UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
January 21, 2025
- Finance and Audit Committee Meeting January 21, 2025 at 5:30 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 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, Eric Blake
and Mike Swick
Also present: City 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. (Add Belchers and Samanas’ to Public Comments.
Change spelling to line item 10.B to Michael)
Ayes: Glumac, Wright Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None - APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of January 7, 2025.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
approve the minutes of the January 7, 2025 meeting of the Newton City
Council.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None - APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $209,395.19
and the bills and accounts payable earlier today and makes a motion to
approve the pre-paids and authorize payment of the bills and accounts
payable in the amount of $140,800.91. Kaleb Wright seconded the motion.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None - PUBLIC COMMENTS: Belchers and Samanas’ spoke on behalf of a water
tapping fee reimbursement on their new build in Five Aprils Crossing.
They were under the impression that with the new Enterprise Zone
incentives they would be reimbursed for their water tapping fee. The
residential Enterprise Zone incentives did not take effect until September of - The water and wastewater committee will be deciding how to
properly proceed with this situation at a future committee meeting.
- COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
- Electric Committee Meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM.
Electric Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, December 16, 2024 5:30 PM – 6:03 PM
Present: Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Kaleb Wright, Mike Swick, Matt Tarr, Amy Tarr, Brenda Phillips,
Maggie McDonald and Melissa Brooks
Meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM.
- Gayle Glumac made a motion to go out of open session and into executive session to discuss
municipal power.
5:58 PM - Gayle Glumac made a motion to go out of executive session and back into open session.
- With all the snow we had received the past week, the electric department was fortunate to not
have any downed limbs or power outages. - The donations that were collected from the Lights in the Park will be used towards bulb
replacements, new cords and necessary equipment needed for next year.
Meeting adjourned at 6:03 PM.
Submitted by:
Gayle Glumac – Chairman - Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025
at 6:00 PM.
Water and Waste Water Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, January 13, 2025 6:04 PM – 7:40 PM
Attendees: Mike Swick, Joshua Kuhl, Tyler Weber, Eric Blake, Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Maggie
McDonald, Melissa Brooks, Amy Tarr, Matt Tarr, Brent Benefiel, Doug Weddel, Carson Brown and Jared
Wagner
Meeting began at 6:04 PM.
- Last year we had Viking Industrial Painting repair a hole that was found on our South water tower.
Aaron Tebbe, with Viking Industrial, presented the committee with information about a
maintenance program they offer. This program is a fixed amount yearly fee that covers inside
and outside painting and repairs as they are needed. Repairs and painting on a water tower can
be very costly. You would pay the yearly fee, and when a problem arises, they fix it at no cost.
When it comes time to repaint the tower, it is already covered in the cost. The committee will be
revisiting this topic on February 3. - A service charge fee for water meters was discussed and if it would be based by the size, usage
or flat fee rate. - New incentives were recently passed within our Enterprise Zone. One being the waiver of all
water and sewer connection fees. For sewer, you will have the $250 connection fee waived. For
water, whatever the cost of your material sale is from our main to the owner’s meter, is what will
be waived. - There is a sewer line that runs right through the middle of the property at 801 Jourdan St. If, and
or when, the current owner would decide to tear down, or rebuild anything on this property, the
sewer line issue will be addressed accordingly.
Meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM.
Submitted by:
Mike Swick – Chairman - Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025
immediately following the Finance and Audit Committee Meeting.
Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, January 13, 2025 7:40 PM – 8:22 PM
Present: Joshua Kuhl, Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Melissa Brooks, Eric Blake, Mike Swick, Maggie
McDonald, Tyler Weber, Doug Weddell and Jared Wagner
Meeting called to order at 7:40 PM.
- The possibility of releasing a few acres of the Griffith ground was discussed.
- TIF Application for Wad It Up Transport was discussed. It was recommended by the
committee to award up to 15% of the project cost. - The Demolition Reimbursement Application was reviewed. The council will be discussing
further about possible requirement changes at the next council meeting. - The TIF Agreement with Harvest Biofuels will also be discussed at the next council
meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM.
Submitted by:
Maggie McDonald
City Clerk - Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Wednesday, January
15, 2025 at 5:30 PM.
(Waiting on Minutes)
- Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at
5:30 PM.
Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 21, 2025 5:30 PM – 5:56 PM
Present: Joshua Kuhl, Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Melissa Brooks, Eric Blake, Mike Swick, Maggie
McDonald and Jared Wagner
Meeting called to order at 5:30 PM.
- It was the opinion of the majority of the committee to award Jared Wagner up to $15,000
through the demolition reimbursement program.
Meeting adjourned at 5:56 PM.
Submitted by:
RJ Lindemann – Chairman
- OLD BUSINESS:
A. Swear in Officer James Riddle as Chief of Police.
B. 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 Kaleb Wright, to table
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. to the July 1, 2025 meeting of the
Newton City Council.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing a material sale water connection fee
reimbursement to 403 Woods Farm Ln. in the amount of $1,087.08, added as
an Enterprise Zone incentive that was passed on September 18, 2024.
Motion was made by Eric Blake, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to table
authorizing a material sale water connection fee reimbursement to 403
Woods Farm Ln. in the amount of $1,087.08, added as an Enterprise
Zone incentive that was passed on September 18, 2024 to the February
4, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing a material sale water connection fee
reimbursement to 303 Woods Farm Ln. in the amount of $1.087.08, added as
an Enterprise Zone incentive that was passed on September 18, 2024.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to table
authorizing a material sale water connection fee reimbursement to 303
Woods Farm Ln. in the amount of $1,087.08, added as an Enterprise
Zone incentive that was passed on September 18, 2024 to the February
4, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on authorizing the TIF Application submitted for 1107 S.
Van Buren St. for 15% of the total project cost up to the amount of $83,574.45
to be reimbursed yearly based on the incremental tax increase after
completion of the project, as recommended by the Finance and Audit
Committee.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Eric Blake, to authorize
the TIF Application submitted for 1107 S. Van Buren St. for 15% of the
total project cost up to the amount of $83,574.45 to be reimbursed
yearly based on the incremental tax increase after completion of the
project, as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.
Ayes: Wright, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: Lindemann
F. Consider and act on authorizing a Demolition Reimbursement or Dumpster
Reimbursement for 109 Goble St.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
authorize a Demolition Reimbursement for 109 Goble St. up to the
amount of $15,000.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: Lindemann
G. Review and discuss the TIF Agreement with Harvest Biofuels.
The council reviewed the TIF Agreement that the city will hold with
Harvest Biofuels. It will be sent to Harvest Biofuels for their review and
acceptance.
H. Discuss qualifications to the Demolition Reimbursement Application.
At this time, the application will remain as is. Would like to implement
having the city inspector determine if it fits the condemning list criteria
before any funds are awarded.
I. Discuss qualifications to the Dumpster Reimbursement Application.
It has been questioned to allow a dumpster reimbursement in the event
of a remodel or renovation, not just a demolition. The council has
considered altering some of the qualifications. They will discuss
additional modifications to the dumpster reimbursement application at a
future committee meeting.
10.NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 25-01, an Ordinance Granting an
Exclusive Franchises to Republic Services for Operation of a Sanitary Hauling
Service Within the City of Newton.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to
authorize passing Ordinance 25-01, an Ordinance Granting an Exclusive
Franchises to Republic Services for Operation of a Sanitary Hauling
Service Within the City of Newton.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing the hire of Michael Hall as a full-time officer
of the Newton Police Department.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to
authorize the hire of Michael Hall as a full-time officer of the Newton
Police Department with a start date of January 22, 2025.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing the hire of Adam Deckard as a part-time
officer of the Newton Police Department.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to
authorize the hire of Adam Deckard as a part-time officer of the Newton
Police Department.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing the Newton Police Department to advertise
for lateral hire with sign on incentives.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to
authorize the Newton Police Department to advertise for lateral hire with
sign on incentives.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on authorizing the city to pursue selling a portion of the
Griffith ground.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to
authorize the city to pursue selling a portion of the Griffith ground.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
11.STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: Want to give my condolences to Donna Allison’s family. Thanked the
Chamber for an incredible evening at their banquet and for the Eagle Award. Most
importantly, I want to thank God for brining me to Newton and to be a part of such a
wonderful community.
Wright: Express my deepest sympathy to Donna Allison’s family and the Parklanes
family. My wife has worked there for over a year and had become very close with
Donna. The Allison’s have really turned Parklanes around and I hope to continue to see
it do well. Thank you to the chamber for hosting your banquet. It was a great evening.
Lindemann: Presented the utility adjustments. Express my condolences to Donna
Allison’s family. Happy Inauguration Day. I believe we have a very bright future ahead.
I am looking forward to these next four years, as you all should too. Voiced opposition
to the Capital Development Fund.
Blake: No comments.
Swick: Condolences to Donna Allison’s and the Parklanes family. She was a
wonderful lady and will truly be missed. Congratulations to Gayle for her Eagle Award
at the Chamber banquet. Very well deserved. The Chamber banquet was spectacular.
Great crowd and we hope to continue to see it grow.
City Attorney: No comments.
City Treasurer: Congratulations to Gayle. I send my condolences to Donna Allison’s
family.
City Clerk: (2 PO’S)
- Police Department PO#1 to Kemper Technology for two (2) new computers.
Total cost for two (2) computers and installation labor in the amount of $2,477.60.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize
Police Department PO#1 to Kemper Technology for two (2) new computers
with installation labor for a total cost of $2,477.60.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
- Electric Department PO#31-30 to Anixter for the purchase of a Vector 3-Phase
Switch for the D circuit line in the amount of $4,200.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize
the Electric Department PO#31-30 to Anixter for the purchase of a Vector 3-
phase Switch for the D circuit line in the amount of $4,200.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
Send my condolences to Donna Allison’s and the Parklanes family. Congratulations to
Gayle. Congratulations to Jim. Wish Mayor Kuhl a Happy 40th Birthday. I am excited
to see what 2025 has in store for the City of Newton.
Mayor: Condolences to Donna Allison’s and the Parklanes family. Also want to send
condolences to the Riley family, as Howard Doc Riley has passed away at 101. He
knew anything and everything about the history of Newton and Jasper County. I want to
thank our Fair Queen for representing Jasper County this past weekend. Want to wish
Alderman Wright a Happy Birthday this weekend. Congratulations to our new Police
Chief Mr. Riddle. Congratulations to Gayle Glumac. It was a pleasure to present you
with the Eagle Award. Randy Smith was the other Eagle Award winner, congratulations
to Randy. Congratulations shout out to all the chamber winners that evening, McClane
Motors, JC First, Parklanes, Mr. Hartrich and Derrick Fischer. Hats off to the Chamber
for a terrific evening. Thank you to Tom Clark for speaking and all the history you
presented.
12.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: February 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
- Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting on Monday, February 3, 2025
at 6:00 PM.
13.EXECUTIVE SESSION: Sale of Real Estate, Personnel and Potential Litigation
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of
open session and into closed session to discuss Sale of Real Estate,
Personnel and 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 7:21 PM.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of closed
session and back into open session.
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
January 21, 2025
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 8:06 PM.
Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed Sale of Real
Estate, Personnel and Potential Litigation.
14.ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to adjourn the
meeting.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.
Submitted by:
Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
