UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
May 6, 2025
- Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 5:30 PM.
- 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 Kaleb Wright.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Kaleb Wright. - ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks and Mike
Swick
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City
Clerk Maggie McDonald
Absent: Alderman RJ Lindemann and Alderman Eric Blake - ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to adopt the
amended agenda. (Amend 8B. to up to $9,000. Amend 8C. to up to $9,000.
Amend 8D. to up to $11,000.)
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Swick
Nays: None - APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of April 15, 2025.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Larry Brooks, to approve
the minutes of the April 15, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None - PUBLIC COMMENTS:
- Kenneth and Elisabeth Belcher: Inquired about updates they had asked about
back in January. This was about utilizing TIF funds on new builds and if TIF
funds could be used as a water tap reimbursement, similar to what the Enterprise
Zone offers, in Five Aprils Subdivision. Clerk McDonald stated because the price
of a brand-new lot in a brand-new subdivision is $5,000, and the infrastructure,
new roads and sidewalks in Five Aprils Subdivision were built with the use of the
TIF program, the city has not authorized new builds to utilize any additional TIF
funding. Five Aprils Subdivision is also within in the Enterprise Zone, but since it
is also within the TIF district, it does not qualify for the tax abatement incentive
offered within Enterprise Zone. However, as of September 19, 2024, the
Enterprise Zone now offers Building Material Exemption Certificates and water
and sewer tapping fee reimbursements to new builds. Unfortunately, the
properties the Belcher’s were inquiring about in Five Aprils Subdivision were built
prior to the passing of the new incentives offered with the Enterprise Zone.
The Belcher’s also asked about any update with the dumpster reimbursement
program. The council had discussed altering some of the requirements and amounts to
the program. Nothing was ever adjusted and no changes have been made to the
application. Alderman Wright will be getting with Alderman Lindemann about discussing
this again in a Finance and Audit Committee Meeting.
- Jared Wagner: The city has incentivized individuals to participate in city
beautification of dilapidated structures with the dumpster reimbursement or
demolition reimbursement programs. I have now filed six different demolition
reimbursement applications, all of which the Finance Committee Chairman has
voted no. My Goble St. project was approved by the Finance Committee and
council. When it came for a vote to disburse the funds, the Finance Committee
Chairman voted no. If you read the same minutes, from the same meetings,
directly after my applications are voted no, all others are voted yes by the
chairman. I am simply saying that I feel I am getting unwanted attention and I
think the Finance Committee Chairman is doing a horrible job looking at anything
objectively and instead looking at things subjectively. As the Finance Committee
Chairman, what he says goes. He has made himself such an obstacle, it is hard
to get anything done. I think this program is a great thing. I believe this program
should be for business people, people who are building and putting money into
the infrastructure of this town. If people like myself, are going to have such a
hard time getting through the Finance Committee Chairman, this will all slow
down immensely for everyone in this town. I have serious reservations on
bringing anything to the council, because I feel the Finance Committee Chairman
is looking at me subjectively, and for whatever reason he does not want to
support anything I’ve done in this community. Everything I have brought to this
table, he has voted no. I have met every requirement the city has ever asked of
me. I am not asking for an explanation. I am asking you all, as elected bodies,
to please put some serious thought into who will be the chairman of that
committee. You have been elected to be the checks and balances of this city.
And if I am noticing these issues, I am sure others are as well.
- COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
- Street and Alley Committee Meeting on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 6:00
PM.
Street and Alley Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 30, 2025 6:00 PM – 6:48 PM
Present: Mike Swick, Joshua Kuhl, Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Maggie
McDonald, Melissa Brooks, Josh Ochs, Alan Beard, John Stone, Matt Tarr, Tyler Weber and Tim Keller
Meeting began at 6:00 PM.
- The Beards have been experiencing flooding issues with the retention pond North of their home
that was put in when Five Aprils Subdivision was developed. With the torrential downpours we
have been receiving lately, the problem just continues to get worse. Alan Beard approached the
council for a solution. The committee discussed the options of expanding the retention pond or
possibly purchasing the Beards property. Mr. Beard also mentioned the ditches and drains
around his property were full of rubbish. The city will be alerting the public to contact city hall if
you have a storm drain that is clogged and needs cleaned out so we can alert the Street
Department.
Alan Beard left at 6:25 PM - There is currently a tree that needs removed in the East and West alley off of Walnut St. Tree
services came out to remove the tree and mistakenly cut down trees that were on private
property. The committee chairman will be getting with the homeowner to discuss a solution to
this incident. - With the amount of heavy rain we have been having, it is causing flooding issues around Orchard
Dr. also. Once things finally dry up, the Street Department will assess different options to try and
eliminate some of these flooding issues. - The MFT Street Maintenance bid opening is scheduled for May 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Newton
City Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 6:48 PM
Submitted by:
Mike Swick – Chairman - Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Wednesday, April 30, 2025
immediately following the Street and Alley Committee Meeting.
Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 30, 2025 6:48 PM – 7:13 PM
Present: RJ Lindemann, James Zuber, Tim Keller, Josh Kuhl, Mike Swick, Maggie McDonald, Larry
Brooks, Kaleb Wright, Gayle Glumac, Melissa Brooks, Matt Tarr, Tyler Weber and Sarah Dial
Meeting called to order at 6:48 PM. - Demo reimbursement for 307 S. Church St. was discussed. It was recommended to
award $11,000. - Demo reimbursements for 901 Menke, 903 Menke, 1007 Fairground, and 1009 Fairground
was discussed. It was requested that quotes be acquired and each property has its own
application. - Demo reimbursement for 603 W. End Ave. was discussed. It was recommended to award
$10,000 for the demo.
Meeting adjourned at 7:13 PM.
Submitted by:
RJ Lindemann – Chairman - Electric Committee Meeting on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 immediately
following the Finance and Audit Committee Meeting.
Electric Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 30, 2025 7:14 PM – 7:33 PM
Present: Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Kaleb Wright, RJ Lindemann, Larry Brooks, Mike Swick, Matt Tarr,
Tyler Weber, Maggie McDonald, Melissa Brooks, Sarah Dial and Mark Anderson
Meeting was called to order at 7:14 PM.
306 Walnut St. still has repairs and electrical work that needs done before any utility services will
be restored. The City Inspector will be providing a list of all unfinished work. Also, all utility bills
will need to be in current standing from homeowner and renter.
- There are two trees in the alley running North and South between Owens and Henry. The city
will be removing the trees and then vacating the alley. - Matt is ordering two new PLC’s (Programable Logic Controllers) for the substations and also
cameras for the South substation. - The crosswalk signals on Jourdan and Van Buren and Jourdan and Jackson have been updated
for the hearing impaired.
Meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM.
Submitted by:
Gayle Glumac – Chairman - Building and Grounds Committee Meeting on Wednesday, April 30, 2025
immediately following the Electric Committee Meeting.
Building and Grounds Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 30, 2025 7:33 PM – 7:59 PM
Present: Mike Swick, Joshua Kuhl, Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, Melissa Brooks, RJ
Lindemann, Maggie McDonald, Matt Tarr, Tyler Weber, Mark Anderson and Sarah Dial
Meeting was called to order at 7:33 PM.
- Mark Anderson approached the committee about purchasing a piece of land the city currently
owns. Mr. Anderson is looking to expand his business and construct a main reconditioning and
service center within Newton. All transports for his business would come through this new facility.
The Decatur Street business location would be transferred to the new location. Hopes to create 5
to 10 additional jobs with new facility. - Any land the city owns has to be submitted for bids.
- The city will be taking over the mowing at the truck parking lot behind the hotel.
- There are trees down in the cemetery. All departments are to help the Park Department get them
cleaned up.
Meeting adjourned at 7:59 PM.
Submitted by:
Mike Swick – Chairman - Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 5:30
PM. (Waiting on Minutes)
- OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing the Demolition Reimbursement Application
submitted for 307 S. Church St. up to $11,000 as recommended by the
Finance and Audit Committee.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize
the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 307 S. Church
St. up to $11,000 as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.
Ayes: Brooks, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing the Demolition Reimbursement Application
submitted for 901 Menke, Unit 2. (Up to $9,000)
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
authorize the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 901
Menke, Unit 2, up to $9,000.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing the Demolition Reimbursement Application
submitted for 903 Menke. (Up to $9,000)
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to
authorize the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 903
Menke up to $9,000.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Swick
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing the Demolition Reimbursement Application
submitted for 1007 & 1009 Fairground. (Up to $11,000)
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
authorize the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 1007
& 1009 Fairground up to $11,000.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on authorizing the Demolition Reimbursement Application
submitted for 603 West End Ave. up to $10,000 as recommended by the
Finance and Audit Committee.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 603 West End
Ave. up to $10,000 as recommended by the Finance and Audit
Committee.
Ayes: Brooks, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
F. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 25-05 Amending Chapter 38 Utilities,
38-1-8 Billing and Payment of Charges and 38-1-9 Lein for Charges, Clarifying
Responsibilities for Unpaid Utility Bills and Process for Filing Leins.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Larry Brooks, to pass
Ordinance 25-05 Amending Chapter 38 Utilities, 38-1-8 Billing and
Payment of Charges and 38-1-9 Lein for Charges, Clarifying
Responsibilities for Unpaid Utility Bills and Process for Filing Leins.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
G. Consider and act on authorizing the zoning board to proceed with municipal
code changes, allowing duplexes to be built in SR-1 Zoning Districts and
stipulations to storage buildings.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize
the zoning board to proceed with municipal code changes, allowing
duplexes to be built in SR-1 Zoning Districts and stipulations to storage
buildings.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Swick
Nays: None
H. Consider and act on authorizing to proceed with utility easements for electric
distribution and data communications.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to
authorize proceeding with utility easements for electric distribution and
data communications.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
I. Consider and act on authorizing endorsing the continuing existence and need
for the Capital Development Fund.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
authorize endorsing the continuing existence and need for the Capital
Development Fund.
Ayes: Brooks, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
- NEW BUSINESS:
A. Swear in newly elected officials
i. Mayor – Joshua J. Kuhl
ii. City Clerk – Maggie E. McDonald
iii. Alderman – Gayle Glumac, Ward 1; Eric Blake (Absent), Ward 2; RJ
Lindemann (Absent), Ward 3
iv. Zoning Board – Kenneth Albrecht (Absent)
B. Consider and act on authorizing the appointment of Committee Chairman and
Committee Members.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
authorize the appointment of Committee Chairman and Committee
Members.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing the appointment of Department Heads.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to
authorize the appointment of Department Heads.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Swick
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing Department Heads to receive a $1.25 hourly
wage increase.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize
Department Heads to receive a $1.25 hourly wage increase.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on authorizing the city attorney to draft an Ordinance
prohibiting junk, junk parts, garbage, trash, debris, metal or other
miscellaneous objects being kept in a vehicle, camper, bus, truck bed, trailer
or wagon, and parked upon private property, anywhere within the city, for more
than seven (7) days.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
authorize the city attorney to draft an Ordinance prohibiting junk, junk
parts, garbage, trash, debris, metal or other miscellaneous objects being
kept in a vehicle, camper, bus, truck bed, trailer or wagon, and parked
upon private property, anywhere within the city, for more than seven (7)
days.
Ayes: Brooks, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
F. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application submitted by
the Jasper American Legion #20 to host a Memorial Day All Vehicle Run on
Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to
authorize the Special Event Application submitted by the Jasper
American Legion #20 to host a Memorial Day All Vehicle Run on
Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
G. Consider and act on authorizing a Special Event Liquor License to the KC Hall
for the Peoples State Bank 150th Anniversary Celebration at the Jasper County
Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 5:00 PM – 12:00 midnight.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
the Special Event Liquor License to the KC Hall for the Peoples State
Bank 150th Anniversary Celebration at the Jasper County Fairgrounds on
Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 5:00 PM – 12:00 midnight.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Swick
Nays: None
10.STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: Thank you everyone for voting me back into office of Alderman Ward 1. I
have enjoyed the last four years and look forward to the next four years. I appreciate everyone in this town. Hopefully we can all work hard at coming together and working
together.
Wright: Congratulations to everyone elected.
Brooks: Congratulations to all elected.
Swick: Congratulations to all the elected officials. Hopefully we can get a lot of work
done.
City Attorney: Echo congratulations. Received a call from the Police Chief concerning
ordinance violations and fines. It cost money to prosecute cases. Very few defendants
pay off at the time they plead guilty or our found guilty. They all want payment plans.
Most don’t have much money. What money they have, they will not pay the city. There
has been past administration belief that making repeat offenders, who do not pay, come
before a judge could be beneficial in deterring repeat actions. It may be in the council’s
favor, to reevaluate the fee schedules and raise them accordingly.
City Treasurer: Congratulations to all elected.
City Clerk: (3 PO’s)
Wastewater Department PO#11 to Barlow Lock and Security, Inc. for security
cameras and installation for a total amount of $4,865.00.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to Barlow
Lock and Security, Inc. for security cameras and installation for a total
amount of $4,865.00.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
PO#4, split between Water, Sewer, Street and Electric Departments, to Midwest
Tractor Sales Inc. for a 2025 Exmark zero turn mower and tire set in the amount
of $13,869.00.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize
PO#4, split between Water, Sewer, Street and Electric Departments, to
Midwest Tractor Sales Inc. for a 2025 Exmark zero turn mower and tire set
in the amount of $13,869.00.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
PO# 5, split between Water, Sewer, Street and Electric Departments, to Equip-It,
Inc. for a 2024 Pace Cargo Trailer in the amount of $10,000.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
PO# 5, split between Water, Sewer, Street and Electric Departments, to
Equip-It, Inc. for a 2024 Pace Cargo Trailer in the amount of $10,000.
Ayes: Brooks, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
Presented the council the other two sign estimates we received for the Old Mill
Bridge and ERBA signs.
Jason Warfel will be at the May 20 council meeting to do a trial recording of the
meeting.
The year extension on lot 18 in Five Aprils has expired.
Thank you to all who voted. I am honored to be here and look forward to these
next four years.
Mayor: Congratulations to all reelected and newly elected officials. City Wide Cleanup
will be May 30 and 31. Along with cleanup, I have asked all city departments to work
with Mr. Crossen and Chief Riddle to help stay updated and in front of any properties
that need cleaned up or mowed with the upcoming season. I’d like to welcome the new
owners of our local grocery store, Newton Foods.
11.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: May 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
- Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
12.EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of
open session and into closed session to discuss sale of real estate
pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to
those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Swick
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 7:04 PM.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to go out of
closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:39 PM.
Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed sale of real
estate.
13.ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to adjourn
the meeting.
Ayes: Brooks, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM.
Submitted by:
Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
