UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
August 6, 2019
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
Absent: None
Also present: Attorney Max Tedford, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to adopt the proposed agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of July 16, 2019
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Harris, to approve the minutes of the July 16, 2019
regular meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: None
7. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on LIFE and Integrated Therapy Service “Pack the Park” fundraiser with the
Peterson Park proceeds on August 1, 2019 going to Lincoln’s Place an inclusive playground
to be in Peterson Park.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Brown, to authorize LIFE and Integrated Therapy
Service “Pack the Park” fundraiser with the Peterson Park proceeds on August 1, 2019 going
to Lincoln’s Place an inclusive playground to be in Peterson Park.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on the Real Estate Contract for 404 E. Morgan St.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Brooks, to authorize the Real Estate Contract for
404 E. Morgan St.
Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on Ordinance 19-10 Approving Sale of Real Estate (404 E. Morgan St).
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to pass Ordinance 19-10 Approving Sale of
Real Estate (404 E. Morgan St).
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on entering into an Agreement with ADG/Architecture and Design Group for the City
Hall Remodeling project.
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris, to authorize entering into an Agreement
with ADG/Architecture and Design Group for the City Hall Remodeling project.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brooks, Reisner
Nays: Brown, Blake
8. NEW BUSINESS: NONE
A. Consider and act on contracting Hostettler Nuisance Control to assist with public health issues
caused by feral cats.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to authorize contracting Hostettler Nuisance
Control to assist with public health issues caused by feral cats.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on Newton Police Department donating $500 from their drug fund to ILEAS (Illinois
Law Enforcement Alarm System) Region #9 Response Team.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Reisner, to authorize Newton Police Department
donating $500 from their drug fund to ILEAS (Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System) Region
#9 Response Team.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None9. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
Reisner Reported on Street and All Departments Committee Meeting July 22:
• Discussed 2019 Corvette Funfest Parking. Public parking will be at the High School with shuttle
services to Grace Methodist Church.
• Discussed storm centers maybe at Grade St. Thomas.
• Discussed Cruise Night Route.
• Next 2019 Corvette Funfest meeting is on August 12, 2019 at 2:00 PM
• Meeting adjourned at 3:08 PM.
Reisner Reported on Street Committee Meeting July 29:
• Discuss the street stenciling on the square and W. Washington St. Checking on a couple of
options to try. Josh will talk to Judy McClure.
• Discussed the deposit fee for excavation, cutting or boring under the City of Newton streets.
Raising it from $100 to $500 because of the cost of repairing the streets.
• Meeting adjourned at 5:59 PM.
Brooks Reported on JEDI Meeting August 6:
a. Amber Volk, Executive Director
i. Scott Bierman and I currently working on LOIS (Location One).
1 An online site which presents large parcels or buildings available for companies to
purchase.
ii. Dollar General predicts to be completed in September 2019 and possibly be open in October 2019.
The project is implementing the Enterprise Zone but I am still waiting on additional information so the
contractors are able to obtain their tax exemption certificates.
1 Although the project is in the Tif, it was not able to be used because of the start before
paperwork and approval.
b. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton
iii. One new house is 2/3 built in Five Aprils Crossing and another this fall.
iv. 40 banners were ordered for the new street lamps and they are now in. (picture
of banner provided)
v. The logo that will be painted on Washington will be prepped and painted on
August 9th and 10th. The section will be blocked off but the road will still be open.
vi. The Queen of Hearts is now on 35 weeks and is bringing money into Jasper
County.
1 Jack Thompson: People from Indiana are buying tickets from the Gas Station
in Sainte Marie and we had a total of $10,000 in ticket sales. While people are
there, they are buying gas, drinks, etc.
c. Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board Chairman
vii. Cruise Night had a really nice turn out. It was bigger than last year.
viii. The jail project is still on going and the next meeting is August 15th.
d. Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1.
ix. School starts back up next week.
x. This will be the first year with the from scratch food service OPAA Food
Management Inc. All current food staff will stay until they retire then OPAA will do local
hiring.
1 We are hoping for more participation from students.
2 Neoga, Dieterich, Robinson, and Hudsonville are using the food service.
3 The food will be better and an estimated $50,000 will be saved per year.
xi. There were 17 personnel hired for replacement positions.
xii. 18-20% of our students are special needs. We have two fulltime counselors.
xiii. We are looking for volunteers for our mentor program. For any questions contact Andy Johnson.
10. STATEMENTS:
Council Members
Harris: The Street Maintenance Program looks good.
Blake: Read the Animal Report
Reisner: No Comment
Brooks: Cruise Night was great
Brown: Cruise Night was a success.
Glumac: Cruise Night was good. Anyone can volunteer for these events. All help is greatly
appreciated.
City Attorney: No comments
City Treasurer: No comments
City Clerk: Water Department PO # 6513 and # 6514
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Glumac, to authorize Water Department purchase
order #6513 for $8,911.52 to Total Home and Farm Solutions, Inc. and purchase order #6514 for
$7,643.00 to Vandevanter Engineering.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
Mayor: Discussed with Council the new logo on T-shirts.
11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: August 20, 2019 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
Street Committee/Corvette Funfest 8-12-2019 at 2:00 PM.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation, personnel and sale of real estate
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Blake, 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: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:54 PM.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Reisner, to go out of closed session and back into
open session.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:05 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 Reisner, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.
Submitted by Rosetta M. York
