UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
September 3, 2024
• Public Meeting for the Open Space Land Acquisition Development Grant (OSLAD) Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 5:30 PM.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
Mayor Joshua Kuhl called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Larry Brooks.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Larry Brooks. 3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann and Mike Swick
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City Clerk Maggie McDonald
Absent: Alderman Eric Blake
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to adopt the amended agenda. (Add Kenneth Belcher to Public Comments. Add 8E. Discuss extending the Chief of Police job posting until September 27, 2024.) Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of August 20, 2024.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council. Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Kenneth Belcher: Kenneth notified the council of specifications that were included in the bid he submitted for the siding project at City Hall. Mr. Belcher inquired about possible incentives that could be offered to home owners who are building a new home within Five Aprils subdivision. He also questioned the Dumpster Reimbursement program the city offers. The dumpster reimbursement is to help offset dumpster cost of demolitions. Since the city also offers the Demolition Reimbursement program, would they consider modifying the dumpster reimbursement funds to be utilized towards remodels, clean up, etc.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: • Electric Committee Meeting on Monday, August 26, 2024 at 5:30 PM. Electric Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, August 26, 2024 5:35 PM – 8:03 PM Present: Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, Melissa Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Matt Tarr, Amy Tarr, Brenda Phillips, Maggie McDonald, and Mike Swick
Meeting was called to order at 5:35 PM.
5:35 PM
• Gayle Glumac made a motion to go out of open session and into executive session to discuss municipal power and conduct interviews for the Electric Department. RJ Lindemann seconds the motion.
Amy Tarr and Brenda Phillips left at 6:35
• Gayle Glumac made a motion to go out of executive session and back into open session. RJ Lindemann seconds the motion.
Meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM.
Submitted by:
Gayle Glumac – Chairman
• Personnel Committee Meeting on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 6:00 PM. Personnel Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 27, 2024 6:04 PM – 7:48 PM Present: Kaleb Wright, Joshua Kuhl, Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, Melissa Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake, Mike Swick, Maggie McDonald, Buddy Parker, Greg Coker, Adam Bridges, Sandy Dhom, Jim Riddle, Sean Brody and Sarah Carter
Meeting was called to order at 6:04 PM.
• Kaleb Wright made a motion to go out of open session and into executive session to discuss police union contract negotiations. RJ Lindemann seconded the motion. 6:51 PM
Greg Coker, Adam Bridges, Sandy Dhom, Jim Riddle, Sean Brody, Sarah Carter and Buddy Parker left the meeting.
7:47 PM
• Kaleb Wright made a motion to go out of executive session and back into open session. RJ Lindemann seconded the motion.
Meeting adjourned at 7:48 PM
Submitted by:
Kaleb Wright – Chairman
• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 6:00 PM.
Water and Waste Water Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Attendees: Mike Swick, Joshua Kuhl, Tyler Weber, RJ Lindemann, Larry Brooks, Gayle Glumac, Maggie McDonald, Melissa Brooks, Brent Benefiel, Ray Diel, John Birch, Rex Shew, Justin Webb, Cole Dusablan, Lenny Meinhart, Sarah Kinkade, Doug Weddell, Theresa Leohr, John Hayes, Kathy Hayes, Jason Kennedy, Madonna Schackmann, Sara Beam, Cody Beam, Kevin Kocher, Mindy Hartke, Brian Drees, Terry Smithenry, Kevin Woods, Max Button, Matt Tarr, Steve Rubsam, Randy Brooks, Tom Jayne and Gary Bergbower
Meeting began at 6:00 PM.
• Doug Weddell is building a facility for Wad It Up Transport. The building will also house his NCC Truck Gear business. The addition of a sewer line to be ran to connect to city sewer, opposed to the addition of septic tanks for 1107 S. Van Buren St. was discussed. It was recommended by Drees Plumbing and Mr. Smithenry, as to the type of septic system that would be installed. Wad It Up Transport will be responsible for the installation, maintenance and upkeep of their line going from their business to the city’s main. It was recommended by the committee to apply for TIF funds to help offset these infrastructure costs of his new facility project.
• The Water Department has been experiencing several issues with their current Itron meter reading system. For the time being, they will continue to reach out to technical support for help trying to resolve these issues before further steps of switching out meter systems needs to be taken.
• Tyler gave an update on the S. Van Buren Watermain Replacement Project. Everything is going well and they have started tying service lines on to the new watermain. Meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM.
Submitted by:
Mike Swick – Chairman
8. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Opening of sealed bids for new siding project at City Hall.
B. Consider and act on awarding bid for new siding at City Hall.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to award the bid for new siding at City Hall to 3B General Contracting in the amount of $86,000.
Ayes: Brooks, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: Lindemann
C. Consider and act on authorizing the sale of the Police Departments 2016 Ford Explorer in the amount of $14,000 to the County of Jasper.
Motion dies for lack of motion.
D. Consider and act on passing Resolution 24-10 Committing Local Funds for OSLAD Grant.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to pass Resolution 24-10 Committing Local Funds for OSLAD Grant.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
E. Discuss extending the job posting for the Chief of Police position. It was a consensus of the council to extend the job posting for the Chief of Police position for the Newton Police Department until Friday, September 27, 2024.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing the hire of Riley Britton as a part-time officer for the Newton Police Department.
Motion was made by Larry Brooks, seconded by RJ Lindmann, to authorize the hire of Riley Britton as a part-time officer for the Newton Police Department.
Ayes: Glumac, Lindemann, Brooks
Nays: Swick, Wright
B. Consider and act on authorizing the hire of Garrett Einhorn for the Newton Electric Department.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the hire of Garrett Einhorn for the Newton Electric Department with a start date of Monday, September 16, 2024.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application submitted by the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce for the Annual Fall Festival event and parade held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the Special Event Application submitted by the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce for the Annual Fall Festival event and parade held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application submitted by Newton Community High School for the Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the Special Event Application submitted by Newton Community High School for the Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on passing Resolution 24-11 Resolution for the 2024 Homecoming Parade.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to pass Resolution 24-11 Resolution for the 2024 Homecoming Parade. Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
10.STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: No comments.
Wright: No comments.
Brooks: No comments.
Lindemann: Called a Finance and Audit Committee Meeting for Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM. Hoped everyone enjoyed their Labor Day weekend. Voiced opposition to Capital Development Fund entirely.
Swick: No comments.
City Attorney: No comments.
City Treasurer: No comments.
City Clerk: No comments.
Mayor: The Newton Aquatic Center is now closed for the season. Thank you to all the pool employees for another great season. Thank you again, to the Street Department, for coming in on the weekend to get the square painted. Hope everyone was able to enjoy their Labor Day weekend.
11.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: September 17, 2024 at 6:00 PM SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
• Personnel Committee Meeting on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 6:00 PM.
• Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 5:30 PM for Vacating an Alley running East and West between Lots 3 & 5 in Block 13 of the Original Town Subdivision in the City of Newton, Illinois.
• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM.
12.EXECUTIVE SESSION: Sale of Real Estate, Potential Litigation Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss Sale of Real Estate and Potential Litigation pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:50 PM.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 6:57 PM.
Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed sale of real estate and potential litigation.
13.ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 6:57 PM.
Submitted by:
Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
