City Council Minutes for April 16th Meeting

UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL 

108 N. VAN BUREN St. 

NEWTON, IL 62448 

April 16, 2024 

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 Mike Swick. 

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Mike Swick. 

3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk  

Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, Eric Blake and  Mike Swick 

Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City Clerk  Maggie McDonald  

Absent: RJ Lindemann 

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:  

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adopt the  proposed agenda.  

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick 

Nays: None 

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of April 2, 2024. 

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to approve the  minutes of the April 2, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council. 

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac 

Nays: None 

6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: 

Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $186,438.34 and the  bills and accounts payable earlier today. Larry Brooks made a motion to approve  the pre-paids and authorize payment of the bills and accounts payable in the  amount of $76,739.54. Kaleb Wright seconded the motion. 

Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright 

Nays: None 

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS: NONE 

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:  • Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 6:00  PM. (Waiting on minutes). 

9. OLD BUSINESS: 

A. Consider and act on authorizing an Agreement with IDOT and the Indiana Rail Road  for Railway-Highway Grade Crossing Improvements on S. 1st Ave., Sycamore St.  and West End Ave.  

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize  tabling the Agreement with IDOT and the Indiana Rail Road for Railway Highway Grade Crossing Improvements on S. 1st Ave., Sycamore St. and West  End Ave to the May 7, 2024 City Council Meeting.  

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks 

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing a Dumpster Reimbursement Application for 505 N.  Church St. in the amount of $2,421.00 as recommended by the Finance and Audit  Committee.  

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize a  Dumpster Reimbursement Application for 505 N. Church St. in the amount of  $2,421.00 as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.  Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks 

Nays: None 

Abstain: Blake 

C. Consider and act on authorizing a Dumpster Reimbursement Application for 505½ N.  Church St. in the amount of $2,421.00 as recommended by the Finance and Audit  Committee.  

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize a  Dumpster Reimbursement Application for 505½ N. Church St. in the amount of  $2,421.00 as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.  Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Swick 

Nays: None 

Abstain: Blake 

D. Consider and act on authorizing the 2024-2025 City of Newton balanced budget.  Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the  2024-2025 City of Newton balanced budget.  

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac 

Nays: None 

E. Consider and act on authorizing the invoice from Precise Construction Services for  the additional sidewalk replacement cost at E. Washington St. in the amount of  $2,867.00.  

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize  the invoice from Precise Construction Services for the additional sidewalk  replacement cost at E. Washington St. in the amount of $2,867.00.  Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright 

Nays: None 

F. Consider and act on authorizing the Engineer’s Payment Estimate, with the  additional sidewalk replacement cost included for E. Washington St., in the amount  of $32,842.19.  

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the  Engineer’s Payment Estimate, with the additional sidewalk replacement cost  included for E. Washington St., in the amount of $32,842.19. 

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks 

Nays: None

G. Consider and act on authorizing the invoice from Stone & Waggoner for final  sidewalk inspection at E. Washington St. in the amount of $2,934.96.  

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the  invoice from Stone & Waggoner for final sidewalk inspection at E. Washington  St. in the amount of $2,934.96.  

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake 

Nays: None 

10. NEW BUSINESS:  

A. Consider and act on authorizing Stone & Waggoner to conduct a survey for a Right of-Way Easement between E. Curtis St. and Maxwell St.  

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize  Stone & Waggoner to conduct a survey for a Right-of-Way Easement between  E. Curtis St. and Maxwell St.  

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick 

Nays: None 

B. Consider and act on authorizing the City Attorney to prepare the Right-of-Way  Easement between E. Curtis St. and Maxwell St.  

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the  City Attorney to prepare the Right-of-Way Easement between E. Curtis St. and  Maxwell St.  

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac 

Nays: None 

C. Consider and act on authorizing Brad Benefiel’s retirement letter, after 34 years of  employment with the City of Newton, effective May 15, 2024. 

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize  Brad Benefiel’s retirement letter, after 34 years of employment with the City of  Newton, effective May 15, 2024. 

Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright 

Nays: None  

11. STATEMENTS BY:  

Glumac: Thanked Tourism and all who hosted events for the Eclipse. Appreciate the utility  departments for the unexpected work that was put in that day. They stepped up with no  complaints. Everything was handled nicely and went smoothly. Kudos to our great community  for encouraging our Strong Boys and Strong Girls to keep pushing as they are hitting some  hotter days during their training. Congratulations to Brad, wish him the best on his retirement.  Wright: Thanked Melissa for all her work on budgets.  

Brooks: The new business on South Van Buren is looking good.  

Blake: No Comments. 

Swick: The Solar Eclipse went well. It was amazing, to say the least. All the patrons I spoke to were very pleased with how the day went. Congratulations to Benny on a great job in the Park  Department and I hope he enjoys his retirement.  

City Attorney: No Comments. 

City Treasurer: Presented the following appropriation change. 

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to make the following  appropriation change: 

1. Specials: Tort (9000-54) to move $50.00 from Contingency Fund to Miscellaneous  Expense (7000-54). 

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks 

Nays: None 

It was nice to witness the Eclipse. Thank you all for your gracious comments on the budget. I  will not take full credit for the budget preparation, as Donna and Rachel work tremendously on  this project.  

City Clerk: (2 PO’s) 

1. Wastewater Department PO #12 to McClane Motors for a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500  Truck to be purchased in the start of the next fiscal year in the amount of  $11,673.00 

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize  Wastewater PO #12 to McClane Motors for a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Truck to  be purchased in the start of the next fiscal year in the amount of $11,673.00 Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks 

Nays: Blake 

2. Street Department PO #1002-22 for the purchase of concrete forms from  BonTool Co. in the amount of $4,988.10. 

Motion was made by Kaleb Wrigt, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize  Street Department PO #1002-22 for the purchase of concrete forms from  BonTool Co. in the amount of $4,988.10. 

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick 

Nays: None 

Congratulations Brad and happy retirement. 

Mayor: Presented the utility adjustments. The Solar Eclipse was every bit of the hype and  more. Incredible day. I have never seen so much traffic in Newton. The schools made the right  decision to close for the day. Thank you to all who hosted events. Great to see so many out-of town people visiting and to hear all the wonderful things said about our community.  Congratulations to Brad Benefiel. Wish him nothing but relaxation and enjoyment. I would be  honored to pay for a free pool pass this year in celebration of his retirement. With Spring in the  air, colors in bloom, and new sidewalks underway, town is starting to look great. Thank you  again to Melissa, Donna and Rachel over the last six months for their work on budgets. Excited  for the start of the new fiscal year, and the potential to build from it as the years come.  

12. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: May 7, 2024 at 6:00 PM

13. SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Electric Committee Meeting on Monday,  April 29, 2024 at 6:00 PM.  

14. ADJOURNMENT: 

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adjourn the  meeting. 

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac 

Nays: None 

Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM. 

Submitted by: 

Maggie E. McDonald, City Clerk