the IMU employees who worked hard to make this event possible. Thanks to their efforts the evening was both educational and fun for everyone.
Public Power Week is an annual event held the first week of October each year. If you missed this years celebration, please plan to attend next year.
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CITY APPLIES FOR GRANT FOR BULLETPROOF VESTS
The City of Indianola is making sure its police officers are protected.
Through a grant program with the United States Department of Justice the City is able to purchase bulletproof vests for its officers at almost half the price. This saves local tax dollars while maintaining the safety of Indianolas officers. The Bulletproof Vest Partnership is administered through the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
A $476.11 request from the City of Indianola for two vests has been sent to the program. This is the second year Indianola has participated in the new program.
Any time a new officer is hired by the police department that officer is issued a bulletproof vest. Vests are issued to reserve officers on request. The Kevlar vests range in price from $500 to $600.
Bulletproof vests play an important part in keeping officers safe. They not only deflect bullets, but also displace the force of blows to the torso by objects. Indianolas officers are required to wear the vests at all times while on duty.
If we issue it, they have to wear it, all the time, Police Chief Steve Bonnett said. Old vests must be replaced periodically. The materials used in making the Kevlar panels break down over time and become ineffective. Vests come with a company warranty of five years. As a result, the Indianola Police Department staggers its purchases and replacements. Old vests are destroyed.
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LIBRARY EXCEEDS FUND-RAISING GOAL
The Indianola Public Library exceeded its fund-raising goal of $15,000 for childrens books. Money raised reached a total of $16,885 on Sept. 5 with the addition of a $300 check from a local retailer.
The project, which started in mid-November of 1999, received donations ranging from $5 to $1,500. The money will be used to improve the childrens non-fiction collection, including new books as well as replacing old ones such as picture books and young adult editions. More than $12,000 has already been spent on improvements.
In addition to the Books for Kids project, the library received $5,150 from the Caroline Duncan Memorial. Those funds will be used throughout the year to increase the childrens collection above and beyond what was already allocated in the librarys annual budget.
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DEFIBRILLATOR FUND RAISER
On August 1st, Police Officers Kness, Defenbaugh, Dwyer and Scott were dispatched to the Alexanders home when Ron suffered a heart attack. The officers used the automatic external defibrillator to shock Rons heart back into action. On August 16th, just two weeks and one day after his heart gave out, Ron was released from the hospital. He underwent quadruple bypass surgery, and an internal defibrillator was implanted into his chest to keep his heart regulated.
In appreciation for saving Rons life, Ron and Cheryl Alexander, daughter Kelly Jo Buchanan, Caron and Don Nugent of Cambridge Security Systems and Scoozies on the Square decided to hold a fund raiser to help the police department purchase another defibrillator or other equipment. On October 14th, a police auction and the fund raiser were held with $4,590 and $2,125 being raised respectively. These proceeds will go toward the purchase of two more defibrillators.
We would like to thank everyone who participated in the auction and fund raiser. With your help two more defibrillators will be purchased increasing the life saving opportunities for our citizens.
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STORIES GALORE
Jennifer Leech leads children in a finger play during storytime at the Indianola Public Library. Leech, who has directed the program for the past 1 1/2 years, has a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in early childhood.
Storytime is a free program for children 3-7 years old. It meets on Thursdays at 10 and 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 and 7 p.m. at the library. Kids listen to books, participate in finger plays and sing songs.
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MEETING NOTICE
City Council Meetings
1st & 3rd Monday
7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
Council Study Committee
2nd Monday, 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
Board of Trustees Meetings
2nd & 4th Monday, 5:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
Parks & Rec. Commission
2nd Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
Training Room
Substance Abuse & Risk
Behavior Commission
3rd Wednesday of Month
Library Board
2nd Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Public Library
Planning & Zoning Commission
2nd Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
Youth Commission
2nd & 4th Monday, 7:30 p.m.
South Chambers, City Hall
Board of Adjustment
1st Wednesday of Month
Call City Clerks Office
To verify times and locations
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Newsletter Archives
September 2000
July 2000
May 2000
March 2000
January 2000
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