NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2000

P.O. Box 231,
Hawarden, Iowa 51023
(712) 551-2565 Fax (712) 551-1117
website: www.cityofhawarden.com

Playground Equipment Fund Raiser
    Have you noticed the slide on the corner of 1Oth and Central? It's a marker to let the community know how the Playground Equipment Committee's fund raising campaign is doing. The campaign as you may know is being conducted to raise money for a new larger modern playground system, similar to what is in Sioux Center or in Sioux City near the water. The Playground Equipment Committee is now accepting monetary donations for new equipment at either Farmer's State Bank or First State Bank. The fundraising goal is to match the $40,000 Horton Hawarden Community Fund grant. The Playground Equipment Committee will only receive this grant if they can match the funds. They need your help!!!

Natural Gas Prices Rising - Expect Higher Utility Bills
    We wanted to make you aware that the cost of natural gas has been rising significantly since late last spring. As a result you can expect to face higher home heating bills this winter. Prices for natural gas earlier this summer were unusually high, as were the prices for gasoline, electricity, oil and other energy sources.

    Although we are not entirely certain about the reasons for the increased prices for natural gas, we have been given the following explanations:

1. Demand for all forms of energy is skyrocketing. Market prices for natural gas more than doubled during the summer from what they were a year ago.
2. More gas is being used to generate electrical power, so we are seeing more use in the spring and summer when people are running their air conditioners on electricity fueled by natural gas.
3. As a result of this change in summer usage, storage stocks ran low, and market prices rose accordingly.
4. Various weather events have also been blamed.

    To give you an idea of the impact of the increases in the price on our gas utility we offer the following facts:

1. In 1993 when the current gas rates went into effect the price of natural gas was approximately $1.60-$1.90 per MCF. The current price is 4.66 per MCF (over $3 increase) and has been higher at times this summer. ~
2. Last year, due to a mild winter, little corn drying, increases in operating expenses, and huge increases in the price of gas we lost money in the gas utility.

    Over the years as natural gas prices mildly fluctuated our gas utility absorbed these costs. However the price of natural gas has now risen to a point where we can no longer afford to absorb these cost increases and cover our expenses. To pass on these increased costs we had to decide whether or not to produce a rate increase that would cover huge fluctuations in price or whether to develop a more customer friendly method, which only passes on the actual costs above a threshold amount. The City Council has chosen the second option as the best way to offset these huge cost increases for what we hope is a temporary situation.

    We are not happy to bring this news, but we want you to have some time to prepare and a chance to take the energy conservation steps necessary to ease the burden of higher energy prices. You can attempt to ease the impact of higher prices by weatherizing your home, replacing old appliances with energy-efficient ones, and putting aside savings or making larger monthly payments now for the heating bills when winter comes. While market prices are beyond our control, the part of your gas bill that covers our costs, the delivery of natural gas to your home, has been held as low as possible and it our intent to keep it that way.

    If you expect to face financial difficulties as a result of the increased cost of heating this winter, I invite you to contact the Hawarden City Offices right away for help in working out solutions in advance.

New Ordinance Regarding Obstruction of Streets and Sidewalks
    On August 14, 2000 the Hawarden City Council passed ordinance 9.06.010. [City Ordinance 581] The ordinance prohibits the obstruction of sidewalks and streets within the city limits. The ordinance states: "No person shall, without proper authority or justification, obstruct any sidewalk, street, highway, or other public way preventing or hindering it's lawful use in any way, nor, shall any person interfere with or obstruct the flow of traffic on any street, highway, or other public way. A violation of the ordinance will result in the violator appearing in front of a Magistrate Judge with a penalty of up to thirty days in the County Jail and/or a fine not to exceed $500.00."

    The passage of this ordinance is a direct result of safety concerns by the police department and complaints from the public. Over this past summer the police department received many complaints about the people who gather and stand in large groups on the streets, at times completely blocking one lane of traffic. The police department has also received complaints from citizens about bicycle riders and roller bladers who weave in and out of traffic. By enacting this ordinance, it will be illegal for people to stand on the streets creating a traffic hazard. It will also be illegal for people to interfere with traffic by roller-blading and riding bicycles in and out of traffic. If a person wants to ride their bicycle on Main Street they will have to abide by the same rules as automobiles.

    Another part of this ordinance deals with the sidewalks. With this ordinance it will be unlawful for groups to gather and obstruct sidewalks preventing lawful use. By using this part of the ordinance the Hawarden Police Department hopes to keep access to any business open to the public without any outside hindrances.

    By enforcing this ordinance the Hawarden Police Department hopes to keep Main Street open and free for anyone to travel. They also hope to prevent any accidents that may occur from the street being used in a way other than it was designed. If there are any questions about this ordinance please feel free to contact the Hawarden Police Department at 551-2461.