UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
1. CALL TO ORDER: Mark Bolander, Mayor
Mayor Mark Bolander called the meeting to order.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Robert Reisner.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Robert Reisner.
3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Robert Riesner, Eric
Blake and Marlene Harris
Also present: Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: #8A correct to Kristi Mathews, #8C delete, # 11 add Animal
Control on June 2 and #12 delete one sale and replace with purchase.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Blake, to adopt the amended agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of May 19, 2020.
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris, to approve the minutes of the May 19,
2020 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: None
7. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on passing 20-08 An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 21 Liquor, Article I
– Generally and Article II – Licenses of Newton City Code.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Glumac, to pass passing 20-08 An Ordinance
to Amend Chapter 21 Liquor, Article I – Generally and Article II – Licenses of Newton
City Code.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on 2020 bids for annual MFT Street Maintenance Program. (bid letting
is June 1, 2020 at 10:00 AM in City Hall).
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Brooks, to authorize 2020 bids for annual
MFT Street Maintenance Program: Compass Minerals for salt at $4,837.00, Heuerman
Bros. for CA-16 rock at $9,916.00 and for CA-6 rock at $4,035.00.00, and Kintner & Son,
Inc. for seal coat AC-5 and Bit. Material (prime coat) MC-30 for $55,565.45.
Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
8. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on appointment of Kristi Mathews to the Zoning Board of
Appeals.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Glumac, to authorize the appointment of
Kristi Mathews to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner
Nays: None
Swearing-in of Kristi Mathews.
B. Consider and act on authorizing the TIF agreement with Galloway Insurance.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Blake, to authorize the TIF reimbursement
agreement with Galloway Insurance for $2,500.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing the TIF agreement with Pizza Man.
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Street Committee on
May 27, Finance Committee on June 2 and JEDI June 2.
Reisner-Street: Discussed the resurfacing S. Jackson St. and W. Washington St. with Rebuild Illinois
IDOT funds. Discussed Checking on the River Bridge maintenance, because it is beginning to show a
little wear. Discussed the Eagle Track logos on Washington St. Adjourned at 6:05 PM
Harris-JEDI: Excerpts from Amber Volk’s JEDI minutes
1. Amber Wakefield: Others are taking notes on how Jasper County is handling COVID-19. We need to
get ahead w/ marketing the community. Examples: Community calendar, available homes, meet
community leaders. There needs to be a more cohesive avenue for our community’s information.
Amber W’s team can come up with a solution and help with getting out this information. The Marketing
Committee will start meeting again and will brainstorm with Amber Wakefield.
Monthly Updates
2. Amber Volk, Executive Director: Currently in Phase 3 of the State’s Reopening Plan. We will have in
person meetings once we are in Phase 4. The City of Newton was able to send in applications for two
local businesses in regards to the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program. Currently waiting to
hear from the State. St. Joseph Renewable Fuels: $400 million project. 100 full time jobs. Will use
brown & yellow grease to create drop in diesel fuel. Will take 2 years for construction.
3. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton: Sarah Bush Lincoln Clinic will be relocating across from Napa.
Looking to break ground this year. First National Bank of Olney will have a zoning hearing and is looking
to break ground this summer. Westend Reception and Events has started dirt work. The Five Aprils
Crossings Lot Lottery has been pushed back to a later time. Will be meeting with IGA.
4. Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board Chairman: Have approved jail concept but is currently being
tweaked. Goal is to start Sept 1st. The hazard mitigation plan has been submitted and will probably
receive feedback to tweak. County bars are open w/ outdoor seating. Next County board meeting is
June 11th @ 7pm located upstairs in the courthouse but will also be on Zoom video call.
5. Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1: Next School board meeting will be June 15th
but will send more information on a later date about location. Filmed 111 graduates and will show the
movie at the Drive-in theater only for family on June 22nd. Currently preparing for next year, very little
guidance currently. We have three options: 1. Have everyone in person at school. 2. Have everyone at
home. 3. Have half in person and half at home and alternate. We are doing everything we can to have
everyone in person. Will keep everyone updated. Will be starting an Advisory Group to get input from
lots of different areas.
6. Sarah Kinkade, Chamber of Commerce Director: Have yet to send out invoices to Chamber Members
due to current events. Will work w/ members who can’t pay. Busy with helping the Health Department in
organizing various needs like homemade masks and getting groceries for the workers at Newton Care
Center. Event dates are currently up in the air and unsure if they will be different.
Harris-Finance:
• Discussed TIF agreement for Galloway Insurance, amended the requested amount to $2,500.
• The IMRF rate has decreased from 12.01% to 11.68% for 2021. The mayor ask the Treasurer to
see if the City could leave it at 12.01%.
• Brenda discussed the covid-19 waved shut-offs and late fees for 17 accounts. A few have set up a
payment plan, but some are up to $1,600.00 unpaid utility bills.
Letters and notices are being sent. Adjourned at 5:55 PM.
10. STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Glumac: No comment
Brown: No comment
Blake: No comment
Reisner: The Railroad will be starting the S. Van Buren St. crossing repairs on July 20, 2020.
Brooks: Commented on the Ordinance to Annex Birchs, Petition to annex and the Agreement
to annex.
Harris: No comment
City Attorney: Not present
City Treasurer: No comment
City Clerk: Thanks for the new laptop.
Mayor: No Comments
11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Animal Control Committee after June 2, 2020
City Council Meeting
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate 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 litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate and purchase
of real estate pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to
those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:33 PM
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Glumac, to go out of closed session and
back into open session.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 6:51 PM.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation,
potential litigation, sale of real estate and purchase of real estate.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Reisner, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 6:54 PM.
Submitted by Rosetta M. York
[pdf-embedder url=”https://jcdailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/200602-CC-unofficial-minutes.pdf” title=”200602 CC unofficial minutes”]
