City, IDOT partner for $1.05M in First Ave resurfacing

The City of Newton has entered a cooperative agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) to resurface a portion of First Avenue East, and the larger percentage of the project cost will be paid for by the state agency.

Following the Newton City Council’s 6-0 vote to approve the IDOT’s share of the asphalt resurfacing project during its meeting Monday night, the city agreed to pay $453,000 of available federal funds with no local match, according to the city documents. In turn, the IDOT will pay an estimated $600,000 for its portion of the project.

City staff expect a June bid opening as soon as project plans are finalized. Resurfacing will cover First Avenue East from approximately East 14th Street to East 28th Street near Newton Memorial Cemetery, community services manager Brian Laube confirmed with council members.

IDOT will be responsible for construction costs “to mill and resurface the traveled lanes of First Avenue East within the project limits,” staff determined. Construction will also include sidewalk and bike trail sections, as well as infills along the high traffic street at the cost of the city.

Pump station force main replacement

Several leaks and breaks along the first 3,200 lineal feet of a force main downstream from the city’s southwest pump station prompted staff to request council’s approval to accept “the plans, set dates and obtain bids” for a replacement project.

The council voted 6-0 in favor of the Southwest Pump Station Force Main Replacement Project, which engineers estimate will cost the city approximately $510,000, paid for by its water pollution control funds. City documents pointed to corrosive soils as the culprit for the force main damages since 2016. Staff determined a majority of the ductile iron pipe should be replaced with PVC pipe.

Construction plans and specifications have already been prepared by FOX Engineering on behalf of the city, city documents state. An agreement with the Ames-based engineering company was approved by the Newton City Council in January 2018. Bid openings will occur at 2 p.m. March 12. A public hearing to accept bids and assign the work is scheduled during the April 1 city council meeting.

“Hopefully this will take care of the ongoing issue we have had with this section of this land,” Council member Evelyn George said.

Increase landfill fee schedule

In an attempt to offset increased labor and costs from asbestos disposal and tire recycling, as well as combat unsecured commercial loaders at the Newton Sanitary Landfill, staff has asked the council to accept its proposal to update its fee schedule. The city council voted 6-0 in favor of staff’s request, which is expected to garner an estimated $5,000 in annual revenues.

Overall, the financial condition of the landfill is “good,” city staff noted in documents prepared for Monday’s meeting. Changes have already been implemented for garbage compaction and the utilization of GPS assistance in “obtaining update volume and tonnage figures.” Equipment and operational changes have also aided in increasing efficiencies.

However, “new regulations to disposing asbestos requires additional labor, equipment, airspace and soil,” resulting in staff requesting an increased price for asbestos removal. Public Works Director Jody Rhone, who was also the acting city administrator during the Monday night meeting, said landfill crews are notified of incoming asbestos on Wednesdays and will only accept it on Fridays.

“We have to clear the cell of all other customers — so that’s another thing that wasn’t included in (the agenda). It delays everybody,” Rhone said.

The cost of recycling tires has also increased, and city staff said a fee increase is “necessary” to cover costs. Complaints received from city staff point to potential problems with unsecured commercial loaders entering and transporting items to the Newton Sanitary Landfill. The city would like to see a penalty increase enforced for unsecured commercial loads.

City staff reported no proposed changes to the municipal solid waste landfill tipping fee.

In other action Tuesday, the city council:

• Approved the third and final consideration of an ordinance raising the sanitary sewer rates by 5 percent for five years. The council voted 6-0 to approve and adopt the ordinance. Following the decision, staff estimated low water use households will have a minimum monthly charge of $12.52, an increase of $0.60 per month for the first year; average water use homes will likely see a monthly charge of $28.55, a increase of $1.34 per month for the first year. The rate will go into effect July 9 and persist until 2023. Staff attributed the rate increase to the several planned capital projects in excess of $7 million.

• Approved the City of Newton’s portion the 28E Agreement with the Newton Community School District to include a second school resource officer, which will primarily serve in Berg Middle School. Julie Britton, the district’s current school resource officer, will remain in Newton High School. The two officers will share elementary and WEST Academy duties when needed. Like the Newton City Council, the NCSD Board of Education was unanimously in favor of adding another school resource officer position to its agreement. NCSD has agreed to reimburse the city/Newton Police Department 56.25 percent of the annual salary and benefits cost of the two school resource officers for services rendered.

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