UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. Van Buren St
Newton, IL 62448
October 19, 2021
1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
Mayor Joshua J. Kuhl called the meeting to order.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Eric Blake.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Mayor Josh Kuhl.
3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta M. York, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann and
Marlene Harris
Absent: Eric Blake
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks, and Clerk Rosetta M.
York
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: add Lanette Huddleston to #7
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Lindemann, to adopt the amended
agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Lindemann. Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of October 5, 2021:
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Lindemann to approve the minutes of the
October 5, 2021 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Lindemann, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $223,357.30 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 $85,399.08.
Brooks seconded the motion.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: Christopher French, Chad Miller and Lanette
Huddleston
Christopher French: He stated the States Attorney, the Newton Police Chief and him were
working together for a solution to the issue he was going to present to the Council.
Chad Miller: Chad presented the funds, expenditures and costs for “Lincoln’s Place” which is
in Peterson Park. The project planning began in 2017. The fund raisers anticipated the
original quote would be insufficient to cover 2020-21 expenses. They are asking the City to pay
for the fencing around the playground area for $8,738.97. The Mayor said his family would
donate $2,000. The Council were in agreement to go forward with doing this. It will be on the
agenda of the next Council Meeting.
Lanette Huddleston: She ask permission to do the Christmas display on the Old Mill Bridge
with a tree and a sleigh. She also asked for clarification on Ordinance 21-06 Amend Chapter
21 Article II- Outside sales. The Mayor addressed her concerns.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Finance and Audit
Committee Meeting October 11, 2021 at 6:00 PM
RJ Lindemann minutes:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
A TIF grant for a property on Sycamore Street was discussed.
The results of the audit of the city were discussed.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
9. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on approving the 2020/2021 fiscal year audit.
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris, to authorize and approve the
2020/2021 fiscal year audit.
Ayes: Lindemann, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on approving the 2020/2021 TIF fiscal year audit.
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Glumac, to authorize and approve the
2020/2021 TIF fiscal year audit.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
c. Consider and act on the updated quotes to repair and/or replace windows on west side of
City Hall.
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Brooks, to authorize Ramon Kocher
Construction quote to repair and replace windows on west side of City Hall for
$4,220.00, option # 1 on the updated quote.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Lindemann, Harris
Nays: None
10. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on TIF application to Mike Niemerg at 103 Sycamore St. for $1,450.00.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to authorize the TIF application to
Mike Niemerg at 103 Sycamore St. for $1,450.00 reimbursable funds.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Lindemann, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on Special Event Application for the ERTC for “Jasper County Christmas”
the event is on December 4, 2021 between 12 noon – 8:00 PM.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Harris, to authorize Special Event
Application for the ERTC for “Jasper County Christmas” the event is on December 4,
2021 between 12 noon – 8:00 PM.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
11. STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: No comments
Brown: No comments
Brooks:
Lindemann: Explained to the council that he has reviewed and approved the billing adjustment
report.
Harris: No comments
City Attorney: No comments
City Treasurer: No comments
City Clerk: No comments
Mayor: There will be Scare on the Square, Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 2:00 PM-4:00 PM.
ERTC is having Jasper County Christmas on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 12:00 PM – 8:00
PM. Remind the citizens that the Street Department will be vacuuming leaves and the City’s
Yard Waste dump is open every Saturday in November which is November 6, 9, 16, 23 and 30.
12. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: November 2, 2021 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: None
13. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Potential litigation and purchase of real estate.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to go out of open session and into
closed session to discuss potential litigation and purchase of real estate pursuant to the
exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Lindemann, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:56 PM
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to go out of closed session and back
into open session.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 8:00 PM.
Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed potential litigation and
purchase of real estate.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Lindemann, Harris
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM.
Submitted by Rosetta M. York
