UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
May 20, 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 Larry Brooks.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Larry Brooks. - ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann and Mike
Swick
Also present: Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City Clerk Maggie McDonald
Absent: Alderman Kaleb Wright, Alderman Eric Blake and Attorney William
Heap - ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adopt
the proposed agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick
Nays: None - APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of May 6, 2025.
Motion was made by Larry Brooks, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to approve
the minutes of the May 6, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None - APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $233,171.37
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 $208,394.22. Mike Swick seconded the motion.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None - PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
- COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: None
- OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing the Police Department to hire another officer.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
authorize tabling the Police Department to hire another officer to the
June 17, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Brooks
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing the estimate from Borgic Designs to
purchase 3 new signs for the Old Mill Bridge and 2 new signs for the ERBA
Head Start School in the amount of $320.00.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to
authorize the estimate from Borgic Designs to purchase 3 new signs for
the Old Mill Bridge and 2 new signs for the ERBA Head Start School in
the amount of $320.00.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing the city attorney to proceed forward
preparing Ordinance for 311 S. Jackson St. to condemn an unsafe and
dangerous building.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to
authorize the city attorney to proceed forward preparing Ordinance for
311 S. Jackson St. to condemn an unsafe and dangerous building.
Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 25-06 Amending Chapter 1-1-20(A)
Penalty. Any person convicted of Code violations shall be fined not less than
$200 and no more than $750 for any one offense.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Larry Brooks, to pass
Ordinance 25-06 Amending Chapter 1-1-20(A) Penalty. Any person
convicted of Code violations shall be fined not less than $200 and no
more than $750 for any one offense.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 25-07 Prohibiting Storage of Junk
and Other Miscellaneous Items.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to pass
Ordinance 25-07 Prohibiting Storage of Junk and Other Miscellaneous
Items.
Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Brooks
Nays: None
10.NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing the hire of Evan Johnson and Caitlyn
Schmidt for the two part time general maintenance positions.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to
authorize the hire of Evan Johnson and Caitlyn Schmidt for the two part
time general maintenance positions with a start date of May 27, 2025.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing an additional time extension request to begin
new construction on Lot 18 in Five Aprils Subdivision.
Motion was made by Larry Brooks, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to
authorize an additional one year time extension request to begin April 1,
2025 to April 1, 2026 for new construction on Lot 18 in Five Aprils
Subdivision.
Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing the Final Pay Estimate #4 to Kieffer Bros.
Construction Co., Inc., in the amount of $19,028.58, for work on the water
main replacement project on S. Van Buren Street.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
authorize the Final Pay Estimate #4 to Kieffer Bros., Construction Co.,
Inc., in the amount of $19,028.58, for work on the TIF funded water main
replacement project on S. Van Buren Street.
Ayes: Brooks, Swick, Glumac, Kuhl
Nays: Lindemann
D. Consider and act on authorizing the Final Invoice to Stone and Waggoner,
PLLC, in the amount of $15,935.36, for work on the water main replacement
project on S. Van Buren Street.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
authorize the Final Invoice to Stone and Waggoner PLLC, in the amount
of $15,935.36, for work on the TIF funded water main replacement
project on S. Van Buren Street.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Brooks, Kuhl
Nays: Lindemann
11.STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: Thursday is the Strong Boys Strong Girls Fun Run at 8:45 AM. Girls will run
first, then the boys. The last day of school is Friday. There will be lots of kids out and
about, so everyone please stay cautious.
Brooks: No comments.
Lindemann: My removal as finance chairman is a clear indicator of the mayor’s desire
to distance himself from my proposed property tax plans, as well as my economic
development policies. I will continue to be a strong opponent of mishandled or uninvestigated spending, and an opponent of law bending of any kind, especially when
it comes to city incentive dollars. That said, I look forward to serving the city in my new
capacities. It is my opinion that the capital development fund should be abolished, and
we should cut property taxes by 25%. I would also like to wish everyone a Happy
Memorial Day as we remember everyone who served in defense of our freedoms.
Everyone should all attend the IGA grand opening this Saturday. Presented the utility
adjustments to council.
Swick: Everyone have a safe and Happy Memorial Day. Be sure to keep in mind all
those who gave everything for this country.
City Treasurer: Congratulations to all the graduates. Everyone have a Happy
Memorial Day. Auditors will be here the week of June 9.
City Clerk: Newton Foods Grand Opening will be on Saturday from 10 AM -1 PM.
They have invited you all to come for the ribbon cutting at 10 AM. They will be serving
brats, hot dogs and pork chop sandwiches. Volunteers are needed to help run the grill.
If you are able to help, please arrive by 9:30 AM. Have a Happy Memorial Day
weekend.
Mayor: The last day of school is Friday. The Newton Pool will open on Saturday with a
true kick off to the summer. May not be the best swimming weather, but I am sure
some will be out enjoying the water thanks to the new pool heater the city has
purchased. This Thursday is the Strong Boys Strong Girls Fun Run. Starts at 8:45 AM.
The community always does a great job of supporting this event, so I ask everyone to
continue to come out and show their support. They will leave the school going North
past the Freeze. Turn at City Hall and continue North out to the Eagle Trail and back.
Newton Foods Grand Opening is this Saturday. Come out and show your support.
Lastly, I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Memorial Day. Don’t forget the reason
why we honor and celebrate this day in May.
John Stone: The MFT bid letting was held yesterday at City Hall. The awarded bids
will be on the next council agenda for approval. The pickleball bid packets are getting
close to being ready to go out. I see no issues with project on Scott Ave. Just need to
submit plans to Josh Ochs before any action is taken. There is a grant opportunity for
streets. I have submitted information over to SCIRPDC for the application.
12.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: June 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: None
13.EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
14.ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 6:29 PM.
Submitted by:
Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
