UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
March 18, 2025
- 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 Eric Blake.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Eric Blake. - ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
Physically present: 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 Gayle Glumac and Alderman Larry Brooks - ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: (Add John Stone to Public Comments)
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to adopt the
amended agenda.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None - APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of March 4, 2025.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to approve
the minutes of the March 4, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Wright, Kuhl
Nays: None
Abstain: Blake - APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $164,543.18
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 $145,314.82. Kaleb Wright seconded the motion.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None - PUBLIC COMMENTS: John Stone: Informed council on the outcome of the
Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting that was held March 11, 2025 for a variance
request to construct a duplex in an SR-1 Zoning District. The Zoning Board all
voted in favor of the request. Mr. Stone suggested the Zoning Board have a
meeting addressing changes to the municipal code allowing SR-1 Zoning
Districts to construct duplexes with a Special Use Permit moving forward and
also discuss stipulations on storage units.
Stone gave an update on the pickleball courts at Peterson Park. The tress and
old equipment have been removed. We will be having a meeting next week to
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
March 18, 2025
review next steps and get bid packet together. Hope to be going out for bids by
mid-April.
- COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: None
- OLD BUSINESS: None
10.NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing the Zoning Board of Appeals Variance
Request for 109 Goble St. This will allow a duplex to be built in an SR-1
Zoning District.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to
authorize the Zoning Board of Appeals Variance Request for 109 Goble
St. This will allow a duplex to be built in an SR-1 Zoning District.
Ayes: Swick, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing two 20 MPH speed limit signs to be placed
on Martin St., 500’ feet from the school crosswalk, to establish school zone
entrance speed limit restrictions. This is for the ERBA Head Start.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to
authorize two 20 MPH speed limit signs to be placed on Martin St., 500’
feet from the school crosswalk, to establish school zone entrance speed
limit restrictions. This is for ERBA Head Start.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing Chief Riddle to donate six (6) hours of his
accrued sick time to Officer Hall.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to
authorize Chief Riddle to donate six (6) hours of his accrued sick time to
Officer Hall.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Wright
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing the City Treasurer to remove Donna Watkins
and add Stacy Gray as an authorized signer on city accounts.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to
authorize the City Treasurer to remove Donna Watkins and add Stacy
Gray as an authorized signer on city accounts.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on authorizing two officers to attend the IJOA & IDOA
(Illinois Juvenile Officers Association and Illinois DARE Officers Association)
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
March 18, 2025
2025 Annual State Conference in Peoria, Illinois on June 10-13, 2025.
Conference fee is $250.00 per officer, plus hotel and allowable expenses.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to
authorize two officers to attend the IJOA & IDOA (Illinois Juvenile
Officers Association and Illinois DARE Officers Association) 2025
Annual State Conference in Peoria, Illinois on June 10-13, 2025.
Conference fee is $250.00 per officer, plus hotel and allowable
expenses.
Ayes: Swick, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
F. Consider and act on sending two employees from the Electric Department to
a Capacitor Bank and Regulator Class in Brownstown, Indiana on April 17,
- Class if free. Only cost is hotel and allowable expenses.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to
authorize sending two employees from the Electric Department to a
Capacitor Bank and Regulator Class in Brownstown, Indiana on April
17, 2025. Class if free. Only cost is hotel and allowable expenses.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
11.STATEMENTS BY:
Wright: Reminder there is a Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting scheduled
for tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 19 at 6:00 PM.
Lindemann: Presented the utility adjustments. Wished everyone a reflective lent.
Voiced opinion to lower property taxes and abolish the Capital Development Fund.
Blake: No comments.
Swick: Leaking seams and lap joints were found while city hall has been undergoing
construction. This will be a little extra in cost to the total project. This will be on the next
meeting’s agenda for approval.
City Attorney: No comments.
City Treasurer: No comments.
City Clerk: No comments.
Mayor: Thanked the Newton Police Department and Jasper County Sherriff’s
Department, Deborah Riddle, and all involved for their hard work putting together the
Shop with a Cop Fish Fry. Thanked community members for coming out to support this
event. It was another great turnout! Congratulations to our Jasper County 8
th grade
volleyball girls and the St. Thomas 8
th grade volleyball girls as they are both regional
champions! Unfortunately, they both lost their sectional championship game last night.
Congratulations on a wonderful season girls! Spring sports are underway, with softball
and baseball starting. City wide cleanup is scheduled for May 30th and 31st
. Brush
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
March 18, 2025
dump will be open the first and third Saturdays beginning in April. Thank you to the
community for their continued patience when visiting City Hall with all the construction
we have had going on at the building. Lastly, it has been confirmed the owners of our
local IGA will be closing their doors. Their projected closing date is April 18th
. As of
now, Dieterich Bank has no plans leaving their current location. The city is currently
working diligently with the Chamber of Commerce exploring options to fulfill this void
within our community as quickly as possible. I hope to share more information as this
process unravels.
12.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: April 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
- Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Wednesday, March 19,
2025 at 6:00 PM. - Electric Committee Meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM.
- Park Committee Meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025 immediately following
the Electric Committee Meeting. - Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
13.ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to adjourn
the meeting.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Wright
Nays: Nome
Meeting adjourned at 6:32 PM.
Submitted by:
Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
