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At-a-glance: Newton City Commission approves multiple resolutions, event closures and zoning change
Summary
At its Feb. 5 meeting the Newton City Commission approved the consent agenda, accepted the 2024 financial report, adopted cemetery rules by resolution G1353, endorsed a community empowerment program by resolution G1354, approved street closures for two community events and enacted a zoning change by ordinance 5160-325.
The Newton City Commission adopted several routine and time-sensitive items in a single meeting on Feb. 5, approving multiple resolutions, event closures and a zoning change by voice vote.
Key votes and outcomes:
- Consent agenda: Approved by voice vote; details of consent items were not read into the record.
- Acceptance of 2024 year-end financial report: Motion passed by voice vote (see separate article for details).
- Cemetery rules and regulations: The commission approved revised cemetery rules and fees via resolution G1353. Staff said the updates reflect operational changes since 2021, including expanded allowances for multiple cremations in some plots, updated fees for plots, and a notice that the city is deploying new cemetery-mapping software in the coming weeks to improve record-keeping. The resolution passed by voice vote.
- Kansas Community Empowerment Program endorsement (Newton Masonic Lodge): The commission approved resolution G1354 to endorse participation in the Kansas Community Empowerment Program, a volunteer-driven initiative supported by K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Commerce. Eric, master of Newton Masonic Lodge No. 142, explained the lodge’s desire to participate to qualify for matching funds from the Kansas Masonic Foundation. The resolution passed by voice vote.
- Street closures and public events: The commission approved closing Athletic Park Circle for a Hope Women’s Center 5K scheduled for March 12 and approved the annual Newton car show street closures on May 3 (Main Street and portions of Sixth Street), noting KDOT had already approved the Main Street closure. Both motions passed by voice vote.
- Zoning change (I-2 to I-3): The commission received the Planning Commission’s unanimous recommendation and enacted the zoning amendment for parcels identified as 810 and 820 Industrial via ordinance 5160-325. The ordinance passed by voice vote.
Where votes were by voice, the meeting record did not include roll-call tallies. Several of the items were described as non-controversial or as routine housekeeping and were passed without extended debate.
