UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. Van Buren St
Newton, IL 62448
March 16, 2021
PLEASE BRING YOUR MASKS
PUBLIC HEARING at 5:30 PM BEFORE THE COUNCIL MEETING for CLOSEOUT OF DOWNSTATE
SMALL BUSINESS STABILIZATION GRANT
1. Call to order, Mayor Bolander.
2. Amber Volk:
• Explanation of the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program.
• Parklanes/DLG Inc and Newton Elite Fitness each applied for $25,000. Newton Elite Fitness
was awarded $8,600.
• Newton Elite Fitness has been given the money and used the money towards employee
pay.
• After the hearing, we will finish paperwork and close out the grant.
3. Public Comments: None.
4. Hearing adjourned at 5:35pm, Mayor Bolander
MARCH 16, 2021 NEWTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER: Mark Bolander, Mayor
Mayor Mark Bolander called the meeting to order.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Marlene Harris.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Marlene Harris.
3. ROLL CALL: City Clerk Rosetta M. York
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Eric Blake and Marlene Harris
Absent: Larry Brooks and Robert Reisner
Also, present: Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta M. York
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: Add Mark Hubbert and Amber Volk to # 7 and Delete Sarah
Weiler from #7
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to adopt the amended agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of March 2, 2021:
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to approve the minutes of the March 2,
2021 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Alderman Harris reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $165,320.45 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 $155,685.90.
Brown seconded the motion.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: Sarah Weiler add Mark Hubbert and Amber Volk
Mark Hubbert: He spoke on feral cats in his neighborhood and the problems they cause for him. Eric Blake,
Animal is contacting the Jasper County Animal Control Officer. Saved by Grace is also aware of Hubbert
situation. He thanked the Council for their time and effects.
Amber Volk: Reviewed the Public Hearing which was at 5:30 PM. Reported a new coffee shop
business coming to town started by the Brady and Alissa Shull.
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on Resolution 21-04 Feasibility and Inducement Resolution Regarding
the Expansion of TIF Redevelopment Project Area No. 1 or The Creation of a New TIF
Redevelopment Project Area and to Induce Development Interest within Such Area.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Harris, to pass Resolution 21-04
Feasibility and Inducement Resolution Regarding the Expansion of TIF
Redevelopment Project Area No. 1 or The Creation of a New TIF Redevelopment
Project Area and to Induce Development Interest within Such Area.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Bolander
Nays: Blake
b. Consider and act on Ordinance 21-02 An Ordinance Authorizing Interfund Loans from
The Water and Wastewater Fund to The Capital Development Fund to Finance the
City’s Acquisition of Certain Property from The Anthony F. Griffith Estate.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to pass Ordinance 21-02 An
Ordinance Authorizing Interfund Loans from The Water and Wastewater Fund to The
Capital Development Fund to Finance the City’s Acquisition of Certain Property from
The Anthony F. Griffith Estate.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Harris, Bolander
Nays: Blake
c. Consider and act on Street Department purchasing the 2005 International Model 7400
snow plow for $38,800.00 with a trade-in value of the City’s $5,500 making the total cost
to the City $33,633.00 from Higgs Welding, LLC.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Brown, authorize Street Department to
purchase the 2005 International Model 7400 snow plow for $38,800.00 with a trade-in
value of the City’s $5,500 making the total cost to the City $33,633.00 from Higgs
Welding, LLC.
Ayes: Brown, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
d. Consider and act on Maulding Excavating LLC Change Order #1 for an additional
$1,634.00 and Pay Estimate #1 & Final of $25,961.76 for the SBLHS Sewer Relocation
project.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Brown, authorize Maulding Excavating LLC
Change Order #1 for an additional $1,634.00 and Pay Estimate #1 & Final of $25,961.76
for the SBLHS Sewer Relocation project.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on approving opening the yard waste facility, the first and third
Saturdays from 8:00 AM to noon beginning Saturday April 3, 2021 to October 16, 2021
and every Saturday in November under the landscape waste collection site rules.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Harris, to authorize opening the yard waste
facility, the first and third Saturdays from 8:00 AM to noon beginning Saturday April
3, 2021 to October 16, 2021 and every Saturday in November under the landscape
waste collection site rules.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Blake
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on Special Event Permit application for Newton Junior Women’s Club’s
Prevent Child Abuse Fun/Run on April 25, 2021.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Glumac, to authorize the Special Event
Permit application for Newton Junior Women’s Club’s Prevent Child Abuse Fun/Run
on April 25, 2021.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
c. Consider and act on not raising the water and wastewater utility rates.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Glumac, to authorize not raising the water
and wastewater utility rates.
Ayes: Brown, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Water, Wastewater
and Electric Committee Meeting March 8, 2021 at 5:30 PM and Public Safety Committee
Meeting March 15, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Glumac— Water, Wastewater and Electric Committee 3-8-2021:
Water:
1. There is a leak in Well #6. Tyler is assessing the cost. Hacker will help with the repair. It is not
in the 5-year Plan.
2. In the 5-year Plan there are 7,500 ft./yr. of waterlines to be replaced.
3. The Water Department’s 5-year Plan has no water rate increases for the next 5 years.
Wastewater:
1. The Dry-sludge is the way to deal with the sludge. A farmer is taking all that the City is
producing.
2. Relining the pipes is not in the 5-year Plan. If the City relines pipes in the first, third and fifth year
of the Plan, it is about $100,000/yr. which is doable in the Wastewater 5-year Plan. The City is
capable of doing some of the work in house.
3. The Wastewater Department’s 5-year Plan has no wastewater rate increases for the next 5 years.
Electric:
1. The last electric rate increase was 2016. If the City allows the 5% rate increase, the City rates
will still be in the lower 50% of the 2019 Rate List of local electric rates. The increase will be
May 1.
2. The Electric Department’s share of the New Hydro-Ex Truck is $100,000 which is 25% of the
total. This has been added to the Electric Department’s 5-year Plan.
Other related business:
1. The departments need their mapping. Water has done their mapping.
11. STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Harris: Reviewed the Billing and Payment Adjustments. Prayers for Robert Reisner and his
family.
Blake: He gave the Jasper County Animal Control Report.
Brown: He discussed the Public Safety Committee that he attended. (Note: The minutes are
available at Jasper County.) Thoughts and prayers for Robert Reisner and his family.
Glumac: Thoughts and prayers for Robert Reisner and his family.
City Treasurer: Thoughts and prayers for Robert Reisner and his family.
City Clerk: I will pray for Robert and his family.
Mayor: He had recently received information that the Newton Police Department was awarded
a USDA grant for radios with SCIRPDC help. The Mayor called for a moment of silence for
Robert Reisner and family.
12. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: April 6, 2021 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Dues and Donations Committee Meeting March
29, 2021 at 6:00 PM at City Hall
13. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation, personnel, sale of real estate and
purchase of real estate
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to go out of open session and into
closed session to discuss litigation, potential litigation, personnel, sale of real estate
and purchase of real estate pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act
pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:37 PM
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to go out of closed session and back
into open session.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Blake
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:07 PM.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation,
potential litigation, personnel, sale of real estate and purchase of real estate
14. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM.
Submitted by Rosetta York
