UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
February 20, 2024
Finance and Audit Committee Meeting Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 5:30 PM.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
Mayor Joshua Kuhl called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Gayle Glumac.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Gayle Glumac.
3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and
Mike Swick
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City Clerk
Maggie McDonald
Absent: Larry Brooks
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: Potential Litigation and Municipal Power were added to
Executive Session.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to adopt the
amended agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of February 6, 2024.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to approve the
minutes of the February 6, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
Abstain: Blake
6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $227,088.81 and the
bills and accounts payable earlier today and makes a motion to approve the pre-
paids and authorize payment of the bills and accounts payable in the amount of
$141,907.85. Gayle Glumac seconded the motion.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
• City Insurance Committee Meeting, Monday February 19, 2024 at 5:45 PM.
City Insurance Monday, February 19, 2024 5:45 PM – 5:47 PM
Meeting was called to order at 5:45 PM.
• The Cobra rates going into 2024 were presented to the committee. It was recommended
the council approve the rates going into the February 20th meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:47 PM.
Those in attendance were: RJ Lindemann – Chairman, Mike Swick, Josh Kuhl, Melissa Brooks, Jeff
Vance, Matt Tarr, Maggie McDonald, Gayle Glumac, Amy Tarr
• Electric Committee Meeting Monday, February 19, 2024 at 6:00 PM.
Electric Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, February 19, 2024 6:00 PM – 7:43 PM
Present: Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Kaleb Wright, Melissa Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Mike Swick, Amy
Tarr, Matt Tarr, Maggie McDonald and Jeff Vance
Meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
• Gayle Glumac asked for a motion to go out of open session and into closed session to
discuss municipal power. RJ Lindemann seconded the motion.
• Gayle Glumac asked for a motion to go out of closed session and back into open
session. RJ Lindemann seconded the motion to go back into open session.
Open Session resumed at 7:43 PM
Meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM.
Submitted by: Gayle Glumac – Chairman
• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 5:30
PM. (Waiting on Minutes)
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: None
9. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on awarding bid for W. Jourdan St. sidewalk project. (Bid letting 10
AM, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at City Hall.)
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to award bid
for the MFT funded W. Jourdan St. sidewalk project to McCarthy Improvement
in the amount of $119,919.95.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on awarding bid for S. Van Buren St. sidewalk project. (Bid letting
10:15 AM, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at City Hall.)
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to award bid for
the TIF funded S. Van Buren St. sidewalk project to McCarthy Improvement in
the amount of $77,903.05.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: Lindemann, Blake
C. Consider and act on awarding bid for E. Washington St. sidewalk project. (Bid letting
10:30 AM, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at City Hall.)
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to award bid for
the TIF funded E. Washington St. sidewalk project to Precise Construction
Service in the amount of $29,975.19.
Ayes: Glumac, Swick Wright
Nays: Lindemann, Blake
D. Consider and act on authorizing the City Attorney to move forward with a city limit
property disconnection at 8665 N. St. Hwy 130 and 8679 N. St. Hwy 130.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize
tabling the City Attorney to move forward with a city limit property
disconnection at 8665 N. St. Hwy 130 and 8679 N. St. Hwy 130 to the March 5,
2024 City Council Meeting.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for
Demolition Reimbursement Application for 702 Foster St.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize
tabling the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition
Reimbursement Application for 702 Foster St. to the March 5, 2024 City
Council Meeting as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
F. Consider and act onauthorizing the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for
Demolition Reimbursement Application for 504 Curtis St.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
tabling the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition
Reimbursement Application for 504 Curtis St. to the March 5, 2024 City Council
Meeting as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
G. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition Reimbursement Application for 503 Barton St.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
tabling the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition
Reimbursement Application for 503 Barton St. to the March 5, 2024 City
Council Meeting as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
H. Consider and act on authorizing Agreement with Steven Di Naso, PhD, with Eastern
Illinois University, for upgraded mapping and inventory of Riverside Cemetery for a
total contract cost of $8,200.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
the Agreement with Steven Di Nason, PhD, with Eastern Illinois University, for
upgraded mapping and inventory of Riverside Cemetery for a total contract
cost of $8,200.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
I. Consider and act on authorizing Cobra/IMRF’s continuation of rates effective March
1, 2024 to February 28, 2025.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
Cobra/IMRF’s continuation of rates effective March 1, 2024 to February 28,
2025.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
J. Consider and act on sending two city employees and one council member to attend
the IMEA Conference on May 9 – May 10, 2024 in Springfield, Illinois, as
recommended by the Electric Committee. Only cost is milage.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize
sending two city employees and one council member to attend the IMEA
Conference on May 9 – May 10, 2024 in Springfield, Illinois, as recommended
by the Electric Committee. Only cost is milage.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
K. Consider and act on sending one Electric Department employee to AIEC Back-to-
Back Lineman School in Springfield, Illinois, for the weeks of April 8 – 12 and April 15
– 19, 2024. Total cost will be $1,600 for training, plus hotel and allowable expenses.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
sending one Electric Department employee to AIEC Back-to-Back Lineman
School in Springfield, Illinois, for the weeks of April 8 – 12 and April 15 – 19,
2024. Total cost will be $1,600 for training, plus hotel and allowable expenses.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
L. Consider and act on authorizing Power Purchasing Contract with most favorable
power supplier.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to table (9L.)
authorizing a Power Purchasing Contract with most favorable power supplier
until after Executive Session.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
10. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing BHMG to conduct an electric rate study.
Motion failed for lack of motion.
B. Consider and act on passing Resolution 24-01 a Resolution for Improvement Under
Illinois Highway Code.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to pass
Resolution 24-01 a Resolution for Improvement Under Illinois Highway Code
for the W. Jourdan St. sidewalk project.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on passing Resolution 24-02 Resolution Concerning Closed
Session Minutes.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to table (10C.)
Resolution 24-02 Resolution Concerning Closed Session Minutes until after
Executive Session.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on passing Resolution 24-03 Resolution Authorizing the
Destruction of Closed Session Audio Recordings between February 2022 – July
2022.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to table
(10D.) Resolution 24-03 Resolution Authorizing Destruction of Closed Session
Audio Recordings between February 2022 – July 2022 until after Executive
Session.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on sending one employee from the Clerk’s office to the MCI Spring
Seminar Training on April 4 – 5, 2024 in Champaign, Illinois. Total cost for training
and hotel is $174.00 plus allowable expenses.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
sending one employee from the Clerk’s office to the MCI Spring Seminar
Training on April 4 – 5, 2024 in Champaign, Illinois. Total cost for training and
hotel is $174.00 plus allowable expenses.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
11. STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: Thanked the Street Department and all the departments for getting on top of the snow
cleaning last Friday. You all did a great job.
Wright: No Comments
Lindemann: Presented the utility adjustments. Voiced opposition of the Capital Development
Fund.
Blake: No Comments
Swick: No Comments
City Attorney: No Comments
City Treasurer: No Comments
City Clerk: No Comments
Mayor: Thanked the City employees for everything they do day in and day out. Thanked Gayle
Glumac, Matt Tarr and Brenda Phillips for all the continued hard work that has been put into the
electric contract renewal. Most importantly, thanked Amy Tarr for going above and way beyond
in this process. Diligently working, spending countless hours, plus her normal everyday
workload, has been nothing less than impressive. So again, thank you Amy, for all you have
brought to the table and being the truly good person you are. You are a pure asset to the city
and that is not always easy to find.
12. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: March 5, 2024 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
• Street and Alley Committee Meeting Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 6:00 PM.
• Personnel Committee Meeting Tuesday, February 27, 2024 immediately
following the Street and Alley Committee Meeting.
13. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Closed Session Minutes, Potential Litigation and Municipal
Power.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to go out of open
session and into closed session to discuss Closed Session Minutes, Potential
Litigation and Municipal Power pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open
Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:37PM.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to go out of closed session
and back into open session.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:39PM.
Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed Closed Session
Minutes, Potential Litigation and Municipal Power.
(9L.) Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize a one-
year Energy and Capacity Purchasing Agreement starting June 1, 2024 through May 31,
2025.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
(10C.) Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to pass
Resolution 24-02 Resolution Concerning Closed Session Minutes.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
(10D.) Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to pass
Resolution 24-03 Resolution Authorizing the Destruction of Closed Session Audio
Recordings between February 2022 – July 2022.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
14. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM.
Submitted by:
Maggie E. McDonald, City Clerk
