Council adopts consent agenda; county supervisor updates downtown demo funding and planning commission OKs veterinary clinic

The Newman City Council approved the consent agenda on Jan. 28 by an electronic vote, 5–0, and accepted the capital facilities fees annual report.

The consent motion — presented in a single package that included warrants, minutes for the Jan. 14 meeting and the capital facilities fees report — passed without separate discussion. The meeting record shows the motion carried 5–0; mover and seconder were recorded as present but not identified by name on the roll call recorded during the electronic vote.

County supervisor Michael reported planning and economic development items: he said the planning commission approved construction of a 3,900‑square‑foot veterinary hospital (identified as True Blue) on the south side of town with a likely fall ground‑breaking schedule. Michael also said a previously proposed $750,000 community project for demolition of the former Foster Farms site was not included in the recent continuing resolution; he said Congressman Gray’s office has taken up the project and will try to carry it in the next federal funding bill expected in March.

Michael described the site as half a city block and said city leaders hope to attract ground‑floor commercial space with residential units above to support downtown revitalization. He also said the city is pursuing other economic development efforts including teardown and redevelopment of the McBride site into a business and training center and countywide community economic development planning to help qualify for funding.

There were no public hearings or new business items requiring separate council votes at the meeting.