To improve safety on our City streets, the Nevada City Council, following review by the Nevada Public Safety Department, has approved an ordinance that will include the following:
- A stop sign at the north end of 14th Street (at J Avenue).
- Yield signs on J Avenue at the intersections with 12th Street and 13th Street.
- A “no parking zone” on the south side of H Avenue between 10th and 15th Streets.
Of the zoning approvals made during the meeting, Zoning official Ryan Hutton explained that the zoning change for the Oak Park property, switching it from R4 (multi-family dwelling) to PUD (planned unit development) will be a benefit to that neighborhood. “R-4 encapsulated all of the property in the way it has been utilized previously,” Hutton said. “Now, with a planned unit development, there will be no grid system, meaning that the natural topography of the property and the established tree lines can be utilized in developing the lots.” The Oak Park property is being developed by Jason Holland. It is the land that was historically the location of the Seventh-day Adventists Academy.
Mayor Brett Barker reported that the Iowa League of Cities has asked him to sit on their Legislative Policy Committee and he’s accepted that position.
Councilman Dane Nealson shared that the 2023 act for Pizza Pie Looza in Nevada this May will be announced this week on Thursday, over the noon hour, on KIX 101.1 radio. He also said Runners United Nevada is going to make a few changes to their run series in the coming year, so those interested should watch for updates.
Councilwoman Sandy Ehrig announced that on Dec. 14, Nevada is the site of the Empower Rural Iowa Initiatives task forces from all over Iowa, and the Iowa Rural Development members. “We’ll have a chance to showcase some projects here,” she said.
Councilman Steve Skaggs reminded everyone to keep Christmas On Main on their calendars for Saturday, Dec. 10. He also said the candidate search for a new Main Street Nevada director has concluded, and an announcement will be made soon.
Streets Supervisor Joe Mousel said they have some new street markers in the downtown and have also helped put up the new banners and Christmas lights.
City Clerk Kerin Wright shared a couple of notes from the recent budget workshop she attended. The Residential Rollback is about 56 ½ percent, which is up 2 percent. “So people may notice that. They described the reasoning as next year will be the year that multi-residential will go away and be part of residential… so when they made that combination, with all the different values, it increased the rollback…” She said there is also an elderly tax credit they’ll be giving to those who qualify for income guidelines. And industrial commercial first $150,000 will be rolled back to the residential. “So there’s a couple of unknowns this year.”
Nevada Parks and Recreation Director and City Administrator Jordan Cook both mentioned how well the senior Thanksgiving Luncheon went and their thanks to those who sponsored free meals for those in attendance. Many in attendance still gave donations and those will help at-risk families at the holidays.
A Budget Worksession followed the regular council meeting.
–Written by Marlys Barker, City of Nevada
