What’s all the ‘flush’ about?

It wasn’t a $2.5 million street project nor the expanded phases of the golf course clubhouse nor a proposed $800,000 skate park at Aurora Park that generated the most discussion with council members at their goal setting meeting this past week, it was public restrooms at the downtown splash pad.

Every year the Newton City Council holds a special public meeting with department heads to discuss and prioritize goals for the next few years. The most recent 2024-2026 goal setting session resulted in four general fund street project goals and a six general fund non-street project goals.

Of note, these projects are not “approved” and will require council to consider approval of each project during future public meetings. The public restrooms project at the splash pad received the most support for the general fund non-street projects. But despite the support, some council members were skeptical.

Council member Randy Ervin has been a staunch opponent to City of Newton’s involvement with the splash pad project, and the idea of the city spending even more money on the project certainly did not change his stance. At the goal setting meeting, Ervin did not hold back his criticisms.

Ervin questioned when the splash pad became a “city” project. Staff told him it is a city-owned property, but the council member argued portions of the funds used to pay for the project were raised privately and that the city was only holding the property for the construction of the splash pad.

He also questioned why the fundraised money was handed over to the city.

Newton City Administrator Matt Muckler said it was so the city could construct the project and have access to cooperative purchasing programs. Ervin recalled the original designs of the splash pad — “back when it wasn’t going to cost us a dollar” — had restrooms. Muckler said increased prices changed those early designs.

Regardless, Ervin did not like the idea of the splash pad potentially becoming an almost $1 million project.

“This is a project that’s dear to my heart,” Ervin said sarcastically. “You guys know my opinion on it. We should have never gotten involved with this Day One. But I’m telling you this also went in front of our park board … and I watched the park board say this is not a project they supported.”

Again, Ervin argued the splash pad is “not a city park.” Muckler refuted Ervin’s claim, saying it is the city’s park now. Past council action paints a similar picture.

Newton News reported in December 2023 that $417,000 was fundraised for the splash pad. At that time, council voted 6-0 to award Brothers Concrete of Des Moines the $550,812 bid. Even Ervin voted yes. Despite being disappointed with the project, he said he will support it because he knows council supports it.

However, he has seemed to change his tone since then. In July 2024, the city council granted a $20,000 change order for extra utility work. Ervin claimed the city has dedicated a “considerable amount of dollars” to the project, and he hated seeing it pay more. The council voted 5-1 on the matter. Ervin voted no.

“It’s the city’s park now, and it was in the most recent goal setting,” Muckler said. “It could have been different back when you were the liaison (of park board).”

Ervin said the council needs to be able to explain to citizens why the city is putting more money into its downtown park and splash pad. Muckler mentioned a number of parks projects over the past year were over city staff’s initial estimate.

Council member Joel Mills had concerns over costs and he argued that with big events in the downtown where the splash pad park could be utilized, porta-potties will still be needed when there are hundreds of people in the area. Council member Stacy Simbro said the restrooms are not serving that purpose.

“It’s there. It’s ours. We can debate over the whole public, private. But it’s ours. We wanted it. It’s public land now. It’s part of the city,” Simbro said. “It doesn’t make any sense to have the splash pad not have something. A porta-potty is not an acceptable thing when want to create curb appeal, family appeal, destination.”

Two samples of restrooms were included in city staff’s presentation. One was a two-stall unisex bathroom and the other was a four-stall unisex bathroom. Also included in this project would be a concrete pad and a shade structure. Staff said if the restrooms are not installed, porta-potties would be needed.

Council member Melissa Dalton said she is on board with public restrooms downtown but she is struggling with the price tag.

“Wrapping my head around $350,000 for four restrooms when you can build a house for $350,000 — that’s hard,” Dalton said. “Putting these prices up on a piece of paper and then later finding out that’s not what they were, that’s not what they’re supposed to be. That’s what I’m having trouble with now.”

It is estimated the project would be between $175,000 to $350,000 depending on the size and the additional amenities for the project.

Here are the general fund non-street projects goals for 2024-2026:

• Downtown public restroom, concrete pad and shade structure ($175,000-$350,000)

• Westwood Clubhouse Phase 3 improvements ($250,000)

• Police/Fire joint training and storage facility ($700,000)

• Sidewalk to Walmart/ALDI ($100,000 TIF)

• New skate park at Aurora Park ($800,000 grants and general fund)

• Airport southeast apron expansion ($170,000 plus $400,000 state grant plus $960,000 FAA funds, $1.53 million total)

Here are the general fund street projects goals for 2024-2026:

• South 12th Avenue West reconstruction, 1800 block between Highway 14 and West 18th Street South ($775,000)

• Asphalt mill and overlay of various streets ($1 million)

• East Fourth Street South reconstruction, 100-400 blocks ($1 million)

• Portland cement concrete patching various streets ($1 million)