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OFFICIAL
NEWSPAPER FOR
NORWALK COMMUNITY;
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Norwalk Warriors
Vol. 45 No. 2 Norwalk, Iowa 50211 USPS No. 395-120 Phone 981-0406 email: news@norwalknewspaper.com Thursday, May 30, 2013
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June 8 Community Chat
The monthly Commufiity Chat will be held Satur-
June 8, at Norwalk City Hall.
Topics include the city financial condition and eco-
nomic development plans.
City Notes
Common nuisance complaints: Norwalk is a great
place to live and we all value our property. From time
to time though, some common issues arise that violate
city code. According to Norwalk City Code, a vehicle
must be parked on a hard surface and cannot be parked
in a person's yard. Another common nuisance complaint
is grass that is too long. The maximum allowed grass
height is eight inches. Excessive garbage, debris and
other waste is also not allowed under our nuisance code,
In addition, the city requires that dead or diseased trees
be removed as a public safety concern.
Questions or comments about the nuisance code?
Contact Alan Waugh at alanw@norwalk.iowa.gov or
981-0228 ext. 224.
You may also complete our web-based nuisance com-
plaint form if yot have seen a violation.
- Tale the Norwalk Connectivity Survey: It is ex-
tremey easy in Norwalk to get from point A to point B
using a vehicle, but some areas of town aredisconnected
from our system of trails and sidewalks, making it hard
to walk, run or ride a bike to a neighborhood park, school
or business. Think about the sidewalks and/or trails you
normally use and where some additional connections:,
could be made to improve the walkability in Norwalk.
The results of this survey will be used to help create a
connectivity plan for the City of Norwalk.
~b~bg-
City of Norwalk Connectivity Survey
Josh Heggen, City of Norwalk's Community Devel-
opment Director, has issued the following survey for
residents to share their ideas about easiness of moving
about in Norwalk. Residents are invited to contribute
their thoughts and ideas via Facebook by entering City
of Norwalk or by completing the questions below and
mailing to: City of Norwalk, 705 North Ave., Norwalk,
IA 50211.
It is extremely easy in Norwalk to get from point A
to point B using a vehicle, but some areas of town are
disconnected from our system of trails and sidewalks,
making it hard to walk, run or ride a bike to a neighbor-
hood park, school or business. Think about the side-
walks and/or trails you normally use and where some
additional connections could be made to improve the
walkability in Norwalk. The results of this survey will
be used to help create a connectivity plan for the City of
Norwalk.
1. How often do you use a sidewalk and/or trail in
Norwalk? Circle One.
Never; Nearly everyday; About once a week or About
once a month
Comment:
The following questions will ask you to think about
where you believe additional connections of sidewalks
and/or trails should be added in Norwalk.
2. SHORT DISTANCE: While using the system of
Sidewalks/trails in Norwalk, what specific areas have
you noticed could be improved by adding a short 1-3
block sidewalk/trail? Please be as block section spe-
cific as possible.
Comment
3. MEDIUM DISTANCE: While using the system
of sidewalks/trails in Norwalk, what specific areas
have you noticed could be improved by adding a 4-10
Concluded p. 7
ATTENTION
VETERANS
This is to inform veter-
ans and surviving spouses
of veterans, that our office
is available 8 a.m.-4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday,
except holidays, to assist
with Department of Veter-
ans Affairs benefits and
monetary aid to qualifying
individuals needing assis-
tance with rent, utilities
and other needs.
Services are free of
charge and staff members
look forward to assisting
all qualifying individuals
requiring assistance.
For furfller information,
call 515-961-1045, or drop
by the office located at 105
W. 1st Ave., Indianola, in
the American Legion
building located east of the
Indianola Post Office.
County Eligible
for Disaster Grant
Low-income house-
holds in 23 counties are
now eligible for th state's
disaster grant program to
help recover from flooding
caused by heavy rains in
mid-April. ,
The program offers a
maximum grant of $5,000
to families with incomes at
or below twice the federal
poverty index. For a fam-
ily of two that would be
gross income of about
$31,000 a year.
People who have
enough.funds to make re-
pairs may seek reimburse-
ment via a grant applica-
tion that is available on the
"Disaster Assistance" link
on the DHS homepage,
dhs.iowa.gov.
People who do not have
enough money for repairs
should contact local Com-
munity Action Agencies
for assistance. The agen-
cies will determine eligi-
bility and will issue vouch-
ers to make eligible re-
pairs.
People have 45_ days
from the declaration date
of May 7, 2013 to apply.
Call 911
for
emergencies !
From Norwalk
School District
By Kate Baldwin, Business Manager
for Norwalk Community Schools
Norwalk Community Schools Announces Move-in Plans for "New" District
Office and Sale of "Old" School Buildings and Property located
at 906 School Avenue
The Norwalk Community School District recently finalized the purchase of a com-
mercial "flex" building and property at 380 Wright Road in Norwalk ("District Of-
fice'), locatect at theSW comer of Highway 28 and Wright Road. The District will be
relocating the administrative offices andmaintenance operations to this facility. This
property was formerly the site of the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and
Research.
The history of this purchase begins in August of 2012 when the School Board
formed a committee of citizens (Task Force Committee) to do afacility needs analy-
sis of the current Central Office and Maintenance facilities located at 906 School Ave.
("Old School" Building and Property). The Committee issued a report to the School
Board in October of 2012 and recommended the District purchase the 380 Wright
Road property for both central Office space and Maintenance operations. The Dis-
trict entered into a purchase agreement in December 2012 and the property sale was
finalized-in April 2013.
The District is in the process of installing fiber optic cable between Oviatt Elemen-
tary and the new District Office. The fiber will provide electronic connectivity to the
District computer networks system. This project is scheduled to be completed in
June. Office and maintenance staff are preparing for a move in mid-July.
As part of the complete review of the old school building and maintenance facili-
ties at 906 School Ave., several Task Force committee members expressed strong con-
cems regarding the liabilities and risks for the City and neighbors which would re-
sult with leaving the old school building standing and abandoned. During the Task
Force review, information was discovered indicating the existing water lines to the
old school are inadequate to provide file protection to a structure the size of the old
school building, To upgrade the water lines would be very costly. In addition, the
architect's analysis of the old school revealed numerous safety concerns that would
need to be addressed for continued use for any purpose. The building has several
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or handicap accessibility issues. The City has
zoned the block on which the old school building is located for single-family homes.
This zoning allowed a school but would prevent a business, either profit or non-
profit, from opening in the old school building or other buildings located on the
property. Once the Task Force Committee was made aware of these safety concerns
and restrictions, it recommended the Board raze the old school and metal buildings.
School District officials have met with City officials on several occasions. The Dis-
trict recognizes the City as the authority for approval of improvements and future
developments on the old sch0ol buildings or property. The District and City have
discussed possible ways the property could be used to benefit the community and
adjacent neighbors. Uses for the old school property have been discussed, such as a
public park with little kids' soccer fields. Uses for the one-story wood building
(McLaughlin Center) have also been discussed, such as a community gathering room
or shelter.
The Board is well aware the old school building holds a sentimental value for
many generations of Norwalk residents and respects these ties. The Board also rec-
ognizes the property, despite its many issues, does have a monetary value. After
months of consideration and contemplation, the Board has decided to offer the prop-
erty for sale for a set period of time. The Board is currently accepting proposals from
interested buyers. All proposals submitted must be accompanied by an approval
letter from the City of Norwalk, verifying the future use meets the City's zoning and
use requirements. The Board will be accepting proposals until July 1, 2013. Inter-
ested parties can learn more about the property and the necessary steps to submit a
proposal in the notice of sale published in the legal section of the North Warren
Town and County News or on the Norwalk Community School District's website at
www.norwalk.k12.ia.us: In the event the old school building cannot be sold for a
future use that meets the City's zoning and use requirements, the Board intends to
raze the old building and either sell the block for residential lots or enter into further
discussions with the City for a community use of the old building property.
ECLECTIC ARTISANS SUMMER HOURS.*.*
Summer is a busy time for everyone, including all of the staff at Eclectic Artisans.
There are numerous art shows and events throughout the summer that our artists
attend. To allow all of us to have some summer free time, the shop will be closed
Mondays for June, July and August. Be sure to shop with us and check out what's
new 11:30-6:30 Tuesday through Friday and 10-5 Saturday.
