The Programs & Services Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch the NewTV video):
- Appointment of James Thompson to the Biosafety Committee (6-0, Councilors Noel and Baker not voting)
- Request for a Home Rule Petition and approval for extension of the lease term so that the City can extend its current ground lease with the Newton Community Development Foundation for Warren House for an additional 34 years (6-0, Councilors Noel and Baker not voting)
- Request to set the Early Voting Hours for the September 12 Preliminary Election (if needed.) (6-0, Councilors Noel and Baker not voting)
- Request to set the Early Voting Hours for the November 7 Municipal Election (6-0, Councilors Noel and Baker not voting)
- Request to move Ward 2, Precinct 1 Polling Location from Albemarle Field House to Scandinavian Living Center because of construction (6-0, Councilors Noel and Baker not voting)
- Request for a Home Rule Petition to ban the purchase or application of anti-coagulant rodenticides in Newton (6-0, Councilors Noel and Baker not voting) Rodenticides were recently responsible for the death of a bald eagle in a neighboring community.
The Programs & Services Committee voted No Action Necessary on the following:
- Request to move Ward 1, Precinct 4 Polling Location (6-0, Councilors Noel and Baker not voting). Planned construction will not affect voter access to the building.
The Programs & Services Committee voted to hold the following:
- Discussion on Field Maintenance and Capital Improvement Plan (8-0). Discussion included the pros and cons of artificial turf and increased demand for fields at Newton South High School. According to the report, the City is unsure if artificial turf is recyclable. Costs of field maintenance have increased due to the need for additional lime treatments, NSHS stadium lights (to be installed in 2024), and new field-painting robots. The next playground to be improved is Forte Park. The City is spending ARPA funds on unfunded projects due to the failed override.
- Discussion with City Staff regarding a cost-benefit analysis on grass fields (8-0) discussed with Field Maintenance and Capital Improvement Plan (NOTE: The report did not contain a financial comparison.)