UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. Van Buren St
Newton, IL 62448
October 20, 2020
1. CALL TO ORDER: Mark Bolander, Mayor
Mayor Mark Bolander called the meeting to order.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Larry Brooks.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Larry Brooks.
3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Robert Reisner, Eric Blake and Marlene Harris
Also present: Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York Absent: City Attorney William Heap
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Harris, to adopt the proposed agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of October 6, 2020:
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Glumac, to approve the minutes of the October 6, 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 $303,029.32 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 $110,207.88. Glumac seconded the motion.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: None
John Stone: He gave an update on the resurfacing of the Square project. There are still lines to be painted, and IDOT needs to fix the stoplight loop. Overall, it went pretty well. Sarah Bush Lincoln Clinic has a storm water drain issue they are trying to resolve. North Arrow has moved in a construction trailer and requested a JULIE for the lot.
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on using TIF funds to replace the stormwater main along the new Sarah Bush Lincoln Clinic project. Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Brown, to authorize using TIF funds to replace the stormwater main along the new Sarah Bush Lincoln Clinic project.
Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on 20-14 Ordinance to Amend Chapter 1, Article III – Salaries of elected officials. (DRAFT Ordinance is on www.cityofnewtonil.com ) Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to pass 20-14 Ordinance to Amend Chapter 1, Article III – Salaries of elected officials.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brooks
Nays: Brown, Reisner
c. Consider and act on increasing Zoning Administrator’s salary to $6,000.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Brooks, to authorize increasing Zoning Administrator’s salary to $6,000.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brooks, Reisner, Blake
Nays: Brown
d. Consider and act on a donation to INRR of $250 for coats, hats and gloves for families in need. Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Glumac, to authorize a donation to INRR of $250 for coats, hats and gloves for families in need.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on authorizing Trustmark Health Benefits to renew Option 2 and to administer the medical and dental benefit plans for the City of Newton. Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to authorize Trustmark Health Benefits to renew Option 2 and to administer the medical and dental benefit plans for the City of Newton.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
10.COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Insurance
10-13, Water 10-14, Electric and Park 10-14 and EMA 10-15.
Harris—Insurance:
Called to order at 5:30 pm
• Jason Booth spoke on insurance plans.
• We discussed Snedekers getting other insurance quotes for next year.
• It was suggested to take option 2 on the renewal term with Trust Mark.
• It was recommended to take terminal coverage for 2022.
• We discussed rate options for next year.
In other matters: Property and Liability quotes are being received. Next meeting Oct 29th at 5:30.
Adjourned at 6:54
BROOKS–WATER
• Discussed the water line for the First National Bank of Olney. Tyler is going to run a water line
between the hotel and the site of the bank, and putting a fire hydrant there.
• Discussed a customer’s leak.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.
Glumac and Brown-ELECTRIC and Park: The Leachmans have collected $1,700 total.
They are planning a fish fry and a raffle with $850 in prizes donated. The community has been
very welcoming to the idea of lights in the park. Displays will recognize the sponsors. The
displays will be 4 to 6 feet in height. We looked at a map of Peterson Park for the placement of
the displays. The displays will be light up on Fridays and Saturdays at 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM,
between November 27, 2020 and January 1, 2021. Tourism will be responsible for permits and
insurance. Lynette Huddleston asked about lights on the old bridge and it was well received by
all at the table. We will be having another meeting Wednesday Oct. 28 6:00. Meeting ended at
7:00.
EMA Meeting was cancelled.
11.STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Harris: She presented the Payment and Billing Adjustment Report to the Council. The Square streets and sidewalks look nice. They completed the sidewalks before Elite Fitness Special event.
Blake: He gave the Animal Control Report.
Reisner: The Square project went pretty well. The City has wanted to do this for several years.
Brooks: The Square looks good.
Brown: In December, the City will be interviewing candidates for Chief Swick’s position. Chief will be retiring next year.
Glumac: The Square looks good.
City Treasurer: Yesterday there was a Joint Review Board meeting to present the TIF report. All the taxing bodies had a representative present except Jasper County.
City Clerk: Electric Department PO # 223277
Electric Department PO # 223277 to Midwest Electric Transformer for 2 transformers
with the total cost of $28,500.00.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Reisner, to authorize the Electric Department PO # 223277 to Midwest Electric Transformer for 2 transformers with the total cost of $28,500.00.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
Mayor: We have reasons to be proud: new used car lot, the Square being resurfaced, new Sarah Bush Lincoln Clinic, new Senior Living complex, new West End Reception and Events and the new First National Bank of Olney. Also, the Department heads have all worked hard to upgrade and refurbish their equipment, which is a savings to
the City on overtime and maintenance costs. They are doing a great job.
Amber Volk has helped at the beginning phases with several projects.
Milano and Grunloh reported they think the IDOT Environmental will sign off on the Eagle Trail Riverwalk project by November 2. The next phase will be planning and engineering.
12.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: November 3, 2020 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Insurance Committee Meeting October 29, 2020 at 5:30 PM, Finance 10-26 at 5:30 PM and Electric, Park and ERTC 10-28 at 6:00 PM
13.EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate, purchase of real estate and closed session minutes.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate and purchase 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 6:37 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 6:47 PM.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate and purchase of real estate.
14.ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 6:52 PM.
Submitted by Rosetta M. York
