The Marshalltown City Council held preliminary discussion on a proposed ordinance that’s designed to help better protect business owners from becoming victimized by potential theft situations while at the same time helping them to recover merchandise from actual theft cases.

At Monday’s meeting, Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper discussed the need for implementing a proposed pawnbroker and dealer ordinance that would better safeguard business owners from such instances.  The new ordinance is designed to help better keep track of stolen merchandise which may end up being sold elsewhere with the items being recovered more quickly through more detailed tracing methods.

The City of Marshalltown has a similar ordinance which has not been updated since 1991, but needs revision according to Chief Tupper.

A recommendation was made to better update the ordinance by gathering input from the local business community with the matter to again be revisited by the city council at its first regular meeting in August.

At Monday’s meeting, a proposed amendment was also approved for a development agreement currently in place with Joseph and Jenelle Carter involving use of a downtown housing grant.

The council also  approved a contract with the Iowa Department of Transportation for roadway maintenance services at the Iowa Veterans Home.

The council also recognized a select group of individuals who have served in different positions with the city ranging from five years up to 25 years and thanked them for their service to the community.