Newton City Council heard from various organizations who requested funding, but they did not vote on the matter. The organizations are the following:
Organization Promoting Everlasting Neighbors: OPEN requested $2,000 from the council.
Convention and Visitors Bureau: Executive Director Linda Bacon is asked the council to keep their funding percentage the same — 50 percent of the hotel/motel tax revenue.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program: RSVP Director Denice Fischer will be asked the council for $11,000.
Newton Development Corporation: NDC Executive Director Frank Liebl is asked the council for $60,000, which is the same amount they received last year.
Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency: HIRTA Executive Director Julia Castillo asked the council for $20,000.
The Young Men Christian Association: YMCA Executive Director Tom Vanderlaan asked the council for $16,000.
Newton Housing Develop Corporation: NHDC asked the council for $30,000.
The council also passed an ordinance to reduce infiltration of groundwater and rainwater from entering the city’s sanitary sewer collection system.
The results are the following:
• District One property owners be allowed to obtain two quotes instead of the three quotes required by the old ordinance. The reduction in quota would allow for project completions to be finished at a faster rate.
• The city would be allowed to recommend a contractor to residents and prices on projects would be based on their price quota. Residents would still be allowed to use outside contractors, but would not receive any additional funding if their contractor requires additional funding.
• Residents who receive a corrective action plan shall be in compliance the later of either, 18 months after the district is established, or six months after the date of the city-approved system plan.
• Residents who inherit the property without prior knowledge of the corrective action plan shall be allowed a six month extension.
The council also passed the pick-up time for trash for Dodd’s Trash and Hauling. The residential solid waste pick-up will start at 5 a.m. and recycling pick-up will begin at 12:30 a.m.
The council will also passed two property financial assistance quotes for the city’s sanitary discharge removal work program.
The first was a financial assistance payment of $2,365 for an installation of a sump pump and 45 feet of interior drain tie located at 209 W. 9th St. S.
The second was a financial assistance payment of $2,480 for an installation of a sump pump and 25 feet of interior drain tie at 708 S. Third Ave. W.
Staff writer Matthew Shepard may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 425, or at mshepard@newtondailynews.com.