**The Public Hearing Date has been officially set since the meeting on Tuesday night. We have updated the title of this story to reflect that action to avoid confusion.
The Newton City Council met on October 1st. Under Old Business, the council approved a TIF application for Myer Funeral Home in the amount of $2,500 to help offset the expenses of removing the oil and chip in the old section of parking lot and replacing it with concrete. The estimated total for the work is $8,151.
Also in Old Business, the board considered and acted on public hearings for Public Act 101-0027, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act signed into law on June 25, 2019 and effective January 1, 2020. The council agreed to host a public hearing to hear the public’s opinions on the topic. The dates of October 22 as first choice and October 24th as the second choice with a time of 6:30. The final date will depend on available usage of the NCHS auditorium and coordinating with staff for approved use. The idea of having the public hearing in October would be to be able to make a decision in November with December being a busy month this would enable the council to have something in place before the first of the year.
**UPDATE: There will be a Public Hearing on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 6:30 PM in the Newton High School Auditorium at 201 W. End Ave., Newton, Illinois to discuss at the Public Act 101-0027, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, sales and regulations in Newton and Jasper County.. **
There was no New Business for the meeting.
In Committee Reports, updates were given on the Finance Committee and JEDI meetings both held on the same day as the meeting.
In Statements, Gayle wanted to personally thank everyone that helped with the Fall Festival and the Cruise In, especially the football boys who helped empty trash.
David updated on the Ives Mausoleum Mausoleum. Brad contacted the families as requested. Repair and resurfacing in house is going to be attempted. There are employees with a background in concrete.
Eric read the September animal report with 12 city calls, 6 county calls, 527 miles with three reported bites. 6 dogs impounded, tag fees $436 and the propane tank was replaced.
Marlene spoke about an insurance meeting she attended through Snedeker. Melissa also commented about the speakers including the active shooter speaker.
Rosie had a purchase order for water meters. Larry commented on the water meter project and how it was progressing.
Mayor Mark spoke stating, “One of you said how busy we have been in our community of late, and I just want to echo that. Our leaders of our community who have helped put these things on have really stepped up and done a great job and I think they all deserve a pat on the back, a thank you, an attaboy, a kudo, whatever you want to give them, but everyone has done a really, really good job of representing our community and there’s still a lot of things coming down the pike yet for this year.”
He also stated how proud he was for the amount of activities and events we have going on for the size of our community and the wide variety of age groups the activities cover, from young people to seniors.
Unofficial Minutes of the Meeting
Finance Committee Meeting at 5:45 PM, before Council Meeting
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: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Eric Blake and
Marlene Harris
Absent: Robert Reisner
Also present: Attorney Max Tedford, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk
Rosetta York
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris, to adopt the proposed agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of September 17, 2019:
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Glumac, to approve the minutes of the
September 17, 2019 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: None
7. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on Meyer Funeral Home TIF application for $2,500.00
reimbursement.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown, to authorizing payment of
Meyer Funeral Home TIF application for $2,500.00 reimbursement.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on public hearings for Public Act 101-0027, the Cannabis
Regulation and Tax Act signed into law June 25, 2019 and effective January 1,
2020.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Glumac, to approve having public
hearing(s) for Public Act 101-0027, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act
signed into law June 25, 2019 and effective January 1, 2020.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
8. NEW BUSINESS: None
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Finance 10-
1-19 and JEDI 10-1-19
Harris, Finance 10-1-19: Discuss TIF Application: The Committee said Meyer Funeral
Home TIF applications is ok to approve at council meeting for $2,500. Discuss the
Purchasing Policy for the City of Newton and making updates. Adjourned at 5:57.
Brooks, JEDI 10-1-19: Gave a brief summary
The following are excerpts from Amber Volk’s JEDI minutes.
a. Jennifer Hinterscher to speak on behalf of the Corvette Road Tour.
Newton hit it out of the park. Mike’s number one highlight and one of the best Funruns.
Pleased with parking and signage coming into Newton. Only issue was the itinerary ended
up changing a little. Only 50 shirts left from the original 150. They are still being sold at
Mid-America. Newton is definitely in the running if they decided to do future Funruns and if
Newton is open to it.
Monthly Updates
b. Amber Volk, Executive Director
The new Dollar General is open. We will possibly have a JEDI tour for our November
meeting.
Doug: Possibly look into doing a ribbon cutting with Dollar General that day.
City of Olney Code Enforcer and Enterprise Zone Supervisor Mike Mitchell has retired.
Dallas Colwell has taken his position.
c. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton
Currently working on getting a daycare. Unable to disclose details.
Corvette Funrun was well done & well attended. The Fall Festival also went well. Great job
everyone!
d. Jason Warfel, Jasper County Board Member
2020 fiscal year budget on display next Thursday. Next meeting is next Thursday
@ 7pm. U of I Extension Council has 4 vacant spots and looking to fill one from Jasper
County. They meet 4 times a year. If interested, contact me or Carl Baker, the Extension
office in Effingham. Mike Hall invited me to the recent Dieterich Mapping session. The
majority of Dieterich’s success can be attributed to this program. We are looking to
possibly bring the mapping program to Jasper County but will need the commitment from
the community to attend. The program is 5 weeks long, consisting of a one 3-hour night
meeting per one night per week with no less than 25-30 people attending. The program is
to learn as a community what we need or want and then talk about how to facilitate. The
cost would be $3,500.
e. Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1
We have 30 days to fill the vacant school board seat due to the death of Rob Street. We
have it advertised right now. If you know of someone who would be interested, send them
our way. We had 5 including Rob apply previously. I’ll be reaching out to them to see if
they are still interested. Please reach out to anyone you think cares about the future of our
kids and wants to play a role in it. We could use the prayers. Rob Street was very
impactful and very important to us.
f. Beth Probst, High School / Jr. High Principle
High School fall sports are in full swing. Cross County is running very well. Volleyball is
playing really well. Football is seeing success and Friday is a home game. Tennis is
having a great season. Soccer has only lost one. Band placed 1st in pretty much
everything at Robinson and Grand Champion last weekend. They go to EIU this weekend.
Jr. High baseball went to the regional championship against T-town. It was a really good
game but they ended up losing. Cross County has 3 more meets then they have their
sectionals next Saturday. Softball placed 4th in state. We are very proud of the girls. Girls
basketball starts Thursday with their opening home game at 6pm.
Next week is Homecoming. The parade will be on Friday at 2:30pm.
g. Lea Creadore, Chamber Vice President
We were under budget for the Corvette Funrun and invoices will probably be sent out
Monday.
October 12th is Scare on the Square 3pm-5pm.
Comments from those attending the meeting
Jennifer Hinterscher: Thursday is pack the place night at the High School home
Volleyball game. Thursday at St. Thomas, the Jasper County Cancer Support Bingo door
open at 5pm and game starts at 6pm. (flyer with more information is attached to email).
Sara Kinkade: Queen of Hearts – Over $500,000 in 39 weeks came through Jasper
County $5 at a time. They were also buying other things. Newton Animal Health Center
sold a set of Amish patio furniture because the people came to buy Queen of Hearts
tickets. We wanted to do something to not only bring money to the athletics but also bring
money into the community and we accomplished that. The VFW is now rehabbing the
building. They painted outside and redid their ceiling. Thank you for all the support. We are
doing it again and we will see what happens this time.
10.STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Glumac: Thanks to everyone who helped with Fall Festival and the Corvette Funfest,
especially the High School Football players.
Brown: The Park Department is going to do an in-house repair on the Ives
Mausoleum.
Brooks: No comment
Blake: Gave the Animal Control Report
Harris: The Snedeker Insurance conference had good information. She will be calling
an Insurance Committee meeting soon.
City Attorney: No comment
City Treasurer: Thank you for letting her go to the Snedeker event.
City Clerk: Water Department PO # 6515
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Blake, to authorize Water Department
purchase order #6515 for $21,489.00 to Midwest Meter Inc.
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. Van Buren St
Newton, IL 62448
October 1 , 2019
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Blake
Nays: None
Mayor: The past year has been very busy for our community. Our community leaders
have done a great job representing us. They deserve very big thank you. There are
more events coming. Please check the Newton Press, Jasper County Daily News,
WIKK radio and social media for future events.
11.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: None
12.EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation and sale of real estate
Motion was made by Brown, 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, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:25 PM
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brooks, to go out of closed session
and back into open session.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 6:49 PM.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation,
potential litigation, sale of real estate and personnel.
13.ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:04 PM.
Submitted by Rosetta M. York
