March 28, 2024

Council to hear proposal for former Seed Store property

The city council agenda is light on action items but several topics will be up for discussion at the Monday meeting. Among the discussion items are the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Newton Housing Development Corporation and a proposal for housing on the former Seed Store property.

City staff has been in talks with two different development groups on the use of the former Seed Store property for housing units.

The groups interested in the property plan to utilize the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program for low to moderate income level housing prospects. City staff supports the application as it has found available workforce for local industries is severely limited due to lack of housing.

In order to move forward with the program application, the city would need to approve the possible sale of the property to the selected developer. Also requested is the sale of the property directly south of the former Seed Store to be used for parking for the property.

City staff is seeking direction from the council on the path it would like to take in order to more forward with the prospective developers.

Also on the agenda for is a discussion about the CVB and the NHDC. In an effort to review the organizations, the city council formed “study groups.”

Following talks in both groups, they are recommending to the city council a discussion on the organizational model for both the CVB and NHDC. The items will be presented with possible actions requested to be directed by the entire city council.

The council can take action on two items including adopting the vision and mission statements for the city and authorizing the purchase and installation of LED lighting fixtures at the Wastewater Treatment Facility.

As work begins on the 2017-2019 Strategic Plan, the first decision for the council to make is on the vision and mission statements. Approving those statements help the staff follow the direction of the council and meet the current and future needs of the city.

The council will also looking at replacing lighting at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. The current high intensity discharge lighting will be replaced with LED lighting saving an estimated $2,200 per year.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com