UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
November 5, 2024
- Public Hearing to Vacate the Alley running East and West between Lots 3 &
6 in Block 13 of the Original Town Subdivision of the City of Newton on
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 5:30 PM.
- 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 Gayle Glumac.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Gayle Glumac. - ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, Eric Blake
and Mike Swick
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City
Clerk Maggie McDonald
Absent: Alderman RJ Lindemann - ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to adopt
the amended agenda. (Added Purchase of Real Estate to Executive Session.)
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick
Nays: None - APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of October 15, 2024.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to approve
the minutes of the October 15, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None - PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
- COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
- Personnel Committee Meeting on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM.
Personnel Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
Present: Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, Melissa Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake, Mike Swick, Joshua
Kuhl, Rachel McVicar and Maggie McDonald
Meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. - Gayle Glumac made a motion to go out of open session and into executive session to interview for
the Treasurer Assistant position. RJ Lindemann seconded the motion.
7:14 PM - RJ Lindemann made a motion to go out of executive session and into open session. Gayle Glumac
seconded the motion. - Reminder of the luncheon that will be held for all city employees on Friday, October 18, 2024.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM
Submitted by:
Maggie McDonald
City Clerk
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
November 5, 2024
- Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Wednesday, October 23, 2024
at 6:00 PM.
Police and Building Permits Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday October 23, 2024 at
6:00pm - Committee moved into executive session to conduct interviews for the Police Chief
position.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, Seconded by RJ Lindemann. - Committee moved out of executive session where interviews for the position of Police
Chief were discussed.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, Seconded by Mike Swick.
Meeting adjourned at 8:03pm
Submitted by:
Kaleb Wright – Chairman - Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at
6:00 PM.
Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday October 24, 2024 at 6:00pm - Committee moved into executive session to conduct interviews for the Police Chief
position.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, Seconded by Gayle Glumac. - Committee moved out of executive session where interviews for the position of Police
Chief were discussed.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, Seconded by Mike Swick.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10pm
Submitted by:
Kaleb Wright – Chairman - Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 6:00 PM.
(Waiting on Minutes) - City Insurance Committee Meeting on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 6:00 PM.
City Insurance Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 30, 2024 6:00 PM – 7:46 PM
Meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. - The 2025 RMA dues were discussed and presented. It was decided to stick to the usual renewal
plan. - Additionally, the city will investigate getting a supplementary umbrella policy for inventory.
Brenda Phillips joined the meeting at 7:18 PM. - The city’s Luminare Administration Renewal was discussed. We are going to find out when the
deadline for renewal will be.
Meeting adjourned at 7:46 PM.
Those in attendance were:
RJ Lindemann – Chairman
Josh Kuhl Melissa Brooks Larry Brooks Eric Blake Matt Tarr Maggie McDonald Gayle Glumac Amy Tarr
Jim Closson Brenda Phillips
- Electric Committee Meeting on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 immediately
following the City Insurance Committee Meeting.
Electric Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 30, 2024 7:46 PM – 9:43 PM
Present: Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Larry Brooks, Melissa Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake, Matt
Tarr, Amy Tarr, Brenda Phillips and Maggie McDonald
Meeting was called to order at 7:46 PM.
7:46 PM - Gayle Glumac made a motion to go out of open session and into executive session to discuss
municipal power. RJ Lindemann seconds the motion.
8:29 PM - Gayle Glumac made a motion to go out of executive session and back into open session. RJ
Lindemann seconds the motion.
Brenda Phillips left the meeting. - Matt Tarr talked about looking into an infrared GSI mapping company that conducts thermal
imaging. This shows hot spots and hot transformers. It also maps utility assets. This helps with
pre disaster preparation, identifying where city assets are currently placed. - The Electric Department needs to purchase 3 cell modems, one for each substation. These
modems transfer the information received from the real time data meters, making the data then
viewable. - There is a need for more storage space, especially now with Lights in the Park. Shipping
containers or space rental was discussed. - Rate of pay within the Electric Department was discussed.
Meeting adjourned at 9:43 PM.
Submitted by:
Gayle Glumac – Chairman
- OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 24-15 Vacating the Alley Running
East and West Between Lots 3 & 6 in Block 13 of the Original Town
Subdivision of the City of Newton, Repealing Ordinance 24-13.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright to pass
Ordinance 24-15 Vacating the Alley Running East and West Between
Lots 3 & 6 in Block 13 of the Original Town Subdivision of the City of
Newton, Repealing Ordinance 24-13.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing the 2023/2024 Fiscal Year Audit.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
authorize the 2023/2024 Fiscal Year Audit.
Ayes: Blake, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
Present: Swick
C. Consider and act on authorizing the 2023/2024 TIF Fiscal Year Audit.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to
authorize the 2023/2024 TIF Fiscal Year Audit.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake
Nays: None
Present: Swick
D. Consider and act on authorizing the IML Risk Management Association
proposal for the City of Newton Property, Liability and Work Compensation
Insurance Coverages in the amount of $99.503.45.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Larry Brooks, to
authorize the IML Risk Management Association proposal for the City of
Newton Property, Liability and Work Compensation Insurance
Coverages in the amount of $99.503.45.
Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Blake
Nays: None
Present: Wright, Swick
E. Consider and act on authorizing the City of Newton to solicit bids for a 2012
Dodge Durango. Bidding will begin Wednesday, November 6, 2024 and end
on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
Motion was made by Larry Brooks, seconded by Eric Blake, to authorize
the City of Newton to solicit bids for a 2012 Dodge Durango. Bidding
will begin Wednesday, November 6, 2024 and end on Tuesday,
December 3, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: Wright
F. Consider and act on authorizing the Collective Bargaining Agreement
between the City of Newton Police Department and the Policemen’s
Benevolent and Protective Association beginning May 1, 2024 thru April 30,
2028.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to
authorize the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of
Newton Police Department and the Policemen’s Benevolent and
Protective Association beginning May 1, 2024 thru April 30, 2028.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
G. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to Gordan Yager
in the amount of $2,393.85 for a Dumpster Reimbursement Application.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac to
authorize the disbursement of funds to Gordan Yager in the amount of
$2,393.85 for a Dumpster Reimbursement Application.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
H. Consider and act on authorizing Pay Estimate #3 to Kieffer Brothers
Construction Company., Inc. in the amount of $181,112.10 for work on the S.
Van Buren Watermain Replacement Project.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
authorize Pay Estimate #3 to Kieffer Brothers Construction Company.,
Inc. in the amount of $181,112.10 for work on the S. Van Buren
Watermain Replacement Project.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake
Nays: None
I. Consider and act on authorizing the invoice to Stone & Waggoner, PLLC in
the amount of $16,982.78 for work on the S. Van Buren Watermain
Replacement Project.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to
authorize the invoice to Stone & Waggoner, PLLC in the amount of
$16,982.78 for work on the S. Van Buren Watermain Replacement
Project.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
J. Consider and act on authorizing the purchase, installation and labor of three
cellular modems, one at each substation, for a total amount of $7,600. These
transport readings from the real time data meters.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Eric Blake, to
authorize the purchase, installation and labor of three cellular modems,
one at each substation, for a total amount of $7,600. These transport
readings from the real time data meters.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
K. Consider and act on authorizing two employees from the Electric Department
to attend Meter Reading School in Springfield, Illinois from December 3 – 5,
- Cost is $525.00 per person plus hotel and allowable expenses.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Eric Blake, to
authorize two employees from the Electric Department to attend Meter
Reading School in Springfield, Illinois from December 3 – 5, 2024. Cost
is $525.00 per person plus hotel and allowable expenses.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
L. Consider and act on authorizing Jasper County Chamber of Commerce
Special Event Scare on the Square held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 from
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to
authorize Jasper County Chamber of Commerce Special Event Scare on
the Square held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
- NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing Donna Watkins Letter of Retirement after 13
years of service, with last working day on October 30, 2024.
Motion was made by Larry Brooks, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to
authorize Donna Watkins Letter of Retirement after 13 years of service,
with last working day on October 30, 2024.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing the hire of Stacy Gray as Assistant Treasurer,
with a start date of November 6, 2024.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to
authorize hiring Stacy Gray as Assistant Treasurer, with a start date of
November 6, 2024.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing to participate in the EPA Community Water
Supply Testing Program in the amount of $3,004.30.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
participation in the EPA Community Water Supply Testing Program in
the amount of $3,004.30.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing St. Thomas a Special Event Liquor License
for a Trivia Night Fund Raiser Event held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from
5:00 PM – 12:00 AM.
Motion was made by Eric Blake, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
St. Thomas a Special Event Liquor License for a Trivia Night Fund Raiser
Event held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM.
Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE NEWTON CITY COUNCIL
108 N. VAN BUREN St.
NEWTON, IL 62448
November 5, 2024
10.STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: Big thank you, again, to all that came out and helped with Lights in the Park
setup. Good luck to Donna on her retirement.
Wright: No comments.
Brooks: Thanked Donna for her service and hope she enjoys her retirement.
Blake: Thanked Donna for her service and hope she enjoys her retirement.
Swick: Congratulations to Donna and Welcome to Stacy.
City Attorney: No comments.
City Treasurer: The treasurer’s office has determined that the city would need to levy
$721,970 for the tax year 2024. The amount to be levied will not exceed the 2023 tax
year levy extended by more than 5%. Wished Donna well and many years of happiness
in her retirement and welcome to Stacy.
City Clerk: 1 PO Wastewater Department - 1 PO for the Wastewater Department to Vandevanter Engineering for Kaeser
Blower Repair in the amount of $14,940.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize
the PO for the Wastewater Department to Vandevanter Engineering for
Kaeser Blower Repair in the amount of $14,940.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
Congratulations to Donna, I hope she enjoys her retirement. Welcome aboard Stacy.
Mayor: Big thank you and well wishes to Donna Watkins. Much appreciation to you for
your 13 years of service with the City of Newton in our Treasurer Department. She will
be greatly missed not only as a coworker but also as a friend. Thank you to all that
helped with Lights in the Park. Especially to Gayle, Matt, Garrett and Lane for all their
efforts getting the event ready. Really looking forward to seeing it all finished. Thanked
the Newton Police Department, Sandy, county deputy’s and the States Attorney for
hosting the Shop with a Cop Pork Burger Sale. Thank you to the community for all your
support, it was a good turnout. Hope everyone got out and exercised their freedom and
right to vote today.
11.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: November 19, 2024 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
- Joint Review Board Meeting on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 10:00 AM.
- Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, November 12,
2024 at 6:00 PM. - Public Hearing to Vacate the Alley running North and South between Lots
6 & 7 in Block 8 of the Original Plat in the City of Newton on Tuesday,
November 19, 2024 at 5:30 PM.
12.EXECUTIVE SESSION: Personnel and Purchase of Real Estate
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Eric Blake, to go out of
open session and into closed session to discuss personnel and purchase
of real estate pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act
pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:24 PM.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of
closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:21 PM.
Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed personnel and
purchase of real estate.
13.ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to adjourn the
meeting.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:21 PM.
Submitted by:
Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
