UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. Van Buren St
Newton, IL 62448
January 7, 2020
1. CALL TO ORDER: Mark Bolander, Mayor
Mayor Mark Bolander called the meeting to order.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Marlene Harris.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Marlene Harris.
3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Robert Riesner and Marlene Harris
Absent: Larry Brooks and Eric Blake
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Glumac, to adopt the proposed/amended
agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Reisner, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of December 17, 2019
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to approve the minutes of the December
17, 2019 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Reisner, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: None
7. OLD BUSINESS: None
8. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on Steve Shull’s TIF application.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown, to authorize the payment of $1000 for
Steve Shull’s TIF application.
Ayes: Reisner, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on making sections of Decatur St. one-way.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Harris, to approve making sections of Decatur
St. one-way with traffic going away from S. Van Buren St. east one block and west one
block.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Reisner
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on hiring ETC (Economic and Technical Consultants, Inc.) to represent The City
of Newton in discussions with Ameren Illinois.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Glumac, to approve hiring ETC (Economic and
Technical Consultants, Inc.) to represent The City of Newton in discussions with Ameren
Illinois.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Reisner, Harris
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on BHMG continuing to be our liaison regarding WDS (Wholesale Distribution
Service) rates.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, for BHMG continuing to be our liaison
regarding WDS (Wholesale Distribution Service) rates.
Ayes: Brown, Reisner, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on getting quotes for a new squad car for police department.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to approve getting quotes for a new squad
car for police department.
Ayes: Reisner, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
Harris— JEDI 1-7-20: Alderwoman Harris gave a brief overview of the JEDI gathering today. Here are excerpts
from Amber Volk’s minutes:
Jason Warfel speaking on JASPER TOGETHER and how it’s important for the community. The first Meeting will
be February 5, 2020 at 5:30pm @ Knights of Columbus Hall with meal starting at 5pm. We ask you to please
RSVP for an accurate food count and materials for the meeting. This is open to the public and no one will be
turned away.
Amber Wakefield: Working on the sign on the square. Having problems with finding instructions on how to use
the sign completely. This is a great opportunity to make the public aware of all events. If anyone has questions
about social media or needs something posted, contact Amber Wakefield at amberagogoblog@gmail.com or
937-572-8439
Monthly Updates
Amber Volk, Executive Director: The Solid Grounds building has been purchased. Although a name or exact
business is not available yet, the individual will be implementing TIF.
Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton: 2020 is looking like it will be a big year for the county. A few projects are
currently in the works but I am not at liberty to say. Hopefully it will be public soon. We are needing to revive the
River Walk fundraiser. It’s an 80/20 grant and trying to fundraise the 20. Construction will not start till the summer
or fall due to IDOT looking for possible Sand Darters in the construction area. There will be folder’s and
containers at a few businesses for donations.
Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board Chairman: Levey has been approved. A new project meeting will be
Wednesday the 15th at 9am to discuss the construction of the new sheriff department/ jail project. Some work is
being done on the Court House, washing and receding brick.
Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1: School started back up on Thursday the 2nd. We are
looking for a great 2020 year.
Beth Probst: Both boys and girls won the Dieterich Tournament.
Sarah Kinkade, Chamber of Commerce Director: Working on the Mapping project. Chamber Banquet is on
March 16th at the KC hall. Citizen of the year forms will be available soon. Start thinking of someone who is
deserving of the prestigious award.
Reisner–Street and Alley Committee 1-6-20: (Note: Reisner said the minutes should have also recorded that
the railroad is putting gates with flashers at both crossings.)
Discussed the replacement Scott Ave. and S. Van Buren St. railroad crossings.
Bernie Guerrettaz from Indiana Railroad Company said this would start the end of May to the middle of summer.
Discussed making Decatur St. one-way going west and one-way going east from Van Buren St. for 1 block in
both directions.
Adjourned at 5:50 PM.
Harris—Finance Committee 1-6-20:
Discussed TIF application for Steve Shull. Will vote on giving him 50%, $1000 at the Council Meeting on 1/7/20.
The cost on TIF application was $2,000.
Discussed giving more lots away at Five Aprils.
Went into executive session to discuss personnel at 6:15 PM.
Came out of executive session at 6:23 PM. Adjourned 6:24 PM
10. STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Glumac: She attended the Jasper County Chamber meeting last night.
• They discussed Jasper County’s “Pathways to Progress” meetings. There are sign-up sheets at
the Chamber to help set up and clean up for each meeting. The Chamber will sponsor one meal.
There were a lot of positive comments.
• The Chamber discussed changing their annual events from multiple-day to single-day events.
Brown: No comment
Reisner: No comment
Harris: No comment
City Attorney: No comment
City Treasurer: Discussed the Insurance account balance sheet for November 30, 2019 and where to
find the Money Market Account, commonly called the “Poke,”
City Clerk: I will be sending the ordinances that need to be codified to Illinois Codification within the next
month.
Mayor:
• The Mayor spoke about the NewWave letter the city received addressing their channel changes, plan
changes and prices changes. Rates changes are posted at the end of the minutes and on Facebook.
• Lee Beckman said the Eagle Trail Riverwalk project is on hold because IDOT Environmental is still
doing their study on the snail darter fish in the Embarras River. The construction may possibly start
this summer or fall.
• He ask the council if it was ok to have the lawyer start preparing another Five Aprils Crossing lottery to
give away 5 lots for new homes in the subdivision. It was agreed to start the process and have the
lottery and documents approved at a future council meeting.
• Referred to Mike Shaw from SCIRPDC Email about the housing grant: “Great Day, we are finally
starting. We will be “walking” the Dennis Shamhart and the John Rife homes next Monday, Jan. 13. Ron
Markus, myself and the interested contractors will be at Dennis’ home at Noon and John’s at 1:00 pm. Bids will
be due at 2:00 pm Jan. 20. Ron put in the specs the bids should be turned in to me, but it’s still possible some
could be sent to Newton. I’ll work with you on that day from Salem or in Newton, I’ll let you know. After the bid
opening, Dennis and John will be invited to City Hall to sign agreements with the successful contractor.”
•
11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, January 21, 2019 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Dues and Donations at 6:15 PM January 14 and
Alcohol and Tobacco at 6:30 on January 14
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation, personnel and sale of real estate,
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to go out of open session and into
closed session to discuss litigation, potential litigation, personnel and sale of real estate
pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of
discussion.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Reisner
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:34 PM.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to go out of closed session and back
into open session.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Reisner, Harris
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 6:48 PM.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential
litigation, personnel and sale of real estate.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Brown, Reisner, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 6:53 PM.
Submitted by Rosetta M. York
