UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
March 19, 2024
Finance and Audit Committee Meeting at 5:45 PM.
- CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
Mayor Joshua Kuhl called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman RJ Lindemann.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman RJ Lindemann. - ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and
Mike Swick
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City Clerk
Maggie McDonald
Absent: Alderman Larry Brooks - ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to adopt the
amended agenda.
Potential Litigation was added to Executive Session.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None - APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of March 5, 2024.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to approve the
minutes of the March 5, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
Abstain: Glumac - APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $197,379.07 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
$177,041.99. Kaleb Wright seconded the motion.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
- PUBLIC COMMENTS:
• Brad Tarr with Embarras Watershed Update: Tarr spoke to the council with
an update on the completed watershed plan that started back in 2018. He
presented explanations as to what exactly the watershed plan is, the type of work
and testing that goes into the plan and facts and findings that were taken when
conducting the study. This plan was finished and updated in 2022. He thanked
the city for their donation given to help fund the plan and presented the city with a
finished copy of the watershed plan. The plan can also be found electronically
through a link on the first page of the jaspercountyswcd.com website. - COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 6:00
PM. (Waiting on minutes)
• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 5:45 PM.
(Waiting on minutes)
- OLD BUSINESS:
A. Opening of sealed bids for the 1990 Ford Dump Truck.
B. Consider and act on awarding bid to purchase the 1990 Ford Dump Truck.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to award bid
for the 1990 Ford Dump Truck to Chuck Bosley in the amount of $6,146.00.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for
Demolition Reimbursement Application for 702 Foster St.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the
disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition Reimbursement
Application for 702 Foster St in the amount of $7,500.00 as recommended by
the Finance and Audit Committee.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for
Demolition Reimbursement Application for 504 Curtis St.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the
disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition Reimbursement
Application for 504 Curtis St. in the amount of $7,500.00 as recommended by
the Finance and Audit Committee.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for
Demolition Reimbursement Application for 503 Barton St.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the
disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition Reimbursement
Application for 503 Barton St. in the amount of $15,000.00 as recommended by
the Finance and Audit Committee.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
F. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to JCCU#1 for a
Dumpster Reimbursement Application for 907 W. Washington St.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the
disbursement of funds to JCCU#1 for a Dumpster Reimbursement Application
for 907 W. Washington St. in the amount of $2,500.00.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: Lindemann, Blake
G. Consider and act on awarding bid for the TIF funded S. Van Buren Water Main
Replacement Project located in the TIF district.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to award the bid
for the TIF funded S. Van Buren Water Main Replacement Project located in the
TIF district to Kieffer Bros. Construction in the amount of $634,286.00 as
recommended by City Engineer John Stone.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: Lindemann, Blake
H. Consider and act on authorizing the Electric Department Head to solicit bids for a
new bucket truck as recommended by the Electric Committee.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the
Electric Department Head to solicit bids for a new bucket truck as
recommended by the Electric Committee.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: Blake
I. Consider and act on authorizing an additional user to the InfraMap software program
for a cost of $500 per year plus start up expenses.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
adding an additional user to the InfraMap software program for a cost of $500
per year plus start up expense estimate of $2,880.00.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
- NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing representation for union negotiations.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
tabling representation for union negotiations until after Executive Session.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing the city engineer to proceed forward obtaining
permitting for an upcoming OSLAD Grant funding opportunity.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the
city engineer to proceed forward obtaining permitting for an upcoming OSLAD
Grant funding opportunity.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing one Newton City Police Officer to attend the Lead
Homicide Investigator Training in Urbana, IL on April 22-26, 2024. Training is free.
Only cost will be hotel plus allowable expenses.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize one
Newton City Police Officer to attend the Lead Homicide Investigator Training in
Urbana, IL on April 22-26, 2024. Training is free. Only cost will be hotel plus
allowable expenses.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application for Strong Girls/Strong
Boys Fun Run on May 17, 2024 from 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the
Special Event Application for the Strong Girls/Strong Boys Fun Run on May 17,
2024 from 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
- STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: The Newton Aquatic Center will open Friday, May 24 at Noon. The Strong Girls and
Strong Boys of Newton Elementary have started their training with 52 girl and 43 boys. Great
participation this year. Gave an update on obtaining an electric rate study. Updated the council
with the importance of how this impacts our residents, ways to pay for the study, and the overall
need to invest in conducting a rate study.
Wright: Get out and vote. Called a Water/Wastewater Committee Meeting for Tuesday, March
26, 2024 at 6:00 PM.
Lindemann: Went over the utility adjustments. Lent is coming to an end. Happy Easter to
everyone. Spoke to abolish the Capital Development fund.
Blake: No Comments.
Swick: Reminder of the Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Thursday, March
21, 2024 at 5:30 PM.
City Attorney: No Comments.
City Treasurer: No Comments.
City Clerk: No Comments.
Mayor: Thanked Gayle, Amy and Matt for their continued work on obtaining answers and
explanation for the use of a rate study. Thanked Melissa and her crew for their work finishing
up budgets. Thanks to all city employees for a job well done. The Newton Pool will open May - Good luck to all candidates up for election today. Happy Easter everyone.
- NEXT REGULAR MEETING: April 2, 2024 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
• Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Thursday, March 21,
2024 at 5:30 PM.
• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at
6:00 PM. - EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, 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: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 7:00 PM.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to go out of closed
session and back into open session.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:26 PM.
Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed potential litigation.
10(A). Consider and act on authorizing representation for union negotiations.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac to authorize
representation for union negotiations from Giffin Winning Cohen and Bodewes,
P.C. Attorneys at Law.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
- ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adjourn the
meeting.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:28 PM.
Submitted by:
Maggie E. McDonald, City Clerk
