The City of Newton is spending over $90,000 on Engineering Service Agreements to address two issues from the flash flooding that occurred because of heavy rain on May 21st of this year. One of the hardest hit areas was the intersection of 1st Avenue East and East 12th Street. Several vehicles were flooded after getting caught in the fast-rising water, and nearby businesses nearly flooded. Newton’s Public Works staff will be working with HR Green Incorporated in Johnston to begin the design and phasing of a project to complete stormwater detention and sewer improvements in this area. HR Green is being paid $45,100 for their services. The other agreement is with Bolton and Menk Engineering of Des Moines. They are being paid $46,200 to design and oversee construction of a bank stabilization project on Cardinal Creek. Newton Public Works staff says the flash flooding caused severe bank erosion. They add continued erosion of the bank could threaten nearby homes and begin to undermine South 8th Avenue East and adjacent storm and sanitary sewers.