Unofficial Minutes for April 21 City Council Meeting

On By admin

UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL 108 N. Van Buren St Newton, IL 62448 April 21, 2020 

  1. CALL TO ORDER: Mark Bolander, Mayor 

Mayor Mark Bolander called the meeting to order. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Gayle Glumac. 

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Gayle Glumac. 3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta York, City Clerk 

Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Robert Reisner, Eric Blake and Marlene Harris Absent: Also present: Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York 4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: #10 Change April 23 and 30 to March 

Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Harris, to adopt the amended agenda. Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris Nays: None 5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of March 17, 2020: 

Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Glumac, to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2020 meeting of the Newton City Council. Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac Nays: None 6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 

Alderman Harris reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $186,055.66 and the bills and accounts payable earlier today and made a motion to approve the pre-paids and authorize payment of the bills and accounts payable in the amount of $241,518.25. Brooks seconded the motion. Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown Nays: None 

  1. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: None 
  2. OLD BUSINESS: a. Consider and act on 2020-21 City of Newton balanced budget.

a. Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown, to authorize 2020-21 City of Newton balanced budget. Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks Nays: None

b. Consider and act on Aquatic Center employee wages effective May 1, 2020 and July 1, 2020. Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to authorize Aquatic Center employee wages effective May 1, 2020 and July 1, 2020. Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner Nays: None

Newton Aquatic Center Wages

First amount is effective 5/1/2020 second amount is 7/1/202

Manager $16.00/$16.75

Assistant Manager $12.25/$13.00

Lifeguards $10.25/$11.00

Concessions $9.25/$10.00

c. Consider and act on Police Labor Union 1197 and City Agreement 2020 to 2024. Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Brooks, to accept and authorize the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Newton Police Department and the Laborers’ International Union of North America, Southern & Central Illinois Laborer’s District Council Laborer’s Local Union 1197 effective May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2024 Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake Nays: None d. Consider and act on the “Welcome to Newton Signs.” 

Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Glumac, to authorize the “Welcome to Newton Signs.” Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris Nays: None 

  1. NEW BUSINESS: 
  2. Consider and act on Special Event Application from Newton Elite Fitness. Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Glumac, authorizing Special Event Application from Newton Elite Fitness. 

UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL 108 N. Van Buren St Newton, IL 62448 April 21, 2020 Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac Nays: None 

  1. Consider and act on TIF application for Newton Elite Fitness, 120 W. Washington St. Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris, to authorize TIF application for $2,500 to Newton Elite Fitness, 120 W. Washington St. Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown Nays: None c. Consider and act on TIF application for Remedies, 602 S. Van Buren St. 

Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Blake, to authorize TIF application for $2460.46 to Remedies, 602 S. Van Buren St. Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks Nays: None d. Consider and act on TIF application for Westend Reception and Events, 202 Museum 

Drive. Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Glumac, to authorize TIF agreement with Westend Reception and Events, 202 Museum Drive to annually reimburse TIF illegible expenses not to exceed their annual TIF increment for 5 years, with a maximum 5 year total of $150,000 ending December 31, 2026. Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner Nays: None e. Consider and act on TIF application for Jasper County Realty Brokers Inc., 116 W. 

Washington St. Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to authorize TIF application for $975 to Jasper County Realty Brokers Inc., 116 W. Washington St. Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris Nays: None f. Consider and act on TIF application for Verizon, 118 W. Washington St. Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Brooks, to authorize TIF application for $587.50 to Verizon, 118 W. Washington St. Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake Nays: None g. Consider and act on the annual 20-04 Resolution for MFT Street Maintenance Program. Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Harris, to authorize and to pass the annual 20-04 Resolution for MFT Street Maintenance Program. Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac Nays: None 

  1. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Negotiation 

Committee Meetings on April March 23 and 30; Finance Committee on April 15. Blake—Negotiation Committees March 23 and 30: March 23: Met with Doug Towler to discuss Union Local 1197 proposal for Newton Police Department contract. Council went into Executive Session to discuss contract proposal. Out of Executive Session at 6:30 PM. Went into open session to discuss proposal with Local 1197 and union representative, Doug Towler. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM. 

March 30: Council went into Executive Session at 6:00 PM to discuss contract proposal. Out of Executive Session at 6:20 PM. Met with Doug Towler to discuss Union Local 1197 contract proposal for Newton Police Department contract. Meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM 

Harris—Finance Committee on April 15: Called to order at 6:00 pm 

  • Doug Weddell spoke on the new event center. All the paperwork for the Tif Application for the Private redevelopment incentive is now completed. Possible closing is next week. He is using local labor to build and finish the building. He will employ possibly 2 to 6 part-time employees. Estimated cost is $700,000, he is eligible for $20000 a year for 5 years, but has to present paid bills in that amount to receive reimbursement. Total reimbursement amount was capped at $150, 000. Discussed TIF application for: 

UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL 108 N. Van Buren St Newton, IL 62448 April 21, 2020 

  • Adrean Hill is asking for $4920.91 for roof gravel, and landscaping at Remedies, we will reimburse $2460.46 
  • Blake Schroedter is asking for $5500 for roof at the Newton Elite Fitness bldg, will reimburse for $2500 
  • V Wins Big LLC they are asking for $1950 for second story windows at the Jasper County Reality bldg, will reimburse for $975 
  • V Winns Big LLC they are asking for $1175 for second story windows at the Version bldg. will reimburse $587.50 These applications will be approved or disapproved the Council Meeting on 4/21/20 
  • Amber Volk spoke on the Block Grants allocating 20 million dollars towards businesses. A public hearing is needed for the applications and will be set for April 30 at 6pm in the Police garage. 
  • Melissa Brooks went through the proposed budgets 
  • Mayor Bolander discussed new Welcome to Newton signs Adjourned at 7:35 
  1. STATEMENTS: 

Council Members: Glumac: Thanks to all the City employees and essential workers in our community for all that they are doing. Brown: No comment Brooks: The fence posts for the South Water Tower need reset. Reisner: My condolences for Donna Watkins and her family. Also, My thoughts and prayers for the Newton Care Center. Has anything more been done about the crossing of a railroad crossing? The general community feelings are against closing a crossing. Blake: Thanks to the Treasurer for her help with the Police Union Contract. Harris: Thanks to the Treasurer’s office for their work on the budget. The Insurance fund (POKE) has decreased. The council might need to take action. She presented the Payment and Billing Adjustment Report to the Council. City Attorney: Not present City Treasurer: No comment 

City Clerk: Water Department PO # 6518, for $21,127.00 Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris, to authorize payment of PO # 6518 for $21,127.00 to Midwest Meter Inc. Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown Nays: None 

Mayor: 

  1. The City will suspend the Five April Crossing lot lottery for now.
  2. 2. There will be a public hearing for businesses block grants on May 5th at 5:30 PM.
  3. 3. The next City Council Meeting will be on Zoom, if possible.
  4. 4. Several more people have tested positive for Covid-19.
  5. 5. A Five April Crossing resident who bought their lot wants their money back.
  6. 6. Wednesday, tomorrow night, the car prayer vigil has been canceled, but the religious leaders are meeting and having a Facebook live prayer vigil instead.
  7. 7. Sarah Kinkade at the Chamber of Commerce has been collecting money for gas cards for the employees of Newton Care Center. There has been an out pouring of support.
  8. 8. If business owners are struggling, the need to contact Amber Volk, Economic Development Coordinator, JEDI Executive Director at jaspercountyjedi@gmail.com or Phone: 618.783.3409.
  9. 9. The Jasper County Advisory Committee put a video on Facebook dealing with 

Covid-19 resources. 

  1. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: May 5, 2020 at 6:00 PM 

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: None 

  1. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation 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 and sale of real estate pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion. Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks Nays: None Open session suspended at 6:52 PM 

Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to go out of closed session and back into open session. Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner Nays: None 

Open session resumed at 7:06 PM. 

Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation and sale of real estate 

  1. ADJOURNMENT 

Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Glumac, to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake Nays: None 

Meeting adjourned at 7:07 PM. Submitted by Rosetta M. York

 

One Reply to “Unofficial Minutes for April 21 City Council Meeting”

  1. We in Tuscola are appalled that an official thinks more of the economy than peoples lives. They are going to die anyway, so he says. tell that to people that have love ones in a nursing home. We are glad Tuscolas officials don’t think the same way. I hope he thinks of this when its time for him to go to a nursing home. You will see by my e-mail address that I was born in Olney.

Comments are closed.