The Newton City Council met on April 6th at 6:00pm in the City Hall Meeting room. Mayor Mark Bolander called the meeting to order and Gayle Glumac led the Pledge of Allegiance. Physically present were: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Eric Blake and Marlene Harris. Robert Reisner was absent. Also present were Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Deputy Clerk Amy Tarr.
All votes are unanimous unless otherwise stated.
The agenda was amended to include Kenneth and Elisabeth Belcher from 3B General Contracting and to remove Shannon Woodard from item 6. Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to adopt the amended agenda.
The minutes of the March 16th meeting were approved with a motion by Blake, seconded by Glumac.
In public comments, Kenneth & Elisabeth Belcher, 3B General Contracting spoke: The Belchers are owners/operators of 3B General Contracting. They want to purchase dilapidated homes, refurbish them, and sell them at affordable prices.
The following items were handed during old business.
Consider and act on approving B&T Drainage, the lowest responsible bidder, as the contractor for the Liberty Street Water Upgrade Project at $486,510. Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris, to approve B&T Drainage, the lowest responsible bidder, as the contractor for the Liberty Street Water Upgrade Project at $486,510.
Consider and act on approving the Grant agreement with USDA for Police Radios. Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Glumac, to approve the $25,000 Grant Agreement with USDA for Police Radios.
Consider and act on Dues and Donation distribution of $4700 funds, excluding Jasper County Association for Home & Community Education, Strong Girls and Strong Boys Newton Elementary School Program.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Harris, to distribute $4700 of Dues and Donation funds, excluding Jasper County Association for Home & Community Education, Strong Girls and Strong Boys Newton Elementary School Program. Items were excluded to be voted on separate due to conflicts of interest with some of the board members who would abstain during the individual group voting.
Consider and act on Dues and Donation distribution of $400 funds to Jasper County Association for Home & Community Education. Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Brooks, to distribute $400 of Dues and Donation funds to Jasper County Association for Home and Community Education. Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake. Abstain: Harris
Consider and act on Dues and Donation distribution of $400 funds to Strong Girls and Strong Boys Newton Elementary School Program. Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Brown, to distribute $400 of Dues and Donation funds to Strong Girls and Strong Boys Newton Elementary School Program. Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris Abstain: Glumac
COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
Blake — Dues and Donations Committee Meeting on March 29, 2021 at 6:00 PM
JEDI Meeting on April 6, 2021 at 10:30 AM
Jasper County JEDI
Zoom Meeting Tuesday April 6th 2021 at 10:30
- Meeting was called to order by Mark Bolander
- Motion to approve the previous meeting’s minutes by Sarah Kincade and seconded by MarleneHarris.
Amber Volk Executive Director
- Chamber 360 Tour is complete. Peoples State Bank will be the next business to complete the 360 Tour.
- Flo’s Coffee Shop is applying for a TIF application.
- Elite Fitness is working on the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant.
Mark Bolander, City of Newton
1. Today is election today. Results will be on Facebook at Jasper County Daily News.
Doug Weddell, Jasper County Board.
1. JC Board approved a bid for the jail project.
2. Road Material Tax for County roads is being voted on today. This is not a new tax. It has to be renewed and voted on every 5 years.
Beth Probst, spoke for Superintendent of Jasper County Schools
1. School is back.
Sarah Kincade, Jasper County Chamber
- There have been 3 ribbon cuttings recently. The next one will be at Sky Saloon on April 18 at 3pm.
- New members joined Chamber this month.
- U of I is going to be moving into Chamber offices.
Amber Wakefield Marketing
- 360 Tours
- Glitch with the marquee will be fixed soon
Motion to close was proposed.
JEDI toured West End Reception & Event Hall.
10. STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Glumac: No comment
Brown: City-Wide Cleanup will be May 21 & 22. Brooks: It is good to be back.
Blake: No comment
Harris: I hope everyone voted today.
City Attorney: No comment
City Treasurer: No comment
Deputy City Clerk: No comment
Mayor: The City of Newton’s 1% portion of the 7.25% sales tax was $46,300.55 higher in 2020 than 2019. If sales tax revenue continues to do well, the City needs to consider that when calculating the tax levy next year.
I want to encourage businesses and independent contractors to contact their bankers to see if they qualify for the next round of PPP loans. The interest rate is 1%, unless the loan gets forgiven. Then it would be considered a grant.
If you drive around town, you will see many positive things happening in our community. We are still looking for additional growth.
Welcome back Larry Brooks.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
Water Committee Meeting Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 5:00 PM
Finance Committee Meeting Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 5:30 PM
Police and Street Committees Meeting Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 5:30 PM Finance Committee Meeting Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 5:30 PM
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: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:30 PM
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 6:51 PM.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation, personnel, sale of real estate and purchase of real estate.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Blake, to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 6:52 PM. Submitted by Amy J. Tarr
