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By Kelly McElroy, Newton City Manager |
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Legislative Update
Please join Sen. Carolyn McGinn, Rep. Stephen Owens, and Rep. Avery Anderson on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9-10:30 a.m. at McKinley Administration Center for a legislative update, including their committee assignments and current projects, and other items they consider important that have come out of the legislative session so far. The event is open to the public, and they will be taking questions at the event. We hope to see you there!
Engineering, Inspections & Development
- The new Public Library construction project continues!
- Issued a Certification of Occupancy to Starbucks.
- Processing 12 new residential building permits on Casey Drive in Sand Creek Station Addition.
- Received final State permits for the Stormwater Wetlands Project; we will be putting it out to bid soon.
- The contractor completed street paving in Autumn Glen 3rd Addition this week; sidewalks will be poured next week. Applications for new building permits could be accepted soon for this residential development.
- The sanitary sewer rehab contractor completed their work this week.
- Public Works Department 2022 Annual Report was completed and posted on the website.
Get the Lead Out Survey
Newton residents will receive a letter and survey next week as part of the City’s “Get the Lead Out” initiative. Recently the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced changes to drinking water regulations that impact all cities. The goal of these changes is to get the lead out of all water systems nationwide. Water suppliers are required to identify and submit an inventory of all materials used in the construction of the water system by Oct. 16, 2024. This includes water line materials used on both the public and the customer side of the water meter. So, we need residents’ help!
The letter will include a survey to complete. Residents may fill out the paper form and return it to the Utility Billing Office or complete and submit the form online at www.newtonkansas.com/plumbing. If you have questions, you may contact the Utility Maintenance Office at 316-284-6070 or the Engineering Office at 316-284-6020.
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Police
In the coming months, Newton Police will be focusing traffic enforcement efforts in the downtown business district to combat unsafe driving. We have seen an increase in speeding, U-turns, disobeying red lights and stop signs, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, unsafe or illegal turns (specifically at Fourth and Main and failing to turn into the nearest lane), and disobeying railroad gates.
The speed limit in the business district is 20 mph, and U-turns are illegal in the business district. Once the railroad signals are activated, they are to be treated as a red light and “rushing” to beat the gates constitutes a crossing violation that carries a very hefty fine. Pedestrians and bicyclists are also subject to the railroad crossing obeyance as well.
The business district is the area between First and Main and Ninth and Main, and 600 feet (approximately two blocks) east and west of Main Steet. This area commonly has the largest concentration of pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic throughout the day. Please be observant and drive safely.
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Fire/EMS
 Last Saturday, members of our Fire/EMS team had a great time competing in the Race for Health at the Newton YMCA. The event was organized by Empower Physical Therapy and supports a program at the YMCA. Thanks to all the local sponsors for supporting this fun team-building event. Thanks to our members for giving up their personal time to compete, and congratulations for taking home first place!
Water/Wastewater
- Responded to nine after-hours callouts.
- Replaced a setter at 319 W. 13th and documented line type for the Lead and Copper Reporting Rule (LCRR).
- Shut-off 85 meters for non-payment.
- Completed 559 Lead and Copper Reporting Rule drive-by field surveys related to prior maintenance activities, confirming the material used for at least the public side of the meter service.
- Mission Water Treatment Plant staff completed the bi-annual replacement of all the chemical feed lines in the vault. They also began the annual maintenance and sight glass rebuild of the chlorine control panel.
- Contractor RE Pedrotti completed the installation of the touchscreen computers at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- Repaired a sewer in the 1200 block of N. Duncan.
- Repaired a meter setter damaged by a contractor in the 300 block of W. 10th and invoiced the repair to the homeowner. It turns out the contractor the owner originally used did not pull a permit and took a lot of short cuts, creating the new failure.
- Water/Wastewater Division remains four positions down.
Street & Sanitation
This week crews:
- Removed American Flags from downtown from Presidents Day.
- Replaced missing banners on all the bridges in town.
- Performed street sweeping in Maintenance Area 1, and curb and gutter repairs in Maintenance Area 5.
- Received a report about a damaged drainage culvert on Payton. Staff called in locates and will start repairs next week.
- Finished crack sealing Athletic Park then went back to work in Maintenance Area 6.
- Repaired utility cuts in the 300 block of West 13th; 200 block of SW Sixth; and 1200 block of North Duncan.
- Bulky Item Tagging Program from Feb. 13-17: The inspector tagged three locations: two did not respond and were charged the $20 fee; one responded to the notice and was charged the $10 fee.
Upcoming Meetings & Reminders
- 7 p.m. Feb. 28 – City Commission meeting
- 7:30 a.m. March 9 – City Commission agenda review
- 5:30 p.m. March 14 – City Commission work session
- 7 p.m. March 14 – City Commission meeting
- 7:30 p.m. March 23 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. March 28 – City Commission meeting
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