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Newton City Council authorizes ARPA-funded downtown parking purchases and a sewer engineering RFQ
Summary
On June 21 the Newton City Council unanimously authorized the City Manager to pursue purchase and development of downtown parking lots using ARPA funds and directed staff to develop an RFQ for gravity sewer engineering to extend sewer along Hwy 10 to serve Hwy 16.
The Newton City Council on June 21 authorized two ARPA-related steps: purchase and development of downtown parking lots, and preparation of a request for qualifications (RFQ) for gravity sewer engineering.
City Manager Jonathan Franklin had presented several potential uses for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, including parking properties, Central High School, a comprehensive plan/zoning ordinance, and wastewater engineering. Council Member Jody Dixon moved to authorize the City Manager to "move forward with the Purchase and Development of Parking Lots and Similar Facilities or Properties within the City Core or Downtown Area," a motion seconded by Council Member Ed Sain and recorded as unanimously approved.
Separately, Mayor Pro Tem John Stiver moved and Council Member Roy Johnson seconded a motion authorizing the City Manager to develop an RFQ for engineering plans "to Install Gravity Sewer up Hwy 10 to serve Hwy 16;" that motion was also recorded as unanimously approved.
Why it matters: The parking authorization uses ARPA funds to target downtown infrastructure and could affect downtown circulation, parking capacity and future development options. The RFQ for gravity sewer engineering is an early step in extending sewer service along a corridor that could enable new development or address existing infrastructure needs.
Votes at a glance: Both motions were recorded as unanimously resolved by the council. Motioners and seconders are recorded in the minutes; specific roll-call tallies were not listed, but the minutes list seven officials present.
Next steps: City staff are authorized to pursue property purchases and to draft the sewer engineering RFQ; the motions do not themselves appropriate final ARPA dollars for construction.
