News

     The City of Monticello is getting closer to allowing residents to raise urban chickens within city limits.

     During the June 19 city council meeting, the council passed the second reading of a proposed ordinance. Three readings are required before the ordinance takes effect. The third reading will take place during the Monday, July 3 council meeting.

     There are several key points to make reference to within the ordinance for those who might pursue raising urban chickens, or for the neighbors of those who might be interested:

     With fireworks now legal in Iowa there will be even more celebrating for the Fourth of July and the preceding weekend. Unfortunately, that celebrating too often includes misuse of alcohol, which may lead to drunk driving. Because the high fatality rate over recent Fourth of July holidays, there will be additional law enforcement on Iowa’s roads as well as the entire nation.

     A business on County Road E-34 could be in violation of Jones County’s Sign Requirements law.

     During the June 20 Board of Supervisor meeting, Land Use Administrator Michele Lubben informed the board that the Jones County Roadhouse (formerly the Rainbow Supper Club) has two “wall signs” on the commercial business. The county only allows one wall sign.

     Lubben told the board she contacted Roadhouse owner Rick Ellison, and gave him a deadline in which to comply; he did not.

     The Monticello City Council is sticking to its promise made many months ago: Moving forward with the Sixth Street Ditch Project.

     During the June 19 council meeting, city engineers Casey Zwolinski and Lindsay Beaman with Snyder & Associates outlined three separate sections of the project. Section one would be near N. Chestnut Street with a cost estimate of $175,000. Section two would be everything on the west side of Highway 38, at an estimate of $121,000. Section three, the east side of Highway 38 at a cost of about $189,000.