The following does not represent official commission minutes. 7 p.m. April 22, 2008, Newton City Commission meeting Would you like to receive "The Rundown" in email form? If so contact Erin at emcdaniel@newtonkansas.com

At Tuesday night’s meeting, new City Commissioner Kevin Pouch was sworn into office. Pouch was appointed at the April 10 meeting to fill the Commission seat of Kim Harris, who resigned in February. Commissioner Pouch’s term will expire in April 2009.

Finance Director Ron Ahsmuhs reviewed the City’s first-quarter financials and reported on usage of sales tax revenue and the financial status of Sand Creek Station Golf Course. In 2008 the projected revenue from the new sales tax is $2.5 million, half of which is used for property tax relief. The remaining revenue has been used for projects such as Old Main overlay (First Street to Slate Creek), downtown master plan, south-side traffic study, South Kansas bike path, K-15 mill and overlay, Sand Creek restoration, and Old Main construction (Turkey Red to 24th Street). Sand Creek Station has operated in the black since its opening in July 2006, a rarity among new golf courses. It typically takes new courses five years or more to turn a profit. About 24,500 rounds were played at Sand Creek Station in 2007, as well as 4,091 tournament rounds.

The Commission received the South Newton/I-135 Corridor Land Use Plan, which provides a framework for planned, organized development on Newton’s south side. The study includes land use planning — what should be residential, what should be commercial, green space, etc. — as well as architectural and landscape guidelines. Commissioners directed staff to work with the consultant to prioritize the recommendations and will consider the plan again at the May 13 meeting.

City Manager Randy Riggs reported that the Public Works Department’s Water/Wastewater Division recently won a Kansas Water Environment Association Category I Collection System award for Outstanding Collection. The award recognizes the staff’s outstanding work in operating and maintaining the city’s sewer system.

In other action, the City Commission:

1. Designated a Redevelopment District for the proposed hotel and conference center project, the area where the new tax revenues would be used to finance the conference center.
2. Approved a resolution in support of the Northern Flyer Alliance in seeking an extension of Amtrak rail service from Oklahoma City to Kansas City, Mo.
3. Awarded a contract to LaFarge of North America for $1,366,660 for K-15 mill and overlay.
4. Awarded a contract to Wildcat Construction for $4,468,014.50 for Wastewater Treatment Plant phase 1 improvements, contingent on KDHE approval.
5. Directed the airport manager to negotiate with the low bidder on two airport projects to bring the bids within the engineer’s estimates. Authorization of City financing and acceptance of FAA grant funds are contingent upon successful negotiations.
6. Approved the following appointments: Byron Warta to the Aviation Commission, Tom Bergquist and Joe Regier to the Building Code Board of Examiners and Appeals, Rich Meister and Jim Heinicke to the Economic Development Council, Dick McGlachlin to the Housing Authority, Monty Fey and Harold Schorn to the Library Board, Carl Harris, George Rogers and Barth Hague to the Planning Commission, and Julie Burton to the Tree Board.
7. Proclaimed April 25 as Arbor Day in Newton.
8. Authorized the transfer of certain equipment related to Newton Medical Partnership revenue bonds, series 2002.