UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. Van Buren St
Newton, IL 62448
November 16, 2021
1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
In the absence of Mayor Kuhl, Attorney Heap called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Gayle Glumac.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Gayle Glumac.
3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta M. York, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake
and Marlene Harris
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks, and Clerk Rosetta M. York
Attorney Heap called for a motion to appoint Larry Brooks as Mayor Pro Tem for tonight’s meeting.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Glumac, to appoint Larry Brooks as Mayor Pro Tem for
this meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Abstain: Brooks
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: Add Dale Mahaney and Bill Hoffeditz to # 7, Change item 10.d
from November 29 to December 6 and add litigation and potential litigation to # 13.
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Harris, to adopt the amended agenda.
Ayes: Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Brooks, Glumac
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of November 2, 2021:
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown to approve the minutes of the November
2, 2021 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
Abstain: Brooks
6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $216,024.85 and the bills
and accounts payable earlier today and made a motion to approve the pre-paids and
authorize payment of the bills and accounts payable in the amount of $94,976,02. Glumac
seconded the motion.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Brooks, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann
Nays: None
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS:
Honor the NCHS Cross Country team and Dale Mahaney and Bill Hoffeditz Mayor Pro Tem Larry Brooks congratulated the NCHS Cross Country Teams for their winning season and presented them with a proclamation
honoring the success.
Attorney Bill Hoffeditz addressed the Council on behalf of Dale and Pixie Mahaney: He stated that Mahaney’s would like to be allowed to protect the Yesterday’s Pub from more damage from
the weather since the fire. They are willing to work with the City to accomplish this task. They have also contacted Kale Calvert from ADG, Architecture and Design Group from Mt. Carmel, to inspect the Pub.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Insurance Committee
Meeting November 4, 2021 and Electric Committee November 8, 2021
Harris Insurance Committee minutes:
Called to order at 6:00 pm
• Jim Closson from Risk Management Association spoke on coverages and losses for the Risk
Management insurance policy we have with RMA. Policy premiums have not increased since
we started with them. This will be put on the agenda to vote on to accept or reject at our next
meeting.
• Melissa stated there is a $44 premium increase for each employee on the Trustmark Health
policy. This will come out of the levy.
• It was discussed that employees now pay for their individual eye care. It was proposed that
the city possibly pay the $8.24 for this monthly coverage per employee. This will be put on the
agenda for the next council meeting. Adjourned at 6:46
Glumac Electric Committee minutes:
Start 6:03
● Discussion of the new Digger Derrick truck with the representatives from Terex. How
Covid has been hampering with manufacturing productivity and delivery. It has also
increased the price of steel.
● A Switching arrangement agreement between the City of Newton and Ameren
Illinois Company, this would allow our Electric employees to perform switching of certain switches
owned by Ameren. Adjourned at 7:00 PM.
7. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on Lincoln’s Place Fence at a cost of $8,738.97 with the City paying
$6,738.97 of the cost.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Glumac, to authorize Lincoln’s Place
Fence at a cost of $8,738.97 with the City paying $6,738.97 of the cost.
Ayes: Harris, Brooks, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on approving Option #1 IMLRMA invoice for 2022 Property, Liability and
Work Comp coverages in the amount of $84,038.66.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to authorize approving Option #1
IMLRMA invoice for 2022 Property, Liability and Work Comp coverages in the
amount of $84,038.66.
Ayes: Brooks, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
c. Consider and act on authorizing Trustmark Health Benefits for a 1-year agreement to
administer the Medical and Dental benefit plans for the City of Newton.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown, to authorize Trustmark Health
Benefits for a 1-year agreement to administer the Medical and Dental benefit plans
for the City of Newton.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Brooks
Nays: None
d. Consider and act on the City of Newton paying their employees monthly vision insurance
rate, starting on January 1, 2022, the rate will be $7.00/month per employee.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to authorize the City of Newton
paying their employees monthly vision insurance rate, starting on January 1, 2022,
the rate will be $7.00/month per employee.
Ayes: Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Brooks, Glumac
Nays: None
8. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on 2022 Newton City Council Meeting Schedule.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Lindemann, to authorize 2022 Newton
City Council Meeting Schedule.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Brooks, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on Newton PD to purchase from Digital-Ally two (2) DVM-800 Complete
Kits (dashboard cameras), V2 with a trade in of the old ones for a final cost of $7,510.00.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Lindemann, to authorize Newton PD to
purchase from Digital-Ally two (2) DVM-800 Complete Kits (dashboard cameras), V2
with a trade in of the old ones for a final cost of $7,510.00.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Brooks, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann
Nays: None
c. Consider and act on the Switching Arrangements Agreement between City of Newton,
Illinois and Ameren Illinois Company.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Harris, to authorize the Switching
Arrangements Agreement between City of Newton, Illinois and Ameren Illinois
Company.
Ayes: Harris, Brooks, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
d. Consider and act on advertising for a part-time Deputy Collector with a deadline for the
applications of November 29 December 6, 2021 at 5:00 PM.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Glumac, to authorize advertising for a
part-time Deputy Collector with a deadline for the applications of December 6, 2021
at 5:00 PM.
Ayes: Brooks, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
9. STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: Thanks to everyone who put up the flags and the Christmas stars. The town looked
good. Don’t forget to check out the Christmas displays in Peterson Park this year.
Brown: I agree with Gayle. I would like to remind citizens the Street Department is vacuuming
leaves.
Mayor Pro Tem Brooks: Thanked the Electric Department for their quick response to the last
outage.
Lindemann: Explained to the council that he has reviewed and approved the billing adjustment
report.
Blake: No comment
Harris: Congratulations to Street Department for their quick response to vacuuming leaves.
They have vacuumed a lot of leaves this year.
City Attorney: No comment
City Treasurer: Appropriation changes
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Lindemann, to make the following appropriation
changes General Fund Police Department:
900-23 from Contingency of $1,500.00 to 5470-23 Substance Abuse Prevention,
900-23 from Contingency of $15,000.00 to 5560-23 Building Improvements,
900-23 from Contingency of $3,000.00 to Radio Repair.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Brooks
Nays: None
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Harris, to make the following appropriation
changes General Fund General Administration:
900-27 from Contingency of $14,000.00 to 5560-27 Building Improvements/Purchases,
900-27 from Contingency of $1,000.00 to 5630-27 Building Repair.
Ayes: Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Brooks, Glumac
Nays: None
City Clerk: Newton Police Department PO # 2021-7
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Brown, to authorize Newton Police
Department purchase order #2021-7 for $7,510.00 to United Systems.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Brooks, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
Mayor:
10. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: December 7, 2021 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: None
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation, personnel, sale of real estate and purchase
of real estate.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown, 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, Brooks, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:42 PM
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Glumac, to go out of closed session and back
into open session.
Ayes: Harris, Brooks, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:21 PM.
Mayor Pro Tem Brooks announced that during closed session the council discussed potential
litigation.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Harris, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Brooks, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:22 PM.
Submitted by Rosetta M. York
