Maytag Pool repairs, subdivision progress approved

Repairs to Maytag Pool, progress of the Cardinal Ridge subdivision and acquisition of real estate for the D&D Program were among the items approved by the Newton City Council at its Sept. 21 meeting.

After a leak beneath the floor drain of Maytag Pool forced the facility to close early this season — along with the low attendance, presumably because of the COVID-19 pandemic — the city has finally secured a contract to fix the damage. In order to do so, crews must remove and reconstruct the concrete structure.

Included in the consent agenda, the resolution awarding a contract for the Maytag Pool main drain rehabilitation project was approved by council members. The $17,840 contract uses the original plans as a guide to create a new watertight structure to prevent further water loss.

Karl Peters Construction, of Monroe, was the apparent low bidder for the project. City staff initially estimated the project would cost $14,000. According to city council agenda documents, the completion date for the project is set at Oct. 31.

This past summer, city staff and elected officials debated whether to close the pool because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some staff members argued the cost to keep the pool open — regardless of its inability to turn a profit most years — was too great. Initially, the pool was ordered to stay open.

However, this unexpected leak was becoming a financial burden for the city. In July, Newton Public Works Director Jody Rhone told council members the city was spending an excess of $1,300 a week to fill the pool.

Subdivision progress

Development of the Cardinal Ridge subdivision is still progressing, following the city council’s approval of a promissory note and construction contract with Ground Breaker Homes, LLC. On Sept. 21, council members unanimously passed the resolution, which allowed construction of a spec, twin-style home.

Plat 1 of the Cardinal Ridge subdivision is a 4.25 parcel of land at 1200 S. Sixth Ave. W. In 2017, the city council approved the sale of this land to Clive-based developer Ground Breaker Homes. This developer agreed to build townhomes and manage the subdivision’s Home Owners Association.

As part of the developer’s agreement with the city, the governing body must pay Ground Breaker Homes a cash option of $25,000 for a single-family lot and $50,000 for a twin-style lot. These cash options are refundable to the city if the new residence on the lot sells within six months.

According to city council documents, the city will receive $30,000 for the lot when the new, twin-style home is constructed and sold.

Properties for D&D Program

Two properties in Newton have been sold to the city for its D&D Program.

CRH Properties, LLC, agreed to sell 215 E. Fifth St. N. and 411 N. Second Ave.E. for $140,000. City staff determined the properties — which are adjacent to other real estate acquired by the city — meet its criteria for the D&D Program.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com