UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
February 6, 2024
- 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 Mike Swick.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Mike Swick. - ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, RJ Lindemann and Mike Swick
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City Clerk
Maggie McDonald
Absent: Larry Brooks and Eric Blake - ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to adopt the
amended agenda.
Sarah Diel Kinkade and Lanette Huddleston were added to Public Comments. Sale of
Real Estate was added to Executive Session.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick
Nays: None - APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of January 16, 2024.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to approve the
minutes of the January 16, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None - PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS:
• Donna Kuhl and Davis St. Residents: There have been considerable updates
to the West ball diamond and expansion of the West parking lot at the Boys and
Girls Park.
Mayor Kuhl explained due to the extremely high volume of people in and
out of the ball park during season, and for the upmost safety precautions, a one
way in and one way out entrance needed revised. Davis St. is a city owned and
city maintained street. With expansion to the West side of the ball park, Davis St.
would be opened for thru traffic during game times. A gate will be erected, and
shall be closed after games.
The residents voiced concerns and presented other options that could
possibly help with the flow of high volume traffic. Davis St. is only 40’ feet wide.
Some residents do not have off street parking. They spoke on behalf of the
safety of their own children and concerns of trespassing on their private property.
After much discussion and compromise, Mayor Kuhl, council and Davis
St. residents came to an agreement. For the safety of patrons at the ballpark
and residents of Davis St., Davis St. will only be open during ballpark operational
hours. It is to be an EXIT ONLY for leaving the ball park. Signs will be posted
and the situation will be monitored.
• Sarah Diel Kinkade: Spoke on behalf of the Chamber Board and Officers.
Thanked everyone that attended the Chamber Banquet. Thanked the city
departments for all their help and support of the Chamber. The city departments
are always willing to go above and beyond. Presented Matt Tarr, City of Newton
Electric Department Head, with a token of appreciation.
• Lanette Huddleston: Voiced her concern on a past due bill from an old tenant.
With all other costs landlords have to endure when tenants flee, she does not
feel the utility bill should be the landlord’s responsibility when the bill is not in
their name. Mayor Kuhl referred her to Newton City Code 38-1-8.
- COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
• Personnel Committee Meeting Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 5:15 PM.
Personnel Committee Meeting, Tuesday January 16, 2024, 5:25 PM – 6:00 PM
Meeting was called to order at 5:25 PM
• Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to go out of open session and
into closed session to discuss personnel.
• Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of closed session and
back into open session at 5:59 PM.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.
Kaleb Wright – Chairman
• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at
6:00 PM.
Waiting on Minutes
• Electric Committee Meeting Tuesday, January 30, 2024 immediately
following the Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting.
Electric Committee Meeting Minutes, Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 6:40 PM – 8:02 PM
Present: Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Kaleb Wright, Melissa Brooks, Mike Swick, Amy Tarr, Brenda
Phillips, Matt Tarr and Jeff Vance
Meeting was called to order at 6:40 PM.
• Gayle Glumac asked for a motion to go out of open session and into closed session. RJ
Lindemann seconded the motion to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss
municipal power.
RJ Lindemann left the meeting at 6:50 PM.
Jeff Vance left the meeting at 7:19 PM.
• Gayle Glumac asked for a motion to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Executive Session ended at 7:38 PM.
Open Session resumed at 7:38 PM
• Matt Tarr presented a leasing agreement for a new bucket truck for the Electric Department. He
is going to be looking into advantages and disadvantages of leasing to own or purchasing
outright.
• Updates for a step-by-step liability procedure to the Electrical Code in the Newton City Code
Book was discussed.
• It was recommended by the committee to send two city employees and one member of the
council to the IMEA Conference that will be held in May 2024.
Meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM.
Submitted by:
Gayle Glumac – Chairman
- OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on awarding bid for W. Jourdan St. sidewalk project. (Bid letting 10
AM, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at City Hall.)
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to table
awarding the bid for W. Jourdan St. sidewalk project to the February 20, 2024
Newton City Council Meeting.
Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on awarding bid for S. Van Buren St. sidewalk project. (Bid letting
10:15 AM, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at City Hall.)
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to table
awarding the bid for S. Van Buren St. sidewalk project to the February 20, 2024
Newton City Council Meeting.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on awarding bid for E. Washington St. sidewalk project. (Bid letting
10:30 AM, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at City Hall.)
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to table
awarding the bid for E. Washington St. sidewalk project to the February 20,
2024 Newton City Council Meeting.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing the City Attorney to move forward with a city limit
property disconnection at 8665 N. St. Hwy 130 and 8679 N. St. Hwy 130.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
tabling the City Attorney to move forward with a city limit property
disconnection at 8665 N. St. Hwy 130 and 8679 N. St. Hwy 130.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on passing Ordinance No. 24-02 Amending the Pay Schedule for
the Billing Clerk Department Head to $25.99 per hour.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to pass
Ordinance No. 24-02 Amending the Pay Schedule for the Billing Clerk
Department Head to $25.99 per hour.
Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
F. Consider and act on passing Ordinance No. 24-03 Authorizing the Sale of Lot 11 in
Five Aprils Crossing.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to pass
Ordinance No. 24-03 Authorizing the Sale of Lot 11 in Five Aprils Crossing.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on writing off uncollectible debt in the amount of $14,157.26 for 41
different utility accounts that closed from 2008 to 2017.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to write off
uncollectible debt in the amount of $14,157.26 for 41 different utility accounts
that closed from 2008 to 2017.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing a Grant Writing Services Agreement with South
Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission (SCIRPDC) for a
Community Facilities Grant (CFG) for the aided purchase of a new/used police
vehicle.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize a
Grant Writing Services Agreement with South Central Illinois Regional
Planning and Development Commission (SCIRPDC) for a Community Facilities
Grant (CFG) for the aided purchase of a new/used police vehicle.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing a Special Event Permit Application to Embarras
River Tourism Council for a Total Eclipse of the Heartland Viewing and Activities held
on the Newton Square on April 8, 2024 from 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize
tabling the Special Event Permit Application to Embarras River Tourism
Council for a Total Eclipse of the Heartland Viewing and Activities held on the
Newton Square on April 8, 2024 from 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM to the March 5, 2024
Newton City Council Meeting.
Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: There will be an Electric Committee Meeting on February 19, 2024 at 6:00 PM.
Thanked Josh Ochs and the Street Department for cleaning up the sidewalks and drains by
Newton Elementary.
Wright: No Comments
Lindemann: Thanked the residents of Davis St. for their input and understanding this evening.
Voiced opinion towards abolishment of the Capital Development Fund.
Swick: The Chamber Banquet was a fantastic time. If you didn’t get a chance to go, put it on
your agenda for next year. There is grant money for businesses. Reach out for information.
City Attorney: Judgment was obtained from the court, giving the city the right to demolish
property at 200 N. Goble St.
City Treasurer: No Comments
City Clerk: The Embarras River Tourism Council had asked if displaying banners at the
Newton entrance signs would be allowed and what requirements would need met. Tourism
Council would need to contact the property owners and follow state right of way guidelines.
Mayor: The Chamber Banquet was a wonderful evening. Every table was accompanied by
local business owners. It was an honor to see the encompassing of those businesses into the
Chamber. Many awards were given to very special people who have done a lot for our
community and helping it grow.
Echoed Sarah Kinkade in standing up for our city workers and how they all continually
go above and beyond in their work.
Acknowledged any lack of communication and expressed appreciation to all residents on
Davis St. The willingness to work together and have these discussions are not always for the
sole purpose of one, but for the betterment of our community as a whole, so thank you for your
input and understanding this evening.
- NEXT REGULAR MEETING: February 20, 2024 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
• Electric Committee Meeting Monday, February 19, 2024 at 6:00 PM. - EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to go out of
open session and into closed session to discuss personnel and sale of real estate
pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those
areas of discussion.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 7:25 PM.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to go out of closed session
and back into open session.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 8:14 PM.
Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed personnel and sale of
real estate. - ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Wright, Glumac, Lindemann, Swick
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.
Submitted by:
Maggie E. McDonald, City Clerk
