Newport approves stormwater maintenance agreement for Jackson/Stonewall development

The Newport City Council voted April 21 to authorize the mayor to sign a stormwater system maintenance agreement with Tangway Homes (referred to in the meeting transcript as Tangway/Tangle Way Homes Incorporated) for the Jackson/Stonewall development. The motion passed by voice vote.

City staff explained the city had been a co‑applicant on the stormwater permit and currently owns roughly 13–16% of the development’s impervious surface; the remainder is privately owned by the developer. Under the proposed agreement the city and Tangway Homes would split permit and maintenance costs prorated by the percentage of impervious surface each party owns. Staff said the city has not yet accepted the new roads into municipal ownership; if and when the city takes the roads, the city’s proportional share would increase and contractual cost shares would be revisited.

Frank Cheney, presenting the item, underscored the city’s limit of responsibility: “The city cannot, in our view, accept responsibility for maintenance on property we do not own, or do not have an easement for,” he said. Staff also indicated attorneys have reviewed the agreement.

Residents asked clarifying questions about which houses and sections of Stonewall/Jackson are already city‑owned and how contract percentages were calculated; staff said the original contract percentages were engineered and would be revisited if the city later takes over more infrastructure. The council approved the mayor signing the maintenance agreement and the motion was recorded as carried by voice vote.