Marshalltown has come a long way since the devastation caused by the tornado and derecho. Many areas have been completely rebuilt, and while crisis funding provided some of the initial seed money to get things started, it is the people of Marshalltown who have truly stepped up.

The Nuisance Enforcement Advisory Taskforce (NEAT) Subcommittee, made up of 2 council members and a group of concerned citizens, is exploring additional initiatives to support the community. These include considering no charge compost dates for residents to dispose of brush and yard waste at the compost center and promoting CleanIAC, a volunteer-driven neighborhood cleanup effort. The committee is also working with the city to improve the nuisance citation process. There’s still a lot to be done, but we are committed to making progress — each small step makes a difference.

Thanks to the generosity of some citizens, the city can now offer yard tools for free checkout at the Park and Rec office on State Street. This program gives residents without their own equipment the opportunity to prune, clean up, and maintain their properties.

However, more action is still needed. Nuisance complaints remain a recurring issue, with some individuals either lacking pride in their property or neglecting it entirely. I believe the city must take stronger action, particularly with rental properties where landlords ignore maintenance as long as they continue collecting rent. The city should increase the frequency of rental inspections and enforce the standards to ensure safe living conditions.

We also need to address the issue of unlicensed and inoperable vehicles parked in yards. City staff have made junk vehicles a priority for enforcement, citing 64 properties for junk vehicles since September 1. Junk cars, piles of trash, and tires not only create eyesores but also pose safety hazards. If necessary, the city should take additional action to remove these nuisances, with the cost eventually added to the property taxes of the owners.

The NEAT Subcommittee welcomes suggestions from the community and encourages everyone to contribute to improving our town.

Our ultimate goal is to create a clean, safe community where everyone takes pride in their surroundings. Together, we can build a stronger sense of community in Marshalltown.