Development, Engineering, and Code Enforcement
Contractor licensing for the new year continues. All paperwork must be turned in by contractors by the end of January. Teams are working to finalize the Stormwater Annual Report, and updated the Walton and North Newton Building Inspection Agreements. Inspectors are busy with requested inspections at Harvest Pointe Addition (senior housing development near First and Boyd), Peoples Bank & Trust (South Kansas Ave.), and Starbucks as they prepare to open.
Upcoming Planning Commission items in February & March:
- Annexation application for property located at 1204 E. 12th St.
- Rezoning application for 1204 E. 12th St.
- South Dillons replat
- Information only: review of new Zoning Article 5
- For North Newton:
- Sign variance for Kidron Bethel
- Fence variance application for Snider-Sorensen
Project Updates:
- Sewer Rehabilitation Project that began in 2022 is continuing with sewer lining and point repairs.
- Newton Public Library project is gearing up, with fencing being placed and dirt moving scheduled to begin on Jan. 30 and the groundbreaking ceremony to occur on Jan. 31.
- Wheatridge paving in Autumn Glen 3rd Addition on the east side of S. Kansas, south of SE 26th Street, is progressing as weather allows.
- Water and sewer work for the Enclave (multi-family residential) on Southeast 14th Street across from Freddy’s is beginning, precipitating street closing on 14th until the utility tie-ins are made.
- Stormwater wetlands project design is complete and is awaiting permit approvals from the State to put the project out for bid.
- SE Fourth Street reinforced concrete box replacement and paving work design is complete and awaiting permit approvals from the State.
- First Street water tank project is on hold due to State review of unacted soil contamination encountered during construction.
Creation of “Soft” Court Interview Room
 Big shout-out to Bethany Charlsen in our Municipal Court Division and the Newton Police Department for their efforts in creating a welcoming space for survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence at our City Court. Here is the background from Bethany:
When I started working at the City of Newton three years ago, I attended a trauma informed interviewing training. The trainer talked about “soft interview spaces” and how something as simple as a comfortable room could help survivors of domestic and sexual violence feel more able to discuss their trauma. At that point, I thought someday I would like to be able to have a space like that here. Fast forward to summer of 2022, I attended the national Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, Texas. There I connected with Tracy Matheson, who is the founder of Project Beloved, a nonprofit that helps people create soft interview spaces. She helped me design a space that worked in a room that was already being used for survivors awaiting to testify at trial. She even sent me a rug and artwork for the walls at no cost.
At this point I had the idea and a list of things to purchase for the room; now I needed the funding. That is where the Newton Police Department came in. Every year they do a fundraiser for “No Shave November.” The officers paid money to grow a beard during the month of November and they graciously donated that money to use to purchase items for the space. Their funding combined with a match from the Law Department got us to where we are now. A space that feels comfortable and safe for survivors of domestic or sexual violence in our community. It was a very large team effort, and I am so thankful for everyone that helped me accomplish this long-term goal.
Library Groundbreaking
 We hope you will join us for the groundbreaking of the new Newton Public Library on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 3:30 p.m. at Military Park. Following a short outdoor program, refreshments will be served inside the current library in the Bessmer Meeting Room. We are very excited to see this long-awaited new amenity coming to life in our community!
Harvey County Community Health Survey
The Harvey County Health Department, along with several partner organizations across the county, are encouraging individuals that live or work in Harvey County to complete the Harvey County Community Health Needs Assessment. The results from the community health need assessment will be combined with information gleaned from focus groups and quantitative data to determine three to five health issues for health organizations and their partnerships to examine and focus on for change over the next three years.
The needs assessment is available in English and Spanish, and is open to anyone 18 years old and older that lives or works in Harvey County. Survey responses are anonymous. The survey is available through Feb. 24.
Meridian Center
This week, the Meridian Center team catered an off-site government luncheon and hosted four corporate events. In addition to being busy on the operational side, the team also booked 11 new future events estimated to bring in nearly $24,000 in revenue. Because three of these bookings represent multi-day events with attendees from around the state, the economic impact will extend beyond direct revenue generated by Meridian Center to include lodging, food, and retails sales throughout the community.
Parks & Cemeteries
This week our team:
- Removed some trees from Military Park in preparation for the new library building – the wood from the trees will be used to make benches later.
- Repaired the damaged wood fence at Springlake Park.
- Removed snow and put down ice melt at various City locations.
- Worked on winter maintenance of equipment.
Sand Creek Station Golf Course
Year-end financials are in, and while December was a tough month for golf in the state of Kansas due to weather, the course still had a record performance year. Due to the continued popularity of golf, the course set a new all-time high in revenues for the year and surpassed 2021 by more than $100,000! We are grateful for our partners at KemperSports that manage the course and appreciate their work to create a brand and experience that is “best in class.”
Street & Sanitation
- Bulky Item Tagging Program: Jan. 16- 20: The City’s inspector tagged eight locations. Two contacted the City to arrange a regular $10 pickup; five did not contact the City and were charged the $20 fee. One was referred to the Environmental Control Officer for additional follow-up.
- Crews responded to the snow event early Wednesday morning. Two new employees were able to handle the task in this training event very well. They were paired with qualified employees so they can have hands-on experience running the snow routes in the future.
- Crews cleaned and prepped all salt spreaders and equipment, so they are ready for the next winter weather event.
- The third Christmas tree citywide sweep was completed. Park staff will begin chipping them in the next few days.
- Crews performed pothole repairs on the snow route and bladed gravel roads following the moisture.
- Crews repaired sewer utility cuts in the 400 block of West 10th and in the alley between 10th & 11th on Magnolia.
- We are pleased to report that a new potential team member was interviewed, and a conditional offer of employment was made. If all goes well, this will mean the Street Division will once be fully staffed!
Water & Wastewater
This week our team:
- Worked on cleaning and televising a storm sewer at SW Third and Plum.
- Repaired a leak in the 2000 block of Terrace.
- Mission Water Plant staff collected our first sample for the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UMCR 5) reporting required by the State and federal government; we will collect again in July.
- Assisted a contractor to evaluate the centrifuge at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He is putting together some options for us to consider regarding rebuild or replacement of our current unit.
- JCI, who represents our drum screens, was onsite Friday to evaluate our equipment, for rebuild or replacement.
- Began installing new water meters in the Harvest Pointe Addition (senior residential complex) last week.
Upcoming Meetings & Reminders
Passenger Rail Meeting: Sen. Carolyn McGinn is hosting the annual Kansas Passenger Rail Coalition meeting on Jan. 30 at noon in Topeka. Legislators are invited to attend in person, and local government officials may attend virtually via WebEx.
Utility Work Session: The Commission will hold a work session on utility rates at 8 a.m. Jan. 31 in the City Commission chambers at City Hall. Video of the meeting will be livestreamed on the City's accounts on YouTube and Facebook.
Library Groundbreaking: We are pleased to announce the new library will be breaking ground on Jan. 31 at 3:30 p.m. at Miliary Park.
- 8 a.m. Jan. 31 – City Commission work session on utility rates
- 3:30 p.m. Jan. 31 – Library groundbreaking
- 7:30 a.m. Feb. 9 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. Feb. 14 – City Commission meeting
- Feb. 20 – City facilities closed for Presidents Day
- 7:30 a.m. Feb. 23 – City Commission agenda review
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