March 19, 2024

Council creates new landfill position

During Monday’s Newton City Council meeting, the council authorized the abolishment of the landfill superintendent and acting street superintendent positions and created a public works operations assistant superintendent position.

The landfill superintendent recently retired, and the position was being fulfilled by a temporary superintendent who also happens to be the equipment operator. The new position is expected to save the city $7,000, and City Administrator Robert Knabel wanted to clarify the abolishment of the landfill superintendent will not cause a job loss.

Pavement Project

Preliminary work for a pavement project can begin at Iowa Speedway Drive and several adjacent intersections, as the council approved 21.5 miles of joint sealant along with the 3.7 miles of roadway preparations to begin. The city will receive bids for the project April 25 and set a public hearing date for May 6. The project will be paid for using Speedway TIF and Prairie Fire TIF funds and is expected to be completed by Oct. 11. Work on the project will not be allowed immediately before and during race weekends at the speedway.

Plans

After many months of preparation, the City Action Plan and the Community Investment Plan were approved. The City Action Plan goals are to:

• Maintain the city’s financial stability and enhance community investment.

• Develop an effective, innovative and professional staff.

• Be a growing center for business and commerce in Central Iowa.

• Develop and take full advantage of advancing technology.

• Be the safest city in Central Iowa.

• Be the preferred community to live in Central Iowa.

Knabel said the Community Investment Plan is targeted to provide a plan to identify projects that could transform the community by providing council members with a list of needs.

Committee

A new committee called “Implementing Newton’s Future” was approved to be formed after the council meeting Monday. The committee will be focusing on issues regarding the city’s Comprehensive Plan to better improve the community Newton Director of Planning and Zoning said the committee will be similar to other boards by electing officers.

Police

The Newton Police Department was approved the purchase of two new marked squad cars, but rather than purchasing the vehicles from a non-local company, the council decided to purchase both vehicles through Newton’s Noble Automotive, Inc.

The department was also approved for three in-squad digital video recording cameras that will be funded by a $16,500 grant.

Water Pollution Control Division

A new pickup truck was approved to be purchased, and like the police vehicles, the council voted to purchase the vehicle from Noble Automotive, Inc. rather than from Charles Gabus Ford in Des Moines.

Gas Plant Site

The council passed a resolution for a $74,625 agreement for Terracon Consultants to perform a reassessment and monitoring for the former manufactured gas plant site.

Other items approved:

• A resolution for Newton Lodge and Suites, LLC and the U.S. Motorsport Corporation to receive tax breaks.

• A resolution to demolish several properties, located at 126 1/2 N. Ninth Ave. W. and 1011 E. Ninth St. N. Both buildings fall under the 1997 Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, which gives the city the authority to demolish them.

• A resolution to purchase a $26,500 120-niche columbarium.

• A resolution setting a public hearing date and inviting proposals to accept purchases for property located at 2009 First Ave. E.

• A resolution approving quotes for prohibited sanitary sewer discharge removal work.

Staff writer Matthew Shepard may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 425, or at mshepard@newtondailynews.com.