UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. Van Buren St
Newton, IL 62448
June 16, 2020
1. CALL TO ORDER: Mark Bolander, Mayor
Mayor Mark Bolander called the meeting to order.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Marlene Harris.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Marlene Harris.
3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, Robert Reisner and Marlene
Harris
Also present: Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York
Absent: David Brown, Eric Blake and William Heap
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Harris, to adopt the proposed agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Reisner, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of June 2, 2020:
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Glumac, to approve the minutes of the
June 2, 2020 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Alderman Harris reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $137,117.42 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 $142,643.40.
Glumac seconded the motion.
Ayes: Reisner, Harris, Glumac, Brooks
Nays: None
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: None
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on the Joint Defense and Common Interest Agreement with DWGP
(Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer & Pembroke) to represent the City of Newton in negotiations
with Ameren on new WDS (Wholesale Distribution Service) rate formula.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Reisner, to authorize the Joint Defense
and Common Interest Agreement with DWGP (Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer &
Pembroke) to represent the City of Newton in negotiations with Ameren on new
WDS (Wholesale Distribution Service) rate formula.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brooks, Reisner
Nays: None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on Ordinance 20-09 Approving Annexation Agreement with Michael
Birch and Sandy Birch.
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris, to pass Ordinance 20-09
Approving Annexation Agreement with Michael Birch and Sandy Birch.
Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Reisner, Harris
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on the TIF agreement GSI.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Riesner, to authorize the TIF agreement
with GSI for $40,000.00.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
10.COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Animal Control
on June 2, 2020, Police Committee on June 15, 2020 and Finance Committee June 16,
2020
City Clerk-Animal Control: Discussed the Animal Control Agreement with the County.
Adjourned at 7:45 PM.
Reisner-Police:
• Animal control costs and personnel were discussed.
• Old Mill Bridge signage and trail usage was discussed.
• Chief informed us that a couple of Starcom radios have been received.
• A candidate was interviewed for an opening in the Newton Police Department. Meeting
adjourned at 6:25 PM
Harris-Finance: Discussed TIF agreement for GSI to improve stormwater drainage, to
repair parking lot and for a possible expansion.
Discussed the funding needed and where to get funding to do Washington St. and
Jackson St. around The Square. Adjourned at 5:55 PM
11.STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Harris: Brad Benefiel thanked the Council for the pay raise. She has had complaints
about unmowed ditches. She presented the Payment and Billing Adjustment Report to the
Council.
Brooks: Called a Water Committee Meeting on June 23 at 5:30 PM to discuss water
meters at the 3 apartment complexes.
Reisner: Called a Street Committee Meeting to follow the Water Meeting on June 23 to
discuss resurfacing “The Square” and Ditch mowing. The Railroad is going to start on S.
Van Buren St. crossing on July 20th. Tarring and chipping Street Department program is
on July 28th with a rain date on July 29th.
Glumac: No Comment
City Attorney: Not Present
City Treasurer: No Comment
City Clerk: No comment
Mayor: There was a Black Lives Matter Rally on Saturday. Herb Meeker said there were
about 130 people who rallied.
12.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: July 7, 2020 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
Water Committee Meeting June 23, 2020 at 5:30 PM
Street Committee Meeting June 23, 2020 after Water Committee Meeting
13.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: Reisner, Harris, Glumac, Brooks
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:19 PM
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to go out of closed session and
back into open session.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brooks, Glumac
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 6:50 PM.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation,
potential litigation, sale of real estate and purchase of real estate
14.ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Harris, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Glumac, Harris
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 6:51 PM.
Submitted by Rosetta M. York
