Marshalltown council approves tobacco permit, planning contract and 28E traffic‑enforcement agreement

The Marshalltown City Council approved several items at its July 14 meeting, including a retail tobacco and device retailer permit for Smoke and Vape (901 South Center Street), a contract with RDG to complete a comprehensive plan and a housing market analysis, and an intergovernmental 28E agreement to participate in a regional traffic enforcement task force.

The retail tobacco permit passed on roll call after a motion to adopt; the ledger shows Council member Schneider voted no and Mitchell voted no, while Nicholls, Thompson, Bonka, Kell, Lingoff and others voted yes. The council also approved a resolution authorizing a contract with RDG to complete a comprehensive plan and housing market analysis using local option sales tax designated funds; roll call recorded unanimous approval from members present.

Chief Chris Jones summarized the proposed 28E agreement for traffic enforcement, explaining the agreement would allow Marshalltown officers to join operations with a Central Iowa multi‑county unit and would require the city to cover overtime costs when its officers participate. "It gives us a seat at the table in discussing what's important here locally before we have other outside agencies coming into our community," Chief Jones said. The council approved the 28E agreement by roll call.

The council also held a second reading and vote on Ordinance 15108 (amending City Code chapter 133 on offenses concerning minors); the second reading was approved by roll call.

No contested appeals or additional amendments were recorded for these items during the meeting. Staff said the RDG contract uses previously designated local option sales tax funds and the traffic agreement is authorized under Iowa Code chapter 28E.