UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
July 1, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
Mayor Joshua Kuhl called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Alderman Gayle Glumac led requesting a moment of silence for the Keebler Family of Willow Hill.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Mike Swick.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Mike Swick. 3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and Mike Swick
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City Clerk Maggie McDonald
Absent: Alderman Kaleb Wright
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adopt the proposed agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of June 17, 2025.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council. Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: The Gill’s (Marathon Gas Station): The Gill’s approached the council and mayor requesting to change the class of their liquor license. Currently Marathon has a “Class G” Liquor License which permits only the retail sale of beer and wine in sealed packages for consumption off the premises where sold and not for resale in any form. There shall be no more than three (3) licenses issued during any year. They would like to obtain a “Class A” Liquor License. This class allows them the retail sale of alcoholic liquor in sealed packages, but not for consumption on premises where sold. There shall be no more than one (1) license issued during any year. Circle K holds the one (1) “Class A” Liquor License in Newton. The Gill’s have asked for the council and mayor to add another “Class A” license for them to be able to sell liquor. They stated several customers on the East end of town have requested liquor sales. The council will be holding a committee meeting on July 7 to discuss further. 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Minutes June 23, 2025 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM Present: Kaleb Wright, Maggie McDonald, Josh Kuhl, Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, Melissa Brooks, Mike Swick, Tyler Weber, Matt Tarr and Amy Tarr
1. Discuss appropriations for the current fiscal year
a. The committee reviewed appropriations for this fiscal year and advised the City Treasurer on some edits that would be needed.
2. Discuss TIF funds
a. The committee discussed the end of year TIF funds that the financial audit has raised concerns about. Last year these funds were used in the Van Buren water main project.
Adjourned 7:15 PM
Submitted by: Kaleb Wright – Chairman
• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025 immediately following the Finance and Audit Committee Meeting.
Water and Waste Water Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, June 23, 2025 7:15 PM – 8:14 PM Attendees: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, Melissa Brooks, Mike Swick, Maggie McDonald, Matt Tarr, Tyler Weber and Amy Tarr
Meeting began at 7:15 PM.
• Watermain upgrades on E. Reynolds and W. Washington were discussed. The fire hydrant on E. Reynolds was recently tested. The hydrant is receiving enough pressure; there is not enough volume within the pipe. Installing a 6” watermain would help alleviate this issue.
• Our Itron meter reading system will be unsupported after 2028. The Water Department has been sampling Vision Meters, which is what our Electric Department currently uses. They have not been very successful retrieving readings through the Vision Meters. Tyler would like to explore other meter company options. It was a consensus of the committee for Tyler to order a kickstart sample of the Orion meters. Tyler will also be gathering information and evaluating all the pros and cons between the different meter companies. The council is to report with any questions or concerns they would like answered.
Kaleb Wright left at 7:47 PM
• The Water Department has been receiving voluminous requests of repeat residents wanting their water turned on and off. On weekends, the water will only be turned off in emergency situations. Turn-on’s will be done through the week during business hours. The Water Department highly encourages residents to install a master water shut off valve according to the State Plumbing Code.
Meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM.
Submitted by: Maggie McDonald – City Clerk
• Street and Alley Committee Meeting on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
Street and Alley Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, June 30, 2025 6:00 PM – 6:26 PM Present: Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake, Mike Swick, John Stone, Maggie McDonald, Melissa Brooks, Josh Kuhl, Matt Tarr, Josh Ochs, Tyler Weber, Amy Tarr and Brent Benefiel Meeting began at 6:00 PM.
• The Five Aprils Retention Pond was discussed. The city is investigating options on how best to address the issue.
Meeting adjourned at 6:26 PM
Submitted by: RJ Lindemann
• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Monday, June 30, 2025 immediately following the Street and Alley Committee Meeting.
Finance and Audit Committee Meeting Minutes June 30, 2025 6:26 PM – 6:46 PM Present: Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake, Mike Swick, Josh Kuhl, Maggie McDonald, Melissa Brooks, Matt Tarr, Josh Ochs, Tyler Weber, Amy Tarr and Brent Benefiel
• Various TIF district projects were discussed. The total excess funds that the city intends to allocate toward various projects is $600,000.
Adjourned 6:46 PM
Submitted by: RJ Lindemann
8. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing an Agreement with IDOT and the Indiana Rail Road for Railway-Highway Grade Crossing Improvements on S. 1st Ave., Sycamore St. and West End Ave.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac to authorize tabling the Agreement with IDOT and the Indiana Rail Road for Railway-Highway Grade Crossing Improvements on S. 1st Ave., Sycamore St. and West End Ave. to the November 4, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Brooks
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 25-11 Implementing a Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax (1%) and Grocery Service Occupation Tax (1%). Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to pass Ordinance 25-11 Implementing a Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax (1%) and Grocery Service Occupation Tax (1%).
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: Blake
9. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing the awarded bid for the Pickleball Courts at Peterson Park.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize tabling the awarded bid for the Pickleball Courts at Peterson Park to the July 15, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing Newton Foods to switch from a Class G Liquor License to a Class B Liquor License.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize tabling Newton Foods to switch from a Class G Liquor License to a Class B Liquor License, which shall permit the retail sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption on or off the premises where sold, and not for resale in any form, to the July 15, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
10.STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: Wish everyone a Happy 4th of July. Stay Safe. I appreciate everything our community is doing to help the Keebler Family and the way we all pull together in trying times. That’s the reason I moved down here, why I continue to stay here and why I work hard for this community.
Brooks: Everyone be careful and have a safe holiday.
Lindemann: Would certainly like to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July, it’s one of the greatest holidays our nation has. I would also like to express my condolences to the Keebler Family. The Capital Development Fund should be abolished. Blake: Happy 4th of July.
Swick: Condolences to the Keebler Family. A very tough situation for all involved, as well as our first responders. Please keep them in mind also. Everyone have a safe and Happy 4th of July.
City Attorney: Everyone stay safe.
City Treasurer: Have a Happy 4th of July and stay safe.
City Clerk: (1 PO)
1. Water Department PO#6547 to Midwest Meter for a Beacon SaaS Starter Kit containing ten (10) new Orion water meter cellular endpoints in the amount of $2,985.00.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the Water Department PO#6547 to Midwest Meter for a Beacon SaaS Starter Kit containing ten (10) new Orion water meter cellular endpoints in the amount of $2,985.00.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: Lindemann
2. Water Department PO#6548 to Hacker Well and Pump for the cleaning of water wells 8 & 9, with air scrub, in the amount of $30,870. This is an annual cleaning. Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the Water Department PO# 6548 to Hacker Well and Pump for the cleaning of water wells 8 & 9, with air scrub, in the amount of $30,870. This is an
annual cleaning.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Brooks
Nays: None
3. Electric Department PO#33-30 to Midwest Transformers for four (4) 25KVA Padmount Transformers in the amount of $8,600 and six (6) 25KVA Pole Mount Transformers in the amount of $7,230, for a total amount of $15,830. Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the Electric Department PO#33-30 to Midwest Transformers for four (4) 25KVA Padmount Transformers in the amount of $8,600 and six (6) 25KVA Pole Mount Transformers in the amount of $7,230, for a total amount of $15,830.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
My heart and prayers go out to the Keebler Family. Everyone have a Happy 4th of July.
Mayor: I will echo everyone in this room regarding prayers for the Keebler Family, especially the mother. I want to say thank you to all the city and county first responders. Thank you to the local and surrounding responders that came out and assisted our group of men and women. It’s a thankless job, yet those people show up every time they are asked. Thank you to Gayle. If you haven’t been out to Peterson Park, go check it out. Gayle has been working very hard on the landscaping at the main entrance. It’s looking very nice. Congratulations to Alderman RJ Lindemann and Sewer Department Head Brent Benefiel on their recent engagements. I am making some changes to the committee chair appointments. RJ Lindemann will now be chairman of the Finance Committee and Mike Swick will be chairman over Streets and Alleys and the Water and Wastewater Committees. These will go in to affect this evening. Lastly, everyone have a safe and Happy 4th of July. Let freedom ring! 11.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: July 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
• Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Monday, July 7, 2025 immediately following the Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting. • Alcohol and Tobacco Committee Meeting on Monday, July 7, 2025 immediately following the Finance and Audit Committee Meeting.
12.EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss potential litigation pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:58 PM.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:12 PM.
Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed potential litigation.
13.ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:13 PM.
Submitted by:
Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
