Max Tedford Recognized for Years of Service

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Max Tedford, City of Newton attorney for 27.5 years of his total 42 years in the profession,  was presented a plaque by Mayor Mark Bolander for his service to the City of Newton. (Photo by Damien Hartke)

UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL 108 N. Van Buren St
Newton, IL 62448
December 17, 2019
1. CALL TO ORDER: Mark Bolander, Mayor
Mayor Bolander called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Eric Blake.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Eric Blake.
3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Robert Reisner, Eric Blake and Marlene Harris
Absent: None
Also present: Attorney Max Tedford, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Harris, to adopt the proposed agenda. Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of December 3, 2019.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Brooks, to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2019 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Alderman Harris reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $118,548.97 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 $72,457.97.
Brown seconded the motion.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown Nays: None
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: None
John Stone and Shannon Woodard from Connor & Connor wished a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the Council and City Employees.
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on 2020 Newton City Council Meeting Schedule.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to approve 2020 Newton City Council Meeting Schedule.
Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on increasing the Symetra specific stop loss deductible to $20,000 effective 1-1- 20.
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Reisner, to authorize increasing the Symetra specific stop loss deductible to $20,000 effective 1-1-20.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner
Nays: None
c. Consider and act on increasing all contribution rates for the City of Newton Health Care Plan for both employees and the City by 15% effective with 2020 coverage.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Glumac, to authorize increasing all contribution rates for the City of Newton Health Care Plan for both employees and the City by 15% effective with 2020 coverage.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake
Nays: None
d. Consider and act on changing City of Newton Health Care Plan benefits effective 1-1-20 as follows:
1. Increase major medical deductible to $500 per individual (max of 2 times per family)
2. Increase major medical out of pocket limit to $2,500 per individual (max of 2 times per
family).
3. Decrease to 80% what the plan pays after the deductible for covered in-network services
(other than for services paid at 100%).
4. Increase prescription drug co-pays to $20 for generic and $40 for brand (2 times for 90-day mail order).
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Brooks, to authorize the changes to the City of Newton Health Care Plan benefits effective 1-1-20 as follows:

  1. Increase major medical deductible to $500 per individual (max of 2 times per family)
  2. Increase major medical out of pocket limit to $2,500 per individual (max of 2 times

    per family).

  3. Decrease to 80% what the plan pays after the deductible for covered in-network

    services (other than for services paid at 100%).

  4. Increase prescription drug co-pays to $20 for generic and $40 for brand (2 times for

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Ayes: Nays:

90-day mail order).
Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris None

9. NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Consider and act on Dumpster reimbursement for 202 E. Washington St. for $290.00.

    Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Harris, to authorize Dumpster reimbursement at 202 E. Washington St. for $290.00 to Steve and Sharon Shull.
    Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac
    Nays: None

  2. Consider and act on 2 Newton Police employees attending 20th Annual Southern Illinois Criminal Justice Summit in Mt. Vernon, IL at $85.00 per person, on Feb 26 and Feb 27, 2020 plus allowable expenses.
    Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Reisner, to authorize 2 Newton Police employees attending 20th Annual Southern Illinois Criminal Justice Summit in Mt. Vernon, IL at $85.00 per person, on Feb 26 and Feb 27, 2020 plus allowable expenses.

    Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown

    Nays: None

  3. Consider and act on 2 Newton Police employees attending 2020 Annual ILEAS Conference in Springfield, IL at $100.00 per person, on March 29-31, 2020 plus allowable expenses.
    Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to authorize 2 Newton Police employees attending 2020 Annual ILEAS Conference in Springfield, IL at $100.00 per person, on March 29- 31, 2020 plus allowable expenses.

    Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
    Nays: None

    The Mayor read Max Tedford’s letter of resignation.

  4. Consider and act on approving Max Tedford’s letter of resignation effective 12-31-19. Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Glumac, to approve and accept Max Tedford’s letter of resignation effective 12- 31-19.

    Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner
    Nays: None

    1. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Water Committee Meeting 12-9-19 and Insurance Committee Meeting 12-9-19
      Brooks, Water Committee—12-9-19:

      • Discussed the Liberty St. water main. The grants will be awarded after January 1, 2020. The City plans on budgeting for it in 30-60 days.
      • Discussed that Itron is changing distributors after December 24, which will cause an increase in the cost per meter. Midwest Meter is the current distributor. The current price is $75.00 per meter. It will save the City money to purchase the remaining Itron meters needed to change out the last 350 plus old style meters. There is enough money budgeted to purchase them.
      • Discussed the current City tapping fee is $600. Arcola, IL tapping fee is $750. Albion, IL tapping fee is $600. Albion is considering increasing their fees. Changing our fee will be discussed and considered at a future time.
      • The bulk water sales station may need moved, but we will gather additional information for future discussions.

        Meeting adjourned at 5:55 PM

        Harris, Insurance Committee 12-9-19:

      • Discussed Health Insurance Rates for 2020:
      • The City reinsurance limit will increase from $15,000 to $20,000.
      • 15% increase on premium for employee and City is suggested.
      • Deductible increase from $250 to $500.
      • 90-10 out of pocket to 80-20 with a max of $2,500 per individual.
      • Prescription copay: $10 to $20 for generic and $20 to $40 for name brands.
      • MedTrak will have savings of about $15,000.
      • Melissa Brooks will have Jason Booth with Snedeker Risk Management work up rates and coverages for first of the year at suggested changes. Meeting adjourned at 6:21 PM.
    2. STATEMENTS:
      Council Members:
      Glumac: Commended the City’s employees for their snow removal. They did a great job. Wished all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It was a pleasure working with you Max. “It’s been the bomb.”
      Brown: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It was a pleasure working with you Max. Brooks: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanked Max for all he had done for the City. Reisner: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It was a pleasure working with you Max.
      Blake: Thanked Max and the city employees for cleaning the street the past weekend.
      Harris: Gave the Payment and Billing Adjustment Report to the Council and discussed it. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It was a pleasure working with you Max

      City Attorney: I want to thank each and every one with the City. I have enjoyed being the City Attorney. I think the public fails to realize the time it requires to do this job or how demanding it can be. He thanked everyone again.

      City Treasurer: Thanked Max. Merry Christmas every one.

      City Clerk: Water Department PO # 6517
      Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris, to authorize Water Department purchase order # 6517 for $33,075.00 to Midwest Meter for ERW1300-402 100w Encoders ERT (new meters).
      Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake
      Nays: None

      Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

      Mayor:

    a. Ask Chief Swick to speak:

    1. Swick told the council about the Mary Heath Grant of $20,000 awarded to Newton Police Department for the new radios, which is about half the cost.
    2. He ask that the monthly or quarterly financials in the Insurance Accounts (commonly called the “Poke”) be presented to the employees to see the trends.
    3. Thanked Max.

    b. The Mayor wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Congratulation to

    Max.
    c. He ask the council to consider having another lottery for Five April Crossing lots.

    12. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: January 7, 2020 at 6:00 PM SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: None

    13. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation and sale of real estate

    Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Blake, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss litigation, potential litigation and sale of real estate pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion. Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris

    Nays: None
    Open session suspended at 6:30 PM

    Eric Blake left the meeting at 6:31 PM.

    Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
    Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Glumac
    Nays: None

    Open session resumed at 6:52 PM.

    Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation and sale of real estate.

    The Mayor told the Council that Jasper County is having another Mapping Meeting tomorrow 12-18. They are meeting with Western Illinois University. Everyone is welcome.

    14. ADJOURNMENT

    Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Glumac, to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Glumac, Brown
    Nays: None

    Meeting adjourned at 7:02 PM. Submitted by Rosetta York