UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. Van Buren St
Newton, IL 62448
April 20, 2021
1. CALL TO ORDER: Mark Bolander, Mayor
Mayor Mark Bolander called the meeting to order.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman David Brown.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman David Brown.
3. ROLL CALL: Deputy City Clerk, Brenda Phillips
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Eric Blake and Marlene
Harris
Absent: Robert Reisner
Also, present: Attorney Bill Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Deputy Clerk Brenda
Phillips.
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: Delete #8A
Motion was made by Larry Brooks, seconded by Glumac, to adopt the amended agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of April 6, 2021
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to approve the minutes of the April 6,
2021 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Alderman Harris reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $254,950.11 and the bills and
accounts payable earlier today and make a motion to approve the pre-paids and
authorize payment of the bills and accounts payable in the amount of $262,310.77.
Brooks seconded the motion.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS:
Chief Mike Swick:
City Wide Clean Up is May 21 and 22. It will be located north of City Hall, with the entrance on Marion St. by the City’s Street Department. There will be dumpsters and a tire collection at that site for City of Newton residences only. Elderly and disabled people can call City Hall 618-783- 8451 if they need assistance moving large items.
The City is not taking electronics this year since the Jasper County Highway Department holds at least 2 electronic recycling events each year.
The brush dump will be open both days
It is permissible to burn yard waste during daylight hours, but be courteous to neighbors and use caution.
Mayor:
Republic Service will pick up trash for ALL residences on May 21 regardless if you have an account or not. Place trash at curbside for pick up by 6:00 a.m.
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on 2021-22 City of Newton balanced budget.
Motion was made by _______, seconded by _______, to pass the 2021-22 City of
Newton balanced budget.
Ayes:
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on Department Heads’ wage increase of $0.85/hour effective May 1,
2021.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown, authorizing a Department Heads’
wage increase of $0.85/hour effective May 1, 2021.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
c. Consider and act on Part-time employees’ wage increase of $0.50/hour effective May 1,
2021.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, authorizing a Part-time employees’
wage increase of $0.50/hour effective May 1, 2021.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake
Nays: None
d. Consider and act on Aquatic Center employee wages effective May 1, 2021
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown, to authorize
Aquatic Center employee wages effective May 1, 2021.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
e. Consider and act on Resolution 21-06 establishing a time and place for a public hearing
to consider the proposed 2021 Amendment to the TIF Redevelopment Plan and Project
for redevelopment of TIF Project Area No. 1.
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Glumac, approving Resolution 21-06
establishing a time and place for a public hearing to consider the proposed 2021
Amendment to the TIF Redevelopment Plan and Project for redevelopment of TIF
Project Area No. 1.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
f. Consider and act on authorizing Connor & Connor to obtain IEPA permit and solicit bids
on a new Water Well #10, as a replacement to failed Well #6.
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris to authorize Connor & Connor to
obtain IEPA permit and solicit bids on a new Water Well #10, as a replacement to failed
Well #6.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
g. Consider and act on approving Chief Swick’s 1 year agreement.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris to approve Chief Swick’s 1 year
agreement from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on Special Event Application from Newton Elite Fitness.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown, authorizing a Special Event
Application from Newton Elite Fitness.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on TIF application for Flo’s Coffee Bar, LLC (Brady & Alissa Shull), 507
W. Jourdan.
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Glumac, to authorize TIF application for
$2,500.00 to Flo’s Coffee Bar, LLC (Brady & Alissa Shull), 507 W Jourdan.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
c. Consider and act on TIF application for 3B General Contracting, LLC, 503 W. Washington
St.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Brooks, to authorize TIF application for
$2,500.00 to 3B General Contracting, LLC, 503 W. Washington St.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Blake, Glumac
Nays: None
Abstain: Harris
d. Consider and act on writing off an uncollectible debt in the amount of $6462.95 for utility
account 10-0875-00, ALCO Stores Inc., from 2014, due to bankruptcy.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brooks, authorizing writing off an
uncollectible debt in the amount of $6462.95 for utility account 10-0875-00, ALCO
Stores Inc., from 2014, due to bankruptcy.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
e. Consider and act on the annual 21-05 Resolution for MFT Street Maintenance Program.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to authorize and to pass the annual
21-05 Resolution for MFT Street Maintenance Program.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
f. Consider and act on authorizing the City Attorney to draw up an ordinance necessary to
make Decatur Street one-way west from the intersection of Stanley Street and Decatur to
the intersection of Decatur and Hutton Street.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Glumac, authorizing the City Attorney to
draw up an ordinance necessary to make Decatur Street one-way west from the
intersection of Stanley Street and Decatur to the intersection of Decatur and Hutton
Street.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: Blake
g. Consider and act on purchase of a vehicle for Newton Police Department.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Glumac, authorizing the purchase of a
vehicle for Newton Police Department for an approximate amount of $14,173.16 to
include vehicle purchase amount of $11.150.00 from McClane Motor Sales and
accessories in the amount of $3023.16 from CJ’s Performance & Accessories using
Non-Tax funds.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Water Committee
April 7, 2021 at 5:00 PM, Finance Committee April 7 at 5:30 PM, Street and Police Joint
Committee Meeting April 14, 2021 at 5:30 PM, Finance Committee Meeting April 15, 2021 at
5:30 PM, and Public Safety Committee Meeting April 19, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Brooks— Water Committee 4/7/2021:
Water Well #6 has failed. Shannon Woodard recommends a new well be drilled at an estimated cost
of $75,000. Shannon Woodard, on the City’s behalf, will go out for bids for this project.
Discussed selling an old Water Department truck by sealed bids.
Harris— Finance Committee 4/7/2021:
Amber Volk explained the TIF application for Flo’s Coffee Bar. Brad and Alissa Shull are asking for $2,500 to do repairs and roof at 507 W Jourdan St. It was agreed to add this item to the agenda for next council meeting.
Discussed TIF application for 3B General Contracting LLC. They are going to fix water issues, replace window sill plate(s), and do other improvements at 503 W Washington St. They are asking for $2,500. It was agreed to add this request to the next council agenda.
On behalf of Collections clerk’s and Kemper CPA Group’s recommendations, it was discussed to write off a bill for the old Alco. They filed bankruptcy in 2014. This will also be on the next council
agenda.
A late fee from ENGIE Impact was asked to be forgiven, but no reason was given other than they would like us to do so. It was rejected.
Melissa Brooks stated she has received 3 payments from the Rebuild Illinois Funds, for the repaving of the square, totaling $93,880.17 which were reimbursed back to the TIF account.
The City of Newton had $117,530 of qualifying expenditures for The Cares Act Grant. That money has been deposited into the accounts that the expenses were paid from.
Went into Executive session at 5:48 to discuss salaries. Went out of Executive session at 6:40.
The 5% Electric increase was discussed.
Glumac/Brown— Street and Police Committee 4/14/2021:
Indiana Railroad and IDOT want to enhance the safety of the crossing at West End and
Decatur. In discussion, it was decided as a consensus to have Decatur Street be one-way
west from the intersection of Stanley to Hutton. With the amount of everyday traffic and
events that are held at the high school, it was decided to table making West End one way
south from the high school to the intersection of West End and Decatur. After Indiana
Railroad takes this back to the table a meeting will be scheduled to come up with a solution
that will best serve the City.
It was discussed to have protocols for Animal Control and possibly expanding on the
program. A meeting with the County needs to be scheduled.
Chief Swick presented to Committee a 1 year agreement. A full time and part time Officer
will need to be hired in the near future.
A 2012 Dodge Durango will be replacing 2 vehicles.
New computers for the Police Dept. looking at the possibility of a Grant.
Police department router is not secure. Chief Swick has received a quote from SDS and is meeting with Kemper’s April 15 to get a quote comparison.
Harris — Finance Committee 4/15/2021:
Treasurer Melissa Brooks passed out proposed budgets for 2021-2022.
Budgets were discussed.
Brown— Public Safety Committee Meeting (EMA Report) 4/19/2021:
Received 2017 Explorer through a grant
Helping with COVID Clinics
Assisted with a missing persons search. A Code Red text alert assisted with the locate.
Emergency Operation Plan hasn’t been approved yet by the State.
Nothing found for EMA vehicle storage. The EMA vehicles will stay at the City building
as long as it works.
(David also discussed the full Public Safety Meeting. The full minutes are available at Jasper County.)
10. STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Glumac: No comment
Brown: Told the Council he will be meeting with Brad and Cheryl to discuss 2021 pool/park season and looking over applications.
Brooks: Winter is back!
Blake: Read the animal control report.
Harris: Reviewed the Billing and Payment Adjustments. Encourages everyone to attend the
Jasper County CEO Trade show coming up Wednesday, April 28th, 5pm – 7pm, at the West End Events Center. Alderwoman Harris also commented on how well the Street Department fixed a concrete pad on Marion Street.
City Attorney: No comment
City Treasurer: No comment
City Clerk:
EL Department PO # 23279 to Midwest Transformer for a transformer for the firehouse
$8,635.00
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to authorize payment of PO #
23279 for $8,635.00 to Midwest Transformer for the purchase of a transformer for a
firehouse upgrade due to the new jail.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
EL Department PO # 23279 to Midwest Transformer for a transformer for the jail
$15,880.00
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Harris, to authorize payment of PO #
23279 for $15,880.00 to Midwest Transformer for the purchase of a transformer for the
new jail.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
Police Department PO #2021-0, for $3,215.00 for an in-car computer
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to authorize payment of PO # 2021-0
for $3,215.00 to SHI for an in-car computer and computer accessories.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
Police Department PO #2021-1 SDS for $2,839.80 (SonicWall router)
Motion was made Harris by seconded by Brown, to authorize payment of PO #2021-1
for $2,839.80 to SDS for a SonicWall router and installation.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake
Nays: None
Mayor:
Extended a Happy Birthday wish to long-time Alderman Robert Reisner.
Addressed Mayor-Elect Kuhl, Council, Clerk, Treasurer and Attorney with the following
letter:
11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: May 4, 2021 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Police Committee Meeting April 28, 2021 at 5:30 PM,
Special Council Meeting April 28 at 6:00 PM, Insurance Meeting May 3, 2021 at 6:00 PM,
Finance Committee Meeting May 4, 2021 at 5:45 PM at City Hall
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate and purchase of real
estate, and personnel.
Motion was made by Harris seconded by Glumac, to go out of open session and into
closed session to discuss litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate, purchase of
real estate, and personnel pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act
pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:43 PM
Motion was made by Harris seconded by Glumac, to go out of closed session and back
into open session.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. Van Buren St
Newton, IL 62448
April 20, 2021
Open session resumed at 7:30 PM.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential
litigation, sale of real estate, purchase of real estate, and personnel.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Submitted by Brenda Phillips
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