Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-07-05
LEGISLATURE ENLARoEs Az.
THoRITY IN ORDERING in.
PRovEMENrs.
COUNCILS RELIEVED OF
MANY EMsARRAssMENrs
Assessments 70 Run Against Adjoining
But Not Abuttins Property for Por-
ton Of cost-Thrss. Feurths Vote Of
Council May Order improvements
Where Majority Of Owners Petition.
special to Times.Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, July 5.-The most valu-
able features Of the new Iowa laws as
affecting cities and towns Of Iowa re-
late to the payment for public improve
ments. Acts Of the Thirty-fifth gem
eral assembly will greatly facilitate the
making of Improvements and relieve
cities from many embarrassments.
Chapter IS, limited to cities under
$4,000. furnishes way by which cities
may secure funds for construction of
main sewers. 1t virtually authorizes
city and the construction Of main
sewer to be a charge against all the
property of the district. Instead OF
assessing cost to the abutting or ad-
jacent property the assessment may run
against all the property benefited. In
some cities this will include the entire
area.
An important change in the manner
of assessing for street Improvements
was made in Chapter rs, SO that such
assessments shall run against one
half of the privately owned property
between the streets improved and the
next street whether such privately
owned property abut upon said street
or not" but limited to 300 feet. In the
case Of alleys the cost shall be con-
fined to lots in the block or II not
plated to $50 feet Of the alley.
Another new law applies the law as
to manner Of making improvements and
assessing the cost oproperty to all IN
corporated towns. Still another makes
all this specifically to charter cities.
Chapter 81 requires that the city
council! shall r.erare the assessment.
plat and schedule, in regard to street
improvements. within twenty days fol-
lowing the completion Of the work, so
that contractors may not be held up
by such delays.
Another law Axes the time when the
interest shall commence on improve
ment certificates as from the date OF
acceptance by the council.
It is now made legal to make re-
assessment upon property for street or
sewer improvements where former
assessment has been voided for any
jurisdictional defect.
Street improvements.
Street improvements can now be
ordered by three-fourths Of the mem
bers OF a city council, OF where there
are but three members Of the council
by two.thirds vote. II a majority OF
the frontage has petitioned for the i'm
proyemert. but majority of the coun-
Gil may order repairs.
Salvage from old street paving. where
reconstruction has been ordered, may
1T Nd nH n
piled on. the new work.
IN all cities Of 10000 or over the cities
now have "the power to extend. Inn
prove and repair streets. highways
avenues, alleys. public grounds wharfs
landings and market places within
their limits" and pay for same out OF
the general fund or highway or poll tax
or by assessing all or any portion OF
the cost on abutting property.
Pensions for retired fremen may be
given those who have served twenty
two years.
Cities over 5000 may levy Z mill tax
for gas or electric works.
All cities and towns Of 5000 and all
commission cities have power to levy
IL mill tax for fire department equip
ment.
Cities and towns have authority to
license transient merchants.
Cities may enact building and fire
limit ordinances.
Cities may buy or sell electric cur
rent, power, gas, water, etc.
Cities on navigable rivers may have
dock boards and control wharfs.
Cities have authority to require IL
censes from all plumbers.
Cities have the right to prohibit
slaughter houses.