Due to meet Thursday, July 18 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall, the City of Newport Council will cover several agenda topics.
Of note at tonight’s meeting is the SWCTC Annual Report, followed by adoption of the consent agenda. Included in the July 18 council consent agenda at Newport are five resolutions.
As to the first resolution, it calls for appointing nine election judges, one head judge and eight others. Election judges is the name for those who work to count ballots and submit results to the county for canvassing.
As to the second resolution, it pertains to a joint powers agreement between Newport and Washington County for election services, referencing new state law to save time and resources by counting write-in votes consistent with the provisions of Minnesota Statute 204B.08 subdivision 3. Under this statute, candidates wishing to have their write-in ballots individually recorded must file a written request with the chief election official.
As for the third resolution, it calls for approval of the Bolton/Menk Trails Plan contract agreement, related to an area study of Hastings and Seventh Avenue with the goal to improve development and retail options. The city adopted three of the study’s initiatives following the study, with the resolution authorizing staff to manage and pay fees related to said study.
As to the fourth resolution in the Newport consent agenda, it pertains to a lawful gambling permit for the Cottage Grove Athletic Association, related to the upcoming celebration of Pioneer Days this August 11.
As to the fifth and final consent agenda resolution tonight, it calls for the city to adopt donations received in relation to Pioneer Days, donations received from Holcim ($400), Husnik Meats ($1,000), Johnson Auto Body ($200), Newport Collision Center ($300), and the St. Paul Park-Newport Lions Club ($2,000).
Also containing a park permit request for use of the large pavilion in a wiffle ball tournament August 10, the council consent agenda isn’t the only item on tonight’s meeting agenda.
There are still reports!
Among these, the city engineer will address lateral lining improvements, with two separate resolutions naming city streets for the proposed assessment, while the superintendent of public works will report on the Xcel Energy Corridor Improvement Grant. The $100,000 grant secured by public works along with the South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) would be used for the improvement of habitat and plant diversity at Bailey School Forest, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) existing between the SWWD and Newport.
Included with the City Administrator’s Report, meanwhile, is a Bailey Farm Business Park Concept Plan, put forwards as a modernized business park concept by United Properties. The proposed concept plan calls for development of a 24.7 acre business park along Bailey Road in Newport. The first phase of said park would consist of two buildings, located on separate lots with right-of-way dedication for public streets.
Coming up on the time for meeting adjournment, the Newport Council is scheduled to go into two closed sessions under state statute, one with regard to evaluation of employee performance and the other with regard to what is described as the “threat of litigation” related to 1547 7th Avenue.