Council approves several business licenses and advances multiple ordinances

At its Aug. 10 meeting the Marshalltown City Council approved a number of business licenses and considered a package of ordinance updates.

Licenses: the council approved a Class C retail alcohol license for Del Taco Inc. (1005 W. Lincoln Way) and a Class E retail alcohol license and a new retail tobacco permit for Now and Forever LLC (1701 Iowa Ave. E.) on roll call votes. The motions were moved and seconded and carried after members asked if there were any public comments.

Ordinances: Assistant Director Clayton Ender and Chief Chris Jones explained the proposed code updates. The third reading of Ordinance 15122 amended Chapter 90 to raise the acreage threshold for domestic livestock from 2 acres to 5 acres and to allow domestic fowl on parcels of 5 acres or larger while preserving grandfather clauses for existing uses; the council advanced that ordinance after the public hearing. Chief Jones explained a group of code amendments intended to align local weapons and vehicle‑equipment rules with changes to state law (first readings); the vehicle‑tint ordinance will match recent state transparency changes and enforcement typically begins with warnings then citations for repeat violations. A fireworks ordinance amendment also received a first reading to add permitted time frames consistent with state law.

What happens next: the pending ordinances will return for subsequent readings as required; license holders may proceed under local approvals.