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Newton Council approves MetroNet pole-attachment deal, OKs $112,500 for engineering review
Summary
Newton City Council approved a Pole Attachment Agreement with MetroNet and adopted a $112,500 budget amendment to hire Southeastern for engineering review and construction inspection on an initial batch of up to 1,000 utility poles; staff said the city owns more than 5,000 poles and additional funding will be needed as the project proceeds.
Newton City Council on Aug. 2 approved a Pole Attachment Agreement with MetroNet and adopted a $112,500 budget ordinance amendment to fund engineering review and construction inspection for an initial batch of up to 1,000 poles.
Public Works and Utilities Director Dusty Wentz told council MetroNet seeks to attach fiber‑optic equipment to the city’s power poles to build a fiber network serving Newton and surrounding areas. Wentz said multiple legal reviews and contract revisions were completed to protect city assets while allowing MetroNet access to poles and that staff shortages mean the city needs contractor assistance for engineering review and construction inspection.
“Staff determined contracting, engineering review and construction inspection will be necessary to ensure the project moves forward on a reasonable timeline,” Wentz said in his presentation to council.
The budget amendment will pay Southeastern to perform an engineering review on an estimated first 1,000 poles to assess pole safety and to perform construction inspection to confirm attachments match engineering plans. Wentz said the city owns more than 5,000 poles and that funding for 1,000 poles will not complete the project; staff said it will return with additional budget requests and revenue recognition after the initial batch is processed.
Council Member Jody Dixon moved approval of the MetroNet contract; Council Member Ed Sain seconded. Council then voted unanimously to approve the contract. Dixon moved and Mayor Pro Tem John Stiver seconded the budget‑ordinance amendment; the council adopted it unanimously.
The agreement allows MetroNet access subject to engineering review and inspection; staff will return with further requests once MetroNet finalizes plans and the first batch of poles is processed.
