UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
August 1, 2023
Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 5:45 PM.
Minutes for the meeting are included in item #7.
- CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
Mayor Joshua Kuhl called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Gayle Glumac.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Gayle Glumac. - ROLL CALL: Amy J. Tarr, Deputy City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann,
Eric Blake and Michael Swick
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks, and Deputy Clerk
Amy Tarr - ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: #6 – Add John Stone and George Hesser; strike wording
from #8C.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adopt the
amended agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None - APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of July 18, 2023.
Motion was made by Larry Brooks, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to approve the
minutes of the July 18, 2023 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None - PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS:
John Stone, Connor & Connor: The W Jourdan sidewalk project is at the state. Plans
are being reviewed for completeness. This project could tie in with the sidewalk project
on E Washington. The next step will be to advertise for bids.
The S Van Buren sidewalk project has been surveyed. These plans will need
sent to the state for a permit. The target bid date is late September.
The permit for the Lafayette Street water main project is still in the process of
being reviewed.
We have not heard back on the grant for the Morgan and Washington water main
projects.
Zoning is working with Frank Heiligenstein on revising the Zoning Code regarding
off-premise signs. We are also trying to get a better grasp on mini storage sheds.
Finally, Connor & Connor is working with Josh Ochs on custom signs for the
blind curve on S Van Buren.
George Hesser: Expressed concerns about trash and tall weeds/grass in his
neighborhood.
- COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
Personnel Committee Meeting Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM.
Waiting on minutes from committee chair.
Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 1:00 PM.
Waiting on minutes from committee chair.
Finance and Audit Committee Meeting Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 5:45 PM.
Meeting was called to order at 5:45 pm,
Those in attendance were: RJ Lindemann, Amy Tarr, Melissa Brooks, Larry Brooks,
Mike Swick, Gayle Glumac, Caleb Wright, Bill Heap, Tyler Weber, John Stone
• TIF application for Tim Jones was discussed. It was recommended to award him
$5,000.
• TIF application for Jared Wagner was discussed. It was recommended to award him
$2,810.
• Due to Rosie’s retirement, it was recommended that Maggie McDonald should be
added as an additional signer on the city’s bank accounts, with all other signers
remaining the same
Meeting adjourned at 5:47 pm
Submitted by RJ Lindemann, Finance/Audit Committee Chairman - OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing South Central Illinois Regional Planning and
Development Commission (SCRIPDC) and The City of Newton to proceed with the Safe
Route to Schools Grant Application.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize South
Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission (SCRIPDC) and
The City of Newton to proceed with Safe Route to Schools Grant Application.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on passing Ordinance No. 23-13 to modify Ordinance No. 23-10 in
part regarding legal expenses of lot transfer in Five April Crossings Subdivision.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to pass
Ordinance No. 23-13 to modify Ordinance No. 23-10 in part regarding expenses of
Lot 10 in Five April Crossings Subdivision.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing the City Attorney to amend the Lease Agreement
Between Saint Thomas Roman Catholic Church and the City of Newton. Amending the
annual sum for each well from $750.00 to $1,000.00. and make a provision to the
maximum number of gallons used by the Lessor per year.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the
City Attorney to amend the Lease Agreement Between Saint Thomas Roman
Catholic Church and the City of Newton. Amending the annual sum for each well
from $750.00 to $1,000.00. and make a provision to the maximum number of
gallons used by the Lessor per year. This encompasses four water wells.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing TIF Application submitted by Tim Jones
Plumbing.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize TIF
Application submitted by Tim Jones Plumbing at 1007 S Van Buren St.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
- NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on passing Ordinance No. 23-14 to Amend the Zoning Map of the
Zoning Code to the City of Newton, changing the zone classification of the property at
204 West End Ave., Newton, Illinois from SR-2 (Single Family Residence-Small) to B-1
(Neighborhood Business).
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to pass Ordinance
No. 23-14 to Amend the Zoning Map of the Zoning Code to the City of Newton,
changing the zone classification of the property at 204 West End Ave., Newton,
Illinois from SR-2 (Single Family Residence-Small) to B-1 (Neighborhood
Business).
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing City Clerk Rosetta M. York’s letter of resignation.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize City
Clerk Rosetta M. York’s letter of resignation effective August 1, 2023.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on sending one employee from the Electric Department to AIEC
Line School for Climbing School held at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield,
Illinois from September 5, 2023 – September 15, 2023. The cost will be $800.00 per
week, total of $1,600.00, plus allowable expenses.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
sending one employee from the Electric Department to AIEC Line School for
Climbing School held at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois
from September 5, 2023 – September 15, 2023. The cost will be $800.00 per week,
total of $1,600.00, plus allowable expenses.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None.
D. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application submitted by Peoples
State Bank for their Customer Appreciation Ice Cream Social held on Thursday, August
10, 2023 from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the main bank location.
Motion was made by Larry Brooks, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the
Special Event Application submitted by Peoples State Bank for their Customer
Appreciation Ice Cream Social held on Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 11:00 AM –
3:00 PM at the main bank location.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application submitted by the
Jasper County Chamber of Commerce for their Cruise Night Event held on Friday,
August 11, 2023 from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM around the town square.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the
Special Event Application submitted by the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce
for their Cruise Night Event held on Friday, August 11, 2023 from 5:00 PM – 10:00
PM around the town square.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
F. Consider and act on authorizing Emily Leighty to paint and patch the Newton Eagle
statues at the Welcome to Newton Signs in the amount of $200.00.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize Emily
Leighty to paint and patch the Newton Eagle statues at the Welcome to Newton
Signs in the amount of $200.00.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
- STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: No comment.
Wright: No comment.
Brooks: No comment.
Lindemann: Allocations and Billing Adjustments were presented.
“The Community Development Fund should be abolished.”
Blake: Josh Ochs (Street Department Head) and I want to thank the Newton Police
Department, Wade Township personnel, Jasper County Highway Department
employees, and all the City Utility Departments for their help with the Street Department
tar and chip program.
Swick: The Newton PD is down one officer again. We will be starting the hiring process
soon.
City Attorney: No comment.
City Treasurer: No comment.
Deputy City Clerk: “I wish Rosie a long, happy retirement. She has been a mentor and
friend, and I’m going to miss her vast knowledge base and seasoned assessment of
situations. She had a keen ability to create a paradigm shift with folks who came to City
Hall feeling like they’d been cheated. She’d listen to their complaint and then present the
other side. It was impressive to watch people as they assessed their circumstances from
a different angle.
“Rosie worked for the businesses and citizens with a servant’s heart and based
decisions on what was best for the community. Newton is going to miss her generosity
and her practical approach to conducting City business.
“One thing is certain, Rosie always made it clear where she stood on a topic. I
never left a conversation guessing what she was thinking.
“Thank you for your service, Rosie. We have big shoes to fill, and we’re trying our
best to make you proud. Enjoy your extra free time.”
Mayor Kuhl: Thanked department heads, council members and employees for
attending Tuesday’s Personnel Committee meeting focused on improving
communication on all levels. We must strive to communicate better and show common
curtesy to one another as we serve the City. Lunch was provided after the meeting.
Several employees were able to stay and eat.
Rosie York is a one of a kind. She is extremely intelligent and has a vast amount
of knowledge of municipal laws and regulations. I appreciate her and thank her for her
years of service.
School is starting soon. Everyone needs to watch for kids and school busses.
- NEXT REGULAR MEETING: August 15, 2023 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Electric Committee Meeting Tuesday,
August 8, 2023 at 6:00 PM. - EXECUTIVE SESSION: None.
- ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adjourn the
meeting.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None.
Meeting adjourned at 6:58 PM.
Submitted by Amy J Tarr, Deputy City Clerk
